Zoe Goes Places

Shanghai 5-Day Itinerary (The Best of Shanghai)

Shanghai is a huge city with so much to see and do. Deciding what to do isn’t easy, so this Shanghai 5-day itinerary is here to help you…

This city is a bucket list destination for many. And, that’s not surprising given the spectacular skyline, incredible food and important history.

It’s a place where historic buildings and towering skyscrapers sit side by side. Where cultures collide and millions of people go about their lives.

Despite the international and modern feel, visiting Shanghai can still be overwhelming.

As such, this itinerary and guide is full of practical advice and recommendations for your Shanghai itinerary… All based on my experience in this incredible city!

Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a qualifying purchase.

Looking at the skyscrapers of shanghai from the bund, with a blue sky behind and light, fluffy clouds

Visiting Shanghai in 2024

China is only just reopening following years of strict measures and travel restrictions. As such, few international visitors have been there since early 2020.

And Shanghai will have inevitably changed. They’ll be new places and some will have closed.

Because of this, I’ve updated this guide as much as possible with the information I can find. But, some of it will be out of date.

Plus, it will take a while for tourist numbers to recover. The expat community is just a fraction of what it was before and it’s not as easy to get into China at the moment, as it was before.

Tourist Visa for China

Since early 2023, the China transit visa is back – allowing tourists from about 60 countries to stay in the country for up to 6 days.

However, things change quickly. For the most up-to-date information and testing requirements, check out the latest advice on your country’s government website.

If you’re not eligible for a transit visa, you’ll need to apply for a tourist visa from an embassy.

What You Need to Know Before Visiting Shanghai

It can be overwhelming to go on a vacation to Shanghai where the culture, language and laws are so different. But with a little preparation and research into what to expect, you can quickly get to grips.

Here are some key bits of information to help you have the best time…

Summers in Shanghai are Scorching Hot

In July and August, temperatures are often in the high 30s. And, when combined with smoggy or humid days can be really insufferable.

If you have a trip planned in the summer, you’ll want to minimise walking and time outdoors. Consider afternoon naps!

Say Goodbye to Google Maps

You’ll need to find a maps app that isn’t Google.

I used Maps.me, which worked perfectly and had all the functionality of Google Maps. This includes being able to star/favourite places and use pre-downloaded offline maps.

Cash is King for Tourists

Shanghai still operates a predominantly cash-based society for tourists. This is because most people use an app for payments that requires a Chinese phone number.

Withdraw cash from banks or ATMs in the city as you’ll need cash for restaurants and tourist attractions. The currency is the Renminbi, which uses units of Yuan.

ATMs are usually inside banks or buildings that have 24-hour access – and even have individual cubicles for total protection.

The availability of ATMs in Shanghai means you don’t need to carry large amounts of cash on you. Find a bank account that offers a 0% transaction fee on foreign withdrawals – then make small, regular withdrawals.

You’ll Feel Cut Off from the Outside World

Pretty much all Western news sites are banned in China. As well as all Western social media networks.

The ban on Google also means Android users can’t use Google Pay, Google Drive etc.

Get a VPN to keep an eye on the news and do research about where to go in Shanghai. Although these aren’t guaranteed to work.

Common Shanghai Myths: Debunked

Myth: you’ll have to use squat toilets in shanghai.

Reality: Not true, I found seated toilets in every public toilet block. Hotel bathrooms always had seated toilets.

And, while some public toilets did have a mix of both, you can simply choose what you are comfortable with. Importantly, and in my experience, accessible toilets offered the best chance of finding a seated toilet.

However, public toilets never provided toilet roll – so make sure to bring your own (or tissues).

Myth: The language barrier will be huge and will affect your experience in Shanghai

Reality: Shanghai is the Chinese city with the most foreign expats. As a result, if something is going to be translated into a second language, then that will be English.

The airports, Metro, museums and tourist attractions are very foreign-tourist friendly.

For local restaurants, the availability of an English menu was hit and miss. And most of the time the staff didn’t speak English. You can either learn the names of foods, use translation apps, or just eat somewhere else.

Myth: All the food is (very) spicy

Reality: Incorrect.

I think this misconception often comes from people who try to find Western food in China, as often this is spicier than what you’d find at home.

But, this is because the restaurants are targeting Chinese people who want to eat Western food rather than Westerners themselves, and as such have catered to local palates.

Having said that, not all Chinese food is spicy. And, compared to Western eateries, a greater proportion of food is freshly prepared to order. So you can ask for less or no spice if you would prefer.

Myth: China is dirty

Reality: This is also really far from the truth. Having first visited China back in 2010, and then twice more in recent years, I have only ever found it to be a clean country, overall.

The streets and Metro of Shanghai were free from litter and all the tourist spots were clearly regularly cleaned.

Historically, spitting was common in China – in public, private, indoor and outdoor places. But, in recent years the Chinese government have been running marketing campaigns to reduce spitting.

With this, they hope to increase the appeal of China to Western tourists and also make Chinese tourists more sanitary visitors to foreign countries.

Myth: Everywhere is overcrowded

Reality: Shanghai is the second-largest city in the world. Estimates of the city’s population range between 24 to 27 million – rising up to 34 million people when you consider the wider metropolitan area.

Shanghai is also a popular domestic tourist destination, attracting citizens from all across the most populated country on Earth. So, if you’re expecting to have The Bund to yourself even by going at 6am, then I’m going to have to disappoint you.

However… Whilst Shanghai is busy, it is not overcrowded. Unless you are visiting on national holidays then you can still enjoy everything on this Shanghai 5-day itinerary without feeling claustrophobic.

Find the best prices and the best dates with flight comparison sites like Skyscanner!

Make sure you use tools such as ‘Add nearby airports’ and set your departure airport as wide as possible (you can just put the United States or UK, for example) to see the cheapest cities to fly from! Check prices for your trip here…

How to get around in Shanghai

Using the metro in shanghai.

The Metro system is going to be your best friend for the 5 days you’re in Shanghai.

It’s cheap, quick and requires absolutely no knowledge of Mandarin! Think of it as a cleaner, cooler and cheaper version of the London Underground.

Ticket prices are based on the distance covered, with fares ranging from 3 to 15 Yuan ($2.20). Given that the 15 Yuan fare is for distances of over 116 km, it’s impressively cheap!

Additionally, one-day tickets are available for 18 Yuan ($2.60), with a three-day ticket costing 45 Yuan ($6.50).

Tickets can be bought from self-service machines that can be changed to a language that suits you. Signs on trains, platforms and in the station are also in English as well as Mandarin.

Taxis and Buses in Shanghai

Since the 17 Metro lines cover most of the city, it’s unlikely you’ll need to use taxis or buses during your 5 days in Shanghai. Taxi prices start at 14 Yuan increasing by 2.5 Yuan for each kilometre and are higher at night.

To avoid confusion, anxiety and unintentional city tours – having a screenshot or printed version of the place you are going in Mandarin is good to show the taxi driver.

Certain places are easy to cover on foot, such as The Bund and Nanjing Road. But Shanghai is huge and there can be large distances between places. Given how cheap and quick the metro is, it makes for an easy and convenient choice over long walks. Especially in the heat of summer or cold of winter.

An upclose shot of a temple-like building in Shanghai

Where to Stay in Shanghai

Pretty much all of the best things to do in Shanghai are located in the centre of the city. As such, I recommend staying as central as possible to make the most of your time here.

Generally speaking, staying near a Metro Line 2 station is best as this line links pretty much everywhere you’ll want to go.

Like all cities, Shanghai has a full range of options from budget to luxury accommodation for your 5 days in Shanghai.

Hostels in Shanghai

The city doesn’t have a big hostel scene and backpackers aren’t too common here. But, there are still a couple of cheap and basic hostels.

Meego Youth Hotel has private rooms and dorms. It’s surrounded by grocery stores, bars and restaurants. The metro is a few blocks away.

Alternatively, Hidden Designer Youth Hostel is located right by People’s Park and Nanjing Road. With a metro station also very close by.

The hostel has private rooms and dorms and allows check-in from midday.

If you’re looking for cheap and cheerful, there are plenty of options in Shanghai.

Conveniently located near the metro, Shanghai Fish Inn Bund has sleek rooms and all the essential facilities. The executive suite even comes in a very budget-friendly price range, so it can be a great place to upgrade for a little extra luxury.

Another option is Seventh Heaven Hotel , located a stone’s throw from the Nanjing Road pedestrian shopping street. As well as being 5 minutes from the metro, the hotel also has a cabaret, beauty salon and massage parlour!

Shanghai is full of mid-range options and a lot of them have pretty good facilities.

One such option is the Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World , situated on the northern side of People’s Park. This hotel is centrally located just metres from the metro and Shanghai’s famous shopping street.

All stays come with free use of the fitness centre and indoor swimming pool! Additionally, if that wasn’t enough, it also has a revolving restaurant on the 45th floor!

If money is no object or you just fancy treating yourself to a night of luxury, you’ll want to check out The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong .

Located among the skyscrapers in Pudong, this hotel is a slice of luxury. This hotel features an indoor swimming pool with panoramic views of the city (free use as a hotel guest).

Plus, all rooms have city views. And, even the cheapest room has a standalone bathtub, an extra-large bed, floor-to-ceiling windows and over 500 square feet of space!

How many days do you need in Shanghai?

5 days is a good amount of time to see the best Shanghai has to offer, without having to rush around like mad! From food to history to culture, the city has something for everyone.

You could see the top attractions in 2 action-packed days. With 3 or 4 days, you’d probably still have to be selective about what you see and do.

Of course, you won’t see the whole city in 5 days. But, in this time, you’ll start to get a real feel for the culture and way of life. And, get to see the best spots in the city.

What to Eat in Shanghai

Shanghai is full of amazing restaurants and street food stalls. And, there are a few foods that you have to try! All of these can be found all across Shanghai, so when you’re in a restaurant keep an eye out for them.

Xiaolongbao

Xiaolongbao is soup dumplings made with pork and/or crab meat, most commonly. The soup is made in advance and then refrigerated to turn into a jelly, in this state it can then be wrapped in the outer shell.

The dumplings are steamed and the jelly melts back to soup inside! Be careful when you eat them though as you don’t want to burn the inside of your mouth!

These are, in essence, crepes that come with a variety of toppings. Normally including egg, spring onions, spicy sauce and a rice cake/cracker.

Additional sweet and savoury options also vary depending on the seller. Jian Bing is commonly sold in small, hole-in-the-wall food outlets on the streets of Shanghai.

Cong you Bing

Cong You Bing is a popular savoury snack across much of China. These scallion (spring onion) pancakes are available in restaurants and street-side stalls. Cheap and tasty!

Shengjianbao

Shengjianbao is fried pork buns, with a much thicker and doughier outside than xiaolongbao.

Yang’s Dumplings restaurants are commonplace in Shanghai and are a perfect place to try these bao buns.

Shanghai 5-Day Itinerary: Day 1

Day 1 of your Shanghai 5-day itinerary should be spent exploring the heart of the city! Use this time to get your bearings in this vast city and it’ll make your next 4 days in Shanghai much easier.

Consider taking a walking tour for a guided view of the city, but you can do it all yourself.

Key stops: People’s Square & Park, Nanjing Road, The Bund, Yu Gardens and the Old City.

People’s Square & People’s Park

Start your day in People’s Square and People’s Park. This is a popular meeting spot for locals in Shanghai.

You’ll find yourself immersed in the Shanghainese culture pretty quickly. Hence, this is the perfect first stop for your Shanghai trip itinerary.

Nanjing Road Shopping Street

Next, you’ll want to visit Nanjing Road, which starts at the northeast corner of People’s Park. It’s full of national and international brand shops and restaurants.

On a warm day, you’ll want to stop for ice cream along this street. Or perhaps a hot drink in winter.

Nanjing Road runs all the way from People’s Square to the next stop and is an absolute must-do in Shanghai…

Home of the most famous viewpoint in all of Shanghai is The Bund! This long, riverside promenade offers spectacular views of the Lujiazui skyscrapers.

Once you’ve finished at the city’s most popular photo spot (it’ll be hard to drag yourself away from the mesmerising view), head south to the next stop.

Make sure you also visit the Bund after dark, the lit-up skyline is one of the best things to see in Shanghai – simply spectacular!

Just a 20-minute walk south along The Bund is the popular and beautiful Yu Gardens.

The small entrance fee (30/40 Yuan [off-peak/peak]) is well worth it to see the 5 acres of gardens, water features and traditional Chinese-style architecture.

Shanghai Old City

The gardens are located in the heart of Shanghai Old City , a great place for exploring.

From the city wall to temples, and streets full of local sellers and shops, it’s a very different experience from central Shanghai.

Take a food tour

Finally, finish off Day 1 of this Shanghai 5-day itinerary with a food tour .

Guided tours are good as they allow you to visit local eateries and be introduced to local cuisines without a language barrier. I went on a tour with Free Tour Asia , although there are other operators available at a range of costs.

> > > RELATED POST: If you only have 1 day in Shanghai, I recommend following this Shanghai one-day itinerary to see the best of the city!

Shanghai 5-Day Itinerary: Day 2

Day 2 of 5 in Shanghai explores the Lujiazui area of the city. It’s home to some of the most popular Shanghai tourist attractions.

Known for its soaring skyscrapers, the architecture and engineering in Lujiazui will leave you in awe!

Key stops: Oriental Pearl Tower, Science Museum, Century Park.

Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Put your head in the clouds and journey to the top of some of the tallest buildings in the world.

The Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower provides the full visitor experience with a 360-degree transparent Skydeck at 259 metres up as well as an observation deck at 351 metres.

Other options for skyscrapers include the Shanghai World Financial Center , known by locals as ‘the bottle opener’ for its distinctive look.

The building has three observation floors – including a transparent floor deck on the 100th floor, 474 metres up!

Another option is the Shanghai Tower – the second tallest building in the world at 623 metres high!

The observation floors are located around 550 metres above the ground – for stunning views of Shanghai (or the clouds). Given this, choose a clear day to ascend the Shanghai Tower for the best views.

Science & Technology Museum

Next up, is the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum . It’s three stops along on the Shanghai Metro from the TV tower.

This vast museum covers all areas of science from pre-historic animals to space exploration. There’s something for everyone here and you can easily spend a couple of hours seeing all the exhibitions.

Century Park

Located just a stone’s throw from the science museum is Century Park . This huge, inner-city park is a world away from the skyscrapers.

In the park, you can hire bicycles or pedalos, you can visit the small funfair, or you can just explore the many gardens and lakes. The perfect slice of nature in a busy metropolitan city!

If you exit the park through Exit 7 on the south side then you’ll pass the Century Mart on your way to Century Park Metro station. Is it really a trip abroad without a trip to a local supermarket for unique snacks and drinks? I would say not!

Did I buy several bottles of salted caramel flavour Pepsi? Absolutely, yes! Was it sickeningly nice? Also, yes!

Shanghai 5-Day Itinerary: Day 3

For the mid-point of this Shanghai itinerary, it’s time for a day trip to Hangzhou.

This beautiful city is one of the best day trips from Shanghai and is located just less than 200 kilometres southwest of Shanghai. But, thanks to the high-speed train network, the journey time is just 1 hour!

Key stops: Hangzhou & West Lake.

The high-speed trains run from Shanghai to Hangzhou from Hongqiao Railway Station . Which is located on Line 2 of the metro.

Trains run several times an hour from 6 am to 9.30 pm.

You can buy a ticket from the station – but don’t expect the staff to speak any English. Alternatively, you can book your train tickets in advance and online using 12go.asia – a specialist transport agency. Remember to pack your passport, as this is required to travel on trains in China.

Once you arrive at Hangzhou East Railway Station (Hangzhoudong), take the Metro (Line 1) 5 stops to Fengqi Road. From here, it’s just a 10-minute walk to West Lake – the absolute jewel of Hangzhou.

West Lake in Hangzhou

West Lake is the hub of the best things to see in Hangzhou. There are many attractions, viewpoints and photo spots on the shores.

With stops for attractions, photos and breaks, it’ll take you most of the day to walk the perimeter of the lake. But, rest assured, this is the best place to be in Hangzhou.

All around the lake, you’ll find pavilions, parks, bridges and walking trails. There are viewpoints and photo spots almost everywhere. And you can even take a trip on the lake with the pleasure boat service.

By early evening, you’ll want to be back on the eastern side of the lake to watch the sunset in the west. This is a popular activity at West Lake, so you won’t be alone, but that won’t detract from a magical sunset.

Give yourself enough time to navigate the Metro back to Hangzhou Station and get your train back to Shanghai.

Given everything that we’ve covered so far, you’re only 60% of the way through this Shanghai itinerary! Two more action-packed days to come!

> > > RELATED POST: Looking for a shorted Shanghai trip itinerary? This Shanghai 3-Day Itinerary makes sure you get to visit the best the city has to offer in just a few days!

Shanghai 5-Day Itinerary: Day 4

Day 4 and we’re back exploring some of the best places to visit in Shanghai – it’s what we came to do after all! Today’s itinerary is rather cultured as we visit a host of temples and museums.

Key stops: Jing’an Temple, Food Market, Jade Buddha Temple, History Museum, Urban Planning Museum, Shanghai Museum

Jing’An Temple

First up is the beautiful Jing’an Temple . Which is served by a Metro stop aptly named ‘Jing’an Temple’ on Lines 2 and 7.

Surrounded by skyscrapers and modern-day buildings, this temple complex is just shy of 2000 years old! Although, there have been more recent reconstructions and restorations.

Huxi Mosque Muslim Food Market

Next up, is the Huxi Mosque Muslim Food Market , which runs every Friday from 10 am until 3 pm.

Here, you can sample many delicacies of the Uyghur people such as lamb skewers and freshly baked bread.

The market is located on Changde Road, just a short walk from the Changshou Road Metro Station. Which is two stops north of Jing’an Temple on Line 7.

Jade Buddha Temple

A 20-minute walk away from Huxi Mosque is the Jade Buddha Temple , home to a giant jade-green Buddha statue.

This impressive temple complex is a great place to learn more about Buddhism. And you can easily spend at least an hour here exploring the many parts.

From the Jade Buddha Temple, you should head two Metro stops away to the Shanghai Natural History Museum (Line 13). This tourist-friendly museum is a great place to escape the outside weather for a couple of hours while learning a thing or two.

Although, there are a large number of stuffed (preserved) animals. Which do look quite creepy and perhaps aren’t as accepted in Western culture these days.

A 30-minute walk from the history museum will bring you to the Shanghai Urban Planning Museum .

It isn’t the biggest of museums in Shanghai. But the main attraction is a complete model version of the city of Shanghai. Featuring every building and every road, to scale!

The museum also showcases the rapid development of Shanghai into today’s status as the world’s most populated city!

If you’re not completely sick of museums of this point, then just across the road is Shanghai Museum . This free museum contains 1000s of artefacts and artworks providing a snapshot into China’s history and culture.

Shanghai 5-Day Itinerary: Day 5

For the final day of your Shanghai China itinerary, I’d recommend a slightly easier day (i.e not visiting 5+ attractions in one day!)…

Two potential options: Disneyland Shanghai or Zhujiajiao water town

Disneyland Shanghai

Like all Disney parks around the world, Disneyland Shanghai is a truly magical place and fun for all the family!

If you book tickets at least 7 days in advance online then you get a discount and avoid queuing on the day. Generally, weekends are peak times and weekdays are regular prices.

Despite the high prices, entrance to the park is much cheaper than for other Disney parks around the world (including Hong Kong).

Disneyland Shanghai is the last stop on the eastern end of Line 11 of the Metro. From People’s Square Station, you’ll need to take Line 8 nine stops south to Oriental Sports Center. Then, you’ll need to change to Line 11 for the eight stops to Disneyland.

Zhujiajiao Water Town

Zhujiajiao is located to the west of the city and is an ancient water town. Much like its more famous counterpart, Venice.

The town makes for a great day trip from Shanghai as you can explore the canals, old streets, bridges and take gondola rides.

As the town is a dedicated tourist area, it can get very busy on weekends and public holidays. So I recommend visiting during the week if possible.

You can reach Zhujiajiao via the Metro. You’ll need to take Line 2 all the way to Hongqiao Railway Station stop, then change to Line 17.

After the 11 stops, you’ll arrive at Zhujiajiao Metro Station, which is a 15-minute walk from the water town.

Is Shanghai Safe for Tourists?

Assuming you apply the usual rules of common sense, then yes, Shanghai is a safe city for visitors.

Like anywhere that is popular with tourists, exercise reasonable caution about pickpockets. Avoid putting your phone or wallet in your back (or visible) pockets and make use of hotel safes for valuable items.

Additionally, visitors to China are required by law to carry their passports on them at all times. As such, I recommend finding a safe internal pocket within your bag for this.

Is Shanghai Tourist Friendly?

The city attracts tourists from across China and across the world. But, tourism has been almost non-existent for the last 3 years.

Given the hardships and measures the city had to endure, it’s hard to say how welcome visitors will be made to feel as the country opens its doors.

However, the city has a good tourism infrastructure and will continue to attract visitors for years to come. And if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s to travel while you can.

Is Shanghai an Expensive City?

Shanghai seems to have a reputation as an expensive city. While it would be easy to spend your money here, there are plenty of budget options. And what you do spend on, you get much more value for money than in the West.

Both food, travel and accommodation are fairly cheap. Meaning, that you can make the rest of your trip as cheap or expensive as you want.

For those on a budget, choose from the many free activities, take the metro and eat locally.

But if you want to spend more money there are plenty of tours, western restaurants and international brand shops.

And, for most people visiting Shanghai, they’ll be somewhere in the middle. So, you can choose which experiences are important enough to you, to spend money on.

Is Shanghai worth visiting?

If you like big cities and tall skyscrapers and don’t mind immersing yourself in a totally different culture and language, Shanghai is for you.

In this city, east meets west and historical landmarks sit in the shadows of modern engineering masterpieces. It’s busy, it’s big and it’s every bit worth visiting!

