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
157595 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 10839 users129045 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
270307 reviews
10
From VND 1477778
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 21650 users164347 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Disney is always a magical experience. The adrenaline from the rides was present throughout the day, and we enjoyed some delicious food—especially the turkey legs! My family had a great time on the attractions. The heat was intense, but it was part of the adventure. Everything was wonderful, as expected.
I bought an early ticket and arrived at 5:30. I also asked a butler to take me to play. I went to Zootopia as soon as I entered. I was exhausted after more than a dozen projects in one day. It would be better to buy a fast pass next time. The queue was really too long.
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Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower
4.7
/5
171988 reviews
8.7
From VND 737038
Based on 6,636 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 9050 users102654 positive reviews
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It was a fantastic experience, right up to the summit. The buffet was also beyond expectations, with a wide variety of flavors, which the kids loved. We booked a time in the evening, enjoying the food while admiring the night view of Shanghai – a real treat.
The Oriental Pearl Tower, the dazzling jewel of Shanghai! Standing 468 meters tall, ascend to the observation deck for breathtaking views of both sides of the Huangpu River. Witness the bustling city by day and the dazzling lights at night. Inside, the tower boasts a wealth of amenities, including a historical exhibition hall showcasing the city's evolution. A must-see when visiting Shanghai!
No.
4
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Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park
4.6
/5
48829 reviews
8.4
From VND 922223
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 4336 users43760 positive reviews
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My experience at Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park was a mixed bag. The killer whale show was the most impressive, a must-see! The orcas displayed their natural aquatic life, swimming and leaping with ease. You could even see them interacting with the audience by slapping their tails in the water. The atmosphere was incredibly lively. Not only was the show incredibly enjoyable, it also incorporated educational elements, allowing visitors to learn about the importance of marine life conservation while remaining entertained.
The diversity of the exhibits was impressive. From the Antarctic Penguin Pavilion to the Iceberg and Arctic Pavilion to the Volcano and Whale Shark Pavilion, each area boasted a rich display of marine life. I particularly enjoyed the Polar Bear and Penguin Pavilions; seeing these animals in their natural and vivid forms was truly eye-opening.
The park's crowd control was excellent. Real-name reservations and real-time monitoring of visitor density ensured a comfortable experience. Strict disinfection measures were implemented during the pandemic, and rides adhered to a "one-customer, one-disinfection" policy, providing a sense of security.
Some of the over-commercialization was a bit disappointing. The Mermaid Restaurant, in particular, despite its beautiful setting and mermaid show, commands a hefty 900 yuan per person. The set menus are expensive and small, making them a poor value for money. Furthermore, the parade clearly imitates Disneyland but lacks originality and appeal, appearing somewhat rip-off.
Overall, Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park is worth a visit for its animal exhibits and performances, but visitors are advised to spend wisely and avoid cost-effective secondary attractions.
The animals are all so cute. There are also rides inside, and we tried them all. The dolphin roller coaster was the most exciting. (I was very excited when I got on the car, and my legs were shaking when I got off. I couldn't see the whole time 😂) We arrived around 10:00 am and left around 4:00 pm. We had to leave early because we didn't have enough time. Some of the activities were at night, such as the fireworks show, etc. It was a pity. I will go again next time.
No.
5
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Shanghai Museum
4.6
/5
8885 reviews
8.4
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 3649 users6594 positive reviews
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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.
The Shanghai Museum's Egypt exhibition was absolutely stunning! Seeing a real mummy up close gave me goosebumps, and the golden masks were breathtakingly beautiful under the light. The exhibition halls were incredibly atmospheric, like stepping into a pharaoh's tomb.
No.
6
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Shanghai Astronomy Museum
4.9
/5
7201 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 3088 users7002 positive reviews
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Exhibition Details:
Daqi Xingcheng | Home | Universe | Journey
Daqi Xingcheng is an exhibition about meteorites. After purchasing a package ticket, you can redeem a VIP card at the entrance on the B1 floor (which includes four items: Meteorite Ticket Stub | Touching the Meteorite Golden Cudgel | Mingling Chime Wishing Meteor Blind Box + Meteorite Star Seal). Free guided tours are available at the entrance, with different time slots available. No mobile reservations are required.
For other areas, you must reserve tickets in advance via mobile (which is difficult).
On the first floor, electronic guided tours are available for rental at 20 and 50 yuan (with a 200 yuan deposit). The 20 yuan ticket is the most cost-effective.
There is only one restaurant on site, offering rice bowls for 48 yuan, as well as pasta, pizza, and other dishes. The food is quite good.
Upstairs, there's also Planet Ice Cream for 25 yuan 🍦, which is also quite good.
To park at the nearest parking lot to the planetarium, you need to arrive early. Otherwise, you'll have to park in the adjacent parking lot (15 yuan for 4 hours), which is about a 10-minute walk.
