Local Highlights

Yang’s Shengjian

While Xiaolongbao may technically be Shanghai’s most famous food, Yang’s Shengjian has unsurpassable status in locals’ hearts. One serving of these sesame-seed-and-scallion-coated fried dumplings plus one bowl of beef and crystal noodle soup makes a perfect Shanghai meal. And, it only cost $2.

Foot Massage

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) plays an important role in Shanghai residents’ life and foot massage is a popular local TCM therapy, so don’t be surprised if your new friends invite you to a foot massage club. Sitting in a beautiful private room with fine tea, snacks, and fruit, while enjoying the comfort (and sometimes the pain) from your feet is both a relaxing and healthy entertainment. Don’t miss it, as you may have to pay 10 times the price to have a similar experience in U.S.

Chongming Island

Just a 40-minute drive from downtown, escape from Shanghai’s 24+ million people to a quiet eco-island. You’ll be surprised to find that, even though Chongming Island is a part of Shanghai, it’s covered by forests, farms, and bird habitats. Here you can relax, visit a farmer’s house, feed the wild birds, bike through the flowers, or work in the field.

Tianzifang

While tourists huddle in Shanghai’s giant, expensive malls or bargain (poorly) with vendors in the Fake Market, locals head to Tianzifang to discover unique and inexpensive pieces in a nostalgic setting. The Tianzifang entertainment complex is housed within a layout of traditional Longtang alleys lined with design studios, boutiques, and elegant cafés.

Jade Buddha Temple

Visitors to Shanghai often miss this temple as it’s not very old: its “only” been around for about 200 years, compared with other temples that boast thousands of years of history. Despite the temple’s tween status, it’s worth a visit, as this is the only place you’ll find a pure jade Buddha — two, in fact. The temple’s precious Sitting Buddha and recumbent Buddha are carved from whole crystal-clear white jade, offering the beauty of sanctity.