Competitors explore the sights of Shanghai

From its rich history to its futuristic skyline along the Huangpu River, WorldSkills Competitors spent the day exploring Shanghai’s landmarks, experiencing its culture, and immersing themselves in its industrial heritage. For many, it was their first glimpse of China and, for some, their first experience of overseas travel.

Before the 48th WorldSkills Competition gets underway, Competitors relished the chance to explore the host city and get to know the other young people at the event. They started to build the lasting friendships that make the WorldSkills community so special.

The ten themed excursions whisked Competitors through historical and cultural sights, from urban landmarks to Jiangnan water towns, providing a unique and rich experience of the ancient and modern Shanghai. Sights included the Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Tower, and Nanxiang, an ancient water town. Some excursions took in the WorldSkills Museum, the world’s only museum dedicated entirely to skills.

Charlie Véronneau, a Competitor in Landscape Gardening from Canada, loved the experience. She shared, “On our walking tour along the river, we encountered beautiful brick interlock work and an impressive garden at the former British Consulate. As a landscape gardener, these items really stood out to me and will stay with me long after I leave Shanghai. So will the relationships I’ve built with my teammates as part of Team Canada.”

Experts took part in similar tours earlier in the week and are now deep into final preparations across each of the 64 skill competitions, readying the workshops, equipment, and Test Projects.

Mark Callaghan, Director of Event Operations for WorldSkills International, says, “While all eyes might be focused on the Competition, we believe it is important for all our Competitors and their delegations to experience the cultural, historical, and industrial highlights of the city. Long after the medals are awarded, it is often these first days of friendship and cultural exchange that Competitors remember most.”

After the excursion, Competitors joined an evening Welcome Reception where they had a chance to reflect on the day and share feelings about the Competition ahead. Thoughts now turn to Familiarization and their first chance to step onto the workshop floor to meet the skill teams and test out the tools of their trade for the coming week.

Follow the countdown to the 48th WorldSkills Competition and see what’s on at the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 website.