10 Things to Do in Shanghai with Kids

Though primarily a cosmopolitan business city full of east-meets-west, there’s plenty to do in Shanghai with kids . In a matter of three full days in the city, my 7-year-old and I managed to do nine out of ten of these activities while allowing for plenty of time for swimming and lounging at family-friendly Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai at Pudong .

Table of Contents

1. Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

The Shanghai Ocean Aquarium has the world’s longest underwater tunnel and is the only aquarium in the world with a section dedicated to endangered Chinese marine life. With two impressive local aquariums in San Diego and having just been to San Francisco’s Aquarium of the Bay, I found that this aquarium had much bigger, exotic-looking fish. A lot of the marine life hails from faraway places like the Nile, China and Australia whereas I suspect our aquariums contain mostly fish from closer to home.

The aquarium is split into three sections that you may not revisit so be sure to enjoy each thoroughly as you go. I appreciated that the conservation message is quite strong, including discouraging shark fin soup, a Chinese delicacy.

Located in Pudong, the aquarium is just steps away from the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel, Huangpu Riverside Promenade, Super Brand Mall, Yang’s Fry Dumpling and the Oriental Pearl Tower. Spend about an hour in the aquarium and then head out to see one of these other sights.

2. People’s Park

Though there’s shopping and restaurants around People’s Park, if kids are feeling fidgety People’s Park is a great place for them to run around. There are a few concession stands and amusement park rides. Shanghai Art Museum and MOCA Shanghai are located here, too, and during our stay MOCA Shanghai was running a kid-friendly exhibit. Check their websites for details.

The park is easily accessible by metro to People’s Park station though I found the exits a bit confusing. We walked down in to the station area below street level and stumbled upon a number of small shops.

3. Lujiazui Central Green

For those staying in Pudong at perhaps the Park Hyatt, Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai, Pudong or The Ritz-Carlton, Lujiazui Central Green is an extremely pleasant place to take a stroll. A lake in the shape of Pudong is outlined by a path in the shape of a magnolia, the official flower of Shanghai. It’s certainly an oasis in the middle of skyscrapers galore and during the time of our visit an art exhibition featuring colorful horses surrounded the lake. Sculptures dot the park and water jets spray upward in the middle of the lake, though they weren’t on when we were there. Kids can run pretty freely here.

4. Century Park

The sizable (almost 350 acres) Century Park in Pudong is home to a lake where fishing is allowed, a children’s recreational area, trails to run, a small beach area, outdoor music theater, trees, ponds, pretty landscaping and more. This is the one place we didn’t make it to, but certainly will next time.

5. Bund Sightseeing Tunnel

This gets a bad rap among locals and shouldn’t be number one on your sightseeing list, however, my almost 7-year-old thought it was awesome. Instead of taking a taxi through a tunnel, why not board a people mover that will transport you under the Huangpu River directly to the Bund through psychedelic light displays.

It takes about 5 minutes or so and costs 170 RMB round trip. The good news is that it opens at 8:00am, should you need something to do with jet lagged kids or early risers. I should warn you that amusement park-like games await on the Bund side. My daughter attempted to grab a stuffed animal with a claw (or whatever that game is called and became so frustrated that we had to basically go back to the hotel). Run straight through that section because you’ll just lose a ton of money otherwise.

Truthfully, you’re going to think the Bund is way cooler than they will. But, with the Pudong skylines as the backdrop (as seen in the top photo), it’s the perfect place to take pictures.

6. Oriental Pearl Tower

Lovingly referred to as “the shot” by my daughter due to its resemblance to a syringe, the Oriental Pearl Tower is basically what defines the Pudong skyline. Built in 1995, it’s the third tallest TV and radio tower in the world. There’s an observation deck and even a revolving restaurant. If you’ve visited the observation deck at the Shanghai World Financial Center, you can probably skip this one. Check out the history museum at the base and snap some photos.

Tip: Between the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is a Yang’s Fry Dumpling, a local favorite for Shanghainese sheng jian bao dumplings. They’re just 4 for 6 RMB!

7. Super Brand Mall

A shopping mall? Well, yes, there’s an H&M with a kids department, Toys R Us and plenty of quick eats inside including a branch of Din Tai Fun, famous for xiao long bao dumplings. Tom’s Arcade has games for the older kids and there’s even an ice skating rink inside (though we didn’t see it this time). Super Brand Mall is just steps from the Oriental Pearl Tower and IFC mall, where luxe shopping in Pudong awaits.

8. Yu Yuan Garden

Unless your child is in a stroller or a teen, avoid Yu Garden (also called Yu Yuan Garden) on Sundays if possible. Because so many snack shops in the area are local favorites, so crowded, that it might be a little nerve-wracking. However, even kids will love shopping for touristy trinkets here. Buy them a name chop or other random souvenirs. I scored my daughter a bunch of cute headbands for 2 RMB (about 30 cents US) each.

