10 Best Place to Visit in Shanghai

Shanghai is big, fast, and honestly a little confusing on day one. Most travelers get the best results by picking a few “anchor” places, then filling the gaps with slow walks and food stops. If someone wants an easy first route that connects the city’s story to real streets, the Shanghai City Free Walking Tour is a simple starting point to save for later. 

This list focuses on classic Shanghai attractions plus a few neighborhoods that feel more lived-in. It is written for first-timers from Western countries who want the best place to visit Shanghai without turning the trip into a checklist. When the city feels too “wide,” a guided walk like this free Shanghai City Free Walking Tour can help people get a mental map fast. 

1. The Bund (Waitan) 

The Bund

For many visitors, this is the best place to visit Shanghai on the first day because it explains the city in one view. The waterfront walk faces the Pudong skyline across the Huangpu River, and the historic buildings behind it show the older Shanghai “face.” The simplest move is to walk it twice, once in daylight for details, once after dark for the lights. Early morning also feels calmer, with fewer people and cleaner photos. 

2. Yu Garden and the Old City area 

Yu Garden

Yu Garden is a strong contrast to the skyline. It is a classical Chinese garden near the City God Temple area, and the streets around it are packed with snacks and small shops. It can get crowded, so going earlier usually feels better. Many first-timers like pairing Yu Garden with The Bund in one morning, then using the rest of the day for neighborhoods. A practical way to connect these highlights is the Shanghai City Free Walking Tour route, then exploring solo after. 

3. Nanjing Road 

Nanjing Road

Nanjing Road is Shanghai’s loud shopping street. It is not “hidden,” but it helps visitors understand how central Shanghai moves, especially at night when the signs and crowds peak. The best way to enjoy it is to treat it like a walk-through, not a mission to buy everything. Walk a stretch, duck into a side street for a coffee, then continue. It is also a useful connector between areas, so it fits well between bigger sights. 

4. Shanghai Tower and Lujiazui (Pudong skyline zone) 

Pudong Area

If the trip needs one big “wow” view, this is usually it. The Shanghai Tower observatory is known for high, wide city views and fast elevator access, and the surrounding Lujiazui area feels like futuristic Shanghai in real life. Sunset hours are popular, so planning the timing helps. Many travelers do street-level history first, then do the tower view later once they understand what they are looking at. The Shanghai City Free Walking Tour is a good “first layer” for that. 

5. Former French Concession streets 

Former French Concession streets

This area is where Shanghai slows down. It is known for tree-lined streets, older lane houses, and a mix of cafes, small shops, and quiet corners that do not feel like a “tourist zone” even when visitors are everywhere. The best plan is to pick one or two streets, then wander without rushing. People often enjoy it most when they stop trying to “finish” it. 

6. Tianzifang (lane culture and small shops) 

Tianzifang

Tianzifang is a dense lane area with small studios, souvenirs, and quick snacks. It is easy to overstay, so many travelers aim for about an hour, then move on before it feels too tight. It works well as a mid-day stop between larger attractions. If someone wants the day to feel organized without being strict, they often start with the Shanghai City Free Walking Tour in the morning, then do Tianzifang later at their own pace. 

7. People’s Square and People’s Park area 

People's Square

People’s Square is central and useful, even if it looks “simple” on a map. It sits in the core of Shanghai and works as a reset point between Nanjing Road, museums, and nearby neighborhoods. Visitors often come here without planning it, then realize it is a convenient place to breathe and re-route the day. If someone is joining the Shanghai City Free Walking Tour, it also helps to know this is one of the easiest central areas for transport connections afterward. 

8. Jing’an Temple area 

Jing'an Temple

Jing’an Temple is a striking sight because it sits right in the city’s busy zone, yet the temple grounds feel calmer than the streets outside. It is an easy stop on a shopping-and-walking day because it connects naturally with other central areas. Many travelers combine it with a stroll, a meal, and a short shopping loop, then call it a “light day.” If the trip starts with a walking intro like the Shanghai City Free Walking Tour, this area becomes easier to fit in because the city center already feels familiar. 

9. Zhujiajiao Water Town (easy day trip) 

Zhujiajiao

When travelers ask for something that does not feel like skyscrapers, Zhujiajiao is a common answer. It is known for canals, bridges, and slower lanes. It can be busy on weekends, so weekday visits often feel smoother when possible. Going early helps, then leaving before late afternoon crowds. People usually enjoy it more when they keep the plan simple and focus on walking, photos, and one relaxed meal. After getting oriented in the city on the Shanghai City Free Walking Tour, planning a day trip like this tends to feel less stressful. 

10. Shanghai Disneyland (full-day “fun reset”) 

Shanghai Disneyland

For some visitors, the best place to visit Shanghai is not a district, it is a full-day experience. Shanghai Disneyland is built for that. It works best when the day is treated as the only plan, not something squeezed between city sights. Arrive early, pick a few must-dos, then let the rest be flexible. It is also a good option when the trip includes families or when someone wants a break from constant walking and city noise. 

A simple way to use this list 

Many first-timers do best with one “history view” (The Bund), one “old Shanghai texture” (Yu Garden), one “modern skyline moment” (Lujiazui), and one “slow neighborhood walk” (Former French Concession). If someone wants an easy first step that ties several of these together without over-planning, the Shanghai City Free Walking Tour is a practical starting route, then the rest of the trip can stay flexible.