Summer Vacation in Shanghai - Must-Visit Destinations

Duration: 3 days, Time: July, Average Cost per Person: 5000 Yuan, Companions: Family. The author visited these places: The Bund, Lujiazui, Shikumen, China Maritime Museum in Shanghai, Tongji University, Dishui Lake, and the Peace Hotel. Published on 2021-07-19 at 19:45. The bell at The Bund rings on time, harmonizing with the whistles from the Pu River, awakening the skyscrapers of Lujiazui, the daily life in Shikumen, and the ambitions of the working people for a new day, amidst the bustling Nanjing Road, playing out the various facets of life… There are also those who haven’t slept all night—the flickering neon lights from the bright moon to the sparse stars, telling the story of another side of this city. Some people love the city’s exquisite elegance, cutting-edge fashion, and lifestyle. Others are attached to its traditional features, traversing history, and appreciating the inherent culture between the past and the future. However, more people are drawn to its ever-developing vitality, presenting its changes in the most trendy and novel ways, while persisting in its own constancy amidst change. This city, known for its magic, is nicknamed ‘Magic Capital’. As a traveler living in Shanghai, I have been here for thirteen years in the blink of an eye. It has embraced my youth and dreams, and I have witnessed its rapid changes, both familiar and unfamiliar. From the once-mandatory Bund for every tourist, to the Expo Park that attracts countless domestic and international visitors, and the eye-catching Disney. But from the perspective of a professional traveler, this list of must-visit destinations in Shanghai truly needs to be updated in real-time, always with new ideas. Today’s recommendations are destinations that are well-suited for visiting during this summer vacation. They include emerging hotspots and traditional essence destinations. Once you’ve been, you’ll understand. Shanghai Songcheng, the most complete Shanghai story, Grand Joy Stage. I have been acquainted with the ‘Eternal Love Series Performances’ since six years ago when I was first shocked by the ‘Songcheng Eternal Love’ in Hangzhou. Since then, I have attended almost every new ‘Eternal Love’ performance in every city. The stunning lighting effects, ever-changing stage settings, gorgeous costumes and makeup, and the passionate dedication of every performer… Eternal Love offers audiences a feast for the senses that breaks through imagination, a moment of empathy both on and off stage. No wonder it is called ‘a must-see performance in a lifetime’. The most attractive aspect of Eternal Love is its ‘change and constancy’. Different city’s Eternal Love performances retain the main performance style and quality unchanged, while fully integrating local culture and history, presented in the most relatable manner to the local people. No wonder some say ‘a performance is the history of a city’.
This is also the reason why, after seeing the performances in Hangzhou, I am eager to see those in Changsha, Lijiang, Sanya, Guilin, and Shanghai. Knowing that the Song City has settled in Shanghai, as a lover of ancient emotions, I must come and check in. The Song City in Shanghai is located in the Shanghai World Expo Park, which was once the factory building of the Shanghai Steel No.3 Factory. During the World Expo, it became the World Expo Grand Stage. Now, it has turned into a playground filled with laughter. First, I will put up a 2.5-minute short video guide for everyone to know more! The glorious years and fighting spirit of the steel workers of Shanghai have been integrated into the stage story of ‘Shanghai Ancient Emotions’. Although Sasa has watched the show more than ten times, she is still full of expectation for the ‘Shanghai Ancient Emotions’ this time. She can’t wait to see how the ancient emotions will collide with the city where I have lived for more than ten years. As the main performance of Shanghai Song City, ‘Shanghai Ancient Emotions’ is the first content to visit Shanghai Song City. Sasa will first present the stage she shot in the order of the show. Act One: The Origin of Shenhu The ‘Origin of Shenhu’ tells the origin of the name of Shanghai ‘Shen City’, and reproduces the Spring and Autumn Period Chunshen Jun dredging the Huangpu River’s heroic efforts. Huang Xie was one of the four famous gentlemen of the Warring States Period, also known as Chunshen Jun. At that time, the Huangpu River was still an unnamed river, and due to the accumulation of silt, the riverbed was too high, and it