Ways to Beat the Crowds in Shanghai

With a population of 20 million, Shanghai is generally teeming with people. However, there are ways to escape the crowds. Here’s how to get off-the-beaten-path in Shanghai.

Plan Ahead

Pre-booking your passes to popular Shanghai attractions saves you time and money. Skip-the-line admission tickets can cut down wait times at favorites such as the Oriental Pearl TV Tower by a couple of hours. VIP packages are another great option; enjoy more space with VIP access to a separate level on the Huangpu River cruise.

Go Off the Beaten Path

Escape the crowds by going to lesser-known attractions such as the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center, the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, or the Zotter Chocolate Theater. Or,  head out of central Shanghai and visit local areas such as Jiading or Chongming Island.

Choose Transportation Wisely

Most of central Shanghai’s top attractions are close to each other, meaning that walking is sometimes the quickest way to get from the Bund to Nanjing Road to People’s Square. Bicycles also let you beat the crush of public transport during rush hour.

Get in Touch With Nature

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city at pubic parks such as Fuxing Park, Jing’an Park, or Century Park. Although popular with locals as well, these parks offer more space to move around than elsewhere in the city.

Visit During Off Peak Times

Time your visit to Shanghai to avoid the weeklong Chinese National holidays in May and October. Chinese New Year is also best avoided. Visit popular sites, such as the Bund, first thing in the morning, when you can observe locals practicing tai chi and other exercises. Nighttime, when crowds generally disperse, is another great time to explore the city.