Many of the best things to do in Shanghai cost nothing and happen on foot. The classic walk runs from People's Square along the pedestrian section of East Nanjing Road to the Bund, then across the river on the public ferry to Lujiazui. In the former French Concession, the route from Wukang Mansion along Wukang Road to the shops and cafés of Anfu Road is the city's favourite citywalk, while Tianzifang and Xintiandi show two contrasting ways of reviving the shikumen lane houses that once housed much of the city.
Mix busy and quiet experiences. Tianzifang's narrow lanes are best on a weekday morning, and Xintiandi works well from late afternoon into the evening, when its restaurants and bars fill up. For a break from the city, Metro Line 17 runs to Zhujiajiao, a canal town with 36 stone bridges, a Qing-dynasty post office and boat rides, where you can stay overnight to see the lanes after the day-trippers leave. Save the Chinese names of your destinations in a local map app, carry a little cash for small shops, and avoid national holidays if you can, when the most popular streets are extremely crowded.
5 places · Updated October 27, 2026
Our top 3 things to do in Shanghai
Thing to do
A self-guided walk from People's Square along East Nanjing Road's 1.2-kilometre pedestrian street to the Bund, finishing with the short ferry ride across to Lujiazui.
View details — East Nanjing Road and the Bund walkThing to do
A three-kilometre walk through the former French Concession, from László Hudec's Wukang Mansion along plane-tree-lined Wukang Road to the shops and cafés of Anfu Road.
View details — Wukang Road and Anfu Road walkThing to do
A maze of 1930s shikumen lanes off Taikang Road, saved from demolition and now filled with more than 200 small cafés, studios, craft shops and bars.
View details — TianzifangThing to do
A district of restored shikumen lanes around Madang Road, turned into restaurants, bars and shops, beside the site of the Chinese Communist Party's first congress.
View details — XintiandiThing to do
A canal town in Qingpu with 36 stone bridges, Qing-era streets and boat rides, reached directly by Metro Line 17 for an easy day trip from central Shanghai.
View details — Zhujiajiao Ancient Town