Top 10 Things to Do in Shanghai: Cyberpunk & History (2026)

It is the most famous sight in Shanghai for a reason. On one side, 100-year-old British colonial buildings; on the other, the futuristic skyline of Lujiazui.

This is the most beautiful part of Shanghai. Tree-lined streets, Art Deco mansions, and endless cafes. Wukang Road (武康路) is famous but crowded.

Suggested Route: Start at glorious Wukang Mansion, walk down Wukang Rd, turn onto Anfu Rd (安福路) for trendy shops, or wander down Fuxing West Rd (复兴西路) for peace and quiet.

Everyone talks about Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), but the true Shanghai breakfast is Shengjianbao (生煎包). They are bigger, feature a thicker dough, and are fried until crispy on the bottom.

Where to eat: Yang's Dumpling (小杨生煎) chain is reliable and great. For a Michelin-recommended classic, go to Da Hu Chun (大壶春).

Forget the observation deck at Shanghai Tower (it's behind glass and full of tourists). Go to Flair at the Ritz-Carlton instead.

It is outdoors, and you are eye-level with the Pearl Tower. The view is absolutely insane. Minimum spend applies (~$50 USD/person), but it's worth it for the photo and the experience.

The only classic Chinese garden in downtown Shanghai. It's 400 years old and exquisitely beautiful (rockeries, ponds, pavilions).

Most temples are red and modest. Jing'an Temple is gold and flashy. Sitting right in the middle of luxury malls and skyscrapers, it's a stunning contrast. It cost millions to renovate and features a massive silver Buddha.

Shanghai's answer to London's South Bank. It used to be an industrial airport/factory area, now it's filled with world-class museums like the **Long Museum** (industrial chic) and **Tank Shanghai** (oil tanks turned into art centers). Great for a sunny afternoon walk.

If you fly into Pudong (PVG), take the Maglev to the city. It's the fastest commercial train in the world, hitting speeds of 431 km/h (check the digital speedometer in the carriage). It levitates magnetically and covers 30km in 8 minutes.

Every weekend, hundreds of parents gather in People's Park to find spouses for their children. They adhere resumes to umbrellas listing age, height, income, and property. It is a fascinating, intense, and unique glimpse into traditional Chinese family dynamics.

This is where old Shanghai comes to socialize. In the mornings, Fuxing Park turns into an open-air ballroom. Local seniors dress up in suits and dresses to waltz, tango, and cha-cha under the plane trees. It's joyous and incredibly charming.