Discover the must-visit attractions in Shanghai, the “Paris of the East,” where Eastern and Western cultures blend to create a unique cosmopolitan vibe.Explore the historical and cultural architectural marvels along the Bund and Xintiandi, and the modern attractions of Pudong, including the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Shanghai Disney Resort. For a taste of old Shanghai, visit the Former French Concession’s Tianzifang and 1933 Laoyangfang, a former slaughterhouse now filled with unique shops and art galleries. Fashion enthusiasts will enjoy Nanjing Xi Shopping Street, while food lovers can indulge in local delicacies at the Chenghuang Temple in the Yu Garden complex.
Our comprehensive travel data analysis has curated a list of the top 10 attractions for each city, with updates reflecting unique and seasonal offerings.
1. **Shanghai Disney Resort**: The first Disney resort in mainland China, offering a world-class family entertainment destination with a unique blend of Chinese design elements. Rated 4.7/5 with 244,619 reviews, it’s a top global attraction for theme parks and nighttime sightseeing.
2. **Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower**: A landmark of Shanghai, this tower is a symbol of modern architecture and offers breathtaking views from its observation deck. With a 4.7/5 rating and 150,241 reviews, it’s a top choice for nighttime sightseeing in Asia.
3. **Shanghai Wild Animal Park**: Experience wildlife up close in this expansive park dedicated to the conservation and display of various species.
4. **Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park**: Dive into the wonders of the ocean with marine life exhibits and educational programs.
5. **Shanghai Happy Valley**: Thrill-seekers will find their paradise in this amusement park with a variety of rides and attractions.
6. **Shanghai Ocean Aquarium**: Explore the depths of the ocean with a vast collection of aquatic species.
7. **The Bund**: A historic waterfront area showcasing the architectural legacy of Shanghai.
8. **Shanghai Science and Technology Museum**: Engage with science and technology through interactive exhibits and displays.
9. **Top of Shanghai Observatory**: For a panoramic view of the city, this observatory offers a unique vantage point.
10. **Shanghai World Financial Center**: A skyscraper with a distinctive design, offering a mix of commercial and cultural spaces.
11. **Madame Tussauds Shanghai**: Get up close with lifelike wax figures of celebrities and historical figures.
12. **Yu Garden**: A classical Chinese garden with a rich history and beautiful architecture.
13. **Shanghai Natural History Museum**: Discover the natural world through exhibits spanning geology, botany, and zoology.
14. **Shanghai Zoo**: Home to a wide variety of animals from around the globe.
15. **Changfeng Ocean World**: Another marine-themed park offering interactive experiences with sea life.
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Discover the top Shanghai attractions that you cannot miss in 2024. Start with the Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower, a multi-tube structure standing at 468 meters tall and offering a panoramic view of the city. Located at No. 1 Century Avenue, Lujiazui, Pudong New Area, it is a comprehensive tourist and cultural attraction that integrates urban sightseeing, dining, shopping, entertainment, historical display, and more. The tower features high-speed elevators, a transparent sightseeing gallery, and a revolving restaurant, making it a must-visit. It is open from 9am to 9pm, and it’s advisable to avoid peak hours for a better experience.
Next on the list is the Shanghai Wild Animal Park, a family-friendly attraction and one of the first AAAAA-rated tourist spots in China. Opened in 1995, the park is home to over 10,000 exotic animals, including rare species such as giant pandas, snub-nosed monkeys, takins, and more. With three routes to explore—the walking path, free bus, and boat ride—there’s something for everyone. The park also offers free performances and a separate circus ticket for additional entertainment.The park is divided into drive-through and pedestrian areas. The drive-through portions are modeled on safari parks where animals roam through natural habitats. Another popular attraction is the park’s tiger feeding pen where you can witness up close giant tigers. With lots to see and do, the Shanghai Wild Animal Park is fun for people of all ages.
