Shanghai
Colonial grandeur meets sci-fi skyline across a river that divides the past from the future, connected by dumplings and ambition.
1 day in Shanghai
Only got 24 hours? Here's how to experience the best of Shanghai in a single action-packed day.
The Best of Shanghai in 24 Hours
The Bund & Old French Concession
Start with a morning walk along the Bund — a 1.5km waterfront promenade lined with 52 heritage buildings spanning Art Deco, Baroque, and Gothic styles, facing the futuristic Pudong skyline across the Huangpu River. The contrast between colonial grandeur and sci-fi towers is Shanghai's defining image. Then taxi to the French Concession — tree-lined boulevards, independent cafes, and Art Deco apartments that feel more Paris than China.
Yu Garden & Old City
Metro to Yuyuan for Yu Garden (¥40) — a classical Chinese garden from 1559 with rockeries, koi ponds, pavilions, and dragon walls. The surrounding Old City bazaar is touristy but atmospheric, with traditional architecture and snack stalls. Try xiaolongbao (soup dumplings, ¥20–40 for a steamer) at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant — the original since 1900. Walk through the narrow lanes for a glimpse of pre-modern Shanghai.
Pudong Skyline & Nanjing Road
Cross to Pudong via the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel (¥55, kitschy but fun) or metro. Walk among the supertall skyscrapers — Shanghai Tower (¥180, 632m, China's tallest), Shanghai World Financial Center's Sky Walk (¥120), and the Oriental Pearl Tower. Then return to Puxi for a walk along Nanjing Road — a pedestrianized shopping street that's electric at night. End with cocktails at a Bund rooftop bar.
3 days in Shanghai
A carefully curated route mixing iconic landmarks, hidden gems, street food, culture, and adventure — designed for younger travelers.
Classic Shanghai — Bund, Gardens & Skyline
The Bund at Dawn
Walk the Bund before the crowds — the 1.5km waterfront promenade is flanked by 52 heritage buildings from Shanghai's colonial era. The HSBC Building, Peace Hotel, and Customs House are architectural masterpieces. Across the river, Pudong's futuristic skyline rises like a science fiction set. The contrast is what makes Shanghai — a city perpetually caught between its glamorous past and its even more ambitious future.
Yu Garden & Old City
Metro to Yu Garden (¥40) — a 16th-century classical garden with rockeries, koi ponds, and intricate pavilions. The surrounding bazaar is touristy but worth a walk for the traditional architecture. Lunch at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant — the original xiaolongbao shop since 1900 (¥20–40 per steamer). Walk through the narrow lanes of the Old City for a glimpse of Shanghai before the skyscrapers.
Pudong Skyline & Bund Nightscape
Metro to Lujiazui in Pudong and walk among the supertall skyscrapers. Shanghai Tower's observation deck (¥180, 118th floor) offers staggering views of the entire city and river below. Return to the Bund at night — the colonial buildings and Pudong towers are dramatically illuminated, creating Shanghai's most iconic panorama. For drinks, Bar Rouge or Vue Bar offer Bund-facing terraces with cocktails from ¥80.
French Concession & Art Scene
French Concession Walk
Explore the Former French Concession — tree-lined boulevards shaded by plane trees, Art Deco apartments, independent coffee shops, and boutique stores. Start on Wukang Road — a leafy street with the iconic Wukang Mansion (a 1924 Normandy-style apartment building). Walk through Fuxing Park, where locals practice tai chi and play cards. Breakfast at a local cafe — Baker & Spice or a neighborhood jianbing (savory crepe, ¥8–15) cart.
Tianzifang & M50 Art District
Tianzifang is a labyrinth of narrow lanes (shikumen, traditional Shanghai alleyway houses) converted into galleries, cafes, and design shops. It's touristy but charming. For serious art, metro to M50 Art District on Moganshan Road — a converted industrial complex with 100+ contemporary galleries (free entry). Shanghai's art scene is thriving and M50 is its beating heart. Lunch at a local noodle shop — scallion oil noodles (cong you ban mian, ¥15–25).
