Shanghai, China: The Bund, Dumplings & Neon-Lit Modernity
Where millenia-old temples stand in the shadow of the world’s fastest rail, and dumplings define the soul of a city
Shanghai is China’s capitalist dream made flesh. This city of 27 million pulses with entrepreneurial energy, world-class cuisine, and an ever-evolving skyline. The Bund, that iconic waterfront district, showcases colonial architecture from when Shanghai was a crucial treaty port. But cross the Huangpu River to Pudong and you enter the future—a forest of ultra-modern skyscrapers including the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Shanghai World Financial Center, and the Shanghai Tower, which briefly held the title of world’s second-tallest building. Shanghai is where East meets West, tradition meets modernity, and where a simple soup dumpling containing perfectly balanced pork broth is elevated to high art.
In This Guide
Shanghai: From Treaty Port to Modern Megacity
Shanghai’s transformation from a minor fishing town to one of the world’s most important cities happened in mere centuries. When the British opened treaty ports after the Opium Wars, Shanghai became the crucial gateway for foreign trade into China. By the early 20th century, it was a cosmopolitan hub where fortunes were made, literature flourished, and the city earned the nickname “Paris of the East.”
After 1949 and the Communist Revolution, Shanghai was deliberately sidelined as the government favored Beijing. For decades, the city languished. But in the 1990s, the government reversed course. The opening of the Pudong area for development transformed Shanghai overnight. The Maglev train, completed in 2002, connects the city to the airport at speeds of 430 kilometers per hour, making it the world’s fastest commercial rail service.
Today, Shanghai is China’s international city—the place where Western business meets Chinese culture. The Shanghai Stock Exchange is one of the world’s largest, and the city attracts entrepreneurs, artists, and expats from around the globe. Yet beneath the ultra-modernity, traditional Chinese culture persists in temples, tea houses, and the way Chinese philosophy influences city planning and architecture.
The Xiaolongbao Dynasty & Shanghai Cuisine
If dim sum is Hong Kong’s heart, then xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) is Shanghai’s soul. These small, delicate dumplings filled with pork and a burst of savory broth represent everything that’s sophisticated about Chinese cuisine—the wrapper must be thin enough to see the pork inside, yet strong enough not to tear; the filling must be perfectly seasoned; and the gelatin, which turns to broth when heated, must be in exactly the right amount.
The most famous xiaolongbao comes from Jia Jia Tang Bao and Ding Tai Fung, both world-renowned restaurants that have nearly perfected the craft. Ding Tai Fung operates from Taiwan but maintains locations throughout Asia—the Shanghai location has some of the best dumplings you’ll eat anywhere. But local favorites like Jia Jia Tang Bao and smaller neighborhood restaurants offer equally excellent versions at lower prices.
Getting Around Shanghai
Shanghai’s metro system is the world’s longest, with over 800 kilometers of track spanning 20 lines. It’s clean, air-conditioned, and incredibly efficient — most rides across the city cost 3-8 CNY. Pick up a Shanghai Public Transportation Card (SPTC) at any metro station for seamless travel across subways, buses, ferries, and even some taxis. The Maglev train from Pudong Airport reaches speeds of 431 km/h and covers the 30-km distance to Longyang Road station in just 7 minutes — a thrilling ride even if you don’t need it for transit purposes.
For short distances, shared bicycles are ideal for navigating the tree-lined streets of the French Concession or along the Suzhou Creek waterfront. The city is flat and increasingly bike-friendly with dedicated lanes. Taxis and Didi rides are affordable, though traffic can be heavy during rush hours. For a scenic and practical trip, take the Huangpu River ferry between Puxi and Pudong — it costs just 2 CNY and gives you a river-level view of the famous Bund skyline. Water buses also run along the Huangpu and are a relaxing alternative to the crowded metro.
Shanghai’s Culinary World
Shanghai’s most iconic dish is xiaolongbao — soup dumplings filled with hot, flavorful broth and seasoned pork. The technique for eating them is an art: place the dumpling on your spoon, nibble a small hole, sip the soup, then devour the rest. Jia Jia Tang Bao and Din Tai Fung are famous, but some of the best xiao long bao come from tiny neighborhood shops where the aunties hand-fold each one to order. Arrive before 11 AM to avoid the lunch rush.
Beyond dumplings, Shanghainese cuisine is characterized by sweet, rich flavors. Hong shao rou (red-braised pork belly) melts on the tongue with a caramelized soy-sugar glaze. Sheng jian bao (pan-fried buns) have a crispy golden bottom and soupy interior — they’re the ultimate street breakfast. The hairy crab season (October-December) is a Shanghai obsession, and locals pay premium prices for Yangcheng Lake crabs steamed simply with ginger and vinegar. For adventurous eaters, explore the Yunnan Road food street for Shanghai classics like scallion oil noodles and ci fan tuan (sticky rice rolls wrapped around fried dough, pickled vegetables, and pork floss) — the city’s most beloved grab-and-go breakfast.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shanghai
What is the best time to visit Shanghai?
Autumn (October-November) is ideal with comfortable temperatures of 15-25°C, clear skies, and beautiful foliage along the French Concession’s plane tree-lined avenues. Spring (April-May) is equally pleasant with gardens in bloom. Summer (July-August) is sweltering with temperatures above 35°C and high humidity. Winter (December-February) is chilly and damp but uncrowded, with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing. Hairy crab season (October-December) is reason enough to time your visit for autumn.
How many days do I need in Shanghai?
Three to four days covers the highlights comfortably: the Bund and Pudong skyline, the French Concession, Yu Garden and Old City, and a museum or two. Add a day for Zhujiajiao or Suzhou water town day trips. Art lovers should budget extra time for the West Bund Museum district and M50 Creative Park. Shanghai rewards slower exploration — many of its best experiences are discovered wandering neighborhood lanes rather than ticking off landmarks.
Do I need a VPN in Shanghai?
Yes. Like all of mainland China, Shanghai’s internet is behind the Great Firewall. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and most Western social media are blocked. Download and configure a VPN before arriving. Many international hotels offer VPN-equipped Wi-Fi, but quality varies. WeChat is essential for local communication — it functions as a messaging app, payment platform, and social network all in one.
Is Shanghai expensive compared to other Chinese cities?
Shanghai is China’s most expensive city, but still very affordable by Western standards. Budget travelers can manage on 300-500 CNY/day ($40-70) with hostel accommodation, street food, and metro travel. Mid-range visitors spending on boutique hotels and restaurant meals should budget 800-1,500 CNY/day ($110-210). The biggest variable is accommodation — central hotels range from 400 CNY for a clean business hotel to 3,000+ CNY for luxury properties on the Bund.
What souvenirs should I buy in Shanghai?
Skip the tourist shops on Nanjing Road and head to Tianzifang or the Old City for authentic finds. Traditional Chinese tea from a reputable tea house makes an excellent gift — ask for a tasting session before buying. Silk products, from scarves to pajamas, are Shanghai specialties (the South Bund Fabric Market offers custom tailoring at remarkable prices). Vintage propaganda posters, hand-painted snuff bottles, and locally designed ceramics are unique alternatives to mass-produced souvenirs.