It may seem surprising that the world’s third-largest city could be a relaxing place for a weekend getaway, but Shanghai has spectacular spots to slip away for an afternoon or two.
China’s restrictive entry policies curtailed most short-stay vacations in the past few years. But cities across the country are now resurfacing as excellent weekend getaway destinations for many in Taiwan, thanks to relaxed entry requirements for certain passport holders. From early 2024, travelers of 11 European countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland) and Malaysia can enjoy visa-free entry for up to 15 days. An extension of this visa exemption is set to run until the end of 2025.
If your country hasn’t made the list, a quick transfer in Hong Kong enables you to snag China’s six-day transit visa on arrival, available to an additional 54 countries. Six days is plenty of time to get the feel of a city, and most entry points grant easy access to its periphery (for example, landing in Beijing also allows for travel to nearby Tianjin and Hebei Province).
The catch: you cannot book direct-flight round-trip tickets. For your route to be considered “transit,” you must fly into China from one territory and fly out of China to another. The easiest, and often the cheapest, option is to book separate one-way tickets – the first from Taiwan through Hong Kong and the other as a direct flight back to Taiwan.
Note that Taiwanese citizens are not eligible for the transit visa and must enter China using a Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents, also known as a Taiwan Compatriot Permit, or Táibāozhèng (台胞證).
Once you’ve successfully powered through the headache-inducing logistics, it’s time to enjoy a carefree weekend in China’s signature Shanghai.
With 26.8 million people living in its municipal area, Shanghai has all the hallmarks of a bustling and crowded metropolis. For those of you who want a quiet moment away from the cacophony, a few days of leisure also await you in China’s most cosmopolitan city.
Despite evidence shedding light on civilization as it existed more than 6,000 years ago, no other city better exemplifies China’s transformation into modernity. Geographically, Shanghai straddles both banks of the Huangpu River – the old city is found on the west side, and the modern district of Pudong is on the east. To experience most of what the city offers, booking your accommodation on the west bank, in the central districts of Jing’an or Huangpu, is best.
To get ahold of a relaxing weekend in the city, I recommend the following spots where a sense of retreat can be found:
The Bund
Top of anyone’s list of destinations in Shanghai is the Bund, a string of century-old buildings that used to house trading companies and merchant banks that once helped connect the city and China to global trade. Strolling along the riverside walkway, you’ll swear you’ve found yourself in Europe, as the buildings are heavily influenced by Art Deco, gothic, neoclassical, and Renaissance architecture built in the late 19th century.
In total, 52 historic buildings stretch 1.6 km from Yan’an Road to the Garden Bridge in the north and provide a striking contrast to the ultra-modern skyline across the river. A favorite pastime for throngs of tourists is to enjoy the street performers and nightly light shows displayed on the skyscrapers, but the Bund also offers peaceful greenery and river views at its northern end in the form of Huangpu Park, where the Suzhou Creek meets the Huangpu River.
If your budget allows, stay in the historic Fairmont Peace Hotel or the Waldorf Astoria on the Bund (the former home of the storied Shanghai Club). This way, you can really get away from the nighttime crowds and enjoy the Bund from the seclusion of a luxury hotel.
The French Concession
West of the Huangpu River sits the French Concession, a primarily residential neighborhood known for its European architecture, winding streets, and café culture. The area was loaned to the French government in the late 19th century and quickly became one of Shanghai’s most desirable areas to live in. Expatriates, employed in the banks and trading companies on the Bund, built houses inspired by trends popular back home in Europe. The area is known for its tree-lined streets, quiet parks, and historic buildings. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon.
Here you’ll find Western coffee shops, clothing boutiques selling local brands, gelato shops, and specialty stores. Eat at Pass Residence for laid-back Italian favorites, including kale salad served in savory crispbread, gnocchi with spinach and cream sauce, a warm octopus with Mediterranean vegetable salad, and a wide selection of Italian wines. Complete your night out with sophisticated cocktails from Dead Poet or opt for Mexican fare at the appropriately named Tequila and Taco, where regulars lounge on foldout camping chairs put out on the sidewalk.
Prada Rong Zhai
Nestled in the leafy French Concession area stands the former residence of Chinese industrialist Rong Zongjing, or Rong Zhai (榮宅/荣宅). Built in 1918 but left largely empty until after World War II when it was rented to the China Economic Research Institute, the three-story European-style house also served as News Corporation’s Shanghai office from 2002. Between 2011 and 2017, it was painstakingly restored by renovation specialist Roberto Baciocchi and Italian fashion house Prada’s cultural foundation.
The team worked to replace decorative tiling and stained-glass windows, repaneled the extensive woodwork interiors, replastered the house’s many rooms, and performed necessary structural work, returning it to its former glory. Chinese artisans were also brought in to advise on techniques that would have been used a century ago when the house was first built.
