https://https://au.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
157529 reviews
10
Based on 19,588 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 10240 users129123 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
The Bund is Shanghai's iconic landmark, where international architecture blends beautifully with modern skyscrapers along the Huangpu River. At night, the city's vibrant lights, neon lights, and bustling crowds showcase the city's prosperity and historical heritage.
The Huangpu River, the Bund, and the sea of people. After dinner, I took the subway to Nanjing East Road. The sheer number of tourists was astonishing. The entire street leading to the Bund was teeming with people. I finally squeezed my way to Zhongshan East Road, where the Bund Observation Deck was once again packed with people.
Once on the deck, I tried to capture a beautiful three-piece photo, but I had to work hard to squeeze through the crowds to find the Huangpu River view.
At seven o'clock, the lights came on, and the nightscape on both sides of the Huangpu River truly came into view. The Bund during summer vacation was truly bustling.
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Shanghai Disney Resort
4.7
/5
267017 reviews
10
From AU$ 101.23
Based on 2,366 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 20556 users164198 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
The hotel offers a wide variety of dining, drinking, entertainment, and shopping options. The food selection is extensive, including turkey legs, corn dogs, Mickey Mouse ice cream, and other specialties. The merchandise is diverse and adorably designed, making it irresistible to buy.
The lines were long, especially for popular attractions, which can last for longer than an hour or two, especially during holidays and peak tourist season. Even with a fast pass, you might still have to wait in line.
I bought the ticket last-minute, so it's not cheap.
Immersive: The park's overall design is exquisite, with the castle, streets, and buildings all imbued with a fairytale atmosphere. Background music and cartoon characters are everywhere, and the float parade and fireworks show further enhance the atmosphere, making you feel like you've been transported to a fairytale world.
- A wide variety of attractions: From the thrilling "Tron Lightcycle Power Run" to the family-friendly "Seven Dwarfs Mine Train," to the immersive "Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure" and "Soaring Over the Horizon," there's something for everyone, regardless of age or interest.
- Spectacular performances: Shows like "Frozen: A Celebration" and "Mickey Mouse Book of Wonders" feature dedicated and professional actors, with meticulous attention to detail from set design to plot design, providing visitors with a visual and auditory feast.
- Attentive and considerate service: The staff are friendly and helpful, proactively offering help and guidance. The park also provides amenities and services for people with special needs, such as wheelchair rentals and nursing rooms, making the experience even more convenient and comfortable.
- Diverse Dining and Shopping: The food selection is plentiful, with specialty items like turkey legs, corn dogs, and Mickey Mouse ice cream. The wide variety of merchandise, all designed with cute designs, is irresistible.
Disadvantages
- High Ticket Prices: Tickets are relatively expensive, especially during holidays and peak season, making them a significant expense for some families and tourists. Adjustments to annual pass discounts have also left some visitors dissatisfied.
- Long Queues: Popular attractions often require lengthy queues, especially during holidays and peak tourist season. Queues can sometimes exceed one to two hours, disrupting the overall experience. Even with a Fast Pass, you may still have to wait in line.
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Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower
4.7
/5
171080 reviews
8.7
From AU$ 42.95
Based on 6,636 reviews
Lujiazui Area | 2.7 km from downtown
Phone 021-58792888
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 8560 users102700 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
I took my kids to visit, and they had a lot of fun. They especially liked the two balls below, and they didn't want to leave. However, the kids didn't like the space capsule on the top, so I thought it was a waste of money. However, the kids liked the two balls below.
The Oriental Pearl Tower is indeed worth a visit. It is really unnecessary to waste money on the top ball. I personally think it is really boring. I want to give a bad review for this boring ball, but the following two balls make me unable to do so.
No.
4
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Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park
4.6
/5
47743 reviews
8.4
From AU$ 77.70
Based on 16 reviews
Dishui Lake and Lin-gang Area | 54.2 km from downtown
Phone 4006016699
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 4125 users42786 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Holiday parking can go to a wild parking lot a little farther away, which is cheaper than the parking lot. You can take the cable car for free after you have an annual card. The killer whale show is recommended to watch. It is also suitable for young children. Like some indoor performances, the sound is noisy and not suitable for young children. The dinosaur mountain is not recommended, there is nothing beautiful, it takes a long time to walk
Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park offers a wealth of marine life, not just rides. Many of the performances are excellent, especially the beluga whale, killer whale, and dolphin shows, which are incredibly relaxing. The closest and most convenient option is the Haichang Ocean Park's own hotel, which offers direct access to the park via facial recognition. It's incredibly convenient.
No.
5
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Shanghai Museum
4.6
/5
8441 reviews
8.4
Based on 4,865 reviews
People's Square Area | 300m from downtown
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 3403 users6208 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
I came to Shanghai just for the Egypt exhibition. It was incredibly crowded, and I absolutely had to find a guide; otherwise, I couldn't quite wrap my head around it. I hope to visit Egypt and the British Museum in the future to see more about ancient Egypt. P.S.: Cultural and creative products were so easy to find, I brought a ton home.
Exhibition Details: Ancient Egyptian Civilization Exhibition at the Shanghai Museum.
The exhibition can be crowded on weekends, which can affect the overall experience.
Queue Reservation: After purchasing your ticket, make a reservation in advance for the date and time of the exhibition, then queue for entry.
Parking: The Shanghai Museum has a limited number of ground-level parking spaces, charging 20 yuan.
No.
