Visiting China was one of the most thrilling experiences in my life. The culture, the food and architecture revealed a whole new side of the world that lived only in my dreams. While I think it’s impossible to list just a few of the many, many things to do in Shanghai, I tried to compile the five places you just cannot miss the next time you’re there. Here they are:

1 - Shanghai Museum
Art lovers, history buffs, and general tourists alike, this is the spot. The building itself is already an inspiring site with a wheel-shaped structure that surrounds the top floor. Inside you’ll find some of the very first coins used during the famous empires, there are also uniquely designed furnitures, as well as countless pieces of art and buddha statues. It’s easy to spend half a day exploring the different wings, and the museum shop is a great place to buy interesting books.

2 - The Bund
A walk on The Bund is a must, day or night. The waterfront promenade along the Huangpu River gives you the perfect view of the city skyline. The modern skyscrapers sit across the river, while a lineup of classic European buildings stand behind you. It’s an interesting contrast that marks just how much of a melting pot the city has become . At night, the modern buildings light up to form that classic postcard portrait of Shanghai. You can also take a nighttime cruise on the Huangpu River to catch a different angle.

3 - Nanjing Road
This shopping district counts with all the famous brands, like Uniqlo and Gap, as well as local brands like Meters/Bonwe. It’s the perfect spot to have that authentic modern day Shanghai shopping experience with around 600 stores between international brands and Chinese boutiques that sell traditional goods like Jade, silk and pearls.

4 - The French Concession
In the late 1800’s, this area was conceded to the French Consulate and was the home to many foreigners, today the historic location has grown into the hub for foodies and high-end shoppers. The winding alleys and European buildings make this a very unique and different from the rest of the city. It’s also where you’ll want to grab a sit at an outdoor café and stay a little while.

5 - Yuyuan Garden
Its name translates to ‘happy, pleasing, satisfying’ and it’s easy to see why. The garden feels like it’s build over various ponds, so the sound of streaming water fills every corner. The ponds are crowded with huge koi fish that love being fed. The traditional Chinese architecture automatically transports you to a different time and it’s easy to forget you’re in modern Shanghai. The garden is the perfect place to quiet down after bargaining over prices at the market next door.

Know a place that should be included in this list? Let me know in the comments.