https://https://uk.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/shanghai/best-things-to-do/100001406672
Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do in Shanghai [2025]
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The Bund
4.8
/5
157594 reviews
10
Based on 19,596 reviews
The Bund Area | 1.8 km from downtown
Address: Zhongshan East Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai (Close to Huangpu River)
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Distant view of Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone
Luminous views of colonial buildings
Saved by 10971 users129014 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
🌇 The solidified epic, flowing feast - the double-sided poem on the Bund of Shanghai, is a spread out three-dimensional history book on the banks of the Huangpu River. 52 buildings in the West Bank are made of granite paper and bronze sculpture as ink, recording the ambitions of the financial center of the 19th century in the Far East; The skyscrapers of Lujiazui on the east coast are screened by glass curtain walls, projecting the height of China in the 21st century. The Gothic spire pierced the clouds, the baroque dome was covered with sunset, the customs bells penetrated the clouds of smoke for a hundred years, and every time the Westminster Times was a golden invitation from history to the modern day. 🌉 The Mirror of Time and Space Folding When the dusk was covered with gold yarn for the bronze lion of HSBC, the laser beam of the Oriental Pearl on the other side had pierced the night sky. The steel frames of the Waibaidu Bridge carry the industrial memory of 1907. At the intersection of the Suzhou River and Huangpu River under the bridge, sightseeing cruise ships and freight barges draw parallel lines of the times. The left bank is the reflection of "Paris of the East" and the right bank is the prism of "Shanghai of the future". Visitors hold up their mobile phones and enter the neoclassical columns and holographic advertising frames in the same lens, similar to the city's cultural metaphor: all historical riverbanks are reserved for the future pier. 🎻 Symphony poems on fireworks The Bund of Day belongs to the gaze. The tuk-tuk on Nanjing East Road shook the old Shanghai bell, the woman wearing cheongsam shook gently, and the selfie stick of the live network red rubbed shoulders in Chen Yi Square; in Huangpu Park, the elderly wrote "Haina Baichuan" ink, and the children stomped to touch the relief of the People's Hero Memorial Tower. And when 270,000 LED beads lit up the customs clock tower, the Bund instantly switched to a flowing feast: the river wind wrapped in coffee fragrance and jazz, the silhouette of the lover's wall snuggled to reflect the river, the white magnolia basket, the white petals and the lujiazui neon shady shadow stacked into a strange romance. ⛵️ To decode the ferry ticket of the city gene, you need to take a boat to the heart of the river. The cruise ship at the Jinling East Road Pier opened at night, and people on the deck looked up on both sides of the Straits: the buildings of the world on the west side were like platinum amber, solidifying the non-smoking meeting of Huizhong Hotel, and the legend of the merchants of the Sassoon Building; The "kitchen three-piece suit" on the east side writes poetry in the cloud, and the spiral spire in the center of Shanghai seems to be writing Morse code in the cloud. At this moment, I know that the height of the Bund is not in the 632-meter skyline, but in the 100-year sinking and floating, the chest is always open to the world. Why do tens of millions of people rush to this river bank? For the 1920 banker's shoes sniping in the customs bell, for the sightseeing tunnel shuttle like a time capsule of the glare, more a bowl of old crab powder cage on the cruise table, the steaming heat rises in the east, never ending. This is the magic of the Bund: let the heavy pillars of colonial history be the pedestal of the stars.
We boarded the boat at 5 o'clock and had a buffet first. The buffet was not very varied, but it was enough to eat. After eating, we sailed to enjoy the scenery. However, the merchant had enclosed the fourth floor deck as a private seat, 100 per person. The price was good, and it was really comfortable to sit and enjoy the view.
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Shanghai Disney Resort
4.7
/5
270930 reviews
10
From £41.42
Based on 2,371 reviews
Shanghai Disney Resort | 20.4 km from downtown
Address: Shanghai Disney Resort, Chuansha New Town, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 days
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Watch the Phantom Show at Gardens of Imagination
The world's largest Disney castle
Saved by 21932 users164550 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I compared ticket prices from several platforms, including the official website, Tongcheng, and Fliggy, and Ctrip was the best deal!
I hadn't been to Shangdi in years. This time, I took my baby there for his third birthday on August 24th. Although the weather was hot and the crowds were huge, I couldn't help but feel excited. The overall experience was fantastic!
My baby loves The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. We lined up in the evening and got in in 20 minutes. We already bought Buzz Lightyear's Space Rescue and wanted to buy it again!
