The Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism (Municipal Cultural Relics Bureau) has deeply explored the historical and cultural resources of the city. Based on the types, value characteristics, and geographical locations of cultural relics, they have connected various cultural relics buildings, famous attractions, and intangible cultural heritage experiences into ten distinctive cultural relics themed tours.
Citizens and tourists can follow these ten themed tours to explore the earliest origins of Shanghai, savor the most classic buildings, and experience the most exciting urban culture. Let’s take a look together!
1.Most Shanghai: Seeking the Origins of Shanghai
With a history of six thousand years, Shanghai has “transformed” into a modern international metropolis through historical changes and the exchange of civilizations. To look back at history is to enable us to move forward. This route of seeking roots takes you through a journey of six thousand years.
Route: Shanghai Songze Ruins Museum → Qingpu Museum → Zhujiajiao Ancient Town → Fuquanshan Ruins → Qinglong Town Ruins
2.Most Shanghai: Exploring the Ancient Charm of Chunshen
When traveling in the suburbs of Shanghai, visit those ancient buildings that carry historical memories and understand the city’s deepest heritage. This tour is especially suitable for spring and summer, with classical gardens full of greenery, where you can walk among the flowers and enjoy the charm of Jiangnan.
Route: Jiading Confucius Temple → Guyi Garden → Zuibai Pond → Fangta Garden
3.Most Shanghai: Stepping into the Urban Origin
Step into the origin of Shanghai city, taste the past of the city, and decode the development of the city; enter the old town of Shanghai and find the local flavor and emotional memories of Shanghai people. This route has old buildings, shikumen, and plenty of childhood memories.
Route: Yuyuan Garden → Shanghai Concert Hall (Nanjing Grand Theater) → Great World Amusement Park → Shanghai Sports Building (Western Youth Association) → International Hotel → Shanghai History Museum → Zhang Garden
4.Most Shanghai: Unforgettable Red Memories
Check in at Shanghai’s classic red attractions, feel the history and development of red culture, relive the Party’s struggle, and unite to create a better future. Measure the city’s most glorious red road with your feet.
Route: Memorial of the First National Congress of the CPC → Zhou Residence (Former Office of the Communist Party of China Delegation in Shanghai) → Former Residence of Sun Yat-sen → Yuyang Lane (Former Site of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China) → Memorial of the Second National Congress of the CPC → Former Residence of Mao Zedong
5.Most Shanghai: A Century-Old Education Journey
The campuses, having undergone a century of tempering and baptism, still exude vigorous vitality and cultivate generations of students. This route is especially suitable for adults and children hand in hand, where the memories of one generation’s schooling will be continuously passed on during the stroll through the campus.
Route: East China University of Political Science and Law Historical Building Complex (St. John’s University Modern Architecture) → Changning District Children’s Palace (Wang Boqun’s Residence) → Yuyuan Road Historical and Cultural Landscape Protection Area → Qian Xuesen’s Former Residence → Shanghai Federation of Literary and Art Circles Office Building → China Welfare Institute Children’s Palace
6.Most Shanghai: From Industrial Rust Belt to Life Show Belt
The glorious industrial heritage has been rejuvenated, with rivers and shores accessible everywhere and everything in sight. The historical memory of a century-old industrial civilization has been reactivated. Factories built along the river have been transformed into fashionable neighborhoods, lighting up your riverside journey.
Route: Former Site of Yesong Shipyard → North Bund → Former Site of Huangpu Pier → Maoma Warehouse → Yangshupu Water Plant → Oriental Fisherman’s Wharf → Green Hill
7.Most Shanghai: A Hundred Scenes at the Confluence of Rivers
The Suzhou Creek and the Huangpu River are the most important spatial carriers of Shanghai’s cultural life and humanistic emotions. Feel the city’s sentiments on the waterfront. Every great city rises from rivers, and although this route is familiar, you can always discover something new with each stroll.
Route: Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower → Rock Bund → The Bund → Waibaidu Bridge → Shanghai Mansion → Shanghai General Post Office → Riverside Building → Former Site of Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce
8.Most Shanghai: Revival of Past Industrial Vitality
As time flows and eras change, the roar of machines has long gone, but the industrial heritage has stood the test of time and been given new life. This route takes you to touch the deep fabric of urban development and feel the city’s heavy industrial heritage.
Route: Shanghai Yuan Dynasty Sluice Site Museum → Shanghai Mint Museum (Former Site of Central Mint) → Dayang Crystal Landmark · Tianan Qianshu → M50 Creative Park (Former Site of Xinhe Cotton Mill) → Shanghai Textile Museum → M+ Mali Creative Park → Tongle Fang
9.Most Shanghai: Strolling in the Depth of Sycamore Trees
The towering sycamore trees cast mottled shadows. While strolling, appreciate the past’s turbulence and legendary events, and experience the extraordinary in the ordinary and the happiness in simplicity. This is Shanghai’s most pleasant walking district. Whether on foot or by bike, the story-filled buildings guide you to explore the city’s past.
Route: Early Buildings of Shanghai Jiao Tong University → Wukang Building → Soong Ching Ling’s Former Residence → Ke Ling’s Former Residence → Zhang Leping’s Former Residence → Blackstone Apartments → Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall → Shanghai Museum of Arts and Crafts
10.Most Shanghai: Legendary Buildings Reborn
The combination of historical buildings with modern commerce and culture has brought new scenery and lifestyles to the city. This is a treasure route tailored for architecture enthusiasts and an excellent way to explore the perfect fusion of Shanghai’s history and modernity.
Route: Shanghai University of Sport Green Tile Building (Former Shanghai Municipal Government Building) → Yangpu District Library (Former Shanghai Library) → Shanghai Water Technology Museum → 1933 Old Millfun (Former Shanghai Municipal Council Abattoir) → Shanghai Municipal Council Building → Shanghai Exhibition Center → Shangsheng·Xinsuo
