Tourist Attractions In Shanghai

In the north western part of Shanghai lies the Yufo Si, the Temple of the Jade Buddha. More than a hundred years old, the Temple houses two white jade statues of the Buddha - one seated and the other reclining. Both are worth having a look at- but don’t take any photographs; they’re forbidden.  

With a collection of more than nine thousand plants, the Shanghai Botanical Gardens are pretty spectacular, and a sight for sore eyes. The gardens have a beautiful orchid chamber - more than a 100 varieties on display- and two pomegranate trees planted in the 1700s, but still bear fruit.

Amongst Shanghai’s main shrines, the Longhua Si is seventeen centuries old, seven stories high and with a structure of brick decorated with wooden balconies and red lacquered pillars. The temple has, within its compound, a tea garden and lots of greenery; it can be a nice place to visit even if you’re not a Buddhist.

On the bank of the Huangpu River, the Bund (the word was originally Anglo-Indian and referred to an embankment) stretches through some of Shanghai’s most fascinating areas, many of them with a distinctly colonial flavour. Amongst the sights along the Bund are the Huangpu Park (formerly the British Public Gardens), along with a small museum; the trading house of Sassoon’s, and The Customs House. The entire area has a historical feel to it.

Situated in the vicinity of Renmin Park and Renmin Square- amongst the main entertainment and shopping districts of Shanghai, the Shanghai Museum is an excellent one, and definitely worth a visit. It has a good collection of everything from Chinese opera masks to weaponry, sculptures and ceramics. The museum has daily demonstrations of pottery-making techniques, several times a day.

Located near the famous Park Hotel (at Nanjing Xi Lu) is the famous Flower and Bird Bazaar. It’s quite a sight for most tourists- all sorts of creatures are available here, from birds to puppies, crickets and goldfish. There are also plants on sale in this area. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s worth a visit.

 Right in the heart of the Old City of Shanghai (which is a tourist sight in itself- every street and every by lane has something interesting- and historical- about it), the Yu Yuan ( Jade Garden) is a classic Chinese Garden. 

The Yu Yuan Garden dates back to the sixteenth century, and is a medley of paths, waterways and pools. Surrounded by whitewashed walls surmounted by dragons (covered with coloured tile), the gardens are at their best during the Lantern Festival (at the time of the Chinese New Year), when 10,000 lanterns are lit in its grounds.

Shanghai has other gardens, temples, and museums too, but these are the best known. The best way to see the city is to grab a map and set out on your own- it’s a place which is great fun to explore and discover for yourself.