شنغهاي

1. The Bund

Nestled along the western bank of the Huangpu River, the Bund stretches 1.5 kilometers from Waibaidu Bridge in the north to Jinling East Road in the south. This architectural gem, formed between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, preserves 52 modern landmarks showcasing diverse styles—from Gothic and Baroque to Romanesque, Classical, and Renaissance—earning it the title "World Architecture Expo." Originally home to financial institutions like HSBC, the Jianghai Customs, and Sassoon House, the Bund's skyline unfolds in three tiers: a waterfront platform at ground level, a cluster of historic buildings in the middle, and the modern skyscraper skyline of Pudong in the distance. Designated as a "World Historical and Cultural Landscape Protection Zone" in 1995, the Bund stands as a living testament to Shanghai's modern urban evolution.

2. Oriental Pearl Radio and Television Tower

Perched along the Huangpu River in Lujiazui, Pudong New Area, this landmark stands as one of Shanghai's most iconic cultural landmarks. Completed in 1994, the 468-meter-tall tower was once Asia's tallest and the world's third tallest structure. Its design, inspired by the Tang poem "Large and small pearls fall on a jade plate," features 11 interconnected spheres of varying sizes. Inside, visitors can explore a space capsule, a rotating restaurant, and a museum showcasing Shanghai's urban history. The tower's 80-kilometer coverage area supports wireless TV broadcasting, while its dynamic lighting system transforms into a vibrant centerpiece of Shanghai's nighttime skyline.

3. Shanghai Museum

Located at No.201 Renmin Avenue in Huangpu District, it is an ancient art museum of China. The new museum was completed in 1996, with its architectural design symbolizing "round heaven and square earth," featuring a square base supporting a circular main structure. The museum houses 1.02 million artifacts, including 140,000 precious relics, covering 21 categories such as bronze ware, ceramics, calligraphy and paintings, sculptures, jade artifacts, coins, and furniture. The Bronze Ware Gallery houses national treasures like the Western Zhou Dynasty Da Ke Ding and the Shang Yang Fang Sheng. The Calligraphy and Painting Gallery displays authentic works by renowned masters such as Wang Xizhi, Wang Xianzhi, and Sun Wei. The museum features 11 thematic exhibition halls and 3 temporary exhibition spaces, adopting a combination of comprehensive history and thematic displays.

4. Yu Yuan

Located on Fuyou Road in Huangpu District, this Ming Dynasty private garden was commissioned by Pan Yunduan, the Sichuan Provincial Administration Commissioner, for his father Pan En in 1559 (38th year of Jiajing reign) and completed in 1577 (5th year of Wanli reign). The name "Yu" (meaning "joyful for elders") reflects its purpose of "enjoying the elderly". Spanning over 20,000 square meters, the garden is divided into inner and outer sections by five dragon walls. Its 40+ ancient structures include the Three-Grain Hall, Grand Rockery, Iron Lion, Kuaile Building, De Yue Tower, Jade Linglong, Jade Water Corridor, Tingtao Pavilion, and Hanbi Tower. Originally the residence of Pan En, Minister of Justice during the Ming Dynasty, the site also features a nearby City God Temple. Designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1982, this historic garden preserves its cultural legacy.

5. Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street

Nestled in Shanghai's Huangpu District, Nanjing Road stretches 5.5 kilometers from the Bund in the east to Yan' an West Road in the west, with its pedestrian section spanning 1,033 meters. Officially opened in 1999, this historic thoroughfare traces its origins to 1851 when it was first named Huayuan Lane before being renamed Nanjing Road in 1865. By the early 20th century, it had become Shanghai's most vibrant commercial hub, home to four major department stores: Yong' an, Sincere, Xin Xin, and Daxin. Today, the pedestrian zone preserves iconic landmarks including Century Square, Century Grand Theater, Shanghai's First Department Store, Hualian Department Store, and New World City. The road features colorful brick paving, complemented by benches, sculptures, and landscaped greenery. Operating under semi-closed management, the area strictly prohibits motor vehicle access except for special-purpose vehicles.

6. Shanghai Grand Theatre

Located at 300 Renmin Avenue in Huangpu District, this landmark cultural complex was completed in 1998 as a symbol of Shanghai's urban identity. Designed by the French architectural firm Chabonnet, the 63,000-square-meter structure rises 40 meters into the sky. Its translucent glass curtain wall and arched roof resemble a white dragon poised to take flight. The theater features three auditoriums—large, medium, and small—with the main hall accommodating 1,800 seats. Its stage employs an internationally advanced triangular configuration, supported by fully automated mechanical systems. The front plaza, adorned with musical fountains and landscaped gardens, serves as a vital public cultural hub in the People's Square area.

7. Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China

Located at No.76 Xingye Road in Huangpu District, this historic site served as the venue for the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 1921. Originally constructed in 1920 as No.106 Wangzhi Road in the French Concession, the building features a traditional Shikumen architecture with a brick-and-timber structure. Its exterior walls are clad in exposed red bricks, complemented by a semicircular carved gable above the entrance. The congress convened here on July 23,1921, but was later relocated to Nanhu Lake in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, following a search by French Concession police. After restoration in 1952, the site was converted into a memorial hall and designated a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1961. The exhibition "Great Beginning: The Founding History of the Communist Party of China" showcases over 300 artifacts and historical documents.

8. New World

Located on Taicang Road in Huangpu District, this commercial district was revitalized from Shanghai's historic Shikumen architecture. The site originally housed old-style lane residences built in the early 20th century in the Taipingqiao area. The renovation project, launched in 1999, adopted a "preservation of original appearance" approach while modernizing the interior. The area is divided into South Li and North Li: South Li features modern buildings with shopping centers, cinemas, and restaurants, while North Li retains the Shikumen architectural style with boutique stores, restaurants, and bars. Xintiandi preserves the surroundings of the site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China, blending historical preservation with commercial development to become a model case of urban renewal.

9. Tianzifang

Located at No.210 Taikang Road in Huangpu District, this art district was transformed from a former Shikumen lane in Luwan District. Originally named Zhichengfang and built in the 1930s, it gradually evolved into a creative industry cluster after Chen Yifei's studio moved in in 2001. The area features five main lanes and numerous side lanes, preserving over 80 Shikumen buildings and more than 200 households. The lanes are dotted with commercial spaces including galleries, design studios, handicraft shops, cafes, and restaurants. Tianzifang retains the vibrant atmosphere of Shanghai's urban life while coexisting with creative industries, serving as a living example for studying Shanghai's lane architecture and contemporary urban cultural transformation.

10. China Art Palace

Located at No.205, Shangnan Road, Pudong New Area, the building was originally the China Pavilion of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and was later converted into an art museum. Designed by He Jingtang, the structure stands 63 meters tall with a total floor area of 166,800 square meters. Its overall design features a bracket set pattern and adopts the color of China. The building is divided into two sections: the National Pavilion and the Regional Pavilions, forming the architectural image of the "Crown of the East." The art museum houses 27 exhibition halls, collecting nearly 14,000 modern and contemporary artworks. The permanent exhibition, "Moonrise Over the Sea—The Origins of Modern and Contemporary Chinese Art," showcases the development of Shanghai's modern and contemporary art. The building retains the dynamic display area of the Qingming Shanghe Tu from the World Expo period.

11. Jing'an Temple

Located at 1686 Nanjing West Road in Jing 'an District, this temple ranks among Shanghai's oldest Buddhist monasteries. According to legend, it was first built in 247 AD during the Chihu era of the Wu Kingdom in the Three Kingdoms period, originally named Hudu Chongyuan Temple. It was renamed Yongtai Chan Temple in the Tang Dynasty and became Jing 'an Temple in 1008 AD under the Song Dynasty's Dazhong Xiangfu era. Originally situated on the north bank of the Wusong River, the temple was relocated to its current location in 1216 AD during the Southern Song Dynasty's Jiading era. The existing structures were reconstructed in 1880 AD during the Qing Dynasty's Guangxu era, featuring a symmetrical layout along a central axis with the Mountain Gate, Heavenly Kings Hall, and Mahavira Hall arranged sequentially. The temple houses cultural relics including stone-carved Buddha statues from the Northern and Southern Dynasties period and Ming Dynasty bronze bells. Its architecture incorporates Tibetan Buddhist elements, with the Mahavira Hall's roof adorned with gilded pagoda spires.

12. Longhua Temple and Longhua Pagoda

Located at 2853 Longhua Road in Xuhui District, Longhua Temple is the oldest ancient temple in Shanghai. According to legend, it was originally built in 242 AD during the Wu Kingdom's Chihu era by Sun Quan, the King of Wu, for his mother. The current structures were reconstructed during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty. The temple spans approximately 20,000 square meters, with its central axis featuring the Maitreya Hall, Heavenly Kings Hall, Mahavira Hall, Three Saints Hall, and Abbot's Residence. The Longhua Pagoda, constructed in 977 AD during the Northern Song Dynasty's Taiping Xingguo era, is a seven-story octagonal pagoda with wooden eaves and brick walls, standing 40.6 meters tall. Each level showcases waist eaves, flat platforms, and upturned corners. Its interior features a brick core column, while the exterior is clad in wooden waist eaves. In 2006, the pagoda was designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

