I know you love the Bund, but there’s more to Shanghai!

With Shanghai’s tourism festival fast approaching, I thought it was high time we had a talk about what this city has to offer visitors, because there’s more than just the Bund.

I know what you’re thinking: “Of course, there’s more, like Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall and Yuyuan Garden!” That’s exactly what I thought you were going to say.

As it turns out, the places I mentioned are at the top of the list when it comes to the most popular tourist attractions in Shanghai, and for good reason. They are definitely worth at least one visit, especially for tourists who have a limited amount of time to explore.

But if you can spare a few more days, I’d like to share a few more ideas for places to hit up, or places to add to the list the next time your friends and family visit. Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

From October 26 to November 1, 1937, Chinese resistance fighters set up a base in the Sihang Warehouse to ward off Japanese aggression. The sixfloor structure’s location, just across the Suzhou Creek from the foreign concessions, was vital because it highlighted to foreign powers, who were not yet ready to engage, that China would not concede to the Japanese. It also meant the Japanese couldn’t attack using their most powerful weapons for fear of inadvertently hitting foreign areas.

The Japanese were forced to retreat, providing a much-needed morale boost and turning the “800 Heroes” (they actually numbered 414) into national heroes. Battle scars remain on the building as a vivid reminder of the defense of Sihang Warehouse, and part of the area has been turned into a memorial. unbroken stretch of the Huangpu River which can be walked, jogged or biked along.

Both sides of the river are included, and it has just been announced that the Pudong side will feature 22 new tourist information posts by the end of this month.

The posts will be open from 8am to 10pm and include free Wi-Fi, seating, drinking water, charging posts, and toilets. There is so much to see along the route, much of it quiet and green.

Shanghai is one of the safest cities in the entire world, so take advantage of that and jump on a Metro to some random station you’ve never been to or heard of before.

Shanghai is a bustling place, with things going on wherever you turn, so you’ll be bound to find amazing food, drinks, and things to look at.

Shanghai has so many worldclass places to visit, taste, and experience. Why limit yourself to the most popular spots? Andy Boreham comes from New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington, and has lived in China, off and on, for the past five years. He has a master’s degree in Chinese culture and language from Fudan University and is interested in all things related to contemporary Chinese society. He welcomes your feedback on all of the issues he covers. You can reach him at andy.boreham@shine.cn.