Must-See Free Walking Routes and Landmarks in Shanghai

Must-See Free City Walk Route and Check-in Spots in Shanghai

If you're planning to visit Shanghai this summer, I highly recommend picking a cool day, slipping on some comfy shoes, and following this free city walk route I've put together. You'll really get to feel how vintage and modern this city is. There are so many photogenic spots in Shanghai, but this route is definitely the one I felt was most worth trying after exploring. No matter how you shoot it, it looks like a movie scene—no wonder people call it the "Magic City." Every brick, every street, every alley has this unique vibe that's just so captivating.

🗺️ My City Walk Route:

Here’s how to go: Wukang Building ➠ Intersection of Taiyuan Road and Yongjia Road ➠ Jing'an Temple ➠ Moller Villa ➠ Li He Huan Building ➠ Shamai Building ➠ Zhapu Road Bridge ➠ Shanghai Postal Museum ➠ Intersection of Dongchangzhi Road and Lushun Road ➠ North Bund Riverside Green Space ➠ Pudong Art Museum Viewing Platform

Since each stop isn't too far apart, you can veer into some alleys along the way to explore for more surprises. Generally, following this route, you can fill your day from morning till night.

Highlights to Check Out 👇

1. Wukang Building

Starting the route at Wukang Building is just perfect. It’s one of the classic photo spots in Shanghai. The building's a French Renaissance style old villa that looks super vintage in photos. Personally, I suggest standing across the street on a sunny day for a panoramic shot—the blue sky behind the building looks amazing. If it rains, try capturing reflections; it really gives off a cinematic vibe.

2. Intersection of Taiyuan Road and Yongjia Road

Next is one of my favorite hidden gems—the intersection of Taiyuan Road and Yongjia Road. It’s covered with vine plants that create a forest-like scene—it really feels like a mini "Wizard of Oz" castle. In summer, with sunlight filtering through the leaves, it looks especially dreamy; you can snap great shots with just your phone.

3. Jing'an Temple

This spot is definitely a classic symbol of Shanghai. The golden temple and the surrounding skyscrapers bring a strong "blend of ancient and modern" visual effect. I recommend finding a good angle for an "old meets new" close-up, especially at dusk when the sunlight is really beautiful.

4. Moller Villa

Moller Villa is absolutely a delightful surprise! Tucked away in the city, it has a romantic European castle feel. There's a rose garden nearby that adds a soft, delicate touch to the whole vibe. Peeking out the window, you can see the villa's pointed roof and garden views, and with a slightly blurred background, it feels like you've stepped into a European fairy tale.

5. Li He Huan Building

The architectural style of Li He Huan Building is super appealing. With its exposed red brick facade and symmetrical details, photos taken here look particularly high-end. If you shoot from across the street, you can capture the transparency of the windows, making for stunning photos, and this spot usually isn’t crowded, perfect for some quiet shots.

6. Shamai Building

Shamai Building is also one of the stunning highlights on this route! Standing at the window on the seventh floor, you can easily overlook a stretch of old villas in Puxi, providing a wide view with vibrant color contrast. Missing out on this amazing window view would be such a shame! Just remember to check the building rules beforehand.

7. Zhapu Road Bridge

A lot of people call Zhapu Road Bridge "Wizard Bridge," mainly because of its great location and view. Just standing up there, whether you're taking landscape shots, capturing passersby, or snapping selfies, the visuals are absolutely stunning and perfect for showcasing the modern life behind the city.

8. Shanghai Postal Museum

Shanghai Postal Museum is not only a cultural landmark, but the architecture itself is amazing, especially with its super popular photo spot called "The Gate of Shanghai." It does have time restrictions, so it's best to check ahead; you don't want to miss out.

9. Intersection of Dongchangzhi Road and Lushun Road

I think the highlight of this spot is that you can capture the "Magic City Quartet" (the iconic four skyscrapers all in one shot)! Paired with the surrounding lights at night, the photos turn out incredibly striking. Plus, this angle isn't very popular, so you won’t have to worry about crowds messing up your shots.

10. North Bund Riverside Green Space

The Guokecenter here looks like a "mini egg," full of design flair. There are also spots where you can access the green space, especially recommending the second floor platform, which offers a drone-like view. The verdant scenery during the day and the city lights in the evening, combined with the reflections in the river, offer picturesque moments worth capturing.

11. Pudong Art Museum Viewing Platform

Wrapping up with the Pudong Art Museum Viewing Platform is a perfect way to end the whole route. From here, you can capture the Bund's night view across the river all at once. Once the lights come on at night, it totally elevates the ambiance, making you feel embraced by the city—it washes away all the fatigue from the day.

Recommended Tips Summary

If you plan to follow this route, try this schedule:

Finishing this route left me thinking: it's amazing how walking through a city can feel like being in a movie.