25 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN SHANGHÁI

Finding an almost perfect balance between past and present, but always looking to the future, Shanghai It represents a synthesis of different megacities of the world in one. Vibrant, open, cosmopolitan ... the small fishing settlement that once was, has become the New York of China. A place where people arrive longing to make their dreams come true and where you will always find a new view, a new sound, a new story. If you want to start vibrating from your seat, read on because in this post we will tell you the 25 best things to see and do in Shanghai.

1. The Bund It is a long walk that runs along the banks of the Huangpu River and one of the symbols of Shanghai. Some say that you have not really been in the city if you have not passed through here and taken a million photos of the fantastic Pudong skyline, the financial district located on the other side of the river. Do not miss it because it is one of the best things to see in Shanghai.

2. The futuristic skyscrapers of Pudong are a real past, but before you get to know them look around, because on the same bank of the Bund there is a good number of historic colonial style buildings That is worth knowing. These great constructions was the first thing the freighters saw when they arrived in Shanghai in the past, today they are the headquarters of important national banks, insurance companies, luxury hotels ... Without doubt a good way to make clear the economic power of the city . There you will also find the Monument to the People's Heroes, three concrete towers 24 meters high reminiscent of revolutionary martyrs.

3. Take one of the many ferries They arrive to Pudong from the Bund enjoying wonderful views of both banks. Or if you dare embark on a somewhat surreal experience traveling the short distance that separates the two places by a Underground tunnel, while you attend a show of neon lights and laser beams that are projected in the small cabin in which you will go up.

4. Arrive as you arrive, hallucinate contemplating from below the tall buildings of Pudong... and freak out even more with the views of the city you'll have from above. Go to the 360º viewpoint of the mythical TV tower (known as the Oriental Pearl), or test your vertigo further by walking on the glass floor of the 100th floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center.

5. The Yuyuan garden It is one of the most famous places in the city. Built during the Ming dynasty (between 1559 and 1577) it is considered one of the best examples of the classical Chinese garden. Among the different ponds and pavilions you will find the main treasure of Yuyuan, the Exquisite Jade Rock of more than 3 meters high. Do not miss the strange and hypnotic effect that creates the smoke from the incenses at the base of the rock while it sneaks through its fissures and holes. Ticket price from € 4.

6. Before entering the garden you will see the artificial lake on which the beautiful floats Huxinting tea house. Supposedly built without using a single nail, this striking building is one of the oldest restaurants in Shanghai and is an ideal place for tea. To reach it you will have to cross a zigzagging bridge that, according to Chinese mythology, protects it from evil spirits with this peculiar shape (since they do not know how to bend corners). You will also have a difficult time passing through the multitude of tourists who visit this place daily.

7. Do not get away from the garden area without first going around the Yuyuan Bazaar, one of the most beloved commercial areas of the city, where you can buy souvenirs of all kinds. It is an ideal place to start getting acquainted with the delicious local cuisine in the excellent street food stalls.

8. If by now you have fallen into the temptation of shopping, surely you will have discovered and probably put into practice one of the greatest arts in China: haggling. The key weapon to win this difficult battle and not spend more than you should (or at least not much more hehe) is patience. Be clear how much you are willing to pay, stay firm in your decision and enjoy the game ... the Chinese love the tug of war and it is something so typical of their culture that you definitely have to try it! Here we give you a few tips to haggle in Asia.

9. Among the streets of the bazaar you will find one of the most important temples in Shanghai, the Temple of the City God. With its 600 years of history, this jewel of Chinese religious architecture is something you cannot miss on your trip to Shanghai. Admission costs just over € 1.

10. Although not the oldest: this honor has the longhua buddhist temple which, although not as famous among travelers as the previous one, is certainly a place that you should not overlook. It began to be built in 242 A.D., but has undergone various destruction and reconstruction throughout its fascinating history. All these years give to many curiosities, one of them is to have been an internment camp run by the Japanese during World War II. Today is the perfect place to find peace in the middle of the noisy city life. Price ¥ 10 (just over € 1).

11. After visiting some of the oldest places in Shanghai, you may be surprised to know the number 50 of Moganshan Street, also known as M50. This set of old abandoned warehouses It has now become the main district of contemporary art from the city, where an important community of artists exposes their works openly to the public.

12. Before the communist government banned races and games of chance, there was a racecourse in the place where today is known People's Square (or People's Square). It is probably the most famous square in Shanghai, and you should approach even if only to witness an activity very different from horse racing: Singles Market. In this curious market, you will see parents desperate to find a wife / children, we are going to try to "sell" them in the best possible way.

