01
Eating and Drinking in Shanghai
Shanghai is probably the best city in the country for food, where you can find branches of cuisines from all over the country, all at the top level.
It’s also the city with the most intense competition among restaurants. The fiercer the competition, the better the food we get to eat. Please, let the competition rage on!
Guangxi natives can slurp a bowl of Laoyou noodles here that takes them right back to their hometown, and Yunnan folks can find a bowl of rice noodles with the same taste as their local eateries.
Yun Cai Yunnan Cuisine, Yixiang Dunhuang Tower, Juewei Ran Mian, Duocai Guizhou Qianyuan Guizhou Cuisine, and Xiamen Yaying Restaurant are all places recommended by Jiuyuan that offer authentic flavors and are worth visiting while in Shanghai. The only downside is that prices are a bit higher than in the local areas.
For more details, click here: How delicious must the offices in Shanghai be to make me not want to leave during the National Day holiday!
Additionally, Jiuyuan has written a mini guide to offices in Shanghai, which you can think of as a small guide to slurping noodles in Shanghai, perfect for solo dining.
Check it out here š: Slurp~ Here’s your mini version of the “wild offices in Shanghai”!
In Shanghai, your taste buds can travel the world, as it is probably the city in the country with the most diverse, dense, and high-quality foreign restaurants.
New great restaurants pop up every now and then, making it impossible to try them all. For a guide to foreign restaurants in Shanghai, look hereā
How delicious Shanghai is, you’ll know from this article
Among all the foreign restaurants, Japanese cuisine is by far the most abundant.
The city with the richest and best Japanese food in the country is none other than Shanghai. To put it bluntly, the Japanese food scene in our base city, Hangzhou, is far behind Shanghai.
The most concentrated area for Japanese restaurants in Shanghai is in Gubei, where just one mall, Jinhongqiao, hides dozens of them. Gubei has many Japanese companies and a large Japanese population, so naturally, there are many Japanese restaurants. From places with an average cost of tens to thousands of yuan per person, all offer delicious food.
The Consulate General of Japan in Shanghai is located in Changning District, which also has a very high density of Japanese restaurants.
Xianxia Road is famous for being a street full of Japanese restaurants, making it difficult to choose where to dine, as they are all delicious.
Find your restaurant here:
This small street in the city, no Japanese food lover can resist
The treasure street near Century Park ā Jinyan Road ā is also home to many delicious Japanese restaurants. Located near Japanese schools and communities, it has attracted numerous Japanese cafes and home-style eateries, offering excellent flavors at reasonable prices.
This hidden gem of Japanese cuisine is unknown to many in Shanghai.
A sushi lover, she has curated a list of Japanese restaurants in Shanghai with an average price range of 100-200 RMB per person, covering various types such as grilled dishes, hot pots, sushi, and ramen. You can save this list and explore them at your leisure.
These affordable yet delicious Japanese restaurants in Shanghai bring me simple and genuine joy.
The student also implemented a “pretend to be in Japan” plan in Shanghai, visiting Komeda, browsing Japanese brand boutiques like STUDIOUS, exploring popular spots like Niko andā¦, stationery heaven Loft, and Japanese supermarkets like Apita, and even soaking in Gokurakuyu.
I executed a “pretend to be in Japan” plan in Shanghai.
There’s also a Korean street in Shanghai, around Hongquan Road. It feels like a mini Seoul, with many authentic and delicious Korean restaurants.
Click here for dining recommendationsā
I spent three days exploring the Korean street in Shanghai and compiled this reliable guide to eating and shopping.
After mentioning so many foreign cuisines, Shanghai’s old-timers naturally wouldn’t back down. Despite the ever-changing landscape of Shanghai’s dining scene, the stalwarts of the industry are the old-timers that draw long lines of customers, mostly “uncles and aunts,” who enjoy their meals at a leisurely pace, with great attention to detail.
Here is a guide to the old-timers that I painstakingly queued up for:
If you haven’t queued up at these restaurants, you haven’t truly been to Shanghai!
The area around universities is also a food paradise. Jiuyuan has discovered delicious spots in Wujiaochang.
