Modern Metropolis
Shanghai — The Bund, Art Deco Skyscrapers and China's Gateway to the World
Where old-world glamour meets tomorrow's skyline — 4 days from the Bund to water towns.
📅Best Time
April–May & September–November
🗓️Stay
4 days (recommended)
✨Vibe
Chic · Cosmopolitan · Foodie
Shanghai is not a city of ancient palaces — it's a city of contrasts. A 1920s art deco bank sits across the river from the world's second-tallest building. Eat ¥20 soup dumplings for breakfast, drink ¥130 cocktails on a rooftop the same night. It's also the most foreigner-friendly city in mainland China: more English, more international food, and a pace that feels instantly familiar.
✨ City Highlights
🌃
The Bund at Sunrise→
Arrive 7:30 AM — almost no tourists. 23 colonial buildings on one side, Pudong's skyline across the river.
Full attraction guide🏙️
Shanghai Tower (632m)→
World's 2nd-tallest. 118F deck, world's highest. Visit ~1h before sunset. ¥180.
Full attraction guide🏘️
French Concession→
Plane-tree avenues, Wukang Mansion, third-wave coffee, boutique lanes. Shanghai's most livable side.
Full attraction guide🏮
Yu Garden→
Ming-dynasty (1559) classical garden + lantern bazaar. ¥40, allow 1 hour.
Full attraction guide🥟
Xiaolongbao Crawl
Soup dumplings everywhere — Nanxiang (the 1900 original), Jia Jia Tang Bao (local cult favorite).
⛵
Zhujiajiao Water Town
400-year-old canal town, 1h by Metro Line 17. Stone bridges, wooden boat rides.
📌 Insider Tips
- ▸Shanghai is China's most international city — English on menus, metro, and at hotels.
- ▸It's walkable: the Bund, French Concession & Nanjing Road connect on foot. Fewer taxis than Beijing.
- ▸Metro is the best way around — 19 lines, very clean, ¥3-8. Use Alipay transit QR.
- ▸Pudong (PVG) airport is far; Hongqiao (SHA) is closer to the city.
- ▸Best seasons April-May & Sept-Nov. Summers are hot + humid; avoid Chinese New Year (closures).
🗓️ Day-by-Day Itinerary
Curated routes — what to do, hour by hour
🌃
Day 1
Bund & Old Shanghai
Bund sunrise · Nanjing Road · Yu Garden · Bund night
- 🌅07:30
The Bund at Sunrise
Line 2/10 to Nanjing East Road. Almost no tourists at 7:30. Walk Waibaidu Bridge → Shiliupu Wharf (1.5km). Photo: Peace Hotel, HSBC dome.
- 🥟09:00
Breakfast: Nanxiang Mantou Dian
The 1900 original XLB shop. Skip the takeaway queue — go upstairs. Crab roe XLB ¥60-80 + pork XLB ¥40. Total ¥60-100.
- 🏮10:30
Yu Garden
¥40. Ming-dynasty (1559) classical garden. Allow 1h inside + 30-45 min wandering the lantern bazaar (free).
- 🍜13:00
Lunch: Jia Jia Tang Bao
Local favorite XLB on Huanghe Road 127. Best crab roe in town. Go before 11:30 or after 2 PM. ¥30-50.
- 🛍️14:30
Nanjing Road East
China's busiest pedestrian street. 1.5km of neon. People-watch more than shop. 1-1.5h.
- 🌇17:30
Bund Sunset — The Transformation
Back to the Bund 45 min before sunset. Watch Pudong's towers light up — the single best photo op in Shanghai.
- 🥂19:30
Dinner: M on the Bund / Mr & Mrs Bund
M on the Bund (7F): Western, waterfront terrace, ¥300-500. Budget: Yunnan Road Food Street, ¥30-60.
See the full day-by-day itinerary
The timeline above shows one day at a time. These pages lay out every day and every stop at once, plus why the route is ordered that way and which day to cut if you are short.
