What to do in Shanghai at night? 21+ top activities & best things to do in Shanghai at night

Shanghai – China’s largest city is always bustling and never sleeps. When night falls, the city puts on a new, more sparkling and magical outfit than ever. The bright neon lights, the shining skyscrapers, the vibrant music from the bars, clubs… all create a lively, vibrant and bustling atmosphere. So, where to go and what to do in Shanghai at night? Let’s check out our Shanghai nightlife guide with the suggested the list of 21+ best things to do in Shanghai at night below!

Shanghai – the leading large city in China is bustling both day and night. The nightlife in Shanghai, besides being gentle and colorful, is also crowded and bustling like during the day. This place deserves the title of China’s leading “city that never sleeps”. Let’s find out what the nightlife in this city is like!

Stroll along the Pudong River (#best things to do in Shanghai at night)

One of the best things to do in Shanghai at night you should do when coming to Shanghai is to visit the Pudong River at night. Every evening, when the lights are lit up on the bustling streets, the Pudong River is also brightly lit. Opposite the riverbank are buildings associated with history, dating back to the colonial period, creating an ancient charm for this place.

In contrast to the ancient landscape, on the other side of the river are modern, skyscrapers, high-rise buildings. In particular, when coming here, visitors will admire the Oriental Pearl TV Tower – a colorful “stage” of lights.

In addition, on the river are boats, cruises that are also lit up, creating an impressive scene. Walking along the Pudong Riverbank is a popular activity that any visitor to Shanghai should experience. You will admire a bustling and ancient Shanghai at night.

Explore Xintiandi

If you are looking for an attractive place to explore Shanghai at night, Xintiandi is definitely the ideal choice. Especially for those who come to this city for the first time, Xintiandi offers a safe and rich experience of Shanghai’s night culture.

There is also another neighborhood that attracts many people to come here at night, which is Xintiandi. If this is your first time in Shanghai, going to Xintiandi at night to enjoy the nightlife in this neighborhood will be much safer than other neighborhoods.

When you step into Xintiandi, you will immediately be attracted by the unique blend of the ancient beauty of Shanghai in the 1920s and the modern lifestyle of the 21st century. This area is notable for its fashion stores located in buildings with typical Shikumen architecture, creating a space that is both nostalgic and modern.

Visitors to Xintiandi have always been full of praise for this place. They are especially impressed by the creative development and the presence of many bars in the area. It is interesting to see how Xintiandi has transformed into a Westernized high-end commercial area while still retaining the classic features of old Shanghai.

Each building here is designed with modern interiors, serving as international galleries, fashion stores, themed restaurants, cafes and bars. Xintiandi is not only lively during the day but also becomes bustling at night. The bars here are where young people gather, share about work and life, helping them relieve daily pressure.

The increasing presence of designer stores and luxury fashion department stores has further enhanced the appeal of Xintiandi. Regardless of day or night, Xintiandi is always bright and vibrant but still retains an unusually peaceful look. This makes Xintiandi one of the most exciting destinations to explore Shanghai’s nightlife.

Huangpu River Cruise

When mentioning Shanghai, it is impossible not to mention the symbol of this place – the Huangpu River. This river is responsible for dividing Shanghai into two areas: East Bank (Pudong) and West Bank (Puxi).

Huangpu River Cruise is an unforgettable experience when you can admire the beauty of Shanghai from both sides of the river. With more than 30 types of boats serving tourists, you can choose a boat that suits your preferences. From luxury boats, classic dragon boats of the Ming and Qing dynasties, Shikumen-style boats typical of ancient Shanghai to pirate-style boats, each type of boat brings a unique experience.

If you want to see Shanghai at night through the lights in the most comprehensive way, then taking a boat along the Huangpu River is considered the best choice for you. There are many journeys from short to long for you to choose from. The minimum time for the journey is 30 minutes and the maximum time for you to visit the city on the river lasts up to 3 hours.

The ticket price for a cruise is also very diverse, suitable for all budgets. The popular trips cost from 20 CNY, while the more luxurious trips can range from 128-188 CNY. No matter which type of boat you choose, the Shanghai night scene still appears before your eyes with its quiet and elegant beauty, making you unforgettable.

