Shanghai
The Paris of the East
Welcome to Shanghai! A dazzling blend of East and West, tradition and hyper-modernity. This guide covers the essential 5-day itinerary, local cuisine, transportation, and accommodation tips. Adjust according to your needs.
1. Attractions
Tap copy & paste icon at the right side of attraction name and paste in map app to see the location.
Note: Some major attractions require reservations even with tickets. Be sure to use Trip.com to purchase and reserve simultaneously
Day 1: The Iconic Skyline
The Bund (Waitan) (外滩)
The most famous waterfront promenade featuring historic colonial architecture facing the modern skyline.
Cost:Free
Hours:Open all day
Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street (南京路步行街)
China's premier shopping street, bustling with neon lights, malls, and old-time brands.
Cost:Free
Hours:Shops 10:00 – 22:00
Day 2: Modern Lujiazui
Shanghai Tower (上海中心大厦)
The tallest building in China; the observation deck on the 118th floor offers a bird's-eye view.
Oriental Pearl Tower (东方明珠塔)
The retro-futuristic symbol of Shanghai featuring a transparent glass floor observatory.
Day 3: Old Shanghai Tradition
Yu Garden (Yuyuan) (豫园)
A classical Chinese garden dating back to the Ming Dynasty with exquisite rockeries and ponds.
Cost:40 CNY (Peak)
Hours:9:00 – 16:30 (Closed Mon)
City God Temple & Old Street (城隍庙 & 老街)
A vibrant commercial area surrounding the garden, famous for traditional architecture and gold shops.
Cost:Free (Temple ~10 CNY)
Hours:8:30 – 16:30
Tianzifang (田子坊)
Creative Alleys & Global Eats Explore a maze of historic lanes packed with designer boutiques, vintage jewels, and niche scents. A vibrant hub where local snacks meet chic bistros and cozy cafes
Cost:Free
Hours:Open all day
Day 4: Art & The French Concession
Former French Concession (法租界)
Tree-lined avenues, European villas, and hipster cafes; perfect for a walking tour (Wukang Road).
Cost:Free
Hours:Open all day
Jing’an Temple (静安寺)
A stunning golden temple located right in the middle of modern skyscrapers and malls.
Cost:50 CNY
Hours:7:30 – 17:00
Day 5: Water Towns or Disney
Zhujiajiao Water Town (朱家角古镇)
The 'Venice of Shanghai,' an ancient town with stone bridges and canals just an hour away by metro.
Cost:Free (Boat ~60-80 CNY)
Hours:Open all day
Shanghai Disneyland (上海迪士尼乐园)
The largest Disney park in Asia with the massive Enchanted Storybook Castle.
2. Family & Kids
⚠️ Essential Booking Tip: Like Beijing, most popular spots in Shanghai (especially the Astronomy Museum) require advance booking via WeChat. The Astronomy Museum is notoriously hard to book—ask your hotel concierge for help as soon as bookings open.
Shanghai Astronomy Museum (上海天文馆)
The largest astronomy museum in the world! It’s visually spectacular. Don't miss the giant Earth and Sun models in the "Home" zone, the stunning "Interstellar" corridor, and the "Odyssey" zone featuring the Chang'e-5 and Tianhe Core Module models.
Cost:~30 CNY (Adult), ~15 CNY (Student). Kids under 1.3m or age 6 are free.
Hours:Tue–Sun, 09:30–16:00 (Closed Mon).
Location:Pudong New Area (Lingang Avenue).
📍 Pro Tip:The 8K Dome Theater (~40 CNY) and the "Heading to Mars" interactive experience are amazing but require separate reservations that sell out instantly.
Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park (上海海昌海洋公园)
A massive marine theme park. The absolute highlight is the Orca (Killer Whale) Show. Kids also love the 360° panoramic Penguin Pavilion, the underwater "Mermaid" performance, and the Dolphin/Sea Lion shows.
Cost:~299 CNY (Adult), ~99 CNY (Child 3-11). Check for afternoon or family package deals.
Hours:Typically 09:30–17:00 (Night sessions avail. seasonally).
Location:Pudong New Area (Nanhui New Town).
📍 Pro Tip:The park is huge. Arrive early and prioritize the showtimes for the Orcas and Mermaid performance.
Shanghai Natural History Museum (上海自然博物馆)
Located beautifully within a sculpture park. The stars of the show are the massive Yellow River Elephant fossil and the Mamenchisaurus dinosaur. The "River of Life" exhibit is visually stunning. Perfect for dinosaur and animal lovers aged 3+.
