Shanghai is where China looks forward. A century of colonial architecture faces a skyline from the future across one river bend, and in between sit plane-tree lanes, dumpling counters and some of Asia's best bars. Three days is enough to feel all of it — the waterfront, the concessions, and the old city. Here's the plan.
In this guide
Day 1 — The Bund & Pudong
- The Bund — start on the waterfront promenade, a mile of 1920s banking palaces facing the river.
- Ferry across — take the cheap public ferry rather than the metro; it's the best five minutes on the water.
- Pudong skyline — go up the Shanghai Tower (China's tallest) or the Jin Mao for the view back over the city.
- Bund at night — return after dark, when the whole skyline lights up. Dinner on a rooftop terrace if the weather's kind.
Day 2 — The Former French Concession
- Plane-tree lanes — Wukang Road and the streets around it: 1920s villas, boutiques, coffee, no rush.
- Tianzifang or Xintiandi — restored shikumen lane houses, now galleries, shops and restaurants.
- Jing'an Temple — a gold-roofed temple sitting incongruously among skyscrapers.
- Evening — the concession is the city's best dinner-and-drinks neighbourhood; stay local.
This is a walking day. The French Concession rewards wandering more than ticking off sights — which is exactly the kind of half-day a good local guide can turn into the highlight of your trip. Design my trip →
Day 3 — Old City & a water town
- Yu Garden — a classical Ming garden of rockeries, ponds and pavilions in the heart of the Old City.
- Old City bazaar — busy, touristy and fun; come early and eat the soup dumplings.
- Zhujiajiao — a canal town of stone bridges and boats, about an hour out; the easiest escape from the city.
- Or go further — Suzhou (25 min by bullet train) for the great classical gardens, or Hangzhou (~1h) for West Lake.
At a glance
| Day | Morning | Afternoon / evening |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | The Bund → ferry across the river | Shanghai Tower → Bund by night |
| Day 2 | French Concession lanes → Wukang Rd | Tianzifang / Xintiandi → dinner & drinks |
| Day 3 | Yu Garden → Old City & dumplings | Zhujiajiao water town (or Suzhou) |
Getting around & good to know
- Metro — the best in China: fast, cheap, English signage, reaches both airports. Pay by phone.
- Maglev — the 430 km/h airport train from Pudong is a ride worth taking once for its own sake.
- Walk the centre — the Bund and the concessions are small enough to explore on foot; that's the point.
- Eat local — xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), shengjianbao (pan-fried buns) and Jiangnan cooking are the city's signatures. See our food guide.
- Pair it with Beijing — 4.5 hours apart by high-speed train; together they make the classic first China trip.
Want this trip, done for you? We'll book the towers and the tables, pair Shanghai with Beijing or the water towns, and give you a guide who knows which lane to turn down. Design my Shanghai trip →