Shanghai, China’s largest and most cosmopolitan city, offers Muslim travelers modern attractions alongside historic Islamic heritage and abundant halal food. See our halal food guides for dining options. Explore halal food in Shanghai for more information. Explore Muslim travelers for more information.
Muslim-Friendly Overview
Shanghai offers:
- Historic Muslim community
- 200+ halal restaurants
- Several historic mosques
- Modern city amenities
- International accessibility
Mosques in Shanghai
Xiaotaoyuan Mosque
- Historic mosque (1925)
- Beautiful architecture
- Central location
- Visitors welcome
Songjiang Mosque
- One of China’s oldest
- Yuan Dynasty origin
- Historic significance
Pudong Mosque
- Modern facility
- Growing community
- Convenient location
Finding Halal Food
Recognizing Halal
Look for 清真 (qīngzhēn) characters:
- Green signs with Arabic script
- Hui Muslim restaurants
- Xinjiang restaurants
- Lanzhou noodle shops
Best Areas
Huangpu District:
- Central location
- Multiple halal options
- Tourist accessible
Near Mosques:
- Xiaotaoyuan area
- Concentrated halal options
- Authentic cuisine
Restaurant Types
Lanzhou Lamian (兰州拉面):
- Hand-pulled beef noodles
- Found everywhere
- Always halal (look for 清真)
Xinjiang Restaurants:
- Uyghur cuisine
- Kebabs and pilaf
- Usually halal
Hui Cuisine:
- Muslim Chinese food
- Diverse menu
- Traditional halal
Must-Try Halal Foods
- Lanzhou beef noodles: Signature halal dish
- Yang rou chuan: Lamb skewers
- Xinjiang pilaf: Rice with lamb
- Hui-style dumplings: Lamb or beef filled
- Hand-grabbed lamb: Traditional preparation
Top Attractions
Modern Shanghai
- The Bund: Waterfront promenade
- Oriental Pearl Tower: Iconic skyline
- Shanghai Tower: World’s second tallest
- Pudong Skyline: Financial district
Historic Shanghai
- Yu Garden: Classical Chinese garden
- Old City: Traditional area
- French Concession: Colonial architecture
- Jade Buddha Temple: Buddhist landmark
Muslim Interest
- Xiaotaoyuan Mosque: Historic visit
- Muslim Quarter areas: Food exploration
- Silk Road connections: Historic trade
Getting Around
- Metro: Extensive and efficient
- Taxi: Affordable, use Didi app
- Walking: Central areas walkable
- Maglev: Airport to city
Accommodation Tips
- International hotels widespread
- Halal breakfast: Ask in advance
- Pudong or Puxi: Both have options
- Near metro stations: Convenient
Practical Tips
- Learn 清真: Recognize halal characters
- Lanzhou noodles: Reliable halal anywhere
- Translation app: Essential for communication
- VPN: For Google and social media
- Cash useful: Some places don’t take cards
- Metro app: Download offline maps
- Modest dress: For mosque visits