What Activities are there in Shanghai?

These are all Activities in Shanghai:Sightseeing Boats in Shanghai, Immersive Theater Experiences in Shanghai, Republic of China Architecture Tour in Shanghai, Longtang Exploration in Shanghai, Helicopter Rides in Shanghai

10 best unique experiences & activities in Shanghai 2025

Shanghai

Stays

Things to Do

Nightlife

Restaurants

Destinations

Sightseeing Boats in Shanghai
󰺂6.3
Shanghai.The Bund Area
1.8 km from downtown
Highlights:
Shanghai attracts tourists from all over the world with its unique urban style and profound historical and cultural heritage, and boat sightseeing is one of the best ways to appreciate the charm of this city, which allows you to experience the city's historical sedimentation and modern development up close on the Huangpu River.Scenic experience: Shanghai boat sightseeing allows you to appreciate the classical beauty of the Puxi International Architecture Expo Group and the modern skyscrapers of the Pudong Lujiazui Financial District, such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jinmao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai Tower, etc. At night, the lights on both sides of the river are brilliant, showing the unique prosperity and romance of Shanghai. In addition to the Huangpu River cruise, you can also take a Zhujiajiao Water Village cruise to shuttle between the ancient bridges of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, white walls and black tiles, and feel the tranquility and fireworks of the ancient town in the south of the Yangtze River; take a slow boat ride in Fengjing Ancient Town, where the river is winding and the corridors are continuous, and experience the original ecological water village life; the Suzhou River route passes through the Sihang Warehouse and the M50 Art District, where modern industrial relics coexist with modern creative spaces... Different routes connect the modernity, history and poetry of Shanghai. <img class="confluence-embedded-image confluence-external-resource" width="300" src="https://nephele.ctrip.com/target/1lo3312000bwovjp90E60_W_10000_1200.jpg?proc=autoorient" data-image-src="https://nephele.ctrip.com/target/1lo3312000bwovjp90E60_W_10000_1200.jpg?proc=autoorient" style="margin: 0px 2px; padding: 0px; cursor: move; max-width: none; display: block; color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; width: 307.812px;">Boarding points and main passage points: Shanghai cruise sightseeing has a variety of boarding points, and multiple docks such as the Bund, Shiliupu, and Dongchang Road can board the ship, which is convenient and fast. The cruise passage points include iconic buildings such as the Nanpu Bridge and the Yangpu Bridge, as well as bustling areas such as the Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone, allowing you to fully experience the modern urban atmosphere of Shanghai. <img class="confluence-embedded-image confluence-external-resource" width="300" src="https://nephele.ctrip.com/target/350l180000014i8enA599_W_10000_1200.jpg?proc=autoorient" data-image-src="https://nephele.ctrip.com/target/350l180000014i8enA599_W_10000_1200.jpg?proc=autoorient" style="margin: 0px 2px; padding: 0px; cursor: move; max-width: none; display: block; color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; width: 307.812px;">Boat ride duration: Different cruise routes have different durations. The essence cruise route is about 45 minutes, while the special cruises such as the "Dragon Boat" offer a 2-hour in-depth night cruise experience. This duration gives you enough time to immerse yourself in the night view of Shanghai. <img class="confluence-embedded-image confluence-external-resource" width="300" src="https://nephele.ctrip.com/target/350o180000014gwua6118_W_10000_1200.jpg?proc=autoorient" data-image-src="https://nephele.ctrip.com/target/350o180000014gwua6118_W_10000_1200.jpg?proc=autoorient" style="margin: 0px 2px; padding: 0px; cursor: move; max-width: none; display: block; color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; width: 307.812px;">Here, you will have an unforgettable journey and feel the infinite charm of this international metropolis. 
󱨠14 attraction
"Happy Captain" Huangpu River Dinner Cruise󰺂5.0
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Huangpu River Cruise(Shiliupu Pier)󰺂7.7
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Immersive Theater Experiences in Shanghai
󰺂5.2
Shanghai.Shanghai Jiaotong University/Shanghai Minhang Economic & Technological
28.9 km from downtown
Highlights:
Shanghai immersive drama is a new form of drama. With its unique interactive experience, panoramic stage design and gripping storyline, it has attracted many drama lovers and tourists to explore. In Shanghai, immersive drama performances are held in a variety of venues, from retro hotel lobbies to modern commercial spaces. Each venue is carefully built to make the audience feel as if they are traveling through time and space and being immersed in the scene. Among them, "Sleepless Night", as a leader in this field, has pushed the immersive experience to a new height. "Sleepless Night" is adapted from Shakespeare's classic work "Macbeth", and the story is set in Shanghai in the 1930s. The audience puts on a mask and turns into an "invisible man". They freely explore the five-story theater space, follow different actors into different story lines, and enjoy a unique viewing experience. The entire theater has no fixed stage and auditorium. The audience can move freely, interact closely with the actors, and even affect the development of the plot. This new way of watching drama makes the audience not only a spectator, but also a participant in the drama, and gain an unprecedented immersive experience. 
󱨠13 attraction
Shanghai Film Park󰺂6.9
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Shanghai · Sleep No More󰺂6.2
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Republic of China Architecture Tour in Shanghai
󰺂4.9
Shanghai.The Bund Area
1.8 km from downtown
Highlights:
Shanghai has many breathtaking architectural treasures. Various Western-style houses from the Republic of China period are still preserved in the prosperous urban area. Walking through the streets and alleys of Shanghai, it seems as if you have traveled through a time tunnel and arrived at an era of prosperity and turmoil. The Bund is an area where buildings from the Republic of China are concentrated. It has the reputation of "World Expo Building Group". Its profound historical background and cultural connotation make it a rare cultural heritage in Shanghai. There are also many traces of old houses in Jing'an District and Xuhui District. These old houses have absorbed the characteristics and artistic techniques of residential, villa, and official residences in Europe and the United States, and have integrated various types of traditional and Western modern techniques. They have distinct characteristics of the times and regions, and are also very popular check-in spots in Shanghai. Small Western-style buildings of different styles carry the legendary stories of Shanghai. Floating glimpses, overlapping time and space, like a secret city.
󱨠15 attraction
The Bund󰺂10
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Tianzifang󰺂6.3

