Shanghai, China: Top 10 Attractions, Food and Tips for Filipinos 🇨🇳

Planning your first trip to Shanghai? Get ready for a city where old meets new. You can see historic buildings along The Bund, futuristic skyscrapers in Lujiazui, traditional Chinese gardens, shopping streets, museums and even a Disney theme park all in one trip.

Shanghai is one of the easiest cities to enjoy if you plan your itinerary by area. The city's official tourism guide highlights attractions including The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Nanjing Road, Wukang Road, Shanghai Disney Resort and Shanghai Tower among its major places to visit.

For Filipino travelers, I recommend at least 4 to 5 days for a first visit. If you want to include Shanghai Disneyland, give yourself an additional full day.

🏙️ Top 10 Attractions You Must Visit

1. The Bund ⭐

If there's only one place you should not miss in Shanghai, it's The Bund.

Walk along the Huangpu River and enjoy the contrast between the historic European-style buildings on one side and the futuristic Pudong skyline on the other.

The Bund stretches for about 1.5 kilometres and is one of Shanghai's most recognizable landmarks.

Best time: Sunset to evening
Don't miss: The night skyline of Lujiazui

2. Shanghai Tower

Want to see Shanghai from above?

Head to Shanghai Tower, the city's 632-metre landmark in Lujiazui. Its observation deck is on the 118th floor, approximately 546 metres above ground, offering panoramic views of Shanghai.

Tip: Visit on a clear day. Clouds and haze can significantly affect the view.

3. Yuyuan Garden 🏯

Step away from Shanghai's skyscrapers and enter a traditional Chinese garden.

Yuyuan Garden dates back more than 400 years and features classical Chinese architecture, ponds, rockeries, bridges and beautiful landscaped areas.

Don't forget to explore the surrounding Yuyuan Bazaar and City God Temple area.

Best time: Morning
Tip: Visit early to avoid the biggest crowds.

4. Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street 🛍️

If you love shopping, lights and city energy, this is for you.

Nanjing Road is one of Shanghai's most famous shopping streets and is officially recognized as one of the city's major tourism landmarks.

Walk from People's Square toward The Bund and you'll experience some of Shanghai's busiest commercial areas.

Best time: Evening

5. Shanghai Museum 🏺

History and culture lovers should make time for the Shanghai Museum.

Its collections are particularly known for Chinese bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy and paintings.

The museum currently has locations at People's Square and Shanghai Museum East in Pudong. The official museum site lists current exhibitions and opening schedules, so check before visiting.

Tip: Don't try to see everything. Pick the collections you're most interested in.

6. Shanghai Disney Resort 🏰

Of course, Disney fans shouldn't miss this!

Shanghai Disneyland is the first Disney theme park in mainland China and features themed lands including Adventure Isle, Treasure Cove, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Toy Story Land and Zootopia.

My tip: Give Disneyland a full day rather than trying to squeeze it between city attractions.

7. Wukang Road 🌳

Want to see a different side of Shanghai?

Explore Wukang Road, known for its historic buildings, tree-lined streets, cafés and European-influenced architecture.

It's one of the best areas for a relaxed Shanghai city walk and photography. The Shanghai government tourism guide currently lists Wukang Road among its recommended places to visit.

Best for: Photography, cafés and a slower afternoon

8. Xintiandi

Xintiandi combines historic Shikumen architecture with modern restaurants, cafés, shops and nightlife.

It's a great place to experience Shanghai's old-meets-new character without leaving the city centre.

Best time: Late afternoon to evening

9. Zhujiajiao Water Town 🚤

Have an extra day?

Take a trip outside central Shanghai to Zhujiajiao Ancient Town.

Known for its canals, stone bridges, traditional houses and waterways, it offers a completely different atmosphere from modern Shanghai. It is also included among Shanghai's major scenic attractions.

Tip: Don't rush. The charm is in simply walking through the old streets and canals.

10. Lujiazui

Cross the Huangpu River and explore Shanghai's futuristic financial district.

This is where you'll find some of the city's most recognizable skyscrapers, including Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center and Jin Mao Tower.

Best time: Late afternoon to evening

Photo tip: Photograph the skyline from the riverside promenade, then head toward The Bund for the classic opposite-side view.

📸 Top 5 Photo Spots

1. The Bund
The classic Shanghai skyline photo.

2. Lujiazui Riverside
Get up close to Shanghai's futuristic skyscrapers.

3. Yuyuan Garden
Perfect for traditional Chinese architecture.

4. Wukang Road
Great for lifestyle and street photography.

5. Nanjing Road at Night
Neon lights, huge digital screens and busy streets make this one of the most energetic photo spots in the city.

🍜 Top Food You Must Try

Shanghai is not just about sightseeing. Make sure you try some local dishes during your trip.

🥟 Xiaolongbao

This famous soup dumpling is one of the first things you should try in Shanghai.

Be careful when biting into it because the soup inside can be extremely hot!

For an affordable local experience near People's Square, Jia Jia Tang Bao is a popular option.