Nanxiang Dumplings is the place to eat for xiao long bao dumplings. The wait can take up to an hour.

Yu Garden is a classic Chinese garden that was built during the Ming Dynasty by an government officer as a gift for his parents. It’s about 5 acres in size with a number of koi ponds, bridges, elaborate rockeries and pavilions. There’s a gingko tree in the garden rumored to be planted by the first owner of the garden, about 400 years ago.

9. Shanghai World Financial Center Observation Deck

The Shanghai World Financial Center in Pudong looks like a bottle opener (pictured below) and has several observation decks. A ticket to the 100th floor observation deck, Sky Walk 100, provides entry to the Sky Walk 97 and Sky Arena 94. Kids will think that the in-floor windows of Sky Walk 100 are really cool. I admit to being nervous to step on them, though that’s me above and Lujiazui Central Green 100 stories below me.

The view is tremendous though visibility was limited during our visit due to the threat of rain, but I’m still glad we went. I’ve heard that it’s spectacular at night, too.

10. Shanghai Acrobats: ERA-Intersection of Time

It took about 45 minutes from Pudong to reach Shanghai Circus World to see ERA-Intersection of Time. but it was well worth it. No photography was allowed but I completely understand how one accidental flash could seriously put the acrobats in jeopardy. The skills were amazing, from balancing huge jars on a nose to stacking glassware on heads that was flipped into place by kicking it… I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s a multimedia performance set to music and you don’t have to speak Mandarin to enjoy it.

A number of vendors outside Shanghai Circus World sell glow sticks and the like. I wish I’d have purchased more of these cheap and cheerful goods. We scored a pretty cool wand and headband for 20 RMB (about $3.25 USD). Concessions are sold inside as well.

Tip: I’m very glad we chose to hire a driver from the hotel. Sitting in taxis with drivers that were lead-footed and quick to brake, caused my daughter to become a little bit car sick. Also, I texted the driver when the show was over and he met us in the exact same spot. Finding a taxi looked a little bit difficult (though probably not impossible), with so many people needing one at once.

Shanghai Disneyland

When Shanghai Disneyland opens in 2015, this surely will be added to the list. Its home is in Pudong though note that it probably will take about 45 minutes to an hour to reach from the Lujiazui area in Pudong, where most of the luxury hotels are. If you were staying on the other side of the river, it would take even longer. I believe a metro stop is being discussed and that hotels are planning to operate shuttles, but the opening is still so far in advance that nothing is set in stone yet.

Family-Friendly Shanghai Hotels

Shanghai involved a decent amount of walking so we split the day into half-sightseeing and half lounging at the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai at Pudong. Between fantastic food, kid-friendly amenities and one of the best hotel pools ever, it proved to be a win-win strategy. I booked a babysitter to explore Xintiandi and Nanjing Road, which I highly recommend if shopping is your thing.

Final Thoughts About Shanghai with Kids

To be honest, I found Shanghai an easy city to visit with kids though we were relied heavily on our hotel to coordinate itineraries and drive us around. Our April visit meant weather cooperated as did the air quality which, truthfully, can be an issue. My daughter speaks a touch of Mandarin but we didn’t find language to be an issue. Everyone we came into contact with from taxi drivers to hotel staff were extremely helpful and courteous. Note that taxis do not have seat belts. I’m positive that we will return soon.

Also, see my post about taking a China high speed train if you’re exploring more than one city.

Is there anything you like to do in Shanghai with kids that is missing from this list?

Photo credit: Century Park, Flickr/lostseouls

September 22, 2016 at 7:34 pm — Reply

I think it depends on where else in the region you’re going, how much time you have and what time of year. Shanghai is quite cold in winter whereas Hong Kong is cold but not unbearable, to give you an idea. They’re both fantastic cities. If you’re planning on Disneyland, Hong Kong’s is smaller and probably less hectic at the moment but Shanghai (from what I’ve been told) has more to offer. I feel that Shanghai restaurants are less expensive than Hong Kong. My daughter loves Shanghai so we’ll be there again in the spring.

September 23, 2016 at 4:15 am — Reply

My family and I are planning to go during the last week of October which is the start of autumn. We are still deciding though whether Shanghai or Hong Kong. Could I ask What is the status in Disneyland Shanghai. Because from what I have research, the demand is still high and most of the times rides are shut down which causes some havoc.

November 2, 2016 at 1:49 am — Reply

Hong Kong is my pick if you haven’t been to either. It has everything including great beaches, theme parks, shopping, food, traditional culture, awe-inspiring cityscapes and western comforts for when the experience could get too much for the kids.

April 24, 2014 at 7:36 pm — Reply