A concrete riverfront walkway that is built around a bend on the Huangpu River, the iconic Bund is dotted with a collection of Shanghai's most monumental landmarks. A labyrinth of nearly 52 buildings of varying shapes, sizes and architectural styles – from Romanesque Revival and Baroque, to Neoclassical and Art Deco – guards the riverfront area from the rest of the city, almost like an open-air repository of structures woven together by the forces of history, culture and commerce. Influenced by the brief colonial era that settled over Shanghai before it became a trading port in 1846, behind the buildings' facade existed a slew of trading houses, banks and even consulates. Some of the most prominent buildings that line the picturesque riverfront include the HSBC Building, which once housed the Shanghai headquarters of the eponymous bank, the Russo-Chinese Bank Building, the Asia Building, the Bank of China building, and the Gutzlaff Signal Tower. While some buildings serve an official purpose even today, some others form cultural and retail hubs in this commercial city.
Located in People's Square, the Shanghai Museum is considered as the country's finest. Founded in 1952, the new museum was rebuilt and renovated in the year 1996. This museum boasts 120,000 Chinese art pieces and archaeological findings. Permanent exhibits feature bronze, ceramics and paintings, among other artifacts from ancient Ming and Qing dynasties. Other facilities include a library with 20,000 books, a conservation laboratory and a lecture room. There is a gift shop on the first floor, a tea house and several antique and curio stalls. The building itself is an architectural showpiece, resembling an ancient Chinese vessel when viewed sideways. The rooftop with a glassed dome is modeled on a Han Dynasty mirror. Preserving the spirit of old China amid the ultra modern urban culture of Shanghai, the museum is one of the best ways to learn about ancient Chinese history.
The Shanghai World Financial Center highlights the Pudong district's skyline with 21st-century minimalism and sharp-edged design. The American firm, Kohn Pedersen Fox, are the architectural visionaries behind the skyscraper which took a decade to complete. It towers at 492 meters (1,614 feet) above ground level and its observatory was the tallest of its kind at that time. With the trapezoidal rupture at its peak, the structure has an uncanny resemblance to a bottle opener, which is one of the quirky souvenirs available at the gift shop. The multifunctional space encompasses offices, boutiques and the luxurious Park Hyatt hotel.
Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center has multiple floors that detail the ambitious plans for Shanghai's urban planning and development. Visitors are provided with a glimpse of what Shanghai will look like in a couple of decades. The centerpiece of the place is a huge model of the city as it stands today. This breathtaking model of Shanghai city stands out as a beautiful masterpiece of this enriching museum. An elaborate map showcases the districts scheduled for new construction, and green areas are clearly marked.
A sprawling green sanctum ensconced amid Shanghai’s bustling thoroughfares, People's Square (Ren Min Guang Chang) is a vast public space encircled by government buildings. This idyllic square is characterized by manicured lawns and the architecturally impressive Shanghai Museum. Truly an urban spectacle, People's Square is flecked with an array of intriguing features including a jubilant water fountain, a subway station and an underground shopping mall. Accentuated by a wealth of varicolored flowers, the square is fringed by an arsenal of soaring high-rises like the Park Hotel Shanghai, Raffles City Shanghai and Shimao International Plaza. This is where locals and tourists unwind amid refreshing, verdant scenery and watch the fast-paced hours of Shanghai go by.
The name of the celebrated town of 'Qibao' translates to 'Seven Treasures', and dates back to the Five Dynasties era. Although the original local temple from where the town gets its name from no longer exists, its celestial and serene aura continues to linger, drawing crowds to this magical town. Traditional Chinese lanterns don the crowded streets that are lined with commercial establishments popular among tourists and locals alike. The town is also known for its sumptuous local delicacies like the famous Hong Shao Rou, a braised version of pork that is sold at food stalls all across Qibao. The old town shelters an array of heritage structures such as the ornate bell tower, the Cricket House, Zhou's Miniature Museum and the Memorial Hall of Zhang Chongren.
Formerly consisting of old and forgotten warehouses, Moganshan Lu has now been transformed into one of the most promising and up-and-coming areas for contemporary art in Shanghai. With over 120 art galleries and studios packed tightly alongside a wealth of shops, modern cafes and stylish dining options, Moganshan Art District makes for an eye-opening experience. Exhibitions and workshops reveal the work of both established artists and those new to the Chinese art scene. Outside the galleries, the impressive street art splashed across the walls completes this area as a truly inspiring and precious space for Shanghai’s ever-growing modern art scene.
Located in former French Concession, Ferguson Lane is a major attraction of Shanghai. It is housed in two heritage art-deco buildings which was previously owned by the government. With art galleries, fashion boutiques, trendy restaurants and more, the complex makes for an interesting exploration. Some of the popular restaurants within the complex include Franck, Azul Tapas Lounge, Browhaus nad Àcôté to name a few.
The Shanghai History Museum was founded in 1983 and is one of the largest museums in the city. It focuses on the intriguing history and culture of Shanghai and China, housing a collection of thousands of artifacts and relics dating back to almost a hundred years. Within the museum, there are room-sized displays depicting earlier times in Shanghai, including its days as a small fishing village. Visitors can explore porcelain items, jewelry, old seals, stone carvings, Chinese textiles and other fascinating exhibits. Immerse yourself in the culture of this beautiful city at the Shanghai History Museum.
A concrete riverfront walkway that is built around a bend on the Huangpu River, the iconic Bund is dotted with a collection of Shanghai's most monumental landmarks. A labyrinth of nearly 52 buildings of varying shapes, sizes and architectural styles – from Romanesque Revival and Baroque, to Neoclassical and Art Deco – guards the riverfront area from the rest of the city, almost like an open-air repository of structures woven together by the forces of history, culture and commerce. Influenced by the brief colonial era that settled over Shanghai before it became a trading port in 1846, behind the buildings' facade existed a slew of trading houses, banks and even consulates. Some of the most prominent buildings that line the picturesque riverfront include the HSBC Building, which once housed the Shanghai headquarters of the eponymous bank, the Russo-Chinese Bank Building, the Asia Building, the Bank of China building, and the Gutzlaff Signal Tower. While some buildings serve an official purpose even today, some others form cultural and retail hubs in this commercial city.
Old French Concession is a popular destination among locals as well as tourists. It was a ceded territory and was formed in 1849 for the French and lasted till 1943. It is a big area and now is a part of the Xuhui and Huangpu districts. Its streets are lined with trees and you will find many trendy shops, cafes, restaurants, breweries, antique stores and bars. Some of the interesting sights are the St. Ignatius Cathedral, Sinan Mansions, Sun Yat-sen's Former Residence, Fuxing Park and Soong Ching Ling's Former Residence. There is a lot you can do in this place while exploring it and you will surely enjoy the tour.
Yuz Museum in Shanghai is located in the Xuhui District. Part of the Yuz Foundation, this museum is one of the largest, private, non-profit institutions for art exhibitions in the city. The mission is to bring people closer to art, by enhancing their appreciation and facilitating better understanding of contemporary pieces. This former airport hangar was redesigned into a enormous space that perfectly showcases the rich collection and installations scheduled all through the year. Spreading over 9,000 square meters (approximately 32,000 square feet), the museum features frequent special events and temporary exhibitions of Chinese contemporary masterpieces as well as a few Western artists.