If you have any questions or want any more information drop a comment below and I’ll get back to you!

Prices and offerings mentioned are correct to the best of my knowledge as of April 2023 but are subject to change in future.

RELATED POSTS

SHANGHAI: One Day Itinerary for Daytime Layovers in Shanghai

SHANGHAI: 3-Day Itinerary (Perfect for a Shanghai Stopover)

LAYOVER DESTINATION: 7 Reasons You Should Book a Long Layover in Shanghai

VISA GUIDE: The China Transit Visa: Everything You Need to Know

PIN IT FOR LATER!

21 thoughts on “Shanghai 5-Day Itinerary (The Best of Shanghai)”

' src=

This sounds like a great Itinerary. I find it interesting that such a large city is mostly cash based.

' src=

90% of the locals don’t carry a single cent of cash. They scan QR code with their phone to pay. While for foreigners without access to this app, it’s cash only in most stores. Stores catering to tourists do accept credit card.

' src=

Yes, this is true. Pretty much everyone uses WeChat for payment, but you need a Chinese mobile number to access the app. So for tourists, it is pretty much cash only. Card payments are accepted in some places, but it’s just easier to have cash as you never know if they will accept Visa/Mastercard/have a working card machine. Apple pay can be used in some places, but Google Pay doesn’t work with the ban on Google.

' src=

Such an in-depth guide! You really haven’t missed anything out and it will certainly help me plan my trip to Shanghai! Thanks so much and keep up the great work 🙂

Thank you, glad you found it useful! Hopefully we will all be back travelling freely soon!

' src=

A few comments: I felt the Shanghai Art Museum to be more interesting than the Science Museum. You did not mention the MagLev train. If you qualify, the Executive Lounges at China’s international hotels (e.g., Marriott) put anything in America to shame. The tidal bore (Silver Dragon) in Hangzhou at the river is not to be missed, if you time it right.

Ah I should definitely add the MagLev train, there’s not many places in the world you can travel at those speeds (and it feel like a pleasant ride all the same). Thanks for letting me know, I’ll consider these next time I update the post.

' src=

I lived in Shanghai for eight years; one in Pudong and the rest in Puxi. This was a very good recap for the city, and the comments are also good. Thank you!

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the post!

' src=

Does tourists need to use Ali pay to make payment in Shanghai ? Can foreigners pay with cash in most shop frequent by local?

I haven’t been since before 2020 but I had no problems using cash then and even had free withdrawals from ATMs. It might be worth checking out some forums to see if it’s changed in the last few years especially with the lack of international visitors.

' src=

Many thanks for this very interesting article about your 5 days itinerary in Shanghai. Perhaps is our online route planner for the Shanghai metro (subway) usefull as well: https://www.metrocazar.com/shanghai/

Very helpful, thank you!

' src=

Going next week and I’m quite nervous! How is english speaking with the locals fare? Last time I was in Shanghai was 20 years ago.

Excited to see shanghai!

I found far fewer people spoke English than I expected, especially in restaurants/shops etc. I’d recommend finding a good offline/non-Google translation app as that’ll help a lot, or using a tour guide, walking tours etc.

This 5-day itinerary looks like a great way to see the best of Shanghai, from historical sites and museums to delicious food and shopping – I don’t know where I’m going to start but I’m looking forward to planning my trip using this guide!

' src=

Is the Muslim Friday market really open for business? I read that it has been closed down after covid.

Hi Liza, I believe it has closed down permanently. I tried to leave in places that had closed over the pandemic in the hope they might open again with the return of tourism, but seems that’s not the case here, I will update as soon as I can. Thanks, Zoe

' src=

Hey Zoe, I’ve just returned home from China and this is a great itinerary for Shanghai 🙂 Just on the spitting – you’re right about it not being very common in Shanghai. However, if you go to any smaller Chinese city it is still very prevalent. What did you think of Disneyland? I wasn’t sure about going there alone!

Hi Mike, thanks for the feedback, always nice to hear. That’s interesting to know, I haven’t visited any of the smaller Chinese cities since way back in 2010 but it was very widespread then. Always love a Disney trip, sometimes you just have to get your cliche tourist hat on for a day! Thanks, Zoe

' src=

Great Itinerary, simple and sweet. Found helpful. Thanks for sharing !!!

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Privacy Overview

The Travel Momento

The Travel Momento

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. 

The Best 3 Day Shanghai Itinerary - The Travel Momento

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.

French Concession promenade

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. 

travel ke shanghai

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.

Walking through the Shanghai Waibaidu Bridge

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. 

 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.

Green lake in the Yu Garden

City God Temple

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.

Inside the City God Temple in Yu Garden in Shanghai

 Recommended time: 2o minutes

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

Lights and food stations in the Old Street in Shanghai

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Centre

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.

Scale model of Shanghai in Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center

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

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.

Umbrellas with marriage proposals in People's Park in Shanghai

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. 

Lights in the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel​ Shanghai

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 . 

View from the panoramic platform of the Shanghai Financial Center

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.

Pedestrian walk in Pudong with the view of Shanghai TV Tower

Longhua Temple and Pagoda

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

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

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.

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.

Boat ride through the canals of Zhuijajiao​ Water Town

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:

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 🙂

travel ke shanghai

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

17 comments

Thank you for this blog post. I love Shanghai and I hope I will be able to go there when this pandemic will end.

We were also so impressed by Shanghai and would regret not including it to our 3 weeks to China plan.

these are all great places to visit within just 3 days! I havent been to Shanghai/China 🙂 Looking forward

Visiting these places will give you a great inside into the best of both worlds 🙂

Thanks for such a detailed guide! I always spend so much time researching before a trip…this would definitely cut down my time!

Me too, this is why I decided to start the blog and share all the research I do with others.

I have never been to Shanghai before but this seems like a great itinerary to follow, and I love how many things there are to do in the city!

Great, detailed post. I love your photography. Especially that header shot! Just beautiful.

Thank you so much, it means a lot! So happy to hear you like it 🙂

I have never been to Shanghai. This looks like the perfect first timers guide. Thanks for sharing

Happy to hear you find it helpful for first timers!

Awesome place! The god temple looks very interesting and would love to visit it one day.

We were so surprised by this city as we didn’t expect so much. We absolutely loved it!

We also did Shanghai in 3 days and our itinerary was very similar. Great minds think alike!

We think 3 days are great duration for a city like Shanghai in order to see the most of it.

I would love to visit Shanghai. This is great information about what time to visit and amazing destination to visit.

We were really impressed by Shanghai. So happy to hear you find it great and useful!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Related Articles

Authentic 1 day macau itinerary (easy day trip from hong kong), 2 weeks sicily itinerary: the best and authentic 14 days, visiting tenerife 12 tips every traveller needs to know, palermo itinerary: top things to do and see in 2 days in palermo.

The Travel Momento logo

Asia Odyssey Travel Logo

Shanghai Tours | 20 Best Shanghai Tour Packages 2024

Discover the captivating allure of Shanghai , a sprawling metropolis on China's eastern coast, where modernity meets tradition in perfect harmony. Marvel at the dazzling skyline adorned with futuristic skyscrapers , including the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower. Stroll along The Bund , a waterfront promenade that offers a mesmerizing fusion of historic European architecture and contemporary high-rises. Additionally, explore the city's rich heritage in neighborhoods like Old Town (Yu Garden) , where traditional Chinese architecture and charming alleyways transport you back in time. The French Concession offers tree-lined streets, trendy boutiques, and quaint cafes with a distinct European ambiance.

Local Travel Agency Based in Shanghai

We offer a distinctive perspective that allows you to delve deep into the essence of Shanghai. Our Shanghai tour packages are designed to cater to every interest and passion, whether you're a city walker, an architecture enthusiast, a foodie, a history buff, or an adventurer. Choose from our range of meticulously crafted Classic Shanghai Tours , Shanghai Layover Tours , Shanghai Day Trips , and Group Tours , ensuring an unforgettable experience tailored to your preferences.

Travel Beyond Shanghai to Suzhou, Hangzhou & Other Destinations

Use Shanghai as your gateway to nearby destinations, such as the classical gardens of Suzhou or the picturesque splendor of Hangzhou 's West Lake. Our tours extend beyond Shanghai, taking you to Beijing , Xian , Yangtze River , Tibet , Silk Road, Guilin , Chengdu , Zhangjiajie , and more! Each tour can be fully customized to match your unique interests and preferences, all at the best possible local prices.

Uncover the hidden gems, unravel the stories, and immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of Shanghai and its surroundings. Let us be your guide as you embark on an extraordinary trip through time, culture, and natural beauty. Contact us now to unlock the magic of Shanghai and beyond.

Shanghai Tours

"Excellent Tour, best experience"

"A unique experience despite a difficult context thanks

to an experience team of organisers"

Hot Shanghai Private Tours

Shanghai group tours, tour shanghai in your style - theme trips.

  • Articles & Planning

Select an all-inclusive private tour in Shanghai and unlock the perfect way to immerse yourself in this vibrant city for 1-4 days . Experience the captivating blend of old-world charm and modern skylines as you delve into the rich historical heritage of Shanghai. For a truly enchanting family experience , indulge in the wonders of Disneyland Park, or extend your journey to the picturesque Zhujiajiao Water Town . Get ready to create unforgettable memories in the heart of Shanghai!

The Bund

Experience the ultimate cost-effectiveness by taking a captivating China tour in a small group , which grants you unparalleled access to the most timeless and iconic destinations, including Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, Tibet, and Guilin. If you are interested in more tours, please go ahead to our China Group Tours >>

The Bund, Shanghai

Explore Shanghai your way with our Theme Trips! Whether you're a museum enthusiast, love city walking, enjoy biking adventures, crave the excitement of Shanghai's nightlife, have a layover to make the most of, or want to discover the city from the international port, we have the perfect tour for you. Customize your itinerary and have an unforgettable Shanghai adventure tailored to your interests.

Shanghai Night Tour

Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou Tours

Have an enchanting trip through Shanghai, Suzhou , and Hangzhou , where captivating allure awaits. Explore the mesmerizing backyard of these vibrant cities and immerse yourself in the splendor of classical gardens that transport you to a timeless realm of natural beauty. Experience the poetic serenity of West Lake , where tranquility and harmony converge amidst breathtaking scenery. Discover a world of unparalleled beauty and endless wonder as Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou unveil their secrets to you.

Suzhou

Hot China Tours from Shanghai

We offers many Shanghai China Tours to meet different travelers’ needs. Based on years’ experience, travelers’ choices and feedback, we highly recommend you to choose from the following 6 China tours from Shanghai for first-time visitors. You will explore from classic discovery in China’s golden triangle cities (Shanghai, Xian , Beijing ) to scenic exploration in Guilin with Karst landscapes, from Potala Palace ( Tibet ) to Hometown of Giant Pandas ( Chengdu ). Any of them can be tailor-made according to your interests and needs. Contact us for guaranteed best prices!

Forbidden City, Beijing

Shanghai Tours Planning & Useful Articles

Unveil the secrets to curating your perfect Shanghai Tour! Planning a tour in this mesmerizing city may seem overwhelming, but fret not! We're here to be your trusted guides every step of the way. Access our wealth of Shanghai travel information, offering invaluable insights to help you design the ultimate group tour. Immerse yourself in our latest and informative articles, covering topics like "How to Plan a Shanghai Tour," "Shanghai's Top Attractions," "Unmissable Things to Do in Shanghai," "Discovering the Best Time to Visit Shanghai," and "Answers to Your Shanghai Travel FAQs." With our comprehensive resources, you'll possess all the tools necessary to create an unforgettable Shanghai experience. View Latest Shanghai Travel Guide >>

The Bund

Shanghai Tours FAQs - Plan Your Shanghai Tours Worry-Free

icon

The best time to visit Shanghai is during the spring (April to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons. These periods offer pleasant temperatures, moderate humidity, and fewer chances of rain compared to other times of the year. Here's a breakdown of the seasons in Shanghai : 1) Spring (April to May): Spring in Shanghai brings mild temperatures, blossoming flowers, and vibrant greenery. It's an ideal time for outdoor activities and exploring the city's parks and gardens. However, do note that April can be a bit unpredictable with occasional rain showers. 2) Summer (June to August): Shanghai's summer is hot and humid, with temperatures often exceeding 30°C (86°F). It can be uncomfortable for outdoor activities, and the city experiences frequent rain showers and occasional typhoons. If you visit during summer, be prepared for high humidity and consider indoor attractions and air-conditioned spaces. 3) Autumn (September to November): Autumn is considered the best time to visit Shanghai. The weather is pleasant, with cooler temperatures and lower humidity. It's a great time for sightseeing, strolling along the waterfront, and enjoying outdoor activities. However, early autumn (September) can still be a bit warm, so be prepared for some lingering summer-like weather. 3) Winter (December to February): Shanghai's winter is chilly and damp, with occasional cold spells. Temperatures can drop to around 0°C (32°F), but snowfall is rare. Winter is a quieter time in Shanghai, and you can enjoy fewer crowds and lower hotel rates. It's a good time to explore indoor attractions, visit museums, and experience traditional Chinese New Year celebrations if your visit coincides with late January or early February.

Absolutely! Shanghai is surrounded by several fascinating destinations that make for great Shanghai day trips or short getaways . Here are some interesting places near Shanghai worth exploring: 1). Suzhou (苏州): Known as the "Venice of the East," Suzhou is renowned for its classical gardens, tranquil canals, and charming water towns. Visit the Humble Administrator's Garden, Tiger Hill, and explore the picturesque water town of Tongli. 2). Hangzhou (杭州) : Just a short train ride away, Hangzhou offers scenic beauty with its iconic West Lake, historic temples, and tea plantations. Don't miss the chance to sample the famous Longjing tea. 3). Zhouzhuang (周庄): This ancient water town near Shanghai is famous for its well-preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture. Take a boat ride along the canals, visit historic residences, and immerse yourself in the town's rich cultural heritage. 4). Nanjing (南京): As the capital of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing is steeped in history and offers a wealth of cultural attractions. Explore the magnificent Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, walk along the ancient city walls, and visit the Confucius Temple. 5). Wuzhen (乌镇): Another charming water town, Wuzhen showcases traditional architecture, stone bridges, and serene canals. Take a leisurely stroll through its ancient alleyways and experience the town's timeless beauty. 6). Huangshan (黄山)Yellow Mountain: If you're up for a longer trip, consider visiting Huangshan, one of China 's most iconic mountain ranges. Marvel at its dramatic peaks, hike scenic trails, and witness breathtaking sunrises or sunsets.

The number of days you should spend in Shanghai depends on your interests, the activities you plan to undertake, and the pace at which you prefer to explore the city. However, a suggested duration for a well-rounded visit to Shanghai is around 1 to 5 days. This time frame allows you to experience the city's major attractions, delve into its rich culture, and also have some time for day trips to nearby destinations. Contact us to tailor your Shanghai Tour according to your interests and the experiences you seek.

Here's a sample itinerary to give you an idea: Day 1: Explore the Bund, visit Shanghai Museum, wander along Nanjing Road, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the city center. In the evening, take a Huangpu River cruise to admire the illuminated skyline. Day 2: Discover the traditional side of Shanghai by visiting Yu Garden, City God Temple, and exploring the charming alleys of Tianzifang or Xintiandi. Indulge in local cuisine and experience Shanghai's vibrant street food scene. Day 3: Take a day trip to a nearby water town such as Suzhou or Zhouzhuang, where you can experience the classical gardens, historic architecture, and tranquil canals. Day 4: Visit modern landmarks like the Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center to gain insight into the city's futuristic development. Explore the trendy district of Jing'an or French Concession for shopping and dining. Day 5: If you have an extra day, consider another day trip to Hangzhou to visit the stunning West Lake, and Lingyin Temple, and experience the famous Longjing tea culture.

Of course, you can adjust this itinerary based on your preferences and the specific attractions you wish to prioritize. Shanghai has a lot to offer, including museums, art galleries, markets, parks, and a vibrant nightlife scene. So, the more time you have, the more you can explore and immerse yourself in the city's diverse offerings.

Shanghai is known for several notable features that have contributed to its international reputation. Shanghai is a global metropolis that seamlessly blends tradition and modernity while offering a unique and dynamic experience for visitors. Here are some of the key aspects for which Shanghai is most renowned: 1). Modern Skyline: Shanghai is famous for its iconic modern skyline, dominated by towering skyscrapers and futuristic architecture. The Pudong district, particularly the Lujiazui area, is home to landmarks like the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and the Shanghai World Financial Center. These structures create an awe-inspiring panorama that has become synonymous with the city. 2). The Bund: The Bund is a historic waterfront area along the Huangpu River that showcases Shanghai's blend of Eastern and Western influences. It features grand colonial-era buildings on one side and the modern skyline on the other, creating a distinctive contrast that encapsulates the city's past and present. 3). Economic and Financial Hub: As China 's leading economic and financial center, Shanghai plays a crucial role in global commerce and trade. It houses the Shanghai Stock Exchange, and numerous multinational corporations, and serves as a vital business hub attracting professionals and entrepreneurs from around the world. 4). Art and Culture: Shanghai has a vibrant arts and culture scene, with numerous galleries, museums, and theaters. The Shanghai Museum, China Art Museum, and the Power Station of Art are notable institutions that showcase Chinese art, history, and contemporary works. The city also hosts various international events, including the Shanghai International Film Festival and the Shanghai International Arts Festival. 5). Cosmopolitan Lifestyle: Shanghai is renowned for its cosmopolitan vibe and diverse international community. It offers a rich blend of Eastern and Western cultures, reflected in its fashion, cuisine, nightlife, and entertainment options. The city boasts a thriving dining scene, luxury shopping districts, trendy neighborhoods, and a bustling nightlife. 6). Historical and Cultural Sites: Shanghai's history and culture are showcased in its ancient temples, traditional gardens, and historic neighborhoods. Places like Yu Garden, Jing'an Temple, Longhua Temple, and the Old Town area provide glimpses into Shanghai's past and offer a contrast to its modern developments.

Shanghai, one of China 's most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities, offers a plethora of attractions for visitors to explore. The city is ever-evolving, with new attractions and experiences constantly emerging. Exploring Shanghai will give you a taste of China 's past, present, and future all in one dynamic city. Here are some of the must-see sights and the top attractions in Shanghai :

1). The Bund - Historic waterfront promenade with stunning skyline views.

2). Nanjing Road - Bustling shopping street with a mix of modern and traditional shops.

3). Yu Garden - Classic Chinese garden with beautiful architecture and landscapes.

4). Oriental Pearl Tower - Iconic tower offering panoramic views of the city.

5). Jin Mao Tower - Skyscraper with observation decks showcasing Shanghai's skyline.

6). Shanghai Museum - Extensive collection of Chinese art and artifacts.

7). Tianzifang - Artsy district with shops, galleries, and cafes in restored Shikumen houses.

8). Shanghai World Financial Center - Distinct tower with an observation deck on the 100th floor.

9). Xintiandi - Trendy area featuring a blend of historic Shikumen houses and modern establishments.

10). Zhujiajiao Water Town - Picturesque water town outside Shanghai , known for its canals and bridges.

Shanghai is often referred to as the " Magic City " due to its rapid and remarkable transformation over the past few decades. The nickname encompasses the awe-inspiring development, modernization, and growth that the city has experienced, making it a symbol of China 's economic success and urban innovation. Here are a few reasons why Shanghai is famed as the "Magic City":

1). Economic Powerhouse: Shanghai has become a global financial and economic hub, attracting businesses, investments, and talent from around the world. It has a thriving economy, with a strong focus on finance, trade, technology, and innovation. The city's rapid economic growth and transformation have been nothing short of magical.

2). Modern Skyline: Shanghai's skyline is truly mesmerizing. Pudong, the district on the east bank of the Huangpu River, is known for its iconic skyscrapers, including the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and Shanghai Tower. These futuristic structures, along with the dazzling lights and architectural marvels, contribute to the magical image of the city.

3). Urban Development: Shanghai has undergone extensive urban development and urbanization, with massive infrastructure projects, modern transportation systems, and urban planning initiatives. The city has transformed vacant land and old industrial areas into modern districts, parks, and cultural spaces, creating a sense of magic and wonder.

4). Cultural Fusion: Shanghai is a melting pot of different cultures, blending traditional Chinese heritage with international influences. The city's history as a colonial port has left a lasting impact, reflected in its architecture, cuisine, and diverse population. The fusion of Eastern and Western cultures adds to the enchantment and cosmopolitan charm of Shanghai.

5). Vibrant Lifestyle: Shanghai is known for its dynamic and vibrant lifestyle. The city offers a rich and diverse range of entertainment, dining, shopping, and nightlife options. The bustling streets, trendy neighborhoods, and a constant buzz of energy contribute to the magical allure of the city.

Shanghai is well-connected to several cities in China via high-speed train , making it convenient to explore nearby destinations. Here are a few cities you can visit from Shanghai by high-speed train:

1). Suzhou: Known as the "Venice of the East," Suzhou is famous for its classical gardens, canals, and traditional architecture. It's a short journey from Shanghai, with frequent high-speed trains taking around 30 minutes to 1 hour to reach Suzhou.

2). Hangzhou: As mentioned earlier, Hangzhou is a historical and cultural city with attractions like West Lake, Lingyin Temple, and the China National Tea Museum. High-speed trains from Shanghai to Hangzhou take around 1 to 1.5 hours, making it an ideal day trip or overnight excursion.

3). Beijing: If you're interested in visiting China 's capital, Beijing , you can take a high-speed train from Shanghai. The journey takes around 4 to 6 hours, depending on the type of train you choose. Beijing offers iconic landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven.

4). Nanjing: Located along the Yangtze River, Nanjing is known for its historical sites and cultural heritage. You can reach Nanjing from Shanghai by high-speed train in about 1.5 to 3 hours. Must-visit attractions in Nanjing include the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the Nanjing City Wall, and the Confucius Temple.