Jing'an Temple & Nightlife
Visit Jing'an Temple (¥50) at dusk — a golden Buddhist temple dramatically set against the surrounding skyscrapers. The contrast is pure Shanghai. Walk to the nearby Jing'an Kerry Centre area for dinner and drinks. Shanghai's cocktail scene is world-class — Speak Low (a speakeasy behind a cocktail equipment shop, cocktails from ¥90) and El Coctel are both on the World's 50 Best Bars list.
Markets, Street Food & Hidden Shanghai
People's Square & Shanghai Museum
Start at People's Square — the civic heart of Shanghai. The Shanghai Museum (free, closed Mondays) is world-class, with outstanding collections of bronze, ceramics, calligraphy, and jade. The ancient Chinese bronze collection is among the finest anywhere. Allow 2 hours minimum. The surrounding People's Park is busy with morning exercisers and, on weekends, the famous Marriage Market where parents post their children's marriage resumes.
Nanjing Road & Food Streets
Walk Nanjing Road East — Shanghai's busiest pedestrian shopping street. Turn off the main drag into the side streets for authentic food — Yunnan Road has excellent local restaurants. Try shengjianbao (pan-fried pork buns, ¥10–15 for 4) at Yang's Fried Dumplings — crispy bottom, juicy filling, and irresistibly addictive. Walk to the Power Station of Art (free) — Shanghai's contemporary art museum in a converted power plant.
Xintiandi & Farewell Dinner
Xintiandi is a restored shikumen neighborhood turned upscale dining district. The architecture preserves traditional lane house facades while housing modern restaurants and bars. For a farewell meal, try Shanghainese cuisine at Ye Shanghai (¥150–200 per person) — hairy crab season (Oct–Nov) is legendary, and their hongshao rou (red-braised pork belly, ¥68) melts in your mouth. End with a walk back along the illuminated Bund.
7 days in Shanghai
A full week to go deep — from famous landmarks to local neighbourhoods, day trips, hidden gems, and proper local immersion.
Classic Shanghai — Bund, Gardens & Skyline
The Bund at Dawn
Walk the Bund before crowds — 52 heritage buildings from Shanghai's colonial era face Pudong's futuristic skyline across the Huangpu River. The HSBC Building, Peace Hotel, and Customs House are architectural masterpieces. This is Shanghai's defining image — a city caught between its glamorous past and its even more ambitious future. Early morning tai chi practitioners add atmosphere.
Yu Garden & Old City
Metro to Yu Garden (¥40) — a 16th-century classical garden with rockeries, koi ponds, and intricate pavilions. The surrounding bazaar is touristy but atmospheric. Lunch at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant — the original xiaolongbao shop since 1900. Walk through the narrow lanes of the Old City for pre-modern Shanghai. Try guotie (pot stickers) from a street vendor (¥8–12).
Pudong & Bund Nightscape
Shanghai Tower observation deck (¥180, 118th floor) for staggering city views. Return to the Bund at night — colonial buildings and Pudong towers dramatically illuminated. Walk the full 1.5km promenade slowly. For drinks, Bar Rouge or Vue Bar have Bund-facing terraces with cocktails from ¥80. The nighttime Bund walk is free and one of Asia's greatest urban experiences.
French Concession & Art Scene
French Concession
Tree-lined boulevards shaded by plane trees, Art Deco apartments, independent coffee shops. Start on Wukang Road with the iconic Wukang Mansion. Walk through Fuxing Park where locals do tai chi and play cards. Breakfast at a jianbing cart (savory crepe, ¥8–15) — egg, cilantro, scallions, and crispy wonton in a wheat crepe. The French Concession is Shanghai's most walkable neighborhood.
M50 Art District
Metro to M50 on Moganshan Road — a converted industrial complex with 100+ contemporary galleries (free entry). ShanghART and Vanguard Gallery are standouts. Shanghai's art scene is globally significant and M50 is its epicenter. Lunch at a local noodle shop — scallion oil noodles (cong you ban mian, ¥15–25) are Shanghai's signature simple dish, deceptively addictive.
