Shanghai Itinerary – The Best 3 Days For First Time Visitors

Share on facebook
Share on linkedin
Share on pinterest

The first step out of the train station, Shanghai already amazed us. From the French architecture surrounding you every step to the boasting tallest skyscrapers in the blink of an eye. The city uniquely blends the East and the West, which makes it impossible to leave you untouched. And this is exactly the aim of our 3 day Shanghai itinerary. 

A booming financial metropolis with a futuristic skyline, bustling streets, and delicious food is also China’s largest and most developed city. Despite busy crowds on the most popular tourist sights, you can easily find quieter districts to learn more about China’s history, sip traditional tea, or enjoy the most beautiful gardens. What is even better, Shanghai is a surprisingly walkable city.

See the complete 3-week China travel itinerary

The Best 3 Day Shanghai Itinerary

You only have 3 days in Shanghai and you feel overwhelmed by its size and all there is to see and do in Shanghai? No worries! Our 3 day Shanghai itinerary will help you see all the must things and make the most of your trip to Shanghai. We have tried and tested it first hand 🙂

For those with limited time or those wishing to continue their journey to another city, be assured that you can managed to see everything on this Shanghai itinerary also in 2 days. 

3 Day Shanghai Itinerary

When to visit Shanghai?

The best time to visit Shangai is Spring or Autumn. More precisely, the best months are March to May and September to November. Spring offers comfortable temperatures to wander around and admire blooming flowers. In fall, the weather is beautiful every day and dressed in a colour palette. Often you will read about not visiting Shanghai in October due to the National holidays. We stayed in Shanghai just when they started and didn’t find it too crowded.

Summer in Shanghai is hot and humid. The hottest month is July, where the temperatures can go way over 30. The winter period is cold and grey.

How many days to spend?

We found that 3 days is the winning duration to see Shanghai. It’s enough to visit typical and not-so usual tourist sights while adding a day trip to one of the well-known water cities.

Is it worth visiting Shanghai?

We absolutely loved Shanghai. It’s vibrant, full of beautiful contrasts, and exciting history. The traditional (Yu Garden, French Concession) and modern (financial area with its skyscrapers) come to play in such a unique and exciting way. History lovers can admire the past through museum visit and walk through the Bund, where Western elements meet Chinese. It’s a blend you will not see in any other place. All of these gives the city a memorable and magical character.

How to get to Shanghai?

Shanghai has two airports – the international airport (the Pudong) and the domestic airport (the Hongqiao). Despite the latter handling most of them, some domestic flights also operate from Pudong. Transfer between both airports can take up to 1 hour by taxi or 2 hours by metro. 

Getting from Beijing to Shanghai: You can get to Shanghai from Beijing by domestic flight or express bullet train (G category). The cost of a train ticket is from 555 RMB to 1745 RMB (business class). We paid for a bullet train (2nd class) for two people 1200 RMB or 183 USD. It will take you around 5 hours to reach Shanghai. An option is also an overnight train which lasts for 10 hours.  

Getting from Shanghai to Xi’an: The easiest way to travel to Xi’an from Shanghai is to fly as the train takes more than 8 hours. 

How to get from Shanghai airport to the city centre?

Both airports are on metro line 2, which is the main East-West line connecting the airport area with Shanghai centre.

A popular and memorable option is taking the Maglev train. The fastest high-speed electric train in the world can go up to 431 km/h. It connects Pudong Airport and the outskirts of the city centre in only seven minutes. Once you arrive at the final and only destination, the Longyang Road Metro Station (龙阳路地铁站), you can take the metro to downtown Shanghai. Single trip ticket costs ¥50 and round-trip ticket is ¥80.

How to reach Shanghai by train?

Shanghai is well connected with all the major cities around it with super-fast bullet trains. There are four main train stations: Shanghai Railway Station (上海站), Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station (上海虹桥站), Shanghai South Railway Station (上海南站) and Shanghai West Railway Station (上海西站) /  Nanxiang North Railway Station (南翔北站) /  Anting North Railway Station (安亭北站).

