Aerial view of skyscrapers in the central business area of Shanghai, China
BACK TO THE FUTURE

Cruise from Shanghai (Baoshan), China

When you cruise from Shanghai, your holiday begins before you even set foot aboard the ship. Welcome to a city that’s bursting with futuristic feats, rich history, delicious cuisine and endless opportunities to immerse yourself in Chinese culture. Make sure that you dedicate a few days before your cruise out of Shanghai to crossing all the top must-visit sites off your travel list. First, go and see the classical and Art Deco architecture of the famous Bund neighbourhood, then enjoy the scent of tea and incense that perfumes the air within the fortified Old City. If you’re still craving history, head to Qibao Ancient Town, home to an impressive pagoda-like bell tower and the legendary Qibao Template (it dates back to the 900s). With its pretty bridges and well-preserved historic buildings, Qibao Ancient Town is also a great place to snap photos. And no holiday from Shanghai is complete without a taste of the city’s world-famous street food, from giant dumplings filled with steaming hot soup, to cold noodles served with tender eel and tangy ginger.
National Language Mandarin
Currency Accepted Renminbi (CNY)

Things To Do in Shanghai (Baoshan)

Historical buildings at the Bund in Shanghai, China

Better in the Bund

Historical buildings at the Bund in Shanghai, China

Historical buildings at the Bund in Shanghai, China

Better in the Bund

The Bund is Shanghai's art deco heritage neighbourhood, with colonial architecture from the 1920s and '40s. Walk along the riverfront promenade at the golden hour for beautiful photos – from here, you can see the futuristic skyscrapers of Pudong's skyscrapers across the river.

Shanghai Towers and cityscape of Shanghai, China

Height of Adventure

Shanghai Towers and cityscape of Shanghai, China

Shanghai Towers and cityscape of Shanghai, China

Height of Adventure

Take a river cruise to see some of Shanghai's modern architectural highlights: The 470-metre-tall Oriental Pearl Tower looks like something straight out of the Jetsons, while the twisting Shanghai Tower, the second tallest building in the world, is meant to evoke a lucky dragon coming out of the earth. The World Finance Centre Tower looks like a giant bottle opener.

Traditional pavillions in Yuyuan Gardens in Shanghai, China
Traditional pavillions in Yuyuan Gardens in Shanghai, China

Ancient Ambience

Get a feel for old China by wandering through the Yu Garden during your Shanghai cruise holiday. The classical garden is 400 years old, with carp-filled pools and bamboo groves. See more of ancient China at the Shanghai Museum, which has 120,000 ancient relics, including bronze artefacts and sculptures.

Dumplings with dip in Shanghai, China
Dumplings with dip in Shanghai, China

Local Cuisine

Eating in Shanghai is all about street food. You'll see people drinking from giant dumplings through straws in a dish called xiao long bao — a soup dumpling. Join in, or eat them with chopsticks in a sit-down restaurant. Try cold noodles with eel, ginger and bamboo shoots, or pick up a flaky, pork-flecked spring onion pancake – this comfort food is practically a way of life here.

Red Chinese lanterns at the antique market in Shanghai, China
Red Chinese lanterns at the antique market in Shanghai, China

Shopping

It's hard not to find shopping in Shanghai. Nanjing Road is the busiest, with everything from speciality food shops to modern shopping centre. If you have time to get something tailored, try the South Bund Fabric Market. During your China cruise, pick up a distinctive Chinese red lantern at the Antique Market or at most street markets.

Insider's Tips
Insider's Tips
1 Check visa rules carefully. They vary greatly depending on your nationality, length of stay, where you visit and if you re-enter the country.
2 China's currency is the renminbi (abbreviated as RMB) and also called the yuan. Shanghai has lots of cash machines, though not all accept foreign cards. Smaller Chinese cities don't always have cash machines, so it's wise to stock up on extra cash in Shanghai.
3 Within the city, getting around by train is cheap, easy and avoids surface-level traffic.

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