Foreign friends might not be familiar with Wujiaochang, but if I tell you that prestigious universities like Fudan, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, and Tongji are all near the Wujiaochang metro station, does that evoke some youthful memories?
Wujiaochang not only offers a variety of Sichuan, Hunan, and Cantonese cuisines but also an array of “international cuisines” like Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian dishes. However, Shanghai’s local cuisine is relatively scarce here.
First, here’s a food map~ For specific dining recommendations, click hereā
If you don’t visit here in Shanghai, you’re truly missing out on your taste buds.
As the early coffee and late alcohol enthusiast, she navigated two of the world’s top 50 bars, enjoying the experience like a game of escape room.
For detailed drinking recommendations, click hereš: “Navigating Shanghai’s Top Bars: By the Fifth Drink, I Had an Epiphany!”
As the coffee aficionado in the editorial department, I must say that Shanghai’s coffee scene has truly captivated me.
This is a great shop I found last year, each one has been tested by the market and has stood firm in the Shanghai coffee market for quite some time.
As the city with the most cafes in the world, the pace of coffee updates in Shanghai is incredibly fast. Recently, I’ve also been eager to update my coffee map.
I want to become a coffee connoisseur in Shanghai.
Additionally, the density of Manner in Shanghai is so high that it’s enviable, while in neighboring Hangzhou, there’s only one Manner located in the Alibaba campus.
I drank 20 cups of Manner in Shanghai, from the first 2-square-meter store to the three-story store by the Xuhui Riverside, and then to the flagship store on Tongren Road. I tried the basic, pour-over, and collaborative editions, becoming even more hooked.
Here’s the Manner guide:
After drinking 20 cups of coffee that dominate the streets of Shanghai, I’ve become a loyal fan.
Coffee pairs well with bread or desserts. When it comes to bread and desserts, Shanghai undoubtedly ranks first on the mainland, and it’s hard to even name a runner-up because the gap in quality is significant.
Here’s a bread review in Shanghai by Jiuyuan: For these little breads, I’d be willing to come to Shanghai every day!
02
Get moving, go shopping!
The streets of Shanghai are probably the best in the mainland for shopping.
A single street often offers a rich variety of content: coffee, bookstores, restaurants, galleries, small supermarkets, clothing, jewelry… all within a few hundred meters.
Qingting recently explored Huaihai Middle Road, which can be considered the king of street competition in the city. Major brands compete to open flagship stores here, with a shopping mall every few steps. There are also many historical buildings, with the iconic Wukang Building at the intersection of Wukang Road and Huaihai Road.
This area also gathers the most fashionable people in China, making it a hotspot for bumping into bloggers. The competition extends from outfits to makeup. It’s a street that’s both fun to explore, delicious to eat, and very artistic. In short, it’s hard to get bored of this street!
No need to argue, this street is the king of competition in the city!
XianYu particularly loves Shanghai’s Yuyuan Road, where Fu Lei, Cai Yuanpei, and Lin Yutang once lived. Strolling along Yuyuan Road, you might pass by a mansion that was once home to these great writers.
There are long-standing old shops and trendy new ones, such as Suzhou noodle shops, Fuchun Steamed Buns, Akimbo Coffee, and Fiufiu Gallery… These shops, born in different eras, coexist harmoniously on this street.
Review here:
Let’s rediscover Yuyuan Road; being a is not its only label!
In addition to Yuyuan Road, Anfu Road and its surrounding streets are also places we love to visit, such as Xinle Road, Julu Road, and Changle Road.
Shopping Guide Hereā
The best streets to shop in Shanghai are all within this circle.
If you enjoy the exquisite small shops on the streets of Shanghai and are eager to explore hidden gems, perhaps the small shops unearthed by Duorou can bring you joy. For example: Fortune Shop, Open the market, Laifu Shop, Kaiyun Cafe…
Shanghai, a city where shopping is enjoyable and food is delicious, never gets boring no matter how many times you visit.
By the way, there are many interesting variety stores on the streets of Shanghai. The larger ones include Niko andā¦, Loft; the smaller ones include Hugo&Jiro Yuji, OPEN THE MARKET, and so on.
Variety stores are places where you can gain many surprises without having to set out with a specific purpose.