🍜 Food Highlights
The dishes you can't leave without trying
🥟Must Try
Xiaolongbao (小笼包)
¥30-80
Soup dumplings — Shanghai's defining dish. Thin skin, hot broth. Pierce, slurp, dip in black vinegar + ginger.
🥟Must Try
Shengjianbao (生煎包)
¥20-35
Pan-fried pork buns, crispy golden bottoms, scalding soup. Da Hu Chun (thick, no soup) vs Yang's (thin, soup explosion).
🍖Classic
Red-Braised Pork (红烧肉)
¥60-120
Signature home cooking. Pork belly slow-braised in soy, sugar, Shaoxing wine until it melts.
🐟Classic
Sweet-Sour Mandarin Fish (松鼠桂鱼)
¥120-200
Whole fish scored, deep-fried to look like a squirrel's tail, drenched in glossy sweet-sour sauce. Banquet classic.
🍜Everyday
Soy Sauce Noodles (葱油拌面)
¥15-25
Shanghai's simplest staple — springy noodles in scallion oil + dark soy. Found everywhere.
🥒Everyday
Drunken Chicken (醉鸡)
¥30-60
Cold poached chicken marinated in Shaoxing rice wine. Delicate, floral, a classic starter.
🏆 Xiaolongbao Showdown
Where locals actually go for soup dumplings
1
Nanxiang Mantou Dian
¥50-80The 1900 original. Historic, touristy — go upstairs to sit down.
2
Jia Jia Tang Bao
¥30-50The local favorite, best crab roe. Hole-in-the-wall, go 7:30 AM.
3
Din Tai Fung
¥80-120Polished chain, English-friendly, consistent quality.
4
Fu Chun Xiao Long
¥40-60Retro, relaxed, English menu, no-stress queue.
5
Lin Long Fang
¥30-50Local secret in the French Concession — quiet & delicious.
🌙 Nightlife Areas
Different areas, different vibes
🌃Rooftops & jazz
The Bund
Rooftop bars, jazz lounges, fine dining. Best first night. Dress well.
🍸Speakeasy & wine
French Concession
Hidden cocktail bars, wine bars, live music. Best relaxed second night.
🥂Expat & date night
Xintiandi
Open-air dining + bar scene. Popular with expats and couples.
🎶Underground & loud
Found 158 (大同坊)
Sunken complex near FFC. Latin clubs, live music, craft beer halls. Younger crowd.
🔊Techno
44KW / ALL Club
Underground electronic music. 44KW = Shanghai's mini Berghain; ALL for experimental.
💰 Budget (per person)
Backpacker / Mid-range / Luxury
| Category | 💚 Budget | ✨ Mid-range | 💎 Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏨Hotel (3 nights) | ¥240-600 | ¥1,800-3,600 | ¥6,000+ |
| 🍜Food & Drink | ¥300-500 | ¥900-1,600 | ¥2,800+ |
| 🚇Transport | ¥60-120 | ¥150-300 | ¥500+ |
| 🎫Attractions | ¥130-300 | ¥400-600 | ¥800+ |
| 🍸Drinks & Nightlife | ¥100-200 | ¥400-800 | ¥1,600+ |
| Total | ¥830-1,720 | ¥3,650-6,900 | ¥11,700+ |
Per person, 4 days. Prices as of June 2026.
🏨 Recommended Hotels
| 💎 | Luxury | The Peninsula Shanghai | Bund | ¥2,500+ |
| 💎 | Luxury | Waldorf Astoria Shanghai | Bund | ¥2,000+ |
| ✨ | Mid-Range | Mansion Hotel (马勒别墅) | Jing'an | ¥700-1,200 |
| ✨ | Mid-Range | Swissôtel Grand | Jing'an | ¥600-1,000 |
| 🎒 | Budget | Mingtown Hiker Youth Hostel | Bund area | ¥80-200 |
| 🎒 | Budget | Le Tour Traveler's Rest | French Concession | ¥80-150 |
🗺️ Full Guide
🍜
Where to Eat
- Nanxiang Mantou Dian (南翔馒头店)
The 1900 original xiaolongbao at Yu Garden. Go upstairs to sit down. ¥60-100.
