Visiting Shanghai with Kids: What to Know Before You Go
Everything you need to know about travelling to Shanghai with kids: where to stay, what to do and our honest take on whether it's worth it
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Last updated: February 2026
Quick Summary
🗺️ Location: Eastern China, Yangtze River Delta
⏱️ Recommended Stay: 2–4 days
💲 Daily Budget: ¥400–¥800 per family
🌡️ Best Time: March–May or September–November
🏠 Best Area for Families: Jing'an or Nanjing Road area
🚇 Getting Around: Metro (mostly stroller-friendly), DiDi
👶 Kid-Friendliness: ★★★☆☆ (requires more planning than other Chinese cities)
Shanghai is a good destination for families who want Disneyland, world-class museums and a gentler introduction to China. Plan 2–4 days to see the highlights.
The one thing that sets Shanghai apart from other Chinese cities is that it requires more advance planning — popular restaurants and attractions like the Astronomy Museum need to be booked days ahead.
For first-time visitors to China, I'd actually recommend starting with Beijing instead, which feels more authentically Chinese and is easier to navigate with kids.
I'll be honest with you: Shanghai wasn't our favourite place in China.
After spending 3 nights there with our two daughters — Hanna was 2.5 years old, Nina only 4 months — we left with mixed feelings. Shanghai is impressive, sure. The skyline is spectacular and the food scene is brilliant. But it feels a lot like London or any other major international city. It's busy, it's westernised, and it doesn't give you that wow, I'm really in China feeling that cities like Beijing, Chengdu or Chongqing deliver effortlessly.
That said, Shanghai absolutely has its moments. An evening at Zhongshan Park watching locals dance while our kids ran around on the grass — that was pure magic. And the crab noodles and xiaolongbao? Almost worth the trip on their own.
The key to enjoying Shanghai with kids is planning ahead (which we did not do). More so than any other Chinese city we've visited, Shanghai rewards those who book in advance and choose their neighbourhood wisely. This guide is everything I wish I'd known before we went.
First time planning a trip to China with kids? Start with our complete guide:
Magda Sawyer
Magda Sawyer
When to Visit Shanghai with Kids
We visited Shanghai in July and honestly? It was rough. The heat was intense — we're talking 35°C and above — the humidity made everything feel sticky, and it rained a lot. If you're traveling with small kids, summer in Shanghai means constantly looking for air-conditioned spaces to cool down.
The best time for families is spring (March–May) or autumn (September–November). Spring brings pleasant temperatures around 15–25°C, cherry blossoms in the parks, and manageable crowds outside of May Day holiday. Autumn is equally good — comfortable temperatures, clear skies, and beautiful light for photos on The Bund.
If you visit in summer (June–August), be prepared for typhoon season and temperatures reaching 35–40°C. Plan your days around indoor attractions — the Ocean Aquarium, Meland playgrounds and museums become your best friends. Save outdoor sightseeing for early mornings or evenings.
Winter (December–February) is cold and damp, typically 0–8°C. Not ideal for young children, though hotels are cheaper and attractions less crowded.
🌟 Pro Tip: Whichever season you choose, book restaurants in advance. Shanghai is the one city in China where we couldn't just walk into a popular restaurant — everywhere good was fully booked. More on that later.
Where to Stay
Choosing the right area makes or breaks a Shanghai trip with kids. We've written a detailed guide with specific hotel recommendations, but here's the quick version.
We stayed on Nanjing Road at the Radisson Collection Hyland Shanghai. It was good value and incredibly central — we had a studio room with a separate bedroom. But the area is loud and crowded, especially in the evenings when Nanjing Road turns into a pedestrian shopping frenzy. If we went back, we'd probably choose Jing'an instead for a calmer neighbourhood feel.
For first-time visitors, Nanjing Road area is the most convenient — you're walking distance to The Bund, Yu Garden, and well-connected by metro everywhere else.
For a calmer base, Jing'an District is quieter, with great metro connections, Jing'an Park for morning walks, and the Natural History Museum nearby. I'd recommend this for families with young children who need a more relaxed home base.
If visiting the Astronomy Museum, book 1–2 nights near Lingang in Pudong New Area. The commute from central Shanghai is 2+ hours each way — genuinely not doable as a day trip with small kids.
Find more hotels in Shanghai:
Magda Sawyer
Fun Things to Do in Shanghai with Kids
Shanghai can feel overwhelming when you first arrive, especially with children. The crowds are intense — particularly in summer — and as a first-timer, you might struggle to find places that aren't dominated by tourists. We certainly did.
My advice? Don't try to see everything. Mix the big-ticket sights with parks, playgrounds and food — that's when Shanghai becomes genuinely enjoyable with kids.