often flooded. Huang Xie led the people to dredge and dredge the river, built embankments, and made this river benefit the people. The people remembered him, not only built temples for him but also renamed the river Chunshen River, short for Shen River. Later, people used Shen to refer to Shanghai. The stage is based on beautiful scenery, integrating real and virtual scenery, lighting effects, and dance, making people feel as if they have passed through the fog of time, counting the past of historical clouds. Act Two: 1921 A city has a city’s character. ‘Shanghai Ancient Emotions’ uses sincere emotions to praise the era responsibility of several generations of Shanghai people and the spiritual core of Shanghai, this great city. It pays tribute to the centenary of the Party. The play restores the era background before and after the first National Congress, and reproduces the story of the working class a hundred years ago, fighting against the oppressors under the leadership of the Party. In the ‘1921’ segment, Qiao Qiao experienced the joys and sorrows of meeting and parting from her lover, witnessed the solemn birth of the Communist Party of China, and witnessed the earth-shaking changes in Chinese history. Act Three: The Golden Age The ‘Golden Age’ of the Bund in Shanghai is the undercurrent of the ten-mile foreign field. In the joyful rhythm of music, there are countless deceptions and intrigues.

In the singing and dancing of Paramount, there are imprints of this city and this era. There is also my favorite reserved program, the acrobatic show in the light and stars. The starry sky projection like a scroll covers the stage and the audience, turning the graceful postures of dancers into silhouettes and projecting them into the eyes and hearts of every audience. The beauty of light and shadow and the beauty of the body are so harmoniously and uniformly presented before our eyes. This performance combines acrobatics, ballet and other forms. Although it is only as long as a song, it is really extremely wonderful. You dare not blink at all for fear of missing any small detail. In the fourth act, ‘Shanghai Families’. The performance part of ‘Shanghai Families’ is drawn from the old alleyways that are closest to life in Shanghai. From the perspective of an ordinary Shanghai family, it vividly presents the changes of this city over more than half a century from a small perspective. When Qiaoqiao, who has experienced the old days, turns into an old person with children and grandchildren, she spends her whole life watching the passage of time in Shanghai. The story changes from a grand era to the warmth of a family. Qiaoqiao’s three children also spent their youth in the wave of building New China. The family witnessed and participated in the great changes of the times in Shanghai and even in China: going to the countryside, supporting the construction of the third front, leading the development of industrialization… Shanghai is contributing its own strength to the country’s development, and every laborer is devoting their youth and passion. In particular, the lively labor scene of the steel factory is restored. It is not only a tribute to the times and to laborers, but also a tribute to the former factory building of Shanghai No. 3 Steel Factory where the theater is located. The former steel factory has become the stage of the Expo Park and then Shanghai Songcheng, embodied as the spiritual transmission on the stage. Time and space are integrated here. Amid the hawking sounds, the mobile vendors representing the childhood memories of old Shanghainese in the old alleyways appear under the stage. Shuttling among the audience makes the audience seem to return to their childhood. The ending chapter ‘The Wind Comes from the Sea’. Artists from faraway South America ignite the whole venue with surging enthusiasm. It is cheerful, warm and full of rhythm! From a person’s name to the name of a city, from a city to every person in it; from the dredging of a river to the takeoff of a dragon, from the smoke of war to the bright lights… An hour is too short. People are immersed in it and it ends before they can come to their senses. It is shocking and leaves a lasting aftertaste. This eternal love story about Shanghai tells Shanghai’s story in its own style. It is worth seeing for everyone who has once integrated their emotions and youth into this city. In the past, Songcheng was a whole park. It took a long time to walk through different parks. But Shanghai Songcheng folds various entertainment areas into a castle-like structure.
