7 Ways to Experience Shanghai Differently

Shanghai is renowned for its gleaming skyline and cutting-edge architecture, but the soul of the city lies in its lesser-known streets and untold stories. The true character of Shanghai isn’t found atop a skyscraper — it’s discovered on the ground, in the lives of its people, the crafts that have endured for centuries, and the quiet corners where history still hums.

Here are 7 ways to experience Shanghai differently — each offering a deeper connection to the heart of the city and the people who call it home.

Grab a jianbing for breakfast with Shanghai’s early risers

As dawn breaks, join locals at a bustling street stall where batter hits the griddle with a sizzle, transforming into jianbing — Shanghai’s beloved crispy-crepe breakfast. Watch as vendors deftly spread the dough, crack an egg, scatter scallions, and brush on sauce. This portable feast, eaten straight from the paper wrapper, is a flavorful introduction to the city’s morning rhythm.

For early birds with an appetite for discovery, a Shanghai breakfast tour dives deeper into this bustling morning scene. Follow the aroma of frying street food and sample classic dishes that each tell a story of the city’s culinary heritage — from a bowl of springy noodles to a soft youtiao (fried dough stick) dipped in warm soy milk. Along the way, the chatter of morning transactions and the vibrant hues of fresh produce offer a true taste of local life.

Balance qi with ancient ear energetic therapy

Within a serene treatment room, small herbal seeds are gently pressed onto the curve of the outer ear — no needles, just precise pressure and centuries of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) behind it. This is ear energetic therapy, a subtle treatment that maps the ear as a microcosm of the body, helping qi (vital energy) flow freely to restore balance.

WildChina guests can gain access to an exclusive cultural experience at the private practice of WildChina expert Dr. Evan Pinto — a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine who has lived and worked in Shanghai since 2012. Trained in both the U.S. and China, Dr. Pinto provides thoughtful, accessible insight into Chinese medicine from within his own home. During the session, he explains how qi moves through the body, how imbalances arise, and how health can be supported through hands-on care. Guests leave not only wearing the seeds, but with a lasting understanding of one of Shanghai’s most quietly enduring wellness traditions.

Cycle through Shanghai’s hidden corners on a vintage bicycle

In the leafy lanes of the Former French Concession, the gentle swish of tires gliding over tree-lined paths blends with the soft murmur of locals going about their daily routines. Travelers can hop on a bicycle to explore Shanghai’s quieter corners at the leisurely pace of a local, weaving between 1920s villas, bustling wet markets, and traditional lane houses, as laundry flutters in the breeze above.

To see a more intimate side of the city and its diverse neighborhoods, travelers can embark on a private guided bike tour with Culture Shock Shanghai — pedaling vintage bicycles through lesser-known areas of the city. An evening ride offers a different perspective after dark, beginning in the narrow streets of the Old Town and ending at the dazzling lights of the Bund. Along the way, cyclists pass the famous Yu Garden, learn about intriguing ghost wedding rituals, and visit Traditional Chinese Medicine stores stocked with herbal remedies.

Step into the swing of old Shanghai at the Fairmont Peace Hotel 

The Bund’s sweeping skyline and historic riverfront may draw crowds, but just behind it is a venue favored by those in the know. The Fairmont Peace Hotel is home to a dimly lit jazz bar that quietly carries on the city’s golden age of music. Originally opened in the 1920s as the Cathay Hotel, the Peace Hotel has long stood as a symbol of Shanghai’s opulence and cultural flair.

The Shanghai Jazz Band, formed in the 1980s, still performs here nightly — with original members bringing decades of experience to each set. Their smooth, nostalgic melodies evoke a time when Shanghai’s nightlife was synonymous with sophistication. WildChina guests can sip expertly crafted cocktails and soak in the soundscape of one of the city’s most storied venues.

Pinch the pleats into a xiaolongbao

In the kitchens of Shanghai’s beloved dumpling houses, skilled hands tuck a thumb into the center of the dough, folding one pleat at a time until a perfect swirl forms at the top. Inside each delicate wrapper is a burst of hot, savory broth and minced pork — making xiaolongbao a dish as technical as it is beloved.

WildChina can arrange a private cooking class — a rare opportunity to learn the art of xiaolongbao directly from an experienced local chef. In this hands-on session, guests are guided through rolling the dough, preparing the filling, and mastering the fold — culminating in a shared meal of freshly steamed dumplings, all the more satisfying for having made them.

Walk the former Rue Lafayette

On what is now Fuxing Road — once Rue Lafayette — the past lingers in cast-iron balconies, ornate stucco, and the subtle symmetry of Art Deco façades. This is the heart of the former French Concession, and walking here with historian and WildChina expert Patrick Cranley reveals the layers of identity hidden behind Shanghai’s changing street names and shifting skylines.

Patrick, co-founder of Historic Shanghai, has been tracing these stories since 1997, when a fascination with the city’s unmarked buildings turned into a mission to reconnect it with its cosmopolitan past. On a private WildChina tour, decades of research come to life along residential streets, as Patrick shares how each structure reflects a city shaped by ambition, upheaval, and reinvention.

Sit in on Shanghai’s stand-up scene

Shanghai’s stand-up scene is a vibrant thread in the city’s creative fabric, embraced by locals and expats alike. Tucked into an intimate venue in Xintiandi, SpicyComedy Lounge hosts nightly English-language shows with rotating lineups of sharp local talent and international comedians.

From playful cross-cultural riffs to dry observations on everyday life, the sets offer an unfiltered glimpse into the minds of those who call Shanghai home. WildChina can arrange access to this fast-growing scene — a chance to experience how the city connects, reflects, and laughs after dark.

Whether mastering the art of xiaolongbao, cycling through charming neighborhoods, or enjoying live jazz in a historic venue, these experiences provide travelers with an unforgettable and authentic immersion into Shanghai. To explore the city beyond the expected, get in touch with our travel designers and start planning your trip. 

By Gabrielle Keepfer