Top Things to Do in Shanghai: The Ultimate Visitor Guide

Shanghai is best explored by combining its historic colonial waterfront, The Bund, with the futuristic heights of the Shanghai Tower and the leafy lanes of the Former French Concession. To navigate the city effectively, travelers should secure an uncensored data connection to access essential navigation and payment apps. As China’s most international metropolis, Shanghai offers a unique blend of ancient tradition and hyper-modernity, but its digital landscape requires preparation for any visitor arriving from the UK or elsewhere.

The Architectural Heart: The Bund and Lujiazui

No trip to Shanghai is complete without visiting The Bund (Wai Tan). This waterfront area on the west bank of the Huangpu River is lined with dozens of historical buildings that once housed the city’s major banks and trading houses during the colonial era. Walking along the promenade at night offers a spectacular view of the Lujiazui skyline directly across the water. The contrast between the neoclassical granite buildings of the 1920s and the neon-lit skyscrapers of the Pudong district is the quintessential Shanghai image.

Across the river in Lujiazui, you will find the Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in China and the second-tallest in the world. Ascending to its observation deck provides a bird’s-eye view of the city’s sprawling urban grid. Nearby, the ‘Bottle Opener’ (Shanghai World Financial Center) and the pagoda-inspired Jin Mao Tower offer competing views. For the best experience, visit just before sunset to watch the city transition into a sea of LED lights.

Cultural Immersion: Yu Garden and the Old City

For a taste of dynastic China, head to Yu Garden (Yuyuan). Built during the Ming Dynasty, this classical garden features intricate rockeries, koi ponds, and traditional pavilions. While the surrounding bazaar is highly commercialized, it remains a great place to try local snacks. The nearby City God Temple is another essential stop for those interested in local religious practices and traditional architecture.

Navigating these crowded areas requires a steady data connection for translation and maps. Choosing a ChinaRoam eSIM ensures your data is routed outside the Great Firewall, meaning you can post your photos to Instagram or check Google Maps without needing a separate VPN. You can see plans to find a data package that fits your itinerary.

The Former French Concession: Coffee and Platanes

The Former French Concession (FFC) is perhaps the most charming part of Shanghai. Characterized by tree-lined streets and Tudor-style mansions, this area is perfect for aimless wandering. Wukang Road is a highlight, home to the iconic Wukang Mansion and a plethora of specialty coffee shops. Fuxing Park is another local favorite, where you can watch residents practicing ballroom dancing or tai chi in the mornings.

This district is also the heart of Shanghai’s modern culinary scene. From hidden speakeasies to Michelin-starred dumplings, the FFC is where the city’s international and local cultures truly collide. Because Western apps like Yelp are blocked, you will rely heavily on local apps or international equivalents that require uncensored data to function correctly.

Navigating the Great Firewall in Shanghai

China’s internet environment is unique. Major platforms including Google (and all its services like Gmail and Maps), Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and WhatsApp are blocked by the Great Firewall. For a British traveler, this can be a major hurdle. While some travelers attempt to use VPNs, these are often unreliable and can drain your battery quickly.

ChinaRoam offers a more seamless solution. Because the data is technically ‘roaming’ through international servers, it bypasses these restrictions natively. This means your phone works exactly as it does at home. Our plans provide access to the top local networks, including China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom, all of which offer extensive 5G coverage throughout Shanghai and its surrounding suburbs.

Data Needs by Activity

When deciding which plan to choose, consider your daily usage in a tech-heavy city like Shanghai:

• Navigation: Using Apple Maps or Google Maps (via eSIM) for 1 hour: ~50MB.
• Social Media: Uploading high-res photos and videos to Instagram: ~100MB-200MB per session.
• Translation: Real-time voice translation via apps: ~20MB per hour.
• Payment Apps: Using Alipay or WeChat Pay (essential for almost all transactions): Minimal data, but requires a constant connection.

For a week-long stay, a 5GB or 10GB plan is usually sufficient for most travelers, while power users or those staying longer should look at our 20GB or 50GB options. You can always see plans to check the latest available buckets.

Roaming Comparison: ChinaRoam vs. UK Carriers

Many travelers from the UK consider using their home provider (like EE, Vodafone, or O2). However, these ‘Travel Passes’ are often prohibitively expensive, sometimes costing upwards of £6 per day for very limited data allowances. In contrast, a dedicated travel eSIM provides much larger data pools for a fraction of the cost.

Feature	ChinaRoam eSIM	UK Mobile Roaming	Local Chinese SIM
Censorship	Uncensored (No VPN needed)	Uncensored	Heavily Censored
Network	5G (Mobile/Unicom/Telecom)	Often limited to 4G	5G
Setup	Digital/Instant	Automatic	Physical shop + Passport
Cost	Budget-friendly	Very High Daily Fees	Low
Phone Number	Data Only (No number)	UK Number	Local Chinese Number

Note that our plans are data-only, meaning they do not come with a local Chinese phone number. However, they fully support WhatsApp calls and messages, which is how most international travelers communicate anyway.

Step-by-Step eSIM Installation

Setting up your connection is simple and can be done before you even leave Heathrow or Gatwick. First, ensure your device is unlocked and check the phone compatibility list to confirm your handset supports eSIM technology.

For iPhone Users:

1. Go to Settings > Mobile Service.
2. Tap Add eSIM.
3. Scan the QR code provided in your ChinaRoam confirmation email.
4. Label the new plan as ‘Travel’ or ‘China’.
5. Set your primary line to your home SIM for calls/SMS, but set Mobile Data to the new eSIM.
6. Ensure Data Roaming is turned ON for the travel eSIM.

For Android Users:

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs.
2. Tap Add SIM or +.
3. Select ‘Download a SIM instead?’ and scan the QR code.
4. Once downloaded, ensure the eSIM is active.
5. Turn on Data Roaming for the ChinaRoam profile.

For more detailed visuals, you can follow our full setup guide.

Logistics: Getting Around the City

Shanghai’s transport system is world-class. Upon arrival at Pudong International Airport (PVG), the fastest way into the city is the Maglev train, which reaches speeds of 431 km/h and drops you at Longyang Road station in just eight minutes. From there, the extensive Metro system can take you anywhere for a few yuan.

You will need to download Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arrive. Most shops, taxis, and even street food vendors in Shanghai no longer accept cash and rarely accept international credit cards. You can link your British Visa or Mastercard to Alipay, but this app requires a constant internet connection to generate payment codes. Having a reliable eSIM ensures you are never stuck at a checkout unable to pay.

Beyond Shanghai: Exploring Further

Shanghai is a fantastic base for exploring East China. The high-speed rail network connects you to the water towns of Suzhou and Hangzhou in under an hour. If your journey continues toward the north to see the capital, you might be interested in Hiking the Jiankou Great Wall: A Guide for Adventurers for a more rugged experience. Alternatively, for those who prefer well-preserved views, the Jinshanling Great Wall: The Best Section for Photography is a must-see. Your ChinaRoam eSIM will continue to work seamlessly across all these provinces without any additional configuration.

The bottom line

Shanghai is a city that rewards the prepared traveler. By combining iconic sights like The Bund and Yu Garden with the modern convenience of an uncensored eSIM, you can navigate the city with the same ease as a local. Avoid the high costs of UK roaming and the frustration of the Great Firewall by securing your data plan before you fly. With 5G coverage from China’s top carriers, you’ll stay connected from the top of the Shanghai Tower to the deepest alleys of the French Concession.