It's really far from the city center, and it was incredibly crowded during the summer vacation. My kids woke up late that morning, and there was a traffic jam. When we arrived, the ticket office was already closed. Luckily, I'd bought tickets in advance on Ctrip. My first impression upon entering was how crowded it was. People were standing, people were sitting, people were everywhere. We arrived too late, so we didn't get movie tickets. We wandered around the exhibition halls and touched a meteorite iron golden cudgel. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but the whole experience felt average and not particularly impressive.
No.
7
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Shanghai Wild Animal Park
4.7
/5
120450 reviews
8.1
From VND 366667
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 5612 users75082 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Stunning experience of connecting with animals. A lot of places to interact with animals (including small pandas!), interesting safari ride. There are also a lot of bonus activities: dance shows, drone show, acrobatic shows. I loved the day at this park.
Shanghai Wild Animal Park is located at No. 178, Nanliu Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai. It is a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction. The park has three major areas: walking area, car access area and water exploration area. It is a theme park integrating wildlife breeding, exhibition, breeding and protection, and science education. According to the official website in March 2023, the park has more than 200 species and tens of thousands of wild animals from home and abroad, including giant pandas, giraffes, flamingos, etc.
No.
8
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Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
4.7
/5
46904 reviews
7.8
From VND 574075
Based on 975 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 4013 users31784 positive reviews
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🌟 A 1-year-9-month-old's first visit to the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
🌟 A super detailed guide to avoiding pitfalls while taking your baby out 🌟
📍 Address: 1388 Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai
🕒 Recommended duration: 2-3 hours (babies have limited energy, so be quick!)
🎫 Tickets: Adults 160 yuan, children under 1 meter free (buy tickets in advance through the app to avoid waiting in line! I bought one for 155 yuan on WeChat Moments)
🚇 Transportation: Take Metro Line 2, Lujiazui Station, Exit 2. Stroller-friendly.
After security, they'll take a photo upon entering, claiming it's free. Actually, there's a fee at the exit, but I personally don't think it's necessary. (It's up to you, but keeping a memento is also meaningful.)
⛅️ Itinerary (Exclusive for Toddlers)
8:30 AM | Depart after a full meal
Babies are most energetic after breakfast! Directly accessible by subway, with an elevator at the exit and stroller-friendly access.
9:00 AM | Head straight to the core building.
From the 3rd floor, you can't go back, so make sure to see more!
✅ Must-see the 1st floor China Zone and Antarctic Pavilion: Little penguins waddled around, and my baby frantically pointed out "Duck Duck!" (They were actually penguins 🐧)
✅ Must-see photos in the underwater tunnel: Sharks and rays swam overhead, and my baby, in the stroller, had a blast watching! (If it's crowded, it's safer to push the stroller to the side.)
12:00 PM | Decisive retreat: Take the subway Line 2 one stop to Nanjing East Road for food!
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⚠️ Lessons Learned
1️⃣ Avoid peak hours! Avoid peak hours!
I specifically chose to go on a Monday morning! I went as soon as it opened at 9:00 AM, and sure enough, the crowds got bigger after 10:00 PM!
2️⃣ Equipment Priority
Lightweight strollers (with hip seats are acceptable). Strollers are not allowed in the tunnel area, so hip seats are handy for babies looking up to see the fish.
3️⃣ Baby Facilities
There are restrooms and changing tables on each floor (the first floor is the cleanest), but please bring your own thermos for hot water!
4️⃣ Outfit Tips
Light-colored clothing and underwater light and shadows are perfect for photoshoots! The tunnel is dim, so capture silhouettes quickly! 👌
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🍼 Real Baby Reactions
👉 Excitement: The jellyfish museum's changing lights (dancing), the penguins diving (giggling)
👉 Fear: The dim environment (hold onto your hand to comfort him)
👉 Evidence of a power outage: He fell asleep on the subway on the way back, completely drained of his battery ✅, sleeping from 1:40 PM to 5:10 PM.
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Summary: 1-2 hours of focused play is enough for young babies! Prioritize the vibrant fish and interactive areas, and avoid the less popular deep-sea exhibits. Relaxing for mom and enjoying your baby is key!
#ShanghaiWalkTheBaby #AquariumGuide #LittleMonthTravel #MagicCityParenting
#Aquarium #ShanghaiTravel
It's very convenient to get to this oceanarium, which is located in Lujiazui. You can visit the Shanghai Center Oriental Pearl Tower and other places. It's also very convenient to eat around. There are also simple meals such as burgers and fries in the aquarium. There are all kinds of beautiful fish and marine life of all sizes from all over the world. There is also feeding time. It is very healing to watch penguins eat up close.
No.
9
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Huangpu River Cruise(Shiliupu Pier)
4.5
/5
14542 reviews
7.7
From VND 385186
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 6417 users6331 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
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.
The night cruise on the Huangpu River is indeed nice, and you can see the night scenery on both sides of the Huangpu River. However, there are really too many people, and the queue is chaotic. There are no staff on site to guide, and some low-quality people just rush to the bed, which makes it very crowded!
No.
10
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Shanghai Maglev Train
4.8
/5
7425 reviews
7.7
From VND 185186
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 4748 users5461 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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