These are just a few examples of cities you can visit from Shanghai by high-speed train. China 's extensive high-speed rail network provides convenient and efficient transportation, allowing you to explore various destinations within a reasonable travel time from Shanghai. Contact us to join our tour with bullet trains from Shanghai .

Yes, you can take a ferry in Shanghai just like the locals do. Shanghai has several ferry routes that traverse the Huangpu River, providing an alternative mode of transportation and a scenic way to explore the city. Riding the ferry can be a unique experience and a great opportunity to see iconic landmarks from the water.

One popular ferry route is departing from Jinling East Road . The Huangpu River Ferry Ride takes about 10 minutes, departing from Jinling East Road Pier (near the Bund ) and arriving at Dongchang Road Pier (near the Shanghai Tower ). Since the ferry operates every 15 minutes in the afternoon, including the queuing time, it will take about 40 to 60 minutes to experience the Shanghai Public Ferry (2 yuan per person上海轮渡) like a local and enjoy the splendid views along Shanghai's Mother River .

Another ferry route is the Shiliupu Ferry, which operates between the Shiliupu Pier (near the Bund) and the Dongchang Road Pier (near the Oriental Pearl Tower ). This route offers a more traditional ferry experience and allows you to enjoy the scenic views of the river and the city skyline.

Contact us to join our tour with Shanghai Ferry .

See More

Latest Shanghai Tours Reviews from Our Customers

Maziar

Destination(s): Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Tibet, Chengdu/Sichuan

Date of Experience: Jul 07, 2023

Tour Customized by: Isaac

You May be Interested in This Tour: 16 Days Classic China, Panda & Holy Tibet Tour in Small Group

Wayne C

I'm a Singaporean traveller who booked a private solo tour. I chanced upon AOT after I googled and decided to travel last min. My planner from AOT named Rita was very patient towards all my request and changes, she is knowledgeable and provided excellent advice for my 8 days trip arrangement from Shanghai, Zhangjiajie N Chongqing. Although there were very minor hiccups just like any overseas holiday, it was still a well planned trip.

I would like thank all my tour guides and drivers (师父) for looking after me so well. Special mention to Zhangjiajie Tour Guide named Ms Rita Wang, she looks after her client with her sincerest heart into the smallest details such as eating habits and my lifestyle. (Example: Turning A/C on knowing we Singaporeans can't live without A/C in car & also I don't even have to look at menu to order food becos she knows what I want to eat) Also thank you 杨师父 who tagged team with Rita, he is a very good skilled safe driver and knows how look after me during long haul journey drive inter cities.

I would strongly reccomended anyone who wants to travel to look for Rita or her colleagues from Asia Odyssey Travel.

Lastly, thank you to all whom I've crossed path during my trip. I'm grateful to all people in China for the warm hospitality. 感恩大家的招待和爱。

I left my heart in Zhangjiajie

travel ke shanghai

Destination(s): Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, Chongqing

Date of Experience: Apr 06, 2024

Tour Customized by: Rita

You May be Interested in This Tour: Customized Tour

Scott Wilkinson

Scott Wilkinson

Destination(s): Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin/Yangshuo

Date of Experience: Feb 13, 2024

Tour Customized by: Vincent

icon

Logo

3 Days In Shanghai: The Perfect Itinerary

Shanghai is a sprawling cosmopolitan city. From the famous high rise office buildings in Pudong to the villa-lined neighborhood of the former French Concession, it is impossible for the city to leave you untouched. Do you only have 3 days in Shanghai? Are you overwhelmed by the choice and the size of the city? Don’t worry, this post will help you decide what to do in Shanghai in three days as I wrote it after my own Shanghai itinerary so it has been tried and tested. With so much on offer, it is important to plan your time well. I’ve done the groundwork for you. So check my itinerary to discover Shanghai in 3 days with suggestions on what to include and what to leave out.

For those with limited time, rest assured that three days in Shanghai is enough to explore the neighborhoods of the French Concession, gaze up at the skyscrapers and get a generous dose of compelling history and heritage intertwining with modern Chinese society. If you prefer a slower and more relaxed style of travel, check this travel itinerary for one week in Beijing . But be sure to be prepared for the cultural shock with my post about tips to remember when traveling to Shenzhen.

3 Days In Shanghai -The Perfect Shanghai Itinerary

3 Days In Shanghai -The Perfect Itinerary

Day 1 – from bund to jing’an temple.

If you asked anybody who has been there what to do in Shanghai in 3 days one of the first things they would suggest is strolling along the Bund promenade. Famous for its striking skyline, the Bund Wai Tan waterfront along the Huangpu River is home to a number of impressive old buildings and historical establishments that remain standing to this day.

the Bund Wai Tan waterfront

Things Nobody Tells You About Visiting Beijing

Take your time exploring the area during the day because chances are there will be very few people around. Take a cruise at night to capture images from a totally different perspective.

Explore the Pudong and the Lujiazui

While the views from across Huangpu river are awe-inspiring, there’s nothing like getting up close and personal with them. Take a taxi or hop on a metro or ferry to get to the other side. Find yourself in the area dense with the skyscrapers, entertainment centers, and restaurants. Lujiazui makes you feel like you’ve teleported into the future while ascending to the observation deck of the Shanghai World Financial Center and admiring some exceptional panoramic views.

Explore the Pudong and the Lujiazui

  Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

The Pearl Tower is an attraction in itself. Having a unique architectural design, each sphere house different entertainment facilities and a revolving restaurant at the top sphere. It wasn’t my first trip to Shanghai when I actually enjoyed spectacular views. So I decided not to climb the Oriental Pearl Tower. Instead, it was indeed very impressive just to roam around the base of the skyscrapers imagining how small I appear from up there.

But there’s a catch.

Aside from gorgeous views, top-notch restaurants and some of the best drinks in Shanghai, Lujiazui, not to mention Pudong, doesn’t have considerable things to explore. If you have only 3 days in Shanghai, I’d recommend spending there two or three hours if you’re not really into climbing up the towers and end your day by sipping a cocktail at one the rooftop bars.

Pay Jing’an Temple a Visit

The Jing’an Temple is one of the three most famous and significant Buddhist temples in Shanghai. While the Jade Buddha Temple and the Longhua Temple are more popular with travellers, the Jing’an Temple is definitely not to be missed! I believe I was lucky enough to visit Jing’an Temple otherwise known as the temple of Peace and Tranquility on a day when no entrance fee is charged. That was probably also the reason why the entire place was so busy.

While tranquility and peace weren’t the case during my visit there on a lovely Saturday in early December, I loved this place with loads of incense sticks, local worshippers and quirky-looking pagoda-shaped shrine in a court area.

Jing’an Temple

Jing’an Temple is a remarkable complex to explore. Its history dates back to the early 13th century when the temple was relocated to its current site. With three main halls from the 1880s: the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Hall of the Three Saints and the Hall of Virtuous Works, there is enough room to escape the crowds of tourists and it may feel like a contrast to the modern skyscrapers nearby.

You May Also Like: The Pros & Cons of Living in Shanghai as an Expat

The highlight of the Temple is the Mahavira Hall. A steep staircase leads up to the sanctum, where the largest Buddha statue from Myanmar Jade is shown. The statue of the seated Shakyamuni is almost 4 meters high. That’s quite amazing since I had thought that the Jade Buddha Temple had the most impressive statue in the city.

You can walk around the hall and discover all sorts of amazing things in the rooms on the side and in the back: some are dedicated to special sacrificial and commemorative rituals. Here you can commemorate those who have passed and have them blessed by the monks. You can reach the Temple from the Jing’an temple station.

Day Two – Explore The Rest of Puxi

Yuyuan gardens and bazaar.

Located in the very heart of Puxi district, Yuyuan Gardens and Bazaar are my favorite spots to get a glimpse of medieval China. When it comes to things do in Shanghai in 3 days both attractions are near the top of the list. Yuyuan is the most famous garden in the city. Not only because it is surrounded by a pedestrian area full of little alleyways where vendors selling their products and food, but because this tranquil and traditional courtyard setting has an abundance of history.

YuYuan Gardens

  6 Awesome Outlying Islands in Hong Kong

Yuyuan Garden dates back to the 16th century when it was first founded as a private garden by Pan Yunduan. The garden was declared a national monument in 1982 so it is no wonder that so the entire place can get very crowded on weekends. If you’re not particularly into mingling with the locals and want to avoid the crowds, I’d recommend visiting Zuibaichi Park, which is only a few steps out of exit 3, Zuibaichi metro station and a few blocks away from the Songjiang mosque and Xilin temple.

Nanjing Road

Of course, it’s all about shopping when strolling the Nanjing Road. While I’m not an avid shopper and never have been, the pedestrian Nanjing Road for me is generally about people watching and absorbing the vibrant character of Shanghai. Bustling city’s central scene with crowds of people, I could spend hours walking up and down even if I have no real purpose for being there.

Nanjing Road

Nanjing Road starts at the Bund and runs westward until it reaches the People Square. It is a common place to visit for Chinese and foreign tourists alike. Stroll the Nanjing Road in the evening when a variety of neon lights up with different colors, they make the buildings even more magnificent.

Explore Former French Concession: Xintiandi and Tianzifang

The French Concession of Shanghai was a foreign concession for almost one hundred years until 1946. The entire area is in stark contrast with the rest of Shanghai. It boasts European style avenues, cafes and leafy green gardens. You could get lost here. And this is probably the best way to explore certain streets of the neighborhood. Even if you’re pressed for time and only have 3 days in Shanghai.

Don’t bother trying to use a map or follow signs. The winding tiny alleyways are packed with bizarre things and each tells their unique story. Once a premier residential and retail district of Shanghai, now it is a popular tourist destination so you could pretty much get off at any stop in the area and just stroll around the shops, boutiques, and restaurants.

French Concession

  Tips for Planning a Trip to Shenzhen

While Shanghai is a futuristic and forward-thinking city, there is still a chance that you find some low-rise, traditional neighborhoods. Both Xintiandi and Tianzifang feature shikumen, the traditional Chinese courtyard dwellings, with gates and courtyards.

The alleyways and the shikumen houses give a fascinating glimpse into local life centuries ago. The buildings are mostly in their original condition but you should know that Xintiandi has undergone a massive reconstruction. At the same time the authorities have put less efforts into renovating Tianzifang. If you don’t have time to visit both neighborhoods and compare them, I’d recommend hitting Tianzifang. It is where original buildings are still intact and locals mostly live in the apartments above the shop units. To get to Tianzifang take a taxi or use the subway line 9 to reach Dapuqiao station.

Day Three – Take a Day Trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town

There are loads of water villages around Shanghai. But when it comes to escaping the hustle and bustle of the big city I can’t recommend taking a day tour to Zhujiajiao highly enough. Zhujiajiao water town is about an hour and twenty minutes by Metro Line 17 from downtown Shanghai.

Obviously not the easiest name to pronounce. Zhujiajio is located in the Qingpu District that is filled with man-made canals, rivers, and boats propelled by gondoliers. The history of Zhujiajiao definitely adds to the charm factor. With sights like Fangsheng Bridge, Kezhi Garden, and the Yuanjin Buddhist Temple, I particularly loved wandering through the narrow laneways and soak in the Qing dynasty atmosphere.

Zhujiajiao

Dianpu river acts as the vein of this typical Jiangnan water town. It is also lined with historic buildings dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Thirty-six beautiful ancient bridges link the streets and provide charming vistas down the waterways where balconies and laundry hung out over the water. Street vendors sell knick-knacks and food almost everywhere. You’ll find the Chinese tofu, dried fish and weird meats that proved popular with the visiting locals.

  Two Weeks In Thailand: The Perfect 14-Day Itinerary

My entry ticket (30 CNY) gave me access to four scenic spots including Tongtianhe Medicine Shop, Qing Dynasty Post Office, Y-Art Gallery, and Ke Zhi Garden. There are also tickets for 60 and 80 CNY that would allow you to visit the sights like City God Temple, Yuanjin Meditation Room as well as take a traditional canal tour boat.

And this is where your awesome 3 days in Shanghai must come to an end.

I know it was short, but I’m sure you saw the best of the best of Shanghai. If you’ve found some extra time, or find your way back to Shanghai again, be sure to explore the many other great things to do in Shanghai that you’re sure to be glad you added to your Shanghai itinerary. Now it’s your turn! Have you ever been? What was your favorite part? Any must-sees I missed or questions about the places I listed? Let me know in the comments below!

JOIN MY FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER!

Email Address *

YOU WILL ALSO LIKE

how to pick a vacation destination

How To Choose The Next Travel Destination

exploring Rome on the cheap

Money-saving travel tips for Europe

How can I afford to see the world

How Can I Afford to Travel

travel ke shanghai

Sounds like a fantastic 3 days! I enjoyed reading your experiences, and hope to visit Shanghai myself one day. Thank you for sharing!

travel ke shanghai

May i know where did u stay? Name of the area..

travel ke shanghai

MindTheTravel

Hey Aiman! Thanks for stopping by! I stayed in Jing’an neighborhood. There are plenty of mid-range hotels to choose from and several more budget-friendly hostels. The neighborhood is in the very heart of Shanghai so you can easily and quickly reach any attraction form there.

travel ke shanghai

Allison Jac

Great itinerary. Was thinking of taking a tour to the Watertown but you make taking the metro sound easy (and certainly cheaper). Once off the train, is it easy to navigate where to buy tickets and get a boat ride?

travel ke shanghai

Jackie Sudano

I’ve never been to Shanghai but I just saw an amazing flight deal from Austin and now it’s got me thinking I should go. Then this article sealed the deal! The French Concession neighborhood sounds fascinating! Thanks for sharing and putting this together!

travel ke shanghai

Alex Stevenson

Shanghai is definitely on my bucket list now! Thanks for the awesome itinerary!

travel ke shanghai

ALEX THOMPSON

Your explanation of Shanghai is so detailed with beautiful photos. Thanks a lot.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

travel ke shanghai

  • Privacy Overview
  • Strictly Necessary Cookies

My website uses cookies so that I can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to my website and helping me to understand which sections of Mind The Travel you find most interesting and useful.

You can adjust all of your cookie settings by navigating the tabs on the left hand side.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that I can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, I will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit my website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

  • 86-19138970032 (GMT+8 18:00~09:00)

China Tours

  • Beijing Xian Tours
  • Shanghai Beijing Tours
  • Hong Kong Guilin Tours
  • Hangzhou Suzhou Tours
  • Kunming Lijiang Tours
  • Shanghai Yangtze Cruise Tours
  • Chengdu Tibet Tours
  • More Short Stay Tours
  • China Tours in January
  • China Tours in February
  • China Tours in March
  • China Tours in April
  • China Tours in May
  • China Tours in June
  • China Tours in July
  • China Tours in August
  • China Tours in September
  • China Tours in October
  • China Tours in November
  • China Tours in December

China Tours

  • High Speed Trains
  • China Yangtze Cruise Tour
  • Photography
  • Desert Adventure
  • Ethnic Villages
  • Biking Tours
  • Kung Fu Tours
  • Heritage Sites Exploration
  • China Spring Tours
  • China Summer Tours
  • China Autumn Tours
  • China Winter Tours

travel ke shanghai

  • Best-value Yangtze Cruises
  • Top Family-friendly Cruise Ships
  • Top 3 Luxury Yangtze River Cruises
  • Yangtze River Highlights
  • Yangtze River Cruise Routes
  • Upstream or Downstream?
  • Dining & Drinking
  • Accommodations
  • On-board Activities
  • Yangtze Cruise Booking Steps

China Tours

  • Inner Mongolia

China Tours

  • Fanjingshan
  • How to Plan Your First China Tour
  • How to Plan Beijing Tour
  • How to Plan Xian Tour
  • How to Plan Shanghai Tour
  • How to Plan Guilin Tour
  • How to Plan Sichuan Tour
  • How to Plan Family Tour
  • 2024 China Travel Ideas
  • Best Time to Visit China
  • What to Pack for Your China Journey
  • Updated China Travel News
  • Ultimate Chinese Visa Guide
  • Chinese Visa Types
  • Chinese Visa Requirements
  • Do I Need a Visa for China
  • Chinese Visa Application
  • Chinese Visa Exemptions
  • 144-hour Visa Free
  • Shenzhen Visa on Arrival
  • Hainan 30-day Visa Free
  • Embassies & Consulates
  • Invitation Letter
  • Useful Visa FAQs & Tips
  • Entry Regulations
  • Baggage Allowance
  • Customs Declaration
  • Exit Regulation
  • How to Book Train Tickets
  • How to Collect Train Tickets
  • How to Cancel & Alter Train Tickets
  • How to Read Train Tickets
  • China High Speed Train Types
  • Seats Class & How to Choose
  • Friendly Facilities on the Train
  • The Train Station Departure Process
  • Available Food and Drinks on the Train
  • Western Toilets on the Train
  • Luggage Racks & Baggage Allowance
  • Beijing Train Stations
  • Shanghai Train Stations
  • Guilin Train Stations
  • Xian Train Stations
  • Chengdu Train Stations
  • Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station
  • Beijing - Xian
  • Beijing - Shanghai
  • Guangzhou - Shanghai
  • Shenzhen - Shanghai
  • Chengdu - Xian
  • Shanghai - Hangzhou
  • Shanghai - Xian
  • Chengdu - Chongqing
  • Kunming - Lijiang
  • Beijing Capital International
  • Beijing Daxing International
  • Shanghai Pudong International
  • Shanghai Hongqiao International
  • Guangzhou Baiyun International
  • Hangzhou Xiaoshan International
  • Chengdu Tianfu International
  • Chengdu Shuangliu International
  • Xian Xianyang International
  • Shanghai - Beijing
  • Hong Kong - Shanghai
  • Guangzhou - Beijing
  • Chengdu - Lhasa
  • Shanghai - Guilin
  • Shanghai - Sanya
  • Travel in Spring Season
  • Travel in Summer Season
  • Travel in Autumn Season
  • Travel in Winter Season
  • Weather in January
  • Weather in February
  • Weather in March
  • Weather in April
  • Weather in May
  • Weather in June
  • Weather in July
  • Weather in August
  • Weather in September
  • Weather in October
  • Weather in November
  • Weather in December
  • Top 10 China Destinations
  • Top 15 Things to Do
  • China World Heritage Sites
  • Top 10 Best Natural Beauties
  • Top 10 Museums in China
  • Top 10 Old Towns & Villages
  • Five Great Mountains in China
  • Top 10 Monasteries & Temples
  • Top 10 Ski Resorts
  • Top 10 Beautiful Lakes in China
  • 7 Best Beaches in Sanya
  • Top 6 Beautiful Waterfalls
  • Panda Volunteering
  • Having fun on Ice and Snow Festival
  • About Us Who We Are Our Team Why Travel with Us Feedback & Reviews Travel Stories Travelers' Gallery Payment Guide Customer Support Contact Us
  • Tour Experiences

Destinations

  • Travel Guide

travel ke shanghai

Why this tour ?

1. Our No.1 best-selling Shanghai tour chosen by most travelers;

2. Most classic itinerary with top landmarks & unique cultural experiences;

3. All-inclusive package & worry free.

travel ke shanghai

1. Discover both the traditional and modern faces of Shanghai;

2. Enjoy a leisure cruise on the West Lake of Hangzhou;

3. Get amazed by the never-ending designs in Lingering Garden.

travel ke shanghai

1. Enjoy the Amazing Blend of West and East in Shanghai;

2. Experience authentic local life of Tongli Water Town;

3. Appreciate exquisite classical gardens in Suzhou.

4. Take an interesting insight into Chinese Silk Culture.

travel ke shanghai

1. Experience ancient and modern charms of Shanghai City;

2. Be shocked by World's wonder - Terracotta Ary & past glory of Xian;

3. Hike iconic Great Wall, trace imperial heritages in Beijing.

China Shanghai Tours & Top 6 Shanghai Tour Packages 2024/2025

Situated in the south estuary of the Yangtze River, China’s east coast, Shanghai impresses the world with lots of labels, such as China’ largest and most developed city, a “Magic City” and “ the Oriental Paris ” whose attractions fascinate millions of tourists each year. Perfect cultural fusion of the West and East , the tradition and fashion are the best city highlights fully embodied its diversity and unique charms. Whether you choose Shanghai to start your China tour, or make a special visit, or a short layover in Shanghai, there are various great experiences you can try to discover the best essence in a well-paced way. You can enjoy beautiful Chinese classical garden, marvel at the amazing cityscape of some world’s top-ranking skyscrapers, wander though local featured Shikumen houses aside narrow laneways, stroll along the Bund and Wukang Road with rich collections of west style historical architectures, explore interesting local life and fancy urbanism in one single trip with China Discovery’s excellent local tours.

How to plan your perfect Shanghai tour?

Shanghai’s essence usually can be explored in 1 ~ 2 full days , based on your time and personal interests. You can walk to the Bund from bustling Nanjing Road, view iconic modern skyscrapers, roam in Yu Garden to admire ancient architectural beauty, appreciate splendid Chinese culture and history in Shanghai Museum, spend leisure time in Tianzifang , harvest family fun in Shanghai Disney Resort, etc. It's also popular to take sidetrips to poetic Suzhou (1~2 days) , scenic Hangzhou (1~2 days) and magnificent Huangshan Mountain (2~3 days) , which all are well linked to Shanghai by high speed trains. With more time, it's highly suggested to extend the trip further to Beijing, Xian , Zhangjiajie, Yangtze River and more wonderful destinations to enrich your China holiday! Feel free to select your favorite way and destinations to travel with us!

Why choose China Discovery’s private Shanghai tour?

With 1,830+ good reviews on TripAdvisor and over 3,630+ favorable customer reviews, China Discovery is an experienced, reliable and efficient China local travel agency who always masters the most comprehensive and newest travel information of Shanghai. Our private Shanghai tour packages will ensure you the highest standards with great flexibility, comfort and customized tour services, personal travel consultant, knowledgeable tour guide and licensed private vehicle, the best local experiences, hotels and meals as you require. Travel with us to enjoy the best Shanghai tour worry free and create a wonderful Shanghai trip memory!

