3 Days in Shanghai: Complete Itinerary

Shanghai is China's most modern city. Glittering skyscrapers, colonial architecture, world-class restaurants, and an energy that never stops.

It's also easier for first-time visitors than Beijing. More English speakers. More international influence. Familiar city rhythms.

Three days gives you the highlights: historic Bund, charming French Concession, traditional Yu Garden, and that famous Pudong skyline.

Before You Go

Book These Ahead

Recommended (but not essential):

• Shanghai Tower observation deck (shorter lines online)
• Popular restaurant reservations (Ultraviolet if splurging)
• Day trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town (optional)

Where to Stay

Best areas:

• French Concession — tree-lined streets, cafes, boutiques. Best for atmosphere.
• Jing'an — central, business hotels, good metro access.
• The Bund area — close to iconic waterfront, pricier.

We stayed in the French Concession. Walking distance to great food and easy metro access.

---

Day 1: The Bund and Old Shanghai

The Bund + Yu Garden + Nanjing Road

Morning: The Bund (外滩)

7:00 AM — Yes, early. The Bund is magical at sunrise with few tourists.

Walk along the waterfront promenade. On your left: colonial-era bank buildings. Across the river: Pudong's futuristic skyline.

What to see:

• Peace Hotel (art deco landmark)
• Former HSBC Building (dome visible from across street)
• Huangpu River views
• Historic bank architecture

Time needed: 1-1.5 hours for a relaxed walk.

Breakfast: Nearby

Try xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) for a proper Shanghai breakfast.

Recommendations near the Bund:

• Nanxiang Mantou Dian — famous, touristy, but good
• Din Tai Fung — reliable chain, less waiting

Late Morning: Yu Garden (豫园)

9:30 AM — Walk or take a short taxi to Yu Garden.

Ticket: ¥40 (peak) / ¥30 (off-peak)

Yu Garden is a classical Chinese garden from the Ming Dynasty. Pavilions, rockeries, ponds, and winding paths.

Don't skip: The surrounding Yu Garden Bazaar—shops, street food, and traditional architecture (touristy but photogenic).

Time needed: 2 hours for garden + bazaar.

Lunch: Yu Garden Area

Grab shengjianbao (pan-fried buns) at a street stall. Crispy bottom, juicy pork filling.

Or sit down at one of the many restaurants in the bazaar.

Afternoon: Nanjing Road (南京路)

1:30 PM — Walk from Yu Garden toward Nanjing Road.

Nanjing Road is Shanghai's main shopping street. The pedestrian section stretches about 1.5 km.

What to expect:

• Big department stores
• Chinese and international brands
• Street performers
• Lots of tourists

Time needed: 1-2 hours (unless you're shopping seriously).

Late Afternoon: Rest

Return to hotel. You've walked a lot.

Evening: Bund Night View + Dinner

6:30 PM — Return to the Bund for sunset and night views.

The Pudong skyline lights up after dark. This is the iconic Shanghai photo.

Dinner options nearby:

• Mr & Mrs Bund — French-Asian fusion, upscale
• Lost Heaven — Yunnan cuisine, great atmosphere
• M on the Bund — Western, waterfront terrace

---

Day 2: French Concession and Modern Art

French Concession + Tianzifang + Optional Museum

Morning: French Concession Stroll

9:00 AM — Start in the French Concession.

This is where Shanghai slows down. Tree-lined streets, art deco buildings, hidden cafes, boutique shops.

Key streets to explore:

• Wukang Road (武康路) — most photogenic
• Anfu Road (安福路) — boutiques and cafes
• Fuxing Road (复兴路) — historic mansions

Recommended stops:

• Wukang Mansion — iconic 1924 building
• Ferguson Lane — food and design shops
• Any brunch spot — the French Concession does excellent brunch

Brunch

The French Concession has Shanghai's best cafe scene.

Try:

• Egg — excellent breakfast
• Pain Chaud — French bakery
• RAC Bar — third-wave coffee

Budget ¥60-100 for a nice brunch.

Late Morning: Tianzifang (田子坊)

11:30 AM — Walk to Tianzifang (or short metro ride).

Tianzifang is a maze of narrow lanes with shops, galleries, cafes, and studios. Built in renovated shikumen (stone-gate houses).

What to do:

• Browse art galleries
• Shop for souvenirs (better quality than most tourist areas)
• Have coffee or craft beer
• Take photos of the architecture

Time needed: 1-2 hours.

Lunch

Eat in Tianzifang or nearby.

