Why is Shanghai called the Magic City? You will know when you come! 👀Here you can feel the future, here you can feel the bright lights and prosperity of the metropolis. I never truly believed it until I stood on the Bund myself—Shanghai’s glitz and glamour unfolded right before my eyes. It was absolutely breathtaking! Today, I’m sharing a few must-visit Shanghai travel routes, you'll have so much fun here, won't want to go home!! Save this now!
I remember my last trip to Shanghai, where I planned for about 3 to 4 days. But if I get another chance to visit, I’d love to add 2 more days so I can explore nearby places like Suzhou, Hangzhou, and some ancient water towns. So, how can you plan the perfect trip to Shanghai? Here are some tips:
Hope you have an amazing trip in Shanghai! 🎉🚄🍜
Attractions in Shanghai
Here are some of the main attractions in Shanghai, you can choose the ones you are interested in:
| Attraction | Features | Ticket Price | Opening hours |
| The Bund | Dazzling lights | Free (some areas) | Open all day |
| Oriental Pearl Tower | Modern and stylish | ¥180 (Adult), ¥120 (Child) | 9:00-21:00 |
| Shanghai Tower | Panoramic city views | ¥180 (Adult), ¥120 (Child) | 8:30-22:00 |
| Yu Garden | Chinese garden | ¥40 (Adult), ¥20 (Child) | 9:00-16:00 |
| Nanjing Road | A shopper's paradise | Free | Open all day |
| Shanghai Museum | Modern and traditional Chinese art collections | ¥30 (Adult), Free (Under 18) | 9:00-17:00, Closed on Monday |
| Jing'an Temple | Tranquility in the city | ¥30 (Adult) | 7:30-17:00 |
| Tianzifang | Galleries, cafes, and unique shops | Free (for walking around) | Open all day |
| Shanghai Disneyland | A fairy-tale world | ¥399-¥799 (Adult, varies by date) | 8:30-21:30 |
| Shanghai Wild Animal Park | Family-friendly activities | ¥45 (Adult), ¥23 (Child) | 9:00-17:00 |
Itinerary Shanghai
I’ve put together three itineraries for different trip durations—pick the one that suits you best!🤗
Itinerary 1 ( 2-Day Itinerary)
📍Day 1:
North Bund Riverside Greenery → Ping An Li → Shanghai Postal Museum → Zhapu Road Bridge → Waibaidu Bridge → The Peninsula Shanghai → Shamei Building → Reiss & Co. Building → The Bund → Sunset Promenade → Lujiazui
📍Day 2:
Xujiahui Cathedral → Intersection of Taiyuan Road & Yongjia Road → Wukang Mansion → Wukang Road → Anfu Road → Jing'an Temple → Moller Villa → Huaihai Middle Road
Itinerary 2 (3-Day Itinerary)
📍 Day 1:
Nanjing Road → Oriental Pearl Tower → Lujiazui → The Bund
📍 Day 2:
Wukang Road → Xintiandi → Yuyuan Road → Yu Garden → City God Temple
📍 Day 3:
People's Square → 1933 Old Millfun → Duolun Road → Sweet Love Road → Lu Xun Park
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Itinerary 3 (Ultimate 4-Day Itinerary)
📍 Day 1:
Shanghai Postal Museum → Suzhou River Café → Rockbund → Zhapu Road Bridge → Beijing East Road (The Peninsula, Dianchi Road) → The Bund Viewpoint → The Bund
👉Grab a cup of coffee along the way, explore Rockbund, and end the night enjoying the sea breeze and city lights at The Bund.
📍 Day 2:
Shanghai Disneyland
👉Wear comfy shoes and casual clothes because you’ll be walking A LOT!
📍 Day 3:
Wukang Road (1.1km) → Anfu Road (1.9km) → Huaihai Middle Road (1.4km) → Xintiandi (2.2km) → Yuyuan Garden & City God Temple
🎈Stop by the Shanghai Postal Museum to grab a postcard, then stroll through stylish streets with hidden boutiques. Along the way, you’ll find Wang Hedi’s store, BM, GM, and other trendy shops!
📍 Day 4:
Jing’an Temple → Lujiazui & IFC Mal
👉Jing’an Temple is surrounded by beautiful malls, and in the evening, head up the Oriental Pearl Tower for a final breathtaking night view of Shanghai!
🥳Perfect way to plan your trip!
Things to do in Shanghai
Classic Shanghai Must-dos：
1. Stroll along Wukang Road, immerse yourself in Shanghai’s history and culture, and admire the charm of old Western-style houses. This is the ultimate spot for photos! You’ll find plenty of people capturing memories here—haha! 📸Come take stunning pictures and share them on Instagram. There are many cafes and unique shops nearby, though the prices are on the higher side.
