The vast city of Shanghai sits on China’s eastern coast, along the banks of the iconic Yangtze River. A global hub for finance and commerce, Shanghai is best known for its glittering skyline of modern skyscrapers, fantastic shopping, and high-end restaurants and hotels. Luxury holidays to Shanghai offer so much more than your standard city break.
Contained within a complex that incorporates the Jing’an Sculpture Park, this excellent museum provides the perfect destination for an educational day trip. Spread across five levels, it houses an assortment of animal displays and dinosaur fossils, along with interactive exhibits and animations. When you’re finished exploring, venture outside for a stroll through the Sculpture Park.
Nestled in the heart of Huangpu is an ancient oasis that ushers you back to a lost time. Dating to the 16th century, the era of the Ming Dynasty, Yu Garden spreads across five acres and boasts traditional pavilions, rockeries, and koi ponds traversed by curved bridges. A wander through these tranquil grounds is an absolute must.
Shanghai is a fantastic city for shopping, with some of the best found on Nanjing Road. The road is separated into two sections, with the eastern part largely pedestrianised enabling easy wandering between shops. For the best luxury shopping head to Plaza 66 on Nanjing West Road, where you’ll find numerous designer boutiques, as well as a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Experience a different side of vibrant, modern Shanghai by spending some time at this active Buddhist temple, which is located in Jing’an. Built in 1928, it houses two Buddha statues – one carved from green jade, and one from white jade. At Chinese New Year, this scenic temple complex attracts thousands of Buddhist worshippers coming to pray for prosperity.
The Bund, also known as Waitan, is one of Shanghai’s most beloved attractions. Not only does this waterfront area boast fantastic views of Pudong’s skyscrapers and gorgeous colonial architecture, it’s also a hotspot for restaurants and some of the best bars in the city. Head here after dark, order your favourite tipple, and gaze out across Shanghai’s glittering skyline.