1 Day In Shanghai: Discover the Old and Modern Sides of China’s Financial Hub

Planning a day trip to Shanghai or wondering how to make the most of your 24-hour layover? In this blog post, you’ll discover how to spend 1 day in Shanghai exploring its modern and traditional worlds.

Let’s be honest: 24 hours in Shanghai isn’t enough. To truly experience this city, you’ll need at least 3 days, especially if you plan to include day trips to Zhujiajiao or Shanghai Disneyland. However, this Shanghai itinerary can give you a real sense of what Shanghai is about.

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Shanghai is an exciting mix of striking modernity and dynamic energy combined with the old ways of traditional China, which, while not as visible as before, are still very much present.

I’ve visited Shanghai multiple times, and the following itinerary shows how I would spend a day there. The morning begins with a visit to the charming Tianzifang District and the Yuyuan area in the heart of Shanghai’s old city. It is the perfect spot to try some local specialties. 

The afternoon is dedicated to exploring Laoximen’s raw authenticity. Finally, the late afternoon is ideal for a stroll along the Bund, a visit to the Pudong district, and, if time allows, a river cruise on the Yangtze River.

The fastest way to arrive from the airport to Shanghai

Licensed Taxi

Taking a taxi is the quickest and least expensive way to travel from the airport to the city center. In Shanghai, a 40 to 60-minute ride costs around 200¥, or about $27.

Once you land and collect your luggage, follow the taxi signage to the pick-up area. Ensure your address is written in clear Chinese characters and show it to the driver.

The meter should be turned on before departure to see the final fare. If you cannot pay digitally, bring some cash, but don’t expect drivers to have change.

Private Driver

Another option is to book a private car through Klook from Pudong or Hongqiao Airport.

Although this is more expensive than a taxi (around $40 to downtown Shanghai), it will spare you the hassle of dealing with the language barrier when you arrive in China. You can pay upfront and digitally. 

Internet Connection for 1 Day in Shanghai

Depending on your needs, you have a couple of options for having an internet connection for just one day. 

Airalo offers low-priced eSIM options that provide 2 or 3 GB of data. Purchasing one is the best option, considering you may need data for digital payments like taxi rides or subway tickets. Make sure to activate it before landing in China.

Your Phone Doesn’t Support an E-Sim

Older smartphones don’t usually support an eSIM. The best option (in case of an internet emergency) is to rely on Wi-Fi connections throughout the city. The most common ones are at Starbucks Coffee Shops and shopping malls. 

Make sure to download an offline map of Shanghai to check the subway journeys and find the best way to reach a location. If your phone is Android, check out this one. 

If you have an iPhone, iPhone maps work perfectly when online. However, if you’re offline, write down the subway journey or take a screenshot of the easier way to reach your destination. Unfortunately, you have to plan if you have no internet connection.

How to Get Around Shanghai

If you move around the Jing’an and the Huangpu district, you can easily walk around. The area is in the heart of old Shanghai, the city’s most lively district.

Walking is ideal if you want to soak in the area’s vibe and appreciate small moments of daily life unfolding in front of buildings and street corners.

The second option is, of course, the super-efficient subway that reaches every corner of the town. This is the best option if you are strict on time and want to explore as much as possible.

Ticket Options

1. Download the Daduhui App. The app has an English interface and allows you to link your Alipay account. It also generates QR codes that you can scan directly at the subway gate without stopping at the ticketing machine. If you stay in Shanghai’s central area, every ride costs around ¥2-3.
2. One Day Travel Pass: This pass costs ¥18, allowing you to travel anywhere in the city for one day. You can purchase the pass at every subway booth. If you stick to districts like Jing’an, Huangpu, and Pudong, the 1-day travel pass may not be worth it. 
3. Single Ticket: You can purchase a ticket every time you take the subway. The machines have an English interface and are always free, as most locals use Daduhui. You must select the number of tickets and the fare (visible on your metro app or iPhone maps). 

Payments in Shanghai

I’ll not emphasize this enough: Visiting Shanghai without an internet connection is more than challenging.

China is already complex to navigate, but you’re up for a difficult challenge without the internet. Besides the language barrier, meaning almost no one can help you if you’re lost or asking for directions, everything works with digital payments. 