6
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Shanghai Astronomy Museum
4.9
/5
7002 reviews
8.2
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 2879 users6825 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Driving 80 kilometers with a baby tour, it is worthy of being the largest in the world. Home 🌍, reflecting the beautiful Earth, the hot sun, and the beautiful Saturn 🪐 (su7 light tail design comes from this). More suitable for middle school students, with a certain basic knowledge in the fields of geography, astronomy, etc. It is better for children too young to see one or two. Book tickets in the mobile phone official account, swipe your ID card to enter the venue, it is more convenient, the theater is picking, there is no need to see it, you can't finish it.
The Shanghai Planetarium is a "space museum" that puts the starry sky within reach. Its "three-body" architecture depicts the orbits of celestial bodies, with a circular skylight acting as a sundial and an inverted dome evoking a glimpse into the heavens. Every detail incorporates astronomical aesthetics. From our home planet to the vast universe, from ancient astronomical instruments to modern space exploration, the museum features rare artifacts such as the Suizhou meteorite, interactive experiences simulating a Mars landing, and professional equipment like a 65cm solar telescope, allowing visitors to "touch" the stars. More than just a museum of popular science, it offers an immersive experience that allows everyone to understand the romance and mysteries of the universe, becoming a wondrous bond connecting humanity with the stars.
No.
7
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Shanghai Wild Animal Park
4.7
/5
120021 reviews
8.1
From AU$ 35.62
Based on 440 reviews
Kangqiao, Nanhui Area | 30.6 km from downtown
Phone 021-58036000
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 5238 users75294 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
There were quite a few animals, and the kids had a blast. I recommend buying a feeding package. For 100 yuan, you can basically feed all the animals up close, but if you don't have enough, feeding each animal will cost 30-40 yuan each. Overall, the 100 yuan package is a great value. For those who can't walk, there are electric four-wheeled vehicles for 200 yuan an hour or 600 yuan a day, which is a great way to save on legwork. I've seen many people say there are too many fees, but they actually just enhance the service. Buying a ticket and not spending money inside doesn't affect your ability to see any of the animals, but getting closer requires extra payment. The wild animal area also has a free bus tour, but if you want to feed the animals, you'll need to purchase a VIP ticket for 100 yuan per person.
Maybe it was too hot, so not many people came to the zoo on summer weekends. A bunch of ring-tailed lemurs, their drooping tails, looked like snakes from a distance. They were probably too hot, so no one even ate a bowl of apples. Macaws and toucans are my favorites. It's hilarious to see gorillas in diapers. The declining birth rate has led to a sharp drop in business for diaper manufacturers, but they've opened a new track in the zoo. The drive-through to the wild animal area was quite long. The animals were quite lazy.
No.
8
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Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
4.7
/5
46359 reviews
7.8
From AU$ 33.46
Based on 975 reviews
Lujiazui Area | 2.9 km from downtown
Phone 021-58779988
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 3784 users31744 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
My son wanted to see fish so we made our way to the aquarium. It was ok but nothing new or too exciting for him to see. The amount of people really was a problem. It really takes away from looking at anything when you are being pushed along even when you don’t want to go. We were disappointed not to see more sharks beyond the ones in the tunnel. Okay if you need to spend a rainy day inside.
The Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is located in the Lujiazui Financial District in Pudong, adjacent to the Oriental Pearl Tower. Its main and auxiliary buildings are shaped like large and small pyramids, creating a unique appearance. The aquarium features nine exhibition areas: China, South America, Australia, Africa, Southeast Asia, Cold Water, Polar Regions, Coastal, and Deep Sea. These exhibits showcase over 450 species and over 12,000 rare fish and endangered species from five continents and four oceans. Not only are rare species unique to the Chinese exhibition area, such as the Chinese sturgeon and the Yangtze alligator, on display, but also unique species such as electric eels and arapaima from South America, and sawfish and archerfish from Australia. The aquarium also boasts one of the world's longest underwater sightseeing tunnels, at 155 meters. Through a 270-degree panoramic window, visitors can observe large marine creatures such as sand tiger sharks and eagle rays up close, creating a sense of being transported to an underwater wonderland.
No.
9
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Huangpu River Cruise(Shiliupu Pier)
4.5
/5
14394 reviews
7.7
From AU$ 24.83
The Bund Area | 2.2 km from downtown
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 5914 users6397 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
The Shiliupu Wharf can be traced back to the Northern Song Dynasty, when it gradually formed as an important port on the Huangpu River. During the Xianfeng and Tongzhi periods of the Qing Dynasty (around 1860), it was divided into 16 "pu" for military defense needs, becoming the largest joint defense organization of businesses in Shanghai at the time, and was named for its concentration of passenger and freight transport. After Shanghai implemented local autonomy in 1909, Shiliupu has continued to serve as a commercial center to this day. 2
I went there once many years ago, and it was crowded at that time. Although it is summer vacation now, there are not many people. The experience is not as good as before. The separate charges for the second and third floors are too expensive.
No.
10
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Shanghai Maglev Train
4.8
/5
7335 reviews
7.7
From AU$ 10.80
Based on 3,296 reviews
Pudong New International Expo Center/World Expo Area | 8.6 km from downtown
Phone 021-28907648
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 4518 users5442 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
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.
Very convenient and time-saving. Cheaper than taking a taxi and no traffic jam. After buying the ticket from Ctrip, you can directly go to the platform ticket vending machine to exchange it. There will be seats on the bus. The journey time is about 10 minutes.
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