Things to do in Shanghai

In just a little more than a decade, Shanghai has transformed itself into the model for 21st century China. Hotels, office buildings, and highways have been built solely in anticipation for the future growth of the city. Western tourists find a place like no other in China that offers a cosmopolitan atmosphere alongside a rich Chinese culture. Skyscrapers line the skies looking over classical architecture and ancient pagodas. This blend of old and new offers tourists a wide variety of experiences that are sure to be memorable.

With nicknames like the "Queen of the Orient" and the "Paris of the East", Shanghai is proud of its modern-day image. There is certainly no shortage of things to do in Shanghai, and there are many alluring Shanghai tours worth booking if you want further insight into one of the world's largest cities. Getting to all the Shanghai attractions on your list is made easier by the city's extensive bus and metro systems, both of which have plans for expansion. You can also get around efficiently and effectively by way of taxi if you please. Shanghai tourism is on the rise, and there are certainly some major Shanghai attractions that visitors will want to consider. The following are just some ideas for fun things to do in Shanghai, and between your sightseeing endeavors, you can always enjoy some relaxation time at one of the many Shanghai parks.

The Bund is without question one of the most popular Shanghai attractions. This waterfront area, which runs for about a mile along the Huangpu River, forms the easternmost boundary of Old Shanghai, and here you can gaze at buildings of various architectural styles. The Bund, which means "embankment", is a most significant Chinese landmark, and should you head here at night, the glimmering skyscrapers make for a dazzling backdrop. After a languid stroll along The Bund, you might head to the southern end of the famous stretch to peruse the shops or hit one of the few restaurants.

Oriental Pearl TV Tower-- Asia's tallest TV tower, the Oriental Pearl Tower rises some 1,550 feet into the sky, and it offers visitors a most stunning panoramic view of sprawling Shanghai. The main observation deck at this popular Shanghai tourism icon is found at an elevation of almost 870 feet, and it's high enough by many people's standards. For those who want to get more of a bird  's eye view, there is also a "Space Capsule" viewing deck found at an elevation of around 1,100 feet. If you aren't a fan of heights, you might opt for the views from the 295-foot "Space City" lookout. High-speed elevators get visitors to the sight decks with speed, and the elevator attendants typically offer various facts about the tower along the way. The Jin Mao Tower, which is Shanghai's tallest skyscraper, is another place to enjoy excellent views of the city.

Shanghai Museum - Considered by many to be the best museum in China, the Shanghai Museum has 11 galleries and over 120,000 historic artifacts. The Stone Sculpture Gallery and the Bronze gallery are the most popular with collections dating back to the 18th century B.C. There are also special exhibitions on occasion that can be quite fascinating

Shanghai has numerous fun things to do in Shanghai. No holiday is complete until a bit of shopping. The city of Shanghai is one of the world-famous shopping destinations of the world. Tourists like to buy exquisite items, souvenirs and exclusive gifts which have the Shanghai flavor. Shopping is one of the favorite Brisbane things to do. The city of Shanghai offers numerous souvenir shops, shopping malls, departmental stores, roadside shops and international boutiques where you will find just about everything.

Yu Yuan Garden - In the center of Old Town, just southwest of the Bund, the Garden of Peace and Comfort offers an escape from the fast pace of the surrounding city. With 30 pavilions and over 5 acres, this 16th century garden can be explored for days. Of the many temples and halls, the Grand Rockery is the most popular. Two thousand tons of rare yellow stones are combined with rice glue to form a massive sculpture that stands 46 feet high.

 Nanjing Lu - Nanjing Road is by far the most popular shopping street in Shanghai. Crowds jam the pedestrian walkway for shopping and sightseeing every day of the week. At night the neon lights shine like the Las Vegas strip. With hundreds of shops and restaurants there is something for everyone. It runs west to east from People's Park all the way to the Bund

Jin Mao Tower - For a good overview of the city, there is no better spot than the top of Jin Mao Tower in Pudong. Home to the Shanghai Hyatt, it is a wonderful place to stay a few nights or just to visit for the spectacular view. The appropriately named Cloud 9 restaurant and bar sits on the top floor and lays claim to the title of highest bar in the world.

