Shanghai is one of China’s largest cities, home to nearly 30 million people. It has incredible skyscrapers and ancient Buddhist temples, historic streets and trendy art spaces, traditional tea houses and Michelin-starred restaurants. It’s always crowded, and it’s hard to know where to go and where to start.
This guide was compiled by someone who knows the city inside out — Xingchen Yang, the CFO of a Chinese photovoltaic company that manufactures solar panels. He grew up in the Sichuan capital of Chengdu, spent several years in Shanghai, and has been living in Paris for the past two years.
Together with him, we will help you decide where to try the local cuisine, dance with a view of the city, drink a cocktail, buy a painting by a Shanghai artist, or simply have dinner with friends in a cozy restaurant.
It is important to keep in mind that many popular places that you see in various online rankings have closed since 2020, unable to survive the pandemic. This is especially true for large clubs and rooftop bars. Before heading to your destination, check to see if the establishment is open!
These apps will also make it much easier for you to travel around China:
Alipay (支付宝) — for payments (suitable for foreign cards)
Didi (滴滴出行) — to call a taxi
Baidu Maps (百度地图) — app with local maps
Dianping (大众点评) — app for finding restaurants
And, of course, you need to install a good VPN.
The best bars with a view in Shanghai
Captain Bar
Address: No.37 Fuzhou Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200002
Phone: +86 21 6323 5053
Website: www.thecaptainbarshanghai.com.cn
One of Shanghai’s trendiest bars right on the waterfront, located on the roof of Captain Hostel Shanghai in the prestigious Bund area. Compared to other places in the neighborhood, it’s a fairly inexpensive spot. Plus, of course, the incredible view of the river and skyscrapers is what makes it worth a visit.
The menu consists mainly of popular recipes and original cocktails, and the menu was created by a Michelin-starred chef. The place is very popular, so if you want to get a spot on the roof rather than inside, it’s best to arrive early.
Bar Rouge — rooftop bar and club
Address: the club has moved to a new address, and now all events take place at Charbon Rooftop on the 7th floor of the IAPM shopping center
Instagram: @barrougeshanghai
A cult venue in Shanghai’s dance scene, which, like many others, closed after COVID but has been reborn in a new location (much to the delight of regulars). Once again, it’s a rooftop bar with fun parties every day, cocktails, views of Shanghai at night, and an unforgettable atmosphere.
Lola — an after-party bar
Address: 46 Yueyang Lu (46 Yueyang Road)
Instagram: @lolaclubshanghai
As everyone knows, no matter where you start your evening, you’ll end up at Lola. A trendy mix of cocktails and partygoers, it’s a cult venue for Shanghai nightlife. Co-owners Tony Blunt and Xavier Cane were experienced DJs in Spain before coming to Shanghai to open Lola.
They play all kinds of electronic music here, from electro to techno-house and techno, and on weekends, guest DJs often drop by. At Lola, you can always meet lots of interesting people from all over the world.
On the second floor, there is a bar with sofas where you can relax. On the first floor, there is another bar with a huge selection of cocktails and drinks. The cocktail menu is original, created by bartender George Nemec, and includes many unusual interpretations — for example, if you like Bloody Marys, check out Lola’s Bloody Corner, where you can try five types of this cocktail, including the sherry-based Bloody Bishop and the baijiu-based Bloody Shanger.
Admission is free until 2 a.m.
The Fellas Terrace
Address: 7/F, No.7 Yan’an East Road, Huangpu District, At The Bund, Shanghai 200002
Phone: +86 189 1615 8480
Instagram: @thefellas_shanghai
The perfect place to dine with a view of Shanghai’s legendary skyline and the Bund waterfront. This modern Italian restaurant and cocktail lounge is located on the 7th floor of the Qianchen building. They describe themselves as follows: the interior is inspired by the glamour of the 70s, and the cozy street terrace creates an atmosphere for any occasion. The kitchen is run by Italian chef Andrea, and there is plenty to try from authentic Italian cuisine, from artisan pizzas to familiar dishes. Plus, there are delicious cocktails and a good wine list.
Polux by Paul Pairet — a French bistro for a cozy dinner
Address: No. 5, Lane 181, Taicang Lu, Xintiandi North Block, Shanghai 200000
Phone: +86 21 6333 9897
Website: www.poluxbypp.com
Opening hours: 11:00–22:00
The French bistro concept is very popular in China, and Polux by Paul Pairet is the best place in Shanghai to experience it. This restaurant was founded by Paul Pairet, a Frenchman who grew up in Shanghai. Located in the heart of Xintiandi, it is a French café, a cozy bistro, a bar with a terrace, and a place where you can drop in at any time. Whether for a hearty breakfast, a glass of wine with light snacks, or a cozy dinner with friends.
At Polux by Paul Pairet, you can eat and drink all day long. Incidentally, this restaurant is featured in the 2020 Michelin Guide to Shanghai.
Restaurants for locals that you won’t find in guidebooks (and sometimes even on the map)
Sunya Cantonese Restaurant (新雅粤菜馆) — Cantonese cuisine
Address: 719 Nanjing East Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai
Phone: +86 21 6351 7788
Opening hours: 11:00–14:00, 17:00–21:00
A small restaurant where you can try shark fin soup, river shrimp, crispy duck, crab, and delicious pastries.
Lao Shaoxing Restaurant (老绍兴饭店)
Address: Shanghai, Baoshan, 299 Xingzhi Rd, 2nd floor, 200436
Shanghai cuisine and a place where locals come to grab a bite and socialize.
Xiao Yang Sheng Jian
Address: 97 Huanghe Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai
A place to try Shanghai’s signature dumplings with juicy fillings. To make the right choice, select from the menu on the board: “Heng haoqi, heng pianyi” is the one!
Places to walk
M50 Art Zone
How to get there: take the subway to Jiangning Road station, exit through exit No. 3 and walk a short distance.
A place that creative people and especially fans of contemporary art will definitely enjoy. It used to be a warehouse district, and until 1999, it was home to a textile factory. Today, there are dozens of galleries where you can find almost anything, from old photos of Shanghai residents to abstract sculptures and paintings. Artists from all over the world live here, so you might even meet the artist who created the painting you just bought.
Tianzi Fang — creative and old Shanghai
Address: Lane 210, Taikan Road
This is a lively artistic district in Shanghai’s old French quarter, where old alleys, art galleries, studios, and trendy bars intertwine. It was artists and entrepreneurs who saved this area from renovation, breathing new life into it. What sets it apart from other tourist routes is that it has retained its original architecture — narrow streets still wind their way through the neighborhood, and local residents actually live above the shops.
If you are looking for a creative atmosphere and the spirit of old Shanghai, this is the place to go. Among other things, it is a favorite spot for expats and young trendsetters.
Old Town Nanshi
How to get there: between Renmin Lu in the north and Zhonghua Lu in the south
Another place to stroll is one of the oldest districts of Shanghai and the place where the history of this metropolis began. Here you can see the architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties, visit ancient temples, and traditional teahouses on the water. As a bonus, this is where the colorful local markets are held. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s definitely worth a look.
Donglin Temple
Address: 150 Donglin Street, Zhujing Town, Jinshan District
Opening hours: weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 1st and 15th days of each lunar month from 5:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
An important place for locals, this Buddhist temple is little known and virtually untouched by tourists. It was built in 1308 during the Yuan Dynasty and is dedicated to Guanyin, a goddess who helps people in various disasters.
The temple has been destroyed several times by fires and neglect, but each time it has been rebuilt on the same site. Its only surviving historic building has been listed as a protected historic site by the city.