Getting around Shanghai

While some landmarks are within walking distance, you’ll need to use public transport or taxi to reach all of the sights part of our 3 day Shanghai itinerary. 

Metro

Shanghai has an extensive subway system and it can really help you getting around quicklier. It’s easy to use, but the stations are quite spread apart. Average journey costs around 4 to 6 RMB. For detailed Shanghai metro guide and timetables click here. 

Bus

The bus network in Shanghai is good. Although inside the bus the stopes are also in English, the names on the streets are only in Mandarin. This is why we found the bus system a little bit confusing. It was hard to identify where the bus stops are and how the routes go.

Cost of the ticket is between 1 to 3 RMB, depending on the length. You need to put aside some coins for the payment or purchase Shanghai Public Transportation Card. 

Taxi

It can be hard to find a taxi, especially in the financial district. Apparently they only drive certain routes and longer distances. For example, we were not able to find a taxi that will take as from Pudong to the Bund because it is too close.

Ask your hotel to arrange a taxi for you. To come back, choose a taxi with a driver ID displayed on the dashboard.

The Travel Momento insider tip: Download a PDF map of Shanghai metro and always have a card of your hotel with the hotel address in Chinese. It turns out this is super helpful as taxi drivers don’t speak English. 

Where to stay in Shanghai?

We recommend staying around the city centre. The best areas are Laoximen, Huangpu or Haining. They are close to Shanghai’s main attractions and with metro stations nearby to visit remote attractions or a day trip to Shanghai’s outskirts.

Shanghai Day 1: History with tradition

The Bund | Waibaidu Bridge | Yu Garden | City God Temple | Old Street | Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center | People’s Square | People’s Park | Nanjing Road

One of the best things to do while visiting Shanghai is taking a morning promenade around the Bund. There is not a more perfect place to begin your Shanghai journey.

The Bund

 Recommended time: 1-2 hours

The Bund offers an fantastic promenade along the west bank of the Huangpujiang River with noticeable Western architecture and historical establishments. It’s a testimony to the city’s turbulent and multi-ethnical history. Among the dominant buildings you can admire Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the old Peace Hotel, and the Bank of China.

On the other side, it offers one of the most known postcards views of the Pudong skyline with the tallest and futuristic skyscrapers. 

The Travel Momento insider tip: You need to see the Bund during the day to appreciate the architecture, but try to come back in the evening. There are stunning views of the city’s skyscrapers all lighting up. And watching the sunset across the river is at the top of the things to do in Shanghai at night.

Waibaidu Bridge

 Recommended time: 15 minutes

Although it serves as the entrance to the Bund area, this sight is part of the old city. It’s supposed to be one of the earliest and largest steel bridges in Shanghai.

Old Shanghai

 Recommended time: depending on the landmarks

If you want to get a feel of Shanghai’s past, look no further. The best way to experience it is to simply walk around and not forget to stop by its main gems: Yu Garden, City God Temple, and Old Street. 

Yu Garden

 Recommended time: 2 hours

Yu Garden built in 1577 is a must see of this 3 day Shanghai itinerary. This breathtaking garden also known as the Garden of Happiness consists of an inner and outer garden covering more than 20,000 square meters. It’s one of my favourite spots to catch a glimpse of traditional China, but also for great food. 

Watch the making of a traditional Chinese tee at the most famous teahouse (Huxinting Teahouse), visit ancient temples or walkthrough the little pathways where vendors sell their products and food. You can also just sit down and relax in the charming setting of iconic Ming dynasty pavilions, Nine Curve bridge, and enchanting ponds.

We recommend visiting it during the day and at night when it litghtens up in all its gorgeousness. Keep in mind that it’s really busy most of the time. However, at night you can travel back to ancient Shanghai through the timeless music performance of a violinist in a boat crossing the lake.

City God Temple

 Recommended time: 2 hours

City God Temple was built in 1403 in the Ming Dynasty and represents the unofficial heart of the Shanghai’s old district. It also shows the vital role city played in people’s lives. The temple itself is not really big. If you are not interested so much in Taoism or culture, you can skip it and rather see other temples on our 3 day Shanghai itinerary.

