Things To Do

Looking for a Shanghai gym day pass so you can exercise without buying a long-term membership? You have several good options—but they are not all the same kind of “day pass.” Some hotel health clubs sell genuine one-day gym access. Boutique fitness studios usually sell a single class, while climbing gyms may offer a day…

A Shanghai airport layover can mean a comfortable shower and proper sleep—or several uncomfortable hours spent watching the clock. The best choice depends on four things: An airport lounge is usually best for a shorter connection. A hotel is best when privacy and sleep matter. A 24-hour spa can be excellent for relaxation and an…

A Chinese bathhouse is a communal bathing and relaxation venue where washing is only one part of the experience. A small neighborhood bathhouse may offer little more than showers, hot pools, and a changing room. A large modern complex—often called tangquan（汤泉）—can resemble an indoor leisure center, with saunas, restaurants, massage rooms, cinemas, games, reading areas,…

A 24-hour spa in Shanghai is usually much more than a massage room with a sauna. Known locally as tangquan（汤泉）or comprehensive bathhouses, these large wellness complexes combine hot pools, steam rooms, gender-separated bathing areas, shared lounges, restaurants, cinemas, games, massage treatments, and places to sleep. For travelers, they can serve several purposes: However, “open 24…

Shanghai stands as one of Asia’s most dynamic culinary capitals, where traditional Shanghainese flavors meet international gastronomy at its finest. For discerning food enthusiasts seeking the most luxurious buffets in Shanghai, this comprehensive guide unveils the city’s most extraordinary all-you-can-eat dining experiences. From Michelin-recommended hotel restaurants to breathtaking rooftop venues, we’ve curated the ultimate list…

The Shanghai Film Park lets visitors step into the streets of old Shanghai—or at least the carefully constructed version seen in films and television dramas. Located in Chedun, Songjiang District, this working film and television base combines tourism with active production facilities. Its sets include a recreation of Nanjing Road in the 1930s, traditional shikumen…

Most travelers experience Shanghai’s Hongqiao area in transit — landing at Hongqiao Airport, sprinting for a high-speed train at Hongqiao Railway Station, then disappearing downtown. But if you have a long layover, an early departure tomorrow, or simply one unplanned day in west Shanghai, the question is worth asking: what can you actually do in…

Two markets, two cities, one reputation. The Beijing Silk Market (Xiushui Street) and Shanghai’s AP Plaza are China’s two most famous tourist markets — the places where generations of travelers have haggled over designer-lookalike bags, silk scarves, watches, and sneakers. If your itinerary forces a choice, or you want to know what you’re walking into…

If your China itinerary includes both of the country’s great cities, you’ll face a classic traveler’s dilemma: Shanghai vs Beijing shopping markets — which one deserves your time and suitcase space? Both cities have legendary markets, honed bargaining cultures, and decades of experience selling to foreign tourists. But they’re genuinely different experiences, and the “winner”…

For decades, Shanghai’s famous fake markets have been on every budget traveler’s itinerary — sprawling bazaars of designer-lookalike bags, watches, sneakers, and electronics where haggling is half the fun. But the scene has changed dramatically. Raids, relocations, and e-commerce have thinned the old markets, and customs enforcement back home has gotten stricter. If you’re a…