St. Ignatius (Xujiahui) Cathedral is one of the most famous Catholic sights of Shanghai. The cathedral is a Roman-Gothic-style building with two beautiful columns composed of red brick, much unlike the usual white marble and granite columns of most historic churches. On the inside it features classic Gothic-style details and decor. Be sure to also stop and admire the lush greenery that surrounds the outside. Services are held every Sunday morning.

Shanghai Community Church is located in the Xuhui district of the city. It is the only Protestant church in Shanghai so it usually draws in a large crowd on Sundays. The building very closely resembles a Catholic church, boasting a powerful Western influence with an Episcopalian touch. The church holds valuable Sunday School classes for children every week. Sunday morning services are held in Mandarin; the English services are held in the afternoon.

An exclusive church of the Luwan district of Shanghai, the former St Nicholas Orthodox church is a Russian-style religious building with archetypal domes. It is a brick and concrete construction that dates back to 1932. Today, the building is used as a restaurant and Tapas bar, as the church no longer exists. The classic architecture of this structure is certainly worth visiting.

St. Peter Church is a Catholic church located in the Luwan district. Built in the 1930s, this structure features a distinct Western style. This extremely popular church draws in international visitors weekly. You will see English, Korean, German and many other nationalities among the congregation each Sunday. English services are held every Saturday at 5 pm.

Fazangjiang Temple is one of the most famous temples of Shanghai. It is a Buddhist establishment that recently experienced some much-needed renovations. The main building of the temple features a unique facade, built in a classic, original Chinese style. In the main hall, a large modern statue of Sakyamuni is on display and in one of the lesser halls is a small shrine to Dizang Wang, the Buddhist God of the Underworld.

The Confucian Temple, or Wen Miao, is the main Confucian religious site of Shanghai. Founded during the Yuan Dynasty, it is an exclusive architectural and religious complex famed for its historic significance and natural scenery. The temple was considered a prestigious learning institution, as it combined the elements of a religious structure with a school. The main hall, the library and study hall of this small, but amazing temple showcase precious relics and art works.

Built in 1917, Peach Garden Mosque is one of the most frequented Islamic sites of Shanghai. The building reflects an Islamic style of architecture, similar to that found in West Asia. The main prayer hall of this mosque can hold up to several hundred worshipers at a time. This hall is restricted to Muslim males only, with a separate hall designated for women. Unfortunately, non-Muslim visitors can admire the Mosque only from the outside, as the entrance is restricted for non-Muslim guests.

One of the most impressive Christian sites of Shanghai is the Holy Trinity Cathedral. It can be found in the Huangpu district, close to the famous Nanjing Road. It is one of the earliest Anglican establishments in the city, housed in a beautiful Neo-Gothic style building with a red-brick facade. The interiors feature Gothic and Byzantine details. Though some parts of the building are currently under renovation, this cathedral still attracts many visitors on a daily basis.

Hongkew Methodist Church, also known as Jingling Church, is an American Missionary institution in Shanghai. It is housed in a red-brick building that was constructed in 1923. The structure features familiar Western-style architecture and receives more than 2000 prayers each week.

Hongde Church stands along Doulun road, a pedestrian street famous for its shops and touristic spots. This street is a perfect example of the 20th century architectural style of Shanghai, of which Hongde Tang is a notable part. Built in 1928, in a fusion of Chinese and Western styles, this Christian site is the only church of Shanghai with temple-like features. This gorgeous building is a famous spot for newlyweds to take wedding pictures.