2. Take a Huangpu River night cruise, experience Shanghai’s history and dazzling skyline on its wide waters. As I sat on the boat, a song came to mind: Night Shanghai~ Night Shanghai~you are a city that never sleeps…🤩
3. My top pick for a must-visit museum! 👍Visit the Shanghai Museum, you can explore Shanghai’s development history and even take part in some interesting activities.
4. Spend a magical day at Shanghai Disneyland, having fun with Mickey, Minnie, and your favorite Disney characters. Here, we have the chance to relive our childhood and meet the animated characters from our memories! Enjoy thrilling roller coasters!😜
5. Visit the Shanghai Wild Animal Park and enjoy a joyful time with adorable animals. There are lots of animals here, making it a perfect place to bring kids for a fun time!
6. Explore the Shanghai Botanical Garden, admire the blooming flowers, and embrace the romantic vibes of spring.
7. Indulge in local delicacies at Chenghuang Temple Food Street, and experience the charm of Shanghai’s nightlife. Here’s a little tips👀: the snacks at the beginning of the alley are more expensive, but the farther you go, the cheaper they get!🥰
8. Shop at Nanjing East Road Pedestrian Street. This is known as a shopping paradise. Walking down Nanjing Road, I really get that feeling of the city lights just coming on. There’s so much delicious food and fun to be had, I feel like my wallet might go bankrupt!🤣
Unique Experiences in Shanghai You Must Try!
In addition to these classic tourist spots, let me share a few special activities with you:
1. "Sleep No More" – An Immersive Theater Experience
- A 3-hour interactive performance with no dialogue, relying solely on actors' body language and dramatic intensity.
- The overall experience was amazing!! The actors' performances and dedication were truly impressive! Highly recommended! By the way, I suggest reading the story summary in advance for a better experience and understanding.
2. Candor – A Vintage-Themed Immersive Show & Party
- A 2-hour show divided into 3-4 segments, each lasting around 20 minutes, followed by a 20-minute break before the next act.
- The Babylon-themed performance I attended featured six performers, with lots of audience interaction.
- At the end of the show, the audience is invited on stage to dance, making it a super fun and immersive experience!!!
3. Disneyland – A Magical Escape from Reality
Shanghai Disneyland feels like a Neverland where you can press pause on reality. Maybe, Disney is the real world! Here are my top recommendations:
🎢 TOP 1: Wild Chase
The thrilling chase from Zootopia! 👀
Fun level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
With 3D animation effects, immerse yourself in the exciting pursuit of Zootopia! Feel the speed and thrill! 💨
🌍 TOP 2: Soaring Over the Horizon
A dream journey around the world! 🌏
Fun level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A must-try at Disney! Travel through time and space, check off breathtaking views from around the world—it feels like you're really traveling! 🚀
🎢 TOP 3: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
A gentle roller coaster, perfect even for the faint of heart! 😄
Fun level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
No need to worry, this roller coaster is for everyone! Come on an adventure with the seven dwarfs! 🏰
🏴☠️ TOP 4: Pirates of the Caribbean
A 5D immersive pirate adventure! 🌊
Fun level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It feels like you're on a pirate ship, embarking on a thrilling sailing adventure with Captain Jack! 🗺️
Popular attractions in Shanghai: Come to Shanghai and create unforgettable memories!
Transportation in Shanghai
✈ Airports
- Hongqiao Airport (SHA): Closer to the city, convenient transportation. You can take Metro Line 2/10, or airport buses to downtown.
- Pudong International Airport (PVG): Farther from the city but closer to Disneyland. Accessible by Metro Line 2, Maglev Train, or airport buses.
🚄 Train Stations
- Shanghai Railway Station: Metro Lines 1, 3, 4, and buses to the city.
- Hongqiao Railway Station: Metro Lines 2, 10, 17, and buses to the city.
- Shanghai West Railway Station: Metro Line 11 and buses available.
- Shanghai South Railway Station: Metro Lines 1, 3, 15 to the city.
🚆Transportation in the city
Transportation in Shanghai is very convenient. Honestly, there's no need to take a taxi— the metro is more than enough! Multiple lines connect the main areas and popular attractions. Buses and taxis are also easily available, providing convenient travel options. You can also try bike-sharing, which is affordable and convenient, allowing you to pick up and drop off bikes as you go.
Best Time to Visit Shanghai – Based on Experience, Weather & Cost
If you're planning a trip to Shanghai, the best times to visit in terms of weather, crowd levels, and cost-effectiveness are:
1️⃣ Mid-to-late March to April (excluding the Qingming Festival holiday)
2️⃣ May, after the Labor Day holiday
3️⃣ Mid-to-late October to November, after the National Day holiday
4️⃣ September, after the summer break when students return to school
Why These Periods?
