Top Ten Free Things to do in Shanghai

Our Local Expert Says:

A rare green space in Shanghai, Fuxing Park is a great escape from the city heat. A nice stop as part of a French Concession walking tour.

Description:

Formerly the French Park, Fuxing Park is laid out in European style and is one of the few green patches in the city. Visitors come to take in the fresh air, practise tai-chi, or read books under the shady trees. There's a statue of Marx-Engels in the centre of the park, which was unveiled on Engels' death anniversary. Also check out Park 97, which is located inside the park.

Our Local Expert Says:

Renmin Park is a central green space in close proximity to Shanghai's museums and Nanjing lu.

Description:

What was once a racetrack is now the beautiful Renmin Park. Renovated in keeping with Chinese design traditions, visitors can jog or work-out in the mornings, and stroll through in the evenings. A small pond with lotuses, rental boats, and a children's play area are some of the other reasons to venture here.

Our Local Expert Says:

Anybody who thinks the Chinese don't know how to shop have never been to a megamall in Shanghai. If you need it they have it. Expect to pay western prices.

Description:

The biggest and flashiest of the malls in the Xujiahui circle has a good mix of retail (clothing, books, accessories, electronic items), dining and entertainment outlets, a theater (occasionally showing English-language movies) on the fifth floor, and a plethora of food court restaurants. Prices here are slightly lower than on Nanjing Lu but still not the best in town. 10am to 10pm.

Description:

People's square is a large open area composed of the Shanghai Museum, The Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, The Shanghai Grand Theatre, and the municipal government buildings. It has many shops and attractions, one of them being Raffles city, a mall-like shopping center with a subway station underground. People's Square is a beautiful walk with trees and amazing photography spots of tall unique buildings and the many people always filling it. It is right next to People's Park.

Description:

Hai Hai Road is not only covered in flashing lights and blinking signs, but has bars, clubs, boutiques, bookstores and some of the finest food in Shanghai. It is worth checking out if your stay in Shanghai will be longer than a few days or if you are craving food and sights from your homeland. Additionally, Huai Hai Road remains one of the best places in Shanghai to take a date, stroll arm in arm under the bright lights as you window shop, stop for coffee or drinks at a nearby bar and even entice your romantic other to dinner with the aroma of international cuisine drifting across the boulevard.

Description:

Even though most Chinese residents consider these morning tai chi gatherings as nothing more than "life in general," most foreign visitors are drawn to them. It represents the rare chance to witness Chinese culture without the gleam of tourist hype. Hundreds gather each morning along the Bund, a rebuilt hump of land overlooking the Huangpu River, to practice the disciplines of tai chi and kung fu. Some even take it one step further by practicing ballroom dancing, an odd sight at dawn. All "practices" are open to the public.

Our Local Expert Says:

Located in Old Town, the Yu Gardens are a must see tourist shopping destination.

Description:

You can find almost anything you want in the Yu Gardens bazaar. With renovated old Chinese buildings, and winding streets full of shops and salespeople, you are sure to spend all day seeing everything. There is an antique mall that sells little trinkets, statues, jewelry, and paintings. Many restaurants can be found; among them are places for foreigners. There are also the many street food vendors for the curious. One of the most interesting shops is the 2RMB stores; the equivalent to an American dollar store.

Description:

The road to see and be seen on for shopping, eating, pub-crawling or simply absorbing Shanghai's famous modern feel.

Description:

This maze-like hutong offers every dining, drinking and entertainment possibility and is home to the artistic underbelly of Shanghai. During the daytime, explore the hutong for its creative scene with galleries, photography exhibits and a sprawling honeycomb of organic shops, design houses and modern furniture and fashion for sale. You can easily spend an entire evening wandering the maze while munching on Italian ice cream, French baguettes or Thai veggies or drinking at any of the well-stocked bars or cafes. TaiKang Road area is a juxtaposition of the business-minded Shanghai and the creative and modern underground that is emerging in pockets across the city. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to get lost in the maze- part of the charm and a feature of the hutong that makes it worth returning to again and again.

Description:

The Bund borders the murky Huangpu river, with Pudong across the way. Along the Bund are many old European buildings, mostly the financial and museum. There is much to see and do on the waterfront. There was many restaurants, some floating in the river. Many vendors try to sell their good to passersby, whether they be kites or memorable photos with the natural backdrop of cityscape. There are also the occasional floating advertisements, with large screens going up and down the river.