Here’s 14 things that make Shanghai famous.
Shanghai is one of the busiest, most interesting, and most exciting cities in not only China, but the world.
It’s super modern and surrounds you with never-ending skyscrapers. Yet, you’ll turn down an unknown street and find a slice of traditional life with brightly colored stalls of Chinese medicine products.
It’s this contrast that Shanghai is known for and it’s what brings countless tourists and locals to the city every year.
Keep reading to find out what else Shanghai is known for.
1. Shopping
Shopping on Nanjing Road is even popular at night. Image by ThewayIsee on Shutterstock.
Shanghai is absolutely famous for its shopping. In fact, lots of travelers visit this city just to spend as much money as possible!
Shanghai’s shopping experience is unforgettable and there are numerous shopping areas for you to explore where you can find almost anything.
Some of the best shopping spots in the city are:
- Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street for big brands
- Huaihai Road for luxury goods
- Tianzifang for specialty shops
- Super Brand Mall for local and overseas stores.
My favorite though is probably Xintiandi for local boutiques – even just to have a look! It’s also a lovely, upmarket area to have a bite to eat in.
2. Cultural blend
You can find many different cultures in Shanghai. Image by Ye Massa on Unsplash.
The history of Shanghai goes back more than a thousand years and during that time, the city has welcomed travelers and migrants from all over the world.
Famous visitors over the years have included everyone from Charlie Chaplin and Einstein to Barack Obama.
This mix of cultures and influences has given Shanghai a very unique cultural blend. It’s more Western than any other city in China, with lots of amenities that are familiar to foreign tourists.
In fact, the culture in Shanghai is so unique that it has its own name, the Shanghai Regional Culture. It’s based on traditional Chinese culture combined with Yue and Wu Dynasty culture, and is also influenced by Western culture.
This makes Shanghai a surprisingly comfortable place to travel, even for visitors who’ve never experienced China before.
The former French Concession – which I talk about below – is one of the city’s most famous districts with a uniquely European influence. And, all the biggest international and Chinese banks are dotted along the Bund.
When walking the streets, you’ll find restaurants from different parts of the world including India, Korea and the Middle East. And it’s this combination that’s so exciting, especially if you’re a foodie.
Before I arrived in Shanghai, I would have never guessed that there was so much choice when it came to the food. I ate Mongolian one night, which I’d never heard of before let alone eaten, Middle Eastern the next, and Mexican for lunch.
As strange as it sounds, I actually learned to love Mexican food while in Shanghai!
3. Its size
Shanghai is known for being big! Image by 4045 on Shutterstock.
This entry into the list of what Shanghai is famous for is a little odd, but it’s also the truth.
Shanghai is famous simply for being so big. It’s the largest city in China (with over 24 million people at last count), beating out Beijing.
It’s also the third biggest city in the world!
The constant crush of people is one of the memories you’ll have of Shanghai once you get back home. In fact, blogger Kim says the huge crowds is one of the reasons not to visit China!
4. The Bund
Shanghainese dancing at the Bund. Image by Adli Wahid on Unsplash.
The Bund is the historical heart of Shanghai. It’s also the most popular attraction that Shanghai is known for.
Located along the west bank of the Huangpu River, this stretch of land has some of the best views in the city center.
On the Bund side of the river, you have colonial buildings dating back to the 1900s, while on the new side of the river is Pudong New Area, the financial district with its towering skyscrapers.
The best time to see this view is at night, when the lights go on to highlight the stunning skyline.
The Bund is also one of the liveliest parts of the city, with lots of shops and restaurants.
You can also wander into some of the buildings to check out the colonial architecture from the inside.
5. Yu Garden
Yuyuan is a classical Chinese garden. Image by Victoria Laroche Creux on Unsplash.
Located in Yuyuan Old Street in Huangpu, the Yu Garden is the oldest green space in Shanghai. It’s also known simply as Yuyuan.
It was laid out in 1559 and covers around 20,000 square meters of land. Sometimes referred to as the Garden of Happiness, this special place actually has an inner and outer area, each of them quite different.
In the Outer Garden, you’ll find Sansui Tang. This is the main hall and has beautiful ornaments and walls.
Dating back to 1709, the Inner Garden is much smaller and has cute little ponds, miniature mountains, and winding pathways leading to pavilions.
