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10 Cool and Quirky Things to Do in Shanghai! ✴️🗺
Shanghai is a city that thrives on surprises, blending towering skyscrapers with ancient traditions. Let's step off the beaten path and dive into unusual experiences that reveal its rich history and quirky spirit.
From marriage markets to insect bazaars, this guide reveals 10 unique and unusual activities ideal for adventurous souls seeking a fresh perspective on this dynamic city. Let’s explore the fun!
1️⃣ Shanghai Marriage Market
➜ What It Is
A bustling outdoor matchmaking event in People's Park, Huangpu District (near People's Square Metro Station, Exit 19), where parents post personal ads for their adult children on umbrellas and posters.
➜ Why It’s Fun
It's a quirky cultural spectacle perfect for people-watching, offering a humorous and insightful peek into modern Chinese dating dynamics amid the park's lively atmosphere.
➜ The Story
Emerging in the early 2000s as a response to China's competitive marriage culture and one-child policy pressures, this weekend ritual (Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 5 PM) reflects traditional values clashing with urban life, drawing curious locals and visitors since its informal start in 2004.
2️⃣ Bund Sightseeing Tunnel
➜ What It Is
A 647-meter underground tram ride beneath the Huangpu River, connecting the Bund in Puxi to Lujiazui in Pudong (entrance near the Bund's Peace Hotel).
➜ Why It’s Fun
The psychedelic light show, complete with flashing LEDs, sound effects, and trippy projections, turns a simple crossing into a surreal, kitschy adventure that's hilariously over-the-top.
➜ The Story
Opened in 2000 as a modern transport link, it evolved into a multimedia attraction blending technology with whimsy, symbolizing Shanghai's fusion of East-West innovation and its rapid post-1990s development.
3️⃣ Shanghai Flower, Bird, Fish & Insect Market
➜ What It Is
A vibrant Baofeng Flowers and Birds Market in Pudong sells exotic pets like crickets, goldfish, birds, and insects in a maze of stalls.
➜ Why It’s Fun
Browsing chirping crickets in bamboo cages or colorful fish offers a sensory overload and quirky shopping experience, ideal for cultural immersion and unique souvenirs like fighting crickets.
➜ The Story
Rooted in ancient Chinese hobbies from the Ming Dynasty, where crickets were kept for luck or gambling, this market preserves folk traditions in a modern city, operating daily but busiest on weekends.
4️⃣ Thames Town
➜ What It Is
A ghost-town replica of an English village in Songjiang District (reachable by Metro Line 9 to Songjiang University Town Station, then a short taxi), featuring Tudor houses, churches, and cobblestone streets.
➜ Why It’s Fun
Wandering the eerie, underpopulated streets feels like stepping into a surreal movie set, perfect for atmospheric photography and a bizarre contrast to Shanghai's hustle.
➜ The Story
Built in 2006 as part of the "One City, Nine Towns" project to create themed suburbs for the growing middle class, it remains mostly vacant due to high prices, embodying China's ambitious urban experiments in the early 2000s.
5️⃣ 1933 Old Millfun
➜ What It Is
A Brutalist architectural complex at 10 Shajing Road, Hongkou District (near Hailun Road Metro Station, Exit 2), formerly a slaughterhouse now housing cafes, galleries, and shops.
➜ Why It’s Fun
Its maze of concrete bridges, ramps, and asymmetric staircases creates a Gotham-like playground for exploration and urban photography, with a creative vibe that's delightfully disorienting.
➜ The Story
Constructed in 1933 as Asia's largest abattoir by British architects, it symbolized Shanghai's industrial boom; repurposed in the 2000s into a cultural hub, it highlights the city's shift from manufacturing to innovation.
6️⃣ Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre
➜ What It Is
A hidden museum in the basement of a residential block at 868 Huashan Road, Changning District, displaying over 6,000 Communist-era posters.
➜ Why It’s Fun
The kitschy, vibrant artwork offers a satirical and educational dive into propaganda, with a gift shop for quirky replicas—great for history buffs seeking a thought-provoking twist.
➜ The Story
Founded in 1995 by a private collector amid post-Cultural Revolution sensitivities, it preserves posters from the 1940s to 1980s, capturing Mao-era ideology and Shanghai's role as a revolutionary art center.
🔴 Note: Entry is by appointment or small fee; respect the residential setting and avoid flash photography.
7️⃣ Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum
➜ What It Is
A memorial site at 62 Changyang Road, Hongkou District (near Tilanqiao Metro Station), including a restored synagogue and exhibits on wartime refugees.
➜ Why It’s Fun
Personal artifacts, videos, and stories create an emotional, interactive journey, blending history with a quiet neighborhood stroll for a reflective adventure.
➜ The Story
During WWII, Shanghai sheltered over 20,000 European Jews fleeing Nazis from 1933-1941, when no other country would; the museum, opened in 2007, honors this "Shanghai Ghetto" era, showcasing cross-cultural resilience.
