Shanghai is one of those cities that can feel historic and futuristic at the same time.
Traditional gardens, temples and shikumen neighbourhoods sit alongside enormous shopping streets and the skyscrapers of Pudong, while one of China’s most distinctive regional food cultures adds another reason to explore.
For families, the opening of LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort has added another major attraction to an already packed city.
If you’re considering a trip to China, these seven reasons to visit Shanghai show why the country’s largest city deserves a place on your travel list.
1. The Bund and Shanghai’s Famous Skyline
One of the biggest reasons to visit Shanghai is the contrast visible from its waterfront.
The Bund runs alongside the Huangpu River and is lined with historic buildings representing a very different period of Shanghai’s development.
Look across the river and the view changes completely.
Pudong’s Lujiazui financial district is home to some of China’s most recognisable skyscrapers, including the Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center and the distinctive Oriental Pearl Tower.
Seeing the historic Bund on one side and modern Pudong on the other captures Shanghai’s contrasts in a single view.
Walk along the waterfront during the day to appreciate the architecture, then consider returning after dark when Pudong’s skyline is illuminated.
A Huangpu River cruise provides another of the reasons to visit Shanghai if you’d like to see both sides of the city from the water.
Best for: Architecture, photography and first-time visitors
2. Yu Garden and Shanghai’s Traditional Side
Modern skyscrapers might dominate photographs of the city, but Shanghai has a much older story.
Yu Garden is one of the best reasons to visit Shanghai if you’re interested in traditional Chinese architecture and landscaping.
Dating back to the Ming dynasty, the classical garden features pavilions, ponds, rockeries, courtyards and carefully designed pathways.
It’s a striking contrast to the towers elsewhere in central Shanghai.
The surrounding Yuyuan area is considerably busier, with shops, restaurants and traditional-style buildings attracting large numbers of visitors.
Among the reasons to visit Shanghai, experiencing this traditional side of the city provides an important contrast to modern Pudong.
Best for: History, gardens and traditional architecture
3. Shanghai’s Food Is Worth the Journey
Food alone provides plenty of reasons to visit Shanghai.
One of the dishes most closely associated with the city is xiaolongbao, delicate steamed dumplings containing meat and hot soup.
Another local favourite is shengjian mantou, commonly known to visitors as shengjianbao: pan-fried buns with a crisp base and juicy filling.
You’ll find everything from inexpensive neighbourhood restaurants and noodle shops to sophisticated contemporary dining.
Shanghai is also a huge international city, so travellers who want a break from local cuisine have an enormous variety of other options.
Trying Shanghai’s dumplings, noodles and other regional dishes is one of the tastiest reasons to visit Shanghai and an easy way to experience the city’s culture.
Best for: Food lovers and adventurous eaters
4. Tianzifang and Xintiandi Show Different Sides of Shanghai
Shanghai’s neighbourhoods are another of the strongest reasons to visit Shanghai.
Tianzifang developed within a traditional residential area and became known for its narrow lanes filled with small shops, studios, cafés and restaurants.
It’s touristy, but wandering through its confined alleyways feels very different from walking along Shanghai’s enormous modern boulevards.
Xintiandi offers another interpretation of the city’s past.
The pedestrianised district incorporates restored and redeveloped shikumen buildings, a style of housing closely associated with Shanghai.
Today they’re home to restaurants, cafés, shops and entertainment venues.
Seeing how historic architecture has been adapted for modern life adds another experience to the reasons to visit Shanghai.
Best for: Cafés, shopping, architecture and evening walks
5. Shanghai Museum Explores China’s Extraordinary History
For travellers interested in Chinese history and art, Shanghai Museum provides another of the reasons to visit Shanghai.
Its collections cover thousands of years of Chinese cultural history, including bronzes, ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, jade and other works.
The museum has expanded beyond its longstanding People’s Square presence with the development of the Shanghai Museum East complex in Pudong.
Check the official Shanghai Museum website before visiting for current exhibitions, opening arrangements and ticket information.
Shanghai has numerous other museums and galleries too, giving culture-focused travellers even more reasons to visit Shanghai and dedicate several days to exploring.
Best for: Chinese history, art and culture
6. LEGOLAND Shanghai Adds a Major Family Attraction
One of the newest reasons to visit Shanghai is particularly relevant for families.
LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort opened on 5 July 2025 and was described at opening as the world’s largest LEGOLAND Resort.
Covering approximately 318,000 square metres, the resort contains eight themed lands and attractions designed around LEGO.
One of its distinctive features is a Miniland incorporating LEGO interpretations inspired by Chinese culture, landscapes and landmarks.
The resort is located in Shanghai’s Jinshan District, away from many of the central attractions, so factor travel time into your itinerary rather than treating it as a quick stop between sightseeing.
Check the official LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort website for current opening times, tickets and attraction information before travelling.
Best for: Families, children and LEGO fans
7. Shopping and Nightlife Keep Shanghai Busy After Dark
The final entry among our reasons to visit Shanghai is the sheer amount happening after you’ve finished sightseeing.
Nanjing Road is one of the city’s most famous shopping areas, with department stores, international brands, restaurants and huge numbers of pedestrians.
Huaihai Road provides another major retail area, while shopping centres can be found throughout the city.
Shanghai’s nightlife is equally varied.
You can spend an evening looking across the skyline from a rooftop bar, explore neighbourhood restaurants or find live music and late-night entertainment.
If nightlife isn’t your thing, simply walking around central Shanghai after dark can be an experience in itself.
The illuminated buildings around the Bund and Pudong provide some of the most photogenic reasons to visit Shanghai after sunset.
Best for: Shopping, nightlife and evening entertainment
When Is the Best Time to Visit Shanghai?
Shanghai experiences distinct seasons, so when you visit can make a noticeable difference to the trip.
Spring and autumn are popular periods because temperatures can be more comfortable for spending long days walking around the city.
Summer can be hot, humid and wet, while winter is colder.
Major Chinese public holidays can also bring significant domestic travel demand, so check the calendar when planning your dates.
Weather, prices and crowd levels can all influence your reasons to visit Shanghai at a particular time of year.
How Many Days Do You Need in Shanghai?
For a first visit, around three to five days gives you enough time to experience several different sides of the city without rushing constantly.
You could spend one day around the Bund and Pudong, another exploring Yu Garden and central neighbourhoods, and another visiting museums, shopping districts or food areas.
Families planning a full day at LEGOLAND Shanghai should consider adding additional time because of the resort’s location outside the central sightseeing areas.
If Shanghai forms part of a longer China itinerary, avoid trying to see everything.
It’s a huge city and travelling between attractions can take longer than the map initially suggests.
Getting Around Shanghai
Shanghai has an extensive metro network that connects large parts of the city and is likely to be more practical than hiring a car for most international visitors staying in central Shanghai.
Walking works well within individual areas, but distances between neighbourhoods can be substantial.
Plan each day geographically rather than repeatedly crossing the city.
For example, combining attractions located in the same part of Shanghai can save a surprising amount of travelling time.
Always check current transport arrangements and payment options before travelling, particularly if this is your first trip to mainland China.
Check China’s Entry Requirements Before Travelling
Entry requirements for China can change, and they depend on your nationality and circumstances.
British travellers should check the latest GOV.UK foreign travel advice for China before booking and again shortly before departure.
Pay particular attention to passport validity, visa or visa-free entry requirements and any rules applying to your specific journey.
Don’t rely on an old blog post for entry requirements simply because it ranks highly in a search result.
Official information should always be your starting point.
TravelHype Verdict: Is Shanghai Worth Visiting?
There are far more than seven reasons to visit Shanghai, but the city’s contrasts are what make it particularly interesting.
You can begin the morning surrounded by traditional architecture at Yu Garden, eat local dumplings for lunch and end the evening looking across one of the world’s most distinctive modern skylines.
Food, museums and historic neighbourhoods provide plenty for culture-focused travellers, while LEGOLAND Shanghai has strengthened the city’s appeal for families.
Shanghai can also work as part of a wider trip through China rather than being the only destination.
For first-time visitors, the variety of experiences is one of the strongest reasons to visit Shanghai, so give yourself enough time to explore different neighbourhoods instead of treating the city as a checklist of attractions.
When you’re ready to start planning, you can find flights to Shanghai, search for hotels and compare car hire for your trip.
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