Shanghai 3 Day Itinerary

Shanghai 3-Day Travel Itinerary

Day 1: Explore the Bund and Yuyuan Garden

  • Morning: Check-in at W Shanghai - The Bund or similar luxurious hotels with a view of the iconic Bund. Have breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant.
  • Afternoon: Start your day by visiting The Bund, where you can marvel at the beautiful skyline and take great pictures. Then, cross the Huangpu River via the Oriental Pearl Tower or the pedestrian tunnel to Pudong District.
  • Evening: Head over to Yuyuan Garden, a traditional Chinese garden filled with pavilions, halls, rockeries, and pools. Visit the nearby bazaar for some souvenirs and local snacks.
  • Dinner: Dine at Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet, an innovative fine-dining experience that offers a multi-course meal with changing visual and auditory surroundings. For more affordable options, try Din Tai Fung for soup dumplings or The Nest for modern Chinese cuisine.

Day 2: Visit the Modern Architecture and Old Town

  • Morning: Have breakfast at a local café like Elephant Grounds or Cafe de Stagé.
  • Afternoon: Take a stroll in Tianzifang, an arts and crafts enclave that has developed from a traditional residential area. Then, head to the Shanghai Museum to admire Chinese art and antiques.
  • Evening: Explore the bustling nightlife of Xintiandi or Huaihai Road, filled with bars, restaurants, and trendy shops.
  • Dinner: Dine at M on the Bund for a fantastic view of the Bund, or try Le Comptoir de Xavier for French cuisine.

Day 3: Experience Modern Shanghai

  • Morning: Grab breakfast at your hotel or a local café like Coffee Ritual.
  • Afternoon: Visit the Oriental Pearl Tower for panoramic views of the city. You can also opt to explore the tower’s spheres, including a revolving restaurant and a 500-meter glass-floor sightseeing deck.
  • Evening: Head to West Nanjing Road for some last-minute shopping. Try local street food at Nanxiang Mantou Dongyu or Din Tai Fung for dumplings.
  • Dinner: Have a unique dining experience at Taverna Brera or La Vie en Rose for Italian and French cuisine, respectively.

Things to Know:

  • Shanghai Metro is an efficient and affordable way to get around the city. Download the Metro Map before your trip.
  • Chinese Yuan (RMB) is the local currency. Major credit cards are accepted in most places, but it’s always good to have some cash on hand.
  • Mandarin is the official language. English is spoken at hotels and popular tourist spots, but it’s helpful to learn a few basic phrases for interactions with locals.
  • The weather can be unpredictable, so pack layers and consider bringing an umbrella or raincoat.

Tips:

  • Visit during the off-peak season (November to March) for smaller crowds and milder temperatures.
  • Get a Shanghai Tourist Pass (STP) for unlimited rides on buses, metros, and tramways within specified areas.
  • Make reservations in advance for popular restaurants to avoid long waiting times.