TOP 4: Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park. It has a rating of 4.5/5 with 41,690 reviews and is on the 2024 Asia 100 – Family-friendly Attractions list. Categories include Aquariums and Theme Parks. It also offers Nighttime sightseeing. Prices start from $50.76. The underwater Christmas tree in Haichang is quite special. The fish in the bathtub and the performance of people in the water complement the Christmas tree. I come to Haichang once or twice a year. It is a good place for education and entertainment. I can learn about marine life, and there are many performances and entertainment facilities. The dolphin roller coaster is quite fast. Lingang has developed very well. There are many places to visit around it. TOP 5: Shanghai Happy Valley. It has a rating of 4.7/5 with 24,354 reviews. Categories include Theme Parks and Nighttime sightseeing. Prices start from $20.64. Shanghai Happy Valley is a large-scale theme park located in the Songjiang district of Shanghai, about 40 km west of the city center. It includes seven themed areas: Sunshine Harbour, Happy Times, Hurricane Bay, Gold Mine, Happy Ocean, Shanghai Beach, and Shangri-La. Happy Valley features many thrilling rides, circus shows and parades, and even a Mayan Carnival. The park is great for kids and makes for an enjoyable outing. With plenty of thrilling rides, adults also have much to enjoy from a day spent at Happy Valley. TOP 6: Shanghai Ocean Aquarium. It has a rating of 4.6/5 with 43,615 reviews and is on the 2024 Asia 100 – Family-friendly Attractions list. Category is Aquariums. Prices start from $21.32. The Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is an underwater world that makes people linger. There are special freshwater and marine creatures from all over the world, as well as wonderful animal performances. The museum has a beautiful environment and a total of three floors. Visitors can take the elevator to the third floor and then visit from top to bottom. There are many theme exhibition areas such as the China Exhibition Area and the Americas Exhibition Area. Each exhibition area seems to be an independent ecosystem. One of the highlights of the aquarium is that it has one of the longest underwater tunnels in the world. Visitors can enjoy the wonderful sight of various marine creatures swimming over their heads and around them. In addition, there are rare creatures such as sawfish, eagle rays, and cownose rays, which are eye-opening. Here, you can feel the mystery and fantasy of the ocean, and a casual shot is a blockbuster. Whether it is children or adults, you can spend a good time here.In general, the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is a place worthy of a visit. It is not only a paradise for marine life but also an excellent spot for people to explore the mysteries of the deep sea. The Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is located in the bustling Lujiazui area of Pudong, Shanghai. Near the Oriental Pearl Tower, it showcases a wide variety of marine life. The 168-meter underwater tunnel is a central attraction, providing visitors with the opportunity to explore several distinct aquatic environments. The many animal species on display include spotted seals, Antarctic penguins, giant salamanders, Chinese alligators, as well as weedy seadragons and zebra sharks. TOP 7: The Bund. The Bund has a rating of 4.8/5 and 152,469 reviews. It is part of the 2024 Asia 100 – Best Things to Do. Featured as a neighborhood and a great place for nighttime sightseeing. @M33***51 says, ‘It is indeed a big Shanghai. Walking on the Bund, the complex under the lights at night is abnormally amazing. The light show staged by the modern high-rise buildings in Pudong New Area on the other side of the Huangpu River is very demonic. Take a night cruise, blow the river breeze, listen to the explanation, and watch the colorful scenery on both sides of the Straits. It is so pleasant!’ Arguably Shanghai’s most famous tourist attraction, the Bund is a waterfront promenade and famous business district in central Shanghai. Historically, it was the city’s main financial and trading center and located within the Shanghai International Settlement, an area under nominal British control between 1843 and 1941. The walking areas extend roughly 1.6 km along the west bank of the Huangpu River. Due to its historic status and zoning restrictions, the Bund contains fantastic examples of classic Shanghai architecture. It is a popular spot for photography, offering the best views across the river to Shanghai’s modern skyline in Lujiazui. No visit to Shanghai would be complete without a visit to the Bund. TOP 8: Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. It has a rating of 4.7/5 and 33,152 reviews. It is a science and technology museum. @M52***26 says, ‘Shanghai Science and Technology Museum is a good place to understand scientific knowledge and learn scientific knowledge. You can learn a lot of advanced scientific knowledge, grow your interest in science, and broaden your horizons. It is a good science base.’ Located near Century Park, the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum (SSTM) is the city’s premiere museum dedicated to enhancing public awareness of and engagement with science and technology. The museum’s large collection covers everything from geology and plate tectonics to space exploration and human health. With many interactive features, SSTM is a great destination for families with young children. No matter who you are, there is something to spark your curiosity. You won’t regret spending a few hours exploring this vast museum.
