Best Things to do in Shanghai: Soak up China’s Shiniest City

Discover restaurant-riddled laneways, futuristic architecture and unique local markets with the best things to do in Shanghai.

Like for many, it was the Marvel-universe skyline that sparked my initial intrigue. But after a multigenerational family holiday to China’s largest city had me poking around every must do in Shanghai, I learned that the dizzying destination’s most impressive attribute is its ability to surprise. Between world-class restaurants, some of the world’s best shopping and artistic laneways, you’ll find one entirely unusual market, viral food sensations and galleries filled with delights. Let my list of the best things to do in Shanghai guide your next visit.

In short

If you only pick one of the best things to do in Shanghai, make it a walk through Yu Gardens for its immediate cultural immersion and bustling City God Temple filled with food stalls and boutiques.

1. Sniff out exceptional egg tarts

egg tart at Amam Lonbakery Town — Make a beeline for Amam Lonbakery Town to try their signature pastries. (Credit: Praepanwa Phongsathornvisuth)

My stomach often dictates holiday itineraries, so I was a navigational mess when faced with Shanghai’s epic egg tart scene. Churning out remarkable amounts of both traditional Chinese and Portuguese varieties (that’s shortcrust in the former and puff pastry in the latter), its most adored egg tart spot, Lillian Cake Shop, operates 50 city-wide branches itself. Other highlights include the Jing’an District’s British-themed Amam Lonbakery Town (expect queues at every hour) and Apoli Itabakery in the Changning District near the historic Wukang Mansion. Keen to ration your bakery spending? Find a KFC where shockingly delicious egg tarts are plenty affordable.

2. Meet Mickey Mouse at Shanghai Disneyland

the Disney Town Clock Tower and Mickey Mouse Topiary Garden at Shanghai Disneyland — Relive your childhood in the happiest place on earth. (Credit: Getty/Anatoly Kireev)

Visiting Shanghai offers a rare opportunity to bask in the place known as the happiest place on earth. Shanghai Disneyland, located in Pudong New Area’s Shanghai Disney Resort, is filled with all your Peter Pan/Pirates of the Caribbean rides, daily parades and fireworks while offering the only Zootopia-themed land on the planet. One-day tickets start from about $113 per person, and the park opens daily from 8:30am. Visitors with access needs are welcome with several attractions tailored to wheelchairs. Tactile maps, crafted with braille in English, make life easier, too.

3. Wander along The Bund’s waterfront district

the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai — The iconic Oriental Pearl Tower is a defining symbol of modern Shanghai. (Credit: Unsplash/Waltty Tang)

It’s never a trip to Shanghai without a stroll through the historical Bund district on the water, nor is leaving without a snap of the shimmering purple Oriental Pearl Tower. You can even go inside the futuristic skyscraper for a revolving buffet restaurant, 267 meters above ground level, a glass skywalk, exhibitions and observation decks. The Bund itself is a 1.5-kilometre promenade off the western bank of the Huangpu River in the city’s central Huangpu District, and a magnet for architecture nuts who marvel in its diverse mix of Gothic, Art Deco and Neoclassical-style structures. Don’t miss The Bund’s nightly light show from across the river for one of China’s most iconic sights.

4. Watch love blossom at the Shanghai Marriage Market

People's Square, Shanghai — The Shanghai Marriage Market is held inside People’s Park, right next to People’s Square in the Huangpu District. (Credit: Getty/Yinyi Wang)

If you love love, you’ll fall for the Shanghai Marriage Market, a weekly event in Huangpu District’s People’s Park where proud parents (and concerned grandparents) help unmarried kids find perfect matches. It’s an incredible sight as older generations present their child’s vital stats – income, education, height and more – on pieces of paper before they mingle and gather contact information to pass onto their kids. Get there on a Saturday or Sunday between 1pm and 4pm for an event like no other.

5. Have afternoon tea with bunnies at Rabbit Moon House

Rabbit Moon House, Shanghai — Step into the Rabbit Moon House for an adorable afternoon tea. (Credit: Smart Shanghai)

Cat cafes run rife in Shanghai, but I prefer a harder-to-find rabbit encounter. Rabbit Moon House on Shaanxi South Road in Huangpu District is my recommendation, staging daily afternoon tea in the company of itty-bitty rabbits. Entry costs about $9.50 and you’ll need to purchase your milk tea (or shaved ice shaped into adorable rabbits) on top, but it’s worth every cent because you’ll get your favourite bunny for a one-on-one hangout. Tip: Say yes to the purchasable rabbit treats so your little guy can dine by your side.