🍜 Shanghai-style noodles

Try local noodle dishes and other Shanghainese comfort food during your city walks.

🍚 Shengjian Mantou

These pan-fried buns have a crispy bottom and juicy filling. They're another Shanghai specialty worth trying.

🦆 Shanghai-style dishes

Don't limit yourself to dumplings. Look for local dishes featuring pork, fish and other traditional Shanghainese flavours.

🍽️ Restaurants You Can Consider

If you're looking for a more special meal around The Bund, options include:

• Mr&Mrs Bund — A popular upscale dining option with a Bund setting.
• Lost Heaven Bar — Known for Chinese cuisine and its location near The Bund.
• Hakkasan — An upscale Cantonese option at The Bund.
• Mercato — A Western/Italian-style option with a Bund location.

For a more budget-friendly local meal, Jia Jia Tang Bao is a good place to try xiaolongbao.

☕ Cafés and City Walks

Shanghai is also a great city for café hopping.

For a relaxed afternoon, explore:

Wukang Road → Anfu Road → Former French Concession

You'll find cafés, boutiques, historic buildings and plenty of photo opportunities along the way.

Don't make your entire Shanghai trip about checking off attractions. Some of the best moments can come from simply walking around these neighbourhoods.

💡 Shanghai Tips and Tricks for Filipinos

1. Download your essential apps before flying

China has different internet restrictions from the Philippines, so prepare your essential travel apps before your trip.

Have your maps, translation tools, hotel information and transportation apps ready.

2. Prepare your mobile payment

Mobile payments are extremely common in mainland China.

Set up your preferred payment option before traveling and bring a backup payment method.

Tip: Don't rely on only one card or payment app.

3. Bring some cash

Even if you plan to use mobile payments, having some RMB cash as backup is always a good idea.

4. Use the Shanghai Metro

The metro is one of the best ways to move around Shanghai.

It can save you a lot of money compared with taking taxis everywhere.

5. Group attractions by area

This is one of my biggest Shanghai tips.

For example:

Day 1: The Bund → Nanjing Road → People's Square

Day 2: Yuyuan Garden → City God Temple → Lujiazui → Shanghai Tower

Day 3: Wukang Road → Anfu Road → Former French Concession → Xintiandi

Day 4: Shanghai Disneyland

Day 5: Zhujiajiao Water Town

This saves you from wasting hours traveling back and forth across the city.

6. Go to The Bund twice

Yes, twice!

Visit during the day to see the historic architecture and return at night for the illuminated skyline.

It's a completely different experience.

7. Check the weather before going to Shanghai Tower

Haze and low visibility can ruin the experience of an observation deck.

If the weather isn't good, consider changing your schedule.

8. Wear comfortable shoes

Shanghai is a walking city.

Between attractions, metro stations, shopping streets and neighbourhoods, you'll probably walk much more than expected.

9. Carry a power bank

Your phone will be working overtime for:

📱 Photos
📱 Translation
📱 Maps
📱 Payments
📱 Tickets

Don't let your battery die halfway through your day.

10. Don't underestimate the size of Shanghai

Shanghai is huge.

An attraction that looks "nearby" on a map can still take considerable time to reach because of walking distances and metro transfers.

Plan your days by neighbourhood, not just by attraction.

🇵🇭 Is Shanghai Worth Visiting for Filipinos?

Absolutely!

Shanghai gives you a combination of experiences that is difficult to find in one city:

🏙️ Futuristic skyscrapers
🏯 Traditional Chinese architecture
🌃 Incredible night views
🛍️ Shopping
🥟 Amazing food
🎢 Shanghai Disneyland
🏛️ Museums
🌳 Historic neighbourhoods
🚤 Ancient water towns

And you don't have to choose between modern and traditional China. Shanghai gives you both.

🇨🇳 My Recommended Shanghai Itinerary

Day 1: Classic Shanghai

The Bund → Nanjing Road → People's Square → Shanghai skyline at night

Day 2: Old + New Shanghai

Yuyuan Garden → City God Temple → Lujiazui → Shanghai Tower

Day 3: Local Shanghai

Wukang Road → Anfu Road → Former French Concession → Xintiandi

Day 4: Disney Day

Shanghai Disneyland — full day

Day 5: Escape the City

Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town

If you have fewer days, combine Days 1 and 2, then prioritize Disneyland if you're a Disney fan.

❤️ Final Tip

Don't visit Shanghai just to take photos at The Bund.

Experience the city.

Eat xiaolongbao. Walk through old neighbourhoods. Explore the futuristic Lujiazui skyline. Ride the metro. Visit a traditional garden. Spend a day at Disneyland. And stay at The Bund until the lights come on.

That's when you'll really understand why Shanghai is one of China's most fascinating cities.

Opening hours, ticket prices, attraction schedules and operating conditions can change. Check the official attraction websites before your visit, especially for Shanghai Disneyland, Shanghai Tower, museums and Zhujiajiao.