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Shanghai travel guide

See the Bund and Pudong skyline, then explore Yu Garden, museums and the streets around Xuhui. Shanghai also connects easily with separate stays in Suzhou and Hangzhou.

Include Shanghai in my trip ↗
Illuminated Pudong towers and colorful reflections seen from Shanghai North Bund at blue hour

What to see in Shanghai

Choose your main sights, then group nearby visits together. Allow a separate day for longer excursions.

Shanghai historic Bund waterfront illuminated across the Huangpu River at night

The Bund 外滩

The historic waterfront faces the modern Pudong skyline across the river.

Plan around
One focused part of a day
Combine with
Yu Garden area
Read the detailed visitor guide ↗
Illuminated Pudong towers and colorful reflections seen from Shanghai North Bund at blue hour

Lujiazui and Shanghai Tower 陆家嘴与上海中心

Choose a riverfront walk or a tower visit rather than treating every observation deck as essential.

Plan around
One focused part of a day
Combine with
Leave time for a meal and a comfortable transfer
Read the detailed visitor guide ↗
A golden pavilion, covered walkway and reflections in Shanghai Yu Garden

Yu Garden and Old City 豫园与老城厢

Garden spaces, traditional streets and local snacks can form one concentrated outing.

Plan around
One focused part of a day
Combine with
Leave time for a meal and a comfortable transfer
More places to consider in Shanghai

Wukang Road and Xuhui streets 武康路与徐汇街区

Architecture, tree-lined streets and cafés suit travelers who enjoy a neighborhood walk.

Xuhui · One focused part of a day

Shanghai Museum 上海博物馆

Select the actual museum venue and exhibition before arranging the day; the venues are not interchangeable.

People's Square or Pudong venue · One focused part of a day

Zhujiajiao 朱家角

Canals and historic-town streets make a separate excursion beyond central Shanghai.

Qingpu · A separate excursion day

Shanghai Disney Resort 上海迪士尼度假区

A full-day choice for families or theme-park enthusiasts rather than a small stop on a city tour.

Pudong · A separate excursion day

Watch before you go

Shanghai on film

Watch a few places and experiences you can include in your own visit.

Video still: Shanghai: a city introduction0:54

Shanghai

Shanghai: a city introduction

A portrait-format introduction to Shanghai’s riverfront and cityscape, with English captions.

Read the Shanghai guide ↗
Watch 6 more videos

At the local table

What to eat in Shanghai

Build food into the day: a local breakfast, a market snack or a relaxed shared meal can become part of the experience.

Soup dumplings 小笼包

Small steamed dumplings with hot broth inside; pause before biting.

Pan-fried buns 生煎包

A crisp base and juicy filling make these a satisfying snack or light meal.

Scallion-oil noodles 葱油拌面

A simple noodle dish centered on fragrant scallion oil and sauce.

Pork chop and rice cakes 排骨年糕

Fried pork chop paired with chewy rice cakes, suitable for a casual lunch.

Red-braised pork 红烧肉

Rich, gently sweet braised pork commonly found on Shanghainese restaurant menus.

For allergies or dietary needs, explain the requirement clearly and discuss ingredients with the kitchen. English–Chinese support can help you communicate.

Delicately pleated xiaolongbao soup dumplings in a bamboo steamer
Xiaolongbao
Golden pan-fried shengjian buns topped with sesame and spring onion
Shengjianbao

Where to stay

Compare these areas by transport, nearby sights and the type of stay you prefer.

AreaGood forKeep in mind
People's Square / HuangpuFirst-time sightseeing and useful connections around the center.Compare the actual walking distance to a metro entrance rather than relying on the district name.
Jing'an / XuhuiRestaurants, leafy streets, cafés and a more neighborhood-focused stay.The riverfront will be a planned outing rather than the view outside every hotel.
Lujiazui / PudongSkyline views and a modern hotel setting.Allow the river crossing when planning Old City or Xuhui activities.

Getting there & around

Distinguish Pudong Airport (PVG), Hongqiao Airport (SHA) and Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station.

The Airport Link Line connects selected airport terminals and the Hongqiao transport area; choose the route for your actual terminal and final address.

Keep station access, waiting and the hotel transfer separate from the scheduled intercity train journey.

Season & daily pace

Spring and autumn are comfortable starting points for city walks. In hot or wet weather, combine shorter outdoor segments with museums and meals.

Airport & station information ↗Arrange a transfer ↗

Choose your time, then make it yours

How many days do you have?

Start with a day in Shanghai or connect it with a wider journey. Every route can be adjusted to your interests and pace.

A day in the destination

Garden lanes and a skyline

One full city day joining the Old City with Shanghai’s historic riverfront.

Make this my own 1-day trip ↗
Illuminated Pudong towers and colorful reflections seen from Shanghai North Bund at blue hour
  1. Day 1

    Yu Garden and the Bund

    Begin with Yu Garden and the Old City, stopping for soup dumplings or noodles. Continue to the Bund for the contrast between historic buildings and Pudong across the water.

This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.

