10 Best Things to Do in Shanghai for Sci-Fi Fans

Shanghai isn’t just a city of ancient temples and bustling shopping streets—it’s a living, breathing sci-fi novel. With its neon-drenched skylines, futuristic architecture, and a cultural landscape that blends tradition with hyper-modernity, Shanghai offers an otherworldly experience that feels ripped straight from the pages of William Gibson or a scene in Blade Runner. For sci-fi lovers, this city is nothing short of a pilgrimage. Here are the 10 best things to do in Shanghai that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into the future.

1. Gaze at the Futuristic Skyline of Lujiazui

No visit to Shanghai is complete without witnessing the iconic skyline of Pudong’s Lujiazui financial district. By day, it looks like a render from a utopian concept art piece. By night, it transforms into a cyberpunk dreamscape.

Must-See Structures:

• The Shanghai Tower: As the second tallest building in the world, its twisting, asymmetrical form seems to defy physics. Take the high-speed elevator to the 118th-floor observation deck for views that feel like you’re on a starship bridge.
• The Oriental Pearl TV Tower: With its magenta spheres and space-age design, it’s a retro-futuristic icon that has symbolized Shanghai’s future-forward vision since the 1990s.
• The Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center: Their sleek, geometric designs add to the district’s cosmic aesthetic.

Walk along the Binjiang大道 (Bīnjiāng Dàdào) at night when the buildings are illuminated with LED displays and advertisements—a real-life version of Blade Runner’s dystopian city.

2. Experience the Maglev: The Fastest Train on Earth

How often do you get to ride a train that uses magnetic levitation to hit speeds of 431 km/h (268 mph)? The Shanghai Maglev Train isn’t just public transport—it’s a prototype of future mobility. The 7-minute ride from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road Station feels like a journey on a hyperloop. The silence and smooth acceleration are surreal, as if you’re gliding on air. For sci-fi tech enthusiasts, it’s a real-world application of tech we’ve only read about in novels.

3. Explore the Urban Planetarium: Shanghai Astronomy Museum

Designed by Ennead Architects, the Shanghai Astronomy Museum is itself a masterpiece of cosmic architecture. The building lacks straight lines or right angles, mimicking the orbital motion of celestial bodies. The exhibits—from meteorites to solar telescopes and a stunning planetarium show—immerse you in the grandeur of the universe. It’s a place that makes you contemplate space colonization, extraterrestrial life, and the physics of black holes.

4. Dive into Digital Art at teamLab Borderless

Step into an immersive digital universe at teamLab Borderless, where art, technology, and imagination collide. This interactive museum features ever-changing digital installations—forests of light, floating galaxies, and waterfalls that respond to touch. It feels like walking through a simulated reality or a holographic environment from a sci-fi film. Perfect for fans of virtual worlds and AI-themed narratives.

5. Wander Through the City of the Future: Century Avenue

Century Avenue in Pudong is a sprawling, symmetric boulevard lined with skyscrapers, oversized digital billboards, and sleek infrastructure. It’s often used as a filming location for sci-fi movies and commercials because of its imposing, futuristic look. Stroll here during the golden hour or after dark, when the blue hour glow and artificial lights create a cinematic atmosphere reminiscent of Ghost in the Shell or The Fifth Element.

6. Visit the Power Station of Art

Contemporary art often intersects with sci-fi themes, and the Power Station of Art—a museum housed in a former power plant—hosts exhibitions that explore technology, humanity, and futurism. Its industrial aesthetic combined with cutting-edge digital and conceptual art makes it a hub for those interested in the cultural side of science fiction.

7. Discover AI and Robotics at Shanghai’s Tech Hubs

Shanghai is at the forefront of China’s tech revolution. Places like the Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park are where innovations in AI, robotics, and biotechnology are being developed. While some areas are not open to the public, you can visit tech showrooms and attend events like the World AI Conference, which is often held in Shanghai. Seeing humanoid robots, self-driving cars, and neural network demonstrations in person is like witnessing the birth of synthetic life.

8. Step into a Cyberpunk Market: Zhangyuan Electronics Market

For a gritty, authentic cyberpunk experience, head to an electronics market like the one in Zhangyuan. It’s a multi-story maze of stalls selling components, gadgets, VR headsets, and retro gaming systems. The crowded, neon-lit corridors buzzing with vendors and tech enthusiasts feel like something out of Neuromancer. You might even pick up a piece of tech to upgrade your own gear.

9. Enjoy Sci-Fi-Themed Cafes and Bars

Shanghai’s cafe and bar scene includes several spots with sci-fi decor and themes. Look for venues with space-age interiors, holographic menus, or tech-inspired cocktails. Some bars feature interactive light systems and VR booths. It’s a great way to relax and geek out after a day of exploration.

10. Attend Comic Con and Sci-Fi Events

Shanghai regularly hosts pop culture events like Shanghai Comic Con and international film festivals that feature sci-fi screenings, cosplay, and panels with authors and filmmakers. It’s a chance to meet fellow fans, discover indie sci-fi projects, and celebrate the genre in a city that embodies its spirit.

Whether you’re drawn to architecture, technology, or pure speculative wonder, Shanghai offers a breathtaking glimpse into the future—today.