Shanghai is the kind of city that resets your expectations. A photo feature from Global Traveler makes the case that China's biggest city belongs on any travel wishlist, and it's hard to argue. This is a place where a 632-metre tower casts a shadow over 1930s stone mansions, and where dinner can cost you a few yuan at a street stall or a small fortune in a high-rise restaurant.
The classic starting point is the Bund, the riverside promenade lined with colonial-era bank buildings. Look one way and you're in old Shanghai; look the other and the Pudong skyline — the Oriental Pearl Tower, the bottle-opener-shaped Shanghai World Financial Centre, Shanghai Tower — glows like a sci-fi film set. Cross the river and go up: the observation decks here are among the highest on earth.
But the skyline is only half the story. Yu Garden and the surrounding Old City bazaar give you classical Chinese landscaping, koi ponds and teahouses, all tucked into a dense neighbourhood minutes from the modern core. The former French Concession does quiet, leafy charm — plane-tree-lined streets, art deco apartment blocks, boutiques and excellent coffee. And for a day trip, the canal towns of Zhujiajiao or Zhouzhuang are an easy hop away, all stone bridges and waterways.
Food is a genuine reason to book the ticket. Shanghai is the home of xiaolongbao — soup dumplings — and places like Din Tai Fung's original rival stalls around the city serve them for pocket change. Add hairy crab in autumn, Shanghainese red-braised dishes and a fast-rising cocktail bar scene, and the eating alone justifies the trip.
Practically, Shanghai is one of Asia's easiest big cities to navigate: a huge, cheap, spotless metro system, Maglev train from the airport, and everything from capsule hotels to global luxury brands. English signage is widespread downtown, and mobile payments (Alipay and WeChat Pay) now work for foreign cards. It also pairs well with the rest of China thanks to the city's two major airports and high-speed rail hub.
For travellers who want a city break with real contrast — history, futurism, street food and day-trip options — Shanghai delivers more than most. Thanks to Global Traveler for the inspiration.
