Shanghai Municipality

The Bund is Shanghai's iconic 1.5-kilometer waterfront promenade along the Huangpu River, renowned for its stunning contrast between historic colonial-era architecture and the futuristic Pudong skyline. This protected historical district features 52 buildings in various Western architectural styles including Gothic, Baroque, Neoclassical, and Art Deco, earning it the nickname 'Gallery of World Architecture.' The area comes alive at night when both sides of the river illuminate with spectacular light displays, creating breathtaking photo opportunities. While extremely popular and often crowded, especially during evening hours, The Bund offers an unforgettable experience that captures Shanghai's transformation from colonial concession to global financial hub. Visitors can stroll the wide promenade, take river cruises, or explore nearby shopping and dining options.

Exquisite Ming-era scholar gardens with ponds, rockeries, and pavilions. UNESCO-listed masterpieces of Chinese landscape design.

Set within the tranquil French Concession, Capella Shanghai offers an unmatched heritage experience with its beautifully restored 1930s Shikumen villas. Each multi-level townhouse combines historic Shanghainese charm with exquisite French design. Legendary service, complimentary daily treats, and a Michelin-starred culinary program make this an ultimate urban sanctuary.

A compact boutique hotel tucked steps from Nanjing Road and an easy walk to the Bund, Hotel Chalet Shanghai earns praise for very helpful staff (many guests name receptionists like SuSu and Pan Pan), clean rooms and excellent location. Some guests note occasional corridor or cigarette smells and small maintenance issues in a few rooms, but most guests call it a convenient, comfortable base in central Shanghai.

A fixture on the city's dining scene since 2016, this brainchild of chef Stefan Stiller is familiar to all local foodies. With counter seats enclosing an island where the chefs cook, all guests get to feel the vibrant vibe up close. The 10- or 12-course set menu changes every few weeks. Deftly crafted original creations showcase layers of tastes and textures, melding German traditions with uniquely Asian flavours such as kimchi and curry.

Housed in a striking ding-shaped building on Peoples Square, the Shanghai Museum offers an encyclopedic collection of bronzes, ceramics, jade, paintings and calligraphy. Entry is generally free and visitors praise the breadth of the holdings, though several reviews warn that some halls or special exhibitions can be closed or require separate booking.

Shaded paths, ponds and small bridges weave through central Shanghai. Yanzhong comprises several green spaces along Yan’an Road; this map pin marks the park near Huangpi South Road metro station. Yellow ginkgo leaves and red maples make autumn a particularly appealing time to walk.

China’s dynamic financial capital with Art Deco skylines and storied lanes.