Yuyuan Garden is extremely popular with locals and overseas tourists. This is a bit unfortunate as it’s no longer the serene place it once would have been!
A word of warning though – there’s a known tourist scam in the Yu Garden area. Do not follow anyone to a teahouse, as you may be expected to fork out an insane amount of money for a few cups of tea.
You can read more about this in my Shanghai travel tips article.
6. Japanese invasion
In 1937, Japan invaded Shanghai by land, air and sea.
Thousands died in an epic three-month struggle, though the exact figure is unknown.
The Battle of Shanghai ended at the Sihang Warehouse, which is now a museum that locals visit to learn more about Chinese war history and pay tribute to fallen soldiers.
Following the assault on Shanghai, the Japanese advanced to Nanjing, the capital city at the time. It was here that up to 300,000 Chinese were raped and murdered.
This atrocity is known as the Nanjing Massacre, and happened around the same time as the start of World War II.
7. Longhua Temple
Longhua Pagoda is built in the Song Dynasty style. Image by ItzaVU on Shutterstock.
Now to something more soothing.
Located in Shanghai’s southwest, this temple is one of the oldest in China but has been destroyed and rebuilt many times over the years.
The original building was built around 242 AD and the present one dates back to the 10th century.
Longhua is an active temple where Buddhists come to pray and have ceremonies.
It’s also a big complex, with several halls and other features to explore, including the Heavenly King Hall which is dedicated to the Four Heavenly Kings.
Other famous places of worship include Jade Buddha Temple and City God Temple.
8. People’s Square
The Marriage Market at People’s Square is a great place to people-watch. Image by Victoria Laroche Creux on Unsplash.
This was once a racecourse but is now one of the best gathering places in the city.
And, it’s near Nanjing Road – one of the main shopping streets in downtown Shanghai.
People’s Square is always packed with people and things to do. Some of the best tourist attractions in the surrounding area include:
- Shanghai City Hall
- Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center
- MOCA museum for contemporary art
- Shanghai Museum
- Shanghai Great World Entertainment Center for family-friendly fun
- Marriage Market for a peek into arranged marriages (one of many interesting Chinese customs).
Or, just soak up the atmosphere of the square with some bubble tea and people-watch!
9. Sweet food
Red braised pork is a sweet meat enjoyed in Shanghai. Image by Yuda Chen on Shutterstock.
Although it’s influenced by neighboring provinces, Shanghai’s cuisine is uniquely sweet. So, if you have a sweet tooth, then you’ll love eating in Shanghai!
One popular local dish is braised pork (hóng shāo ròu or 红烧肉). It’s basically caramelised pork belly served in a sweet, soy sauce.
The city also has countless street food stalls and they’re a cheap and delicious way to enjoy an on-the-go meal.
Osmanthus cake, which is made with glutinous rice flour, is one typically Chinese sweet treat you could try.
10. Dumplings
Shanghai soup dumplings are one of the best things about the city. Image by Kanghee Han on Pixabay.
Still on the topic of food, Shanghai is known for its incredible, local dumplings.
Shēng jiān (生煎) fried dumplings are one of Shanghai’s signature dishes and are usually made with a filling of pork and seafood along with herbs and scallions.
Then there’s the soup dumplings called xiǎo lóng bāo (小笼包) – my favorite! These dumplings are similar to shēng jiān bāo, but they have thinner skin and they’re not fried.
Both kinds of dumplings have broth inside them. So, when you bite into them, the broth gushes out into your mouth!
The Shanghainese have mastered the ideal time to eat these dumplings. You have to let them cool down (so you don’t burn your tongue), but not too much otherwise the broth goes cold.
11. French Concession
French influence in Shanghai. Image by Robert Mullan on Shutterstock.
Of all the things that Shanghai is famous for, the French Concession might be the most engrossing.
After all, the city is often referred to as the Paris of the East.
The French Concession was one of Shanghai’s foreign concessions and was governed by Europe from 1849 until 1943. Even though this area is now back in China’s hands, it has retained its European flavor and charm.
Many of the original buildings in the French Concession were destroyed, but the architecture and layout were preserved, resulting in adorable, winding lanes and beautiful buildings all over.
Known now as one of the city’s best arts and crafts destinations, you could spend hours exploring the Concession. Also, if you enjoy sweet food, don’t forget to stop in somewhere for a delicious crepe!