Magda Sawyer
The Bund and North Bund
The Bund is Shanghai's most iconic spot — a waterfront promenade with stunning views of the Pudong skyline. It's impressive and the kids enjoyed the spectacle, especially in the evening when everything lights up.
The main promenade gets absolutely packed on weekends and holidays though, so here's our tip: skip the main Bund and head to North Bund instead. There's a Manner Coffee on the north side of the river with the same stunning views and a fraction of the people. You get a great cup of coffee while the kids watch the boats go by. This was one of our best discoveries in Shanghai.
We visited during a rainstorm, which was actually a blessing — the crowds thinned out and the moody atmosphere made for some beautiful photos.
Yu Garden (豫园)
A classical Ming Dynasty garden right in the heart of Shanghai. The garden itself is beautiful — traditional pavilions, rockeries, koi ponds — though it can get extremely crowded.
The surrounding bazaar area is free to explore and honestly just as atmospheric as the garden itself, and probably more fun for kids. The Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant on the Nine Bend Bridge is famous for its xiaolongbao — expect queues but they move fast.
There's a Meland Club indoor playground right near Yu Garden which makes it easy to combine garden sightseeing with downtime for the little ones. We did exactly that and it worked really well — the kids got their reward after a morning of walking around.
Better without a stroller — narrow paths and stairs inside the garden make it tricky.
Zhongshan Park (中山公园) — Our Favourite
This was genuinely the highlight of our Shanghai trip. I've written about it separately because it deserves its own post, but in short: Zhongshan Park is where Shanghai's two worlds meet.
You'll see families having Western-style picnics on the grass alongside groups of locals dancing, doing tai chi, and playing cards. There's a small amusement park with rides in the northwest corner that's perfect for young kids.
We came in the evening and had fun watching kids play and old people dance.
I recommend bringing kites or a ball — there's plenty of space to run around and have a relaxed picnic. For us, it was the most authentic experience we had in Shanghai.
Magda Sawyer
French Concession Walk
The tree-lined streets of the Former French Concession are one of Shanghai's most pleasant areas for a family walk.
Our route: start at Xintiandi for coffee and people-watching, then walk to Fuxing Park (复兴公园) — people dancing, local crafts and a small theme park for the kids. Continue to Tianzifang (田子坊) — a warren of narrow alleyways with shops and cafes. It's busy and touristy, but older kids tend to love it. Not ideal with a wide stroller.
The Wukang Building area (武康路) is beautiful — art deco architecture and trendy cafes everywhere. We wanted to eat at Jesse Restaurant (吉士酒家), widely considered one of the best Shanghainese restaurants, but it was completely booked even at lunch time. This is how we learned that Shanghai requires advance restaurant bookings.
Shanghai World Financial Center Observation Deck
If your kids like heights, the observation deck at the "bottle opener" building is worth a visit. At 474 metres, the 360° panorama is genuinely impressive and kids love the glass-bottom walkway.
A warning though: the queue to get out can be very long and slow. We spent more time in the exit queue than on the observation deck itself. Bring snacks and something to keep the kids entertained — you'll thank me later.
Shanghai Disneyland
We haven't visited Shanghai Disneyland ourselves — our kids were too young during our trip — but it's the number one reason many families visit Shanghai. It features the world's largest Disney castle and unique rides you won't find at other Disney parks.
If Disneyland is a priority, book tickets well in advance and consider staying at one of the Disney resort hotels. The park is about 1 hour from central Shanghai by metro (Line 11), and weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends.
🎫 Check Shanghai Disneyland tickets on Klook
Shanghai Astronomy Museum (上海天文馆)
This is the attraction we most regret not visiting. The Shanghai Astronomy Museum is the world's largest planetarium — 38,000 square metres of interactive exhibits about space and the universe. The architecture alone looks mind-blowing, designed to mimic the movement of celestial bodies.
The catch: it's in Lingang, far from central Shanghai. We're talking 1.5–2 hours by metro. This is why I recommend booking a night nearby if you want to visit — trying to do it as a day trip with young kids would be exhausting.
Tickets are ¥30 (free for kids under 1.3m) and must be booked online in advance via the official WeChat account (上海科技馆). They sell out quickly, especially on weekends — book 3 days ahead.
Shanghai Ocean Aquarium (上海海洋水族馆)
A solid option, especially in summer when you need to escape the heat. It features the world's longest underwater tunnel and a dedicated section for endangered Chinese marine life.
It's located right next to the Oriental Pearl Tower in Pudong, making it easy to combine with a Bund walk.
Magda Sawyer
Shanghai Natural History Museum (上海自然博物馆)
Located in Jing'an, this is one of Shanghai's best museums for families. The dinosaur exhibits are a hit with kids — the centrepiece is a massive Mamenchisaurus skeleton. There's also a live breeding area where children can observe insects and small animals up close.