Jing'an Temple & Cocktails
Jing'an Temple (¥50) at dusk — a golden Buddhist temple against surrounding skyscrapers. The contrast is pure Shanghai. Walk to the Kerry Centre area for dinner. Shanghai's cocktail scene is world-class — Speak Low (speakeasy behind a cocktail shop, from ¥90), El Coctel, and Union Trading Company are all excellent. Late-night street food around Shouning Road — crayfish and beer culture peaks in summer.
Museums & Markets
Shanghai Museum
Shanghai Museum (free, reservation required) at People's Square has world-class collections of bronze, ceramics, calligraphy, and jade. The ancient bronze collection is among the finest anywhere. Allow 2–3 hours. On weekends, People's Park hosts the Marriage Market where parents post their children's resumes — a fascinating cultural phenomenon.
Nanjing Road & Street Food
Walk Nanjing Road East, then turn into side streets for authentic food. Yang's Fried Dumplings (shengjianbao, ¥10–15 for 4) is unmissable — crispy bottom, juicy filling. Power Station of Art (free) is Shanghai's contemporary art museum in a converted power plant with rotating exhibitions and river views from the top floor.
Xintiandi Dining
Xintiandi — restored shikumen neighborhood turned dining district. Shanghainese cuisine at Ye Shanghai or Jesse Restaurant — hongshao rou (red-braised pork belly), smoked fish, and lion's head meatballs. Dinner for two with drinks: ¥300–500. Walk off dinner through the illuminated lanes and end at a craft beer bar nearby.
Day Trip — Zhujiajiao Water Town
Zhujiajiao — Venice of Shanghai
Bus from Shanghai Stadium (¥12, 90 minutes) to Zhujiajiao — a 1,700-year-old canal town with arched stone bridges, willow-lined waterways, and traditional wooden houses. The entrance fee covers the town (¥60 for combined attractions). Cross the Fangsheng Bridge (1571), the largest five-arch stone bridge in Shanghai. The narrow lanes are atmospheric and photogenic at every turn.
Canal Boat & Local Food
Take a gondola ride through the canals (¥80 per boat, fits 4–6 people) for a different perspective. The town's food specialties are zongzi (sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves, ¥5–10) and braised pork knuckle (¥25–40). Visit the rice wine brewery, the traditional post office, and the shadow puppet theater. The handicraft shops sell genuine local products at reasonable prices.
Return & Taikang Road
Return to Shanghai by late afternoon. Explore Tianzifang on Taikang Road — a labyrinth of narrow shikumen lanes converted into galleries, cafes, and design shops. The atmosphere is intimate and creative. Dinner at one of the hidden restaurants inside — Commune Social by Jason Atherton does excellent modern Asian tapas (¥200–300 per person). Or find a local noodle shop and eat for ¥20.
Pudong, Technology & Shopping
Shanghai Science & Technology Museum
Metro Line 2 to the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum (¥45) — impressive interactive exhibits covering robotics, space, and nature. The adjacent AP Plaza underground market has cheap electronics and accessories (haggle hard). Walk to Century Park (¥10) — Shanghai's largest park with a lake, boat rentals, and quiet paths. A peaceful morning before the urban intensity.
Lujiazui Financial District
Walk through Lujiazui — Shanghai's Manhattan. The Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, and World Financial Center create a jaw-dropping skyline you can walk among. The Shanghai Ocean Aquarium (¥180) has the world's longest underwater tunnel. The IFC Mall has high-end shopping and dining. Lunch at Lujiazui Food Court for affordable options (¥25–50) surrounded by billionaires.
Huangpu River Cruise
Take an evening Huangpu River cruise (¥100–150, 1 hour) — the boat passes between the illuminated Bund and Pudong skylines, offering views impossible from either shore. The cheap cruises are just as good as luxury ones — it's the same river. Return to Puxi for dinner at a local Shanghainese restaurant — try drunken chicken (zuiji), pork and crab xiaolongbao, and mapo tofu.
