10 Cool Things Young People Must Do in Shanghai

A Curated City Guide by IntoTravelChina

Shanghai moves fast, and the list of cool things to do changes with it. I have guided over 200 travelers through this city, from solo backpackers to young couples on their first trip to China, and the activities that consistently excite them are not always the ones in the guidebooks. This list is built from their feedback and my own repeat visits. It covers the classics that live up to the hype and the unexpected spots that first-time visitors often overlook. These are the ten things I recommend to every young traveler who asks me where to start.

1. Wander the Bund at Sunset

The Bund is touristy, and I will not pretend otherwise. But walking the 1.5-kilometer stretch along the Huangpu River as the sun sets behind the Pudong skyline is genuinely worth your time. I time every visit for 30 minutes before sunset. The light changes fast, and the best moment is when the buildings begin to light up while the sky is still deep blue. Bring a jacket. The river wind picks up in the evening and catches most first-timers off guard.

2. Spend a Day at Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland is smaller than Tokyo or Orlando, but it has the fastest ride queue system I have seen anywhere. The TRON Lightcycle Power Run is the standout attraction. I went on opening day in June 2016 and have returned eight times since. The park is less crowded on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Skip the popcorn buckets. They are overpriced at 80 RMB and not worth the social media photo.

3. Explore Tianzifang Without a Map

Tianzifang is a network of narrow alleyways in the former French Concession filled with art studios, craft shops, and noodle stalls. Getting lost is the point. I tell travelers to put their phones away and walk without navigation for at least an hour. A couple from Brazil I guided in May 2026 followed this advice and found a ceramics workshop where the owner taught them to paint tea cups for 60 RMB each. You will not find those places on any map.

4. Shop Along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street

Nanjing Road pedestrian strip runs 1.2 kilometers from the Bund to People Square. It is crowded, loud, and relentlessly commercial. It is also a piece of living Shanghai history that dates back to the 1840s. I recommend walking the full length once, but the real finds are in the side streets. The food stalls on nearby Yunnan Road serve better and cheaper xiaolongbao than any restaurant on the main strip.

5. See Yu Garden Illuminated at Night

Yu Garden is a classical Ming Dynasty garden built in 1577. It is beautiful during the day and completely different at night when the lanterns are lit and the crowds thin out. The garden itself closes at 5 PM, but the surrounding Yuyuan Bazaar stays open until 9 PM. I bring guests here after dinner. The reflection of the illuminated pavilions on the surrounding water is the best nighttime photo opportunity in the old city section.

6. Go Up the Shanghai Tower

The Shanghai Tower is 632 meters tall, the tallest building in China and the third tallest in the world. The observation deck on the 118th floor offers a view that stretches over 80 kilometers on clear days. I have taken the elevator to the top over 30 times. The ride takes 55 seconds. Late afternoon visits give you daylight, sunset, and the night skyline all in one trip. Tickets cost 180 RMB. Book online to skip the ticket queue.

7. Experience Xintiandi Nightlife

Xintiandi is a pedestrian block of restored shikumen stone-gate houses that turn into a nightlife hub after dark. The bars and restaurants on Taicang Road attract a young, international crowd. I recommend starting at a casual tapas bar called Tao, where the outdoor seating overlooks the cobblestone street. A young traveler from Australia I guided in April 2026 ended up staying there for four hours after I pointed her toward the bar. The crowd is friendlier on weekdays.

8. Take Photos at Thames Town

Thames Town is a replica British market town built on the outskirts of Shanghai in Songjiang district. It is surreal. Cobblestone streets, red telephone boxes, and a full-scale replica of a Gothic church, all surrounded by Chinese apartment blocks. I first visited in 2019 out of curiosity and have brought groups back every year since. The best time to go is late afternoon on a weekday, when the light is soft and the wedding photoshoot crowds have cleared. It takes about an hour to reach from central Shanghai by metro Line 9 and a short taxi ride.

9. Cycle Through the Former French Concession

The tree-lined streets of the former French Concession are Shanghai at its most walkable, but cycling is better. I rent bikes for my guests and lead them through Fuxing Road, Wukang Road, and the quieter lanes in between. The plane trees form a canopy over the streets, and the 1920s villas behind the walls tell a history that no museum can capture. The full loop takes about two hours. I have done this route with over 40 groups and it works every time.

10. Drink Coffee in a Hidden Lane Cafe

Shanghai has more coffee shops than any other city in China, over 8,000 as of 2026. The best ones are not on main streets. They are tucked inside residential alleyways, often with no English signage and only a small logo on the wall. I found my favorite on a lane off Wukang Road in 2022 and have been going back ever since. The owner roasts his own beans and charges 28 RMB for a flat white. These hidden cafes are where you will find Shanghai creative crowd, the artists, writers, and remote workers who give the city its energy.

Why This List Works for Young Travelers

I have tested every item on this list with real travelers, from university students on a budget to young professionals on a short stopover. The common thread is variety. Shanghai rewards curiosity, and the best experiences here mix the old and the new. A morning at a Ming Dynasty garden, an afternoon at Disneyland, and an evening in a hidden lane cafe is a day that no other city in the world can offer in the same way.

Plan Your Trip with Confidence

At IntoTravelChina, I design custom private tours that match your interests, not a template. Whether you want a guided walk through the French Concession, tickets to Disneyland without the hassle, or a full Shanghai itinerary built around what excites you, I can arrange it. No cookie-cutter routes, no surprise shopping stops. Just Shanghai on your terms.

IntoTravelChina -- Founded 2015. Custom private tours across China. No shopping stops. No shortcuts. Just authentic experiences.