Friends who like variety stores, look here:
Shanghai Variety Store Guide | How to make life a little happier? Just go shopping!
When strolling through the streets of Shanghai, Jiuyuan classmate particularly favors Hongkou District.
Here, life is mostly lived by aunties and uncles, and people often eat at old shops that have been open for decades. You can easily blend into this community without much effort.
The last decade of Mr. Lu Xun’s life was spent in Hongkou, Shanghai. You can also visit the Lu Xun Former Residence and Lu Xun Park.
Details here:
I won’t let you just pass by Hongkou, Shanghai!
Qingting has a special fondness for the alleyways of Shanghai.
Alleyways in Shanghai are like hutongs in Beijing. Many legendary stories have taken place in the alleyways of Shanghai. Yu Dafu met Wang Yingxia in Shangxian Lane, Ruan Lingyu passed away in Qinyuan Village, and writers and artists such as Ba Jin and Xu Beihong have all lived in alleyways.
Alleyways can be classified from low to high as lanes, li, lanes, villages, apartments, gardens, and villas.
Perhaps one day, the truly inhabited alleyways will become tears of the times. It’s better to go and see them before that happens.
No alleyways, no Shanghai.
As you wander through the streets of Shanghai, you’ll find that local markets, supermarkets, and men’s barbershops all have distinct local characteristics.
Nine Yuan, who enjoys the atmosphere of traditional markets, feels that after being conditioned by the lifestyle of the internet for a long time, simply wandering around such places can relieve her fatigue and make her feel the warmth of human connections, stabilizing her emotions.
She has taken everyone to explore unique spots like Wuzhong Market, Gaoling Market, and Hongyi Grocery Store, oh so charming~
Here’s a stroll through the market:
This is Shanghai’s “Emotional Healing Sanctuary”!
If you, like Nine Yuan, appreciate the fullness of life, then these treasure trove supermarkets will also appeal to you. Not only are they great to explore, but they also excel in competition, whether it’s in pricing, product selection, or service.
Some supermarkets offer prices even cheaper than those on Double 11 on Taobao, while others carry niche products that aren’t even available online. There are also supermarkets that are “not quite on the mark” in terms of shopping but are particularly delicious.
Here’s a walk through the supermarkets: Shanghai’s Treasure Trove Supermarkets, So Good They’re Addictive
A list of supermarkets is provided upfront for you to screenshot and save directly.
Some international chain supermarkets in Shanghai also frequently make headlines, such as Costco and ALDI Aldi.
There are also more locally characteristic ones like “APITA Apinika,” which are veritable paradises of deliciousness.
Here, tour guide Da Ying takes everyone on a tour: A Comprehensive Guide to Shanghai’s Great Foreign Supermarkets!
Xian Yu took an unconventional path and brought friends to experience a men’s barbershop.
There are probably dozens of barber shops in Shanghai, and Xian Yu chose one that operates late into the night inside a bar, feeling that spending over 300 yuan on a haircut was well worth it.
Barber shop guide here: Is Spending 360 Yuan on a Haircut at a Men’s Only Barber Shop Really Justified?
Xian Yu, adept at discovering niche activities, recounted the history along both banks of the Suzhou Creek.
The Suzhou Creek is dotted with many bridges rich in stories, such as the “Waibaidu Bridge” where Yiping jumped into the river, and the nearby “Zhapu Road Bridge,” a great spot for capturing the sunset.
The rise and fall of modern Shanghai’s industrial history is also written along the banks of the river, so there are many historical buildings worth a serious look.
This article can take you through time: Dreaming of Old Shanghai by the Suzhou Creek
Shanghai is also a city very suitable for exploring at night, boasting perhaps the most diverse nightlife in the country, whether it’s clubbing, drinking, dining, or reading… Venturing through the streets late at night, you’ll uncover the city’s hidden side.
Shanghai’s night owls are probably the happiest in the nation.
Another fascinating way to explore Shanghai is by hopping on a “Red Bus.” Starting from the Wusan Memorial near People’s Square, the bus passes by the Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Site of the Second National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Nanjing East Road, and the Site of the Fourth National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
The ticket costs 20 RMB per person and allows unlimited on-and-off privileges within a day. After your ride, you’ll find that Shanghai has a quite rich red atmosphere.
