Shanghai · 3 days 2 nights guide
Shanghai has the Bund's colonial facades and Pudong's skyline, plus the French Concession's plane trees and the smell of shengjianbao drifting from the lanes. With a few days, you want both the classics and a bit of artsy flair—this guide pulls it together from popular routes and real-world experience. Sights, food, where to stay, all strung so you can pack the best into limited time.
Adjust the order to your arrival and departure times. Day 3 is flexible—give it all to Disney, or slow down in Xintiandi, Jing'an, or the Science Museum.
Step onto the promenade and Pudong's skyline hits you—Oriental Pearl, Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower lined up across the river, colonial buildings behind you. Postcard view by day; lights-on at dusk hits different. You don't need to rush; walk from Waibaidu Bridge north or south, soak in the breeze, take photos. Free. Metro Lines 2/10 to Nanjing East Road, about 10 min on foot. Budget 1–2 hours; sunset or night is prime for photos.
A short turn from the Bund—old brands and modern malls side by side, crowded but buzzy. First time in Shanghai, this walk gives you the "this is Nanjing Road" feel. Shop, grab souvenirs, snack; no need to block out much time. Pair with the Bund in the same half-day. Free. Metro Lines 2/10 to Nanjing East Road. About 1 hour; morning or afternoon both work.
Compact but instantly evocative—pavilions, ponds, rockeries, and corridors give you that refined Jiangnan-garden vibe. A quiet contrast to the bustle of City God Temple outside; inside is made for a slow stroll. Budget at least 1–2 hours; pair with City God Temple and Shanghai Old Street. Tickets required; buy on the Yu Garden WeChat account or on-site. Metro Line 10 to Yuyuan. Book ahead in peak season.
Right outside Yu Garden—snacks, souvenirs, old buildings, busy and atmospheric. Good for a taste of old Shanghai. Free to wander; temple entry has a separate fee. Same metro stop as Yu Garden; allow half a day for both combined.
Up there, the whole city unfurls below—Lujiazui, the Bund, the Huangpu in one sweep. Feels more "I'm on top of Shanghai" than viewing from the opposite shore. Go late afternoon for sunset and lights coming on. Tickets on Shanghai Tower's website or at the door; observatory on floors 118–119. Metro Line 2 to Lujiazui. Allow 1–1.5 hours.
Pick one: Shanghai Tower or Oriental Pearl. The Pearl is the classic, instantly recognizable; the view from the top is great too. If you've already done the Tower, a photo from outside is enough. Tickets on website or at the door. Metro Line 2 to Lujiazui. Allow 1–2 hours if you go up.
Watching both shores light up from the water—Bund and Lujiazui silhouettes in one frame—hits different than walking. Good for Day 1 or 2 evening. Several piers (Shiliupu, Jinling East Road, etc.); check schedules and fares ahead. Cruises run about 1 hour; dusk and night sailings book up fastest.
Plane trees, old villas, cafes and boutiques—relaxed walking, no "must-check-in" pressure. I found an afternoon stroll and a cafe stop hit the spot. Free. Metro Lines 10/11 to Jiaotong University or Line 10 to Shanghai Library. Allow 2–3 hours to take it slow.
Shikumen lanes turned into a creative district—small shops, galleries, street food crammed into alleyways. Crowded but lively; good if you like browsing and photos. Free to wander; some exhibits or shops charge. Metro Line 9 to Dapuqiao. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Shikumen architecture meets modern retail—eat, shop, have a drink in the evening. More polished than Tianzifang. Free. Metro Lines 10/13 to Xintiandi. Pairs well with Jing'an Temple and Day 3 slow exploring; 1–2 hours or more, your call.
The temple's golden spire stands out; surrounding malls and cafes make it good for a lighter Day 3. Temple entry ticketed; wandering the area is free. Metro Lines 2/7 to Jing'an Temple. Allow 1–2 hours.
If you want a theme-park day, give Day 3 to Disney—rides, atmosphere, the works. Peak-season lines can be long; book on the official site or app and arrive early. Metro Line 11 to Disney Resort. Plan for a full day.
Kid-friendly and great if you like science exhibits; you can easily spend half a day. Reserve on the Shanghai Science Museum WeChat account. Metro Line 2 to Shanghai Science & Technology Museum. Allow half a day.
This route follows urban classics + river views → skyscrapers + arts district → flexible finish. Day 1 is the longest, but you hit the must-sees; the next two days ease up.