We have helped many global travelers enjoy their memorable trips to Shanghai for the past few years. Among them, Lawson's Family from UK enjoyed their 19 days China family vacation with Shanghai with our customized tour package and shared us their memorable travel stories! Travel with China Discovery to create your wonderful Shanghai trip memories!

Important to Know Before You Go : Shanghai applies to 15-Day Visa-Free Entry for international cruise arrival visitors and 144 Hour Visa Free for transit in Shanghai. Feel free to contact us for more details.

Why you can trust our Shanghai tours? Check what our customers are reviewing about us!

avatar

Recommended Shanghai Tour Packages by Categories

  • Top 6 Shanghai Tours
  • Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou
  • Shanghai Huangshan
  • Family/Biking Tours
  • Water Town Tours

Shanghai City Landscape

Highlights: The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai World Financial Center, Tianzifang

It’s very popular to spend 3 days on discovering diversity of Shanghai, confront tradition culture surrounded by overwhelming modernization. We will take you to visit top landmarks like the Bund, Shanghai World Financial Center to marvel at great urban development, also tour Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum to trace back to brilliant past. With our cultural guide and considerate service, you can deeply feel the sharp contrast and understand the magic inter-growth in Shanghai!

West Lake Summer Scenery

Highlights: The Bund, Shanghai Museum, West Lake, Meijia Dock Dragon Well Tea Village, Lingyin Temple, Lingering Garden, Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory, Tongli Water Town

This tour takes you to explore the 3 most popular destinations of the Yangtze Delta - starting from Shanghai to visit Hangzhou and finishing in Suzhou by bullet trains. You’ll marvel at the world top skyline contrasting the traditional Chinese and historical international architectures, close up to national treasures in Shanghai and get high on the world top tallest skyscraper. Also, feel the irresistable poetic charm of “Paradise” Hangzhou to savor its best lake and real fields. Furthermore, enjoy one day in Suzhou to feel her distinct elegance at the artistic classic gardens, silk factory and quaint water town! Every day is connected well, without any waste of time and money.

Western-style Architecture at the Bund, Taken by Taylor from USA

Highlights: The Bund, Yu Garden, Wukang Road City Walk, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai World Financial Center

It’s the most classic Shanghai itinerary covering major landmarks. With our well-organized arrangement and excellent services, you just need 2 days to catch the magic charm of Shanghai, the traditional characters meeting modern urbanization, oriental culture fused with western features. Travel with us to explore Shanghai in the most-efficient way, marvel at the stunning skylines and immerse in unique local history.

Zhujiajiao Water Town - Relax in the Quaint & Charming Jiangnan Area

Highlights: The Bund, Shanghai Museum, Nanjing Road, Zhujiajiao Water Town, Shanghai World Financial Center, Yu Garden

Looking for a unique Shanghai tour which is different from the regular itineraries? Here it is - A harmony between soft and hard landscapes results in one of a kind holiday in Shanghai. With our private Shanghai tour, you will make the best of your time to sweep all the best highlights away in the urban Shanghai, including panorama of architectures in the Bund, skyscrapers view from one of the highest building in the world, classic Garden of Yuyuan, etc., then enjoy a unique half day in the beautiful water town of Zhujiajiao to experience the traditional face of Shanghai and find out what is a real water town of ancient time like. It is interesting, enjoyable and valuable.

Feel the Highest Speed of 431 km/h of Shanghai Maglev Train

Highlights: Shanghai the Bund, Tongli Water Town, Suzhou Museum, Suzhou Lingering Garde, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall

A short but essential trip to Shanghai and Beijing, the two main parts of China will show you a seamless blend of ancient imperial wonders and a modern metropolis. Furthermore, it will be a lifetime memory to take a bullet train from Shanghai to Beijing in just 5 hours.

Yungu Cable Car on Mount Huangshan

Highlights: Yellow Mountain, Hongcun Ancient Village, The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai World Financial Center

Southern China area boasts the elegant scenery with exquisite water and traditional buildings as well as fashion and vacation, and Shanghai to Huangshan are the two brightest stars. Traveling Shanghai with Huangshan, the Yellow Mountain takes you traverse from modern to ancient, from fashion to tradition, from city’s hustle and bustle to tranquility and quietness in this area.

Leisure Boating at Western Scenic Area of Wuzhen

Highlights: The Bund, Shanghai World Financial Center, Wukang Road City Walk, Wuzhen Water Town, West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Linger Garden, Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory

A classic Shanghai tour, with an extension to nearby Suzhou and Hangzhou, is an essential and popular trip to appreciate the classic and elegant East China. Take the flying cool train to see their distinct splendid and authentic charm and prosperous development in 6 days. Start from marveling at the glamorous cityscape as well as the historical appearance of Shanghai, and ride to Hangzhou to admire the paradise beauty of West Lake, tea fields, etc. with rich poetic and painting culture. And enjoy leisure time at the quiet, soft and beautiful Wuzhen Water Town. Furthermore, visit Suzhou to soak in its best artistic and literal aroma at its classic garden and look at the real making of silk products. The trip will be perfectly ending in Shanghai!

Hangzhou Dragon Well Tea Plantation

Highlights: The Bund, Yu Garden, Wukang Road City Walk, West Lake, Wuzhen Water Town

This 5-day Shanghai Hangzhou Essence Tour is the most recommended itinerary to show you the modern metropolis together with the scenic historical city of Hangzhou. You can view the breathtaking skyline in Lujiazui, stroll along the Bund and see the best epitome of Shanghai’s development, explore Yu Garden, and take a cozy cruise trip on the West Lake, visit time-honored Lingyin Temple, visit a local tea village to know more Chinese tea culture, etc. The best sightseeing and culture experiences are arranged to make sure you fully enjoy the travel and get a wonderful trip memory.

Lingering Garden Spring

Highlights: The Bund, Wukang Road City Walk, Zhouzhuang Water Town, Lingering Garden, Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory

With our well-organized Shanghai Suzhou tour package, you can visit top landmarks in Shanghai and experience a great cultural trip in Suzhou. You will learn about the splendid cultural and profound history of China in Shanghai Museum, get up to one iconic skyscraper to view Shanghai from the air and take a walk along the Bund in Shanghai. While in Suzhou, you will visit the famous Zhouzhuang Water Town, have cultural and artistic sightseeing in elegant Linger Garden and learn Chinese silk culture. All the best highlights are well-organized at leisurely pace for you.

 Jack and Emily from UK visited West Sea Grand Canyon, Yellow Mountain in October, 2019

Highlights: The Bund, Nanjing Road, Zhujiajiao Water Town, Yellow Mountain, Hongcun Ancient Village

Whichever nickname you prefer, "Paris of the Orient" or "Pearl of China", Shanghai captures the essence of new China, as well as its centuries of history and culture. It is also the best gateway city to travel to Huangshan. During this tour, you will first spend 1 and a half days in Shanghai to visit the landmarks as well as the beautiful Zhujiajiao Water Town. After that, take a high speed train to Huangshan to hike the Yellow Mountain.

Our Travel Consultant Samantha at Disney Resort

Highlights: Shanghai Disneyland, The Bund, Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, Shanghai World Financial Center

This is our best-selling Shanghai tour package which perfectly mixes the best highlights of Shanghai, such as iconic modern skyscrapers and historical temples, ancient towns, various western style architectures along the Bund... and the fantastic Disney wonderland. You will firstly explore diverse culture and history of Shanghai, know its past heritages and present achievements, and then spend a whole day to fulfill your Disney dream tour with lively Mickey and notable Disney characters, interesting parade, performances, thrilling activities and family attractions. A relaxing water town trip is especially arranged for your relaxation. All attractions are carefully-selected to offer you a real MAGIC tour in Shanghai!

Shanghai Zotter Chocolate Factory

Highlights: Huangpu River Cruise, Oriental Pearl Tower, the Bund, Zotter Chocolate Factory, City Biking

A perfect Shanghai family holiday doesn't come easily as it needs to entertain and delight both adults and kids of all ages and there are too many details to sort out. That is why we are here to help. Come with us, it’s time to create one-of-a-kind Shanghai experience of your own family. Valuable packaged tour services including private tour guide, comfortable transfer, hotels, sightseeing, etc.

Worth-trying Biking Tour in Shanghai City

Enjoy a Shanghai your with the best attraction highlights and by interesting ways of travel, such as a leisurely stroll along the Bund, ancient cultural trips in Yu Garden and Shanghai Museum, a breathtaking skywalk on Shanghai World Financial Center and an interesting biking tour across Tianzifang, Xintiandi, some old and historical sites in Shanghai. Our local experienced tour guide will take you view both the old and new Shanghai, have an in-depth cultural and historical communication with this magic city.

Tongli Water Town with Poetic Charm and Tranquil Charm

Highlights: The Bund, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai World Financial Center, Tongli Water Town, Lingering Garden

This itinerary is particularly designed for you to discover the top highlights in Shanghai and Suzhou, witness the modern skyline of Shanghai and traverse from urban bustle to peaceful and poetic water town and classical Chinese garden in Suzhou. With our best-guided tour package, you can enjoy awesome metropolis landmarks like the Bund, Shanghai World Financial Center and step into poetic Zhouhuang Water Town and elegant Linger Garden, learn fantastic Chines silk processing in Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory.

Zhouzhuang Water Town Spring

Highlights: The Bund, Shanghai World Financial Center (492 m), Zhouzhuang Water Town, Classic Garden of Suzhou, Silk

During this 5 days private tour, you will travel Shanghai with neighboring Suzhou, which is an interesting "time-travel" to enjoy the contrasts and diverse experiences. You'll enjoy the comfort and convenience that the modern world has brought us, and have your eyes wide open for the most breathtaking skyscraper, the most thriving shopping street and the largest-scaled Western old buildings in Shanghai. Meanwhile, you'll also experience the classic Chinese garden, the pretty riverside residences, well-preserved traditional lifestyle and China's No.1 Water Town in Suzhou.

Shanghai Tour + Other Popular China Destinations - Xian, Zhangjiajie, Yangtze...

  • Beijing Shanghai Tours
  • Shanghai Xian Tours
  • Shanghai Zhangjiajie Tours
  • Shanghai Yangtze River Tours

Daud's family from Indonesia visited Mutianyu Great Wall in December 2023

Highlights: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall, Bird’s Nest, Water Cube, Summer Palace, Yuyuan Garden, The Bund, Wukang Road

From the ancient capital city, Beijing, to the most dynamic modern city, Shanghai, you will experience the stunning contrasts of ancient and present, tradition and modern, East and West during this fantastic tour.

Shanghai Night View Shot by Our Guest Chona

Highlights: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall, Summer Palace, Yuyuan Garden, World Financial Center, The Bund

Take a high speed train from Beijing to Shanghai to explore how amazing the two cities are! Immerse yourselves into the epicenter of tradition and the charming cosmopolitan city with exotic streetscapes - this tour combines two most successful cities in China, one is the ancient and current capital of China, one is the most prosperous modern metropolis of China.

Temple of Heaven Shot by Our Customer Harty

Highlights: The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, Terracotta Warriors and Horse, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven

See the best of the BEST of China at your own pace! From the metropolitan Shanghai to the ancient hearts Xian and Beijing, you’ll explore the East-meets-West culture, profound history of the ancient emperors, authentic local life and more activities. Experience the beauty of Shanghai by going to Yu Garden for a stroll, feasting on the tastiest views from the Bund and Nanjing Road and so on.Touch ancient Xian and take stock of imperial beginning at the incredible Terracotta Warriors. Step into flourishing Beijing, admiring the magnificence of the Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall etc.

Amazing Terracotta Warriors with 2000 Years History

Highlights: The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai World Financial Center, Jade Buddha Temple, Terraccota Warriors, Ancient City Wall

This 4-day trip is the well-designed tour package taking you to explore all essences of Shanghai and Xian at a budget price. The comfortable overnight high speed train which usually departs after 10 P.M. will help you save one night accommodation cost during the tour, at the same time transfer you from Shanghai to Xian efficiently.

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center with Visitors

Highlights: The Bund, Shanghai World Financial Center, Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill, Terracotta Warriors and Horses

Spend one extra day to the heaven on earth - Suzhou during your Shanghai Xian tour. In 6 days, you’ll appreciate different styles of Chinese architectures in Jiangnan Area and North China. Also, profound history and splendid culture will present if you take this amazing tour.

Meet Most Famous Disney Characters - Mickey and His Friends

Highlights: Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Terracotta Warriors & Horses, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Disney Resort

Discover China's past, present and future together with your family! The most classic route, including Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, mixed with family activities. You will not only visit the attractive sites but also go to the local's family to make dumplins with them.

Our clients Miriam's group visited Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in 2017

Highlights: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianmen Mountain, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge & Grand Canyon, the Bund, Shanghai World Financial Center

Zhangjiajie is famous for its Avatar landscape and exciting adventure experience. You are suggested to stay at least 3 full days to explore all three best and equally important highlights - Wulingyuan National Park, Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, Tianmen Mountain. While the biggest as well as the most modern city of China - Shanghai also provides an exciting adventure - climbing up to one of the highest building in the world and enjoying a thrilling skywalk. You can also spend some time visiting other city highlights, such as the Bund, Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, etc. In this 6 days trip, you will visit Zhangjiajie first, then take a flight to Shanghai, which takes only about 2 hours - well-connected, and without waste of your time.

Our clients Susa's group from Germany visited Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon in October, 2021

Highlights: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge Experience, Yuanjiajie Avatar Mountains, Tianzi Mountain, Tianmen Mountain

Why travel from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie? Because Shanghai is the most popular gateway city to Zhangjiajie with most frequent flight schedules. It takes only 2 and a half hours to get to Zhangjiajie from Shanghai. More importantly, you will get a wonderful vacation during which you can not only explore the modernness and hidden tradition in China's largest metropolis Shanghai, but also enjoy the incredible Avatar views in Zhangjiajie National Park.

Immerse in the Spring Flowers in Your Yangtze River Cruise Tour

Highlights: The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, Tianzifang, Three Gorges Dam, Shibaozhai Pagoda, Fengdu Ghost City

Shanghai is often chosen as the first stop for travelers in China. After viewing the new look of this metropolis, you will take a relaxing cruise on the Yangtze River. Whether you’d prefer a leisure filled break from the fast paced adventure, or an action packed experience full of shore excursions, the decision is yours!

Shibaozhai Pagoda

Highlights: Yu Garden, Nanjing Road, the Bund, Shanghai World Financial Center, Ciqikou Old Town, Chongqing Zoo, Shibaozhai Pagoda, Shennv Stream, Three Gorges Dam

Shanghai, located at the mouth of Yangtze River in Yangtze River Delta, is one of the gateway cities to start a China tour. Many travelers choose to land in Shanghai for a relaxing Yangtze River cruise. This 6 days Yangtze tour package starts from Shanghai to explore this metropolis at the beginning and then take a direct flight to Chongqing - the launching point for 4 days and 3 nights downstream cruise along the Yangtze River to Yichang in Hubei Province. This tour allows visitors to discover some of most stunning natural and super-modern elements in China.

Top Recommended China Packages including Shanghai Tours

CD-BXS-08 8 Days Best of China Tour

Beijing / Xian / Shanghai

This itinerary covers two greatest ancient capital cities of China – Beijing & Xian, as well as the most developed city – Shanghai. It’s not overstated to call it the most classic China tour because China’s past, present and future are all epitomized in the golden triangle cities for your exploration: hiking the majestic Great Wall, walking into the splendid Forbidden City and Summer Palace in Beijing, being amazed by the fascinating Terracotta Warriors in Xian, and seizing the most prosperous and modernized scene of China in Shanghai.

Temple of Heaven Shot by Our Customer Harty

Shanghai / Xian / Beijing

Yangtze River Cruise Spring Flowers

Shanghai / Yichang / Yangtze Cruise / Chongqing

Shanghai Night View Shot by Our Guest Chona

Beijing / Shanghai

Stone Monkey Watching the Sea (on Lion Peak)

Shanghai / Suzhou / Hangzhou / Huangshan

This is a unique trip full of diverse things to see and experience with the advanced riding of China high speed train. You will explore the southeastern China, the most prosperous region which is known for diversity of culture - modern metropolis, beautiful water towns, art of Suzhou Classical Garden, Buddhism, Chinese tea culture, Huizhou-style architecture… The fabulous Yellow Mountain pleases both your mind and eyes, which combines the landscape enjoying with cultural exploration in a single trip. You will start the trip from Shanghai to soak in its vitality and busyness, then go to experience the exquisite Jiangnan-style elegance in Suzhou and Hangzhou. Lastly, be amazed at the four wonders of the Yellow Mountain.

Mr. Pasquale from Italy - Li River Fisherman, Guilin

Shanghai / Guilin / Yangshuo / Guilin / Xian / Beijing

Start your China tour from the most dynamic city, Shanghai, in the world’s fastest- changing nation! Discover the history, experience the stunning contrasts of ancient tradition and modern fashion, and get up and close with the finest scenery under heaven. Just indulge in the amazing atmosphere of China!

Meet Most Famous Disney Characters - Mickey and His Friends

Shanghai / Zhangjiajie / Kaili / Kunming / Lijiang / Shangri-la / Kunming

The Hunan, Yunnan, Guizhou Provinces are believed as three of the wildest regions in China where you can see extraordinary natural landscapes - Karst, snow mountains, gorges, etc., and experience exotic and unique ethnic culture. You will start your trip from Shanghai, then go to explore the Avatar world in Zhangjiajie. After that, you will take a high speed train to Kaili, the very center of Guizhou ethnic culture. The last part of your trip is Yunnan exploration. You will visit the ancient city of Lijiang, hike Tiger Leaping Gorge, discover the land of Shangri-la and finish your tour in Kunming, the spring city.

Splendid Night View of Victoria Harbor

Hong Kong / Shanghai

Spending 5 days with China Discovery, you will unveil the authentic and unique local culture and history of Hong Kong combining with Lingnan features and excellent world elements. Besides, under the professional guide, you will succeed to explore the traditional Jiangnan elegance and international friendliness of the magic Shanghai. Free time is also spared for you to know these two shining pearls of the orient at your own pace and see your own different Hong Kong and Shanghai!

More Shanghai China Tours

Traveling Beijing and Shanghai - a blend of past and present

Explore Beijing, Xian and Shanghai in comfort and style! Start your journey either from Beijing or Shanghai, and Xian is usually the middle stop. Both flight and bullet train are available for you to transfer between cities.

Most valuable trip to experience China's bests of the bests

Cruise the majestic Yangtze River from Shanghai

Modern metropolitan fashion, marvelous ancient gardens and heavenly scenery

Valuable and tailor-made vacation to explore China highlights

Recommended or Similar Tour Packages You May Also Like

Yangtze River Cruise

Shanghai / Yichang / Yangtze Cruise / Chongqing / Guilin / Yangshuo / Xian / Beijing

Tianzi Mountain Pillar Forest Taken by Chona from Philippines in September, 2018

Shanghai / Zhangjiajie / Yichang / Yangtze Cruise / Chongqing / Xian / Beijing

Beijing / Xian / Lhasa / Chengdu / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Shanghai

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

travel ke shanghai

  • Affordable and valuable price
  • 100% tailor-made packages
  • Highly rated customers reviews
  • Efficient customer support

China Tours

  • Top 10 China Tours
  • Classic China Tours
  • China Tours from Beijing
  • China Tours from Shanghai
  • China Tours from Hong Kong
  • China Tours from Chengdu
  • Short China Trips
  • Customize China Tour
  • China Panda Tours
  • Family Tour with Kids
  • High-Speed Train Tour
  • Silk Road Travel
  • Yangtze River Cruise
  • Hiking & Trekking Tours
  • Photography Tours
  • China Minority Travel
  • Shanghai Yangtze Tours
  • Chengdu Jiuzhaigou Tours
  • Chengdu Lhasa Tours
  • Suzhou Hangzhou Tours
  • Guilin & Yangshuo
  • Zhangjiajie

“Very good experience”

“WONDERFUL 25 DAYS IN CHINA - PRIVATE TOUR”

“Awesome China tour from northeast to southwest”

Any questions, please email us at: [email protected] or call us at: 86-19138970032 (Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. GMT+8)

  • Terms & Condition
  • Privacy Policy
  • Customer Support

Copyright © 2011-2024. All rights reserved.

Cookie policy

We use cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Continue using our website means you agree with our cookie policy. For more info, please read here .

We’re on the road right now – join in on the fun and follow @thebrokebackpacker on IG!

  • Meet the Team
  • Work with Us
  • Czech Republic
  • Netherlands
  • Switzerland
  • Scandinavia
  • Philippines
  • South Korea
  • New Zealand
  • South Africa
  • Budget Travel
  • Work & Travel
  • The Broke Backpacker Manifesto
  • Travel Resources
  • How to Travel on $10/day

Home » Asia » China » Shanghai

18 BEST Places to Visit in Shanghai (2024)

Shanghai is a bright, vivid, international city that holds a lot of attractions for visitors. There are numerous amazing places to visit in Shanghai that are both familiar and foreign enough to enthral any visitor. Whether you’re traveling to eat amazing food, shop until you drop, or to experience the history of a place, you’ll find lots to do in this city.

Shanghai is a little intimidating for many visitors. If you haven’t spent much time in Asia, it’s a busy, chaotic, and very foreign place that can be difficult to navigate. But that’s why we’re here to help. Whether it’s your first trip to this city, or if you’re back for more, our guide to the city will help you overcome your nerves and language barriers and help you get the most from your visit.

Need a place quick? Here’s the best neighbourhood in Shanghai:

These are the best places to visit in shanghai, faq on the best places to visit in shanghai, final thoughts on the coolest places to visit in shanghai.

People's Square, Shanghai

People’s Square

People’s Square is a neighbourhood centrally located in Shanghai and is a convenient place to stay due to its closeness to the main attraction and its good connection to the rest of the city. Indeed, the People’s Square metro station is a big interchange with many lines passing through there.

