Few cities combine China’s past, present and future as vividly as Shanghai. On the other side of the Huangpu River, colonial-era buildings line the Bund, their grand facades recalling the city’s days as an international trading port. Across the water, the futuristic Pudong skyline rises like a forest of glass and steel, supported by the soaring Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in China. Not many cities offer such dramatic—or symbolic—contrast.
For many first-time visitors, Shanghai serves as a window into modern China, a country that balances culture and innovation with ease. To understand both sides of Shanghai, start by heading to the former French Concession, a historic area of tree-lined streets, hidden cafes and one of the largest 1930s Art Deco buildings outside of Miami, before finishing the day with a sunset on the Bund as the buildings of Pudong light up at dusk.
With a population of over 25 million, Shanghai is one of the largest urban centers in the world, yet it’s easy to find pockets of tranquility while exploring. “Visitors expect old China, but find a city that is modern, confident and forward-looking – without forgetting its roots,” Cecilia Yang, director of marketing and communications at Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai, told the Observer.
Unlike Beijing, with its list of must-see monuments, Shanghai rewards wandering, says Jamie Barys, founder of UnTour Food Tours. “Shanghai is a blank slate for any first-time visitor.” Rent one of the city’s shared bikes to cover more of the area and stop wherever curiosity leads—a small noodle shop, a family-run dumpling shop or an independent shop tucked inside a restored shikumen townhouse.
That spirit of discovery extends to Shanghai’s thriving cultural scene. World-class institutions such as the Power Station of Art and the West Bund Museum sit alongside a growing network of independent galleries, studios and art galleries that have helped establish Shanghai as one of Asia’s leading centers for contemporary art and design. “Shanghai has never stopped looking outside,” said Yang. “The city attracts international producers, collectors and artists—and more importantly, it has a local audience that is curious and able to connect with them.”
Then there is the food. As the financial capital of China, Shanghai has attracted expats from all corners of the country, creating one of the world’s most exciting dining destinations. “This diversity of flavors makes it one of the best cities to eat in the world,” Barys said. “You can eat Shanghainese xiaolongbao with pork and hairy crab for breakfast, tuck into a bowl of hand-pulled Lanzhou noodles with lamb and cumin for lunch and sit down to a hearty meal of Peppercorn’s famous Sichuan dishes all in one dinner.”
Whether you’re visiting for a long weekend or using Shanghai as a gateway to the rest of China, these recommendations will help you navigate the city’s neighborhoods and make the most of your first trip.
