5 days in Shanghai

Day by day

1. Day 1: The Bund and Nanjing Road

   The Bund, Nanjing Road and Shanghai Museum, then Oriental Pearl Tower in the evening.

   1. Morning

      The Bund

      Come twice: at sunrise, when locals practise tai chi on the promenade, and after dark for the lit-up skyline. (1–2 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Nanjing Road

      Walk it after dark from People's Square towards the river so you finish with the lit-up Bund. (1 hour, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Soup dumplings

      Old dumpling houses around Yu Garden and People's Square, and the dumpling shops along Huanghe Road; queues signal turnover and freshness.

   4. Afternoon

      Shanghai Museum

      Start with the bronze gallery on the ground floor, then take the lift to the ceramics and furniture rooms before the crowds build. (2–3 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Oriental Pearl Tower

      Combine it with the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium next door for a family morning in Lujiazui.

2. Day 2: Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower

   Yu Garden, Shanghai Tower and Shanghai Disneyland, then Huangpu River cruise in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Yu Garden

      Arrive at opening on a weekday; by late morning tour groups fill the narrow paths. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Shanghai Tower

      Check the air quality and cloud base before buying; on hazy days the view from the Bund is better than from the top. (1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pan-fried pork buns

      Specialist shengjian chains and corner shops across the city, especially at breakfast and lunch.

   4. Afternoon

      Shanghai Disneyland

      Weekdays outside Chinese school holidays have far shorter queues; download the official app to see waiting times. (Full day, expensive).

   5. Evening

      Huangpu River cruise

      For a cheap version, take the public ferry between the Bund side and Lujiazui; it crosses in a few minutes for a couple of yuan.

3. Day 3: Former French Concession walk and Fuxing Park

   Former French Concession walk, Fuxing Park and Xintiandi, then The Bund in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Former French Concession walk

      Start at Wukang Mansion and finish at Fuxing Park; autumn, when the plane trees turn yellow, is the best season. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Fuxing Park

      Go before 9am to see the park at its liveliest, when dancers and tai chi groups fill the paths. (45 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Red-braised pork belly

      Long-established benbang restaurants in Huangpu and the former French Concession; order it with plain rice.

   4. Afternoon

      Xintiandi

      Visit in the early evening for a drink on a terrace, then walk 15 minutes south to Tianzifang. (1–2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      The Bund

      Rooftop bars and terrace restaurants in the heritage buildings, with skyline views and dress codes to match.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Suzhou

   About 30 minutes by high-speed train each way. Getting there: High-speed train from Shanghai or Hongqiao stations.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Suzhou

      About 30 minutes by high-speed train (High-speed train from Shanghai or Hongqiao stations); about 100 km.

   2. Day

      Suzhou

      Suzhou's UNESCO-listed classical gardens, including the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Lingering Garden, are masterpieces of rockery, water and pavilions. Best for culture, couples and first-timers.

   3. Evening

      Back in Shanghai

      Dinner: try Scallion oil noodles.

5. Day 5: Tianzifang and Jing'an Temple

   Tianzifang, Jing'an Temple and Jade Buddha Temple, then Former French Concession in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Tianzifang

      Explore the lanes furthest from the main Taikang Road entrance, where the shops are quieter and more interesting. (1–2 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Jing'an Temple

      Toss a coin at the bronze urn in the main courtyard as worshippers do, and visit late afternoon when the gold roofs catch the light. (45 minutes, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Scallion oil noodles

      Neighbourhood noodle shops; often served alongside a bowl of wontons.

   4. Afternoon

      Jade Buddha Temple

      Have a bowl of vegetarian noodles at the temple's restaurant after your visit. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Former French Concession

      Cocktail bars, wine bars and craft-beer spots around Yongkang Road, Fumin Road and Julu Road.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Shanghai Disneyland and Shanghai Museum before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, The Bund and People's Square keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Former French Concession ($$$) suits couples, food lovers, nightlife, solo travellers and culture. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 23–31 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.1 hours in December to 14.2 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Shanghai
• 2 days in Shanghai
• 3 days in Shanghai

Questions travellers ask