- Jia Jia Tang Bao (佳家汤包)
Local cult favorite, crab roe XLB. Cash queue — go 7:30 AM. ¥30-50.
- Yang's Fried Dumpling (小杨生煎)
Crispy-bottom shengjianbao with soup inside. ¥20-30 for 4.
- Lost Heaven (花马天堂)
Atmospheric Yunnan cuisine, temple-like setting. ¥150-200.
- Din Tai Fung (Xintiandi)
Polished, English-friendly XLB chain. ¥80-120.
- Hairy Crab (Sept-Nov)
Steamed with vinegar + ginger. ¥150-400/crab at a proper restaurant.
🍸
Where to Drink
- Flair Rooftop (Ritz-Carlton 58F)
Highest rooftop bar in China. Bund + Pudong views. ¥120-150. Smart casual.
- Speak Low (Fuxing Rd)
Speakeasy behind a secret bookcase. Asia's 50 Best Bars. ¥100-130.
- Sober Company (Yandang Rd)
Café → Kitchen → Society hidden bar, unlock each floor. ¥90-120.
- Boxing Cat Brewery
Shanghai's original craft brewery (2008). Liquid Fences IPA. ¥50-70/pint.
- Huxinting Teahouse (湖心亭)
1784 teahouse in Yu Garden's lake, reached by zigzag bridge. ¥68-128 tea set.
- House of Blues & Jazz
Shanghai's oldest live jazz bar (1995). ¥80-120 + ¥100 cover weekends.
🎯
Things to Do
- Bund Promenade (sunrise & sunset)
Walk Waibaidu Bridge to Shiliupu Wharf. Light show 19:00-21:00.
- Shanghai Museum
World-class ancient Chinese art. Free, book 2-3 days ahead on WeChat.
- Wukang Road photo walk
1.2km plane-tree tunnel + Wukang Mansion. Golden hour is magic.
- Tianzifang & Xintiandi
Two faces of shikumen — bohemian maze vs polished upscale.
- M50 Art District
Former textile mill turned galleries. Grittier than Beijing's 798. Free.
- Maglev train
PVG to Longyang Rd in 7 min at 430km/h — world's fastest commercial train. ¥50.
🌙
Nightlife
- Bund
Rooftop bars, jazz lounges, fine dining. Best first night. Dress well.
- French Concession
Speakeasies, wine bars, live music. Best relaxed second night.
- Xintiandi
Open-air dining + bars. Popular with expats & date nights.
- Found 158 (大同坊)
Underground complex: Latin clubs, live music, craft beer. Younger crowd.
- 44KW / ALL Club
Techno + underground electronic. 44KW = Shanghai's mini Berghain.
🏨
Where to Stay
- French Concession
Tree-lined, café culture, walkable. ¥600-2,000. Best for atmosphere & couples.
- Bund Area
Iconic waterfront, luxury hotels. ¥1,200-4,000. First-timers, photographers.
- Jing'an
Central, business hotels, great metro. ¥500-1,500. Convenience.
- People's Square
Museums, Nanjing Road, transit hub. ¥400-1,200. Budget travelers.
🚄
Getting Around
- Metro
19 lines, English signage, ¥3-8. Use Alipay transit QR. The best way around.
- Maglev
PVG ↔ Longyang Rd, 7 min, ¥50. World's fastest commercial train.
- DiDi
English version. ¥25-60 most cross-city trips.
- High-Speed Rail
Hongqiao Station — Hangzhou 1h, Suzhou 25min, Beijing 4.5h.
- Walking + Bikes
FFC & the Bund are walkable. Meituan/Hello bikes everywhere.
