7 of the Best Neighborhoods in Shanghai and How To Visit

No visit to Shanghai would be complete without a visit to The Bund. It’s one of Shanghai’s top attractions, thanks to its colonial-era architecture, trendy hotels, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, bars, and clubs. The iconic waterfront area is right across from Pudong, and just about every Shanghai tour will feature a stop here, especially sightseeing cruises. Come for the epic views across to the futuristic skyscrapers of Pudong and stay for the lively nightlife scene, which offers cool jazz clubs and swanky rooftop bars and clubs.

Always bustling with activity, People’s Square hosts some of Shanghai’s top museums and cultural attractions, including the Shanghai Museum, the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, the Shanghai Grand Theatre, and the sprawling People’s Park. The pedestrian-only Nanjing Road runs through the area, the world’s longest shopping district and the premier commercial street in the city. Numerous restaurants and street food stalls round out the extensive offerings in this popular and central neighborhood, which is just a short distance from The Bund.

Formerly an agricultural area, Pudong is now Shanghai’s modern business and financial center. It’s also home to the city’s tallest and most distinctive skyscrapers, like Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and Jinmao Tower. Head up high for sweeping panoramic views from an observation deck, or enjoy them cocktail-in-hand at a rooftop bar. Besides expansive views, Pudong also offers attractions like the city’s largest park (Century Park), the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium,Shanghai Disneyland, a vibrant culinary scene, and prime luxury shopping options.

Related: Where to Find the Best Views in Shanghai

The original walled city of Shanghai, Old Town is just south of The Bund and People’s Square. A throwback to what Shanghai used to be, this neighborhood is home to the quintessential Yuyuan Garden and the bustling Yuyuan Bazaar, complete with hundreds of street food and shopping stalls. You can also visit the City God Temple’s multiple shrines and palaces. Wander the streets full of bazaars and shops selling everything from food to trinkets to antiques.

One of Shanghai’s most popular areas, the Former French Concession features charming tree-lined streets and a mix of Chinese and Western architectural styles. A popular stop on most sightseeing tours, it’s home to the artsy streets of Tianzifang and the polished Xin Tian Di entertainment areas, along with plenty of hip bars and restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and museums, including the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum, the Propaganda Poster Arts Center, and the Shikumen Open House Museum. Fuxing Park and the former residences of Sun Yat-sen and Zhou Enlai are also must-see attractions in this neighborhood.

Located north of the Old French Concession, Jing’an is a mix of old and new. It has its share of colonial architecture juxtaposed with high-end malls, modern high-rise developments, and other contemporary buildings. Jing’an is home to some of Shanghai’s top hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as two of the city’s most famous temples, the Jade Buddha Temple and historic Jing’an Temple, plus the Shanghai Natural History Museum, Shanghai Jing’an Sculpture Park, and Jing’an Park.

Located at the confluence of the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek in northeast Shanghai, Hongkou is known for its historic buildings, including traditional longtangs (Shanghai’s traditional lanes) and Shikumen stone houses. Learn about the district’s connection with the Jewish refugee community during World War II at the Ohel Moishe Synagogue and Jewish Refugees Museum. Hongkou also features the 1933 Slaughterhouse performance art space and café and the historic Duolun Road, which was once a hangout for the literary greats of modern Chinese literature like Lu Xun.