10 Things to Do Off the Beaten Track in Shanghai

With lush tree-lined avenues and picturesque garden villas from the early 20th century, Shanghai’s French Concession is a great neighbourhood for a leisurely stroll. You can spend the day exploring trendy galleries and boutiques, or people-watching with a drink in hand at a roadside cafe. 

Highlights include the Moller Villa, a beautiful Scandinavian-inspired mansion with Gothic spires that looks like something out of a fairytale. At the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum, you can admire delicate lacquer and jade pieces. Head to the bustling Fuxing Park to soak in some sun and see locals practise dancing and tai chi. 

Shanghai Film Park is a colossal film set in Chedun Town, about 50 km from the city centre. Modelled after 1930s Shanghai, this area has a distinct Art Deco vibe and is filled with vintage cars, old-fashioned signboards and classic architecture.

Shanghai Film Park is an active filming location and has been featured in many major productions. Rent a qipao, the traditional Chinese dress, so you can blend in with the background. You can roam the set on a rickshaw, stopping by iconic sites such as a full-scale replica of Nanjing Road and Waibudu Bridge. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to catch a shoot in progress. 

Once a flourishing centre for salt trade, the picturesque Xinchang Ancient Town transports you back in history. With more than 800 years of history, this water town encompasses canals, stone arch bridges with intricate carvings and folk houses from the Ming and Qing dynasties.  

Admire folk art and pottery as you walk along Hongqiao Old Street. Catch a performance at the 300-year-old Ancient Opera Stage, followed by a refreshing cup of traditional Chinese tea in the tranquil setting of Jiangnan First Tea House. Xinchang Ancient Town is in the Pudong District, about 40 km from central Shanghai.   

Set in Shanghai’s Hongkou District, 1933 Old Millfun is a complex of shops, restaurants and event spaces. What makes this spot so unique is its architecture. Once a slaughterhouse, it’s now a concrete Art Deco labyrinth filled with interlocking staircases, open-air bridges and latticed windows.  

Its distinctive, industrial appearance makes it a prime place to snap memorable photos. You’ll also find plenty of interesting shops, including luxury fashion boutiques, coffee chains and even an arcade. When you feel peckish, head to one of the many eateries that range from traditional Chinese to a Formula One racing-themed restaurants.

The Jewish Refugee Museum chronicles the lives of the Jewish refugees who escaped from Europe and came to Shanghai during World War II. It houses an impressive collection of photos, documents and personal belongings of the city’s Jewish residents.  

There is also a screening area where visitors can watch films documenting the lives of these inspiring people. Inside the same building is the Ohel Moshe Synagogue, one of the only 2 remaining synagogues in Shanghai. The Jewish Refugees Museum is located about a 30-minute walk from the Bund. 

Chonqming Island is a nature-packed oasis located very close to central Shanghai. Set on the estuary of the Yangtze River, this island happens to be the third largest in China. 

The island is home to Dongping National Forest Park, which offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Bike past lush groves of bamboo and pine or just relax with a picnic under a canopy of green. Paintballing and rock-climbing facilities are also available. Head to the Dong Tan Migratory Bird Protection Area to observe rare birds such as the white-fronted goose and striated heron. 

Shanghai’s most renowned gallery district, M50 Creative Park is home to over 50 galleries and studios that showcase the work of contemporary Chinese artists. Many of these venues were converted from shuttered factories and cotton mills, which gives the area a cool, industrial vibe. 

Noteworthy galleries here include ShanghART, Perrotin and Arario Gallery. M50 Creative Park is also dotted with several bars, cafes and boutiques. As you roam the neighbourhood, look out for alleyways with interesting murals and art installations. When the hunger strikes, rest your feet at one of the lovely cafés and enjoy a lovely snack and a nice cup of tea. 

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall allows you to delve into the evolution of the city from a small fishing village to the metropolis it is today. This 6-storey building houses an array of photographs, films and interactive displays to keep the information interesting for visitors. You can even rent an audio guide that’s available in multiple languages. 

Make your way to the third floor for a virtual 3D tour and intricate model of the city. In the basement is a section that gives you a glimpse into 1930s Shanghai, with vintage cars, old photos and even a cobblestone path. Get your camera ready and snap some unique selfies against this unique backdrop.

Sitting on the seventh floor of an unassuming building, the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre is one of the city’s best kept secrets. The location is not well publicised, so finding it can be like a treasure-hunt in itself. 

As the name suggests, this secretive museum houses a rare and incredible collection of propaganda posters from the Maoist era. With over 6,000 posters packed with communist symbols and slogans, the exhibits are a real treat for history buffs. Before you leave, visit the museum’s gift shop where you can purchase replica posters, magazines and other knick-knacks.

The Shikumen Residence Museum gives you a glimpse into what life was like for a typical, middle class Shanghainese family in the 19th century. It was reconstructed from an old Shikumen house from the 1920s. Shikumen, meaning ‘stone-gate house’, refers to a traditional architectural style that fuses both Western and Chinese elements. 

Inside the museum, you will find 2 floors filled with antiques and furniture from the time, as well as articles like textbooks, toys and make-up. The writer’s desk in the tingzijian room is a particular highlight. The Shikumen Residence Museum is in Xintiandi and is free to enter, though only open on weekends.