I booked my tickets in advance on Ctrip, and the process was smooth and worry-free. The entire Disney experience far exceeded my expectations. It's definitely a fantasy park worth visiting countless times!
The most breathtaking moment was undoubtedly the grand finale, the "Dreamlight Spectacular." The castle lights and fireworks intertwined, and the music brought tears to my eyes. The Disney magic is ever-moving! The afternoon parade was equally spectacular, with all the iconic characters making an appearance. The atmosphere was joyful and heartwarming, and the children were waving their hands with excitement.
The newly opened "Zootopia" was incredibly immersive! It felt like stepping into a movie world, and the adorable interactions between Judy and Nick captivated the audience. The "Pirates of the Caribbean" Battle for the Sunken Treasure" was visually stunning and immersive; "Roaring Mountain" was refreshing and thrilling (note: raincoats must be purchased on-site with cash!); "Soar Over the Horizon" was undoubtedly the most crowded attraction, with a 5D tour of world landmarks—every frame a visual delight!
I efficiently completed all the popular attractions in one day, thanks to my advance travel guide on Ctrip. The park service was attentive, and the staff always had a smile. The dining and shopping experiences were also plentiful.
Overall, this trip was well-planned and packed with experiences, perfect for families and couples. I highly recommend booking through Ctrip for its convenience and security! I've already recommended it to my friends!
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Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower
4.7
/5
172145 reviews
8.7
From £20.66
Based on 6,637 reviews
Lujiazui Area | 2.7 km from downtown
Phone +8602158792888
Address: No. 1 Century Avenue, Lujiazui, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Stroll along the transparent observation corridor
Shanghai landmark (1,535ft)
Saved by 9160 users102659 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
What a beautiful day today! I originally just wanted to check out the Mayday dolls at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, but I was completely surprised by the blue skies. I decided to head up to the tower for a breathtaking view of Shanghai. Visibility was fantastic; I could even see Chongming Island and Fengxian as far as the eye could see. Even planes taking off and landing at Hongqiao Airport were clearly visible. Through a telescope, I could even see Kunshan's Flower Bridge—it was truly breathtaking!
Great experience, rich variety of food, nice environment, no need to queue, very cost-effective. Just don't be late for the appointment, otherwise the dining environment will be shortened. There are relatively few people at 11 o'clock, so you need to make an appointment in advance for the later time slots
No.
4
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Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park
4.6
/5
49014 reviews
8.4
From £25.85
Based on 16 reviews
Dishui Lake and Lin-gang Area | 54.2 km from downtown
Phone +864006016699
Address: No.166 Yinfei Road, Nanhui New Town, Pudong New District, Shanghai
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
World's first Ultraman-themed pavilion
Float parade show (Nightly)
Saved by 4389 users43936 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It was my first time to Haichang and it was quite fun. The weather was a bit hot, but it was quite cool inside. There were sharks, jellyfish and other things, and not many people. The experience was still good.
Haichang Ocean Park is a comprehensive marine theme park that integrates marine life displays, performances, and amusement facilities. It has a world-class marine flora and fauna exhibition hall that displays a variety of rare marine life; there are also wonderful dolphin and sea lion performances, as well as stunning water flying performances. There are multiple theme amusement areas in the park, suitable for family outings. In addition, the park also provides a variety of dining and shopping services to bring visitors a pleasant experience. In general, Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park is a marine theme park worth visiting, whether you are a family or a child.
No.
5
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Shanghai Museum
4.6
/5
8924 reviews
8.3
Based on 4,865 reviews
People's Square Area | 300m from downtown
Phone +8602163723500-132
Address: 201 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu District,Shanghai
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-6 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Over 1.02 million pieces of artifacts collection
Tripod-shaped building (Coin-like appearance)
Saved by 3705 users6624 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
A very unique exhibition. See the famous exotic customs and feel the precious exhibits that can only be seen in the Egyptian Museum. I borrowed headphones on site and went in directly. It was very lively inside. There were stone statues, various animal jewelry and amulets.
The whole family went to see the Ancient Egyptian Civilization Exhibition. There were many exhibits and a lot of people. We hired a tour guide, which was very good. We enjoyed it very much and were very satisfied with the activity.
No.
