How To Beat the Crowds in Shanghai

Many sightseeing tours, especially bus tours, include large crowds of their own. But a private tour is limited to just your group. Plus, you can customize your itinerary to only see what interests you. You can also benefit from your local guide’s insights on hidden gems, spots to avoid crowds, and when to visit more popular attractions to have them all to yourself. A private tour also allows for changes to the itinerary if certain attractions are busier or more crowded at certain times.

Plan ahead and pre-book your tickets to popular attractions to save yourself from waiting in crowded lines. Not only can advance tickets and skip-the-line passes cut down on wait times for tickets and entry at visitor favorites such as the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, but they can sometimes save you money. Another option to look into is a VIP package for a popular experience where you can enjoy a specific attraction crowd-free or via private tour.

Escape the crowds by going off the typical tourist track to visit less popular attractions and sites, such as the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, Wangshi Folk Museum, or the Zotter Chocolate Theater. Art lovers have several options for escaping the crowds, including the M50 Art District, Long Museum, Yuz Museum, Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center, and 1933 Old Millfun. Another option is to head out of central Shanghai and visit nearby local areas such as the historic Jiading or Chongming Island.

Related: An Art Lovers Guide To Shanghai

Traffic can be notoriously bad in Shanghai. Avoid traffic by considering alternative means of transportation. Many popular attractions in central Shanghai are close to each other, and walking is sometimes the easiest and quickest way to get from The Bund to Nanjing Road or People’s Square. A bicycle is an enjoyable alternative that allows you to go further than on foot. Shanghai also features a reliable public transportation network that’s fast and efficient, though beware of crowds at rush hour.

Going to the city’s top-rated and most popular restaurants may be tempting, but they usually come with large crowds and long waits. Opt for a foodie walking tour instead, where your guide can show you hidden gems, like street food stalls and family-run local restaurants that you’d be unlikely to discover on your own. Cooking classes are another alternative; some can even be small-group or private. As an extra benefit, you’ll learn how to make tasty dishes you can replicate back home.

Ditch the hustle and bustle of the city while enjoying the beauty and benefits of being outdoors at a public park. Gongqing Forest Park may be the second largest park in Shanghai, but its remote location in Yangpu doesn’t attract as many crowds. Other options include Fuxing Park in the Former French Concession, Century Park, and Lu Xun Park. Although they’re popular with locals, these parks are verdant spaces where you can move around and breathe in the fresh air.

With some planning and research, you can avoid crowds by timing your visit right. Don’t visit during the week-long Chinese National holidays in May and October when the city is busy. Chinese New Year is another time to skip. Visit popular sites, such as The Bund, first thing in the morning to see them crowd-free. A night tour is a unique way to explore the city and see the sites without all the crowds.