  • Wander along the Bund, Shanghai’s most iconic riverfront walk, and take in the incredible views over Pudong on the other side
  • Join a tai chi practice on People’s Square
  • Shop around Nanjing East Road, a pedestrian-only street filled up with shops

If you’re also wondering what the low down is on accommodation while you’re away, don’t worry! We’ve got this covered for you too. Check out the best places to stay in Shanghai to find somewhere to meet your needs after a long day out exploring the vibrant hustle and bustle of this dazzling city.

travel ke shanghai

Unlock Our GREATEST Travel Secrets!

Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox.

#1 – The Bund – Cool place to see in Shanghai with friends!

The Bund

  • Shanghai’s promenade and one of the most popular areas for tourists!
  • Anything you want, from food to shopping, you’ll find in this area.

Why it’s so awesome: The Bund is more correctly known as Zhongshan Lu in Chinese and is a broad promenade running along the west bank of the Huangpujiang River. There is a strong European influence in this area, and many of the buildings wouldn’t look out of place in some of Europe most popular capital cities! You’ll see Gothic, Baroque, Neoclassical, Romanesque, Art Deco, and Renaissance influences all over this street. And it’s also home to some of the best restaurants in the city.

What to do there: When you’re visiting Shanghai, you absolutely must take a stroll along the Bund. One of the best times to do this is at night, when the buildings across the river are lit up in a dazzling array of colors. Take your time during your stroll and duck into the many boutiques and galleries along the way. And when you get hungry, pick a restaurant that looks busy and duck in for a snack! Shanghai is an international city, so everywhere you go should have an English menu or at least one with pictures on it.

#2 – Longhua Temple and Pagoda – One of the most religious places to see in Shanghai

Longhua Temple and Pagoda

  • Located inside of a lovely park in southwest Shanghai.
  • This temple and the pagoda were originally built in 242 AD but was destroyed and rebuilt several times during the years.

Why it’s so awesome: This temple and pagoda in their current forms date back to around the tenth century. It’s still an active temple and is used for Buddhist ceremonies and worship, so make sure that you’re respectful when you go there. The Temple includes five large halls, each of them dedicated to different important religious figures and containing different decorations.

What to do there: Remember that this is a working temple, so be quiet and respectful when you explore it. Make sure you spend some time in the Maitreya Hall, which contains a huge Buddha statue and the Grand Hall of the Great Sage, which contains amazing statues and a 16th-century bell. If you’re physically able, check out the Belltower as well, which contains a five-ton bell from 1382. The Library too is an impressive sight if you enjoy books, complete with old manuscripts, ceremonial instruments, and around 500 gold painted Luohan Buddhas.

#3 – Nanjing Road – A great place in Shanghai if you love to shop!

Nanjing Road

  • This is Shanghai’s principal shopping street and it’s where locals and tourists alike go to spend some money.
  • The street contains everything from souvenir shops to boutiques containing traditional arts and crafts and huge shopping malls.

Why it’s so awesome: This street has existed since the second half of the 19th century and is a major focal point for important events in Shanghai. It’s filled with small shops, boutiques, restaurants, cinemas, shopping malls, and street vendors. So, no matter what you’re looking for when you travel to Shanghai, you’ll probably find it in this area!

What to do there: Grab your credit card and your cash and be prepared to spend some money. This area is always busy, so you’ll have to be ready to deal with the crowds, but it also makes for a great day out window-shopping and people watching. Shop until your cards can’t take anymore and then duck into one of the nearby restaurants for fortifications. And if you want to sit down for longer, see what’s on at the cinema. Also, make sure you keep an eye out for street performances, which can really liven up the already busy street.

#4 – Yu Garden – A nice quiet place to see in Shanghai

Yu Garden

  • Otherwise known as the Garden of Happiness.
  • This garden offers a beautiful and serene escape from the craziness of the city.

Why it’s so awesome: This garden was first laid out in 1559 and includes more than 20,000 square meters. It has an inner and outer garden as well as a number of buildings that hold both historic and aesthetic appeal. There’s more to see at these gardens than just plants. The buildings are also lovely to look at and decorated with dragons and other interesting reliefs and there are also attractive pavilions throughout the gardens.

What to do there: When you travel to Shanghai, you’ll need a place to rest and recharge. And this is a great place to do it. The gardens are beautiful and serene, so spend some time there and soak up nature. Make sure you check out the Hall of Spring where the Company of the Little Swords headquartered when they ruled Shanghai between 1853 and 1855. The artificial rocks in this part of the garden are the only remnants of the work of famed garden designer Zhang Nanyang.

#5 – The Jade Buddha Temple

The Jade Buddha Temple

  • A beautiful temple that contains two Shakyamuni statues that were brought from Burma.
  • The temple is divided into 3 halls and two courtyards that all contain treasures.

Why it’s so awesome: Located in the Anyuan Lu district, this temple was erected in 1928 to replace the original temple from 1882. This is an important religious site in China, dedicated to the Buddhist faith and with connections to the monk Huigen. The different statues and buildings in this area are stunningly beautiful, and after a wander in this area, you’ll start to understand the importance of spirituality in China today.

What to do there: Make sure you take the time to really explore the different sections of this Temple. The Hall of the Kings of Heaven or Tian Wang Dian is particularly spectacular. It contains statues of the four heavenly kings and two Shakyamuni sculptures carved from white jade and standing nearly two meters tall. Also, make sure you spend some time in the Hall of the Great Hero, where you’ll see Buddhas of the Three Ages and 18 Luohan figures.

#6 – The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum – Awesome place to visit in Shanghai with kids!

The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum

  • One of the best museums in China, if not in the entire world.
  • This is one of the most popular attractions in Shanghai, drawing more than 2 million visitors every year.

Why it’s so awesome: Shanghai has a lot of great museums, but the Museum of Science and Technology is one of the best. It first opened in 2001 and offers a huge range of things to do for people of all ages. Kids and adults will love the interactive displays, the state-of-the-art theaters, and the robotics exhibit. Basically, if you’re at all interested in the world, you’ll find something to fascinate you in this museum.

What to do there: There’s a lot to see at this Shanghai must do, enough to fill an entire afternoon or even a day if you like to take your time. Make sure you check out the popular space and robotics exhibits, the collection of native animals, and the display on scientific achievements.

mockup of a person holding a smartphone in white background with Holafly logo

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

#7 – Muslim Street Market

Muslim Street Market

  • One of the best places to eat in Shanghai!
  • This market is held every Friday outside of the Huxi Mosque.

Why it’s so awesome: If you’re a fan of traditional Middle Eastern dishes then you’ll love this market. Every Friday, Shanghai’s Muslim population gathers outside the Huxi Mosque and cooks up a variety of traditional Middle Eastern dishes. You’ll find almost every dish you can imagine at this market, and probably be able to smell the delicious aromas from blocks away!

What to do there: Make sure you’re hungry before you arrive at the market and just explore! Try everything that smells or looks good and pay attention to any stall that seems particularly crowded, this usually means that the food will be unusually good. Make sure that you try Naan bread, kebabs, and some Ughyur Samsa, which are pastries filled with lamb. Once you’re full, you can also wander through the ornamental halls of the mosque.

#8 – The Shanghai Museum – A great place to visit in Shanghai if you are alone/traveling solo

The Shanghai Museum

  • One of the best places to visit in Shanghai for classical Chinese art.
  • The museum’s building is a work of art itself, reflecting traditional Chinese concepts about the earth.

Why it’s so awesome: The Shanghai Museum is one of the most important collections of classical Chinese art in the world. It’s located in a building that echoes old concepts of the earth and includes 4 floors of bronzes, seals, artwork created by ethnic minorities, calligraphy, and ink drawings.

What to do there: This isn’t an overly large museum, so you should be able to see everything within a few hours. Make sure that you spend some time exploring the jade, coin, and furnishings collections from the Ming and Qing Periods. Also, stop by the gift shop afterwards to take home a great souvenir.

#9 – Chenghuangmiao Old Street – A must-see for foodies!

Chenghuangmiao Old Street

  • One of the most popular hotspots in Shanghai for street food.
  • This is close to Yu Garden, so you can always eat your food in the stunning natural surrounds.

Why it’s so awesome: Located in Huangpu District just off Fuyou Road, you can easily take the metro to this street market. It’s one of the most famous snack streets in Shanghai and the vendors sell almost every type of delicious, quick Chinese street foods you can imagine.

What to do there: You must spend some time at this market, otherwise, you can’t really say that you’ve experienced Shanghai! If you want to get the most from the experience, make sure you stay in a hostel nearby , fast for most of the day and then arrive ready to eat! Try some steamed buns, spareribs with rice cakes, crab shell cakes, and pan-fried buns stuffed with pork just to start with. And from there, try anything that looks or smells good!

As with visiting ANY street market abroad, consider the cleanliness of what you’re eating, whether it’s been out in the sun all day, or the liklihood of spending too much of your precious time in the bathroom later. Safety while traveling includes food hygiene and we want you to stay in tip-top condition to make the most of your trip.

#10 – The Oriental Pearl Tower – A must visit place to visit in Shanghai on the weekend!

The Oriental Pearl Tower

  • The best place to visit in Shanghai for stunning views over the city.
  • There are 15 viewing areas in this tower, so you can experience the view over the entire city.
  • Good picture opportunities so make sure you  bring your camera!

Why it’s so awesome: The Oriental Pearl Radio and TV Tower was built in 1991 and has become a Shanghai must-see. It offers views over the Bund and the river as well as some great entertainment options. The building contains a revolving restaurant, a shopping mall, the Space Hotel, and a VR rollercoaster ride. So, even if you’re afraid of heights, you’ll find something to do in this building.

What to do there: This tower is named for the 11 linked spheres of various sizes that went into its construction. Make sure you check out the highest sphere, the Space Module, which contains an observation deck with a glass floor. When you’re done taking pictures there, head to the revolving restaurant for some more amazing views with great food and then go shopping in the lower levels.

#11 – Tianzifang – One of Shanghai’s coolest historical sites!

Tianzifang

  • The area once known as the French Concession and still retains the same European character.
  • This is now a bustling arts and crafts destination.

Why it’s so awesome: This area used to be known as the French Concession because of all the European influences it has. Many of the older homes have been replaced, but the architecture and layout of the area still reflect those beginnings. And it’s a trip to walk around an area of China and be reminded of France. As if that wasn’t enough, this is one of the most popular landmarks in Shanghai because of the strong art scene.

What to do there: In this area, you should just wander. That’s the best way to see shops that look interesting, restaurants that smell tantalizing and to get the feel of the area. It’s also a great place to visit at night because the area is full of restaurants selling a variety of different types of foods. When you visit at night, you should also make a point of stopping in one of the music venues to hear what’s popular in Shanghai.

#12 – The Sheshan Basilica

The Sheshan Basilica

  • An important Shanghai religious site.
  • If you believe that China isn’t religious, then a visit to this beautiful building will teach you otherwise.

Why it’s so awesome: There have been problems between religion and the Chinese government in the past, but that doesn’t stop people from worshipping. And this Roman Catholic church is evidence of that. It was badly damaged during the Chinese Cultural Revolution but has been renovated so it looks good as new.

What to do there: One of the best things about visiting this site is following the 14 Stations of the Cross which zigzag their way up the hill towards the church. This pilgrimage is both traditional and will offer you some amazing views of the city. Once you’re there, take the time to admire the church as part of your Shanghai itinerary .

travel ke shanghai

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

#13 – Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center

  • If you’re interested in some of the more unusual things to do in Shanghai, this is a great place to start.
  • This center started as a private collection before growing and now contains more than 5,000 prints.

Why it’s so awesome: If you’re interested in learning more about the early days of the People’s Republic of China, then is a good way to start. This center contains thousands of propaganda posters from this period in history which provide an interesting and sometimes amusing window into that history. The collection started as a private hobby, but the center has recently become a popular place for visitors to learn more about China’s recent history.

What to do there: There is a wide range of posters in this center, so spend a little time studying them. You’ll see everything from images of the Communist party battling their enemies to utopian views of a model socialist society. The collection is located in the basement level of building 4 of a larger complex. And if you can’t find your way, ask the guards in the parking garage, they’re used to talking to tourists who are looking for the right elevator to take. And check out the gift shop on your way out for posters and pamphlets to take home as souvenirs.

#14 – The Shanghai Marriage Market – Quite the quirky place in Shanghai!

The Shanghai Marriage Market

  • This dating market is yet another sign of how different China is to most western countries, and it’s also fascinating to watch.
  • Be respectful and don’t try to touch or take any of the profiles.

Why it’s so awesome: Being married by thirty is still a big deal in Chinese society. Unfortunately, due to busy schedules and a mismatch between the male and female population in China, there is a large proportion of young people who are falling behind in this sense. And this display is their parents’ attempts to solve that problem. Located in the People’s Park, this display allows parents to use ink and paper to put up their children’s dating profiles. And watching the interactions there can be fascinating.

What to do there: When you find this park, you’ll be surprised by the number of paper profiles stretched out on string, waiting to be read. Stop and stay awhile. Watch the interactions between the parents who are trying to find the right matches for their children. And when you’ve had enough, spend some time wandering around the park where it’s a little quieter.

#15 – Shanghai Jewish Refugee’s Museum

Shanghai Jewish Refugee’s Museum

  • This museum illustrates a sometimes-unexpected slice of Chinese history.
  • The wall within the museum holds the names of the 13,000 Jews who took refuge in the city during the Second World War.

Why it’s so awesome: It’s easy to get distracted by some parts of Chinese history, which means that other parts get forgotten. But this museum will remind you that there’s more to China then you think. When you explore this museum, you’ll bear witness to one of Shanghai’s finest hours. The museum chronicles the lives of the Jews who took refuge in the city and also of the Chinese people who sheltered them.

What to do there: There is still an active place of worship in this synagogue, located in the downstairs level. So, make sure that you take the time to see it because it’s one of only two synagogues that still stand in Shanghai. But to see the real treasures you need to go upstairs. The artifacts in this museum chronicle the history of the Jewish people who came to Shanghai for help during the Second World War. This war memorial is atypical though, because the names of the war are of the people who survived thanks to the people of Shanghai. This is in striking contrast to most monuments, and one that’s worthy of respect and attention.

#16 – Fuxing Park – One of the most incredible free places to go to in Shanghai

Fuxing Park

  • A park that’s located on the edge of the French Concession and is always packed with everyday people.
  • This is one of the best places to visit in the city if you want to get a feel for the local culture.

Why it’s so awesome: This isn’t the type of park where you go to get some peace and quiet. It’s always crowded with people doing a variety of activities. But what really draws in the crowds is the community spirit in the area. People visit the park to be active in their own unique ways and to do it together. That’s why you’ll see people doing tai chi, flying kites, playing music, singing, dancing, and more. And they’re all doing it together, which is what’s so nice about it.

What to do there: Grab a snack and spend some time just people watching in the park. If you’re visiting with a group of friends, grab a kite, throw a ball around, or otherwise take part in the kind of group activity you probably haven’t done since you were a kid. You’ll feel better for it and understand a little bit more about China by doing it.

travel ke shanghai

Our GREATEST Travel Secrets…

Pop your email here & get the original Broke Backpacker Bible for FREE.

#17 – M50 Contemporary Art Space – A perfect place to visit in Shanghai if you are on a budget!

M50 Contemporary Art Space

  • A great free activity to do on a lazy afternoon and the best place to get a taste of the contemporary art scene.
  • This art hub contains a mix of popular and upcoming artists in China.

Why it’s so awesome: China has a long and fascinating history but sometimes it’s nice to just enjoy the present day. And this art hub is one of the best points of interest in Shanghai for immersing yourself in the vibrant contemporary culture of the city. The art hub contains pieces from some of the best artists in the country, so you might discover some work that you absolutely love!

What to do there: This is a free display, so just show up and see what’s on offer. If you want some more information, take the time to talk to the gallery owners. They speak English and enjoy talking about the gathered works.

#18 – Shanghai Disney

Shanghai Disney

  • If you have kids, you probably won’t get away without seeing China’s Disney amusement park.

Why it’s so awesome: Well, it’s Disney, so that’s always a major attraction. It’s the home of the most magical movies in history and you’ll get to meet favorite Disney characters and buy soft and fluffy souvenirs. This park doesn’t disappoint diehard fans with rides and attractions that will enthral children and adults alike. There are also several hotels and restaurants in the area if you need a break from all of the lines and the heat.

What to do there: Brace yourself for the crowds and make a day of it. Just make sure that you book your tickets and your restaurants well ahead of time to avoid being disappointed. Aside from that, follow your whims. Keep an eye out for favorite characters, go on the rides, eat lots of junk food, and just enjoy being a child again.

Get insured for your trip to Shanghai!

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

travel ke shanghai

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Find out what people want to know about the best places to visit in Shanghai

What is the most popular place to visit in Shanghai?

The bund is the most popular place to visit in Shanghai as you can see all the amazing buildings from every angle.

What is Shanghai famous for?

It is the finance capital of China and known for its expansive Lujiazui skyline.

Is Shanghai an expensive place to visit for tourists?

Compared to other cities in China, Shanghai is quite an expensive place to visit in China, but you can still find hostels and cheap places to eat.

Where is the best free place to visit in Shanghai?

If you’re into modern art, then you might like the M50 Contemporary Art Space which is a free art installation.

Shanghai really does have to be seen to be believed. This city has taken on many western influences and yet it remains charmingly and stubbornly Chinese. The food is amazing, the city itself is bright and modern, and yet it has a long history that has sunk into its bones. It’s the perfect destination if you’re looking for something a little different. And there are so many amazing places to visit in Shanghai, that you’ll easily fill your days and wish for more time!

travel ke shanghai

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Sasha

Share or save this post

promotional sidebar image for booking.com

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail.

Your Best Guide to China

Visiting China soon? Start here

The Helpful Panda

  • Best China VPN
  • Chinese culture
  • Banned apps
  • Apps in China
  • Love in China
  • Teach in China
  • Provinces and regions
  • Special offers
  • 6 steps to get started
  • Best places to visit in China
  • What to bring to China
  • What not to bring to China
  • China packing list
  • Tips for your first trip
  • Tips for solo travel

Top 16 do’s and don’ts of texting Chinese girls

Top 16 do’s and don’ts of texting Chinese girls

Best time to visit the Great Wall of China (2024)

Best time to visit the Great Wall of China (2024)

What are the main differences between China and Taiwan?

What are the main differences between China and Taiwan?

  • Travel agencies
  • Learn Chinese in China
  • Learn Chinese online
  • Study programs
  • Internships
  • Recruitment agencies
  • Teacher recruitment agencies
  • TEFL courses
  • Volunteer programs
  • Dating sites
  • Travel insurance

Select Page

Best time to visit Shanghai: my guide for all seasons

Posted by Gayle Aggiss | Updated December 24, 2023 | China blog , Travel

Best time to visit Shanghai: my guide for all seasons

The city of Shanghai is one of the biggest and most exciting cities in the world.

But Shanghai can also be unbearable at times, particularly during the humid summers.

The best time for your trip to Shanghai will depend heavily on you and your weather comfort range, as well as on what you most want to see and do.

So, keeping in mind that everyone has different weather preferences, I’m going to take a look at Shanghai’s seasons and what makes each of them a good (or bad) time to travel.

Table of contents

When is the best time to visit Shanghai?

If you don’t have time to read everything, the best time to visit Shanghai is in spring or fall outside of Chinese holidays.

But please keep reading for more details! I’ve included the highlights for traveling in each season.

Autumn in Shanghai

View of the Shanghai Tower form the Yu Yuan Garden

View of the Shanghai Tower form the Yu Yuan Garden. Image by Timothée Gidenne on Unsplash.

Fall in Shanghai is September , October and November .

Most travelers agree that this is one of the best times to travel to China. And so do I.

This is because:

  • The weather is pleasant
  • It’s a little quieter, with fewer tourists all taking photos of the same things
  • Hotel prices tend to be a bit cheaper, making this a great time to visit if you’re on a budget.

Shanghai has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons, and the weather is generally a little moist and mild year-round.

In autumn, the average temperature is fairly mild, but this is the edge of the city’s wet season, so make sure that you carry an umbrella along with you for those rainy days.

As for me, I’m torn about whether autumn or spring is my favorite Shanghai season. The first time I was in Shanghai was at the start of November and I found it quite cold, with winds that ripped right through me.

apps banned in china

But that’s probably just my thin Australian blood, so if you prefer cooler weather then this is one of the best times for you to visit.

The one drawback to traveling at this time of year is Golden Week. National Day is part of this week and it’s one of the biggest public holidays in China when everyone travels and explores.

So, it’s best if you avoid traveling to Shanghai in early October if you’d prefer to avoid the crowds. You can check all the Chinese holiday dates here .

If you’re going to travel to China in autumn, then here are some of the highlights at this time of year:

Mid-Autumn Festival

moon cake in hand

The moon cake is the delicious symbol of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

If you travel to Shanghai in autumn, you’ll get the chance to experience the Mid-Autumn Festival. This festival is held in September and it’s one of the most important in Chinese culture .

During this festival, Chinese people eat mooncakes, visit their families, and enjoy the full moon.

I absolutely loved this festival and not just because of the mooncakes! It’s a great chance to experience a unique Chinese festival with fewer crowds and craziness that seems to come with Chinese New Year.

Delectable hairy crabs

hairy crab dish Shanghai

The whole city gets excited for the hairy crab season. Image by Xiaoxiao9119 on Shutterstock.

If you enjoy seafood, then make sure you head to Shanghai in early November during the peak hairy crab season .

These unappetizingly named creatures come mostly from Yangcheng Lake, which is close to Suzhou, and you’ll find them all over the city in November.

The crabs are served plain and steamed, but they’re usually still quite expensive. And once you take a bite, you’ll forget about the cost and start planning your next crab meal.

My advice is to try them with a glass of yellow rice wine to fit in with the local people.