1. Download Alipay and link your bank account to it. To pay, scan the QR code (or have it checked by merchants). It’s that easy! 
2. Withdraw around ¥400: if your Alipay is working, make sure to have some cash in case of an emergency. In the worst case, you will indulge in souvenirs once you return to the airport.
3. Withdraw ¥800/900: If you don’t have Alipay, this sum of money is sufficient to cover the taxi rides (back and forth from the airport), food for the day, maybe an overpriced coffee, and some souvenirs. However, don’t expect taxi drivers or smaller shops to have change if you pay cash; this is not common at all in China.

Essentials for 24 Hours in Shanghai

When packing for Shanghai, you won’t need anything too specific. The weather in September, October, and April is generally warm, with a slight chill at night. 

Bring a sweater just in case it is chilly early in the morning. A rainproof jacket is also wise, as surprise showers are not the norm but may happen. 

Comfortable shoes are a must, as you’ll walk a lot during the day and don’t want sore feet slowing you down. Make sure to remember your power bank and charger.

Language Barrier Tips

From my personal experience, learning some easy words in Chinese is the best way to show people that you value their culture and country.

They will be so happy to hear you pronouncing even one word in Chinese, making them more willing to go out of their way to help you. Moreover, opening up to their language will gift you the most unique adventures in China. 

Ultimately, no one cares if you don’t speak the language! To help you, I have written about my favorite tips for overcoming the language barrier.

Chinese Characters	Phonetic Transcription	English Translation
你好	nǐ hǎo	Hello
谢谢	xièxie	Thank you!
多少钱	duō shǎo qián?	How much does it cost?
我听不懂	wǒ tīng bù dǒng	I don’t understand
厕所在哪里	cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?	Where is the bathroom?
不要，谢谢	bù yào, xièxie	No, thank you
对不起	duìbuqǐ	Excuse me/sorry
我要这个	wǒ yào zhège	I want this one (perfect for choosing at Restaurants)

This China Travel Guide has all the additional information you need when planning your stay in Shanghai. This blog post has all the necessary information if you’re traveling solo.

Shanghai Itinerary for One Day

1. Explore the Artistic District of Tianzifang

🕒 9-10:30 am

The Charming district of Tianzifang is the ideal place to start your day. Here, you’ll find many coffee shops where you can have breakfast and coffee to wake you up. Check out Cafe Dan, one of the places that serves the best coffee and Japanese desserts in Shanghai.

This area is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates the charm of artistic neighborhoods with a bohemian vibe. Morning is the best time to visit as the alleyways are narrow, and if crowded, it can detract from the experience.

Although it now attracts many tourists, families have lived here for generations. The community spirit is evident as shop owners and locals chat cheerfully in front of their doorways, sipping their morning coffee.

The district has three main north-south lanes intersected by east-west alleys, making it easy to lose your way without a map. It would be a pity to miss even one of these lovely streets. 

While the initial areas are filled with souvenir shops, you’ll also find design studios, cozy cafes, bars, unique boutiques, and innovative startups.

2. Morning Visit to Yuyuan Old Street & Bazaar

🕒 11-12:30 am

Ⓜ️ 15-minute walk to the Xintiandi Subway Station, Line 10 to Yuyuan Garden.

In the heart of Shanghai’s old city, Yuyuan Old Street is a lively market area surrounded by traditional Chinese-style buildings painted in vibrant red with sloped roofs. It is right next to the popular Yuyuan Garden. 

Visiting in the morning is ideal, as the area offers a glimpse into classic Chinese architecture and will likely be less crowded. Here, you can discover:

3. Lunch at Yuyuan Old Street

The Yuyuan area is the ideal place to find lunch. Many Chinese restaurants prepare delicious Shanghai delicacies here. 

If you’re looking for a restaurant, I highly recommend Nanxiang Steamed Bun. Plan to go early, as this is one of the best and longest-running restaurants in the area. The Xiaolongbao is a must. Make sure also to try Baozi or dumpling soup. 

4. Explore The Old District of Laoximen

🕒 2-3 pm

Ⓜ️ Line 10, from Yuyuan Garden Station to Laoximen Station

Laoximen is one of Shanghai’s oldest districts, and unfortunately, it is undergoing an urban development project to modernize it.

In 2017, the communities that had lived here for decades were relocated to other parts of the city to make space for new developments.

Since then, the area has been almost empty, without the buzz that used to fill these streets. However, you can still wander its lanes and feel the history while exploring the low-stone, shikumen-style buildings.

