Plan Your Trip
Shanghai Itinerary
Day-by-day plans for 3 or 5 days. Built by people who know Shanghai — not generic algorithms.
How to use this itinerary
This plan is battle-tested — we have given versions of it to dozens of first-time visitors, and it works. The 3-day plan covers every essential sight without feeling rushed. Days are organized geographically so you spend minimal time in transit. Each day has a rhythm: a morning landmark, a lunch that is an experience in itself, an afternoon cultural stop, and an evening that shows you a different side of Shanghai after dark.
Adjust the start times to your jet lag. If you wake up at 5:00 AM on Day 1 (most long-haul arrivals do), head to the Bund for sunrise — you will share the promenade with tai chi groups and have perfect photos before the crowds arrive. If you are not a morning person, shift everything forward by two hours; Shanghai's nightlife and late-night food scene mean that starting your day at 11:00 AM still leaves plenty of time.
The Classic
3-Day Shanghai Itinerary
Three perfectly-paced days covering the absolute essentials. This is the itinerary we give to friends visiting for the first time.
Day 1: The Bund & Pudong Skyline
Nanjing Road East Walk
Start at People's Square and walk the pedestrian strip east toward the Bund. Soak in the neon, the crowds, and the energy.
The Bund Waterfront
Walk the full length of the promenade. Colonial architecture on your left, Pudong's future-city skyline across the river.
Lunch: Yang's Fried Dumplings
Shengjianbao on Wujiang Road. Four dumplings for under RMB 10. Look for the yellow sign.
Shanghai Tower
Cross to Pudong via the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel or Metro. Ride the world's fastest elevator to the 118th-floor observation deck.
Sunset at Flair Rooftop
58th-floor bar at the Ritz-Carlton Pudong. The view of the Bund lighting up at dusk is unforgettable.
Dinner & Bund Night View
Cross back to Puxi. Dinner at Lost Heaven (Yunnan cuisine) or Mercato. Then walk the Bund at night.
Day 2: History & Culture
Yu Garden
Arrive at opening to beat the crowds. Spend 90 minutes exploring pavilions, rockeries, and koi ponds from the Ming dynasty.
City God Temple Bazaar
Adjacent to Yu Garden. Browse the snack alley, try tanghulu (candied hawthorn), and people-watch.
Jing'an Temple
Metro to Jing'an. A golden temple surrounded by skyscrapers. The contrast is quintessential Shanghai.
Lunch near Jing'an
Hole-in-the-wall noodle shops on nearby side streets. Look for the ones packed with locals.
Shanghai Natural History Museum
Stunning modern museum with dinosaur skeletons and interactive exhibits. Even if you're not a museum person, the building is worth seeing.
Dinner in the French Concession
Restaurants on Hunan Road or Wukang Road. Di Shui Dong for spicy Hunan, or one of the French bistros.
Speak Low
Find the hidden entrance (it's behind a bookshelf) and climb four floors of award-winning cocktails.
Day 3: Neighborhoods & Souvenirs
Yu Garden & Old City
Start the day in Ming-dynasty Shanghai. Explore the garden, then wander the bazaar and City God Temple area.
Xiaolongbao Lunch
Head to Jia Jia Tang Bao near People's Square for the city's best soup dumplings. Go early; queues form fast.
Shanghai Museum
Free, world-class Chinese art and artifacts. Focus on the bronze and ceramics galleries if time is tight.
French Concession
Coffee at a lane-house cafe on Wukang Road, then wander the plane-tree-lined streets south to Tianzifang.
Dinner in Xintiandi
Upscale dining in restored shikumen houses. Fu 1088 for classic Shanghainese, or Mercato for Italian with Bund views.
Huangpu River Cruise
A 45-minute night cruise past the illuminated Bund and Pudong skyline. The definitive Shanghai nightcap.
Extended Stay
5-Day Shanghai Itinerary
Have more time? Days 4 and 5 expand the 3-day plan with a day trip and deeper neighborhood exploration.
Day Trip: Suzhou or Hangzhou
Take a morning high-speed train (30-45 min). Suzhou for classical gardens and canals. Hangzhou for West Lake and tea culture. Return by evening.
Deep Cuts & Departure
Visit M50 art district in the morning. Brunch in the French Concession. Afternoon at the Propaganda Poster Art Centre or Longhua Temple. Souvenir shopping at the South Bund Fabric Market.
Cost Estimate
What to budget
Budget
RMB 800
per day
Hostels, street food, Metro, free attractions
Comfortable
RMB 2,000
per day
Mid-range hotels, nice meals, taxis, all attractions
Luxury
RMB 5,000+
per day
5-star hotels, fine dining, private guides
Common questions about Shanghai itineraries
Is 3 days enough for Shanghai?
Yes — 3 full days covers the Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Tower, French Concession, museums, and the food highlights. You'll leave feeling like you saw the city properly.
Should I extend to 5 days?
If you have the time, yes. Days 4-5 add a day trip (Suzhou or Hangzhou) and slower exploration of neighborhoods and museums. Shanghai rewards a relaxed pace.
What's the best area to stay in Shanghai?
The French Concession (Xuhui/Jing'an) for charm, cafes, and walkability. The Bund area for central location and views. Pudong for business hotels with skyline views.