Spring in Shanghai

Shanghai water lillies

Shanghai in springtime. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

This is equally the best time to visit Shanghai.

Spring in Shanghai is in March , April and May . It’s a time of warm weather, pleasant breezes, and cherry blossoms and other flowers.

In Shanghai’s spring, it’s warm enough to be comfortable but not so hot that outdoor activities are a chore. You shouldn’t see any heavy rain during this season either, though a few rain showers are normal.

When you travel to Shanghai in spring, you might be surprised by all the flowers in the city. I know that I was.

Shanghai is such a huge concrete jungle, that it can feel as if nature is another world away. But spring will prove otherwise.

Some of the best places to enjoy nature in Shanghai in the springtime are:

  • Shanghai Botanical Gardens for tulips and cherry or peach blossoms
  • Nanhui Peach Blossom Village, for peach blossoms
  • Gucun Park, which is located in Baoshan District and is the largest city park
  • Minhang Cultural Park, to see the white magnolia, the official flower of Shanghai
  • Caoxi Park, which is the oldest peony garden in Shanghai
  • Jiading Wisteria Garden, which is one of only three wisteria gardens in the world
  • The Yu Garden for spring activities and Qing and Ming architecture.

Spring is also a good time to enjoy other Shanghai attractions, such as the nearby water towns.

Water towns

foreign tourist at Zhouzhuang Shanghai Water Town

Private boat ride in Zhouzhuang Water Town. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

There’s nothing quite like exploring these beautiful little towns when the weather is pleasant and all the greenery is in bloom.

So, make sure you get out of the city for at least a day to see:

  • Wuzhen, which is the oldest of China’s water towns at more than 1,300 years old
  • Tongli, for the most authentic Song Dynasty experience
  • Xitang, for a tranquil, romantic experience
  • Zhouzhuang, one of the prettiest (but also busiest) water towns.

My recommendation is to avoid the weekends, as that’s when you get all the day trippers.

Winter in Shanghai

Shanghai street in winter

The city gets surprisingly cold in winter, but it doesn’t snow. Image by Silvia Fang on Unsplash.

The winter months in Shanghai are December , January and February , with January usually being the coldest month.

This cold weather season is fairly mild compared to other parts of the world, meaning it’s still a good place to visit in winter for warm weather lovers like me.

It gets windy and chilly in the city, though it doesn’t snow.

It can also get foggy in the early winter, so you might need to re-think that visit to the Shanghai Tower or Oriental Pearl TV Tower . You won’t see a thing.

Here’s what you can do and see in Shanghai in the winter:

Shop at the markets

Louis Vuitton decorated Christmas trees

A very Shanghai Christmas! Image by Guannan Wu on Pixabay.

Shanghai has amazing shopping year-round, but if you can stand the cold weather, then December is definitely a shopping highlight.

Although you’ll see the occasional Christmas tree, Chinese people don’t celebrate Christmas in a big way . But what they do celebrate is the tradition of shopping until you drop.

In December, the Shanghai weather is cool enough that you won’t mind wandering the streets in search of a bargain.

And this is the ideal time for you to explore the German Christmas markets that tend to pop up around the city, offering a real Christmas flare and some amazing shopping bargains.

I’m not a shopper, but I loved shopping for gifts in Shanghai during this season. You can unearth some truly unique finds if you dig deeply enough!

Spring Festival

Shanghai skyline at night with Oriental Pearl TV Tower in red

Red is the color of the Lunar New Year. Image by Li Yang on Unsplash.

If you visit Shanghai at the end of winter then you might get the chance to see the Chinese Spring Festival, also known as Lunar New Year . This festival lasts for one week and the whole country shuts down to enjoy it.

Everyone should experience Chinese New Year at least once in their lives. It’s filled with:

  • Fireworks and firecrackers
  • Parades with lion and dragon dances
  • Quirky TV specials
  • Shops and buildings decorated in red and gold.

The food is simply amazing at this time of year, with noodle dishes, dumplings , fish, and desserts of every description on offer everywhere, though the best feasts are behind closed doors in family homes.

Chinese New Year is based on the Chinese lunar calendar, so it’s held on different dates each year but usually it’s between late January and early February.

So, make sure you check the dates when you’re ready to travel and try not to travel too close to the start or end of the holiday as buses, trains, and planes will be absolutely packed.

Summer in Shanghai

Raining in Shanghai Water Town

Yes, this is a wet summer’s day at a Shanghai water town. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

June , July and August are Shanghai’s warmest months. The weather at this time is hot, humid, and tumultuous.

To be honest, I would avoid traveling to Shanghai during the summer months, even if you’re used to the heat like me. The heat reflecting off all the metal and glass is stifling.

Not to mention that summer is the rainy season in Shanghai, so it can get really muggy and you might experience thunderstorms, hailstorms, heavy rains, or even a typhoon during your stay.

Summer is also the peak season for domestic tourists in Shanghai, during school holidays.

This means you’ll be walking around taking pictures in big crowds of overheated tourists. Your travel costs might be a bit higher too.

As I mentioned at the start, spring and autumn are the most comfortable times for your Shanghai trip. Winter would be a third choice.

Only travel to Shanghai in summer if you have no other option, or you love the tropical stickiness of a built-up city.

Psst! A quick travel tip

Are you heading to Shanghai soon?

If so, you’ll need a virtual private network (VPN) if you want to access your favorite websites and apps using hotel Wi-Fi.

This includes all your favorites including Google, Facebook, Insta, TikTok, WhatsApp, YouTube , as well as news sites and even Gmail.

You can refer to the  best VPN for China  page to make sure the one you choose works in the country.

Otherwise, tap on the button below for the one I recommend and use in China myself:

Just make sure you download the VPN  before  you arrive in China, as you won’t be able to access the VPN’s website once you’re there.

I hope you liked my article about the best time to visit Shanghai. Next, read my article on the best Shanghai travel tips . You’ll learn a thing or two.

Weather data courtesy of Holiday Weather . Main image credit: 峰 瞿 on Pixabay.

Want more helpful information about China?

Then hop on the monthly newsletter!

One more step: You must click the link in the email we just sent you to confirm your email address.

Faq about the best time to visit shanghai, which month is the best to visit shanghai.

The best months are April and May if you want to travel during pleasant weather.

Which season is the best to visit Shanghai?

Spring is a good choice for the most pleasant weather.

How many days do you need in Shanghai?

Seven days should be enough to see all the main sights, including a day trip to one of the water towns or another close city like Suzhou.

What is the coldest month in Shanghai?

It’s January, with an average temperature of about 4°C (39°F).

What is the hottest month in Shanghai?

It’s equally July and August, with an average temperature of about 29°C (84°F) in both months.

Commercial relationship disclosure: The Helpful Panda has commercial arrangements with organizations that may appear on this page, such as affiliate links. See our terms for more info.

Gayle Aggiss

Gayle Aggiss

Gayle loves learning and is intensely curious about the world. This curiosity has driven her to travel and work overseas, including China and Vietnam. Gayle is from Perth, Western Australia. You can follow her on LinkedIn .

Got a question or comment?

We welcome relevant and respectful dialogue. See our terms for our comment policy.

More Great Content

Planning a trip to China (6 steps to get you started)

Planning a trip to China (6 steps to get you started)

Updated February 3, 2022

10 reasons why China sucks

10 reasons why China sucks

Updated January 26, 2024

40 China travel tips for 2024 (I swear by every one)

40 China travel tips for 2024 (I swear by every one)

Updated February 2, 2024

Living in China: the good, the bad, and the bloody ugly

Living in China: the good, the bad, and the bloody ugly

Updated July 26, 2023

guest

Recent Posts

Top 16 do’s and don’ts of texting Chinese girls

Recent Comments

  • Kim Ooi March 18, 2024 on Living in China: the good, the bad, and the bloody ugly
  • lgeng March 18, 2024 on Living in China: the good, the bad, and the bloody ugly
  • Mike Cairnduff March 10, 2024 on 40 China travel tips for 2024 (I swear by every one)

Ads space (New)

Christmas in China

Explore China

Do you want to build your career in China?

partner-img

Our writers have all experienced China in person. Support them by subscribing to the free monthly newsletter about visiting China.

  • South Africa
  • Afghanistan
  • North Korea
  • Adventure + Outdoors
  • Amusement Parks
  • Backpacking Trips
  • Boating + Cruises
  • Budget Travel
  • Bus + Train Travel
  • Coasts + Islands
  • Country Trips
  • Fall Vacations
  • Family Vacations
  • Green Travel
  • Heritage + History
  • Honeymoons + Romance
  • Inspiration + Guide
  • Landmarks + Attractions
  • LGBT Travel
  • Markets + Bazaars
  • National Parks + Reserves
  • Nature + Wildlife
  • Parks + Gardens
  • Pets + Animals
  • Photography
  • Airlines + Airports
  • Budgeting + Currency
  • Business Travel
  • Celebrity Travel
  • Customs + Immigration
  • Deals + Rewards
  • Family Travel
  • Hotels + Resorts
  • Luggage + Packing Tips
  • Offbeat News
  • Photography Tips
  • Responsible Travel
  • Solo Travel
  • Tech + Gear
  • Travel Etiquette
  • Travel Warnings
  • Bars + Clubs
  • Celebrity Chefs
  • Restaurants + Cafés
  • Wine + Vineyards
  • Beach Hotels
  • Boutique Hotels
  • Hotel Openings
  • Hotel Reviews
  • Luxury Hotels
  • Mountain + Ski Resorts
  • Spa Resorts
  • Vacation Rentals
  • Asia Cruises
  • European Cruises
  • Festivals + Events
  • Museums + Galleries
  • Style + Design
  • Travel’s Best
  • Hotel with Agoda.com
  • Hotel with Booking.com

Get the best travel guides, tips, information & reviews!

Explore Fenqihu old street — What to do in Fenqihu in…

travel ke shanghai

Where to go in Kunming? — 15+ top Kunming attractions &…

travel ke shanghai

Must eat in Georgetown — 10+ famous, must-eat & best street…

Chicken Rice Ball, Malacca

Must eat in Melaka — 10+ famous Malacca street food &…

Alishan Forest Railway taiwan (1)

What to do in Alishan? — 5 top attractions & best…

travel ke shanghai

All about tips in Nepal — How much to tip in…

travel ke shanghai

Cambodia travel tips — 15+ what to know & things to…

travel ke shanghai

When is the best time to visit Kyoto? — The best,…

travel ke shanghai

When is the best time to visit Malaysia? — The best,…

chan hon meng is chopping the chicken in his small local street food vendor

Hong Kong Soya sauce Chicken Rice and Noodles — The first…

hong kong food culture and cuisine 3

Hong Kong food culture — Hong Kong cuisine tells the historical…

belmond-la-residence-d-angkor-siem-reap-cambodia-prod

Top hotels in Siem Reap — 8+ best places to stay…

travel ke shanghai

Top hotels in shanghai — 15+ best hotels in Shanghai

travel ke shanghai

Top hotels in Malacca — 10+ good & best hotels in…

Amankila, Bali, Indonesia. © Amanresorts

Top places to stay in Bali — Top 10 best areas…

things to know, European river cruise

10 must-know things for your best first time European river cruise

Syrena Cruises, luxury cruises, halong bay, vietnam

Top 3 best luxury cruises in Halong Bay, Vietnam

Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival, Seoul

Cherry blossom festival Korea 2024 — Top 5 cherry blossom festivals…

totoro ghibli museum

Ghibli museum blog — The fullest Ghibli museum guide for first-timers

Gion Matsuri Festival in Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto festival — Top 10 best events & most famous festivals…

national palace museum shilin district taipei city taiwan,

National Palace Museum Taipei blog — What to see in National…

Picture: Japanese waterfall blog.

Japanese waterfall — Top 10 most beautiful waterfalls in Japan in…

Bergen, Norway5

19+ most beautiful towns in Europe every tourist need to visit…

travel ke shanghai

Georgia travel photos — 20+ captivating photos show Georgia is heaven…

travel ke shanghai

Explore Damnoen Floating Market — The oldest floating market of Thailand

travel ke shanghai

Visiting Fenghuang Ancient Town — One of the most charming ancient…

mekong delta travel blog tips southern vietnam (2)

Mekong Delta travel blog — Beyond rivers of Southwestern Vietnam

Real-life experience-enhance-traveling-things to do at young age

14 reasons why you should travel when you are young

tanuki-statue-ratel-symbol of lucky-japan

Shigaraki Tanuki – An animal symbol of good luck in Japan

living in cave houses in andalucia southern spain (1)

Living in the charms of cave houses in Andalucia, Southern Spain

koda-walking-concrete, Tallinn, Estonia, tiny homes

20+ jaw-dropping tiny homes around the world

Shanghai travel blog — the fullest shanghai travel guide for first-timers.

travel ke shanghai

Once a remote fishing village, today Shanghai has become the busiest and most modern and one of the world’s largest city. In the midst of a maze of dense skyscrapers, it is not difficult to see the silhouettes of ancient, nostalgic architectures. That’s how Shanghai is, the present and the past go hand in hand, creating a very unique charm for this large urban area. So, is Shanghai worth visiting, how to visit Shanghai, what to do in Shanghai and how to plan a budget trip to Shanghai for the first-time perfectly? Let’s check out our Shanghai travel blog (Shanghai blog) with the fullest Shanghai travel guide (Shanghai tourist guide, Shanghai city guide, Shanghai guide, shanghai visitor guide) from how to get to Shanghai, best places to visit, best time to come, what to eat as well as top things to do in Shanghai to help you maximize your trip as follows!

  • Top places to visit in Shanghai — 29+ famous, must-see & best places to visit in Shanghai
  • Disneyland shanghai blog — The useful Disneyland Shanghai guide & how to spend a day in Disneyland Shanghai
  • What to eat in Shanghai? — 17+ most popular, must eat & best street food in Shanghai
  • Where to stay in Shanghai? — 8 best places & best areas to stay in Shanghai

Where to go in Kunming? — 15+ top Kunming attractions & best places to visit in Kunming

travel ke shanghai

Overview of Shanghai (# shanghai travel blog)

travel ke shanghai

Shanghai is located about 1,207 km from Beijing and about 1,450 km from Guangzhou. And this is also an important bridge between the capital Beijing in the North and the economic center Guangzhou in the South. Shanghai is the most populous city in China. Shanghai is located between Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces, it takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes by air to travel to the capital Beijing. This city has a special location, located in the East of China, so it has many natural blessings. All of this gives Shanghai favorable conditions for economic development and tourism development.

travel ke shanghai

The city borders Jiangsu to the north, Anhui to the west and Zhejiang provinces to the south. Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang form the Yangtze River Delta triangle. This is the world’s largest urban concentration (1/10 of China’s population) and a key economic region of China (1/5 of the country’s GDP).

Shanghai is a magical city, where Eastern and Western cultures blend harmoniously together. The typical Western architecture of the Bund both contrasts and blends with the modern architecture of Lujiazui’s skyscrapers.

travel ke shanghai

If you ask where Shanghai is, surely many people will know that this is a large city in mainland China, but if you ask what area Shanghai is located, not everyone can answer.

Shanghai, also known by the very beautiful and poetic name – The Fragrant Harbour city, is the city with the largest population in China. This city also has a special location on the East coast of China, blessed with nature, so the climate here is extremely mild. All of this creates favorable conditions for The Fragrant Harbour city to develop economically in parallel with tourism development. Come here and experience, this place will definitely not disappoint you.

travel ke shanghai

In Xintiandi, we still see the old buildings of Shikumen area. All the old architecture still exists in the heart of bustling Shanghai. Jing’an Temple is still located next to Nanjing Road, crowded Huaihai Road, People’s Square, Zhongshan Park or the busy Wujiaochang, Xujiahui, Yuyuan Mall, etc. shopping malls.

travel ke shanghai

Coming to Shanghai, you will have unforgettable experiences when you can hear resounding opera songs, enjoy typical dishes in long-standing restaurants, tasting authentic French dishes, and enjoy snacks in the famous Chenghuang Temple, enjoy tea in the old town alleys and find bars in the wooden houses of Hengshan Road.

1New Shanghai Westfield sydney

Why should you visit Shanghai? (# shanghai blog)

Ancient city: Besides that development, Shanghai city also experienced ancient times. This city still retains its ancient beauty, tinged with time such as traditional gardens, water towns, medieval-style architectural houses and buildings…

travel ke shanghai

Modern city: Shanghai, no exaggeration, is not inferior to the US cultural capital of New York. This is one of the busiest and most bustling cities in the world with unique, luxurious, lavish buildings, especially the Shanghai Bund, which is a leading financial center.

travel ke shanghai

Unique culture: Shanghai is not the capital of China but it is considered the cultural center of this country. The culture here is a combination of Western modernity and Chinese tradition, creating a unique and charming culture that few places have.

travel ke shanghai

Easily traveling to other tourist destinations: As a large city, Shanghai possesses extremely modern infrastructure. Coming here, visitors can easily move to other tourist destinations at Shanghai Pudong International Airport or by bus, especially by train.

travel ke shanghai

When is the best time to travel to Shanghai? (# shanghai travel blog)

The most suitable time to visit and travel to Shanghai is from from March to May or from September to early November. The climate at this time is spring or autumn, the weather is quite cool and fresh, pleasant, so visitors can explore the city in a comfortable way.

travel ke shanghai

However, the remaining months of the year are not a bad time to visit this city. Each month has its own beauty that you cannot miss. Come to Shanghai in the spring to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of traditional festivals, in the summer to watch sunset at the Bund, in the fall to admire the red leaf streets and in the winter to see the white snow or just simply is to tasting spicy hot pot here. Interesting, is not it?

travel ke shanghai

Coming to the suburbs of Shanghai in spring, you can see dragonflies flying everywhere creating an extremely gentle scene. Peach blossoms in Nanhui area, cherry blossoms in Gucun park and tulips in Shanghai flower port are also blooming.

travel ke shanghai

There is a folk saying “autumn wind, crab legs itch”, meaning that when the weather turns to autumn, enjoying hairy crab is the best. The yellow-legged crabs, thick meat that is both soft and sweet, are also a special feature that you should try when you come to Shanghai at this time.

travel ke shanghai

People in Shanghai often have the custom clean their gravesites and make ritual offerings to their ancestors before and after the Qingming time, so traveling between cities is often difficult. In the first half of May and after the National Day, there is a long break, so going to Shanghai is not the perfect choice. Tourists should also avoid the above times to make their trip as convenient as possible.

From the first half of June onward is the rainy season, so it often rains continuously and from the end of August to the end of September there are often sudden thunderstorms. If you come to Shanghai during the above two times, remember to bring a small umbrella with you!

How to get to Shanghai? (# shanghai travel guide)

As mentioned above, Shanghai is one of the large cities in China with leading modern infrastructure and transportation in Asia, so getting here is quite easy. You can visit this city by plane, car or train…

By plane (# shanghai travel blog)

Shanghai has two airports, Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Hongqiao International Airport (SHA), located in the east and west of the city, respectively. Pudong Airport gathers most international flights while Hongqiao Airport mainly serves domestic flights, with the exception of a few flights to Japan and South Korea.

Pudong International Airport

travel ke shanghai

Pudong International Airport is located in the coastal areas of Jiangzhen, Shiwan and Zhuqiao. Getting from here to the city center, you have to go about 30 km. Pudong International Airport is divided into two terminals T1 and T2 and there is free bus transportation between these two terminals.

To getting to city center from the airport, you can take railway line 2, maglev train, bus number 10 or take a taxi from Pudong international airport to the city and vice versa.

Maglev train: The Maglev train arrives at Longyang Road station, you can transfer to line 2, line 7 and line 16. The journey takes about 8 minutes, one-way ticket prices range from 50 – 100 Yuan. This is a high-speed train dedicated to the journey from Pudong airport to downtown Shanghai. With a speed of up to 430 km/h, it only takes you 8 minutes to reach the center.

travel ke shanghai

Shanghai Maglev Train Ticket

But if you bring a lot of luggage like me, it’s very hard to go this way. Because after stopping at Longyang Road station, you will have to change to the subway line to go back to the hotel. And Longyang station is not very close to the city center where we booked hotel.

NOTE: You can buy Maglev train tickets at the counter in the airport or buy online in advance here .

In my opinion, you should only try the Maglev train, but take a taxi for good.

Taxi: From the airport to the city center is about 40-60 km long. This is the most convenient option, cost around are 150 – 250 RMB during the day and 200 – 300 RMB at night from the city center to the airport and vice versa. You can ask the hotel receptionist to call you for a ride to the airport in advance.

By bus: Airport buses can take you to prominent attractions such as: Hongqiao, Jing’an Temple, Wujiaochang, People’s Square, Century Avenue, Lujiazui, Xujiahui and other urban areas.

travel ke shanghai

In addition, you can also take a long-distance passenger bus to nearby cities such as Hangzhou, Jiaxing, Qingtian, Wenzhou, Nantong, Qidong, Kunshan, Suzhou, Wuxi, Zhangjiagang and Huzhou.

Note: When entering at Pudong Airport (and other airports in China), foreign guests will have to do the procedure for taking fingerprints on the machine and fill in the information from entry.

Hongqiao International Airport (# shanghai travel guide)

travel ke shanghai

Hongqiao International Airport (mainly serving domestic flights or flights from Hong Kong or Macau) and is divided into two terminals T1 and T2. Passengers need to know the departure terminal to avoid being late for their flight. If you get the wrong terminal, don’t worry too much, just get on the bus to go to the other terminal and it’s free.

By train: Lines 2 and 10 can go to Hongqiao airport terminal (where line 2 only goes to terminal 2, line 10 can go to terminals 1 and 2).

travel ke shanghai

By bus: From Hongqiao Airport, you can take a bus to Zizhu National High-Tech Industrial Development Park, Jiading West Railway Station, Pudong Airport, Shanghai Station, East Yan’an Road at the Bund, Lupu Bridge, Qinglan New Village, Shanghai Zoo and other places in the city.

