3-Day Classic Shanghai Itinerary
See the best of Shanghai in three days—The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Tower, and the French Concession. A leisurely pace.
Best for: Visiting Shanghai for the first time and wanting to experience the city’s diverse facets over a three-day long weekend.
Day 1: Classic Puxi
The Bund → Yu Garden: Experience Old Shanghai.
The Bund’s International Architectural Ensemble
Start at the Waibaidu Bridge and walk south along the river to admire 52 century-old European-style buildings.
Yu Garden & City God Temple
Enjoy crab-roe xiaolongbao on the second floor of the Nanxiang Steamed Bun Shop, then tour the Ming Dynasty-era Jiangnan garden.
Night view of the Bund
Return to the Bund in the evening to watch the sunset → Blue Note → as the lights come on. Take the 2-yuan ferry to Lujiazui.
Don’t take the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel (a 50-yuan scam)
Day 2: Modern Pudong + French Concession
Visit the top of Shanghai Tower + Citywalk under the plane trees.
Shanghai Tower
At 632 meters, China’s tallest building. A 55-second elevator ride takes you straight to the 118th floor.
Citywalk in the French Concession
Wukang Building → Wukang Road → Anfu Road → Sinan Road. The quintessential Shanghai experience under the plane trees.
Dinner: Authentic Shanghai cuisine
Lao Jishi (Tianping Road): braised pork belly and stir-fried shrimp.
Make a reservation in advance
Day 3: Artistic Shanghai
Museum + Longhua Temple + Return trip.
Shanghai Museum
The Bronze and Ceramics Galleries are world-class.