This post is about the perfect 3-day Shanghai Travel Itinerary.
I’ve been to Shanghai twice, one of my favorite cities in China! In this blog post, I will share some tips for planning your trip and a packed 3-day itinerary.
If this is your first time in China, check my tips-packed China Travel Guide for first-timers! 🇨🇳
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Planning Your Trip to Shanghai
General Tips for First-Timers in China
1. Download Alipay (but bring some cash!): Everything in China works with digital payments. Alipay will be your lifesaver!
2. Purchase an E-SIM with VPN Included: you won’t have to pay for a VPN and will have unlimited internet data.
3. Download Pleco & DIDI App: Pleco is a helpful dictionary you can use during your stay in China. DIDI is the Chinese Uber.
4. Licensed Taxis Only!: It’s easy to recognize them.
5. Book Your Visits in Advance: You can book your entry tickets to sites in advance on trip.com or GetYourGuide.com.
6. Avoid National Holidays To Travel to China unless you want to get stuck in queues.
Shanghai At a Glance
📍 Where to Stay: Huangpu District is a great location, with nearby metro stations (Yuyuan Subway Station) and top attractions in Shanghai.
🏠 Accommodations: Magnificent International Hotel, SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund, Cozy International Youth Hostel
🚄 How To Get To Shanghai: High-speed trains are the way in north and Central China or cities like Beijing or Xi’an.
🗓️ Best Time To Visit Shanghai: September, October, April and May are the best times to visit.
⚡ Heat Season Warning: avoid summer at all costs; temperatures are unbearable!
Hotels in Shanghai
I highly recommend exploring various listings on Booking.com and Trip.com, as many hotels and hostels frequently offer discounts and promotions.
How Many Days Should I Stay in Shanghai
While Shanghai is huge, the number of landmarks to visit is not that high.
Don’t get me wrong—it’s a beautiful city! You could spend some time there just soaking in its energy and still have the best time!
I think three days in Shanghai is enough to explore all it offers!
Shanghai Travel Itinerary Day 1: Discover Old & New Shanghai
1. Walk from LaoXiMen to XinTianDi
Ⓜ️ Subway Instruction: Take subway line 10 from Yuyuan Garden Subway Station to Laoximen Subway Station from Huangpu District. You can also take a 24-minute walk.
Lao Xi Men is a fantastic area in which to discover old Shanghai’s vibe.
This historic district once housed the old city gate and is filled with traditional Shikumen-style architecture.
Through its narrow lanes, you’ll find markets, small local shops, and a sense of what life in Shanghai was like.
You can take a short walk from Laoximen to Xintiandi, which offers an entirely different vibe.
Xintiandi is chic and modern, with high-end restaurants, shops, and stylish cafes housed in beautifully renovated Shikumen buildings.
2. Yuyuan Old Street & Bazar
Ⓜ️ Subway Instruction: Take subway line 14 from South Huangpu Road to Yuyuan Garden Subway Station. You can also take a 23-minute walk.
The Yu Yuan Old District is a bit touristy but a must-see for its stunning architecture and lively vibe.
The area is filled with beautiful lights in the late afternoon and at night, and you might even see young ladies in traditional costumes taking photos.
It’s a great place to grab dinner on your first night, especially if you’re unsure where to go.
There are plenty of street food stalls where you can try delicious baozi (steamed buns), jiaozi (dumplings), and sweet candied fruit.
Shanghai Travel Itinerary Day 2: Yu Yuan Garden, Temples, and finally…The Bund
1. Yuyuan Garden
Ⓜ️ Subway Instruction: From Huangpu District, it’s just a 14-minute walk to Yuyuan Garden
🏷️ Ticket Entry Price: around 40 RMB
Yuyuan Garden is a classic Chinese garden in the heart of Shanghai, and it’s a must-visit for first-time travelers.
It offers a mix of green scenery, ancient architecture, and tranquil ponds, creating a peaceful atmosphere in a not-so-peaceful city!
As you wander its paths, you’ll discover intricate rockeries, pavilions, and colorful flowers.
The landscape is so curated in detail that you will be amazed at how perfect it seems.
2. Jade Buddha Temple & Longhua Temple
Two Buddhist Temples in Shanghai are my favorites: the Jade Buddha Temple and the Longhua Temple.
Jade Buddha Temple
Ⓜ️ Subway Instruction: Take line 10 to Xintiandi Station from Yuyuan Garden Subway Station. Change to line 13 and get off at Jiangning Road. It’s a 30-minute journey.
🏷️ Ticket Entry Price: 20 RMB
The Jade Buddha Temple is a perfect introduction to Buddhist temples in Shanghai.
This serene temple, home to two Jade Buddha statues, will wow you with its architectural details and calming energy.
As you step inside, you immediately notice the vibrant colors of the halls.
It’s not just visually captivating—this is also a great place to learn about Buddhism and immerse yourself in a key piece of Chinese cultural heritage.