Temples, Parks & Local Life
Jade Buddha Temple
Visit the Jade Buddha Temple (¥20) — one of Shanghai's most active Buddhist temples, built in 1882 to house two jade Buddha statues brought from Burma. The larger sitting Buddha is 1.9 meters tall and carved from a single piece of white jade. The temple is a working monastery with incense smoke, chanting monks, and devout worshippers. The atmosphere is genuinely spiritual amid the commercial city.
Zhabei & Local Shanghai
Walk through less-touristy Zhabei and Hongkou districts — the former Japanese Concession has its own architectural character and the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum (¥30) tells the remarkable story of 20,000 Jewish refugees who found sanctuary in Shanghai during WWII. Lunch at a local canteen — Shanghai-style wonton soup (¥12), braised noodles with pork chop (¥18), or a full set meal (¥25–35).
Crayfish & Night Food
Shouning Road night food street — Shanghai's crayfish capital. In season (May–October), the street fills with plastic tables and mountains of spicy garlic crayfish (¥60–100 per kg). Add cold beer (¥8–15), edamame, and grilled skewers for a proper local evening out. The atmosphere is rowdy, messy, and gloriously Chinese. Even outside crayfish season, the night food stalls serve excellent late-night fare.
Shopping, Souvenirs & Farewell
Dongtai Road Antiques & Fuxing Park
Browse Dongtai Road antiques market — Mao memorabilia, vintage propaganda posters, jade carvings, and old coins. Most items are reproductions but charming and cheap (¥10–100). Haggle to 30–40% of the asking price. Then relax in Fuxing Park — the most European park in Shanghai with morning tai chi, ballroom dancing, and card games under the plane trees.
Last Shopping & Souvenirs
For quality souvenirs, visit the Shanghai Museum gift shop (excellent reproductions), Spin Ceramics in the French Concession for modern Chinese pottery, or the tea shops along Fangbang Road for quality Chinese teas with tasting. Silk fans and embroidery from Yu Garden area make beautiful gifts (¥30–100). Don Quijote-style snack shopping at Lawson or FamilyMart for Chinese snack packs.
Farewell Dinner
For your final Shanghai meal, splurge on Shanghainese cuisine at Fu 1088 (a restored mansion) or keep it budget at a local restaurant. Must-order classics: xiaolongbao, hongshao rou, drunken chicken, shengjianbao, and smoked fish. One last walk along the Bund at night — let the illuminated skyline on both sides of the river be your final Shanghai memory. This city stays with you.
Budget tips
Street food paradise
Jianbing (¥8–15), shengjianbao (¥10–15/4 pcs), scallion oil noodles (¥15–25), wonton soup (¥12). Full meals for under ¥30 are easy to find in any neighborhood.
Metro efficiency
Shanghai Metro is cheap (¥3–9 per ride), extensive, and clean. Buy a Shanghai Public Transportation Card (¥20 deposit + top-up) for tap-and-go on metro, buses, and ferries.
Free attractions
The Bund walk, People's Park, French Concession, M50 Art District, Power Station of Art, and Fuxing Park are all free. Many museums offer free entry on certain days.
WeChat Pay
Set up WeChat Pay before arriving — it's used everywhere from street vendors to restaurants. Some places don't accept cash or cards anymore. Alipay is an alternative.
Budget accommodations
Hostels in the French Concession from ¥50–100/night. Budget hotels near People's Square from ¥200/night. Book on Trip.com (Ctrip) for best China hotel prices.
Haggle at markets
At markets (Dongtai Road, AP Plaza, Yu Garden), start at 20–30% of the asking price. Vendors expect negotiation and initial prices are marked up 3–5x.
