Gay Friendly Guide • SHANGHAI | What to See, Where to Stay, Best Gay Bars and Restaurants | LGBT Guide
- World Mappers
- Jul 16
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 29
GAY SHANGHAI
Discover this City with our Quick and Practical Guide to Visit the Best Attractions, Savor Typical Dishes and Have Fun in the Best Gay Bars. All this through the Rainbow Eyes of the World Mappers
What to See, Best Places to Sleep, Where to Eat and to Have Fun in SHANGHAI?
WHAT TO SEE in SHANGHAI?
10 THINGS TO SEE in SHANGHAI
The Bund
The Bund is Shanghai's most famous riverfront and one of the city's symbols. It stretches along the Huangpu River and features elegant European-style buildings constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The walk offers spectacular views of Pudong's modern skyline, especially at sunset and in the evening hours, when the skyscrapers light up.
Oriental Pearl Tower
The Oriental Pearl Tower is one of Shanghai's most iconic structures and dominates the skyline of the Pudong district. Standing approximately 468 meters tall, it is recognizable by its large pink spheres that make it unique. It houses several viewpoints, a museum dedicated to the history of the city and a glass floor that offers an evocative experience with views from above.
Shanghai Tower / Shanghai World Financial Center
The Shanghai Tower is the tallest skyscraper in China and one of the tallest in the world, standing over 630 meters tall. Next door is the Shanghai World Financial Center, famous for its distinctive rectangular opening at the top. Both offer panoramic observatories from which you can admire the entire city and the contrast between modern and historic Shanghai.
Yu Garden
Yu Garden is the most famous classical garden in Shanghai, created during the Ming Dynasty. The complex includes elegant pavilions, ponds, stone bridges, ornamental rocks and lush gardens designed according to the principles of traditional Chinese architecture. Located in the heart of the old city, it represents an oasis of tranquility surrounded by shops, markets and ancient buildings.
City God Temple of Shanghai / Longhua Temple / Jing'an Temple
Shanghai is home to some of the most important temples in eastern China. The City God Temple is the religious center of the old city and is located next to the lively traditional bazaars. Longhua Temple, Shanghai's oldest, is known for its elegant pagoda, while Jing'an Temple impresses with its spectacular golden decorations and location among modern skyscrapers.
Nanjing Road
Nanjing Road is Shanghai's most famous shopping street and one of the busiest shopping streets in the world. Over five kilometers long, it is home to department stores, international boutiques, shopping malls, restaurants and illuminated signs. Walking along this street, especially in the evening, allows you to experience the dynamic and modern atmosphere that characterizes the Chinese metropolis.
Shanghai Museum / China Art Museum / Shanghai Science and Technology Museum
Shanghai offers museums to suit every interest. The Shanghai Museum holds important collections of Chinese bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy and ancient works of art. The China Art Museum displays masterpieces of modern and contemporary art, while the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum offers interactive exhibitions dedicated to science, technology, and nature, also ideal for families.
French Concession Shanghai / Tianzifang / Xintiandi
The French Concession is one of Shanghai's most elegant neighborhoods, featuring tree-lined avenues and European-style buildings. Within it are Tianzifang, famous for its alleys filled with artisan workshops, galleries, and cafes, and Xintiandi, a refined pedestrian district that combines historic architecture, restaurants, shops, and trendy clubs.
Jade Buddha Temple
The Jade Buddha Temple is one of the main Buddhist places of worship in Shanghai. It is famous for housing two precious Buddha statues carved in white jade and decorated with precious stones, donated by Burma in the late 19th century. The tranquil atmosphere, incense, and richly decorated rooms offer a moment of peace in the heart of the vibrant metropolis.
Shanghai Grand Theatre
The Shanghai Grand Theatre is one of the most important cultural centers in China. Located in the central Piazza del Popolo, it stands out for its modern architecture and extensive programming of operas, concerts, ballets, and international theatrical performances. Even those who don't attend a show can appreciate its elegant structure, a symbol of the city's cultural and artistic development.
