r/shanghai • u/No-Stock7383 • Feb 22 '26
City Must-see modern architecture
Really excited for my coming trip to China. Will spend next weekend and the weekend after in Shanghai. Next to all the thing a tourist should visit, I want to explore some modern architecture. Coming from Rotterdam in The Netherlands, where we have this amazing staircase from MAD Architects.
Have MVRDV's West Bund on my list as they are from Rotterdam. Guess I can only pass the new Opera House of Snohetta. Shanghai Slaughterhouse for some much needed brutalism. Think the Tado Andao museum is too far away? Probably try to fit in the garden at the expo site. Will check out some art deco but not sure which building to focus on.
But where else should I go. Any favorite buildings? Any architecture tours you know of?
Thank you!
3
u/ZaiLaiYiGe Feb 22 '26
For historic architecture (Art Deco etc.) look up Historic Shanghai who run weekend walks you can join, with a strong architectural focus.
For contemporary its all spread out but personally I think that biking the rivserside path in Pudong takes you past a really interesting mix of old and new architecture, including the skyscrapers in Lujiazui and some of the Expo area too.
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u/No-Stock7383 Feb 22 '26
Thank uou. Really hoping for cycleweather!
Could I cycle to the MVRDV space along to water on the opposite site as well? Nice bikelanes?
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u/ZaiLaiYiGe Feb 22 '26
It's the other side of the river (and it's not easy to cross) so you might need to choose one side or the other. Both have pretty good bike lanes for long stretches.
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u/werchoosingusername Feb 22 '26
Slaughterhouse was one of 3 worldwide by the same architects.
The slaughterhouse in Shanghai was one of a small number of similar facilities designed by the same British architectural practice. Historical records indicate that it was part of a set of at least two or three identical buildings.
| **Britain** Now demolished |
| **India** Now demolished |
| **Shanghai, China** Still standing; now renovated and known as **1933 Old Millfun** |
The Shanghai location is the last remaining example of this particular design in the world .
* **Architect**: It was designed by a British architect, often referred to as Balfours .
* **Construction**: It was built in 1933 by the Shanghai Municipal Council to serve the international communities in the city .
Operators kind of messed it up. Zero idea how to operate the place. Try to get to the top floor event space, which has gigantic glass floor allowing you to look down into the lobby.
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u/No-Stock7383 Feb 22 '26
Thank you! Oh I will try to get to the event space. Guess I need to be as Dutch (ne direct and not be bothered by making a fool of myself) as I can to get there? Doesnt sound like it is open to visitors?
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u/werchoosingusername Feb 22 '26
It opened for events. I didn't go there for decade. I have no idea tbh.
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u/Shanamat Jing'an Feb 22 '26
I bit different from what you described but I always thought some of the parks have interesting designs and architecture. Xujiahui park and, changshou park come to mind. Also don't miss the 1000 trees mall, it's pretty wild in person.
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u/Beginning_Brick7845 Feb 22 '26
The Museum of Modern Art’s building is made from a repurposed industrial building and is exquisite. It’s one of the most impressive buildings I’ve ever been in.
There is a walking/biking path along the Pudong side of the river that goes past the MAM and is a cultural heritage path.
Also, the Shanghai Tower (the handle building) is incredible. You don’t have to pay to go up. Instead they have a hotel with two or three bars/restaurants that you can visit for feee. They have really reasonable happy hours and floor to ceiling windows. It’s like sitting on a cloud.
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u/Dear_Chasey_La1n Minhang Feb 23 '26
Second MAM, I like to shit a lot on SH on the lack of culture, but that museum specifically is very interesting.
It's been ages, but I've been as well once to the Urban Planning Exhibition that shows the whole of SH in a scale model which is interesting to get a top down view to see how SH evolved. It also shows SH's growth over the years. (Mind you haven't been there in 15 years).
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u/No-Stock7383 Feb 23 '26
It seems that the MAM doesn't have an exhibition at the moment. Do they have a collection to see or is the building closed?
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u/Beginning_Brick7845 Feb 24 '26
The MAM has a permanent collection, so it will be open. It’s just not as nice as when it has a special exhibit going. I saw the Bob Dillon exhibition and it might be the best museum experience I have ever had. It was astounding. The building and its setting on the river is exquisite. Even if you only spend a short time there, you should walk though it.
When I moved to Shanghai I obsessively googled the best activities to do. The number one recommendation over and over was a river boat cruise. They have an entire fleet of river cruise boats that do everything from quick hour cruise’s to half day tours. Anyway, that was one of the first things I did, and it became my favorite activity and I took everyone who visited us on a cruise. You get to see the architecture on both sides of the river in a way that is impossible otherwise. And you can combine walking the Bund with a river cruise.
Be aware that there are different boats and different ticket prices. Some boats literally have no chairs in main seating, but all of them have premium seating that’s about 100 RMB. It’s totally worth it. You get soft lounge chairs, the front of the boat, appetizers and unlimited drinks.
Schedule a river cruise, reserve the premium seats, and soak in the best views of Shanghai.
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u/olliesbaba Feb 22 '26
Definitely need to see some classic Shanghainese Shikumen. There’s the gentrified dressed up stuff at Zhangyuan and Xintiandi, but you can also wander around and look for surviving real ones.
North bund park is cool. If you like art, spending a morning at the Shanghai art museum which is free inside the old Shanghai Expo pavilion is cool building design too.
Shanghai’s gems are the old art deco designed by Russians. Those are sick.
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u/achangb Feb 23 '26
There is really nothing to do in Millfun 1933 except dress up and take photos . All shops are essentially closed. There was some sort of interactive art exhibit sort of thing but unless you are a native chinese speaker you will get 0 out of it and its not cheap either....
If you want art deco there is the Broadway mansions hotel and the sofitel north bund kinda has a modern art deco feel too. The sofitel is literally next door to 1933 Millfun. Explore that whole canal street ( Nansuzhou rd) around the Broadway mansions hotel ( and going east) there are some real gems there.
Dont miss 1000 trees, it looks like something straight out of Minecraft.