Here, there are more than 30 types of tourist boats. Including very luxurious boats, ancient dragon boats in the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties, Shikum-style boats of old Shanghai, pirate-style boats, … and many other types of boats with different styles. Depending on the needs and preferences of each individual, you can choose a suitable boat for yourself. Each of these budget sightseeing trips costs from 20 CNY and from 128-188 CNY for a luxury trip. However, no matter which type of boat you take, you will see the wonderful night view of the city, very quiet and elegant. This will be imprinted in your memory and make you want to visit Shanghai next time.

During the journey, you will surely be surprised to see the contrasting beauty between the classic European-style buildings contrasting with the modern skyscrapers built on both sides of the Huangpu River.

The Bund

When night falls, the Bund and the Huangpu River become more brilliant and magical than ever. The classic and modern buildings along the river are lit up by colorful lights, creating a sparkling and enchanting picture. The lights reflecting on the Huangpu River are always a beautiful sight that is hard to forget.

The Bund is not only famous for its beautiful scenery but also for its luxurious bars with great views of the Huangpu River. Bars like Bar Rouge, famous for its French-Shanghai style, or Mint, with its shark tank right at the entrance, are all must-visit destinations. However, prepare a suitable budget because the prices here are quite expensive but worth the great night experience you get.

Watch the circus (#What to do in Shanghai at night)

If you want to change the peaceful, relaxing atmosphere in the evening in Shanghai, visit the circus – an extremely famous entertainment activity for tourists.

Coming to the circus performance, you will enjoy extremely unique acrobatics. These acrobatics take place everywhere such as Shanghai Circus World, Shanghai Grand Theatre, Shanghai Centre Theatre.

In addition to unique acrobatics, visitors can also watch familiar circus acts such as juggling, cycling in the air, balancing, etc. These are extremely familiar activities but promise to bring visitors an interesting evening in Shanghai.

Shopping

Nanjing Road

If you ask about the busiest street in Shanghai, the locals will definitely tell you about Nanjing Road. Nanjing Road is a good shopping paradise for your trip like Fifth Avenue in New York and Avenue des Champs-Elysées in Paris. With a length of more than 5km and attracting about 1,700 visitors every day, this is a destination that any visitor should visit when coming to Shanghai. The road is divided into Nanjing West Road and Nanjing East Road. Nanjing East Road is mainly for cheap goods and tourist products; while West Nanjing Road is considered the most luxurious fashion commercial area in Shanghai and is suitable for luxury and high-end customers.

When talking about Shanghai at night, you cannot miss Nanjing Road – a shopping paradise similar to Fifth Avenue in New York or Champs-Elysées in Paris. With a length of more than 5km and attracting about hundreds of thousands of visitors every day, Nanjing Road is an indispensable destination for anyone coming to Shanghai.

Nanjing Road is divided into two parts: Nanjing West Road and Nanjing East Road. Nanjing East Road is famous for cheap goods and tourist products, while Nanjing West Road is a high-end fashion commercial area, serving luxury consumers.

When night falls, Nanjing Road puts on a colorful cloak of lights from tall buildings. This place becomes busier than ever with the appearance of tourists and residents with shopping needs. Coming to Nanjing Road, you will be immersed in the hustle and bustle of a bustling, urban Shanghai.

To get to Nanjing Road, you can choose the subway, go through People’s Square and then walk to Nanjing Road. Remember to bring a camera or phone to capture wonderful moments in the eye-catching neon lights.

This place is always crowded at night and has many interesting things. You will find shops that have been around for decades, as well as high-end and modern restaurants and shopping malls. The musical fountain at Century Square makes this shopping district much more bustling and lively. Visitors can shop, enjoy traditional dishes and even visit bars to experience. Nanjing is a street where visitors can find activities in all fields.

Xujiahui Shopping District (#best things to do in Shanghai at night)

• Location: In the southwest of Shanghai
• Main items: electronics, clothing and accessories

Xujiahui has become one of the four largest shopping destinations in Shanghai, China. Easily accessible via Metro Line 1 (Xujiahui Station), Xujiahui is famous for its electronics, with two major electronics shopping malls – Metro City and TaipingYang Suma Plaza. It is one of the biggest places for people to get electronics, from cameras to PSPs to XBoxes and modchips for those XBoxes as well as other game consoles.

