Shanghai's Sci-Fi Side: A Foreigner's Guide to Riding Robotaxis & Playing with AI (2026 Tested)
- cometodolphinunion
- Jan 17
- 5 min read
Everyone talks about the Bund and Yu Garden. But what about the real Shanghai? The city is a living lab for the future. Think self-driving taxis and AI museums. The problem? Most of this tech is hidden in Chinese apps and local news. It's hard for visitors to find.
Last month, my friend Sofia from Italy visited. She's a tech lover. "I saw videos of robotaxis in Shanghai," she said. "But I couldn't find how to ride one. The apps were all in Chinese." She almost missed it. Then I showed her the trick. Her ride in a Pony.ai car was the highlight of her trip. "It felt like being in a movie," she told me.
This guide is your key. I'll show you exactly how to experience China's top tech in Shanghai. You will ride a driverless car. You will play with cutting-edge AI. No confusing tech jargon. Just clear, tested steps for travelers.
H2: Ride a Real Robotaxi: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Want to experience the future of transport? Shanghai's robotaxi service is real and open to tourists. It's not a demo. It's a real taxi, just without a driver steering. But the sign-up process can be tricky.
My Canadian friend, Liam, tried to sign up last year. He used the main ride-hailing app. "I couldn't find the robotaxi option anywhere," he said. "The English version of the app didn't have it." He thought it was only for locals.
Here’s how to do it right. You need a specific app. For the best experience, use Pony.ai (小马智行). Download their app from your app store. Use your passport and international phone number to register. It works.
Pro Tip: The service area is limited. It mainly runs in Pudong's Jinqiao/Huamu area (near Century Park). Set your pickup and drop-off within this zone. A safety driver is always present, but they don't touch the wheel unless needed.
（Shanghai high-tech experience for foreign tourists）
H3: Pony.ai Robotaxi: Key Details
Cost: About 2.8 RMB per kilometer. Similar to a regular taxi.
Hours: Operates from 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM on weekdays.
Payment: Use Alipay or WeChat Pay inside the app. Link your foreign card first.
The Experience: The car drives smoothly. You can watch the steering wheel turn by itself. It's surreal. The in-car screen shows what the car "sees". Some cars have English voice prompts.
H2: Play with AI at the World Skills Museum (世界技能博物馆)
Shanghai has a fantastic new tech playground. It's the World Skills Museum (Shijie Jineng Bowuguan) in Yangpu. Their new AI exhibition is hands-on and mind-blowing. And it's completely free. No booking needed.
The museum is huge. You could waste hours walking. The key is to go straight to the best part: the "AI: Skills for a New World" exhibition on the 1st floor. It's open until February 2026.
My friend Hiroshi from Japan is a engineer. He loved the interactive games. "I played Go with a robot called 'Yuanluobo'," he said. "I also used an AI tool to turn my simple sketch into a beautiful digital painting in seconds. It was incredible."
H3: Must-Try AI Exhibits
Play Chess with a Robot: Challenge the Yuanluobo robot to a game of Go or Connect Five.
Create AI Art: Draw anything on a tablet. Watch AI transform it into a masterpiece.
Voice Light Sculpture: Speak into a microphone. Your voice creates a unique light pattern on a curtain of beads. Perfect for a video.
Try an Exoskeleton: Feel the power of a robotic exoskeleton suit. You can lift heavy objects easily.
Pro Tip: Go on a weekday morning right at 9:30 AM. Head to the 4th floor first for other interactive tech games (like simulated spray painting). They get busy later. Wear light-colored clothes. It looks better in the photo zones with neon lights.
H2: Experience Space & Sci-Fi: Two Futuristic Day Trips
Shanghai's best tech sights are outside the city center. They are worth the trip. You need a plan. Public transport works, but it takes time.
Option 1: Shanghai Planetarium (上海天文馆) This is the world's largest planetarium. It's in Lingang, near Dishui Lake. Over 50% of the exhibits are interactive. You can feel a simulated gravitational wave or "fly" across the galaxy in a moving theater.
The Challenge: It's far. It takes about 1.5 hours by metro (Line 16 to Dishui Lake). Tickets are popular. You must book online in advance.
Here’s the solution: Book tickets on their official WeChat mini-program. Use your passport. Select an entry time slot. The site accepts some foreign credit cards. Download their English audio guide. Combine this trip with a robotaxi ride in the Lingang area for a full futuristic day.
Option 2: Zai Shui Yi Fang Sci-Fi Museum (在水一方科幻馆) This is a hidden gem. It's a full immersive sci-fi experience. You can explore a Mars base and complete team missions. The sets are like a movie.
The Problem: It's in Fengxian District, far south of Shanghai. Information in English is very limited.
My advice: This is where a service like DolphinUnion helps. We can arrange a private car with an English-speaking assistant. They can help with booking and explain the exhibits. It turns a complicated trip into a smooth adventure. You can get a custom quote for transport here: https://www.dolphinunion.com/transportation-services-china
H2: Ride the Driverless Metro: A Quick & Cheap Thrill
Want a 10-minute future tech fix? Ride the Pujiang Line (浦江线). This is a fully automated metro line. There is no driver's cabin at the front. Instead, you get a giant window with a 180-degree view of the tracks ahead.
It feels like you are driving the train yourself. You can see all the switches and signals. The best part? A round trip costs only 3 RMB.
How to do it: Take Metro Line 8 to Shendu Highway Station (沈杜公路站). Transfer to the Pujiang Line here. Ride it to the last stop, Huizhen Road. Then just ride it back. The whole experience takes about 30 minutes. It's perfect for a short, cool activity.
Why This Tech Tour Beats Standard Sightseeing
I love the classic Shanghai sights. But this tech side is what makes the city unique. You don't just see China's future. You experience it firsthand.
My German friend, Thomas, summed it up. "The robotaxi wasn't just a ride," he said. "It was a conversation starter. The AI museum wasn't just looking at screens. It was playing with the future. These experiences gave me a story to tell, not just photos to show."
Want to Weave Tech into Your Full Shanghai Trip?
My detailed guide, "144-hour Shanghai Classic Tour Route", shows you how to blend it all. It perfectly mixes futuristic tech with ancient water towns and art deco history. You get precise schedules. You learn how to book everything. You discover secret spots away from the crowds. It turns your visa-free transit time into an unforgettable journey through time, from the past to the future.
Ready to see the real Shanghai? Skip the generic tours. Ride a robotaxi. Battle an AI at chess. Look into the universe at the planetarium. Use this guide to make it happen easily.
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