Travel & Venue
Tourism
Discover Shanghai — A Dynamic Blend of Heritage, Culture and Modernity

Shanghai is one of China’s most vibrant and internationally connected cities, where historic architecture, traditional gardens, and century-old neighborhoods stand alongside modern skylines and a dynamic urban lifestyle. As a major global center for business, finance, culture, and innovation, Shanghai offers visitors an exceptional opportunity to experience the distinctive blend of East and West that defines the city—from the waterfront views of the Bund to the bustling streets of Nanjing Road.

For conference participants, Shanghai provides an ideal combination of international connectivity, cultural attractions, shopping, dining, and leisure. Visitors can explore the city’s historic landmarks during the day, enjoy its renowned culinary scene, and experience the spectacular skyline of Pudong after sunset.

For more information on Shanghai’s attractions, culture, dining, and travel experiences, please visit the official Shanghai municipal tourism website.


Attractions

Oriental Pearl Tower
The Oriental Pearl Tower rises along the Huangpu River in Pudong and forms a distinctive landmark of Shanghai’s skyline. Completed in 1994, the tower is known for its distinctive spherical design and observation decks, which provide panoramic views of the Huangpu River, the Bund, and the surrounding cityscape.


Oriental Pearl Tower

Yuyuan Garden
Yuyuan Garden is a traditional Chinese classical garden located in Shanghai’s historic old city. With elegant pavilions, ponds, rockeries, and landscaped courtyards, the garden offers a peaceful escape from the surrounding city and provides a glimpse into traditional Chinese garden design and culture.

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Shanghai Wild Animal Park
Shanghai Wild Animal Park is home to a wide variety of animals from around the world, including giant pandas, giraffes, elephants, and big cats. Visitors can explore different themed areas and observe animals in spacious environments, making it an enjoyable destination for families and those interested in wildlife and nature.

Shanghai Wild Animal Park

The Bund
The Bund stretches along the western bank of the Huangpu River and is lined with historic buildings featuring diverse architectural styles. Across the river, the modern skyline of Pudong creates a striking contrast, offering visitors a memorable view of Shanghai’s blend of architectural heritage and contemporary development.

The Bund

Recommended Sightseeing Routes in Shanghai
Classic Shanghai Route: The Bund ➠ Nanjing Road ➠ People's Square ➠ Yuyuan Garden
Shanghai Skyline Route: Oriental Pearl Tower ➠ Lujiazui ➠ Huangpu River Cruise ➠ The Bund
Heritage & Culture Route: Yuyuan Garden ➠ Shanghai Old City ➠ Xintiandi ➠ Former French Concession ➠ Wukang Road
Relaxed City Walk: Wukang Road ➠ Anfu Road ➠ Fuxing Park ➠ Xintiandi ➠ Evening stroll along the Huangpu River

Culinary Experiences

Soup Dumplings
Xiaolongbao are delicate steamed dumplings filled with seasoned pork and savory soup. The thin, tender wrapper holds a rich broth inside, while the filling provides a balance of savory flavors. They are traditionally served in bamboo steamers and carefully enjoyed while hot.

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Shanghai Braised Pork
Shanghai-style braised pork is prepared by slowly simmering pork belly with soy sauce, sugar, and aromatic seasonings. The long cooking process produces tender, glossy meat with a rich savory-sweet flavor, representing the characteristic taste of traditional Shanghai Benbang cuisine.

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Lion’s Head Meatballs
Lion’s Head Meatballs are large, tender pork meatballs traditionally prepared with minced pork, water chestnuts, and seasonings. They are typically braised or simmered in a savory sauce until soft and flavorful, with their delicate texture and rich taste reflecting the culinary traditions of the Jiangnan region.

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Crab Roe Noodles
Crab roe noodles combine delicate noodles with rich crab roe and crab meat, creating a deeply savory and aromatic flavor. Particularly popular during the autumn crab season, the dish reflects the culinary traditions of the Jiangnan region and Shanghai’s long-standing appreciation for freshwater crab.

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Visa Information

All visitors to China must meet the following entry requirements:

- Valid travel document (with a minimum validity of 6 months);
- Onward/return ticket;
- Entry facilities to next destination;
- Sufficient funds to stay in China;
- Visa for China (*if applicable).

Visa-free policy

Unilateral visa-free policy: Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Holland, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan.

Mutual visa-free policy: The United Arab Emirates, Barbados, Bahamas, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Mauritius, San Marino, Seychelles, Serbia, Tonga, Belarus, Qatar, Armenia, Albania, Dominica, Suriname, Maldives, Singapore, Thailand, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Antigua and Barbuda, Solomon Islands.
The latest policies shall be subject to official announcements issued by local immigration authorities.

Request for Visa Application Document(s) - Invitation Letter
Please note that you must apply for your own visa application. MDPI is not responsible for any visa application. However, MDPI can provide a Visa Support Letter. To be eligible for such a document, the criteria below must be fulfilled:
1. Applicants must have paid for registration and submitted an abstract in order to get a letter of support.
2. Applicants must provide us with a scan of their valid, in-date passport that contains a photo of them.
3. Applicants must provide us with a letter of support from their institution to confirm that they support the delegate attending the meeting.
4. This must be carried out in good time before the meeting; "last minute" requests will not be processed.

Guide To China
1. Preparations Before Departure

1.1. Credentials/Documents
(a) Passport
(b) Visa if needed

1.2. Daily Necessities
(a) Masks, medicines (e.g., cold medicine/gastrointestinal medicine/anti-inflammatory medicine)
(b) Conversion plug, mobile phone card (open international traffic)



(c) Credit card and some cash; commonly used Alipay and WeChat

2. Local Life Tips

2.1. Public Safety
Chinese police number: 110
Chinese emergency number: 120
Fire alarm number in China: 119

2.2. Common APP
(a) How to Pay
• In China, you can enjoy convenient payments with just a mobile phone. Payment services such as Alipay and Weixin Pay are available.
Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, and Discover cards can all be added.
This is a Alipay guide video: https://youtu.be/JcUKLoNyeUQ?si=rOfa1xkOO6PTrHzh
• Large supermarkets support direct visa/master credit card payment.
• Cash. If you need cash, you can withdraw RMB cash with your bank card at an ATM with logos of the corresponding bank card organizations. You can also directly exchange at bank outlets with currency exchange signs, outlets of qualified financial institutions, or self-service kiosks. Please consult the staff for currencies available.
(b) Transportation
Search routes: Gaode Maps, Baidu Maps
Public transportation: public transportation is well developed, generally take the bus, subway, use Alipay - you can swipe the electronic card to pay for the trip.