To the western world, Shanghai (上海: Shànghǎi, “the city above sea”) is now mainly known for its looming skyscrapers, sprawling subway system, and its impressive shopping centers devoted to what appears to be the pursuit of consumerist ideology – it almost sounds a bit like New York, right? That said, if you are willing to make the trek and look beneath the layers of industrialization and modernization, you may be able to unearth a number of hidden gems that showcase Shanghai’s rich cultural history.

Here are some of the places that are must see locations in Shanghai.

1) Waitan (外灘) – The Bund

Probably the first stop for most tourists, the Wàitān, or the Bund is a must see landmark in central Shanghai that spans a distance of about 1 mile along the Huangpu River. It was once home to many banks and businesses from the US, UK, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands and Belgium. The Bund is particularly beautiful at night when all the European inspired architecture is lit up with extravagant, luminous lights.

2) Qibao Laojie (七寶)

Part of the greater Shanghai area, Qibao (七寶: Qībǎo, “Town of Seven Treasures”) is a quaint little town with an interesting legend for a backstory. While only two of the town’s mythical treasures have exist to this day, Qibao is still worth the visit due to its tantalizing food options. See my upcoming article for more details on Qibao delicacies.

3) Yuyuan Tourist Mart (豫园旅游商城)

A modern take on ancient architecture – this so called mart is more like a gigantic, tacky outdoor mall where all the shops and restaurants are housed underneath buildings shaped like pagodas. Known for knickknacks and souvenirs, the mart also sports a number of fast food places (McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Haagen-Dazs to name a few).

4) Nanjing Lu (南京路) – Nanjing Road

Nanjing Lu is a crowded, highly-commercialized shopping and food mecca that attracts tens of thousands of visitors daily – perhaps a fitting rival to New York’s Times Square. Among the recognizable stores on the strip include Apple, Gap, and American Eagle. Many luxe brands can also be found here – just be careful of those peddling counterfeits. If shopping and fast food is not on your to-do list, Nanjing Lu is also home to the Jing’an Temple (a historical landmark over 1,700 years old) and the Shanghai Art Gallery. If you’re more in the mood for people watching, try the People’s Square, located conveniently near the midpoint of Nanjing Lu.

5) Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC)

As the tallest building in mainland China and the second tallest building in the world, the SWFC is a behemoth worth a visit. Thus, if you want an aerial view of Shanghai’s urbanscape, the SWFC’s observation decks were created for that purpose.