Taxi: There is a taxi pick-up point at Terminal 1 and south of the arrival gate (ground) of Terminal 2.

Long-distance bus: Hongqiao airport has long-distance bus routes to Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi, Zhangjiagang and other nearby cities. You can also take a bus to places in the inner city of Hongqiao.

Shuttle bus: There is a free shuttle bus service for passengers going to the wrong station T1, T2  of Hongqiao airport. The waiting station is gate 6 of the departure floor of Terminal 1 (first service starts at 6am and last departure is at 11pm) and the waiting station Terminal 2 arrives at gate 1 (starts serving at 6:30am), last trip is 11pm).

By train (# shanghai guide)

Shanghai is an important rail transport hub with four stations: Shanghai Railway Station (i.e. new passenger station), South railway station, West railway station and finally Hongqiao station. These stations connect Shanghai with most cities in China.

Shanghai Station

travel ke shanghai

Shanghai Station is the largest railway station divided into North Station and South Station. Every day, there are many trains from Shanghai to all major cities in China. Shanghai people often call it the new passenger station to distinguish it from the old Shanghai station (ie Laobei Station).

Address: No. 303, Fuling Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai. Transportation: Take subway line 1, line 3, line 4 to Shanghai station.

South Railway Station

travel ke shanghai

Shanghai South Station is located at the southern gateway of the city. Most trains are long-distance trains to the south and short trains in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.

Address: 9001 Humin Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai. Transportation: Take Line 1 and Line 3 to Shanghai South Station.

Hongqiao Railway Station

travel ke shanghai

Hongqiao Station is an important transportation hub from Hongqiao to the east of Terminal T2 of Hongqiao International Airport. There are EMU trains and high-speed EMU trains transporting passengers.

Address: Shenhong Road, Minhang District, Shanghai. Transportation: Take subway line 2 and line 10 to Hongqiao station.

Shanghai West Railway Station

Shanghai West Station is about 5 km east of Shanghai Station (new passenger station). Basically, this station has quite a few trips.

Address: No. 22, Taopu Road, Putuo District, Shanghai. Transportation: Take metro line 11 to Shanghai West Station.

Getting around Shanghai (# shanghai travel blog)

travel ke shanghai

Metro (# shanghai blog)

This is the means of transport I use the most because it can go to many Shanghai tourist attractions and the price is also very cheap (from 3 – 6 yuan / trip). Before entering each subway station, you will be screened and your bags will be checked. Compared to Beijing, the number of people using public transport during rush hour in Shanghai is still much smaller.

travel ke shanghai

Currently, 14 metro lines have been opened in Shanghai which are line 1 to line 13 and line 16. There are also transfer points between lines.

Currently, there are several new subway lines under construction. Subway fares are charged at 3 CNY for the first 6km and 1 CNY for every 10km after that. You can buy a one-way ticket at the metro station or use a Shanghai public transport card.

travel ke shanghai

All Shanghai Rail Transit stations have 1-day pass and 3-day pass for the convenience of visitors to Shanghai. For a one-day ticket, the ticket price is RMB 18 and is valid for 24 hours. The 3-day pass costs 45 CNY and is valid for 72 hours. All apply to rail transit lines, except maglev train lines.

Subway operating hours usually start from 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. and end from 10:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. You can ask the staff on the subway or at stations to know the schedule of each line.

The subway system is spread everywhere, making it convenient to travel to key attractions and bustling commercial streets in Shanghai. To save time, you should learn about the Shanghai subway route map and look it up before traveling. At the subway exits there are signs showing street names and surrounding shopping centers, but if you get lost, you can ask the staff here.

Buses in Shanghai have basically completed the upgrade of the air conditioning system, but the ticket price remains the same at 2 Yuan. Particularly, the suburban districts are quite far away, so ticket prices will range from 1 – 11 CNY depending on each location. In Shanghai, there are many one-way routes, so buses have different itineraries. If you know you won’t be taking the same route as when you go or return, it’s best to proactively find your own get-off point first.

travel ke shanghai

Shanghai public transportation is very crowded during rush hour, especially at 7 – 9 am and 5 – 8 pm there will often be traffic jams, so please avoid these times.

The starting taxi price in Shanghai is 14 Yuan / 3 km (for Touran models it is 16 Yuan / 3 km). Every next 3 – 15 km will be charged 2.5 CNY/km and from 15 km onwards will be charged 3.6 CNY/km. Night taxi prices will increase by 30%.

travel ke shanghai

Taxi can be caught everywhere in the city. Many people have commented to me that taxis in Shanghai are expensive, but in fact the prices are very reasonable, only about 15 – 20 yuan for one trip.

Unlike Beijing, Shanghai taxis always turn on Baidu Maps for directions. If you don’t know what software Baidu Maps is, you can refer to the review at the following link.

Sightseeing bus

travel ke shanghai

Shanghai Bus Sightseeing Tour

In Shanghai, there are 3 bus routes specifically for tourists: Shanghai City Tour (red line), Shanghai Ancient Temple Tour (Green Line), Shanghai Pudong Area (Blue Line). These lines operate 24 hours a day and pass through famous tourist destinations in Shanghai. Visitors can admire the historical, natural and cultural beauty of Shanghai in the shortest and most convenient time.

travel ke shanghai

Shanghai has a large tourist area and some roads in the city center ban bicycles, so it is difficult to travel all the tourist areas in Shanghai by this type of vehicle. However, you can choose to rent bicycles at some attractions and the service is quite good.

travel ke shanghai

For example, the old horse riding tour in Xuhui district or visiting the old house in Yuyuan Road, etc. In general, the Wukang road, Tianping road and Hengshan road are all good options for cycling.

Where to go and what to do in Shanghai?

If you are a fan of the movie “New Shanghai Bund”, you definitely cannot help but know this famous place. Traveling to this city you will witness the entire scene of the blockbuster and famous around the world. The second reason that the Bund should be on your list of places to visit, this is a famous tourist destination all over the world, a place that any tourist wants to see once when come to this luxurious city.

travel ke shanghai

The Bund is located by the beautiful Huangpu River, once a busy trading place, so this area has many high-rise buildings, financial and commercial centers built in 1930 according to quaint European architecture.

travel ke shanghai

Shanghai is a blend of classical and modern architecture. Walking along the Bund, you will feel like you are walking between two sides of the world, with traditional houses on one side, typical Western European architecture on the other hand, and high-rise buildings on the other. Lujiazui skyscrapers are racing to rise. All have made this place have a charm that cannot be found anywhere else.

travel ke shanghai

Some people say that the story of the Bund represents the entire city of Shanghai. The Bund consists of 52 buildings of different styles and is also known as the “Bund International Architecture Exhibition”. Although the buildings on the Bund are not from the same designer or built in the same period, their architectural colors are essentially identical and the overall contour treatment is remarkably surprised coordinated.

You can walk around the bustling Bund, have dinner watching the romantic Huangpu River or take a boat to see the night view… those are definitely memorable experiences on your trip.

travel ke shanghai

If you are knowledgeable about history, you will certainly know that the history of this bustling financial district comes from its past as an area of British settlement. Later, this settlement combined with the United States to become the world’s most famous Shanghai Public Concession area. That is the reason why the architectural works here have a combination of European and Asian beauty. What an interesting place, right?

Nanjing Road

travel ke shanghai

Always among Shanghai’s top favorite places to visit, Nanjing road is known as “China’s No. 1 commercial street” with hundreds of famous stores and shopping areas. This place is truly a paradise for shopping addicts with more than 600 stores displayed along both sides of the road, creating an extremely bustling and crowded scene.

At first glance, modern buildings are mixed with old European-style buildings. Advertising lights and neon lights flash throughout the night along the road. Visitors can also find a taste of old Shanghai through miniature versions of old trams.

travel ke shanghai

This walking street is very suitable for young people for living virtual purposes, couples walking hand in hand and even tourists who love the bustle of the energetic Nanjing Street.

According to statistics, up to 1.7 million visitors come to Nanjing Avenue every day. Why not hesitate to immerse yourself in the million-tourist street to enjoy the unique atmosphere as well as shop for items for your friends and loved ones after a long trip, right?

Shanghai Disneyland Park

Address: 4MV5+945, Pudong, Shanghai, China, 201205

The first Disneyland park in Mainland China is located in the new Pudong area, Shanghai. It features the world’s first pirate-themed Disney castle and the longest parade among any other Disney park. You will definitely get new experiences when immersing yourself in this magical kingdom.

travel ke shanghai

Shanghai Disneyland Park is divided into 6 special theme parks: Mickey Avenue, Garden of Whimsiness, Adventure Island, Treasure Bay, Tomorrowland and Dreamworld. No matter who you are or what age you are, at Shanghai Disneyland park, you will find life in a happy world.

Shanghai Disneyland requires visitors to keep their clothes neat and not to wear long clothes. Tourists 16 years old and above are not allowed to wear cartoon character costumes. Camera stands, selfie sticks, baby chairs and deck chairs are prohibited.

travel ke shanghai

Oriental Pearl TV Tower (Dongfang Mingzhu)

Address: 1 Shiji Blvd, Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai, China, 200120

travel ke shanghai

The Oriental Pearl Tower is located across the Huangpu River from the Bund. This tower marks the landmark development of Shanghai. Sitting in the elevator for the entire length of 351 meters to see the scenery on both sides of the Huangpu River is something not to be missed when visiting Shanghai. If you want to enjoy the food and enjoy the night view, going to the 267 meter high revolving restaurant is not a bad suggestion.

travel ke shanghai

The Oriental Pearl TV Tower 468 meters high includes 11 spheres of different sizes. This design comes from a great artistic concept and offers the most careful investment. On the 3 main spheres you can see the city on both sides of the river from different heights. You can fully enjoy the panoramic view of Shanghai at an altitude of 259 meters in a transparent room. At night, you can also experience the beauty of the “Never sleep City” in colorful neon lights.

In any check-in photo of the city of Shanghai, there will also appear an image of a building with a special shape. That is the Mingzhu Oriental Television Tower, the symbol of Shanghai.

travel ke shanghai

When I hadn’t been to Shanghai, I thought this tower was green, pink, and red, and it didn’t look good. But you have to go to the place to see it with your own eyes to see the tower is really beautiful, especially when the lights are on in the evening.

Mingzhu Oriental Television Tower is also a miniature world of entertainment, food, fairs and shopping, etc.

Waibaidu Bridge (the Garden Bridge)

Address: Waitan, Huangpu, China, 200002

travel ke shanghai

When looking through tourist attractions in Shanghai, I accidentally came across the image of a steel bridge standing proudly in the heart of the modern city, and that image brought back many memories.

Surely you watch the movie “New River of Separation” and will remember the part where Zhao Wei jumped to her death, and that bridge has the same shape as this Waibaidu bridge. That’s why I call this the bridge for Zhao Wei to commit suicide.

travel ke shanghai

Waibaidu Bridge is the first bridge built entirely of steel in China. With the main task of connecting the two districts of Huangpu and Hongkou, Waibaidu Bridge has witnessed many events in the history of Shanghai city.

Shanghai Chedun Film Park

  • Address: 4915 Beisong Hwy, Chedunzhen, Songjiang Qu.
  • Hours: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
  • Ticket price: ¥80 – The official website of Shanghai Film Park does not sell tickets online. If you want to buy tickets, you can buy them here.

travel ke shanghai

Inaugurated in 1998, Chedun Film Park is the set of most of the nationalist period films of Chinese cinema.

Continued reading…

Related articles

Top hotels in shanghai — 15+ best hotels in Shanghai

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Explore fenqihu old street — what to do in fenqihu in a day trip, must eat in melaka — 10+ famous malacca street food & must try food in melaka, what to do in alishan — 5 top attractions & best things to do in alishan, taiwan, hong kong food culture — hong kong cuisine tells the historical story of the whole land.

travel ke shanghai

Melaka food blog — Experience Melaka delicacies, arrived at by Trishaw

travel ke shanghai

Alishan travel blog — The fullest Alishan travel guide for first-timers

travel ke shanghai

Gingtiangang Grassland Yangmingshan — The ultimate guide on how to go & top things to do

travel ke shanghai

Tokyo best parks — 10+ best & most beautiful parks in tokyo

Editor picks.

travel ke shanghai

Explore Fenqihu old street — What to do in Fenqihu in...

travel ke shanghai

What to eat in Chongqing? — 14+ most famous, best food...

travel ke shanghai

Where to go in Kunming? — 15+ top Kunming attractions &...

Popular posts.

travel ke shanghai

What to buy in USA? — 17+ must buy in USA...

pineapple cake must buy in taiwan

Must buy souvenir in Taiwan — Top 17+ most famous, cheap...

korean honey

Must buy in Korea — Top 23 cheap, famous & best...

Popular category.

  • Inspiration + Guide 1454
  • Trip Inspiration 469
  • Thailand 209
  • Food + Drink 207
  • Coasts + Islands 193
  • South Korea 168
  • Vietnam 166
  • Travel Photos 144
  • Work for Us
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Travel from Beijing to Shanghai
  • Travel from Shanghai to Beijing
  • Shanghai to Beijing Train
  • Beijing - Shanghai Cheapest Travel Way
  • Beijing - Shanghai Overnight Sleeper Train
  • Beijing - Shanghai Train vs. Plane
  • Beijing South Station - Forbidden City & Tiananmen
  • Beijing South Station - Wangfujing
  • Beijing South Station - Capital Airport
  • Shanghai Hongqiao Station - The Bund
  • Shanghai Hongqiao Station - Nanjing Road
  • Shanghai Hongqiao Station - Pudong Airport
  • High Speed Trains
  • A Beginner's Guide
  • Train Ticket Types
  • International Tickets
  • How to Buy Tickets
  • How to Take Trains
  • Railway Map
  • Beijing - Shanghai
  • Beijing - Xi'an
  • Hong Kong - Guangzhou
  • Hong Kong - Shenzhen
  • Shanghai - Hangzhou
  • Shanghai - Suzhou
  • Shanghai - Xi'an
  • Guangzhou - Shenzhen

How to Travel from Beijing to Shanghai

How far is Beijing to Shanghai? The Beijing to Shanghai distance is around 1,100 kilometers (680 miles). There are 4 ways of transportation:

1. High speed train is the best and the most popular way to go from Beijing to Shanghai with the travel time of 4.5 - 6.5 hours and the lowest cost of CNY 553 - 667 (USD 77 - 93).

2. Flight is the fastest way, taking 2 - 2.5 hours, also the most expensive way.

3. Overnight sleeper trains which take around 12 - 22.5 hours is an economy way popular among budget travelers.

4. Long-distance bus is not recommended because of its few schedule and long duration.

1. Best Way - Beijing - Shanghai High Speed Train : 4.5 - 6.5 hours, CNY 553 - 667 (USD 77 - 93)

travel ke shanghai

2. Fastest Way - Beijing - Shanghai Flight : 2 - 2.5 hours, About CNY 1,650 ( usually 20% - 60% off)

3. economy way - beijing - shanghai overnight sleeper train : 12 - 22.5 hours, cny 322.5 - 610 (usd 45 - 85), 4. long-distance bus: around 14 hours, about cny 350 (usd 50).

travel ke shanghai

Top Things to Do

Free Things to Do

Temples to Visit

Best Markets

Where to Shop

Annual Events and Festivals

Food to Try

Top Restaurants

Best Cocktail Bars

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Shanghai Pudong International Airport Guide

Public Transportation

Neighborhoods to Know

48-Hour Itinerary

Day Trips From Shanghai

The Best Day Trips to Take From Shanghai, China

travel ke shanghai

While Shanghai offers a lot in the way of a big city, it lacks the depth of cultural and historical sights that cities like Beijing and Xi'an offer. But that can work in your favor as you can combine a trip to Shanghai with one or more day trips outside the city and take advantage of the interesting places nearby.

Visit Suzhou's Ancient Gardens

Artie Photography (Artie Ng)/Getty Images

Suzhou is famous for many things: silk production, legendary temples, and its well-preserved traditional gardens . No fewer than nine of them are on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List. It's certainly worth an overnight stay in Suzhou to tick more than one of the city's renowned gardens off your list.

Suzhou also sits just about two hours outside Shanghai and is easily accessed by train but you can even hire a taxi from Shanghai to get you there. Traffic between Shanghai and Suzhou can be very congested so be sure to allow plenty of time. 

Enjoy Hangzhou's West Lake

Chinese people believe that Hangzhou is one of their most lovely cities and it's easy to understand why. Visited by Marco Polo in 1290, the Italian traveler marveled at Hangzhou's beauty. At the center of this historic town that once served as the capital of the Song dynasty is the West Lake or Xi Hu . Relatively untouched by modern (read: ugly) architecture, the whole of the lake offers views on the wooded hills around the city, pagodas, and temples.

Two hours by train from Shanghai, you can make a day-trip of it; but, it's better to make it an overnight or weekend trip so you can take it slow and see some of the surrounding attractions.

Take in a Yangtze River Water Town

Picture narrow canals, round bridges, little river boats, green willow fronds hanging leisurely down from the riverside swaying softly in the breeze. This image can be re-created in nearly every "water town" near Shanghai. Each has a claim to fame of its own but any of them make an interesting diversion from the big-city feel of Shanghai.

Water towns dot the countryside between Shanghai and Suzhou. Most take about an hour by car (book a taxi or organize a car through your hotel) from Shanghai although expect delays during peak traffic times. The best time to go is in the morning or very late afternoon. Most tour groups arrive in the early afternoon after spending the morning in Suzhou.

Relax at the Sheshan Sculpture Park

Take in modern art at the Sheshan Sculpture Park just 45 minutes outside Shanghai. Sheshan is a recreation area with golf courses and a "mountain" ( shan in Mandarin means mountain) with a church at the top. Opened in the last few years around a man-made lake, the Sculpture Park is a large area where it's very enjoyable to spend an outdoor day. Full of large-scale sculpture, walk around the park and enjoy lunch at a café there or better yet, take a picnic. Kids will enjoy the large section devoted to them including a giant jumping structure and water feature. In the summer, join the droves of Shanghai families escaping the city for the weekend at the Sheshan Le Meridien.

Discover Yixing and the Art of Clay Teapots

Yixing is a little cluster of villages about a two-hour drive outside Shanghai. Getting there can be difficult so it's best to organize a car for the day. It's not beautiful or idyllic, but if you're interested in tea , then this is THE place to buy a teapot. Famous all over China, these little clay-colored teapots are remarkably artistic and many are still fired in the traditional "dragon" kilns that dot the hills. These teapots make wonderful souvenirs, and although you can buy them anywhere tea is sold in China, it's fun to make the pilgrimage to where they are originally made.

Kunshan Faimont at Yangcheng Lake

Just outside Shanghai a little over an hour is the town of Kunshan. It is here that the Yangcheng Lake is home to locally famous hairy crabs. The grounds of the hotel have not only an extensive park, playground and swimming pool, but also a large organic garden where you can pick vegetables and extensive biking paths to get some exercise. It makes for a very nice overnight family retreat.

The Bamboo Forests of Moganshan

If it's outdoors you're after, Moganshan is a good alternative. Just over an hour with the high-speed train to Deqin station, Moganshan has a wealth of great hikes for all ages and levels. The mountain itself is not high, but the area is lush with bamboo forests and clear streams.

Guide to Hangzhou in the Zhejiang Province

Choosing Between Shanghai's Puxi and Pudong Neighborhoods

The 15 Biggest Chinese Cities

The Top 10 Holidays and Festivals in Shanghai

Great Activities for Kids Visiting China

The 10 Best Day Trips to Take From San Antonio

20 Best Things to Do in Shanghai

Your Trip to Shanghai: The Complete Guide

The 9 Best Day Trips From Salt Lake City

The 14 Best Day Trips from Rome

The 11 Best Day Trips From Buffalo

Best Summer Activities in China

The 28 Best Day Trips From Seattle

The World's Top 10 Unforgettable Luxury Travel Destinations

14 Best Things to Do in Macao

Maps of China's Mainland Provinces

travel ke shanghai

  • Australia Special
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • Consortium Your Holiday
  • Middle East
  • West Europe
  • Attractions
  • 62-21 422 3838
  • 62-21 422 3888
  • [email protected]

travel ke shanghai

  • Tour Australia Special Africa America Asia Australia & New Zealand China Consortium Your Holiday Europe Middle East West Europe
  • Other Package Attractions Cruise Car Hire
  • Documents Visa Passport
  • About Avia About Us Brochures Blog F.A.Q

HATI-HATI TERHADAP PENIPUAN!!

AVIATOUR tidak memiliki kerjasama dengan instansi tertentu dalam hal penyediaan tiket dan proses recruitment karyawan, Kami menghimbau Bapak & Ibu sekalian untuk berhati - hati terhadap segala jenis penipuan yang mengatasnamakan AVIA TOUR

Untuk info lebih lanjut silakan menghubungi kami di: 021 422 3838/3888 atau email ke: [email protected]

travel ke shanghai

Jl. Bungur Besar No. 45 Jakarta 10610 - INDONESIA

Operational Hours

Close period.