4
Longtang Exploration in Shanghai
󰺂4.9
Shanghai.Dapuqiao Area
2.5 km from downtown
Highlights:
To experience Shanghai's most authentic local life, wander through its labyrinthine longtang alleys—these maze-like lanes preserve the city's truest character. Between weathered brick walls, laundry sways in the breeze alongside climbing vines, composing living tableaus of daily rhythm. Beneath aged lintels, the soft Wu dialect of chatting neighbors mingles with children's laughter, creating the distinctive symphony of longtang life. The Shikumen architecture exemplifies East-meets-West ingenuity, where ornate cast-iron balconies harmonize with rustic blue-gray tiles. Around corners, the aroma of artisan coffee drifts from trendy cafés neighboring old-fashioned tobacco shops—a poetic contrast telling Shanghai's story of past and present. In shadowy arcades, master craftsmen uphold ancestral trades, while the sizzle of authentic Benbang cuisine echoes from communal kitchens where flavors simmer in well-seasoned woks. Here, time-worn stone steps bear the polish of generations, and faded doorplates whisper tales of change. The longtang is an open, three-dimensional scrapbook—one that lets every visitor touch the living texture and human warmth of Shanghai.
󱨠7 attraction
Tianzifang󰺂6.3
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Sinan Mansions󰺂5.6

5
Helicopter Rides in Shanghai
󰺂4.5
Shanghai.Zhoupu Kangqiao
19.1 km from downtown
Highlights:
As an international metropolis, Shanghai has a unique city skyline and historical buildings. The helicopter experience allows you to overlook the prosperity on both sides of the Huangpu River from the air. Extraordinary Journey to the Magic City:As an international metropolis, Shanghai has an unparalleled urban landscape. From a high altitude, you will witness the prosperity on both sides of the Huangpu River, including the Bund's international buildings, Lujiazui's skyscrapers, and Disneyland's fairytale castle. <img src="https://youimg1.tripcdn.com/target/1lo4b12000fs44kkf4D55.jpg" style="width: 25%;">The flight route is carefully planned:Shanghai Helicopters includes Longhua Base, Fengxian, Songjiang and other regional take-off and landing points, passing through the iconic attractions on both sides of the Huangpu River, including the Bund, Xuhui Riverside Green Space, World Expo Park and other iconic buildings. The flight routes range from about 10 to 50 kilometers, with diverse routes and moderate flight time, allowing you to fully appreciate the beautiful scenery.<img src="https://nephele.ctrip.com/target/3504170000011g0j191BF_W_10000_1200.png?proc=autoorient" style="width: 25%;">Suitable climate and weather conditions:Shanghai has four distinct seasons, and most of the time is suitable for helicopter flights. Before the flight, the operator will arrange the best flight time for you according to the real-time weather conditions to ensure flight safety and viewing experience. <img src="https://nephele.ctrip.com/target/1lo4r12000eyt1y3eBB3C_W_10000_1200.jpg?proc=autoorient" style="width: 307.812px;">Professional operators provide excellent flight experience:Operatorsuse helicopters with superior performance and high safety, such as the BELL429 twin-engine helicopter, and are equipped with safety facilities such as terrain warning, weather radar, and autopilot. Some operatorsalso provide value-added services such as photography, commentary, and video recording, making your flight experience more rich and memorable. <img src="https://nephele.ctrip.com/target/1lo0312000eyt2a9mCADD_W_10000_1200.jpg?proc=autoorient" style="width: 307.812px;">Experience a helicopter ride in Shanghai, enjoy a trip in the clouds, and take in the bustling skyline of the city, allowing you to witness the beauty of the city's blend of modernity and history from the air. 
󱨠7 attraction
Shanghai Helicopter Sightseeing Tour (Qingpu Takeoff and Landing Point)󰺂2.7