Longhua Temple
Ⓜ️ Subway Instruction: from Jiangning Road Station take line 13 to Longde Road. Change to line 11 and get off at Longhua. It’s a 30-minute journey.
🏷️ Ticket Entry Price: 15 RMB
The Longhua Temple is the oldest in Shanghai, dating back to the Song Dynasty.
Walking through its beautiful halls and gardens, you’ll be captivated by the impressive seven-story pagoda and the still atmosphere.
3. Bonus Location: Tianzifang
Ⓜ️ Subway Instruction: take line 12 to Jiashan Road from Longhua Station. From there, it’s a 15-minute walk to the Tianzifang area.
Tianzifang District is the perfect spot if you crave a mix of creativity and culture.
This charming, artsy neighborhood has narrow alleyways filled with cute boutiques, art galleries, and cozy cafés.
It’s a great place to explore on foot, buy unique souvenirs, and chat with local artists.
It’s a place not to miss—it was one of the surprises of my last trip!
4. Evening & Nightlife at the Bund
Ⓜ️ Instruction: from Huangpu district, it’s a 12-minute walk to the Bund
The Bund area offers plenty of fun evening activities.
Below is a series of options that can inspire you!
Reaching the top of one of the Skyline Towers
One of the best ways to truly experience Shanghai’s skyline is by heading to the top of its famous towers for an unforgettable view.
The Shanghai Tower, the second-tallest building in the world, offers an incredible 360-degree view from its observation deck on the 118th floor.
For around 180 RMB, you can ride one of the fastest elevators in the world and take in the jaw-dropping sights of the entire city.
Another option is the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower, where you can enjoy stunning views for around 160 RMB, plus a glass-floored section that lets you look straight down!
Head to the Shanghai World Financial Center’s observation deck at 474 meters for the best view of the Bund and the Huangpu River.
I’ve been to the tops of the Shanghai Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center, and the views from both are comparable.
However, make sure the sky is clear, or you won’t be able to see anything!
Cruise on the Huangpu River
One of the best ways to take in Shanghai’s’ stunning skyline is cruising along the Huangpu River.
I’ve done it for the first time this year, and it’s a must-do experience!
A night cruise offers the opportunity to soak in the lights of The Bund on one side and the skyscrapers of Pudong on the other.
For around 120-150 RMB, you can hop aboard a 1-hour cruise to enjoy the view from the water while resting a little bit.
Make sure you book your tickets in advance through websites like Trip.com.
Bars Hopping in NanJingLu
If you’re looking to dive into Shanghai’s nightlife, Nanjing Lu is the place to be!
This famous street is home to fantastic bars and restaurants that give you a taste of the local scene.
You’ll find everything from cozy spots serving traditional Chinese dishes to trendy rooftop bars with fantastic city views.
For a truly local (but fancy) experience, try Lost Heaven Silk Road, a stylish restaurant offering delicious Yunnan cuisine.
Bar Rouge is one of the city’s most iconic rooftop bars.
If you love getting lost, wander the street to find the perfect place!
Shanghai Travel Itinerary Day 2 Map
Shanghai Travel Itinerary Day 3: ZhuJiaJiao, the Venice of Shanghai
Ⓜ️ Subway Instruction: take line 10 to Shanghai Hongqiao Train Station from Yuyuan Garden Station. Change to line 17 and get off at Zhujiajiao. It will take 1 hour and 15 minutes.
🚕 The Taxi Ride will take 33 minutes
🏷️ Free entry ticket for the majority of the site. To visit the entire site, you will need to pay a ticket.
For a glimpse into traditional village life just outside Shanghai, Zhujiajiao is the perfect day trip.
Known as the “Venice of Shanghai,” this ancient water town offers enchanting canals, old stone bridges, and narrow alleyways.
It’s a step into rural life, with a slower pace that feels miles away from the city’s hustle.
But remember that it’s’ also a popular tourist spot, so the locals are used to welcoming visitors.
While it can get busy, the experience is still worth it.
1. Afternoon back in Shanghai: People’s Park & Marriage Market
Ⓜ️ Subway Instruction: take line 17 to Hongqiao Train Station from Zhujiajiao. Change to line 2 and get off at People’s Square. It will take 1 hour and 15 minutes.
If you’re looking for an unusual experience in Shanghai, People’s Park and its famous Marriage Market is a must!
Every weekend, parents gather here with handwritten ads showcasing their adult children’s ages, heights, jobs, and educations, hoping to find a suitable partner.
It’s a fascinating tradition and a true window into local life, where marriage is often seen as a family matter.
While it might sound unusual, it’s’ worth a visit to witness this old-fashioned way of matchmaking.
And just like that, we reached the end of this Shanghai Travel Itinerary!
Shanghai is one of my favorite cities in China: its energy, people, and vibe are the best!
This is the perfect way to start your trip to China!
Hopefully, this will help you plan your trip and inspire you to dive deeper into China’s unique locations!
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