How many days · Shanghai · China
How many days do you need in Shanghai?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Stefan Fussan, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
4 days is the sweet spot for Shanghai, and 3 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Three days covers the Bund, Yu Garden, Lujiazui, the Shanghai Museum and a French Concession walk. A fourth day adds galleries on the West Bund or a day trip to Suzhou or Zhujiajiao; a week lets you add Hangzhou and a night in a canal town.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 4 days
- Minimum
- 3 days
- Day trips available
- 5
- Daylight
- 10.1 h (Dec) to 14.2 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Tower and Oriental Pearl Tower |
| 2 days | Rushed | Oriental Pearl Tower, Nanjing Road and Huangpu River cruise |
| 3 days | Good | Shanghai Disneyland, Shanghai Museum and Former French Concession walk |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Suzhou |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Suzhou and Hangzhou and West Lake |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Shanghai add up to roughly 21–29 hours of visiting time — about 3–4 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Shanghai Disneyland (Full day), Former French Concession walk (Half a day) and Shanghai Museum (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| The Bund | 1–2 hours | The Bund and People's Square |
| Yu Garden | 1.5–2 hours | Old City (Yuyuan) |
| Shanghai Tower | 1.5 hours | Lujiazui (Pudong) |
| Oriental Pearl Tower | 1.5–2 hours | Lujiazui (Pudong) |
| Nanjing Road | 1 hour | The Bund and People's Square |
| Huangpu River cruise | 1 hour | The Bund and People's Square |
| Shanghai Disneyland | Full day | Pudong |
| Shanghai Museum | 2–3 hours | The Bund and People's Square |
| Former French Concession walk | Half a day | Former French Concession |
| Xintiandi | 1–2 hours | Xintiandi and Tianzifang |
| Tianzifang | 1–2 hours | Xintiandi and Tianzifang |
| Jing'an Temple | 45 minutes | Jing'an |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 4 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 3 days | Focus on The Bund and Yu Garden |
| With children | 5 days | Slower days and time for Shanghai Disneyland |
| With day trips | 6 days | Add Suzhou and Hangzhou and West Lake |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 10.1 hours of daylight) than in June (about 14.2 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Shanghai with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 3 days enough in Shanghai?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 4 days is more comfortable. Three days covers the Bund, Yu Garden, Lujiazui, the Shanghai Museum and a French Concession walk. A fourth day adds galleries on the West Bund or a day trip to Suzhou or Zhujiajiao; a week lets you add Hangzhou and a night in a canal town.
+Is a week too long in Shanghai?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Suzhou and Hangzhou and West Lake.