Old Street

 Recommended time: 2o minutes

The street is primarily a shopping area with overpriced souvenirs but featuring traditional and delicious Shanghai dishes.

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Centre

 Recommended time: 2 hours

A modern museum is detailing the urban development and history of the city of Shanghai. One of the most impressive things is a scale model showing the whole city. You can walk around through many bridges allowing you to recreate a 360-degree image of the city. Among other things, you can find the future plans of modernization, interactive exhibits, and video presentations to present the city’s past and the future in a completely unique way.

The museum offers a great insight into how Shanghai become one of the biggest cities. It’s an exciting sight for individuals as well as families with children.

People’s Square

 Recommended time: 30 minutes

People’s Square is the main square of Shanghai and a subway hub. Surrounding it are some of the main tourist attractions like Shanghai Grand Theatre, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, Shanghai People’s Government Offices, and the Shanghai Museum.

It’s a great place to walk around and feel the pulse of Shanghai. In the centre of the square you can admire the Musical Fountain.

People’s Park

 Recommended time: 30 minutes

Nearby the square, you can find a green oasis to relax and observe the life of locals. It became a place for people to gather, exercise, and dance. And the most exciting activity: to find a life partner for their children.

On the northern side of the park, parents use umbrellas to place handwritten bios and interesting facts about their child. We thought these are only a few signs for tourists. But hey, we were surprised when we walked into the crowd and witnessed some deals being concluded.

Nanjing Road

 Recommended time: 30 minutes (without shopping)

Nanjing Road is the most known central pedestrian street as well as Shanghai’s principal shopping street. The shops and restaurants represent a mixture of traditional Chinese brands and the most famous Western brands. It stretches for several kilometres and consists of two parts, Nanjing Road West and Nanjing Road East. The best way to experience it is to continue your walk from People’s Square down Nanjing Road and you will reach the Bund.

NIGHT RECOMMENDATION: Return to Old Shanghai for a delicious dinner and relaxing musical performance or hop on one of the rooftop bars for fantastic night views.

Shanghai Day 2: City from above

Bund Sightseeing Tunnel | Riverside Walk | Shanghai Financial Center | Longhua Temple | Jing’an Temple | The French Connection

Start a day with a quick trip across the river for a closer view of the financial district and some stunning overview over Shanghai. Definitely high on the list of places to visit in Shanghai city. 

Bund Sightseeing Tunnel

 Driving time: 5 minutes

One of the interesting ways to quickly reach the other side of the river is in a kind of capsule with special multimedia effects. You can also take a taxi, metro or ferry to get to the other side.

The entrance on the Bund is North of the Chenyi Square and you arrive in Pudong on the south side of the Oriental Pearl TV and Radio Tower.

The Travel Momento insider tip: If you buy the tunnel experience together with a visit to one of the viewing platforms, you will get a discount price. 

Riverside walk

 Driving time: 30 minutes

Once you reach the other side, take some time to walk along the riverside. It offers a splendid views of the Bund and surroundings while you are making your way towards the heart of Pudong – the Oriental Pearl Tower.

Coming to the city’s financial side might be a cultural shock. And it might feel like you’ve teleported into the future with all the modern buildings up high like nowhere else.

Shanghai Financial Centre

 Recommended time: 1 – 2 hours

Shanghai’s financial hub is not much different from the world’s most prominent centres in New York or London. Even many buildings have international names. Besides the Oriental Pearl Tower, the other most memorizable building is a bronze building in the shape of a giant crown known as the Bund Finance Centre.

The best way to see not only the financial part but the whole city is from above. There are several observation decks:

• Oriental Pearl Tower (468-meter): the third-largest TV and radio tower in the world offers 360-degree views of Shanghai from three different levels. For booking click here. 

• Shanghai World Financial Centre: the second-highest observation deck on the 100th floor with three glass walkways on the 97th floor.

• Shanghai Tower (632-meter): the second-tallest building with the observation deck on the 118 floor. You can book your ticket here. 

