A lot of travelers end up in Shanghai at the end of a group tour, especially those that visit the Yangtze River and the Three Gorges Dam, or on a business trip. With a couple of days free in Shanghai, it's hard to know what to do if you're used to being guided around by a tour director or host company. Here's a helpful list of fun things to do, on your own, in Shanghai.
If you're really ambitious, you could probably cover the whole list. But if not, pick two or three a day and take your time.
With the more obscure streets, I've given cross-streets to help you or your concierge find the location on the map.
1. French Concession Walking Tour
The French Concession is a lovely part of Shanghai because, despite the fact that you're in the heart of a city with a population exceeding seventeen million, it feels like you're just in a local neighborhood. The French imported plane trees in the early 1900s and these trees still line both sides of every street in the area. These days, old villas and lane houses are being renovated and turned into lovely shops and homes. It's fun to wander the less-congested streets and watch oldies chatting on the sidewalks and vendors market their wares. Here are two French Concession Walking Tours I recommend:2. Bund Walking Tour
The Bund is Shanghai's most famous landmark. You might have buzzed in and out of a fancy dinner in one of the renovated buildings but take a morning to really enjoy the area and peek inside some of the buildings. A great way to visit the Bund on a nice day is to be dropped off at the Peace Hotel (formerly the Cathay Hotel) and walk south, ducking into buildings along the way. Not to be missed:- A walk through the renovated Art-Deco Peace Hotel (currently closed for renovation)
- The HSBC Building's fully restored lobby
- Three on the Bund's Terrace at New Heights (seventh floor)
- Strolling along the far side on the promenade next to the Huang Pu River
3. Yu Garden & Bazaar
While kitschy, the Yu Garden area is a fun place to explore. The whole area around the gardens has been renovated in traditional style Chinese architecture with curving tile eaves that make you feel like you've finally found "Chinatown". Wander through the lanes and alleys and find everything you might want to take home as souvenirs from silk pajamas to chopsticks. Eventually, you'll come to the Huxingting Tea House that supposedly inspired the design in the famous Blue Willow china pattern. Across the way is the entrance to Yuyuan Garden itself where you can follow crowds through a classical Ming garden.4. Moganshan Road Art District
If you'd like to see what's happening on the contemporary art scene in China, take a taxi to Moganshan Road near Suzhou Creek. Once just factories and warehouses, the area is now a thriving art colony full of galleries of all sizes. There's a café near the entrance to the lane where you can have a nice coffee once you've seen the scene. Not to be missed:- Art Scene Warehouse, Building 4, 2F
- EastLink Gallery, Building 6, 5F
- Shanghart, Building 16 & 18
5. Sundowners & Snacks at Face
Face Bar, in the ground floor of Building Four in the Ruijin Guesthouse complex, is the perfect place to sit outside in the garden and enjoy a cocktail and soak up that lovely feeling you get when you've found a little oasis in the middle of a teeming hulk of a city. The building was one of the private residences of Benjamin Morris, a wealthy British taipan who lived in Shanghai in the 1920s and 30s and the garden is part of the whole estate. Wander through the park and the buildings and you'll get a good sense of how it was to live the high life during Shanghai's gay years before the Second World War.6. Xin Tian Di
Xin Tian Di is a restaurant, bar, club development that utilizes Shanghai's traditional shikumen architecture. Shikumen buildings are recognizable by the gray and red brick facades, numerous ornamental front gates and low two to three story heights. Originally built by the thousands in rows for middle-class Chinese, these classic Shanghainese houses are being destroyed and replaced by modern skyscrapers. Enjoy the restaurants and shopping, but don't miss the small free-entry museum that educates visitors on what life was like in the lane-houses of the past.7. Jin Mao Tower
Currently the tallest building in Shanghai, the Jin Mao stands at 88 floors. Its remarkable architecture is recognizable on a clear day from all over the city. There's an observation deck on the 88th floor (access 50rmb, US$6) where you have spectacular views of the neighboring skyscrapers and the sprawling city. Enjoy similar views with a cocktail in hand at the Cloud 9 bar on the 87th floor of the Grand Hyatt hotel. Note, access to the observation deck and Cloud 9 are separate. Follow signs at ground level to the observation deck, follow Grand Hyatt signs to get to the hotel elevators and Cloud 9.8. Taikang Road Art, Cafe & Shopping District
If you're in the mood for some shopping but are tired of touts shoving fake watches in your face, head to Taikang Road. A walk down the road lets you see local Shanghai life at its best: street vendors selling pancakes and fruit, kids scampering about and women hanging up laundry. Then find alley 210 and wander down the lane. It's full of shops and cafes selling everything from traditional Chinese qi pao dresses to funky silver jewelry. Not to be missed:- Marion Carsten jewelry
- Kommune Cafe
- Woo Cashmere