Huangpu River Cruise:
Cruising down Huangpu River, Shanghai's mother river, is a wonderful experience. The cruise begins at the Bund, which is known as a "museum of architecture" and slowly cruises toward the Nanpu Bridge. At the bridge, the ship makes a u-turn and passes under the Yangpu Bridge. The ship then cruises to the Wusong Kou before returning to the bund. Wusong Kou is the confluence of the Huangpu and Yangtze Rivers, and the East China Sea. During flood season, the yellow water of the Yangtze River meets the Green water of the East China Sea and since the two waters are so distinct, you can watch the two colors flow side by side. The best time to take a cruise on the Huangpu River is at night. The buildings along the river are lit up and the Western styled buildings of the bund looks extremely majestic. It is a wonderfully romantic experience for visitors to Shanghai

Maglev Train Shanghai  From Shanghai financial district runs the Maglev (magnetice levitation) train to the Airport of Shanghai. It's the one AND only maglev train in the world wich runs fully operational. The train was tested and build in germany. The train has a speed of 435 km/h (record is 581km/h) and does the 30 km track to the airport in less than 7 minutes

One of the Shanghai things to do is getting indulged in the exciting and sizzling nightlife of Shanghai. Hang out in the numerous bars and pubs of the city to make your night spicier. Satisfy your taste buds in the local restaurants that offer special Chinese delicacies. Get entertained by visiting the well known music clubs, cinema halls and theatres in Shanghai. Shanghai also offers tourists to take part in various exciting adventure sports and water sports.

Bars:
Shanghai's nightlife is legendary. The city has innumerable bars and nightclubs in an unlimited variety of themes. There are bars to cater to every type of person. It is said that any visitor to Shanghai can find their perfect bar. Shanghai has a long history of jazz clubs, which have been popular since the 1930's. Although the old venues are long gone, their modern counterparts have kept the tradition alive, and live jazz can be found throughout the city. The most recommended bar streets in Shanghai are the Julu Road, Xintiandi, Henshan Road, South Maoming Road, and the Duolun Road. Shanghai is home to the highest bar in the world according to the Guinness Book of World's Records. Located in the Jinmao Tower, but its prices are almost as high as its elevation.

Acrobatics is a traditional Chinese performance art with a long history. The acrobatic performances are breathtaking, often humorous, and always unforgettable. Shanghai has many acrobatic troupes, the most famous being the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe, which has performed throughout China, and across the world, and has received numerous international awards for their breathtaking feats. Visitors interested in Shanghai's acrobatics can purchase tickets, with their travel agency's help. There are many venue's offering these spectacular acrobatics, and visitors to Shanghai should not miss seeing at least one.

Acrobatics:
Acrobatics is a traditional Chinese performance art with a long history. The acrobatic performances are breathtaking, often humorous, and always unforgettable. Shanghai has many acrobatic troupes, the most famous being the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe, which has performed throughout China, and across the world, and has received numerous international awards for their breathtaking feats. Visitors interested in Shanghai's acrobatics can purchase tickets, with their travel agency's help. There are many venue's offering these spectacular acrobatics, and visitors to Shanghai should not miss seeing at least one.

About Shanghai Restaurants
 The Shanghai restaurant scene has all the usual national chains and fast food joints, but part of the fun of traveling is sampling the local cuisine. With that in mind, branch out and give a few locally-owned Shanghai restaurants a shot. This Shanghai dining guide offers choices for those who crave comfort food and those who savor more international flavors, fans of out-of-the-way spots as well as proponents of stylish, upscale dining rooms. Rest assured ?the 10Best Shanghai restaurant guide covers all the bases!