Shanghai in 3 Days: Complete Travel Guide
Shanghai’s challenge isn’t finding things to do — it’s choosing. This 3-day route covers the Bund, French Concession, local cuisine, and Pudong skyline without backtracking.
Walk from Nanjing East Road station to the Bund. One kilometer of waterfront lined with 52 heritage buildings in Gothic, Baroque, and Art Deco styles — there’s nowhere else in the world quite like it.
Cross to Pudong via metro Line 2. Shanghai Tower’s observation deck (118th floor, ¥180) is the best aerial view in the city. Skip the Oriental Pearl Tower — longer queues, worse view.
Highlights: The Bund Lovers’ Wall (quietest near Shiliupu Wharf), Peace Hotel Jazz Bar (live jazz nightly)
Wukang Building (the flatiron-shaped apartment block) is one of Shanghai’s most photogenic landmarks. Walk from Wukang Road to Anfu Road — plane trees, indie cafés, and boutiques line both sides.
Shanghai cuisine is known for “rich oil, red sauce.” Must-tries: braised pork belly (hong shao rou), salt pork & bamboo shoot soup (yan du xian), crab roe xiaolongbao. Heritage restaurants Dexing Guan or Lao Zhengxing are reliable choices — ¥80–120 per person.
Tianzifang is a converted laneway market (narrow alleys, dense shops, good for handicrafts). Xintiandi is more upscale — shikumen architecture with Western restaurants and bars. Pick one; they’re very different experiences.
Highlight: Sinan Mansions — a cluster of French-style garden villas, free to visit
Zhujiajiao is a water town about 1 hour by metro Line 17. Fangsheng Bridge is the largest stone arch bridge in the Shanghai region. Free entry (small attractions charge separately). Ten times quieter than City God Temple. If short on time, Qibao Ancient Town is closer (metro Line 9).
Free but requires reservation. The bronze and ceramics galleries are the highlights. Two hours is enough for the key collections.
- Transport: Metro covers all attractions — tap in with phone NFC or transit card
- Budget: ¥1,500–2,500 per person for 3 days (accommodation + meals + tickets + transport)
- Where to stay: French Concession (best atmosphere), People’s Square (best connected), Lujiazui (best night views)
- Weather: July–August is brutally hot and humid; November–March is damp and cold; April–May and October are the sweet spots