8️⃣ M50 Creative Park
➜ What It Is
A graffiti-filled art district at 50 Moganshan Road, Putuo District (near Shanghai Railway Station Metro), converted from old textile factories into galleries and studios.
➜ Why It’s Fun
Watching artists at work in open studios and discovering street art in hidden alleys provides a vibrant, inspiring escape, perfect for creative souls and casual wandering.
➜ The Story
Transformed in the early 2000s from derelict 1930s mills into China's premier contemporary art zone, it reflects Shanghai's post-reform artistic renaissance, attracting global talent while preserving industrial heritage.
9️⃣ Chenxiang Temple
➜ What It Is
A small Buddhist pavilion at 29 Chenxiangge Road, Huangpu District (in the Old Town, near Yuyuan Garden Metro but tucked in an alley), featuring intricate carvings and a sandalwood Buddha replica.
➜ Why It’s Fun
Its serene dome and quiet courtyards offer a peaceful contrast to the city's chaos, with optional incense rituals for a meditative, fairytale-like cultural dip.
➜ The Story
Built in 1600 during the Ming Dynasty, the original statue was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution; a replica was rebuilt in the 1990s, and it embodies Shanghai's enduring spiritual traditions amid modernization.
🔟 Tianshan Tea City
➜ What It Is
A multi-floor tea emporium at 520 Zhongshan West Road, Changning District (near Loushanguan Road Metro), with hundreds of vendors offering rare teas and accessories.
➜ Why It’s Fun
Sampling exotic brews like pu-erh or oolong in private tastings turns shopping into a flavorful adventure, ideal for foodies seeking authentic sensory delights.
➜ The Story
Established in the 1990s as Shanghai's largest tea wholesale hub, it draws on centuries-old Chinese tea culture from the Tang Dynasty, providing a window into the city's trading heritage in a bustling, aromatic setting.
💥Ready to explore Shanghai’s quirkiest corners? These adventures await—share your favorites!
Share your favorite hidden gems in the comments!
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The entire journey takes 4 minutes. Each carriage has only 3 seats, so almost everyone has to stand. The view ahead is quite nice, with its changing light show. The main reason for choosing this route is to get from Pudong to Puxi faster. The Huangpu River is near the Oriental Pearl Tower, and Puxi is near the Bund on Nanjing East Road. Tickets are half price for those 70 years and older.
You may just book one way trip for the experience will do. One way will alight at the opposite, which is oriental tower so you could explore.
A must-try experience for crossing the river in Shanghai ✨ The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel is truly amazing! A treasure trove of cross-river experiences in Shanghai! The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel is incredibly romantic 🌌 A fully transparent sightseeing car traverses 646 meters underwater, featuring 8 themed light and shadow effects, maximizing the sci-fi feel! It takes only 2 minutes to reach Lujiazui and the Bund, avoiding surface traffic and offering a 100% chance to take stunning photos 📸 While the ticket price isn't cheap, the unique time-traveling experience is unforgettable, making it perfect for families with children or couples!
If you come to Shanghai, you must recommend the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel to you! 🌆As soon as I stepped into the tunnel, the light and shadow effects shocked my whole family! The colorful lights complement each other, coupled with various wonderful projections, it feels like being in a science fiction blockbuster, and I kept saying "wow" all the way. 🎇 This tunnel is not only beautiful, but also very convenient. From Puxi to Pudong, it's a snap, and there is no need to squeeze on the ground, which saves a lot of time. The attitude of the staff is also very good, especially enthusiastic, and they will answer any questions, which adds a lot to the whole trip! 💯 And the price is also very reasonable, with a high cost-effectiveness. After a trip, not only did I cross the river easily, but I also gained a lot of novel experiences, which is definitely worth the fare! Next time I come to Shanghai, I will take it again! Highly recommended to all friends who come to the Magic City, you must come and experience it! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
The evaluation of the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel has shown a more polarized situation. The following are different aspects of the review: ### Negative evaluation 1. **There is a big gap with expectations**: many tourists originally thought that they could see underwater things like the underwater world, but they were actually just taking a small train in the dark tunnel, and they didn't see the imaginary river bottom fish and other scenes. 2. **Commercialized and expensive fare**: adult one-way tickets are 50 yuan/person, round-trip tickets are 70 yuan/person, most of the various preferential groups have no discounts, and the price is not high. Some tourists think that 50 yuan is a pity than throwing it away, and they feel that it is better to go to other entertainment places for a long time. 3. **Poor experience**: The patterns of various lights in the tunnel are difficult to identify, and the various themes and experiences promoted are actually just some LED lights, and the background music can't hear the characteristics. It is not interesting compared to the fantasy adventure train in the amusement park. Not even as good as the ordinary subway dynamic advertisement, which disrupts the modern urban experience in Shanghai. 4. **Staff service problem**: After some tourists left things on the sightseeing bus, the staff failed to solve the problem in a responsible attitude, causing dissatisfaction among tourists. ### Positive evaluation 1. **Convenient way to cross the river**: It is one of the river crossing methods from Pudong to Puxi. It is connected to the Bund and Pudong Lujiazui business district. For tourists who want to go to the Bund after visiting the Oriental Pearl Tower, or want to go to Pudong after visiting the Puxi Bund, they do not need to take a car to circle a large circle, which is convenient and distinctive. 