From a small fishing village called Shen, the Chinese city of Shanghai has become one of the leading and most important metropolises of the eastern and western world. The city with the largest port in the world is known, among other things, for the longest metro line and the third-tallest tower in the world. Shanghai is a business, industrial, economic, tourist, cultural and research-oriented city, combining modern metropolitan architecture with traditional Shanghai Shikumen architecture, which combines Western and Chinese architectural elements dating back to the 19th century. The 19th and 20th century influence of European architecture strongly influences the architectural styles of the time, leading to the use of the Art Deco style for which Shanghai is known today. Before you travel to China's pearl of the Orient, get to know its character with helpful travel tips.
Due to its size, it is difficult to get to know the city, as it is home to approximately 27 million people in 15 districts and one sub-regional area, which in total comprises over 100 cities, 2 city municipalities and more than 100 sub-districts, 4,500 communities and 1,600 villages. To help you get to know the big city on your trip, we have put together an up-to-date Shanghai sightseeing offer, where the journey begins. You can visit the French concession, the southeastern part of the city where the French founded the area known as East Paris, the Yu Garden, the old part of the city, and the Buddha Temple of Jade. A visit to the Shanghai Museum is a very special experience, where you can learn about Egyptian, Greek and Roman culture and see hundreds of masterpieces and ancient Chinese artworks.
See the city's highlights, such as the Herb Market and the Taoist Temple, on the Tai Chi Cycling Tour, where you will learn about Chinese philosophy and Tai Chi practice in this famous park. This cycling experience can continue to the Jewish Refugee Museum and Nanjing Road, the Garden Bridge, The Bund riverside area and the old part of the city. On your way down the Huangpu River, explore the Yuyuan Bazaar and the spectacular Shanghai Tower. From Shanghai, take a day trip to Zhouzhuang Water Village and enjoy views of the village's architecture from a boat ride on the river canals. Bring your phone with you with your SIM card and mobile data transfer in Asia.
Oriental cuisine in China and Shanghai embodies every home in Chinese cities, towns and villages, where traditional cuisine can be found everywhere. Sides for various meat dishes, sweet and sour pork, Peking duck, chicken - Kung Pao, Mapo tofu, consist of grains and carbohydrates, rice, noodles and buns. Popular Shanghai dishes include smoked fish fillet, steamed Shanghai crab, and soup dumplings. When visiting Shanghai, be sure not to miss out on the hottest Chinese dish, Xiao Long Bao, or soup dumplings, which contain a meat filling made from sweet and juicy pork with vegetables, prawns or crab meat. A typical Shanghai starter is Lumpia Shanghai, crispy egg rolls filled with pork, carrots, celery and onions, usually served with a sweet but spicy sauce. Soup and banana fritters come before and after the main course.
Shanghai also has a Hostelling International accommodation - Shanghai Blue Mountain YH Bund, where you can rest after exploring Shanghai. The hostel is located in the very centre of the city, from where you can visit some of the parks and gardens, such as Gu Cheng Gong Yuan Park, Yu Garden, Huangpu Park, Wai Tan Yuan 33, People's Park, as well as other green areas in the city. You can explore the metropolis using the Shanghai city map, which will become your personal passport while wandering around Shanghai. For your trip to Asia, you can also benefit from the international benefits of Hostelling International, where you will find numerous travel discounts, a safe clothing offer, a courier service for sending luggage by mail, and other benefits that will make it easier for you to organise your trip. Travel smart with international discounts.