With every step, you’re transported through a tunnel of time, from the terrifying ‘Ghost Ship’ and ‘Liaozhai Horrors’ to the nostalgic charm of old Shanghai Bund, and then to the bustling foreign lands filled with merchants. If I must recommend one performance included in the ticket, it’s the 5D large-scale live-action experience play ‘The Great Earthquake’, which is incredibly shocking. The entire stage utilizes 5D high-tech to recreate the devastating scene of the Wenchuan Earthquake. Mountains collapse, houses crumble, and the entire theater with thousands of seats vibrate intensely as 3,000 tons of water flood down in an instant… Real stories and touching images depict the boundless love of the Chinese nation as they unite to fight against the disaster. At the beginning, they recruit audience members to participate in the stage performance, experiencing the shocking moments of the earthquake and rescue efforts. The opening scene is a beautiful and happy picture, with young couples taking wedding photos, mothers with children, and tour groups happily sightseeing… Suddenly, the earth shakes, and all the actors freeze in that moment. PLA soldiers, firefighters, and nurses race against time, running towards danger. The PLA soldiers, in particular, give strength to the nation with their love, shouldering the hope of life. If you’ve been to other Song City locations, you’re likely familiar with the performance ‘The Great Earthquake’. Some lucky visitors can become actors, participate in the earthquake rescue, and receive a certificate after the show. Next, I highly recommend the ballet at the Cliff Theater, which grandly uses the Huangpu River as a backdrop, perfectly integrating the beautiful stage with the cityscape. The ‘Swan Lake’ on the Sky Mirror will provide a feast for the eyes and ears. The amusement park certainly has various attractions loved by young children. The ‘WA Dinosaur’ show is a favorite among little ones, with exciting performances and interactive segments for children to join. Bubble shows, magic performances, and interactions with cute parrots in the jungle also keep the children entertained, eager to try and participate on stage. If you’re visiting with children, don’t miss the performances at the Elf Valley, Bird Show Theater, and Forest Theater. Tianjie Street is not only loved by children, it’s a marketplace for purchasing gifts, and you might unexpectedly encounter a beautiful Western woman. At specific times, the entire street is set ablaze with parade performances. Besides Tianjie Street, you can also visit and take photos at places like the Time Travel Street, Magic Street, and Everlasting Love Street. For those with a bit more courage, you can dine on the ‘Ghost Ship’. It’s uncertain whether it will enhance your appetite or suppress it.
If you’ve been there, do share your experiences with me. Songcheng offers a daily schedule of performances. Upon arrival, you can watch various shows. Some performances are held only once a day, while others are staged multiple times, allowing you to plan your visit according to your preferences and schedule. How can a summer visit be complete without water activities? In addition to the main show ‘Eternal Love,’ the family-friendly show ‘WA Dinosaur,’ and the thematic show ‘Passionate Samba’ are also highly recommended! They include a three-course Western meal. You can flexibly choose the time to visit, with night sessions offering excellent value, allowing you to experience the essence of the shows. This place is not only suitable for family trips, girlfriends’ trips, and couples’ trips, but also for solo visitors. Don’t you want to check it out? TIPS: Attraction Address: No. 1750 World Expo Avenue, Shanghai (former World Expo Grand Stage). Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10:00-22:00, Saturday to Sunday 09:30-22:00. Follow Songcheng’s official WeChat account, go to the ticket center, find ‘Shanghai Songcheng’ in ticket purchase, and enjoy discounts for advance purchases. The savings can be quite significant! However, remember to select the performance time when placing your order. Tai Hui Life Culture Park: Slow Down and Understand Life. If scenic spots interpret the relationship between humans and nature, then museums build a bridge between humans and their inner selves. Shanghai has many museums, numerous public ones that present the history and heritage of the nation and ethnicity in a two-dimensional manner to visitors, creating a grand and awe-inspiring experience. Today, I would like to recommend a private museum to you. It lays bare the collector’s inner world and artistic vision to like-minded individuals, as if narrating a story over tea with old friends. Tai Hui Life Culture Park is the largest private museum in Shanghai, a vast space transformed from a factory with an area of over 20,000 square meters. Passing through the plaque inscribed by Mr. Yu Qiuyu, the hustle and bustle of the metropolis are left outside the park. The entire cultural park, originally a factory, features artificial mountains and waterfalls, winding streams, and sceneries at every turn, reminiscent of the secluded paths in Jiangnan gardens. Behind these secluded paths lies a different world. In the four corners of the original factory, there are eight authentic ancient houses, transported wholesale from places like Anhui and Jiangxi. They bring the essence of traditional culture, spanning thousands of miles and across eras, to the modern audience. The classic structure of Huizhou architecture blends seamlessly with the modern factory buildings, complementing each other perfectly. It brings the essence of Chinese traditional culture, the subtle elegance and tranquil natural lifestyle of the ancients, to the modern audience in a fitting manner. No wonder it is hailed as a classic example of factory transformation. The world is contained within a mustard seed, and the universe is hidden within a vajra.
