Shanghai’s Architectural Showstoppers

Shanghai's architectural transformation from quaint colonial town to space-age mega-city is breathtaking. Here are a few of the remarkable buildings that have revolutionised the skyline in recent years.

Dreamed up by Brit powerhouse Norman Foster and Thomas Heatherwick, the Fosun Foundation Art Center in the Bund finance hub dazzles both inside and out. A Deco-esque coppery-bronze shell is adorned with a veil of thick gilded bamboo sticks, hanging over the windows like layered tassels on a flapper’s frock. Inside this triple-layered edifice is a shimmering, Insta-worthy entrance hall with vast contemporary art exhibition and performance spaces beyond.

Constructed in 1998, under the guidance of Frenchman Jean-Marie Charpentier, the Grand Theatre has already established itself as a key Shanghai landmark. Sink into a plush red seat for world-class performances ranging from operas both Chinese and western, ballets, symphonies and chamber music to musicals and spoken dramas on one of the largest and best-equipped stages in the world. The futuristic structure comes into its own at nighttime, when lights glowing from within transform it into a crystal palace.

There’s no missing the colossal Gensler-imagined Shanghai Tower, which can be seen towering above the skyline anywhere in the city. Zip up to the world's highest observation deck to ogle Pudong, Puxi and beyond (on a clear day) — hands down the most impressive vantage point in Shanghai.

Register ahead for entry into the China Art Palace. Home to the world's largest collection of contemporary Chinese art, along with a number of international big-hitters, the galleries spread over five expansive floors — start at the top and work your way down through time on an artful journey. Built as part of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, this pillar box-red, pagoda-inspired behemoth is the work of homegrown starchitect He Jingtang.

Hardcore archi buffs may also want to skip over to People’s Square, where among a number of cultural attractions is the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall. Forgive the dreary name and skip inside to peek at a fascinating scale model of Shanghai’s past and future development. 

Fosun Foundation Art Center / 600 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu / Huangpu / +86 21 6305 5118 / 10am-8pm Tue-Sun 

Shanghai Grand Theatre / 300 Renmin Dadao / Huangpu / +86 21 6386 8686 

Shanghai Tower / 501 Yincheng Zhong Lu / Pudong / +86 21 2065 6999 / 9am-9pm daily / shanghaitower.com

China Art Palace / World Expo Park / 205 Shangnan Lu / Pudong / +86 21 6222 8822 / 9am-5pm Tue-Sun 

Urban Planning Exhibition Hall / People’s Square / 100 Renmin Nan Lu / Huangpu / +86 21 6372 3500 / 9am-5pm Tue-Sun