Even if you spend only one day in the city, Laoximen can’t be missed because we don’t know how long visitors will have access to such an authentic piece of China.

5. Stroll Around the Bund

🕒 3-4:30 pm

Ⓜ️ Line 10, from Laoximen to Nanjing East Road, then an 11-minute walk to The Bund

Walking from Nanjing East Road to the Bund, you can discover the shopping and entertainment hub of Shanghai, Nanjing Road. Here, you’ll find plenty of restaurants and bars where locals and travelers can experience the best of Shanghai nightlife.

Finally, you reach the bund, and that famous skyline view opens before you. Strolling around this area is likely the first thing to do for anyone wanting to truly grasp what Shanghai we all know is about: dynamism and modernity. 

This area buzzes with the energy of countless people chatting and snapping pictures of the Pudong skyline, lying right across the Huangpu River.

The Bund is located on the left bank of the river, where all the colonial-era buildings stand. Today, Shanghai’s most powerful banks are housed in neoclassical buildings, making this area look more like Europe than China. This area also has the most luxurious restaurants, boutiques, and hotels. 

6. Explore the Pudong District

🕒 4:30 – 5:30 pm

Ⓜ️ The fastest way to reach the area without taking a ferry or train is to take a taxi from the Bund to the Pudong district.

The first time I explored the Pudong side of the river, I remember what a surreal experience it was. Everything looked almost too perfect to be the same China I discovered in Xi’an or on the other side of the Huangpu River. Don’t come here expecting to see those typical street food stalls or merchants shouting outside their shops.

Here, sleek skyscrapers and an intricate net of meticulously maintained streets create a scene that feels straight out of the future.

You’ll stroll around famous skyscrapers like the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Shanghai Tower, and the Shanghai World Financial Center.

Around you, businesspeople in elegant and dark-windowed cars, while tourists like you wander, half-wondering if they’ve somehow stepped into another city without realizing it.  

7. Sunset River Cruise 

🕒 6 – 7 pm

The Toor I took: Get Your Guide

Another way to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Bund and its stunning skyline is by booking a river cruise tour.

The best time to go is at sunset when the sky is painted in hues of red, and the shiny city lights start to fill the view. The cruise lasts around 45 minutes and provides unobstructed views of both riverbanks.

After a long day of walking, it’s the perfect way to end your 24 hours in Shanghai before returning to the airport or catching your high-speed train.

It was one of the unforgettable experiences I had in Shanghai. It’s one of those moments when you pause, take in your surroundings, and realize just how alive Shanghai is. And you’re right in the middle of it all.

Other Things To Do If You Have More Time

1. Jade Buddha Temple

The Jade Buddha Temple, established in 1882, was primarily built to house two Buddha statues from Myanmar: a 1.95-meter-tall sitting and a smaller reclining Buddha.

I love visiting temples. Time seems to stop here, contrasting with the never-stopping life unfolding outside the temples’ doors. 

If this is your first visit to a Chinese temple, its architecture is a great example of traditional temple design and layout. The Chamber of Four Heavenly Kings, located at the southern edge, features statues of Maitreya, Skanda, and the Four Heavenly Kings. 

Exploring Buddhist temples in China offers a fantastic opportunity to connect with the country’s religious and spiritual soul, sometimes forgotten amid the bright lights and opulent lifestyle.

Personally, nothing brings me more peace than looking at Buddhas—they have a profound impact on me. While I prefer temples in nature, missing out on these in Shanghai would be a missed opportunity.

3. Yuyuan Garden 

If you have extra time during your day in Shanghai, visit Yuyuan Garden, one of the best sights in the Huangpu District, in the heart of old Shanghai.

Morning is the perfect time to explore the Yuyuan area. The garden will likely be less crowded, enhancing your overall experience.

This is a must-see for those who haven’t yet experienced the charm of a Ming-style garden, like those in Suzhou. With its enchanting lotus pond, stone bridges, red-painted walls, and sloped roofs, you’ll be immersed in Chinese classical beauty.

The garden, built in 1559, is divided into six main areas, following the Suzhou style. It features four halls, one chamber, and an inner garden.

When the crowds are sparse, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a Chinese painting, surrounded by lush trees and timeless architectural elements.

A day in Shanghai is not enough to discover all this amazing city offers. However, it is just enough to grasp its essence: one of the most modern cities in China that still values its old heritage and traditions.

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