{"id":46016,"date":"2026-06-25T10:31:46","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T02:31:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/?p=46016"},"modified":"2026-06-25T10:32:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T02:32:49","slug":"things-to-do-in-shanghai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/blog\/things-to-do-in-shanghai\/","title":{"rendered":"31 Things to Do in Shanghai (2026): Attractions, Food & Gems"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From neon skylines to shikumen lanes, here’s what’s actually worth your time<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Shanghai is roughly a five-hour direct flight from Changi, and it surprises almost everyone who expects a stiff financial capital. You get a 632-metre tower next to a 400-year-old garden, a soup-dumpling stall two streets from a Michelin restaurant, and a Metro that makes the whole thing easy to cover in a long weekend. Here are 31 things to do, plus how many days to give it and what it all costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Quick Answer<\/strong><\/strong><\/th>Details<\/strong><\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Best for<\/strong><\/td>First-timers, foodies, design and skyline lovers, families<\/td><\/tr>
How many days<\/strong><\/td>3 days covers the essentials; 5\u20137 adds day trips and slow neighbourhoods<\/td><\/tr>
Don’t miss<\/strong><\/td>The Bund, Yu Garden, a xiaolongbao crawl, Shanghai Tower, Zhujiajiao<\/td><\/tr>
Getting around<\/strong><\/td>Metro (one of the world’s largest), DiDi, the Maglev from the airport<\/td><\/tr>
Best time<\/strong><\/td>March\u2013May and September\u2013October; skip Golden Week (early Oct)<\/td><\/tr>
Paying<\/strong><\/td>Near-cashless; link a card to Alipay or WeChat Pay and tap or scan<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Table of Contents<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Is Shanghai Worth Visiting?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. How Many Days Do You Need in Shanghai?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Iconic Shanghai Attractions & Landmarks<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Unique Shanghai Experiences & Tours<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Shanghai Food & Culinary Highlights<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Trendy Neighbourhoods & Hidden Gems<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Shanghai Day Trips & Water Towns<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Is Shanghai Expensive? Costs & Paying in a Cashless City<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. The Pearl of the Orient Delivers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Shanghai FAQ<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    Is Shanghai Worth Visiting?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    \"Rows<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Yes, and especially for a first trip into mainland China. Shanghai is the most navigable big city in the country for foreign visitors: English signage across the Metro, one of the world’s largest subway networks, and a caf\u00e9, shopping and nightlife scene denser than anywhere outside Hong Kong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    What makes it click is the contrast. The Bund’s 1920s waterfront stares across the river at a wall of futuristic skyscrapers. Centuries-old gardens and temples sit a few Metro stops from concept stores and roastery caf\u00e9s. You can eat brilliantly for a couple of dollars or splurge on a Tang-dynasty banquet, often on the same day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    There’s no paperwork to worry about, either: Singapore passport holders can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days<\/strong> under the mutual exemption, so a Shanghai trip needs nothing more than a valid passport and a flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    The one thing to sort before you land is payments. Shanghai runs almost entirely on Alipay and WeChat Pay, and we cover how to handle that further down<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \ud83d\udcd6 Related Guide: Wondering if your card even works over there? Our guide to using YouTrip in China<\/a><\/strong> covers exactly what works and where.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    How Many Days Do You Need in Shanghai?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    \"Traditional<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Three days covers the headline sights without rushing. Two days is enough if you stick to the centre, and five to seven lets you fold in day trips and the slower neighbourhoods. Here’s how to split it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Shanghai in 1 day (the essentials)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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    Start at Yu Garden<\/strong> when it opens, wander the surrounding Yuyuan Bazaar, then Metro to People’s Square<\/strong> for the Shanghai Museum. Spend the late afternoon on Nanjing Road<\/strong> walking east toward the river, and finish on the Bund<\/strong> at dusk to watch the Pudong skyline light up. It’s a long day, but it’s the classic first pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    The ideal 3-day Shanghai itinerary<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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