Shanghai

How many days: 4

Spend your first day exploring the Bund, Nanjing Road and the historic centre. Use the second for Pudong, riverside views and a major museum or observation point. Leave time to see the skyline after dark.

On the third day, explore the former French Concession and nearby neighbourhoods. Use the fourth for Yu Garden, additional museums or a longer excursion to a nearby water town. Four days gives you a good balance of major sights and ordinary city life.

What to do in Shanghai

Walk along the Bund

See Shanghai's historic waterfront buildings facing the modern Pudong skyline across the Huangpu River. Visit in daylight and again after dark for contrasting views.

Explore Yu Garden

Visit this classical Chinese garden with pavilions, ponds, rockeries and traditional landscaping. The surrounding old-city streets are also worth exploring.

See the skyline from Pudong

Walk among the towers of Lujiazui and consider visiting an official observation deck for broad city views. Clear weather makes a difference.

Wander the former French Concession

Explore leafy streets, older residential architecture and smaller neighbourhood shops. It offers a calmer contrast to Shanghai's busiest commercial districts.

Visit the Shanghai Museum

Discover Chinese art and cultural collections, including ceramics, painting and historical objects. Check which museum site and exhibitions are accessible.

Walk along Nanjing Road

Explore one of Shanghai's principal shopping streets, where historic commercial buildings sit beside modern retail. It is especially lively in the evening.

Explore the riverside promenades

Walk along accessible stretches of the Huangpu River beyond the busiest Bund section. These paths provide different perspectives on the city.

Visit a nearby water town

Take a day or half-day excursion to a traditional canal settlement such as Zhujiajiao. Bridges, waterways and old lanes provide a change from central Shanghai.

Discover Jing'an Temple

Visit this prominent Buddhist temple surrounded by modern city buildings. The contrast between religious architecture and busy streets is striking.

Explore Tianzifang's lanes

Walk through a compact network of older lanes with small shops and creative spaces. It can be crowded, but the architecture is worth noticing.

What to eat and drink

Try xiaolongbao

These delicate steamed dumplings contain savoury filling and hot broth. Take care with the first bite because the soup can be very hot.

Eat shengjianbao

Try pan-fried buns with crisp bases and juicy fillings. They are a popular Shanghai breakfast or snack.

Sample scallion oil noodles

Simple noodles dressed with fragrant scallion oil and savoury seasoning are a local comfort food. They are ideal for a quick lunch.

Try Shanghai-style braised pork

Enjoy tender pork cooked in a glossy sweet-savoury sauce. It is rich and best shared with rice and vegetables.

Eat freshwater fish dishes

Shanghai's regional cooking includes fish prepared with ginger, soy and other delicate seasonings. Ask what is available and how it is cooked.

Enjoy a Chinese tea experience

Try green, oolong or other Chinese teas in a relaxed setting. Avoid unsolicited invitations from strangers to expensive tasting experiences.

Getting around

Shanghai's metro network is extensive, clearly structured and generally the most efficient way to cross the city. Walking is enjoyable around the Bund, former French Concession and historic neighbourhoods, but distances between districts are substantial. Taxis and ride-hailing services are useful for shorter journeys or when carrying luggage. Use a suitable Chinese mapping app for accurate routes.

You can cross the Huangpu River using metro services, road transport or selected ferry routes. Water towns outside the centre require a longer journey by rail, road or organised excursion. The city's airports and railway stations are spread across different locations, so check your departure terminal carefully and allow enough transfer time.

Good to know

• Prepare an accepted digital payment method, as mobile payments are widely used.
• Carry required identification for transport, accommodation and some attractions.
• Some international online services are restricted in mainland China, so prepare alternatives.
• Summers can be very hot and humid, with heavy rain and occasional severe storms.
• Popular museums and viewpoints may require advance reservations through official channels.
• Avoid unofficial taxi approaches and unsolicited invitations to tea ceremonies or shopping venues.