13. Don't leave People's Square without getting to know the Shanghai Museum, a perfect place to discover a little more about the history of China and the city. This museum is one of the best things to do in Shanghai and… it's free! All information about the museum here.

14. A short distance from People's Square is the city's most famous shopping street, Nanjing Road. With hundreds of stores, many of them with a rich history, it is the longest shopping street in the world (about 6 km). Get ready to walk through the crowd, because this place attracts more than 1 million visitors daily.

15. The parks of China also attract crowds, but believe me, there is a much more relaxed atmosphere and full of positive energy. The Chinese conceive the parks as a place to socialize and enjoy outdoor activities such as chess, tai-chi, dance, karaoke ... Our two recommendations are the Fuxing Park, one of the favorite parks of the inhabitants of Shanghai, and the Century park, the big green lung of the city (entrance just over € 1).

16. Another very different park and that you can not miss if you are a lover of the Disney world, is the Shanghai Disney Resort... Guaranteed fun not only for the little ones. You can book the transfer and entry online here. One day ticket costs around € 70. More information about multi-day passes and schedules here.

17. One of the best things to do in Shanghai is to visit the Muslim Market. Every Friday from 10 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon this market offers an incredible fusion of cultures in the form of delicious food. A great experience for visitors to the city and a true paradise for foodies.

18. And continuing with delicacies for the palate, you cannot leave Shanghai without going through Yang's Fry Dumplings. With different locations throughout the city, it is the most famous place to try the shēngjiān, a kind of muffins coated with sesame seeds and scallions and stuffed with meat and an unexpected boiling broth that can leave you with a difficult memory to erase (or rather, clean) in your clothes if you are not cautious when inflating the tooth . Well, nice and cheap ... don't miss it!

19. The tourist, but also beautiful Xintiandi neighborhood, is another place that you can not miss during a visit to Shanghai. In this fashionable area of ​​the city you will find a good number of interesting shops and restaurants occupying the renovated homes shikumen. It is an architectural style that appeared in the 1860s and combines western and Chinese elements. You can also know the place of the first congress of the Communist Party of China. In addition, there is the free tour of the communist Shanghai.

20. Shanghai is famous for many reasons and the ancient French concession It is one of them. Enormously popular with expatriates as a place to establish their residence, it is difficult not to be seduced by its beauty. Refreshingly devoid of skyscrapers, it is a district to delve into the city's past while lazily strolling through its streets and alleys. Without a doubt one of the things to do in Shanghai. And what better way to go with a free tour like this?

21. Check once again the impressive contrasts of this city by approaching one of the best-known temples in Shanghai, the Jing'an Temple, a haven of peace and tranquility surrounded by tall skyscrapers. Destroyed by a fire in 1972, it was completely rebuilt and in 1990 reopened its doors to the public. Ticket price 50 ¥, just over € 6.

22. I know, by now you may start to believe that you have had enough temples in your journey ... But don't let this thought stop you from visiting the Jade Buddha Temple. It was initially built in 1882 to house two statues of Buddha made of jade that had been brought by a monk from Burma. But the temple was destroyed during the revolution that overthrew the Qing dynasty, however the statues were saved, and in 1928 the current temple was built. Price ¥ 30, about € 4.

23. Have you ever gone to more than 400 km / h? In Shanghai you can do it by getting on the Maglev train. This magnetic levitation train reaches a maximum speed of, nothing more and nothing less than 431 km / h! You can travel the 30 kilometers that separate the city center from the International Airport in just 7 minutes. The single ticket costs ¥ 50, just over € 6.

24. If architecture is your thing, do not hesitate to visit one of the most emblematic buildings in Shanghai: Building 1933. To the north of the city you will find this imposing construction, which in the past was the largest slaughterhouse in all of East Asia. Although local residents still care about the evil spirits that lurk in their corners, today many of the old animal pens are offices of businesses and restaurants. In addition, events and theater productions are often held in the impressive attics and dark basements. A place worth knowing and one of the best things to do in Shanghai.

25. With all these things you will surely be entertained for a few days, but if after all you still have some time, why come to know some of the most interesting places around? These are our proposals of day trips from Shanghai:

• Excursion to Suzhou, famous for its traditional Chinese canals and gardens, and Zhouzhuang, which has remained remarkably well preserved for over 900 years. Reserve here.
• Tour to the beauty and full of history Hangzhou. You will enjoy among other things temples, pagodas and a beautiful natural environment, with its famous World Heritage Lake as the main protagonist. Reserve here.

And here the Top things to see and do in Shanghai. We hope that after everything you have read you will be encouraged to travel to this fascinating Chinese city that has so much to offer.

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