Budget breakdown
Daily costs per person in CNY. Shanghai is surprisingly affordable — street food and metro fares are dirt cheap, but cocktail bars and observation decks add up fast.
| 🎒 Budget | ✨ Mid-Range | 💎 Splurge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation Hostel → hotel → boutique/luxury | ¥50–150 | ¥300–700 | ¥1,500+ |
| Food Street food & noodles → restaurants → fine dining | ¥60–120 | ¥150–300 | ¥600+ |
| Transport Metro → taxi/DiDi → private driver | ¥15–30 | ¥40–80 | ¥200+ |
| Activities Free museums & parks → observation decks → river cruise & shows | ¥40–100 | ¥150–350 | ¥500+ |
| Drinks Beer & tea → craft beer → cocktail bars | ¥10–30 | ¥50–150 | ¥300+ |
| Daily Total $24–59 → $95–218 → $427+ | ¥175–430 | ¥690–1,580 | ¥3,100+ |
Practical info
Getting Around
- Shanghai Metro has 19 lines and covers the city extensively. Fares ¥3–9. Get a Shanghai Public Transportation Card (¥20 deposit) for convenience
- DiDi (China's Uber) is essential for taxis — most drivers don't speak English. The app translates destinations automatically
- Shared bikes (Hellobike, Meituan) are ¥1.5 per 15 minutes — scan QR code with Alipay or WeChat. Great for French Concession exploring
Connectivity
- China blocks Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and most Western apps. Get a VPN before arriving (Astrill, ExpressVPN) or buy a roaming eSIM
- Set up WeChat before arriving — it's essential for communication, payments, and daily life in China. Almost nothing works without it
- Buy a China Unicom or China Mobile SIM at the airport (¥100–200 for 7–30 days data). eSIMs from eSIMDB bypass the Great Firewall
Money
- China is almost entirely cashless — WeChat Pay and Alipay are used everywhere. Some places refuse cash. Set up mobile payment before arriving
- Foreign cards work at some ATMs — Bank of China and ICBC are most reliable. Withdraw ¥1,000+ per transaction to minimize fees
- No tipping culture in China. Service charge is never added. Prices are as displayed
Visa & Entry
- 144-hour visa-free transit for many nationalities — must have onward ticket to a third country (not the same country you arrived from)
- Standard tourist visa (L visa) requires application at a Chinese embassy. Processing takes 4–7 business days
- Shanghai has two airports: Pudong (PVG, international) and Hongqiao (SHA, domestic/regional). Both connected by Metro Line 2
Health & Safety
- Shanghai is safe with low crime. Petty scams exist (tea house scam, art student scam) — decline invitations from strangers near tourist sites
- No vaccinations required but Hepatitis A/B recommended. Tap water is not safe to drink — buy bottled or use a filter
- Air quality varies — download an AQI app and wear a mask on high-pollution days. Spring and autumn have the cleanest air
Packing Tips
- Download a VPN, WeChat, Alipay, DiDi, and offline maps BEFORE arriving — many apps can't be downloaded in China
- Carry toilet paper — most public restrooms don't provide it. Hand sanitizer is also wise
- Power outlets are Type A/C/I — most hotels have universal sockets but carry an adapter just in case
Cultural tips
Shanghai is China's most cosmopolitan city but still deeply Chinese. Set up WeChat, learn basic Mandarin phrases, and be ready for a digital-first society.
Digital Life
China runs on WeChat and Alipay. Download WeChat before arriving and link a payment method. You'll need it for restaurants, shops, bikes, and even some public toilets.
Table Manners
Slurping noodles is fine. Communal dishes are normal — use serving chopsticks if provided. Leaving a little food shows you were given more than enough. Tea pouring for others is appreciated.
Common Scams
The "tea house" and "art student" scams target tourists near the Bund and People's Square — friendly strangers invite you to see art or drink tea, then present a huge bill. Politely decline unsolicited invitations.
Language Tips
"Ni hao" (hello), "xie xie" (thank you), and "bu yao" (don't want) are essential. Learn to recognize basic characters for exits, restrooms, and food items. Translation apps are crucial.
Smoking & Spitting
Smoking indoors is technically banned but enforcement varies. Spitting on the street is common — it's cultural, not malicious. Public restrooms range from modern to very basic.
Temple Etiquette
Remove hats inside temples. Don't point at Buddha statues. Photography may be restricted near specific icons. Incense is usually available for a small donation — follow the locals' lead.
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