Day 1 packs in the most—Bund and Nanjing Road in the morning, Yu Garden and old town in the afternoon, river-view dinner and cruise at night. Tight but worth it.
1. The Bund (09:00–11:00)
Stroll along the Huangpu, colonial buildings and Pudong skyline in view; arrive early for fewer crowds. Metro Lines 2/10 to Nanjing East Road, about 10 min on foot.
2. Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street (11:00–12:00)
A short walk from the Bund. Browse, grab souvenirs or snacks, then head to lunch.
3. Lunch Pick
Jia Jia Tang Bao—classic xiaolongbao, popular and busy; go off-peak. Or a nearby benbang spot for traditional Shanghai flavors.
4. Yu Garden + City God Temple / Shanghai Old Street (13:30–17:00)
Metro Line 10 to Yuyuan. Yu Garden requires tickets; book ahead. Snack in the old street after.
5. Dinner & Night Views
River-view spots along the Huangpu: Mercato for Italian with a view; Mr & Mrs Bund for top-rated Western—reserve ahead. Evening: Huangpu River cruise (Shiliupu, Jinling East Road piers; check schedules).
Morning at Lujiazui heights, afternoon in the French Concession and Tianzifang—lighter than Day 1.
1. Shanghai Tower Observatory (09:30–11:30)
Take in the panorama; buy tickets online or on-site. Metro Line 2 to Lujiazui. Or try the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel across the river for a novelty ride.
2. Lunch Pick
Efes Restaurant for Turkish; or Lao Zheng Xing and other benbang stalwarts—reliable.
3. French Concession / Wukang Road (13:30–16:00)
Metro Lines 10/11 to Jiaotong University or Line 10 to Shanghai Library. Pretty streets, plenty of cafes—take your time.
4. Tianzifang (16:00–18:00, optional)
Metro Line 9 to Dapuqiao. Lots of small shops and alleys; stay if you like it, or wrap up early for dinner.
5. Dinner & Drinks
Old Shanghai for refined benbang; for a nightcap, Lost Heaven or similar.
Pick one: Disney for the full day, or a slower loop through Xintiandi, Jing'an, and the Science Museum.
Option A — Shanghai Disney All Day
Metro Line 11 to Disney Resort. Book tickets early, arrive at opening; peak season, consider Early Park Entry. Lunch in the park, fireworks, then head back.
Option B — City Slow Stroll & Shopping
Xintiandi and Jing'an Temple area—cafes and shops; or Shanghai Science Museum in Pudong (reserve ahead; good for kids or science fans). Lunch or light meal: Fu 1088 for refined benbang, or Fu Yi Ling San Jiu for local flair.
Puncture the skin, slurp the soup first, then dip the filling in vinegar—sweet, savory, not cloying. You can't leave Shanghai without at least one xiaolongbao meal. Jia Jia Tang Bao is the go-to; queues are long but it's classic. Plenty of old-school spots near Yu Garden and City God Temple too. Crab roe version costs more—save it for when you want to splurge.
Pan-fried soup dumplings—crispy bottom, juicy filling. Street stalls or old-school shops both work; great for breakfast or an afternoon snack. More reliable than many Instagram-famous spots, in my experience.
Fried pork ribs with chewy rice cakes in sweet soy sauce—one bite and you're sold. Find it at benbang spots and old-school restaurants.
Shanghai cuisine—thick oil and red sauce, sizzling eel, caotou quanzi (clover with intestines). Lao Zheng Xing, Lao Jishi, Fu 1088 and others do it well. Expect roughly ¥50–200 per person depending on the spot.
Mercato: Italian, modern, great river view—date night or dinner with a side of skyline.
Mr & Mrs Bund: Highly rated Western; reserve ahead.
Efes Restaurant: Turkish in Lujiazui—good when you want something different.
First-timers: Bund / People's Square (metro access, close to top sights). For vibe: French Concession / Jing'an (pretty streets, cafes). For river views: Lujiazui (waterfront hotels, near Oriental Pearl).
Roughly ¥400–700: business or boutique hotels within 5 min of metro. ¥700–1,200: 4-star or design hotels; Jing'an / French Concession deliver. ¥1,200+: Lujiazui river-view or luxury.
Metro distance matters—cabs get stuck in rush hour. Watch room size; older downtown hotels can feel tight. Prefer newly renovated or hotels from the last 5 years. Weekend rates spike; book ahead. For a night view, choose "river view," not "city view".
For detailed area notes and picks, see the Shanghai accommodation guide.