Shanghai's many landmarks are a true mish-mash of old and new, as the city is racing to worship the god of money, whilst trying to hold on to its historical heritage. The Oriental Pearl TV Tower gives a fine overview of central Shanghai, with its many districts and different architectural styles.Also not to be missed is People's Square, a typical communist vast open space, used by the citizens of Shanghai for general get-togethers and recreational purposes. Below are the city's most impressive landmarks, both modern and historic.
Oriental Pearl TV TowerAddress: 2 Lane 504 Jujiazui Road, Pu Dong, Shanghai, 200120, China, CN
Tel: +86 021 5879 1888
Standing 468 meters / 1,535 feet tall, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower is one of Asia's highest structures. Tourists can scale the tower for spectacular views of the city. There is a shopping area, café and an international city exhibit on the ground floor.
On clear days, impressive panoramic views of the city can be had from the upper levels of this tower, which are no less than 263 meters / 862 feet high. The photo opportunities are excellent.
Open: daily - 08:30 to 21:30
Admission: charge
People's SquareAddress: Renmin Boulevard, Pu Xi, Shanghai, 31 200000, China, CN
People's Square is a huge public square enclosed by government buildings. A real urban park, People's Square offers plenty of pruned greenery and is home to the impressive Shanghai Museum, which is located at its very heart. There is also a 320-square-meter water fountain, subway station and an underground shopping mall located here. Since so many people are attracted to the square, this is a perfect spot for people-watching. Kite-flying is also popular around People's Square in the afternoon and kites are available at a number of nearby shops.
Open: daily - 24 hours
Admission: no charge
Jinmao TowerAddress: 88 Shiji Dadao, Shanghai, China, CN
Tel: 86 021 5047 0088
Currently the tallest building within the whole of the People's Republic of China, the Jinmao Tower is one of Shanghai's most famous modern landmarks and dominates much of the city's waterfront. The tower was completed in 1999 and measures over 420 metres / 1,380 feet in height, boasting a superb observation deck on its 88th floor.
Open: daily - 08:30 to 21:00
Admission: charge
Hengshan Community Church
Address: Xujiahui, Shanghai, China, CN
Tel: +86 021 6437 6576
Founded in 1925 and also known as the International Church, this is the best-known of Shanghai's Protestant churches among foreign residents and visitors, and is the largest church still in use. The beautiful ivy-covered English-style structure and grounds blend in well with the upmarket colonial-style shopping district, on the outskirts of the French Concession area.
Open: daily
Admission: no charge
Shanghai LibraryAddress: 1555 Huai Hai Middle Road, Shanghai, 31 200031, China, CN
Tel: +86 021 6445 5555
This fairly new library is one of the ten largest in the world. Seating over 3,000 readers, it contains in excess of 13 million books, newspapers, journals, rare Western books, correspondences, family trees and stone inscriptions. Shanghai Library also ranks as one of the city's ten symbolic cultural buildings. Technologically pioneering, the library also offers online services for surfing the Internet or checking your email.
Open: daily - 08:30 to 20:30
Admission: no charge
Temple of the Town GodAddress: Nánshi, Shanghai, China, CN
Tel: +86 021 6386 5700
At one time, every Chinese city had its own Temple of the Town God, the central place for Taoists. During the Cultural Revolution, the temple, which had developed into more of a marketplace, was destroyed. The temple's central courtyard in Shanghai is typically packed with worshippers praying before the statues of Huo Guang (a local military hero) in the front hall, and the town god in the back.
Open: daily - 08:30 to 16:30
Admission: charge