6
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Shanghai Wild Animal Park
4.7
/5
120522 reviews
8.1
From £17.13
Based on 440 reviews
Kangqiao, Nanhui Area | 30.6 km from downtown
Phone +8602158036000
Address: No.178, Nanliu Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Over 200 species rare wildlife | Nocturnal animals
Sea lions & acrobatic shows
Saved by 5720 users75032 positive reviews
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The nightlife is not too hot and the price is cheap. It is quite good. The only difference is that there are fewer pandas and monkeys in the zoo than there were 9 years ago. It is still okay to take children to play at a low price.
This nighttime ticket is a steal! The kids are eager to go again tomorrow! After a busy day of sightseeing and fun, we decided to eat at a tiger-viewing spot. We saw the performances, the parade of floats, and the light show. We caught the last bus to explore the beasts at night—they were so mysterious!
No.
7
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Shanghai Astronomy Museum
4.9
/5
7237 reviews
8.1
Dishui Lake and Lin-gang Area | 55.7 km from downtown
Address: 380 Lingang Avenue, Nanhui New Town, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
Featured in 2025 Asia 100 – Family-Friendly Attractions
Highlights:
Special “three-body” structure building
Chang'e 5 lunar soil samples
Saved by 3142 users7036 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
What planetarium closes at 4 PM?! It's really freaking me out! We came all the way from Shandong and didn't even notice it closed. We only saw that they didn't let us in after 3 PM. Seriously, we arrived at 2:60 PM! The kind ticket checker told us to hurry up and see the exhibit, as it closed at 4 PM! Ugh! I was devastated!
Ctrip package deals eliminate the line.
This planetarium is very good, very interesting and informative. My children said they learned a lot. The architecture and environment are very well designed. However, it was too crowded.
No.
8
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Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
4.7
/5
47002 reviews
7.8
From £16.09
Based on 976 reviews
Lujiazui Area | 2.9 km from downtown
Phone +8602158779988
Address: 1388 Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Panoramic undersea tunnel (508ft long)
Chinese sturgeon & Yangtse crocodiles
Saved by 4064 users31794 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
My mom visited the aquarium when she was in elementary school, and now I'm bringing my son back. It brings back so many memories!
Location: The aquarium is in Lujiazui, what a gem! We had Shake Shark burgers at the IFC for lunch, then walked to the aquarium.
Although the aquarium is a bit old, it's a perfect size and perfect for kindergarteners. A 2-3 hour visit is more than enough.
It's not very crowded on weekdays, so you can explore each tank carefully without having to squeeze in.
The Oceanarium has been open for many years. I am so moved to visit it again after 20 years. However, I have a suggestion that the glass of the aquarium can be cleaned regularly. Otherwise, it is not clear.
No.
9
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Huangpu River Cruise(Shiliupu Pier)
4.5
/5
14568 reviews
7.7
From £27.82
The Bund Area | 2.2 km from downtown
Phone +8602153089007
Address: Shiliupu Pier,Terminal 2,No.551 Zhongshandonger Road,Huangpu,Shanghai
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No.8 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Shanghai
Highlights:
Travel through the Bund's iconic buildings
Both sides the Bund light views (Night cruises)
Saved by 6508 users6339 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Great cruise and perfect way to see Shanghai. We did the sunset time cruise and it was great as we saw the skyline by day and night. The only down side is that there are no seats unless you pay an extra 100yuin per person. It’s only an hour so standing was not too bad.
This is my third Huangpu River cruise. The night view is stunning. The Bund and Lujiazui are a fusion of Shanghai's history and modernity, bearing witness to its rapid development. Summer evenings are incredibly cool. There's a buffet on board, but I hope the variety and quality of the dishes can be improved.
No.
10
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Shanghai Maglev Train
4.8
/5
7437 reviews
7.6
From £5.19
Based on 3,296 reviews
Pudong New International Expo Center/World Expo Area | 8.6 km from downtown
Phone +8602128907648
Address: Shanghai Pudong New Area Pudong Airport to Longyang Road
Recommended sightseeing time: 15-30 minutes
Highlights:
30 km in 7:20 minutes
Special glass windows for views
Saved by 4788 users5460 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It's good to experience. But the luggage section have no staff to help to manage all the luggages so it's very hard to put it in and take it out. If in high volume period it would be a chaos.
Transferring from the subway to the maglev, buying tickets and riding are all very convenient, the riding environment is also very comfortable, and I also met a tour group of foreign friends. I think it is necessary to experience the speed of China when I come to Shanghai. There are preferential fares for passengers to the airport. The acceleration is really fast. It takes less than a quarter of an hour to reach the airport. If you drive, it will take about an hour.
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