Xingye Helicopter Flight Base󰺂3.6

6
Shanghai Opera Performances in Shanghai
󰺂4.2
Shanghai.Xujiahui District
5.4 km from downtown
Highlights:
Shanghai opera is a type of opera that originated in Shanghai. It was listed as the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage in 2006. It originated from folk songs, and later absorbed folk tunes such as field songs and mountain songs on both sides of the Huangpu River. It has a strong Jiangnan water town charm and is deeply loved by local residents and tourists. The performance form of Shanghai opera is mainly singing, supplemented by speaking, acting, reading and fighting, and the music is gentle and soft. The melodious singing and the narration full of life make a vivid picture of Shanghai life come to life on paper. The selection of Shanghai opera includes historical legends and real life, reflecting the spiritual outlook and living conditions of the people of Shanghai. Whether it is classic traditional repertoires such as "Luohan Money" and "Lu Yachen Sells His Wife", or modern dramas reflecting modern life such as "Thunderstorm" and "Lu Dang Fire", Shanghai opera can touch the heartstrings of the audience with its unique artistic language. 
󱨠5 attraction
Wanping Theater󰺂2.3
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Yifu Theater󰺂2.2
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7
Tulip Viewing in Shanghai
󰺂7.0
Best time to visit：Mar-Apr
Shanghai.People's Square Area
Highlights:
Shanghai's sea of tulips, with its perfect combination of vibrant varieties and modern urban landscape, has become an ideal place for people to enjoy the colors of spring. More than just the beautiful tulip scenery, the unique urban culture and wide range of activity options are making Shanghai the destination of choice for those looking to see tulips in their glory. There are many varieties of tulips in Shanghai, including Darwin, Triumph, and Lily. Shanghai Botanical Garden and Century Park are two of the most popular viewing spots with their huge tulip populations, as well as rare varieties on display. Compared to other regions, Shanghai has a greater variety of tulips. The scarcity of some of these varieties can be seen from their careful cultivation. The tulips in Shanghai are usually at their most brilliant best from March to May. At the start of this period, the early tulips are starting to bloom, giving fresh colors to the fields. By the middle of the period, the flowers are most colorful and spectacular. Towards the end, the withering tulips emit a poetic charm. Compared with other destinations with shorter flowering periods, Shanghai's tulips bloom for a longer period, giving visitors plenty of time to plan their itinerary. While appreciating the tulips in Shanghai, visitors also get the chance to enjoy the modern landscape of Century Park and the natural scenery of Shanghai Botanical Garden. These places not only have spectacular tulip landscapes but also modern urban architectural backgrounds, creating a unique visual experience in the process. Visitors can experience the rich local characteristics of Shanghai and sample local delicacies, such as xiaolongbao and crab meat dumplings. In addition, city explorers can also check out other famous attractions in Shanghai, such as the Bund and the Oriental Pearl Tower. In recent years, Shanghai's tulips have been gaining popularity on social media, becoming a popular photo spot for the people. In order to ensure a good viewing experience for everyone, some popular attractions have crowd control measures, so visitors should make a booking in advance. At the same time, Shanghai also provides some niche flower-viewing routes for those looking to avoid the crowds and enjoy a more peaceful experience.
󱨠30 attraction
Jing'an Sculpture Park󰺂4.7
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Daning Park󰺂2.8

8
Shanghai Cherry Blossom Appreciation
󰺂6.1
Best time to visit：Mar-Apr
Shanghai.People's Square Area
Highlights:
Every spring, Shanghai's cherry blossoms bloom as promised, adding a romantic atmosphere to the city. Shanghai's cherry blossoms are mainly concentrated in several famous cherry blossom viewing spots, such as Gucun Park, Chenshan Botanical Garden, and Luxun Park. Gucun Park is the largest cherry blossom viewing spot in Shanghai, with thousands of cherry blossom trees of various varieties planted, and the flowering period lasts from March to April. Strolling under the cherry blossom trees, the breeze blows, and the petals fall like snow, forming a dreamy picture. Whether strolling with friends or indulging in the cherry blossom rain alone, Shanghai's cherry blossom season always brings people endless poetry and reverie.
󱨠57 attraction
Chenshan Botanical Garden󰺂5.5
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Gucun Park󰺂4.7
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