Shanghai doesn’t ease you in gently — it hits you with 26 million people, a skyline that rewrites the rules, and street food so good you’ll rethink everything you thought you knew about Chinese cuisine. One day here barely scratches the surface, but it’s enough to leave a mark.
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Arriving by Ship
Shanghai’s cruise ships dock at one of two terminals: the Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal in Baoshan District, about 30km north of the city centre, or the newer Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal closer to the Bund. Wusongkou is the more common arrival point, and from there you’re looking at a 45-minute taxi or metro ride into the heart of the city — budget around 100–150 RMB for a cab.
All berths are alongside (no tendering required), so you’ll be off the ship and moving quickly. Pre-book transport or join a ship excursion if you’re nervous about navigating independently — Shanghai’s metro is excellent but the signage, while bilingual, can feel overwhelming on your first visit.
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Things to Do
Shanghai packs centuries of history, jaw-dropping architecture, and neighbourhood-level charm into one relentlessly energetic city. Whether you have four hours or a full day, here’s where to spend your time.
History & Culture
- The Bund — Shanghai’s iconic waterfront promenade is free to walk and best visited early morning before the crowds arrive; the colonial-era buildings on one side and the Pudong skyline on the other create one of the world’s great urban views.
- Yu Garden (Yuyuan Garden) — This Ming Dynasty garden in the Old City costs 40 RMB and takes about 90 minutes; arrive before 9am to avoid tour group chaos.
- Shanghai Museum — Free entry and world-class collections of ancient bronzes, ceramics, and calligraphy; plan two hours minimum and go straight for the Ancient Chinese Bronze Gallery.
- The Former French Concession — A walkable neighbourhood of plane-tree-lined streets, Art Deco mansions, and independent cafés that feels entirely different from the rest of the city.
Modern Shanghai
- Shanghai Tower — At 632 metres, it’s the world’s second-tallest building; tickets to the observation deck cost 180 RMB and the views on a clear day are genuinely staggering. 🎟 Book: 4-Hour Private Tour of Pudong with China Art Palace Museum and Shanghai Tower
- China Art Palace Museum — Housed in the former China Pavilion from the 2010 World Expo, entry is free and the contemporary Chinese art collection rivals anything in the West. 🎟 Book: 4-Hour Private Tour of Pudong with China Art Palace Museum and Shanghai Tower
- Guided Walking Tour of the City — If you want to make sense of Shanghai’s layers fast, a structured walk with a local is hard to beat. 🎟 Book: Shanghai City Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st and Best Rated
Experiences Worth Your Time
- Chinese Calligraphy Class — Spending two hours with a working calligrapher is surprisingly moving; you leave with a piece of art you actually made. 🎟 Book: 2-Hour Chinese Calligraphy with an Artist in Shanghai, China
- Acrobatics Show — Shanghai’s acrobatics troupes are genuinely world-class; evening shows typically run 90 minutes and combine jaw-dropping feats with theatrical spectacle.
- Tianzifang — A maze of alleyways in the former French Concession filled with independent art studios, boutiques, and tiny cafés; free to wander and endlessly photogenic.
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What to Eat
Shanghai cuisine (Shanghainese, or Ben Bang) is sweeter and richer than most Chinese regional cooking — think braised meats, delicate dumplings, and freshwater seafood. Street food here is genuinely outstanding and remarkably cheap.
- Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) — The city’s signature dish; head to Din Tai Fung in Xintiandi or Jia Jia Tang Bao on Huanghe Road for the real thing, from around 45–60 RMB for a steamer basket.
- Shengjianbao (pan-fried pork buns) — Crisp on the bottom, juicy inside; grab them fresh from Yang’s Fry-Dumpling on Wujiang Road for about 8 RMB for four.
- Braised pork belly (Hong Shao Rou) — Rich, lacquered, falling-apart tender; found in traditional Shanghainese restaurants citywide for 60–80 RMB a dish.
- Hairy crab (seasonal) — If you’re visiting October through December, this is a must; expect to pay 100–200 RMB per crab at specialist restaurants near Chenghuang Temple.
- Scallion oil noodles — Deceptively simple and utterly addictive; available at hole-in-the-wall noodle shops throughout the city for 15–25 RMB.
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Shopping
Nanjing Road is Shanghai’s famous shopping strip — a kilometre-long pedestrian street packed with international brands, department stores, and tourist-friendly shops. It’s worth a stroll, but for more interesting buys, head to Tianzifang for locally made ceramics, silk goods, and contemporary art prints. The fake goods markets (like the South Bund Fabric Market) are well-known but be aware that buying counterfeit items is technically illegal.
Look for quality silk, hand-painted fans, Pu’er tea, and Shanghainese-style lacquerware as genuinely worthwhile souvenirs. Avoid cheap “jade” and mass-produced figurines — if the price seems absurdly low, the quality matches.
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Practical Tips
- Currency — China uses the Chinese Yuan (RMB); card payments are widely accepted but WeChat Pay or Alipay dominate, so carry some cash.
- Tipping — Not expected or customary in mainland China; leaving money on the table can occasionally cause confusion.
- Transport — Taxis are metered and honest; the metro is cheap and fast but buy a transit card (20 RMB deposit) rather than single tickets.
- Internet access — Google, Instagram, and most Western social apps are blocked; download a VPN before you leave the ship.
- Best time ashore — Head out by 8am to beat tour groups to Yu Garden and the Bund; return to the ship after dark if possible — Shanghai’s lit-up skyline is extraordinary.
- How long you need — Six hours is the minimum to hit the Bund, Yu Garden, and a meal; a full day lets you breathe and explore a neighbourhood properly.
- Language — English is spoken in tourist areas and hotels but not widely elsewhere; download Google Translate with the Chinese offline pack before you go.
Shanghai rewards the curious — go with an open mind, an empty stomach, and comfortable shoes, and it will exceed every expectation you arrived with.
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
These highly-rated experiences fill up fast — book before you arrive to avoid missing out.
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📍 Getting to Shanghai, China
Use the interactive map below to explore the port area and plan your route from the terminal.
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