Afternoon: Choose Your Adventure

Option A: Shanghai Museum (上海博物馆)

Free admission. Excellent collection of Chinese art, bronzes, ceramics, and calligraphy.

Location: People's Square

Option B: Power Station of Art

Contemporary art in a converted power station. Free admission.

Option C: More French Concession wandering

Just explore. Get lost. Find a hidden bar.

Evening: Dinner and Drinks

French Concession evening options:

• Commune Social — Jason Atherton's tapas-style restaurant
• Tacolicious — Mexican with Shanghai twist
• El Willy — Spanish tapas

For drinks:

• Speak Low — hidden speakeasy (find the door)
• Flask — behind a sandwich shop (seriously)
• Cotton's — laid-back, garden seating

---

Day 3: Pudong and Modern Shanghai

Pudong skyline + Shanghai Tower + Xintiandi

Morning: Cross to Pudong

9:00 AM — Metro to Lujiazui (陆家嘴), or take the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel (kitschy but fun).

Pudong is Shanghai's futuristic side. Skyscrapers, financial district, observation decks.

Shanghai Tower (上海中心大厦)

World's second-tallest building. Observation deck on floor 118.

Ticket: ¥180 (book online to skip lines)

Best time: Clear morning for visibility. Sunset is popular but crowded.

Time needed: 1-1.5 hours including wait.

Alternative: Oriental Pearl Tower or World Financial Center

• Oriental Pearl Tower — iconic, slightly dated, good views
• Shanghai World Financial Center — "bottle opener" building, glass floor walkway

Shanghai Tower is the best, but any of these three work.

Lunch: Lujiazui Area

Options:

• IFC Mall — upscale food court and restaurants
• Super Brand Mall — more casual options
• Local noodles — cheaper options outside the malls

Afternoon: Xintiandi (新天地)

2:00 PM — Metro to Xintiandi.

Xintiandi is a pedestrian area of renovated shikumen buildings, now filled with restaurants, bars, and shops.

What to do:

• Walk through North and South blocks
• Visit the First National Congress of CPC site (historic)
• Coffee or drinks at outdoor cafes
• People-watching

Late Afternoon: Last Shopping or Exploration

Options:

• Nanjing Road — if you skipped it earlier
• Jing'an Temple — active Buddhist temple, beautiful grounds
• Columbia Circle — historic compound, cafes and galleries

Evening: Final Dinner

Splurge options:

• Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet — world-famous, book months ahead
• Fu He Hui — vegetarian fine dining
• 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana — Italian, Michelin-starred

More accessible:

• Din Tai Fung — soup dumplings, reliable
• Jia Jia Tang Bao — local favorite for xiaolongbao
• Yang's Fry Dumpling — shengjianbao chain, cheap and good

---

Practical Details

Transportation

Metro is fast and cheap. Use Alipay QR for entry.

Walking is the best way to explore French Concession and Xintiandi.

DiDi for late nights or areas far from metro.

Budget Breakdown (3 Days)

| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | |----------|--------|-----------| | Accommodation (3 nights) | ¥800-1200 | ¥1500-3000 | | Food | ¥300-500 | ¥700-1200 | | Attractions | ¥250-350 | ¥350-500 | | Transport | ¥100-150 | ¥200-300 | | Total | ¥1450-2200 | ¥2750-5000 |

Weather

| Season | Temperature | Notes | |--------|-------------|-------| | Spring (Mar-May) | 10-25°C | Pleasant, some rain | | Summer (Jun-Aug) | 28-38°C | Hot, humid, typhoon season | | Autumn (Sep-Nov) | 15-28°C | Best weather | | Winter (Dec-Feb) | 0-10°C | Cold, damp, less crowded |

---

Day Trip Options

If you have a 4th day:

• Zhujiajiao Water Town — Venice of Shanghai, 1 hour away
• Suzhou — classical gardens, 30 min by train
• Hangzhou — West Lake, 1 hour by train

---

Quick Checklist

Before you go:

• [ ] Shanghai Tower tickets (optional, saves time)
• [ ] Restaurant reservations for nice dinners
• [ ] Hotel in French Concession or Jing'an

Pack:

• [ ] Comfortable walking shoes
• [ ] Umbrella (rain is common)
• [ ] Layers (AC indoors can be cold)
• [ ] Power bank

---

Need Help Planning?

If you'd rather have someone build a custom Shanghai itinerary, our Guardian package includes trip planning for $19.

---

Related Guides:

• 3 Days in Beijing Itinerary
• How to Use Alipay for Foreigners
• China High-Speed Rail Guide