Shanghai travel guide
The Perfect 3-Day Shanghai Itinerary
Three days in Shanghai: day one for the Bund, Nanjing Road and the Shanghai Museum; day two for Yu Garden, Pudong’s observation decks and the French Concession; day three for a high-speed day trip to Suzhou or Hangzhou. Reserve the museum and towers ahead, and do the Bund twice — dawn and night.
Before you start
Reserve the Shanghai Museum (free) and any observation deck online in advance; museums close Mondays. Base yourself near People’s Square or in the French Concession. Load Alipay or WeChat Pay — this is China’s most cashless city. Budget ¥350–550 per person per day including sights and food (lodging excluded).
Day 1 — The classic axis
6.30am: the Bund at dawn — tai chi groups, kite flyers and both banks to yourself. Morning: walk up Nanjing Road to People’s Square and the Shanghai Museum (bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy — allow two hours). Afternoon: wander the French Concession: Wukang Road’s villas, Fuxing Park, lane galleries and coffee. Evening: back to the Bund for the lights, then dinner in the Concession and a jazz bar if the mood holds.
Day 2 — Old town and the towers
Morning: Yu Garden (¥40) at opening, then the City God Temple bazaar for soup dumplings and souvenir browsing. Afternoon: cross to Lujiazui — up the Shanghai Tower (around ¥180) or a rival deck for sunset, then the riverside promenade. Evening: dinner in Pudong or back across the river; the North Bund walkway gives the postcard view with a fraction of the crowd.
Day 3 — Day trip: Suzhou or Hangzhou
Suzhou (30 minutes by high-speed train from Hongqiao): UNESCO-listed classical gardens — the Humble Administrator’s Garden is the headliner — canals of Pingjiang Road and excellent noodle shops. Hangzhou (45–60 minutes): West Lake’s causeways and temples, tea terraces at Longjing. Both work rain or shine; Suzhou is the easier first choice. Prefer to stay local? Swap in Zhujiajiao water town (metro direct) or the M50 art district and Suzhou Creek walkways.
Itinerary tips
If a day lands on Monday, swap it for the day trip (museums closed). Summer: do outdoor mornings, indoor afternoons. The metro beats taxis except late at night; the Bund-to-Pudong sightseeing tunnel is gimmicky — take the ferry (¥2) or line 2 instead.
Also in China
Shanghai itinerary — FAQs
Is 3 days enough for Shanghai?
Yes — three days covers the Bund, Yu Garden, a Pudong tower, the French Concession and a Suzhou or Hangzhou day trip. Stay a fourth day for the water towns, more museums or simply more eating.
Suzhou or Hangzhou for a day trip?
Suzhou for classical gardens and canals (30 minutes by train, compact centre); Hangzhou for West Lake scenery and tea culture (45–60 minutes). First-timers usually get more from Suzhou.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.