5 Reasons to Visit Shanghai – A City That Will Leave You in Awe

One of the most popular things to do in Shanghai is to wander around the waterfront area known as the Bund where you will find historical European-style buildings; for more exploration, you can visit the Old City with its Shikumen houses and the French Concession. For a different sightseeing perspective, you can also take a boat tour on the Huangpu River. Not to be missed is a chance to unwind at Yu Garden, witness activities at People's Square and take in stunning vistas from the observation deck of the country's tallest building, the Shanghai Tower.

Offering rich insights into a religious heritage are the city's temples. Amongst the most well-known of these sacred sites is the Jing'an Temple, within easy reach for those staying at a centrally located hotel or serviced apartment in Shanghai. The original temple dates back to 247 AD though it was at another location. This rebuilt and restored site features captivating statues and attractions such as the Hall of Heavenly Kings and Mountain Gate. Other prominent temples include the Jade Buddha Temple with its two impressive jade Buddha statues and Longhua Temple which has an eight-sided pagoda.

Shopaholics will be spoilt for choice on their visit with plenty to buy from high-end fashion to unique Chinese souvenirs. One of the key areas is Nanjing Road, a short drive from properties such as Ascott Huai Hai Road Shanghai; Nanjing East Road is a pedestrian street home to over 600 shops, while Nanjing West Road features a range of malls where one can find designer brands such as Chanel, Dior, Prada and Armani. More up-market shopping is on offer along the Bund, while traditional experiences await at the market on Fuzhou Road and the Yuyuan Bazaar.

There are many museums in Shanghai too, each offering something different to take in. One of the most well-known of these sites is the Shanghai Museum which showcases an eclectic array of exhibits including sculptures, paintings, jewellery, ceramics and even furniture from the Ming dynasty. Kids are bound to love a visit to the Shanghai Natural History Museum, while art lovers can head to the Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai. There is also the Shanghai Science & Technology Museum, Shanghai Film Museum and Jackie Chan Museum too!

No trip is complete without sampling some of the famed Chinese dishes in Shanghai. Those planning a foodie tour here should definitely try the much-loved local dish called "Xiaolongbao"; this is a kind of steamed soup bun / dumpling with a filling that generally contains a broth as well as pork, shrimp, crab of vegetables. You can look to savour many other authentic Chinese dishes too such as steamed crab, Peking duck, scallion oil noodles and fried pork buns.