7 Ways to Spend an Impressive Night in Shanghai

Shanghai is a dynamic city that never falls asleep. Nightclubs and bars are mushrooming everywhere, and party animals could obtain fantastic nightlife in the magical metropolis with tons of hang-out places ranging from the fanciest lounge bars to the seediest watering holes. However, Shanghai has much more beyond nightclubs for evening hunters. No matter you favor eating, drinking, shows, shopping or roaming, Shanghai would offer countless ways keeping you engaged and entertained at night. To maximize your traveling time, here we have some thoughts to inspire the first-time visitors on how to spend a memorable evening in Shanghai that combines excitement, culture, cuisine, leisure and fun.

The gorgeous Huangpu River splits Shanghai city into two halves, namely the East Bank and West Bank. A night cruise is definitely the best way to see the stunning skyscrapers lit up in magnificent colors on both sides.

There are various tour lengths you can choose, from a 30-minute to 3-hour cruise. On board, you could capture spectacular photos of the skyline made up of the classical European buildings and soaring modern skyscrapers at the Bund and Lujiazui, while a good choice of both Chinese and western food and drinks are generously offered. The cruise will promise you an impressive night experience of Shanghai that will stay long in your travel memory.

No Shanghai tour is perfect without ascending one of the skyscrapers for an extraordinary night panoramic view. In the Lujiazui area of the Pudong district clusters an array of tallest centerpieces of the Pudong skyline, such as Shanghai World Financial Center, Jinmao Tower and Oriental Pearl Tower. They have amazing observation decks and lookouts with transparent skywalks that enable you to have an astounding bird's-eye views of the dizzying nighttime cityscape below, including the bending Huangpu River, the Bund and neighboring high-rises. If it is a clear day, you could pick any one of them to ascend the top, and get prepared for an impressive glimpse.

You cannot miss a visit to the Bund of Shanghai at night. The Bund has been the most-visited iconic spot of Shanghai for hundreds of years, while it is most spectacular when illuminated in its full glory. It is a great treat to take an evening stroll along the riverside promenade to soak up the glamorous Shanghai skyline of futuristic multi-styled buildings changing the color of the lights. By the waterfront, there are many outdoor bars and cafes where you can capture a fantastic entire view of the spots across Huangpu River whilst sitting down to enjoy a drink. Shanghai is an utterly safe city for a night walk, and no doubt the bund would showcase you the most vibrant side of the metropolis.

If you travel to Shanghai with young children, there is no reason to miss a superb acrobatics show in the city. Acrobatics is one of the oldest performing arts in China, and nowadays it is still one of the popular nightlife activities in Shanghai for both the locals and tourists.

Traditional Chinese acrobatics combines varieties of exciting stunts of near-impossible flexibility and strength, like juggling, balancing and cycling on high wires in the air. Though you don't understand Chinese, your evening will be thrilled by those high quality performances. There are many theaters for acrobatics in Shanghai, and we recommend you go with Shanghai Circus World and Shanghai Center Theatre, where wonderful shows will be on every night.

To make the best of your night in Shanghai, you should at least enjoy some high time in one of the best bars in this mega city. Close to Xujiahui Commercial Area, Hengshan Road Bar Street is the oldest and largest bars zone in Shanghai. Lined with European-style mansions and high-end French residences from 1920s, the road had been converted into restaurants, night clubs and bars that are very popular among overseas tourists and expats since it is near the embassy place. This lively nightlife district never leaves you disappointed. With a blending of old oriental culture and modern vibe, Hengshan Road Bar Street creates the perfect atmosphere to relax yourself with great tipples.

Xintiandi is where the old meets new in Shanghai famous for fabulous nightlife and fashion hotspots. Located in the heart zone of the magical city, Xintiandi houses a variety of retail spaces, chic boutiques, cafes and restaurants amid charming Shikumen-style complexes.

Shikumen, literally stone gate houses, is a traditional Shanghai architectural style featuring elements of Western and Chinese culture. Since Shanghai attempts to boost the city's night-time economy, Xintiandi is especially designated as a top landmark of night market. The 500-meter-long main avenue in Xintiandi would turn into a pedestrian-only night market at night, offering live performances and outdoor movie screening at certain times. Many international stores will do their business and services at late night and even around the clock.

For foreign tourists to Shanghai, the City God Temple is a must-go evening spot particularly noted for nightscape, snacks and shopping all in one. Around the temple, there are an array of Chinese ancient-style architectures, which are exceedingly gorgeous when it is fully lit up.

Thronged by pedestrians, the area is the No. 1 snack quarter of Shanghai where you can enjoy a spree of local delicacies, such as Xiaolongbao, spring scrolls, stinky tofu and fish meatballs soup. Moreover, the lanes around the temple form a great night bazaar loaded with lovely shops selling all kinds of souvenirs and handicrafts, while bargaining is welcomed here.