The essence of the Taihui Life Culture Park lies in the Vajra Museum. The term ‘Vajra,’ a Buddhist term, refers to something indestructible and irreplaceable in Mahayana Buddhist scriptures. This beautiful blessing is aptly used to name a museum that houses world treasures, making it a fitting tribute. The museum boasts a collection of over 40,000 rare art pieces, including cultural relics, calligraphy, paintings, sculptures, contemporary art, stone carvings, ancient architecture, and more. These are meticulously categorized and displayed across ten major exhibition halls: Tea Museum, Oil Painting Hall, Shanghai School of Painting Hall, Watercolor Hall, Glass Art Hall, Sculpture Hall, Crystal Hall, Ancient Stone Carving Hall, Jade Hall, and the Temporary Exhibition Hall. They regularly host various themed exhibitions, exhibitions by renowned artists, and special shows. Tea Museum: The legacy of tea, a fragrance that infuses water with soul. Crystal Hall: Crystal clear and delicately intricate, the heart of the sea. Shanghai School of Painting Hall: The universe under the brush of a master, do you know? Oil Painting Hall: The artistic charm of great figures’ poetry and prose. Jade Hall: The beauty of nature awaits the skillful craftsmanship. Sculpture Hall: The artistic power that penetrates the heart. Tea Tasting Session: The dancing sprite in the hands of the Tea Fairy. ‘A single leaf falls into water, changing its taste, and thus, tea is born.’ After visiting each hall, one cannot help but feel thirsty. Especially after seeing the rich tea cellars and the gene bank of a hundred tea mountains in the Tea Museum. Join me in moving to the tea room within the museum to appreciate how these lively tea leaves transform into intoxicating tea fragrances in the hands of the legendary Tea Fairy. During your museum visit, you will constantly encounter tea elements. This magical leaf seems to be the soul of the place. As boiling water is poured into the pot, the curled leaves spring to life like reborn sprites, infusing the water with the essence of nature and spreading it into the air, making one forget the mundane. Sip a mouthful of amber-colored tea soup, and the warmth flows down your throat, seemingly permeating every pore from the depths of your heart to your entire body with its fragrance. Worries are cleansed, and it feels as if Zen music is playing in your ears. When the tea fragrance dissipates, what remains is the realization of a carefree attitude hidden in the city. As the fast pace of urban life forces us to let go of many things, it also burdens us with more. Perhaps by paying attention to our inner selves and treating ourselves well, we can become people who live more comfortably, and life will reward us with the most pleasant experiences. More TIPS: 1. Ticket Price: The admission ticket to the Vajra Museum is 100 yuan per person. There are discounts available for purchasing tickets on OTA platforms, and it is recommended to order online in advance. In addition to museum visits, there are irregular study and meditation activities. It is advised for interested individuals to follow the official website in advance. 2. Free Ticket Policy: a. Children aged 6 (inclusive) and under are admitted free of charge. (Or children with a height of 1.2 meters (inclusive) and below can visit for free) b. Seniors aged 70 (inclusive) and above (with the original ID card) are admitted free of charge c. Retired officials (with the retirement certificate) are admitted free of charge.
