Shanghai Holiday Guide
In Pudong, on the east bank of the Huangpu River, see the modern side of Shanghai, with skyscrapers looking out across Puxi – the historic centre of Shanghai over the river. The grand old buildings lining the Bund appear much the same as they always did, though some of these former banks and consulates now house contemporary art galleries, designer boutiques and fine-dining restaurants. Take it all in on a waterfront walking tour, stopping off at the monumental Peninsula Hotel for afternoon tea in the lobby.
On the Yangtze River Delta on China’s central coast, Shanghai is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. On your Shanghai holiday, take a lift ride up iconic skyscrapers like the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Shanghai World Financial Center and the Shanghai Tower with the highest observation deck in the world.
Arrange during your Shanghai holiday a trip to see the lights of the financial district from an evening cruise along the Huangpu River, then wander the famous Nanjing Road’s pedestrianised shopping street, which has big-name brands and local boutiques alongside street performers, open-air bars and a popular yellow sightseeing train.
Visit the former French Concession, the most interesting and atmospheric of Shanghai’s once-colonial districts. Here you’ll find tree-lined boulevards with an eclectic mix of lane houses, villas, craft breweries, hip boutiques and pavement cafes. Duck down narrow side streets full of tiny local stores and eateries selling everything from xialonbaos (a type of Chinese soup dumpling) to electrical goods, green teas and quirky holiday souvenirs.
Popular Shanghai holiday excursions include a trip to one of the nearby water towns such as Zhujiajiao, Qibao or famous Xitang, where Tom Cruise ran the rooftops in Mission Impossible III. A few hours from the city centre, this network of charming ancient villages linked together by the old Imperial canal system offers a more relaxed part of your holiday after Shanghai’s fast-paced vibe.
On your holiday in Shanghai, you’ll enjoy the hustle and bustle during the day, but make sure you take at least one stroll around one of Shanghai’s night markets, stopping for a late-night snack of steaming wantons before heading back to your hotel.