Now serving as the Fondazione Prada’s art exhibition space in the city, the house is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday for a nominal fee. Most recently, the space displayed 23 paintings by Belgian artist Michaël Borremans, whose work – influenced heavily by 18th-century art – complimented the rich interiors with their dark wood paneling.
Entering the grounds from North Shaan Xi Road, two Chinese lions greet visitors at the main entrance, where a series of steps leads into the hall. Each room unfolds with subdued hues, cornice ceilings, chandeliers, and stained-glass windows looking out onto the grounds with glimpses of the modern city beyond the walls. The gardens, though modest in size, offer a tranquil place to reflect on the building’s storied past and the city’s evolution since its construction.
Columbia Circle
Further west of the French Concession in Changning District is a former American social club named Columbia Circle, now open to the public. This collection of turn-of-the-century buildings includes the club’s former open-air swimming pool, Mediterranean seafood restaurants, a hacienda-inspired clubhouse full of eateries and taquerias, and several modern additions housing lifestyle stores that sell clothing, homewares, and knickknacks. Naze Naze, for example, features vibrant fabrics and other soft furnishings produced by several of China’s ethnic minorities, putting revenue from sales back into the community.
A short walk or shared-bike ride from Columbia Circle is the pedestrianized Xingfuli (幸福里) or Xingfu Lane, full of casual dining options. On a warm day, opt for a freshly made sweet or savory crepe paired with craft lemonade from Papito Pancakes. Sit out on the lane to indulge in a spot of people-watching.
Power Station of Art
China’s first publicly funded museum dedicated to contemporary art is housed in a former power station along the Huangpu River south of the old city. Featuring works by Chinese and international artists, this museum offers a quiet space to reflect and interpret multimedia installations, video and audio works, and large-scale art pieces that fill the cavernous interior of the former power plant. The gallery is also home to China’s leading contemporary art exhibition, the Shanghai Biennale, which has been held here since 2012.
Upcoming exhibitions include a retrospective on Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, which will be held in collaboration with the French fashion museum Palais Galliera and supported by the eponymous fashion brand Chanel. The exhibition runs until November 24. Entry is free, but tickets for special exhibitions must be purchased from the counter just inside the main entrance.
Surrounding the museum to the south is a stretch of redeveloped riverside called Flowing Water Park, a favorite place for cycling enthusiasts and families on weekend strolls. Across the river, the periphery of the Shanghai World Expo Museum, recognizable by its iconic red inverted pyramid named China Pavilion, can be seen.
Yu Yuan
One of Shanghai’s top tourist attractions is also one of its more serene. The Yu Yuan (豫园) botanical garden is where quiet moments can be found. To get a taste of old Shanghai, people turn to Yu Yuan, translated as “Garden of Happiness,” which was first built in the 16th century.
While the garden suffered damage over the centuries and was practically destroyed in World War II, it was faithfully rebuilt to its original blueprint and then reopened in 1962. Centerpiece attractions include a large rock that legend says was meant for the imperial gardens of Emperor Huizong but was placed here after being recovered from the Huangpu River when the boat it was being transported in sank.
The garden features recognizable topographies of traditional Chinese gardens, including pavilions, lookouts, ponds, zigzag bridges, and meticulously arranged plants. At five acres, the grounds are extensive enough that the crowds disperse relatively easily.
Before you travel
Despite the relative ease of visiting China from Taiwan, there are some essential steps to take before you depart. Apply for roaming from your Taiwanese telecoms provider so that you can access the internet during your stay. Facebook, Google, and Instagram won’t work on a Chinese SIM or when using Wi-Fi in China.
Since Google Maps is useless in China, Chinese readers should download the map application Amap (高德地圖). If you struggle with your characters, Baidu Maps supports multiple languages. Alternatively, iPhone users will find that Apple Maps works relatively well in China.
China revolutionized mobile payments and, naturally, multiple payment platforms are accepted just about everywhere. However, signing up requires a local phone number and identity credentials. Thankfully, international credit cards (including those issued by Taiwanese banks) can now be linked to Alipay or WePay – two of China’s most common payment services, used to pay for everything from street snacks to upscale restaurant meals.
After linking your credit card and Taiwan phone number to Alipay, for example, you can pay for taxis, including China’s ubiquitous car e-hailing platform Didi Chuxing (known colloquially as “didi”), ride the subway, book and pay for train tickets, and even rent shared bikes – all from one app.
Major credit cards will work fine in more internationally geared venues, including large shopping malls and hotels. Bringing some renminbi is a good idea if you plan to go off the beaten path. All places mentioned in this article accept Alipay.