Yuyuan Market

• Location: Next to Yuyuan Garden
• Main items: handicrafts, souvenirs

Shops in Yuyuan Garden sell a wide variety of items including chopsticks, traditional Chinese medicine, walking sticks, fans, silk umbrellas, rattan furniture, goldfish, pottery, etc. Part of the market has also been converted into an indoor shopping mall.

Shanghai New Shopping Mall

• Address: Pudong District, Lujiazui Financial and Commercial District
• Mainly: International Brands

New Shanghai has a huge number of retail outlets offering everything from Chinese-made goods to international brands. Boasting the best facilities, the area offers an unparalleled shopping experience, with some of the best brands setting up shop in this area. From homewares to electronics, you can be sure that New Shanghai has it all.

Enjoy the nightlife activities

When you come to Shanghai at night and encounter unfavorable weather such as rain, don’t worry, this city still has a lot of interesting activities for you to enjoy. Below, we would like to suggest some indoor activities for you at night.

First, visit the cinemas. UME International Cineplex located near Xintiandi subway station is a great choice. Ticket prices here range from 100 CNY for regular tickets and 110 CNY for 3D tickets.

In addition, you can go to Wanda International Cinema, which has a modern IMAX theater. Ticket prices here are around 70 CNY for regular tickets and 120 CNY for IMAX tickets. Both cinemas offer a wide selection of movies in English and Chinese, ensuring you have great entertainment.

If you want to exercise and have fun with friends, try bowling. Bowling Club is a great place with a special program every Wednesday for women only, priced at 200 CNY for 2 hours of play, up to 4 people at a time. Pine City Hotel also has a bowling alley, with prices ranging from 8 CNY to 15 CNY depending on the time of day.

For those who are passionate about speed, indoor racing tracks are the perfect choice. Stampede on Cenguang Lu and Disc Cart Karting on Zaoyang Lu are two famous places. These tracks offer a safe and exciting driving experience, especially suitable for rainy days.

Chill at Shanghai’s most famous bars

Bars and clubs are the most typical nightlife activities in Shanghai. After a tiring day of sightseeing, you can relax with comfortable music and find a drink. Here are some famous bars and clubs in Shanghai for you to explore.

Xintiandi bars (#What to do in Shanghai at night)

Xintiandi is the name used to refer to the place with old Shikum stone houses. There are many restaurants, bars as well as Western pubs. When the sun sets, the lights are all over the place, Xintiandi bar becomes special and attractive.

You will be surprised if you have the opportunity to visit Xintiandi bars. The bar is a perfect convergence of cultures from all countries. Here you can also enjoy a food and drink festival, in addition, you can meet many people from all over the country at Xintiandi bars.

Shanghai at night is a lively picture with many entertainment activities, especially bars and clubs. After a long day of exploring the city, you can relax by enjoying music and drinks at the following places.

JiuZhongTian JiuLang

• Address: Jin Mao Tower, 88 Century Boulevard, Shanghai, China

Considered the highest bar in the world, JiuZhongTian JiuLang is located on the 87th floor of Jin Mao Tower, 330 meters above ground. With floor-to-ceiling windows, you can enjoy the beautiful view of Shanghai at night. This is an ideal place to relax, chat and date with a quiet space and soft music.

Sitting by the glass window when the lights are on, you can enjoy the wonderful view of the Bund. Unlike other noisy bars, there is often some soft music playing here, making it a suitable place for chatting and dating.

X Club (Zhaojiabang Lu)

• Address: 366 Zhaojiabang Lu, near Xiangyang Nan Lu, Shanghai

X-CLUB is the best themed bar in Shanghai. This is the first Laser Strike themed bar in Shanghai, even in China. It creatively combines Live CS game with bar and attracts a lot of attention from young people. It has the largest indoor CS battlefield in Shanghai, and all the equipment and weapons for CS are imported from Australia. The decoration of X-Club is for fanboys. It also provides billiards, table tennis and other table games for you to enjoy your time here. Here, the wine and snacks and desserts are also delicious and worth a try.

