The most Instagrammable places in Shanghai

Columbia Circle

Columbia Circle is not your ordinary F&B hub. Not only does it have great historical significance, but it features a beautiful pool in the centre as its trademark. While the water is off-limits for swimming, the pool's perimeter is dotted with al fresco dining tables from restaurants and cafés ideal for grabbing a bite in between posing like you're splashing around in a modernised Roman bath monument. 

SOHO Fuxing Plaza

MIXPACE Mandela

Reconstructed from an old rivet factory, MIXPACE Mandela might be one of the most stunning co-working spaces in the city. With natural light pouring in, Mandela not provides an ideal spot for those who crave productivity, but also ideal lighting for those who pose on its giant white spiral staircase.

Photograph: courtesy MIXPACE Mandela

Sir Elly's Terrace

One of the largest terraces on the riverfront Bund, Sir Elly’s Terrace is known for its 270-degree views of the Huangpu and the Lujiazui skyline. For when you're feeling fancy, head over plush hotel The Peninsula Shanghai's 14th floor bar and sip on a drink while looking out across the waters. 

Photograph: courtesy The Peninsula Shanghai

TANK Shanghai

Though only opened half a year ago, TANK Shanghai has already established itself as one of the city's highest-traffic art hubs with plenty of exhibition spaces, gardens, restaurants, a bookstore and more among its five enormous refurbed oil tanks. A good one for both art lovers and those looking for a unique architectural landmark as the setting for photoshoots.

Yu Garden

A frequent feature in travel guidebooks, Yu Garden is one of those must-visit-at-least-once destinations in Shanghai as it is the epitome of classic Chinese beauty and architecture. When Yu Garden reopens in November after a preservation project, be warned – the hordes will make it tough to get a shot without photobombs.

1933 Old Millfun

Originally an abattoir, 1933 Old Millfun is a sharp contrast to the white buildings of MIXPACE Mandela and TANK Shanghai, and instead is all pared-back and art deco vibes. Its cool concrete and labyrinthine bridge structures give off a sinister sense of history - an ideal photo-taking spot for those seeking a bit of history and enigma.

Fosun Foundation

Located at the Bund Finance Centre, Fosun Foundation not only consists of a vast exhibition space indoors but also the some of the city's most photogenic architecture marked by a moving system of bronze flowing lines that look like church organ pipes. The strong use of symmetry and perspective would make taking a great shot there almost effortless. 

Guangfulin Park

A spot that's a bit farther out, Guangfulin Park is a huge, recently opened heritage site with excavations and construction still ongoing. Offering great views during the day and the evening, its exhibition halls, classic temples and bridges surrounded by greenery serve as a good hideout for those who need some downtime away from the hustle and bustle of the city.