If you're staying in the Jing'an area, this is an easy half-day activity. Budget 2–3 hours. Closed Mondays.
Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town (朱家角)
If you have an extra day and want to escape the city, Zhujiajiao is a charming ancient water town about 1 hour west of Shanghai. Stone bridges from the Ming Dynasty, traditional canal-side houses, and lots of street food.
Kids enjoy the boat rides through the canals and feeding fish from the bridges. The atmosphere is much more authentically Chinese than central Shanghai — and that alone made it worth considering for our next trip.
Indoor Playgrounds and Rainy Days
Shanghai's weather can be unpredictable, and with kids you always need a backup plan. Luckily, China has some of the most incredible indoor playgrounds we've seen anywhere in the world.
Meland Club
Meland is a chain of massive indoor playgrounds across China, and Shanghai has several locations. These aren't your average soft play centres — we're talking multi-story complexes with ball pits, water rooms, climbing structures, cooking studios, mini supermarkets and arcade games.
The Xintiandi/Hongkou location (Ruihong Tiandi Sun Palace, 181 Ruihong Lu) is the most popular and spans 3 floors. One visit might not be enough to cover everything. There's also a location near Yu Garden which is great for combining with a garden visit.
Cost is around ¥300 for 3 hours (1 adult + 1 child). Go right at opening on weekdays for the quietest experience. Bring socks!
Other indoor options
NeoBio Playground near Yu Garden — hands-on science and play, perfect for a 2-hour break from sightseeing. We combined it with our Yu Garden visit and it worked perfectly.
Legoland Discovery Centre — LEGO rides, 4D cinema, building workshops and a miniature Shanghai made entirely of LEGO. Perfect for ages 3–10.
🎫 Check Legoland Discovery Centre tickets on Klook
Shanghai Science and Technology Museum — huge interactive museum, great for all ages. The IMAX theatre alone is worth a visit.
Shopping malls — Shanghai's big malls often have dedicated kids' floors with play areas, arcades and family restaurants. Always a reliable backup plan.
Eating in Shanghai with Kids
Shanghai's food scene is genuinely brilliant, and Shanghainese cuisine is actually one of the milder regional Chinese cuisines — which is good news for families with picky eaters.
Xiaolongbao (小笼包) are Shanghai's most famous dish — delicate steamed dumplings filled with pork and hot broth. Warning for parents: they arrive scalding hot! Teach kids to poke a small hole first and let the steam escape.
Shengjian bao (生煎包) are the crispier, heartier cousins of xiaolongbao. Yang's Fry Dumpling (杨's Fried Dumpling) is legendary — eight dumplings cost just a few yuan. Kids love the crispy bottom.
We absolutely loved the crab noodle soup — rich, savoury and comforting. Available at many local noodle shops. Look for 蟹面 on the menu.
Scallion oil noodles (葱油拌面) are simple, flavourful and kid-approved. Springy noodles tossed with caramelised scallion oil. Available everywhere and very cheap.
Book restaurants in advance!
This was our biggest lesson in Shanghai. We wanted to eat at Jesse Restaurant (吉士酒家) in the French Concession — widely considered one of the best Shanghainese restaurants — and it was completely booked out for our entire stay.
Unlike other Chinese cities where you can just walk into most restaurants, Shanghai requires advance bookings for anything popular. Use Dianping (大众点评, China's version of Yelp) and book 2–3 days ahead minimum. A week for weekends.
But, to be fair, there are plenty of places that you can just show up and eat, just probably not the most famous ones, so if you are a foodie looking to try specific dishes, plan ahead.
Getting Around
Shanghai's metro is the easiest way to get around with kids. It's clean, efficient, air-conditioned and surprisingly stroller-friendly — most stations have lifts. Kids under 6 or under 1.3m ride free with a paying adult.
We set up AliPay's transport function and just scanned QR codes at the gates — no need to queue for tickets ever.
Key lines for families: Line 2 connects both airports via Nanjing Road, The Bund area and Zhongshan Park. Line 10 runs through Xintiandi and the French Concession. Line 11 goes to Shanghai Disneyland.
For rainy days or when little legs refuse to walk another step, DiDi is a lifesaver. It works as a mini program inside WeChat, the interface is in English, and it's cheap.
⚠️ Important: Neither DiDi nor regular taxis come with child seats. For airport transfers with small children, pre-book a private transfer where you can request one.
3-Day Shanghai Itinerary with Kids
Here's how we'd structure 3 days in Shanghai with kids. This avoids the mistake we made of trying to see too much — it builds in downtime and indoor options.