A short stay

Shanghai in three different moods

Combine the Old City and river with modern Pudong, museum time and leafy neighborhood streets.

Make this my own 3-day trip ↗
Illuminated Pudong towers and colorful reflections seen from Shanghai North Bund at blue hour
  1. Day 1

    Yu Garden and the Bund

    Begin with Yu Garden and the Old City, stopping for soup dumplings or noodles. Continue to the Bund for the contrast between historic buildings and Pudong across the water.

  2. Day 2

    Pudong and one cultural visit

    Choose one Shanghai Museum venue or a contemporary art museum, then explore Lujiazui. A riverfront walk or one observation deck is enough to enjoy the skyline.

  3. Day 3

    Leafy streets and local life

    Walk a manageable route through Wukang Road and the surrounding Xuhui streets. Let architecture, cafés and one small cultural stop create a relaxed alternative to major sightseeing.

This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.

More time to explore

Shanghai and Suzhou

Combine three Shanghai sightseeing themes with Suzhou’s gardens and canals. The route starts in Shanghai and ends in Suzhou.

Make this my own 7-day trip ↗
Illuminated Pudong towers and colorful reflections seen from Shanghai North Bund at blue hour
  1. Day 1

    Arrive in Shanghai

    Transfer to your chosen district and settle in. If your arrival leaves time, take a short neighborhood walk and enjoy an easy Shanghainese meal nearby.

  2. Day 2

    Yu Garden and the Bund

    Begin with Yu Garden and the Old City, stopping for soup dumplings or noodles. Continue to the Bund for the contrast between historic buildings and Pudong across the water.

  3. Day 3

    Pudong and one cultural visit

    Choose one Shanghai Museum venue or a contemporary art museum, then explore Lujiazui. A riverfront walk or one observation deck is enough to enjoy the skyline.

  4. Day 4

    Leafy streets and local life

    Walk a manageable route through Wukang Road and the surrounding Xuhui streets. Let architecture, cafés and one small cultural stop create a relaxed alternative to major sightseeing.

  5. Day 5

    Travel to Suzhou

    Leave time for the intercity journey and hotel check-in. Introduce Suzhou with Pingjiang Road’s canals and lanes, then enjoy a local noodle meal.

  6. Day 6

    One garden and Pingjiang lanes

    Take time in the Humble Administrator’s Garden, noticing framed views, water and pavilions. Continue along Pingjiang Road, with a seated meal and a short canal-side stroll.

  7. Day 7

    A slow Suzhou departure

    Start with a local breakfast and any short final walk your travel plans allow. Keep time for luggage collection and the transfer to your booked railway station.

This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.

More time to explore

Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou

A Jiangnan journey through a big-city waterfront, classical gardens and West Lake, finishing in Hangzhou.

Make this my own 10-day trip ↗
Illuminated Pudong towers and colorful reflections seen from Shanghai North Bund at blue hour
  1. Day 1

    Arrive in Shanghai

    Transfer to your chosen district and settle in. If your arrival leaves time, take a short neighborhood walk and enjoy an easy Shanghainese meal nearby.

  2. Day 2

    Yu Garden and the Bund

    Begin with Yu Garden and the Old City, stopping for soup dumplings or noodles. Continue to the Bund for the contrast between historic buildings and Pudong across the water.

  3. Day 3

    Leafy streets and local life

    Walk a manageable route through Wukang Road and the surrounding Xuhui streets. Let architecture, cafés and one small cultural stop create a relaxed alternative to major sightseeing.

  4. Day 4

    Travel to Suzhou

    Leave time for the intercity journey and hotel check-in. Introduce Suzhou with Pingjiang Road’s canals and lanes, then enjoy a local noodle meal.

  5. Day 5

    One garden and Pingjiang lanes

    Take time in the Humble Administrator’s Garden, noticing framed views, water and pavilions. Continue along Pingjiang Road, with a seated meal and a short canal-side stroll.

  6. Day 6

    Lingering Garden and Shantang

    Explore the Lingering Garden at a measured pace. Continue to Shantang Street for canal-side architecture and a meal, keeping the two areas as the day’s main focus.

  7. Day 7

    Continue to Hangzhou

    Travel to Hangzhou and check in before heading toward West Lake. Use a short lakeside walk as an introduction rather than attempting a complete circuit.

  8. Day 8

    West Lake at an easy pace

    Choose a comfortable West Lake shoreline or causeway walk, with a boat trip if it suits conditions. Pause for lunch and finish around Hefang Street’s old-city surroundings.

  9. Day 9

    Longjing tea country

    Visit the China National Tea Museum or a selected Longjing tea area. Learn about tea, enjoy a relaxed meal and choose a short walk among the surrounding hills.

  10. Day 10

    A last lake view and departure

    If your departure permits, return to a nearby lake viewpoint for breakfast or a short walk. Keep the station or airport transfer separate from the sightseeing plan.

This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.

Make Shanghai part of your private journey.

Ask us to plan your visit or arrange an airport transfer, private driver or English–Chinese support. You can request a complete trip or one service.

Discuss my Shanghai plans ↗

Travel video

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