Below are Discounted Tickets for Top Attractions - Click Here
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SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
Visiting this city at its best depends essentially on how long you have to fully enjoy it. Here is a solution based on the number of days available to you:
Giorno 1 / Day 1 - Shanghai (Historic Shanghai and Bund) - Google Maps
Giorno 2 / Day 2 - Shanghai (Lujiazui District) - Google Maps
Giorno 3 / Day 3 - Shanghai (Culture, Temples and Former French Concession) - Google Maps
(By opening the Maps with Google, you can easily follow our path)
5 BEST EXCURSIONS from SHANGHAI
We advise you to book the best excursions here: Viator - Musement - Get Your Guide
Zhujiajiao
Suzhou & Tongli
Hangzhou
Jiaxing
Huzhou
Click'n'Go - Click on Hotels, Restaurants, Bars & Clubs
to find them on the Map or visit their Website
WHERE TO SLEEP in SHANGHAI?
10 BEST GAY FRIENDLY HOTELS in SHANGHAI
WHERE TO EAT in SHANGHAI?
10 BEST RESTAURANTS in SHANGHAI Quality / Price
€€€ - Shanghai Tavern
€€€ - Mr&Mrs Bund
€€€ - Goodfellas
€€€ - Fu Yi Ling San Jiu
€€ - Taste of China
€€ - Yi Long Court €€ - Fulicheng
€€ - Taotaoju
€ - Weixiangzhai
€ - Jia Jia Tang Bao
GAY NIGHTLIFE in SHANGHAI
BEST GAY PLACES, BARS & CLUBS in SHANGHAI
HUNT (Gay Bar)
Rice Bar (Gay Bar)
TRAVEL TIPS about SHANGHAI by World Mappers
Visit the Bund twice: day and night! Many tourists simply stroll along the Bund at sunset, but it's also worth returning during the day. With natural light, you can better admire the details of the elegant colonial buildings, while in the evening the Pudong skyline is transformed thanks to the spectacular lighting of the skyscrapers. Two visits at different times allow you to experience two completely different atmospheres of the city.
Explore Pudong beyond the most famous skyscrapers. Many visitors stop at the Oriental Pearl Tower or Shanghai Tower, but the Pudong neighborhood offers much more. Strolling through modern avenues, riverside parks, and scenic plazas, you'll discover lesser-known glimpses of the skyline. It's a great way to get an up-close look at the city's futuristic architecture without just the busiest vantage points.
Treat yourself to an evening cruise on the Huangpu River. Many admire the skyline from the riverfront, but a cruise allows you to observe Shanghai from a completely different perspective. Navigating between the Bund and the modern skyscrapers of Pudong you appreciate the strong contrast between historic and futuristic architecture. It's one of the best ways to understand the evolution of the city and take truly spectacular photographs.
After dark, areas like Tianzifang, Xintiandi, and the Old City take on a completely different atmosphere. The lit lanterns, lively alleys and numerous venues make these neighborhoods perfect for an evening stroll. Besides being less hot in the summer months, they offer the opportunity to experience a more authentic and convivial Shanghai than large commercial areas.
Stop by Shanghai's 1000 Trees, one of the city's most iconic architectural projects, where nature and design blend into a unique experience. Featuring hundreds of tree-lined terraces covering the property, this innovative shopping mall offers shops, restaurants, cultural spaces, and scenic areas overlooking the Suzhou River, making it a must-see for anyone wishing to discover Shanghai's most contemporary and sustainable face.
We loved the China Art Museum in Shanghai, one of China's largest art museums and a hub for culture buffs. Housed in the imposing building of the former China Pavilion at Expo 2010, the museum houses a rich collection of modern and contemporary art, as well as temporary exhibitions dedicated to Chinese and international artists. Its extraordinary architecture and high-end exhibitions make it a must-see for anyone visiting Shanghai.
Below are Discounted Tickets for Top Attractions - Click Here
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