The Chinese cruise market is one of the fastest growing in the world and operators are wasting no time in taking advantage of this. Not only are more cruises visiting this region, but more of the world’s most popular cruise lines are stationing their ships on the country’s shores for anything up to a year at a time. Princess Cruises are currently building the luxurious Majestic Princess, which will homeport in Shanghai in 2017, whilst Sapphire Princess is also based their at the moment. Not wanting to miss out, Royal Caribbean has stationed Quantum of the Seas in the city and will base their brand new ship Ovation of the Seas in Tianjin when it launches later this year.

So, if you want to climb aboard any of these vessels to experience some fantastic Chinese culture, here are some great things to do in Shanghai that won’t cost you a fen.

Marvel At The Museums

Being such a big city, Shanghai has so many excellent museums to explore, and the great thing is that many of them are free. You can learn about anything from tobacco to oriental musical instruments and the country’s national sport of table tennis. However, the most comprehensive free museum and the best place for learning about Chinese history and culture has to be the Shanghai Museum. The exhibits here include ancient artefacts and Feng Sui furniture, as well as many bronze, china and jade relics.

Ponder Chinese Life In The Park

In China, the parks are not just used as places for romantic strolls and weekend picnics; they are deeply ingrained in the culture and are used as part of the daily routine for many people. Shanghai has some excellent green spaces in which you will be able to see people conducting their morning fitness regime, practicing tai chi or taking part in outdoor sporting activities. There is so much art on display in the city that the various galleries in Shanghai can’t hold it and so it is exhibited in some of the parks. Jing’an Sculpture Park is an excellent example, which includes oversized animals amongst other interesting pieces.

Behold The Bund

As one of the most popular tourist areas in Shanghai, the Bund is sure to be alive with the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The area along the banks of the Huangpu River is the perfect place from which to appreciate the stunning skyline of this fast-moving city. There are many great restaurants, shops and hotels in this part of the city, which will obviously all cost you, but it’s completely free to stroll along and soak up the atmosphere and views.

Bonus: Travel To One Of Shanghai’s Ancient Water Towns

We’ve added this as a bonus for people who plan to stay in the area for longer than the time allowed whilst your cruise ship is docked. Why not add a pre or post cruise stay in Shanghai and head outside of the city centre to one of the picturesque water towns. These floating paradises provide a charming microcosm of historical china, with quaint architecture and a unique atmosphere. Perhaps the best example is Zhujiajiao, situated around 30 miles from Shanghai city centre and often compared to Venice.

If you would like to enjoy a Chinese cruise to see for yourself why so many cruise lines are positioning their ships here, we can offer a wide range of options. Just call us today for more details.