This “Centennial Limited Edition” Red Bus is particularly worth riding this year!
03
Art & Theater & Bookstores
When it comes to this section, I’m sorry to say that Shanghai is once again at the top in China.
First, let’s look at art museums. I’ve written about two well-known contemporary art museums: the Power Station of Art (MAP) and the West Bund Art Museum (WBM).
The Power Station of Art opened this summer and quickly became a top art landmark in Shanghai.
From the outside, the architecture of MAP looks a bit dull, but inside it’s quite exquisite, with each exhibition being of such high quality that you can’t help but be amazed.
You can see exhibitions by Cai Guoqiang, Joan MirĆ³, and treasures from the Tate Britain all in one place.
As blogger Xiong Xiaomo put it, “This is a rare occurrence. It’s not often in our lifetime that we see the ranking of art museums in our city change so dramatically.”
For just 100 RMB, I managed to see three world-class exhibitions in Shanghai.
Among contemporary art museums, the West Bund Art Museum comes next to the Power Station of Art. It has a five-year exhibition collaboration plan with the Centre Pompidou in France, which has facilitated more exchanges between Chinese and French artworks.
Works by masters like Kandinsky, Picasso, Mondrian, and Brancusi are easily accessible here, though the ticket price at WBM isn’t as good a deal as at MAP.
Shanghai has world-class art museums, and I’m completely in love!
In Shanghai, it seems natural for many art enthusiasts to visit exhibitions as casually as they would eat. However, the ticket prices for Shanghai’s art museums have also inflated quite a bit. Besides MAP and WBM, I also visited the Long Museum, Fosun Art Center, teamLab Borderless Art Museum, and the smaller but charming FIUFIU Gallery.
Each time I leave an exhibition, I feel like I’ve been refreshed.
Click here to learn more about art museums:
Why You Should Visit Exhibitions Now?
While I was visiting exhibitions, my friend Qingting went to the Asia Building to see “Apollonia.”
The Asian Mansion has become the new epicenter for theater enthusiasts in Shanghai and is currently the most mysterious little bar in the city. Here, drinking is not the main purpose; watching performances is the serious business.
“Apollonia” is the first immersive resident musical in China, telling a story within a story, with the setting in a bar. Many people have seen it multiple times!
Here’s a review from Qingting:
There is a “mysterious” building in Shanghai where a thousand and one nights unfold every night!
I think Qingting’s summary is very accurate:
“No matter how niche your interests are, Shanghai is a cultural oasis where you won’t struggle to find like-minded people. To me, this is more enchanting than those bustling skyscrapers.”
Bookstores are a very prominent part of this cultural oasis. Shanghai’s bookstores are highly diverse, including general bookstores, comic bookstores, coffee bookstores, children’s bookstores, exam bookstores, second-hand bookstores…
In terms of uniqueness, there are large stores like Duoyun Bookstore at the top of a building, Xingfu Jihui in Blackstone Apartments, Tsutaya Books in Shangsheng Xinsuo, and Xinhua Bookstore Ā· Light Space designed by Ando Tadao, as well as many strongly styled niche independent bookstores…
For a partial guide to bookstores, you can refer to this article:
A Guide to Bookstores in Shanghai | I Guess You’ll Want to Read After Reading This Article
Recently, news of Fudan Old Bookstore closing down caught my attention. A bookstore that has accompanied everyone for twenty years has ultimately become a tear of the times.
Nowadays, opening a bookstore feels like a beauty contest; it must be photogenic to gain more traffic, while books become mere accessories or backdrops. To recapture the joy of diving into a store, browsing, reading, and buying books, second-hand bookstores are a likely safe bet.
Jiuyuan has found several treasure troves of second-hand bookstores for everyone:
Second-Hand Bookstores in Shanghai | This is the Real Treasure Hunt!
04
Shanghai People Vacationing in Shanghai
With recent restrictions on travel, the popularity of Chongming Island has surged again, as Shanghai residents find ways to vacation within the city.
As Shanghai’s true “back garden” ā Chongming Island ā it is often looked down upon by Shanghai citizens. Some even say: stepping onto Chongming Island means being expelled from Shanghai’s household registration.