12. Shanghai Science and Technology Museum
This is one China’s most-visited museums. Image by Niko on Pixabay.
Shanghai is a modern city that keeps up with all the latest trends and advances. And nowhere is that more obvious than the Science and Technology Museum.
It’s the largest museum of its kind in China and offers lots of attractions for people of all ages.
You can explore the permanent displays, take the kids to the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, or learn more about the world around you at one of the science theaters.
The displays on robotics, space travel, and native Chinese animals are also well worth seeing.
13. Shanghai Disney Resort
Shanghai is home to a Disney Castle. Image by Woshinidayess on Pixabay.
You probably wouldn’t know that Shanghai is known for Disneyland!
Mainland China’s only Disney Resort opened in 2016 and boasts all the crowds, attractions, and magic that Disney has become famous for over the years.
You can even stay at one of the park’s two themed hotels if you want to enjoy the magic for longer than a day.
Shanghai Disney is divided into sections dedicated to different Disney legends. You can wander around Fantasyland, visit the Enchanted Storybook Castle, or go on a ride in Treasure Cove.
Look, I’ll be honest – I haven’t visited Shanghai Disney Resort. I’m not an amusement park kind of girl.
But from what I’ve heard, even though the city is now famous for Disney, it’s not nearly as good as other Disney resorts around the world. So, if you’re not a huge Disney fan, give it a miss.
14. Skyscrapers
The Oriental Pearl Tower is the jewel in the city’s skyline. Image by Edward He on Unsplash.
Shanghai has one of the most insane skylines in the world.
The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. Standing on three legs, it has 15 observatory levels with the highest a dizzying 1,148 feet above ground.
These concrete-and-glass monstrosities are also worth checking out:
- Shanghai Tower – the city’s tallest building (and one of the world’s tallest)
- Shanghai World Financial Center – looks like a giant bottle opener
- Jin Mao Tower – has a nice bar at the top.
They’re all bunched together in the Pudong area, opposite the Bund, making them easy to get to.
Just choose a clear day or the observation deck will be covered in fog and you won’t see a thing.
15. Hot and humid summer
A wet and wild summer’s day at Zhouzhuang Water Town. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
Many tourists who visit Shanghai don’t expect such a muggy summer.
Some days can be excruciatingly humid, and being in a concrete jungle doesn’t help. It can also rain a lot, though the wettest month is September (just after summer).
The best time to visit Shanghai is in the fall or spring. This is because:
- The weather is pleasant
- There are fewer domestic tourists who come during the summer holidays instead
- Hotel prices tend to be a bit cheaper as it’s not peak season.
If you can only come to Shanghai in summer, bring both sunscreen and an umbrella!
A quick travel tip
If you’re planning a trip to Shanghai, don’t forget the internet is censored there.
So, when using hotel Wi-Fi you won’t have access to your favorite sites and apps like Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Google and Gmail, unless you get a VPN before you leave your country.
See your Shanghai VPN options here.
So, what is Shanghai really famous for?
It’s hard to sum up the city of Shanghai in just a few words.
It’s a city of contrasts and one that everyone should experience at least once in their lives.
Shanghai is famous for many things, from its sheer size and never-ending skyline, to its amazing shopping, sweet food, and historical landmarks.
If you’re looking for an enormous, modern Chinese city that has something for everyone and every taste, then you can’t go past Shanghai.
And, if you’re planning a trip to China, check out the article on the best time to visit Shanghai and Beijing. And don’t forget your VPN!
Keep learning about China:
Main image credit: Image by Sean Sheng on Pixabay.
Frequently asked questions about Shanghai
Where is Shanghai located?
It’s on the central east coast of China, about 1,100 km (684 mi) south of Beijing.
Shanghai is in which province?
The city is so big and important that it belongs to its own municipality, called Shanghai Municipality. It’s not part of a province.
Is Shanghai near Hong Kong?
Not at all. Shanghai is 1,226 km (762 mi) north of Hong Kong.
What is Shanghai famous for?
A lot of things! It’s mostly known for its size, skyscrapers, cosmopolitan culture, rich history, sweet food, and large shopping malls.
What is the Shanghai can opener building?
It’s one of the city’s tallest towers and looks like a giant can or bottle opener.
