18 Photos Worth Flying to Shanghai For (+ Weekend Route)
A photographer's weekend in Shanghai — 18 jaw-dropping shots across old lanes, Art Deco landmarks, and the neon-lit Pudong skyline, with a ready-to-copy 2-day route.
📸 The 18 Photo Spots
P1 — Waibaidu Bridge × Pudong Skyline
The century-old iron bridge framing Pudong's futuristic towers. Old meets new in one frame.
📍 Navigate to: 乍浦路桥 Zhapu Road Bridge
P2 — Jing'an Temple 静安寺
A golden Buddhist temple glowing amid skyscrapers. Shot from the overhead footbridge for a dramatic top-down angle.
📍 Navigate to: 静安寺-天桥拍寺庙打卡位
P3 — Wukang Road 武康路
Shanghai's most Instagrammable lane — plane trees, Art Deco balconies, and European charm.
📍 Navigate to: 罗密欧阳台 Romeo Balcony, Wukang Rd.
P4 — Lujiazui Night Skyline 陆家嘴夜景
The full Pudong skyline reflecting on the Huangpu River. Breathtaking after sunset.
📍 Navigate to: 上海世界会客厅 Shanghai World Parlor
P5 — The Pudong Trio 浦东三件套
Shanghai Tower, World Financial Center, and Jin Mao Tower in one epic frame.
📍 Navigate to: 网红打卡拍照处 (near Lujiazui)
P6 — Wukang Mansion 武康大楼
Shanghai's iconic flatiron building — a 1924 Art Deco gem at the intersection of five streets.
📍 Navigate to: 武康大楼 Wukang Mansion
P7 — Xujiahui Library 徐家汇书院
A stunning modern library built around a historic church. Architecture lovers, don't miss this.
📍 Navigate to: 徐家汇书院 Xujiahui Library
P8 — Pudong Trio (Alternate Angle) 浦东三件套
Same three towers, completely different mood — shot from Zhapu Road Bridge with Suzhou Creek in the foreground.
📍 Navigate to: 乍浦路桥 Zhapu Road Bridge
P9 — The Bund 外滩
Shanghai's legendary waterfront. The colonial-era buildings lit up at night are pure magic.
📍 Navigate to: 金陵东路渡口 Jinling East Road Ferry
P10 — Xujiahui Cathedral × Modern Skyline
Gothic cathedral spires framed by the Xujiahui Center skyscraper — shot from the Xujiahui Library 2F terrace.
📍 Navigate to: 徐家汇书院2楼露台 Xujiahui Library 2F Terrace
P11 — Tushanwan Museum 土山湾博物馆
A hidden gem — the museum's treasure is the "Chinese Archway" (中国牌楼), an extraordinary carved wooden structure.
📍 Navigate to: 土山湾博物馆 Tushanwan Museum
P12 — Korean Provisional Government 大韩民国临时政府旧址
A piece of Korean independence history preserved in a Shanghai lane house. A moving, quiet visit.
📍 Navigate to: 大韩民国临时政府旧址 Ma Dang Road
P13 — People's Park 人民公园
The green heart of Shanghai — find the tree-branch island for a serene nature shot amid the urban jungle.
📍 Navigate to: 人民公园 People's Park
P14 — Nanjing East Road 南京东路
China's busiest shopping street — neon signs, vintage department stores, and a sea of people.
📍 Navigate to: 南京东路步行街 Nanjing Rd. Pedestrian St.
P15 — Soong Ching-ling's Residence Garden 宋庆龄故居
The tranquil back garden of the former First Lady's home — a peaceful escape in the French Concession.
📍 Navigate to: 上海宋庆龄故居纪念馆
P16 — Yu Garden Stage 豫园打唱台
A 400-year-old classical Chinese garden — the ornate opera stage over the pond is quintessential old Shanghai.
📍 Navigate to: 豫园 Yu Garden
P17 — Metro City 美罗城
The giant glass sphere of Metro City — a futuristic landmark near Xujiahui.
📍 Navigate to: 美罗城 Metro City, Xujiahui
P18 — Shanghai Postal Museum 上海邮政博物馆
A grand Baroque postal building on Suzhou Creek. The rooftop terrace offers a unique angle on the Bund.
📍 Navigate to: 外白渡桥 Waibaidu Bridge (the museum is right next to it)
🗓 2-Day Weekend Route
Day 1: French Concession → Xujiahui → The Bund
Day 1 Route
Wukang Road Walk 武康路漫步
Wukang Mansion → Italian Consulate → Huang Xing's Residence → Zhou Xuan's Residence → Ba Jin's Former Residence → Romeo Balcony → Anfu Road → Wuyuan Road → Fuxing West Road → Yongfu Road → Hunan Road → Soong Ching-ling's Residence
Xujiahui Cultural Quarter 徐家汇文化区
Xujiahui Cathedral (open Tue-Fri) → Xujiahui Library (2F terrace for skyline shot!) → Xu Guangqi Memorial → Tushanwan Museum → Metro to Jing'an Temple
The Bund Night Walk 外滩夜景
Walk along the Bund waterfront and enjoy the Pudong skyline lit up at night. Cross to Jinling East Road Ferry for the best angles.
Day 2: Museums → Old Town → North Bund
Day 2 Route
People's Square Museums 人民广场
Shanghai Museum (People's Square) → Walk to Xintiandi → CPC First National Congress Site → Korean Provisional Government
Old Town & Pudong Views 豫园+浦东
Yu Garden & City God Temple → Cross to Pudong for the Trio shot → Zhapu Road Bridge → Waibaidu Bridge
Depart 返程
Head to Hongqiao or Pudong Airport. Perfect loop — no backtracking!
🗺️ This guide is part of the Shanghai Map Pack
Get the offline map with GPS-calibrated pins for all locations in this guide — plus 6 more map layers including food, CityWalk routes, and survival essentials.