- Comfortable weather – Not too hot or too cold, making it pleasant for outdoor activities.
- Fewer crowds – You won’t have to deal with overwhelming tourist crowds, making sightseeing more enjoyable.
- Better experience – You’ll have more flexibility to visit attractions without long wait times.
- Lower costs – Accommodation and transportation prices are more reasonable compared to peak holiday seasons.
Of course, Shanghai is a great destination year-round, as it has a mild climate without extreme cold or heat. Even during peak seasons, as long as you enjoy the trip and find value in the experience, your journey will be meaningful and fulfilling! 🚀✨
Must-Try Foods in Shanghai
👍 Li Bai Crab: The signature crab roe noodles are a must-try! The noodles are topped with rich, fresh crab meat and creamy crab roe. The texture is chewy, and every bite is bursting with seafood flavor. Their drunken crab and sticky rice desserts are also highly recommended. Plus, you can enjoy the beautiful Bund view while dining!
Image from 365days2play.com
👍 Bund Family Feast : Authentic Shanghai cuisine! Every dish is so good that you'll finish everything on your plate. The restaurant offers an amazing view facing the Oriental Pearl Tower. Super worth it for the price!
👍 Xian De Lai Pork Ribs & Rice Cakes: Crispy deep-fried pork ribs paired with chewy rice cakes, all coated in a slightly spicy, sweet-savory sauce—absolutely delicious!
👍Yuxingji · Crab Roe Noodles: Recommended dishes: Crab Roe Noodles, Crab Roe Soup Dumplings, and Red Bean Rice Balls – all worth trying!
👍Shanghai Old Restaurant: Their Eight-Treasure Duck and Eight-Treasure Spicy Sauce are absolute must-tries!
Image from theculturetrip.com
👍Haling Noodle House: Their Bullfrog Noodles are the star of the menu! The bullfrog meat is tender and juicy, served in generous portions. The noodles soak up the rich, flavorful broth, making them incredibly savory and spicy!
Shanghai Travel Tips You Should Know!
What should I pay attention to when traveling to Shanghai for the first time?
✅The Bund lights up at 7 PM and turns off at 11 PM. If you're short on time, a cruise is a great option.
✅ Stay near Nanjing Road – It's food heaven, and it's super convenient to reach all major attractions.
✅ Avoid taking taxis in Shanghai – Traffic jams and parking are a hassle. The metro is fast, affordable, and covers almost all tourist spots.
✅ Hongqiao Airport is closer to downtown, while Pudong Airport is closer to Disneyland. For high-speed trains, choose Shanghai Railway Station or Hongqiao Railway Station.
✅ Jing’an Temple lights up only on Fridays, Saturdays, and national holidays, starting at 6 PM (but in hot weather, it might light up at 7 PM instead).
✅ Visit Wukang Mansion in the morning for fewer crowds. Afterward, explore Tian’ai Road, Huaihai Middle Road, and Yuyuan Road for a relaxing walk.
✅ For Disneyland, check for "Early Bird" tickets at least 10 days in advance. If you're staying overnight, Xujiahui is a great option—Metro Line 11 takes you directly to the park!
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Top areas to stay in Shanghai
When you land in Shanghai, the big question is: Where should you stay? Depending on the type of trip you're having, certain places are perfect for your stay:
🏨Hotels near The Bund / Hotels near Lujiazui Area – The best spot for stunning night views of Shanghai. If you stay in a high-rise hotel, you’ll get an unparalleled panoramic view
✅For example, you can stay at Shanghai Jinjiang Metropolo Classic East Nanjing Road Hotel, which is only 275 meters away from the Bund! !! You can directly get to the central area of Lujiazui
🏨Hotels near Tianzifang – A well-connected area with great public transport. It's surrounded by trendy boutique stores and charming cafés, perfect for those who love a stylish, artsy vibe.
✅Recommendation: You can stay in shanghai huxi Hotel, it is very close to Tianzifang! Only 149 meters away, and the price is very affordable!
🏨Hotels near Nanjing Road / Hotels near People's Square Area – Located in the city center, making it super convenient for transportation. You can walk to The Bund and Yuyuan Garden. However, accommodation here tends to be more expensive.
✅Recommendation: You can stay in JI Hotel (Shanghai The Bund Jiujiang Road). It is the closest hotel to Nanjing Road! It is very convenient to live here!
Popular Hotels in Shanghai
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Let's go to Shanghai now!
✨What are you waiting for? Don't just dream about it—take action! Pack your bags and come experience the dazzling glamour of Shanghai for yourself!