2. **Featured experience**: Tourists can take a fully transparent sightseeing car to cross the Huangpu River in the tunnel of constant color change, just like time and space shuttle. The interior of the tunnel is created by high-tech means of various strange color transformations, with yellow starfish, pink flowers, geometric patterns of different shapes and various living earth creatures, etc. The sound effect is combined with the changes of the landscape in front of you. Create an immersive shock, for the first time tourists to Shanghai, especially with children to experience it will feel quite fresh and interesting, and it is suitable for taking pictures. 3. **Service staff has a good attitude**: some tourists mentioned that the management staff is very responsible, and they repeatedly answer the same questions to a large number of tourists every day, and they can maintain a good attitude. The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel is currently rated as 3.8 (5 out of 5). Whether it is worth visiting depends on personal interests and expectations. If you pursue a unique experience, take children to play or value its convenient transportation, you can feel it; but if you expect to see the river bottom landscape, be sensitive to fares or pursue a high-quality play experience, you may feel disappointed.
The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel is a controversial attraction, and tourists have mixed reviews about it. Some tourists think that the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel has its own unique features: - **Excellent location**: It connects the Lujiazui area in Pudong and the Bund area in Puxi, providing tourists with a unique way to cross the Huangpu River. On the way, you can feel the unique charm of the city of Shanghai, passing through the bustling commercial district, modern buildings and historic old neighborhoods, such as from the Bund in Puxi to Lujiazui in Pudong, you can enjoy different styles of scenery. - **Creative design**: The design of the sightseeing tunnel is full of creativity and technology. The inner wall of the tunnel has been specially treated, and the color changes with the intensity of the lighting, bringing a new visual experience. In addition, various high-tech equipment such as holographic projection and virtual reality are installed in the tunnel, which brings an immersive experience to tourists. It is interesting and more suitable for young people and children to play. In addition, it also has world-class transportation facilities and security systems to ensure the safety of tourists, so that tourists can enjoy the beautiful scenery with confidence. However, many tourists were disappointed with the attraction: - **Low cost-effectiveness**: The one-way ticket price of 50 yuan is relatively expensive, especially compared with the nearby ferries that can cross the river for 2 yuan. Tourists feel that what they see in the tunnel is mainly the lighting effects, rather than the expected river view or richer landscape, and it is not worth spending this fare. - **Old facilities**: Perhaps because it has been welcoming guests every day since its opening, it has not been updated and maintained in a timely manner. Some tourists reported that the lighting design is very old, some of them feel that the LED screen is broken, and some have no lighting design, and the overall hardware facilities are poor. - **Poor experience**: Some tourists think that the lighting effects inside are relatively rustic and do not meet the expected visual experience. Some even feel that "watching" the light tunnel is really just watching "light", that is, watching the colorful lights along the way, which is boring, and they feel regretful after playing. In general, if you are interested in novel lighting design and technological experience, and don’t care too much about the ticket price, you can go to the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel to experience it and feel its unique creativity; but if you expect to see richer river views or have higher requirements for cost-effectiveness, you may feel that this attraction does not meet your expectations, and you need to consider carefully when choosing whether to go there.
The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel is a cross-river tunnel connecting Huangpu District and Pudong New District in Shanghai, China. It is also the first cross-river pedestrian tunnel in China and one of the important tourist attractions in Shanghai. The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel was originally called the Huangpu River Pedestrian Tunnel. It is 646.7 meters long and 7.76 meters wide. Construction began in February 1998 and officially started operation on January 1, 2001. The tunnel adopts an arc-shaped design and is equipped with advanced ventilation and drainage systems. The inner wall of the tunnel is decorated with light and shadow effects of various colors, creating a dreamlike tour experience.
You can buy a one-way ticket or a return ticket for the Jacket Sightseeing Tunnel. For a one-way ticket, you can take it from Puxi to Pudong. You can also take it from Pudong to Puxi. There are relatively few people taking it from Pudong to Puxi. The small carriage has only 3 seats and can accommodate up to 13 people. Travel through the tunnel under the Huangpu River and watch the light show in the tunnel. There are 3 small exhibition halls that you can buy tickets to visit when you buy the tunnel ticket. The ticket of Aiwenyi comes with the Secret Space Hall. It uses lights and scenery to imitate the scene of the space station. If you buy your own ticket, it is not recommended to visit