13. Shanghai Science and Technology Museum

Located at No.2000 Century Avenue in Pudong New District, this comprehensive natural science and technology museum opened in 2001 with a floor area of 98,000 square meters. Its architecture features two spirally ascending wings on the east and west sides, symbolizing the theme of "Nature, Humanity, and Technology." The museum houses 11 permanent exhibition areas, including "Biological Diversity,"  "Earth's Crust Exploration,"  "Light of Wisdom,"  "Designer's Cradle," and "Rainbow Children's Paradise." It also boasts four special cinema types: giant screen, dome, 4D, and space theaters. The interactive exhibits showcase over 1,000 artifacts, while the surrounding Century Park and Zhangjiabang Greenbelt enhance the scenic experience.

14. Shanghai Tower

Located in the Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone of Pudong New Area, it is a super high-rise landmark building in Shanghai. The building stands 632 meters tall, with 127 floors above ground and 5 underground floors, covering a total floor area of 578,000 square meters. It was completed in March 2016. Designed by the American architectural firm Gensler, the building features a spiral ascending form with a 120-degree rotation angle to reduce wind load effects. The tower comprises nine vertical communities, including offices, hotels, commercial spaces, and observation decks. The observation deck, situated at 546 meters, is one of the world's highest viewing platforms. The building employs a double-layer glass curtain wall system, creating an open atrium between the two walls. The Shanghai Tower is currently the tallest building in China and the second tallest in the world.

15. Duolun Road Cultural Street

Located in Hongkou District, Duolun Road, originally named Doule'an Road, was constructed in 1911. This L-shaped street spans 550 meters in total length. During the 1920s and 1930s, Duolun Road became a gathering place for cultural luminaries such as Lu Xun, Mao Dun, Ye Shengtao, and Ding Ling.

The neighborhood preserves historical landmarks including the residences of Kong Xiangxi, Bai Chongxi, and Tang Enbo. Along its streets lie cultural heritage sites such as the founding meeting site of the Left-Wing Writers 'League, Lu Xun's former residence, Qu Qiubai's former residence, and the former site of Uchiyama Bookstore. In 1999, the area underwent protective development to create a Cultural Celebrities Street, featuring cultural and commercial facilities like statues of renowned figures, museums, art galleries, and antique shops.

16. Shanghai Post Bureau Building

Located at No.276 Beisuzhou Road in Hongkou District, at the intersection with Sichuan North Road, this 4-story reinforced concrete building (with partial sections reaching 6 stories) was constructed in 1924 in European eclectic architectural style. Covering 25,000 square meters, its main facade features ancient Roman Corinthian columns flanked by goddess sculptures, while the Baroque-style tower tops with a bell tower and flagpole. The building preserves the original 1,200-square-meter postal service hall, standing 12.5 meters tall with marble-clad walls and floors, crowned by a glass roof. Formerly the largest post office in the Far East, it now houses the Shanghai Postal Museum showcasing the evolution of postal communication. Designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1996, this historic landmark continues to stand as a testament to China's postal heritage.

17. Bund Source

Nestled at the northern end of Shanghai's Bund in Huangpu District, where the Suzhou Creek and Huangpu River converge, this area marks the birthplace of modern urban development in the Bund. It preserves historic landmarks including the original British Consulate, New Tianan Hall, Zhen Guang Building, and Lanxin Building. The 1872 British Consulate, a two-story brick-and-timber structure with distinctive veranda features, stands alongside the 1886 Gothic Revival-style New Tianan Hall, which was later rebuilt after a fire. Through conservation-driven development, the Bund Source area maintains its architectural heritage while repurposing interior spaces for offices, boutique hotels, restaurants, and commercial facilities. Cultural and commercial hubs like Rock Bund Source further enrich the district's offerings.

18. Wukang Road – A Historical and Cultural Street

Located in Xuhui District, originally named Fukaisen Road, it was built in 1907 and stretches 1,170 meters in total. The road is lined with garden residences, apartments, and lane houses, featuring historical buildings in styles such as Spanish, French Renaissance, and Art Deco. There are 113 historical buildings along the route, including the former residences of Huang Xing, Tang Shaoyi, Ba Jin, and Zhou Zuomin. Wukang Building, located at the intersection of Huaihai Middle Road, is a boat-shaped apartment complex completed in 1924. The street is shaded by plane trees and has a pleasant scale. In 2011, it was awarded the title of "China Historical and Cultural Famous Street" by the Ministry of Culture and the National Cultural Heritage Administration, making it an important district for studying modern residential architecture and urban landscapes in Shanghai.