However, as China’s third-largest island (second only to Hainan Island and Taiwan Island) and known as the “Gateway to the Yangtze River, the Eastern Sea’s Yingzhou,” Chongming Island is an uncompromising natural oxygen bar, kid-friendly š¶, pet-friendly š¶, and camping-friendly āŗļø, making it especially suitable for a weekend getaway.
This island that Shanghai “disdains” is actually perfect for a weekend of family fun!
Another great spot for a staycation in Shanghai is the Xuhui Riverside area. This place is packed with art galleries, including the West Bund Art Museum, West Bund Art Center, Tank Shanghai, Long Museum, and Yuz Museum. You could spend two days just visiting exhibitions.
Moreover, it’s a haven for sports enthusiasts, pet lovers, musicians, skateboarders, and climbers.
On a nice weekend, setting up a tent by the riverside and laying out a picnic mat is all you need for a comfortable outing. A friend recently reported back from there, noting that it gets quite crowded on weekends!
I’m a big fan of the West Bund area. For more details, check here:
This truly feels like a paradise within the bustling metropolis!
When it comes to staycations in Shanghai, Cai Cai has written reports on several excellent hotels, such as the now legendary Le Royal MĆ©ridien Shanghai.
Located within the Shanghai Disney Resort, the Gokurakuyu Million Stone is a Japanese-style hot spring hotel offering a one-night stay with two meals. It features private hot springs and is close to the theme park, making it an ideal vacation spot.
There’s also the fascinating Anandi, a wellness hotel under the LHW (Leading Hotels of the World) group. Upon check-in, guests are greeted with a singing bowl ceremony and a health assessment. The hotel offers complimentary wellness food and classes in Tai Chi, meditation, and singing bowl therapy, providing a first-of-its-kind experience.
Shanghai is also home to the Amanyangyun, which relocated ancient houses and trees from Fuzhou, Jiangxi. The project aims to protect plants and preserve culture, and regardless of the ultimate business goals, the initiative is commendable.
Among the House series, The Middle House in Shanghai stands out. Strategically located in Taikoo Hui, it’s just a short walk from the Nanjing West Road metro stations on Lines 2 and 13, yet it exudes a sense of seclusion.
Lastly, the Peace Hotel is the epitome of Shanghai’s hospitality. Since its opening in 1929, it has been a legendary landmark, witnessing the rise and fall of the city’s glamorous past.
05
Theme Parks
It’s hard to believe, but we’ve written several articles just about Disney. On the first day of its reopening after the 2020 pandemic, we all rushed there. Back then, there were no parades or nighttime fireworks, but it was still incredibly moving. The “Soaring Over the Horizon” ride, which had a mere 10-minute wait, was a highlight.
Disney reopened after 107 days, and the joy remained.
Leilei experienced Disney as a high-roller, indulging in the most luxurious service availableāthe VIP Tour Guide.
With the VIP Tour Guide, you get access to various exclusive entrances, including employee, project exit, and emergency exits, allowing you to bypass the crowds.
You can enjoy a leisurely sleep-in and then hit all the attractions.
Spending 13,000 RMB in one go at Disney was a delightful “tax on intelligence”!
Daying also discovered a new way to enjoy Disney: collecting stickers and badges, trading badges, stamping the Dream Passport, making twist rings, getting autographs, and hunting for Mickey heads/Easter eggs…
99% of People Don’t Know These Hidden Disney TricksāFind Out How Many You’ve Missed!
There’s one more reason to visit Disney nowāwe’re talking about it.
Among all the theme parks in Shanghai, Haichang Ocean Park is definitely second to none (the first being the one upstairs), home to around 30,000 animals including penguins, polar bears, orcas, dolphins, seals, sea lions, jellyfish, various sharks, and numerous unidentified marine fish.
This place isn’t just a paradise for kids; even those without kids can find plenty of fun.
First Come, First Served | A Good Theme Park Doesn’t Raise Prices in Summer
The most anticipated theme park in Shanghai right now should be the Lego Land set to open in 2023, touted as the world’s largest and China’s first, with plenty of hype.
