The El Camino Travel Guide to Shanghai, China
Written by Kayla Doris
Welcome to Shanghai—one of the biggest cities in the world. Home to more than 24 million people, it’s often referred to as Modu—the “Magic City.” You only need to witness its speed and scale to understand why. Long known as China’s most international city, what sets Shanghai apart is the blend of cultures layered into its fabric. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the city drew residents from across China and around the world, leaving behind a legacy of architecture unlike anywhere else. Shanghai became one of the world’s great centers of Art Deco, but it didn’t just borrow the style. Local architects created what’s now known as Chinese Deco, blending the sharp lines and bold geometry of the movement with Chinese roofs, patterns, and characters. Walk through central Shanghai today and you’ll see that fusion everywhere, alongside glass towers piercing the skyline, over 8000 cafés fueling daily life, and a creative scene that keeps Shanghai firmly on the global map.
While its scale is exciting, visitors may be surprised to discover there is an intimacy to the city too, found in the leafy lilongs of the Former French Concession, in heritage buildings reimagined as cafés or galleries, and along riverside walks where locals gather away from the crowds. As ever, we think it’s best to hear about what makes the city special from the people who deeply know it, such as fourth-gen Shanghainese travel writer Laura Zhang. “I feel like Shanghai has a never-ending list of things to explore. The food is absolutely phenomenal, and the city itself holds a lot of beautiful contrasts. It’s both cosmopolitan and intimate at the same time. One day you’re going up to the 118th floor of the Shanghai Tower, and the next you’re watching aunties dance in People’s Park.”
Ready to see both sides of the city? We’ve collaborated with travel writer and Golden Hour author, Laura Zhang, and Time Out Shanghai Editor, Sammi Sowerby, to curate an insider’s guide to eating, drinking, and sightseeing your way through Magic City.
Eat
Enjoy lunch at Yaya’s, a neighborhood pasta bar in Jing’an that rolls out fresh pasta daily, but with a twist. Sauces are infused with Chinese ingredients like Sichuan pepper and fermented chili, and dishes include the likes of Mapo Tofu Lasagna or Splash Chili with Confit Egg Yolk. The setting is cozy and low-key with an open bar counter that makes it perfect for casual dining. If you fancy continuing your date after you’ve finished eating, head next door to the natural wine bar, Vino’s.
Also included in the guide:
Where travel writer, Laura Zhang, recommends for authentic and delicious classic Shanghainese dishes
A quietly beloved and unpretentious Sichuan noodle shop
The dinner destination that feels like stepping into a Wong Kar Wai film set
Image credit: Penicillin
Stay
If you want contemporary luxury with a strong sense of place, check into The Middle House, a design-forward retreat that feels intimate and cosmopolitan. Set in the Jing’an District, the interiors are sleek and pared-back—think neutral palettes, dark woods, and sculptural lighting—yet warmed with Chinese touches like ceramic vases, carved screens, and locally inspired textiles. Beyond the rooms, you’ll find a serene indoor pool, a spa that blends traditional Chinese medicine with modern treatments, and three standout restaurants, including Sui Tang Li for contemporary Chinese dining. It’s the kind of hotel where mornings start with coffee on your private balcony and evenings end with cocktails in the courtyard.
Also included in the guide:
The boutique serviced apartments where industrial-minimalist meets homey comfort
A minimalist haven with sleek rooms, an indoor pool, and several dining options
The luxury stay that travel writer Laura Zhang describes as being “far from cookie cutter”
Image credit: Yaya’s,
Drink
Spend an evening in an innovative cocktail lab that feels like a blend of science and mixology. Penicillin is Shanghai’s new playground for cocktail lovers. Sleek concrete and steel mix with suspended tree trunks, and drinks are crafted in distillers and fermenters behind a glass-walled lab. As to be expected, the drinks are experimental using ingredients like fermented wild rice, “ugly” strawberries, or chive cordial. Try the Hot, Flat and Crowded—mango-custard gin, grilled red cabbage cream soda, unsalted burnt butter, and Vitamin C supplement. Doors open at 5 pm, and admission is on a walk-in basis only.
Also included in the guide:
A coffee concept that stands out in a city of 8000 cafes for its premium approach to serving caffeine
Image credit: The Middle House
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