6. Step back in time at a Shanghai museum

a Pinocchio artwork at the Power Station of Art — The “Beyond the Page" exhibit in the Power Station of Art is well worth a visit. (Credit: Power Station of Art)

Shanghai’s collection of ancient Chinese art is gorgeous, but I especially love stepping into the minds of contemporary creatives who fill so many standout galleries with thought-provoking pieces. I loved Rockbund Art Museum for its Art Deco bones in the middle of central Huangpu District, while the Power Station of Art is home to the Shanghai Biennale, serving as the first state-owned contemporary art space in Chinese mainland. If you love learning about a destination’s past, the Shanghai Museum is unbeatable.

7. Soak up the serenity at the Yu Gardens

Yu Gardens, Shanghai — The 400-year-old traditional Chinese garden stands as one of Shanghai’s most celebrated historical treasures. (Credit: Unsplash/Timothee Gidenne)

Feeling like a portal into a bygone era, the Yu Gardens in Old Shanghai is a 400-year-old traditional Chinese garden that instantly stills the mind. Wander amid carp-fluttered ponds and towering pine trees to find the City God Temple where Shanghai’s ancient guardian spirits are honoured and a bustling retail scene provides shoppable treats.

8. Brunch in the Former French Concession

Tuck into Shanghai-style pork buns. (Credit: Unsplash/CJ)

Ready for a European detour? The Former French Concession spans across Huangpu and Xuhui Districts and was administered by France during the 1800s. Nowadays, it’s a mecca for roadside brunching, bakery hopping and romantic European-style houses. Don’t miss snapping a selfie beside an Art Deco street lamp or scoffing down a street vendor’s Shanghai-style pork buns.

9. Make furry friends at Shanghai Wild Animal Park

Spot a panda eating bamboo at Shanghai Wild Animal Park. (Credit: Unsplash/Taha)

If spotting a big cuddly panda sits atop your China to-do list, Shanghai Wild Animal Park will sort you out. Located in Pudong New Area, the popular tourist attraction stretches over 150 hectares and houses multiple residents within its giant panda hall. It’s open daily and entry starts from roughly $43 per person.

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10. Shop luxury brands and chic local labels

the Shanghai IFC Mall — Shanghai IFC Mall is a one-stop shop for luxury and local labels. (Credit: Getty/Anatoly Kireev)

Flexing your mobile wallet (Shanghai operates transactions mainly via Alipay and WeChat Pay rather than physical cards) is almost too tempting in this city. For luxe labels, head to Plaza 66 on Nanjing West Road where five storeys house the likes of Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Cartier and more. Huaihai Middle Road, located in the centre of the city, is the place for local labels and serious street style inspiration. If you’re a sucker for wasting away hours in enclosed shopping centres (guilty as charged), Shanghai IFC Mall at No. 8 Century Avenue in the Pudong New Area is the ultimate indulgence.

11. Splash out on Michelin-star dining

inside the Taian Table, Shanghai — Taian Table is a sophisticated fine diner in Shanghai. (Credit: Supplied)

Home to more than 75 Michelin-star restaurants, Shanghai is a foodie utopia. Shoot for all three stars at Taian Table, renowned for its masterful blend of Asian and European flavours and techniques, or Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet, which dials into multi-sensory technology to elevate every mouthful.

12. Hop between the artistic alleyways of Tianzifang

the artistic alleyways of Tianzifang with red lanterns — A bustling lane in Tianzifang with Chinese red lanterns. (Credit: Unsplash/Alicja Ziajowska)

Simply walking into one of Tianzifang’s alleyways is an experience as an almost claustrophobic mecca of stores are illuminated with hanging lanterns, paper umbrellas, greenery and even laundry. I recommend dedicating time to gawking through every door to find hipster-cool bars, eateries, cafes, fashion and lifestyle boutiques and galleries. You’ll find all the action from Lane 210, Taikang Road, in Huangpu District.

13. Explore Zhujiajiao: the ‘Venice of Shanghai’

boats gliding past ancient canals in Zhujiajiao — Glide along the ancient canals on a traditional wooden boat. (Credit: Unsplash/Shuqiao Zhang)

Mirroring the narrow canals of Venice, Zhujiajiao is a photo-perfect pit stop dotted with waterways, stone bridges and spectacular Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. Hop in a gondola to experience the romanticism in full, with boat operations running out of three locations: the North Street Wharf, the Kezhi Garden Wharf and the City God Temple Wharf, right near the temple itself in Yu Gardens. Prices start from about $42 per boat, with each capped at six passengers.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

A marriage market, tea with rabbits and Disneyland: 13 things to do in Shanghai