• Jin Mao Tower: panorama views on the 88th floor and the panoramic walk above Shanghai. Book the entrance ticket here. 

We decided to visit the Shanghai Financial Centre.

Once you see the city from each angle and return down to the earth, don’t miss the circular pedestrian walkway. It offers one of the best views of the Oriental Pearl Tower and plenty of opportunities for a great instagrammable photo.

Longhua Temple and Pagoda

 Recommended time: 30 minutes

One of the oldest religious sites in China features a 40 meters tall wood and brick pagoda. Used today for Buddhist ceremonies, it features five large halls: Maitreya Hall (Mile Dian), with its giant Buddha statue; the Heavenly King Hall (Tian Wang Dian), dedicated to the Four Heavenly Kings; and the Grand Hall of the Great Sage (Daxiong Baodian).

The highlight of the temple is the 4 meters high statue of sitting Buddha in the Mahavira Hall.

Jing’an Temple

 Recommended time: 30 minutes

Jing’an Temple is one of the three most significant Buddhist temples in Shanghai. For this reason it should be included in your 3 day Shanghai itinerary. It represents the synonym of peace and tranquillity, and it doesn’t fail to deliver it.

The French Connection

 Recommended time: 30 minutes

Starting to miss European spirit? Then you must visit the French Connection. The architecture, streets, boutiques and restaurants breath the western character and style. This area was a foreign concession for almost 100 years up to the year 1946.

The most trendy neighbourhoods are Tianzifang and Xintiandi. It’s easy to get lost in the maze-like streets. And believe us, even the map doesn’t help you much. The tiny streets are looking almost the same and they get quite busy. 

Shanghai Day 3: Water town

After seeing all the must visit places in Shanghai it’s time to explore Shanghai’s surrounding. Around Shanghai you can find several famous water towns. 

We decided to visit Zhuijajiao, which is only an hour and a half from the city centre. You can reach it by taking the metro line 17.

Zhuijajiao

Buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasty and narrow canals across the Cao Gang River earned the city the name “little Venice of Shanghai”. At every step you can find small shops and eateries.

From 36 bridges altogether, the most famous is the main one attraction you see on most of the photos. Therefore, prepare for crowds. 

But, if you pay attention to the small corridors leading behind the houses to the riverside you can find better views. From a cultural perspective, the most interesting are the Great Qing Post Office in the western part, the City God Temple, and the Kwan Wong Temple.

There is plenty of options to take a gondola ride along charming waterways and relax for a few minutes. The price is per ride and the boat can accommodate up to six people.

Other day trips from Shanghai

If you are planning to prolong this 3 day Shanghai itinerary, here are some ideas for travel outside Shanghai to see additional places:

• Suzhou 
• Hangzhou
• Nanjing
• Xitang
• Wuxi
• Shaoxing

Shanghai travel tips

• Not many people speak English.
• In small local restaurants, you won’t be able to find an English menu.
• Always have a card of your hotel with the hotel address in Chinese.
• Always have your passport with you. It can happen that police stops you and you need to show it. Sometimes you need to present it at the entrance to specific landmarks. 
• Use a VPN to access Western digital platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Google, and Gmail. 
• Wear comfortable footwear as you’ll walk a lot. Taxis only drive longer distances, and metro stations can be quite apart. 
• Don’t drink tap water.
• In the Shanghai financial centre, you can pay with credit cards.

Summing up the 3 day Shanghai itinerary

Shanghai is great for short trips. Although 3 days in Shanghai might not sound enough, it’s the perfect length based on our experience. It gives you enough time to promenade the famous riverside, admire the skyscrapers and take a step back to medieval China by visiting Yu Gardens.

Following our 3 day Shanghai itinerary, you will  get the best of both worlds and make your trip one for the record books.

Let us know how you find Shanghai in the comments.

If you find this blog interesting, please share it 🙂

HELLO THERE!

We are two travel passionistas, who are always in the minds of planning their next travel trip and creating memories. Get honest tips and all the details, learn from our mistakes and enjoy our travel guides so you can have the best time!

Get to know us