Huangpu River Night Cruise
See the Bund and Pudong skylines lit up from the water.
Shanghai
China's biggest city stacks a futuristic Pudong skyline over the historic Bund, with tree-lined French Concession streets, famous soup dumplings and the fastest commercial train on Earth. It is ranked #2 on Time Out's Best Cities 2026 list.
- Metro population
- 29,000,000
- Country
- China
- Region
- Asia
Overview
Why visit Shanghai
Shanghai grew from a fishing town into a giant treaty port after 1842, when foreign concessions gave it grand European-style buildings along the Bund. By the 1930s it was known as the 'Paris of the East', famous for glamour, jazz and Art Deco towers.
Across the Huangpu River, the Pudong district shows the modern city: the Oriental Pearl Tower, the bottle-opener-shaped World Financial Center and the twisting Shanghai Tower, one of the tallest buildings on Earth. Back on the west bank, the Ming-era Yu Garden and the former French Concession's leafy avenues keep the old city alive.
Shanghai is a food city at heart. Order xiaolongbao, the delicate soup dumplings born in nearby Nanxiang, snack through the Old Town bazaar, and take a Huangpu River night cruise to see both skylines light up. Day trips reach the canals of Zhujiajiao water town or Shanghai Disneyland.
Things to do
Top things to book in Shanghai
Popular tours and tickets. Compare prices and book ahead to skip the lines.
Soup Dumpling Food Tour
Taste xiaolongbao and street food with a local guide.
Shanghai Tower Observation Deck
Ride up one of the world's tallest towers for city views.
Zhujiajiao Water Town
Bridges, canals and old lanes on an easy day trip.
Plan your trip
Compare prices for Shanghai
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Side by side in Shanghai
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Fun facts
Things you didn't know about Shanghai
- 01
A Towering Skyline
The 632-metre Shanghai Tower is one of the tallest buildings in the world, and its elevators are among the fastest ever built.
- 02
The Bund'S Waterfront
The Bund's riverside promenade is lined with more than 50 grand colonial-era buildings in Gothic, Baroque and Art Deco styles.
- 03
Paris Of The East
In the 1920s and 1930s Shanghai was a global centre of fashion, jazz and nightlife, earning its famous nickname.
- 04
Soup Dumplings
Xiaolongbao, steamed dumplings filled with pork and hot broth, were invented in Nanxiang, now part of Shanghai.
- 05
The Fastest Train
The Shanghai Maglev reaches 431 km/h and covers the 30 kilometres from the airport to the city in about 8 minutes.
- 06
A Metro Giant
The Shanghai Metro runs more than 800 kilometres of track, making it one of the longest metro systems in the world.
- 07
A 400-Year-Old Garden
Yu Garden was laid out during the Ming dynasty in 1559 and still sits beside the bustling Old Town bazaar.
- 08
Disney'S Biggest Castle
Shanghai Disneyland's Enchanted Storybook Castle is the largest Disney castle ever built.
- 09
The World'S Busiest Port
The Port of Shanghai has handled more shipping containers than any other port every year since 2010.
- 10
A Name That Means 'Above The Sea'
Shanghai sits on the Yangtze River Delta where the river meets the East China Sea.
Random Shanghai fact
Tap the button for a random fact about Shanghai.
FAQ
Quick answers about Shanghai
Where is Shanghai located?
Shanghai is in China, in Asia.
What is the population of Shanghai?
The greater Shanghai area is home to about 29,000,000 people.
What is Shanghai famous for?
China's biggest city stacks a futuristic Pudong skyline over the historic Bund, with tree-lined French Concession streets, famous soup dumplings and the fastest commercial train on Earth.
Is Shanghai worth visiting?
Yes — Shanghai was ranked #2 on Time Out's Best Cities 2026 list. Explore its facts, attractions and top things to book on this page.
Did IShowSpeed stream from Shanghai?
Yes — IShowSpeed streamed from Shanghai during his 2025 China tour. See his full world tour map.
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