TOP 9: Top of Shanghai Observatory
Top of Shanghai Observatory has a rating of 4.6/5 with 12,852 reviews. It falls under the categories of Observation Decks and Nighttime sightseeing. Tickets start from $24.76. Anonymous User shares their experience of watching the two-star index on the Bund. It’s a great place to see day and night views. Visiting at 4 pm in November is a good time as Lujiazui lights up around 6 pm for more economical time utilization. The Top of Shanghai Observatory is the observation deck in the Shanghai Tower, the world’s second tallest building. Located in Pudong’s Lujiazui section, it is currently the world’s tallest observation deck. Visitors can reach it via elevators traveling at 74 km/h to the 118th floor. The 360-degree observation deck offers stunning views. On clear days, it’s breathtaking. Access includes entry to the Top of Shanghai Exhibition Hall with information about Shanghai Tower’s planning and construction. Photographers will love the chance to take memorable photos. TOP 10: Shanghai World Financial Center Shanghai World Financial Center has a rating of 4.7/5 with 18,080 reviews. It is also under Observation Decks and Nighttime sightseeing.陆梁液 mentions that the Shanghai World Financial Center is one of Shanghai’s landmark buildings. Its simple and modern appearance and unique shape stand out in Lujiazui. The internal facilities are advanced and perfect. Standing in the sightseeing hall offers a panoramic view of Shanghai and an unobstructed view of the bustling scenery on both sides of the Pujiang River, providing a shocking visual experience. The Shanghai World Financial Center is a skyscraper in Pudong with 101 floors and a height of 492 m. It is the second tallest skyscraper in Shanghai and resembles a bottle opener. The 100th floor has a sightseeing hall with a great view on clear days. There is also a 55 m long glass floor for a unique view. In 2008, it was named the year’s best-completed skyscraper by architects. TOP 11: Madame Tussauds Shanghai Madame Tussauds Shanghai has a rating of 4.5/5 with 13,112 reviews. It is a wax museum. Tickets start from $28.89 and are available at a discounted price of $23.39. xinzi1 shares that it’s their second visit and they brought friends this time. The wax museum is at the subway exit for convenient transportation. There are many changes and new wax statues inside, making it very suitable for taking pictures. Madame Tussauds Shanghai is famous worldwide for its lifelike wax figures.Madame Tussauds Shanghai, the second of its kind in Asia, boasts lifelike reproductions of nearly 80 celebrities. This includes notable figures such as Yao Ming, Jackie Chan, David Beckham, Tom Cruise, Michael Jordan, and Bill Clinton. Each wax figure is meticulously crafted in a London studio with over 200 years of experience in wax making. By integrating new technologies, Madame Tussauds Shanghai enhances the visitor experience, maintaining the global reputation of the brand.
Yu Garden, with a 4.7-star rating and over 547,464 reviews, is a must-see garden in Shanghai. Located in the Huangpu District, it was once a private garden for Ming Dynasty officials. Spanning approximately two hectares, Yu Garden offers a serene escape from the city’s hustle with its intricate pathways, hidden pavilions, and classic flora. Don’t miss the plaques and inscriptions by well-known figures and the park’s collection of stone carvings. Adjacent Yuyuan Bazaar is an excellent place to find antiques and souvenirs.
Shanghai Natural History Museum is highly rated with 4.8 stars and 58,741 reviews. It offers a rich and varied exhibition covering animals, plants, and fossils. The museum’s unique ‘green snail’ design complements Jing’an Sculpture Park and provides a spacious, bright interior. Interactive exhibits such as hanging underwater worlds and wall displays of butterfly specimens make the visit more engaging. The museum is cost-effective, with adult tickets at 30 yuan and student tickets at 12 yuan. It’s an ideal place for families to visit, offering a wealth of natural science knowledge and a wonderful excursion. Conveniently located in Jing’an District, Shanghai, with well-designed tour routes to avoid crowd peaks, the museum is accessible by public transportation.
Discover the top attractions in Shanghai that you can’t miss in 2024. 1. Shanghai Natural History Museum The Shanghai Natural History Museum, situated in Jing’an Sculpture Park, boasts a unique nautilus shell-inspired design. Spread across 44,517 square meters, the museum offers an immersive exploration of the natural world with over 10,000 artifacts from all continents. Learn about the universe’s history, observe various animals, and even excavate fossils. It’s an excellent destination for family outings. 2. Shanghai Zoo Shanghai Zoo, with a 4.7/5 rating and over 15,000 reviews, is a modern zoological garden near Hongqiao Airport. It features more than 6,000 animals, including species native to China like giant pandas and golden snub-nosed monkeys. The zoo is conveniently located near the subway, making it easily accessible and affordable for the whole family. 3. Changfeng Ocean World Changfeng Ocean World, with a 4.3/5 rating and over 7,500 reviews, is a marine aquarium located beneath Yin Chu Lake in Changfeng Park. It opened in 1999 as China’s first large-scale aquatic museum. The aquarium offers a close encounter with marine life, including beluga whales and sea lions. Explore the Rainforest Wonderland, Seahorse Kingdom, Coral Reef Cong, and Deep Sea Secret areas for a fascinating underwater adventure.
Discover the top 15 must-visit attractions in Shanghai for 2024. These interactive displays are not only informative but also user-friendly, making them an ideal destination for families during their holidays.
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