Free admission for people with disabilities (with valid disability certificates). 3. Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Tuesday to Sunday). 4. Transportation: Self-driving is recommended. For public transport, take the Metro Line 16 to Shanghai Wild Animal Park Station and then take a taxi to reach the destination. The China Maritime Museum, themed around ‘maritime’ and based on ‘museum’, is an excellent place to visit in Shanghai. It not only offers opportunities to learn about maritime history, ships, navigation and ports, maritime affairs and maritime safety, seafarers, and military navigation through six themed exhibition halls, but also features two special exhibition areas on fishing boats and fishing, and maritime sports and leisure. From the moment you enter, you will be captivated by the museum’s prized exhibit, a massive replica of a Ming Dynasty wooden ship, complete with sails reaching at least three stories high. Such a colossal structure could not have been transported into the museum, so the ship was constructed alongside the museum itself. The entire ship is exquisitely built, and unlike many exhibits, visitors are allowed to board the vessel for an up-close observation. Additionally, there is a video area that explains in detail how this giant ship was constructed. The third-floor sail hall mainly features maritime technology exhibitions and children’s favorite handcraft exhibition booths. Volunteers from Tongji University’s maritime program not only taught us how to make ocean drift bottles but also explained many unknown facts about the ocean. They used small glass beads crushed into fluffy shapes with a syringe, in three colors representing the ocean’s hues—dark blue, light green, and transparent—along with various small shells and starfish. Among the six exhibition halls, our favorite is the second-floor Navigation and Ports Hall, which primarily showcases marine environments, instruments, and technical materials that have guaranteed ship navigation from ancient times to the present, including geospatial navigation, celestial navigation, and radio navigation. It also displays a wealth of artifacts and objects reflecting ports and waterways. Simple models help visitors understand the busy maritime operations. The water-friendly platform on the first floor is an outdoor experience area where children can enjoy the thrill of small sailing boats. The 10-minute OP sailing experience co-launched by the China Maritime Museum and Haishang Fanyou is very popular among children and is free during the festival period, so seize the opportunity. The museum also frequently hosts temporary exhibitions with varying themes. Some of these temporary exhibitions are very exciting and worth looking forward to! More practical information: Adult tickets are 50 yuan; students with valid student IDs pay 25 yuan; seniors aged 60 and above with valid identification pay 10 yuan; children under 1.4 meters in height (accompanied by a parent) enter for free.
Opening hours are from 9:00 to 16:00 (last entry at 15:30); closed on Mondays except for holidays. For transportation, take metro line 16 and get off at Dishui Lake station. Then, board bus number 1096. For those driving, take the Outer Ring Road S20 (towards Pudong Airport), then switch to S2 highway (towards Donghai Bridge), and exit at Dishui Lake to reach the China Maritime Museum. Baoyan Paradise is a carnival for both children and parents, with several branches in Shanghai and Suzhou. The flagship store we visited is located on Dushi Road in Minhang District. Tailor-made for Chinese tourists, Baoyan Paradise is a brand-new immersive indoor theme park and the first indoor constant temperature water park in the city. Spanning five floors with an area of 20,000 square meters, a whole day is not enough to enjoy everything the park has to offer. The castle-like appearance of Baoyan Paradise instantly transports you to a fairy-tale world. On the first floor, there is an area with 5D, 7D, and 9D cinemas with screenings throughout the day, which are said to be superb. However, our little girl was more attracted to the slides, showing no fear even for the 90-degree straight slides. On the second floor, the most eye-catching feature is the ocean ball pool. Never having seen so many balls before, she excitedly buried herself in them. It wasn’t just her who was thrilled; I too was uncontrollably excited. Floors three and four are connected and form the core area of the park, the constant temperature water park. After changing into swimsuits, our