Cost:~30 CNY (Adult). Free for kids under 3.
Hours:Tue–Sun, 09:00–17:00 (Last entry 16:00).
Location:Jing'an District (Inside Jing'an Sculpture Park).
📍 Pro Tip:Since it's downtown, you can easily combine this with a walk through the surrounding Sculpture Park.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center (上海乐高乐园)
Ideal for younger children (toddlers to primary school). Unlike a massive theme park, this is an indoor playground featuring Miniland, LEGO building zones, and interactive play areas. It is less thrilling but very safe and engaging for little ones.
Cost:Book in advance for ~10% discount.
Hours:10:00–18:00.
Location:Songjiang District (G60 Avenue).
📍 Pro Tip:Great rainy day option since it is primarily indoors.
Shanghai Science and Technology Museum (上海科技馆)
A Shanghai classic, now completely reimagined. Over 85% of the exhibits are brand new with a heavy focus on futuristic sci-fi themes. The cinemas and facilities have all been upgraded for a better family experience.
Cost:45 CNY (Adult), 22 CNY (Student).
Hours:Tue–Sun, 09:00–17:00 (Trial ops start Feb 2026).
Location:Pudong (Century Avenue, Subway Line 2).
📍 Pro Tip:Expect huge crowds during the opening months. Subway Line 2 stops directly at the museum (Science & Technology Museum Station).
3. Food
Tap copy & paste icon at the right side of food name and paste in Dianping app to find restaurants.
Note: Food items may contain allergens. Please confirm with restaurant staff directly
Shanghai Staples (Benbang Cuisine)
Xiao Long Bao
小笼包
Delicate dumpling skin filled with pork and hot savory soup. Try Nanxiang or Jia Jia Tang Bao.
Shengjian Mantou
生煎馒头
Crispy bottom, fluffy top, and juicy meat filling. Try Xiaoyang Dumpling.
Hardcore Feasts
Red Braised Pork
红烧肉
Sweet and savory pork belly braised in soy sauce and sugar.
Hairy Crab
大闸蟹
Prized for its golden roe. Best in Autumn/Winter.
Snacks & Breakfast
Scallion Oil Noodles
葱油拌面
Simple noodles tossed in aromatic scallion-infused oil and soy sauce.
Ci Fan Tuan
粢饭团
Sticky rice rolls filled with fried dough (youtiao) and pickles.
4. Transportation
Arrival
- Air:
Hongqiao (SHA): Closest to city center; Line 2 (20-30 mins to Jing’an/People’s Sq) is best. Avoid peak-hour taxis.
Pudong (PVG): Major international/Disney hub; Line 2 (60-70 mins) or Maglev (8 mins to Longyang Rd; 40-50 RMB).
Airport Link Line: Both airports linked by this line (40 mins; 26 RMB), which is much faster than Metro for airport-to-airport transfers or reaching Hongqiao Railway Station.Check flights via
- Train:
Shanghai Hongqiao: Largest hub; primarily high-speed (G/D trains). Directly connected to Hongqiao Airport, making it the best choice for flight-to-train transfers.
Shanghai Station: Located in central Jing'an; closest to top sights like the Bund and Nanjing Road. Handles high-speed, bullet, and regular trains.
Shanghai South: Futuristic circular station; primary choice for regional travel to Zhejiang/Jiangsu (e.g., Hangzhou or Suzhou) and often the more budget-friendly option.Check trains via
City Transport
- Metro: Massive and efficient. Use Alipay or Metro Daduhui app.
- Ferry: Scenic ride from The Bund to Lujiazui (2 CNY).
- Ride Hailing: Use DiDi via Alipay/WeChat.
5. Where to Stay
The Bund / Nanjing East Rd
First Timer's Choice. Close to sights, but crowded.
Jing'an / French Concession
Vibe Choice. Trendy cafes, bars, relaxed atmosphere.
Lujiazui
Luxury Choice. Skyscrapers and epic views.
Xintiandi
Upscale dining and historic architecture.
6. Essential Tips
💡 Top Tips
- Apps: Install Alipay and WeChat. Link your card. Essential for everything.
- Maglev: Stops running around 21:30. Check schedule.
- Reservations: Shanghai Museum & Astronomy Museum need booking days in advance.
- Weather: Humid. Plum Rain Season in June/July. Best time is Oct-Nov.
- Medical Tourism: refer latest Fudan hospital ranking at: Fudan Hospital Rankings