X-Club is the first Laser Strike themed bar in Shanghai and China, creatively combining Live CS game and bar. With the largest indoor CS battlefield in Shanghai and equipment imported from Australia, it is a favorite destination for young people.

California Club

• Address: Inside Fuxing Park, 2 Gao Lan Road, Shanghai

The most prominent feature of California Club is red. The club is decorated with red high chairs, red sofas, red cushions to lean on and red lights. Most of the customers here are foreigners. If you come early, you can sit on the sofa happily, drink and chat with friends. The club is most crowded around 11 o’clock. The comfortable environment and great music are the reasons why people come here. The music here is usually Hip-hop.

California Club stands out with the main color red, from high chairs, sofas to decorative lights. This is a familiar destination for many foreigners. The comfortable space and Hip-hop music create a vibrant atmosphere, especially around 11 o’clock at night.

Baby Face

• Address: Unit 101, Shanghai Square, #138, Huaihai Zhong Road, Shanghai

Baby Face’s decor is quite unique and special. The club has a courtyard, an open bar, and a fountain. The flashing lights, sipping a glass of whisky with friends make Baby Face an unforgettable experience. Baby Face is a club that every Chinese youth knows and sometimes it feels like every Chinese youth goes there. This is the best place to see how the Chinese people explode big night out.

Baby Face is famous for its unique decor and courtyard, an open bar, and a fountain. This is the perfect place to sip a glass of whisky and enjoy the bustling atmosphere. Baby Face is a popular destination among Chinese youth, where you can witness vibrant parties.

Cotton Club

• Address: 1428 Huaihai Zhong Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai

Cotton Club is the oldest and most famous Jazz club in Shanghai with many posters of Jazz masters such as Billy Holiday and John Coltrane. The live Jazz performance here is always highly appreciated, with the band members mainly coming from America. At Cotton Club, you can relax and enjoy an authentic Jazz music party.

Cotton Club is said to be the oldest and most famous Jazz club in Shanghai. You can find many posters of Jazz masters, such as Billy Holiday, John Coltrane jazz, etc.

The live Jazz performance at Cotton Club is highly appreciated by guests. Most of the band members are from America and their practice and rehearsal process before the performance is very strict. Here, you can relax with an auditory feast of Jazz music and drinks.

Viewing Shanghai from above

Shanghai is the most bustling and modern city in China. But few people know that, when viewed from above, this city is strangely peaceful. If you want to see Shanghai from a different perspective, go to the Shanghai World Financial Center. This will be the best place for visitors to see Shanghai at night.

The World Financial Center currently has three observation decks on the 94th, 97th and 100th floors. Of which, the 100th floor is always the most attractive place for visitors. There is a 55-meter long gallery with a glass walkway, you will feel like you are walking in the air and can comfortably admire the panoramic view below. This activity will bring you unforgettable and interesting feelings.

Explore the alleys of Tianzifang

Tianzifang is an ideal destination for tourists who love classical beauty. Tianzifang is hidden in the former French Concession, this is the only place that still has traditional Shikum houses and small alleys.

Visiting Tianzifang, you will feel like you are lost in a small maze with many gift shops, clothing stores and handicraft stalls. In contrast to the hustle and bustle of Shanghai, Tianzifang offers visitors peace and slowness when wandering through the alleys to admire the classical beauty of this place.

Enjoy local dishes at City God Temple

City God Temple is the name given to a Taoist temple located next to Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai. It is famous for its traditional Chinese architecture and delicious local dishes.
The area around the temple also has stalls with all kinds of food and snacks typical of Shanghai such as crab cakes, fried bread, begonia cakes, etc. Besides, visitors can also visit handmade handicraft stalls, folk stalls with strong artistic features.

Visiting City God Temple, you will have a unique and new experience when tasting local dishes that are hard to find elsewhere.

Enjoy Shanghai cuisine

When exploring Shanghai at night, do not miss the opportunity to enjoy the city’s typical dishes. Here are some suggestions for you to experience interesting Shanghai cuisine.