✅ Pre-Departure Checklist
Tick these off before you leave home
⚠️ Heads-Up & Things to Avoid
- ⚠Google Maps, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp are blocked without a VPN. Install BEFORE arriving.
- ⚠Shengjianbao and XLB are full of scalding soup — bite a small hole and slurp first.
- ⚠Metro stops around 23:00 — use DiDi after that (¥25-60 most trips).
- ⚠Bars rarely accept foreign cards or cash — Alipay / WeChat Pay only.
- ⚠Summers (Jul-Aug) are hot, humid and can flood. Always carry an umbrella.
- ⚠Emergency: 110 (police) · 120 (ambulance) · 119 (fire) · 12367 (immigration, English available)
🎯 Shanghai Attraction Guides
One in-depth guide per sight: tickets, transport, walking route, photo spots and pitfalls
Shanghai Disneyland
A full-day Disney resort with Zootopia, TRON and a vast storybook castle — plan tickets, identity documents and transport before leaving central Shanghai.
The Bund & Nanjing Road
Shanghai's classic free waterfront walk: historic Bund facades, Pudong skyline views and the neon energy of Nanjing Road.
Yu Garden
A compact Ming-style garden of rockeries, halls and ponds beside the usually free Nine-Turn Bridge and Yuyuan Bazaar public areas.
Former French Concession Walk
A free self-guided walk through plane-tree avenues, lane houses, Wukang Mansion, cafés and Shanghai's layered twentieth-century streetscape.
Shanghai Tower
A 632-metre Shanghai landmark with a 118th-floor observation experience at about 546 metres above ground and broad Huangpu River views.
Sort Your Visa First
Entry rules that matter for this city, including visa-free transit options.
Visa240-Hour TransitHow China's 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit works in 2026: eligible nationalities, the 60+ entry ports, how the clock is counted, cross-province travel rules, onward-ticket requirements and common mistakes.VisaEntry PortsComplete list of the airports, land and sea ports where China's 240-hour visa-free transit applies in 2026, which provinces they serve, and how to plan an open-jaw itinerary that enters and exits at different cities.
Where to Go Next
Routes travellers actually take from here — with rail times and why the pairing works.
Gardens & CanalsSuzhouJust 30 minutes by high-speed rail — classical gardens as a half-day escape.West Lake & TeaHangzhouOne hour by rail to West Lake, the most painted landscape in China.Imperial CapitalBeijingThe other half of the classic pairing: 4.5 hours by rail to the imperial capital.Ming CapitalNanjing1.5 hours up the line to the Ming capital — the easiest history day trip from Shanghai.
Before You Go
The practical guides you'll want open on your phone while you're here.
High-Speed RailHow to use China's high-speed rail network as a foreign visitor: booking with a passport, what G, D, C, K and T trains mean, seat classes compared, station procedures, luggage rules and the routes worth taking.Paying in ChinaComplete guide to paying in China as a foreign visitor: setting up Alipay and WeChat Pay with an overseas card, the 3% fee threshold, whether cash still works, ATM charges, tipping, and what to do when a payment is declined.Taxis & DidiHow to get around by car in China as a visitor: using Didi without a Chinese account, street taxi fares, the scams to know about, airport transfers, and when the metro beats a taxi.Hotels & check-inWhy some Chinese hotels refuse foreign guests, how police registration works, what to book and where, Airbnb legality, deposits, and how to avoid arriving somewhere that cannot check you in.Food DeliveryHow to order food delivery in China as a visitor: using Meituan and Ele.me through Alipay, delivery costs and times, what to order, hotel delivery logistics, and workarounds when the app is Chinese-only.
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GoChinaTravel Editorial Team
Our team of China travel researchers combines on-the-ground contributor insights, official government sources, and traveler community feedback to create the most detailed English-language China guides available. Every guide is fact-checked against primary sources (NIA, 12367, official attraction websites, Railway 12306) before publication.