Day 1: The Bund, Yu Garden & Old Shanghai
Start with a morning walk along The Bund while it's relatively quiet. Then walk to Yu Garden (about 15 minutes) — explore the bazaar area, try xiaolongbao, and if kids have patience, see the garden itself.
In the afternoon, head to Meland Club or NeoBio Playground near Yu Garden for 2–3 hours of indoor play. This is the kids' reward for a morning of sightseeing!
Return to The Bund in the evening to see the skyline lit up, or take a cheap Huangpu River ferry across — much more fun (and affordable) than the expensive river cruises.
Day 2: French Concession & Parks
Explore the French Concession starting from Xintiandi. Walk to Fuxing Park — watch the dancers, try the small theme park rides, let the kids play. Continue towards Wukang Road for lunch at one of the many cafes.
In the afternoon, visit Jing'an Temple — the golden temple is striking and a welcome break from walking. End the day at Zhongshan Park — bring snacks, a ball or kite, and settle in for the evening atmosphere. This was the highlight of our trip and I cannot recommend it enough.
Day 3: Choose Your Adventure
Option A — Pudong & Museums: Shanghai Ocean Aquarium in the morning, then Shanghai Science and Technology Museum or Natural History Museum in the afternoon.
Option B — Disneyland: Take Line 11 early, plan for a full day at the park.
Option C — Water Town: Day trip to Zhujiajiao. Boat rides, traditional streets, street food. A wonderful contrast to the city.
If You Have a 4th Day
Book a night near Lingang and spend a full day at the Astronomy Museum. The 2-hour commute each way from central Shanghai makes this so much better as an overnight. Your kids will love the interactive exhibits and planetarium shows.
Tips for Visiting Shanghai with Kids
Book everything in advance. This is THE thing about Shanghai. Restaurants, the Astronomy Museum, Disneyland, even some observation decks — all need advance booking. Don't assume you can just show up, like you can in most other Chinese cities.
Bring rain gear. Shanghai gets unexpected showers, particularly May–September. A lightweight rain poncho for each family member saves the day.
Embrace the indoor playgrounds. Meland, NeoBio, Legoland Discovery Centre — build at least one playground visit into each day. Your kids will love it and it gives everyone a break from sightseeing.
Shanghai is more expensive than other Chinese cities. Budget 20–30% more than Beijing, Chengdu or Chongqing for food, attractions and transport.
Don't worry about supplies. Nappies, baby food and formula are easy to find everywhere. Don't overpack!
Consider Shanghai as part of a bigger trip, not the whole destination. With two major airports and high-speed rail connections everywhere, Shanghai works brilliantly as a 2–3 night stopover. Check our China itinerary ideas for how to fit it into a bigger trip.
Where to Go Next
Shanghai connects easily to other destinations by high-speed train:
🚄 Beijing — 4.5 hours by bullet train. In our opinion, Beijing should be your first Chinese city, not Shanghai. Ancient hutongs, the Great Wall, incredible parks and a much more authentic Chinese experience. → Beijing Travel Guide | Beijing with Kids
🚄 Hangzhou — Just 1 hour by bullet train. West Lake, tea plantations, and a much calmer atmosphere. A perfect family day trip or weekend escape.
🚄 Suzhou — 30 minutes by bullet train. Classical Chinese gardens and charming canals. Easy day trip.
🚄 Nanjing — 1.5 hours by bullet train. Ming Dynasty history, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, and excellent food.
Magda Sawyer
Magda Sawyer
FAQs
Q: Is Shanghai safe for families?
A: Very safe. We've never felt unsafe anywhere in China. Chinese people are exceptionally welcoming to families with children — the biggest "risk" is strangers wanting to take selfies with your kids.
Q: How many days do you need in Shanghai with kids?
A: 2–3 days is enough for the main highlights. Add a day for Disneyland and another if you want to visit the Astronomy Museum. We had 3 nights and felt that was about right.
Q: Is Shanghai stroller-friendly?
A: Mostly yes. The metro has lifts at most stations and sidewalks are generally wide. The French Concession's narrower streets and Yu Garden interior are trickier. In general we always recommend a carrier over a stroller in Chinese cities.
Q: Can kids eat the food in Shanghai?
A: Absolutely. Shanghainese cuisine is one of the milder regional cuisines. Soup dumplings, noodles, fried rice and pan-fried buns are all kid-friendly staples.
Q: Should we visit Shanghai or Beijing with kids?
A: We prefer Beijing for authentic Chinese culture, better value, and more manageable attractions. But Shanghai wins for modern amenities and Disneyland. Read our detailed comparison.
Q: Is the metro free for children?
A: Children under 6 or shorter than 1.3m ride free with a paying adult.
Q: What's the best area to stay with kids? A: Jing'an for a calm base, Nanjing Road for convenience. See our full where to stay guide.