little girl loves challenging herself with high-difficulty projects, and the spiral slide meets her requirements. Each slide has a staff member guiding children on how to slide correctly to avoid potential injuries. The level of thrill on each slide varies; some adults scream as they slide down, while some children thoroughly enjoy the fun. The rainbow slide is much lower than the spiral slide, making it more suitable for younger children. The lake exploration area features many cute water spray facilities, and when tired, you can enjoy a family sauna and a comfortable bath. The fifth floor is an outdoor rooftop area with ‘Jurassic Adventure,’ featuring several lifelike moving and roaring dinosaurs. The outdoor climbing is long and interesting, and the sliding grass area requires parental accompaniment. In the hot summer days, there’s no need to worry about where to take your child. Cool, shaded, fun, and interesting – that’s Baoyan Paradise. More practical information (flagship store): Store address: No. 11, Lane 3825, Dushi Road, Minhang District. Business hours: 10:30-19:30 (Monday to Friday); Water park opening hours: 12:00-17:00 (Saturday and Sunday); 9:30-20:30. Ticket prices: 398 yuan (one adult and one child), 498 yuan (two adults and one child). With a 5,000 yuan recharge, enjoy a 40% discount: 160 yuan (one adult and one child), 200 yuan (two adults and one child). Warm reminders: 1. For the safety of children, some projects require long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks. 2. It is mandatory to change into swimsuits before entering the pool. 3. After purchasing the ticket, you can enter and exit unlimited times on the same day, but remember to ask the staff for a wristband as proof.
The garden features a variety of experiential activities and performances; interested friends should plan their time accordingly. The Peace Hotel, a hotel and a city’s history. When it comes to where to stay, I must recommend the place that best represents the former glory of old Shanghai – the Peace Hotel. Once known as the ‘First Building in the Far East,’ it is located on the banks of the Huangpu River, at the intersection of the Bund and Nanjing Road. Its large green copper triangular roof is part of the eye-catching Bund skyline and is one of the most conspicuous landmark buildings on the Bund. The upcoming film ‘Blossoms’ directed by Wong Kar-wai uses the Peace Hotel as its opening scene. The hotel’s creator, Sir Victor Sassoon, was born into a Jewish noble family in the UK, received a high-quality education, and was disabled in his left foot after being injured in World War I while serving in the Royal Air Force. He came to the Eastern colonies, first to Bombay, then to Shanghai, gradually took over the Sassoon family business, and became the helmsman of the family company in 1924. Eventually, he formally moved to Shanghai in 1931 and established the foundation of the business. The most luxurious part of the hotel is the Sassoon Presidential Suite. In addition to that, the most famous are the Nine Nations Suites. These 178 square meter suites honor the cultural styles of different countries, including Indian, British, Chinese, American, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, and German suites. Over the decades, these suites have hosted countless distinguished guests, diplomats, explorers, travelers, local or resident noble children, celebrities, scholars, artists, and stars – elites from all over the world gather here. The Cathay Hotel, frequented by celebrities at the time, was highly praised as the ‘First Building in the Far East,’ adorned with the pinnacle of luxury and art. The Sassoon Presidential Suite and the Nine Nations Specialty Suites reflect Sir Sassoon’s international vision in the 1930s. Today, not only has the hardware been restored, but also the previous aristocratic lifestyle. Visit the Peace Hotel to transcend time and experience the charm of another era, savor the extraordinary nobility.
As a city renowned for its tourism, Shanghai boasts an abundance of fascinating attractions. Among these, Sasa is particularly drawn to those destinations that embody the city’s unique character and history, reflecting the urban landscape through a single courtyard or building. Here are a few sincere recommendations. Are any of them to your liking? Consider adding them to your travel bookmarks. In this vast city, perhaps we might coincidentally meet at one of these places that share our mutual interests.

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