Xiao long bao

Xiao long bao – a famous pork dumpling dish is considered to represent Shanghai cuisine. This dumpling has a thin skin, wrapped inside with pork, shrimp and vegetables, then steamed. With its delicious flavor, Xiao long bao will definitely satisfy you when enjoying it in Shanghai at night.

Braised Pork

Braised Pork is a must-try dish when traveling to Shanghai. This classic and unique dish is made with caramel and Shanghai’s signature brown sauce. The brown sauce consists of Shaoxing sauce, soy sauce, black bean sauce and sugar, creating a very special flavor. Braised pork with this sauce brings a wonderful, unforgettable flavor.

Yellow Croaker Soup Noodle

Croaker Yellow Noodle Soup is a typical, delicious dish of Shanghai. Made from Croaker fish, a fish with soft and sweet meat, Croaker Yellow Noodle Soup combines noodles and fish broth as the main ingredients. This is definitely an attractive dish that you should try when exploring Shanghai at night.

Pan-fried Pork Buns

Pan-fried Pork Buns is a traditional snack with over 100 years of history. This dish stands out with its delicious flavor and unique preparation method. Pork is fried with yeast in a pan, then cooked by adding water to the pan several times, creating attractive golden crispy pork pieces.

Explore Shanghai Old Town

Shanghai Old Town is located on Fangbang Street – an ideal destination if visitors want to see the image of Shanghai in the past. Coming to Shanghai’s Old Town, you will see intact houses from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, traditional restaurants that have been around for centuries, and teahouses that have witnessed Shanghai’s development over the years.

Visit Happy Valley

If you have children on your trip, Happy Valley is a must-visit destination. Just spend a few hours at night, and you will be surprised by the unique features of this valley. The night music show starts at 5:30 pm every day and each visitor will need 100 yuan for an entrance ticket.

Shanghai at night is truly a memorable experience for every tourist. From the brightly lit skyscrapers to the bustling, vibrant streets with rich entertainment and culinary activities. Hopefully, the above sharing will help you have a complete and memorable night tour of Shanghai. Wish you an interesting and impressive journey in this never sleep city!

With the top 21+ things to do in Shanghai at night introduced above, we hope to provide some necessary knowledge for visitors before coming to this city. Wish you and your family a happy and safe trip!

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Shanghai you can refer to

• Shanghai By Night
• Best of Shanghai Half Day Tour
• Essential Shanghai 3 Day Private Tour
• Shanghai Museum Half Day Tour
• 2 Days Shanghai Private Tour
• Modern Shanghai Private Day Tour
• Shanghai City Walking Tour
• Traditional Shanghai Private Day Tour
• Private Shanghai Classic Full Day Bike Tour
• Shanghai Disneyland Admission Ticket
• Shanghai Disneyland Admission (90 days calendar)
• Huangpu River Cruise（Qingjiang Line）
• Yu Garden Admission Ticket in Shanghai
• Shanghai Tower 118th Floor Observation Deck Ticket
• Shanghai Bund Sightseeing Tunnel
• Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park Ticket
• Shanghai Pudong International Airport Transfers
• [World Highest Skywalk] Shanghai Jin Mao Tower 88th Floor Exclusive Skywalk Experience
• [Bund View·Klook Exclusive] Shanghai Magic Jungle Ticket
• Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden
• Shanghai EF PARK Power Formula Park
• Shanghai Disneyland Annual Pass
• Shanghai Disneyland (1 Day Admission/2 Day Admission)
• Oriental Pearl Tower
• CMHK | HK 7 Days unlimited data + 200 HK Local Mins + 1GB Mainland China and Macau data (HK Airport Pick Up)
• [Thailand Pick Up] Dtac GO INTER SIM Card Zone 1(Asia, Australia, USA, exclude Thailand)
• 4G LTE WiFi (MNL Airport Pick Up) for Asia
• 4G Portable WiFi (Manila Delivery) for Asia
• [Unlimited Data] 4G Portable WiFi for Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau from Uroaming (HK Airport Pick Up)
• 4G WiFi (HK Airport Pick Up) for Hong Kong/Macau/China (No Speed Limited) from Song WiFi

Read more Shanghai guide here.