3 Days in Shanghai
Three days is enough to see the Shanghai that shows up on postcards and the one that doesn't. This plan opens on the Bund and the old city, spends day two on the modern Pudong side and the art districts, and saves the quiet lanes of the former French Concession for the morning before departure.
- Length
- 3 days
- Cities
- Shanghai
- Best for
- First-time visitors with a long weekend, and anyone connecting through Pudong.
Before you set the days
Walking and access
Three active days. Days one and three are mostly on foot, so use the metro or a car between districts instead of treating every gap as another walk.
Rain
Move the Power Station of Art or Shanghai Museum into the wettest part of the day. Keep the Bund hour flexible because the river view is the reason for that stop.
Closures
Museum opening days differ, and Monday is a common closure day. Confirm the Shanghai Museum and Power Station schedule before fixing which day carries them.
If the plan changes
If the Bund Night Walk does not run on your dates, move that evening before removing it. The promenade itself remains accessible without joining a departure.
Day 1 — Classic Shanghai & Night Walk
- 09:00
The Bund Promenade
Iconic waterfront walk with stunning Pudong skyline views
Instead of this
- Lujiazui Skyline Walk — Walk among the Pudong supertalls from ground level
- Shanghai Museum — Bronze, jade and calligraphy in a striking building
- 11:00
Yu Garden & Bazaar
Classical Chinese garden and vibrant market streets
Instead of this
- People's Park — Central park with lotus pond and the famous marriage market
- M50 Art District — Converted textile factories housing contemporary galleries
- 12:30
Nanxiang Steamed Buns
Famous xiaolongbao at the original 1900s shop
Instead of this
- Yang's Fried Dumplings — Crispy-bottomed shengjianbao — Shanghai's other dumpling star
- Huxinting Teahouse — Iconic zigzag-bridge teahouse in the heart of Old City
- 15:00
Jade Buddha Temple
One of Shanghai's most active Buddhist temples, featuring exquisite jade statues
Instead of this
- French Concession Walk — Tree-lined avenues with cafes, boutiques and art deco architecture
- Longhua Temple — Shanghai's oldest and largest ancient temple, famous for its towering pagoda
- 19:30
Bund Night Walk
A local guide walks you along the Bund after dark — the lit-up Pudong skyline, the historic waterfront façades, and the stories behind them. English-led, max 8 guests.
Tue · Thu · Sun · 19:30–20:30
Instead of this
- Huangpu River Night Cruise — A separate option: a boat cruise along the Huangpu River, with the lit skylines of the Bund and Pudong on both banks.
- Jazz at the Peace Hotel — Live jazz in the legendary 1920s Art Deco ballroom on the Bund
- Hengshan Road Nightlife — Classic bar street lined with plane trees and historical villas
Day 2 — Modern Shanghai & Culture
- 09:30
Power Station of Art
Contemporary art museum in a converted power station
Instead of this
- Long Museum West Bund — Private art museum with one of China's best contemporary collections
- M50 Art District — Converted textile factories housing contemporary galleries
- 12:00
Shanghai Tower & Lunch
World's second tallest building — observation deck at 561m, followed by lunch in Lujiazui
Instead of this
- Oriental Pearl Tower — Iconic TV tower with a glass-bottomed sightseeing floor
- Century Avenue — Modern shopping and dining hub surrounded by Pudong's skyscrapers
- 15:30
Jiashan Market & Tianzifang Area
Artsy alleyway neighborhood with craft coffee and local studios
Instead of this
- Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street — China's most famous shopping street — neon, crowds, and department stores
- Fuxing Park — French-style garden with afternoon leisure and plane-tree shade
- 18:00
Xintiandi Evening
Dining and nightlife in restored Shikumen lane houses
Instead of this
- Jazz at the Peace Hotel — Live jazz in the legendary 1920s Art Deco ballroom on the Bund
- Lujiazui Night Lights — Watch the Pudong towers light up from a riverside terrace
Day 3 — Hidden Gems & Departure
- 08:30
Wukang Road Citywalk
Morning stroll along Shanghai's most photogenic street, starting at the iconic Wukang Mansion
Instead of this
- Fuxing Park Morning — French-style garden with morning tai chi and local lifestyle
- Shanghai Grand Theatre — Stunning glass-and-steel venue — catch a morning rehearsal
- 10:30
Jing'an Temple
Ancient Buddhist temple gleaming with gold, surrounded by modern skyscrapers
Instead of this
- M50 Art District — Converted textile factories housing contemporary galleries
- China Art Museum — Striking red pavilion from the 2010 Expo, housing modern Chinese art
- 12:30
Local Dumpling Feast
Curated tasting of Shanghai's best regional dumplings before departure
Instead of this
- Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street — Grab a quick bite while walking down China's premier shopping street
- Huxinting Teahouse — Iconic zigzag-bridge teahouse in the heart of Old City
- 15:00
Airport Transfer
Seamless transfer via Maglev (7 min to Pudong Airport)
Other itineraries
- 2 Days in SuzhouTravellers who want gardens and canals rather than skylines.
- 2 Days in HangzhouAnyone with two spare days out of Shanghai who wants scenery over shopping.
- Shanghai + Suzhou in 2 DaysWeekend trips, and second visits to Shanghai when the Bund is already ticked off.
- Shanghai + Hangzhou in 2 DaysTravellers who want one big city and one classic Chinese landscape.
- Shanghai + a Water Town in 2 DaysVisitors on a tight schedule who still want to see old Jiangnan.
- Shanghai + Suzhou + Hangzhou in 3 DaysA first trip to eastern China when three days is all there is.