Top 5 Distinctive Attractions in Shanghai

 I used to work in Shanghai for several years and Shanghai, the largest city in China, is so big that it may easily hide many of the most distinctive attractions. While people are more concentrated on Beijing or Hong Kong, I think it is also worth to spend some time discovering Shanghai tour. Below are the 5 unique attractions I like the most in Shanghai:

1. Jade Buddha Temple

In 1882, an old temple was built to keep two jade Buddha statues which were brought from Burma, but the temple was destroyed during the Qing Dynasty. Fortunately, the jade Buddha statues were saved and a new temple was built in 1928 and its name was Jade Buddha Temple.

Jade Buddha Temple

 Jade Buddha Temple is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in the world. The two statues made of white jade are considered works of art and you don’t have to be a Buddhist to appreciate them.

Address: No. 170 Anyuan road Putuo district

2. Ohel Moshe Synagogue

In the 1930s, Shanghai was one of the cities in the world giving shelter to the Jews who escaped from Nazi persecution in Europe and Ohel Moshe Synagogue played an important role in saving the lives of Jewish refugees at that time. Now it becomes a museum to show Shanghai travel visitors about the history of the Jewish population in Shanghai.

Ohel Moshe Synagogue

Address: 62 Changyang Road, Hongkou District

3. Museum of the First CCP National Congress

On July 23, 1921, thirteen members held the first CCP national congress here, marking the birth of the CCP. Despite the unusual political implications, the museum is incredibly important to Shanghai’s history. The building was originally built in 1921 and rebuilt in 1999.

Museum of the First CCP National Congress

Though the building is not the original one, it is an authentic recreation. The furniture and decorations are placed exactly as they were to give visitors the opportunity to explore the CCP’s history.

Address: No. 76-78 Xingye Road, Luwan District

4. Huangpu River Cruise

Huangpu River is the city's shipping artery both to the East China Sea and to the mouth of the Yangtze River. The view during the cruise is marvelous. Down the river, you will expose yourself to the beautiful green pyramid roof of the Peace Hotel and the clock tower. Go further, you’ll find the place where the Suzhou Creek meets the river, guarded by the Waibaidu Bridge. The bridge itself holds memories of the Jewish occupation, when Chinese citizens had to ask permission to cross. Before you go, better to get a Shanghai tour agency, you can get a cheaper price for it.

Huangpu River Cruise

5. Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the landmark of Shanghai, is 468 meters high and it presents a vision of “twin dragons playing with pearls.” The tower is a combination of stanchions, steel spheres, and wide columns coupled with decorative spheres to form one of the most interesting architectural phenomenons today.

Oriental Pearl TV Tower

The tower houses two of the largest and fastest elevators in the country and you can get a panorama view of Shanghai and the Bund on top of it.

Address: No.33 Fucheng Road, Pudong District