Mal Kelapa Gading 1 Ground Floor #168 Jl. Bulevar Kelapa Gading Blok M Kelapa Gading Permai, Jakarta 14240 INDONESIA

Summarecon Mal Serpong Ground Floor - 218A Jl. Boulevard Gading Serpong Tangerang 15810 - INDONESIA

Emporium Pluit Mal Lt.2 Unit. 23 Jl. Pluit Selatan Raya Jakarta Utara 14440 - INDONESIA

Gandaria City LG Floor #52 Jl. Sultan Iskandar Muda, Kebayoran Lama Jakarta Selatan 12240 - INDONESIA

Puri Indah Mall Lower Ground #17-18 Jl. Puri Agung, Puri Indah Jakarta 11610

travel ke shanghai

Enter your email address and password to sign in

travel ke shanghai

Seperti yang kita ketahui, China termasuk salah satu negara yang memiliki peradaban besar. Negara ini sudah terkenal dan popular sejak ribuan tahun yang lalu. Di negara ini terdapat banyak tempat wisata yang memiliki sejarah tinggi serta menawarkan pemandangan menakjubkan.

travel ke shanghai

Dalam Tour kali ini Anda akan diajak menikmati keindahan alam objek wisata yang ada di Provinsi Guizhou. Salah satunya adalah HUANGGUOSHU WATERFALL yang merupakan salah satu air terjun terbesar di…

Ayo habiskan liburan kalian kali ini bersama AVIA TOUR, dalam paket tour kali ini Anda berkesempatan mengunjungi 2 Provinsi China yang memiliki kota cantik yaitu Jiuzhaigou dan Zhangjiajie. Jiuzhaigou adalah…

travel ke shanghai

Yuk jangan lewatkan liburanmu bersama AVIA TOUR, dalam paket ini Anda akan diajak mengunjungi beberapa kota di China. Salah satunya yang paling terkenal adalah Beijing dan Shanghai, kedua kota ini…

Jangan lewatkan liburanmu bersama AVIA TOUR, kali ini Anda berkesempatan mengunjungi Provinsi Sichuan yang memiliki kota cantik yaitu Jiuzhaigou. Jiuzhaigou adalah taman nasional suaka alam di Sichuan, China. Jiuzhaigou merupakan…

travel ke shanghai

Ayo berlibur ke Negara Tirai Bambu, peradaban kunonya yang maju dan meninggalkan banyak sekali peninggalan membuatnya di masa modern ini menjadi daya tarik wisata yang sangat unik dan menarik. Anda…

Yuk jangan lewatkan liburanmu bersama AVIA TOUR, dalam paket ini Anda akan diajak untuk eksplor kota Chongqing yang merupakan salah satu kota terpenting di China dengan berbagai destinasi wisata yang…

Yuk jangan lewatkan liburanmu bersama AVIA TOUR, dalam paket ini Anda akan diajak mengunjungi beberapa kota di China. Salah satunya yang paling terkenal adalah Xinjiang sebuah daerah otonomi di Republik…

travel ke shanghai

Lebih dari sekedar negara, Tionghoa tidak hanya luas dan kaya akan keberagaman, tapi memiliki semua secara keseluruhan. Sedikit dari apa yang mereka miliki meliputi:

  • Pemandangan alam yang sangat indah dan terjaga, mulai dari pegunungan, flora fauna, hingga wisata dengan perahu.
  • Keberagaman masakan Chinese tradisional, di mana Shenzhen, Cantonese, dan masih banyak kuliner lainnya memiliki orisinalitas rasa masing-masing, termasuk makanan jajanan pasar hingga gaya hidup malam yang beragam.
  • Pusat perbelanjaan dengan harga paling bersaing di dunia, di mana apapun dapat tersedia. Ingin inspirasi lapangan bisnis baru? Peluang di sini tidak terhingga, dari bahan baku hingga teknologi.

Everyone got a story to tell, and different experiences that have been faced. Not only from our point of view, these travellers review about China tour is here to help us earn your trust.

travel ke shanghai

G'DAY CHINA DELIGHT SUPER VALUE

Anehnya, saya malah jadi terinspirasi untuk berbisnis setelah keliling China. Haha.. di sini semuaada dan berlimpah, banyak sekali peluang untuk memajukan negara kita juga di berbagai industri.

travel ke shanghai

BEST DEAL MINI HAINAN

Wah setelah ke sini jadi takjub sih sama keindahan alamnya. Alami dan tak tersentuh, jadi ingin menjelajah lebih banyak lagi.

travel ke shanghai

CHINA SUPREME

Hao le! Makanannya enak- enak parah, semuanya murah, ga tau lagi dah. Walaupun di beberapa tempat masih kotor, tapi udah maju banget sih di sini sebenernya. Thumbs up!

Although a picture describes a thousand words, some story and experiences are better described in detail.

Not only fulfilling for the eyes, but also ensuring you to be certain before you head on to travel. For you people who experience wanderlust, to understand your destination, to know the adventure that is about to come, head to the blog for more information.

travel ke shanghai

kami akan merespons Anda dalam 1x24 jam hari kerja.

untuk masalah urgent, Anda bisa menghubungi kami di:

How to Plan a Beijing and Shanghai Trip (Itinerary, Cost, Transportation)

Beijing and Shanghai are two important cities in China that serve as international gateways and showcase the country's rich history, culture, and modernity. Here are some useful tips on how to plan your itinerary for a Beijing and Shanghai trip.

Content Preview

  • How Long to Stay For
  • A Classic Itinerary
  • Transportation Choice
  • Accommodation Choice
  • Best Times to Travel
  • Visa Requirements

How Long to Spend in Beijing and Shanghai

Typically, a classic Beijing and Shanghai itinerary takes about 1 week , with 4-5 days spent in Beijing and 2-3 days in Shanghai.

Beijing has richer tourist resources than Shanghai, with more attractions to explore. There are also more opportunities to immerse yourself in the Chinese culture, such as taking a tai chi class or learning to write Chinese calligraphy. Therefore, we recommend spending more time in Beijing.

How Long to Spend in Beijing

Beijing has many historical and cultural sites to explore. You could spend 2 to 3 days exploring the essence of Beijing, such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven.

If you want a more authentic experience of local life and Chinese culture, such as watching Peking opera, you can add one or two more days to your itinerary. See our 1-Day Beijing Hutong Tour (walk into a family's house in a hutong and watch a classical drum performance) and our Beijing Food Tour .

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family 's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

How Long to Spend in Shanghai

Shanghai's main attractions are the Bund and Yu Garden. One day is enough to explore the highlights.

If you want to learn about Shanghai's colonial history or even lesser-known stories, such as about the Jews and Shanghai, take half a day or one day to explore the French Concession or a Jewish ghetto.

Water towns are also a feature of the area around Shanghai. If you have the time, you could spend half a day visiting Zhujiajiao Water Town.

A Classic Beijing and Shanghai Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrival in Beijing with free time to explore
  • Day 2: Visit the Forbidden City and enjoy a hutong tour, where you can visit a local family and learn about Beijing from their perspective.
  • Day 3: Go to the Temple of Heaven, where you can join in with the local elderly people's morning activities and then visit the Great Wall.
  • Day 4: Visit the Summer Palace, a former royal retreat, and then depart to Shanghai.
  • Day 5: Explore Shanghai (a walking tour in the Bund, a Huangpu River ferry tour, and a visit to Yu Garden, etc.).
  • Day 6: Departure (or add a half-day trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town).

If you have an extra 2 or 3 days, you could extend your trip to nearby Hangzhou and Suzhou where you can see more exquisite garden scenery and experience the traditional water village life. You can also learn about the Chinese tea culture by visiting a tea plantation in Hangzhou to see the process of making tea. See our 5-Day Yangtze River Delta Bullet Train Tour

All our tours can be adjusted or customized based on your needs . Just contact us.

Choices of Transportation

Flying and taking high-speed trains are the two most popular ways to travel between Beijing and Shanghai. We recommend taking the bullet train which takes about 4½ to 6 hours . Taking the train is also a more convenient and flexible option.

The flight time takes about 2½ hours. However, the road to the airport could be crowded. Considering the time spent in traffic jams and the waiting time at the airport, the whole process is similar to taking a high-speed train, although it could take even longer.

Beijing to Shanghai or Shanghai to Beijing

Both Beijing and Shanghai are the most convenient and major ports of entry and exit, with abundant international and domestic flights. It doesn't make much difference whether you go from Shanghai to Beijing or from Beijing to Shanghai. Choose your preferred route according to the most convenient departure/arrival times, ticket prices, and travel dates.

Costs for a Trip to Beijing and Shanghai

Beijing and Shanghai are first-tier cities in China in terms of consumption and economic level. For a private tour, the average cost per day is about US$220–350 per person , including flights/trains within China, 4- or 5-star hotels, lunches, attractions, guides, and private transport.

In the peak season, the prices of hotels and airfares can go up by 50 to 100%. When you book with us, you'll receive a 100% refund of any payments made to China Highlights if you cancel up to 3 weeks before departure ( more details here⇒ ).

Accommodation Choices in Beijing and Shanghai

In Beijing, if you prefer a more central location for entertainment and shopping, then you can choose a hotel in the Wangfujing area. If you want a more unique accommodation experience, we recommend a hutong-style hotel.

In Shanghai, hotels around the Bund and Nanjing Road are popular choices if you prefer a bustling vibe and a great nighttime view. If you want a relatively quiet surrounding with an old colonial vibe, we recommend you choose to stay near the French Concession.

Best Times to Visit Beijing and Shanghai

Weather-wise, the best time to visit Beijing and Shanghai is in autumn, especially in September and October. These months have the most comfortable weather, which is warm, sunny, and dry.

The rainy season usually lasts from May to August, but it doesn't rain much in Beijing. Shanghai, located in the south, experiences more rain. However, the rain doesn't last continuously for long periods of time. In case of rainy weather, we will adjust the itinerary to make sure your travel experience is not affected.

Moreover, the main attractions in Beijing and Shanghai are mostly cultural sights. So they are not affected much by the weather.

No matter what season you are visiting in, we will plan the itinerary with suitable activities according to your preferences or your family's preferences.

Insider tips : The first weeks of May and October are peak times, followed by the summer holidays. If you plan to travel during these periods, please book at least 6 months to 1 year in advance.

Visa Policy

You need to apply for a China visa to visit both Beijing and Shanghai.

Although you can enjoy a 144-day visa-free trip in Beijing or Shanghai, the policy is not available when traveling from Beijing to Shanghai and vice versa. You cannot apply for your China visa in Beijing or Shanghai if you are going to visit both cities so you should apply for it in your country.

Tour China with Us

All our tours can be tailor-made based on your needs. See our popular China tours including Beijing and Shanghai for inspiration:

  • 8-Day Beijing - Xi'an-Shanghai Tour
  • 11-Day Beijing - Xi'an - Guilin/Yangshuo - Shanghai Tour
  • 2-Week Beijing - Xi'an - Zhangjiajie - Guili - Shanghai Tour
  • 8-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai Private Tour
  • 11-Day China Classic Tour
  • 14-Day China Natural Wonders Discovery
  • 3-Week Must-See Places China Tour Including Holy Tibet
  • How to Plan Your First Trip to China 2024/2025 — 7 Easy Steps
  • 15 Best Places to Visit in China (2024)
  • How to Plan a 10-Day Itinerary in China (Best 5 Options)
  • 2-Week China Itineraries: Where to Go & Routes (2024)
  • China Weather in January 2024: Enjoy Less-Crowded Traveling
  • China Weather in February 2024: Places to Go, Costs, and Crowds
  • China Weather in March 2024: Destinations, Crowds, and Costs
  • China Weather in April 2024: Where to Go (Smart Pre-Season Pick)
  • China Weather in May 2024: Where to Go, Crowds, and Costs
  • China Weather in June 2024: How to Benefit from the Rainy Season
  • China Weather in July 2024: How to Avoid Heat and Crowds
  • China Weather in August 2024: Weather Tips & Where to Go
  • China Weather in September 2024: Weather Tips & Where to Go
  • China Weather in October 2024: Where to Go, Crowds, and Costs
  • China Weather in November 2024: Places to Go & Crowds
  • China Weather in December 2024: Places to Go and Crowds

Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries

More travel ideas and inspiration, sign up to our newsletter.

Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our team of experts.

Why China Highlights

Where can we take you today.

  • Southeast Asia
  • Japan, South Korea
  • India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri lanka
  • Central Asia
  • Middle East
  • African Safari

travel ke shanghai

  • Travel Agents
  • Loyalty & Referral Program
  • Privacy Policy

China Highlights was featured on these medias.

Address: Building 6, Chuangyi Business Park, 70 Qilidian Road, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China

travel ke shanghai

  • Tiket Pesawat
  • Tiket Kereta Api
  • Tiket Bus & Travel
  • Antar Jemput Bandara
  • Rental Mobil

Atraksi dan Aktivitas

travel ke shanghai

Tiket pesawat ke Shanghai (PVG)

Harga tiket pesawat murah dengan promo menuju shanghai (pvg), hotel di shanghai.

Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai

Aktivitas terbaik di Shanghai

Shanghai Disneyland

Partner Maskapai

travel ke shanghai

Partner Pembayaran Resmi

travel ke shanghai

Destinasi Paket Populer

Xperience lain di shanghai, destinasi terbang terpopuler.

travel ke shanghai

Partner Pembayaran

travel ke shanghai

Tentang Traveloka

  • Hubungi Kami
  • Pusat Bantuan
  • Tentang Kami

Follow kami di

  • Internet Luar Negeri
  • Gift Voucher
  • Traveloka for Corporates
  • Traveloka Affiliate
  • Blog Traveloka
  • Pemberitahuan Privasi
  • Syarat & Ketentuan
  • Daftarkan Akomodasi Anda
  • Daftarkan Bisnis Aktivitas Anda
  • Traveloka Press Room
  • Traveloka Ads

Download Traveloka App

IMAGES

  1. One Perfect Day in Shanghai

    travel ke shanghai

  2. Guide touristique Shanghai

    travel ke shanghai

  3. 22 Tempat Wisata di Shanghai yang Wajib Dikunjungi

    travel ke shanghai

  4. Travel The The Modern and Ancient Beauty of Shanghai!

    travel ke shanghai

  5. The Best Things to See and Do in Shanghai, China

    travel ke shanghai

  6. 25 Ultimate Things To Do In Shanghai

    travel ke shanghai

VIDEO

  1. Stop!.. and fall in Love #vlog #shanghai

  2. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU VISIT SHANGHAI

  3. Shanghai city outdoor cycling workout 20240314 B

  4. Shanghai Walking Tour Beneath the Glittering Skyscrapers of Lujiazui at Night

  5. Shanghai city outdoor cycling workout 20240306 B

  6. Nostalgic Trip to Shanghai

COMMENTS

  1. The ULTIMATE SHANGHAI Itinerary (2024 Guide)

    Signs, maps, and announcements come in both Chinese and English so there's minimum confusion! Welcome to our EPIC Shanghai itinerary. Individual tickets cost upwards of USD $0.45 and never exceed USD $2.00, but there are more cost-effective options! The 1-day and 3-day passes cost USD $3.00 and USD $7.00, respectively.

  2. 48 Hours in Shanghai: The Ultimate Itinerary

    Dynamic, glamorous, a meeting point of the east and west, Shanghai is known for many things. After the British opened its port in the 1840s, Shanghai grew into a mega-city, over 24 million people strong. Now, past and future meet here too: swirls of history are found throughout the former concessions, and a look across the Huangpu River at Pudong's skyscrapers makes one feel they as if they ...

  3. Shanghai Travel Guide

    Shanghai trip - Kris was a great guide We had a fantastic time in Shanghai, our guide Kris was simple great, was very friendly and he was very helpful in answering questions and giving suggestions on how we could plan and organize our activities in Shanghai even before the trip starting, he got us tickets to ERA 2 acrobatic show, Kris even ...

  4. Shanghai Trip Planner

    Plan D. Downtown Sightseeing + Customized Shanghai Biking. Day 1: Shanghai Arrival. Day 2: Shanghai Museum + Tianzifang + Shanghai World Financial Center+Nanjing Road + The Bund. Day 3: Half-day Biking in Xintiandi, Tianzifang, Wukang Road (can be customized) 3 Days Best Shanghai Tour with Half-day Biking.

  5. How to Plan a Trip to Shanghai 2024/2025, Get Advice There!

    How Long to Stay in Shanghai — 2-4 Days. Most travelers spend 2-4 days to visit the main highlights in Shanghai. The longer you stay, the deeper you will understand this city. 2-Day Shanghai's Old and New Collision. 2-Day A Journey to the Future. 4-Day Shanghai Family Disneyland Tour.

  6. The Top 20 Things to Do in Shanghai

    Nanjing Road features historic Chinese sculptures at the "Golden Belt". Read more on Shanghai Shopping - Top Places to Shop for Souvenirs. 11-Day Tour: Beijing - Xi'an - Guilin/Yangshuo - Shanghai Classic Wonders. 6. Stroll around in a Watertown - Zhujiajiao. Zhujiajiao Water Town.

  7. Shanghai 5-Day Itinerary (The Best of Shanghai)

    The gardens are located in the heart of Shanghai Old City, a great place for exploring. From the city wall to temples, and streets full of local sellers and shops, it's a very different experience from central Shanghai. Take a food tour. Finally, finish off Day 1 of this Shanghai 5-day itinerary with a food tour.

  8. Shanghai Itinerary

    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.

  9. Shanghai Tours

    Select an all-inclusive private tour in Shanghai and unlock the perfect way to immerse yourself in this vibrant city for 1-4 days.Experience the captivating blend of old-world charm and modern skylines as you delve into the rich historical heritage of Shanghai. For a truly enchanting family experience, indulge in the wonders of Disneyland Park, or extend your journey to the picturesque ...

  10. 25 quick and helpful Shanghai travel tips (2024)

    Keep your eyes and ears open! 6. Use a navigation app. Using a map app will definitely help you. Image by Brett Jordan on Pexels. Now, I'll be the first one to tell you that Shanghai is easy to navigate. The tourist areas are generally well-signposted and, if you get lost, the locals can speak some English.

  11. 3 Days In Shanghai: The Perfect Itinerary

    Yuyuan Gardens and Bazaar. Located in the very heart of Puxi district, Yuyuan Gardens and Bazaar are my favorite spots to get a glimpse of medieval China. When it comes to things do in Shanghai in 3 days both attractions are near the top of the list. Yuyuan is the most famous garden in the city.

  12. China Shanghai Tours, Top 6 Shanghai Tour Packages 2024/2025

    China Shanghai Tours & Top 6 Shanghai Tour Packages 2024/2025. Situated in the south estuary of the Yangtze River, China's east coast, Shanghai impresses the world with lots of labels, such as China' largest and most developed city, a "Magic City" and "the Oriental Paris" whose attractions fascinate millions of tourists each year.Perfect cultural fusion of the West and East, the ...

  13. 18 BEST Places to Visit in Shanghai (2024)

    People's Square. People's Square is a neighbourhood centrally located in Shanghai and is a convenient place to stay due to its closeness to the main attraction and its good connection to the rest of the city. Indeed, the People's Square metro station is a big interchange with many lines passing through there. Places to visit:

  14. Best time to visit Shanghai: my guide for all seasons

    Shanghai in springtime. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff. This is equally the best time to visit Shanghai. Spring in Shanghai is in March, April and May. It's a time of warm weather, pleasant breezes, and cherry blossoms and other flowers. Month. Mar. Apr. May.

  15. Shanghai travel blog

    Shanghai skyline | shanghai travel blog Shanghai can be said to be the most luxurious, busiest and bustling city in China. This place is not only famous for its modern high-rise buildings and skyscrapers and grand shopping centers but also for all that makes up a dynamic city. | shanghai travel blog Traveling to Shanghai, you will admire an extremely beautiful, bustling city with friendly ...

  16. Shanghai Travel Tips: 10 Things to Know Before You Go

    1. The best time to visit Shanghai. The Shanghai skyline on a blue sky day. Shanghai experiences all the seasons, right from fiery heat of summer, to a breathtaking spring, to autumn and a chilly, sometimes snowy winter with a regular dose of rains thrown in. The best seasons to visit Shanghai are definitely spring (March-May) and autumn ...

  17. How to Travel from Beijing to Shanghai

    There are 4 ways of transportation: 1. High speed train is the best and the most popular way to go from Beijing to Shanghai with the travel time of 4.5 - 6.5 hours and the lowest cost of CNY 553 - 667 (USD 77 - 93). 2. Flight is the fastest way, taking 2 - 2.5 hours, also the most expensive way. 3.

  18. The Best Day Trips to Take From Shanghai, China

    Relax at the Sheshan Sculpture Park. Malcolm Moore / Flickr / CC BY 2.0. View Map. Address. China, Shang Hai Shi, Song Jiang Qu, Lin Yin Xin Lu, 1158号 畲山国家旅游度假区 邮政编码: 201602. Phone +86 21 5779 8090. Web Visit website. Take in modern art at the Sheshan Sculpture Park just 45 minutes outside Shanghai.

  19. Paket Tour ke China

    paket tour ke china,Indonesia leading tour and travel agency, travel agent in Jakarta providing domestic Indonesia and international airlines ... GDAY AUTHENTIC ZHANGJIAJIE PHOENIX FURONG ANCIENT TOWN + SHANGHAI . City. Departure. Changsha Shanghai ZHANGJIAJIE DEPARTURE. DAYS. FLIGHT. 15 May 2024. 9 days. GA. 11 Sep 2024. 9 days. GA.

  20. Shanghai Food Guide: 25 Must-Try Dishes

    10. Steamed Buns (baozi 包子) Baozi refers to a family of steamed buns made with a variety of fillings. Minced pork is the most common ingredient, but do try the vegetable version and the red bean paste. Baozi are cheap and cheerful and found in many small Shanghai street food stalls.

  21. Shanghai to Beijing

    China Railways G-Class operates a train from Shanghai Station to Beijing South 5 times a day. Tickets cost ¥580 - ¥630 and the journey takes 4h 36m. China Railways D-Class also services this route once daily. Alternatively, China Bus Guide operates a bus from Shanghai General to Beijing once daily. Tickets cost ¥354 and the journey takes 18h.

  22. How to Plan a Beijing and Shanghai Trip (Itinerary, Cost, Transportation)

    A Classic Beijing and Shanghai Itinerary. Day 1: Arrival in Beijing with free time to explore. Day 2: Visit the Forbidden City and enjoy a hutong tour, where you can visit a local family and learn about Beijing from their perspective. Day 3: Go to the Temple of Heaven, where you can join in with the local elderly people's morning activities and ...

  23. Tiket Pesawat Murah ke Shanghai (PVG) mulai dari Rp 1.750.994

    Cari tiket pesawat ke Shanghai dengan harga promo di Traveloka.com. Dapatkan tiket murah ke Shanghai dari berbagai maskapai di Indonesia.