10 Best Landmarks in Shanghai

The Bund is Shanghai’s most iconic waterfront, serving as a living museum of colonial-era history. It features a stunning row of 52 historical buildings in various architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, and Art Deco, known as the 'Exhibition of World Architecture.' This area symbolizes the fusion of Old Shanghai's elegance and the rapid modernization of the Pudong skyline across the river. Visitors can experience a profound sensory contrast between the stone-carved heritage buildings and the futuristic neon lights of the Lujiazui Financial District. For the best experience, arrive just before sunset to watch the lights flicker on at 7:00 PM. Expert tip: For a panoramic photo without the crowds, head to the terrace of the Roosevelt Sky Bar or the public viewing deck at the northern end near Waibaidu Bridge.

Standing at 632 meters, the Shanghai Tower is China’s tallest building and the world’s second-tallest skyscraper. Its unique spiral design is not just aesthetic but functional, reducing wind loads by 24% through its twisting glass facade. The 'Top of Shanghai' observatory on the 118th floor offers a breathtaking 360-degree view that often sits above the clouds, providing an ethereal, floating sensation. The building is a marvel of green technology, featuring double-glass facades and 270 wind turbines. Travelers should take the world’s fastest elevators, which ascend at 18 meters per second. Pro tip: To avoid long queues, visit on a clear weekday morning. Check the visibility report at the ticket office before purchasing; if it is a foggy day, the view might be completely obscured by white mist.

The Wukang Mansion, formerly known as the Normandie Apartments, is a legendary Art Deco landmark designed by the famous Hungarian-Slovak architect László Hudec (often mistakenly attributed to I.M. Pei). Completed in 1924, its distinctive wedge-shaped exterior resembles a great ship anchored at a busy intersection. It was home to many famous Chinese film stars in the 1930s. The building is a symbol of Shanghai's 'Golden Age' and is perhaps the most photographed building in the French Concession. Expert recommendation: The best photo angle is from the sidewalk across the street at the intersection of Wukang Road and Huaihai Road. Pro Tip: The ground floor now features several high-end coffee shops and an exhibition space. Be respectful of the residents as the upper floors remain private apartments. Arrive early in the morning to avoid the 'influencer' crowds that gather for selfies.

The 1933 Old Millfun is a stunning piece of industrial architecture, originally built as the largest slaughterhouse in East Asia. Designed by British architects and built with concrete imported from the UK, its interior is a labyrinth of 'air bridges,' spiral staircases, and honeycomb-patterned windows—all designed to facilitate the flow of cattle and air. Today, it is a creative hub for design firms and event spaces. The atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful and somewhat eerie, making it a favorite for photographers and filmmakers. Expert recommendation: Climb to the top floor to see the glass-floored skywalk and the intricate concrete lattice work. Pro Tip: The layout is notoriously confusing, which is part of its charm. Bring a wide-angle lens for photography to capture the complex geometry of the bridges. It’s a bit outside the main tourist zones, so combine it with a visit to the Duolun Road Cultural Street nearby.

The Jin Mao Tower is a beautiful fusion of traditional Chinese architecture and modern technology, with its tiered structure inspired by the classic Chinese pagoda. The interior features a breathtaking 31-story atrium, a dizzying spiral of gold and light within the Grand Hyatt Shanghai. For adrenaline seekers, the 'Skywalk' offers a chance to walk on a glass-bottomed outdoor platform without railings while harnessed. It offers a more 'classic' skyscraper feel compared to the newer Shanghai Tower. Expert recommendation: The 88th-floor observation deck provides a perfect eye-level view of the Oriental Pearl Tower. Pro tip: For a more relaxed experience, visit Cloud 9 bar on the 87th floor at night for a spectacular view of the city lights with a cocktail. The building’s proportions are considered a pinnacle of post-modern design.

Known as the 'Bottle Opener' due to its distinctive aperture at the top, the SWFC is a landmark of modern engineering. Its Sky Walk 100, a glass-floored observatory at 474 meters, offers one of the most thrilling views in the city. The design was intended to reduce wind pressure while creating a memorable silhouette on the Lujiazui skyline. The interior is sleek and corporate, housing the Park Hyatt Shanghai. Expert recommendation: Visit the 97th-floor observatory, which features a retractable roof that opens on clear days. Pro tip: For a more luxurious experience, skip the observation deck ticket and go to 'Park Hyatt Living Room' on the 87th floor for afternoon tea; the price is similar to the entry fee, but you get a seat and a drink with a comparable view.

Once the tallest structure in China, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower remains a definitive symbol of Shanghai with its futuristic 'eleven pearls' design. The tower houses multiple observation levels, a revolving restaurant, and a highly-rated Shanghai History Museum in its basement. The most thrilling feature is the transparent glass-bottom skywalk at 259 meters, which provides a dizzying vertical view of the city streets below. It is a cultural landmark that represents Shanghai's 1990s economic boom. Pro tip: The basement history museum is often overlooked but provides an excellent immersive journey through old Shanghai. Purchase a combo ticket online to save time, and try to visit during the evening for the best light show visuals across the Huangpu River.

Spanning 2,700 square meters, this was once the largest Starbucks in the world and remains a 'coffee wonderland.' The interior features a massive two-story copper cask engraved with traditional Chinese characters and a 3D-printed tea bar. The sensory experience is immersive: the sound of coffee beans traveling through 'symphony pipes' overhead and the aroma of fresh roasting. It’s as much a museum of coffee culture as it is a cafe. Expert recommendation: Head to the second floor to try the Teavana tea flights or coffee-inspired cocktails at the Arriviamo Bar. Pro Tip: It is a major tourist attraction, so seating is hard to find. Use the Starbucks app for an augmented reality tour of the roasting process. Visit late at night for a much more relaxed, lounge-like atmosphere.

The Shanghai Exhibition Centre is a massive, palatial complex built in 1955 as the 'Sino-Soviet Friendship Building.' Its grand neoclassical architecture, topped with a gilded spire and a red star, is a rare and striking example of Soviet-style grandeur in the heart of Shanghai. Historically, it served as the site for major political and commercial events. Today, it hosts high-end art fairs, luxury brand events, and book fairs. The interior is equally impressive, with vast halls, chandeliers, and intricate moldings. Expert recommendation: Even if there is no public event inside, the exterior is worth photographing, especially at night when the spire is illuminated in gold. Pro Tip: It is located right on Nanjing West Road, so you can easily view it while walking between Jing'an Temple and the shopping malls. The courtyard is often open to the public to walk through.

This open-air gallery serves as a condensed timeline of the street’s illustrious past, featuring portraits and biographies of the poets, generals, and scientists who once walked these lanes. The design is sleek and modern, utilizing glass and metal panels that integrate seamlessly into the historic streetscape. It offers an educational sensory experience, allowing pedestrians to pause and reflect on the neighborhood's intellectual heritage. Experts recommend using the QR codes on the panels to access more detailed audio stories about each person. Pro tips: This is an outdoor public space accessible 24/7, but it is best viewed during the day for readability. It’s a perfect starting point for a self-guided walking tour to provide context before exploring the specific former residences.