shanghai trip vlog

Shanghai 5-Day Itinerary (The Best of Shanghai)

Shanghai is a huge city with so much to see and do. Deciding what to do isn’t easy, so this Shanghai 5-day itinerary is here to help you…

This city is a bucket list destination for many. And, that’s not surprising given the spectacular skyline, incredible food and important history.

It’s a place where historic buildings and towering skyscrapers sit side by side. Where cultures collide and millions of people go about their lives.

Despite the international and modern feel, visiting Shanghai can still be overwhelming.

As such, this itinerary and guide is full of practical advice and recommendations for your Shanghai itinerary… All based on my experience in this incredible city!

Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a qualifying purchase.

Visiting Shanghai in 2024

China is only just reopening following years of strict measures and travel restrictions. As such, few international visitors have been there since early 2020.

And Shanghai will have inevitably changed. They’ll be new places and some will have closed.

Because of this, I’ve updated this guide as much as possible with the information I can find. But, some of it will be out of date.

Plus, it will take a while for tourist numbers to recover. The expat community is just a fraction of what it was before and it’s not as easy to get into China at the moment, as it was before.

Tourist Visa for China

Since early 2023, the China transit visa is back – allowing tourists from about 60 countries to stay in the country for up to 6 days.

However, things change quickly. For the most up-to-date information and testing requirements, check out the latest advice on your country’s government website.

If you’re not eligible for a transit visa, you’ll need to apply for a tourist visa from an embassy.

What You Need to Know Before Visiting Shanghai

It can be overwhelming to go on a vacation to Shanghai where the culture, language and laws are so different. But with a little preparation and research into what to expect, you can quickly get to grips.

Here are some key bits of information to help you have the best time…

Summers in Shanghai are Scorching Hot

In July and August, temperatures are often in the high 30s. And, when combined with smoggy or humid days can be really insufferable.

If you have a trip planned in the summer, you’ll want to minimise walking and time outdoors. Consider afternoon naps!

Say Goodbye to Google Maps

You’ll need to find a maps app that isn’t Google.

I used Maps.me, which worked perfectly and had all the functionality of Google Maps. This includes being able to star/favourite places and use pre-downloaded offline maps.

Cash is King for Tourists

Shanghai still operates a predominantly cash-based society for tourists. This is because most people use an app for payments that requires a Chinese phone number.

Withdraw cash from banks or ATMs in the city as you’ll need cash for restaurants and tourist attractions. The currency is the Renminbi, which uses units of Yuan.

ATMs are usually inside banks or buildings that have 24-hour access – and even have individual cubicles for total protection.

The availability of ATMs in Shanghai means you don’t need to carry large amounts of cash on you. Find a bank account that offers a 0% transaction fee on foreign withdrawals – then make small, regular withdrawals.

You’ll Feel Cut Off from the Outside World

Pretty much all Western news sites are banned in China. As well as all Western social media networks.

The ban on Google also means Android users can’t use Google Pay, Google Drive etc.

Get a VPN to keep an eye on the news and do research about where to go in Shanghai. Although these aren’t guaranteed to work.

Common Shanghai Myths: Debunked

Myth: you’ll have to use squat toilets in shanghai.

Reality: Not true, I found seated toilets in every public toilet block. Hotel bathrooms always had seated toilets.

And, while some public toilets did have a mix of both, you can simply choose what you are comfortable with. Importantly, and in my experience, accessible toilets offered the best chance of finding a seated toilet.

However, public toilets never provided toilet roll – so make sure to bring your own (or tissues).

Myth: The language barrier will be huge and will affect your experience in Shanghai

Reality: Shanghai is the Chinese city with the most foreign expats. As a result, if something is going to be translated into a second language, then that will be English.

The airports, Metro, museums and tourist attractions are very foreign-tourist friendly.

For local restaurants, the availability of an English menu was hit and miss. And most of the time the staff didn’t speak English. You can either learn the names of foods, use translation apps, or just eat somewhere else.

Myth: All the food is (very) spicy

Reality: Incorrect.

I think this misconception often comes from people who try to find Western food in China, as often this is spicier than what you’d find at home.

But, this is because the restaurants are targeting Chinese people who want to eat Western food rather than Westerners themselves, and as such have catered to local palates.

Having said that, not all Chinese food is spicy. And, compared to Western eateries, a greater proportion of food is freshly prepared to order. So you can ask for less or no spice if you would prefer.

Myth: China is dirty

Reality: This is also really far from the truth. Having first visited China back in 2010, and then twice more in recent years, I have only ever found it to be a clean country, overall.

The streets and Metro of Shanghai were free from litter and all the tourist spots were clearly regularly cleaned.

Historically, spitting was common in China – in public, private, indoor and outdoor places. But, in recent years the Chinese government have been running marketing campaigns to reduce spitting.

With this, they hope to increase the appeal of China to Western tourists and also make Chinese tourists more sanitary visitors to foreign countries.

Myth: Everywhere is overcrowded

Reality: Shanghai is the second-largest city in the world. Estimates of the city’s population range between 24 to 27 million – rising up to 34 million people when you consider the wider metropolitan area.

Shanghai is also a popular domestic tourist destination, attracting citizens from all across the most populated country on Earth. So, if you’re expecting to have The Bund to yourself even by going at 6am, then I’m going to have to disappoint you.

However… Whilst Shanghai is busy, it is not overcrowded. Unless you are visiting on national holidays then you can still enjoy everything on this Shanghai 5-day itinerary without feeling claustrophobic.

Find the best prices and the best dates with flight comparison sites like Skyscanner!

Make sure you use tools such as ‘Add nearby airports’ and set your departure airport as wide as possible (you can just put the United States or UK, for example) to see the cheapest cities to fly from! Check prices for your trip here…

How to get around in Shanghai

Using the metro in shanghai.

The Metro system is going to be your best friend for the 5 days you’re in Shanghai.

It’s cheap, quick and requires absolutely no knowledge of Mandarin! Think of it as a cleaner, cooler and cheaper version of the London Underground.

Ticket prices are based on the distance covered, with fares ranging from 3 to 15 Yuan ($2.20). Given that the 15 Yuan fare is for distances of over 116 km, it’s impressively cheap!

Additionally, one-day tickets are available for 18 Yuan ($2.60), with a three-day ticket costing 45 Yuan ($6.50).

Tickets can be bought from self-service machines that can be changed to a language that suits you. Signs on trains, platforms and in the station are also in English as well as Mandarin.

Taxis and Buses in Shanghai

Since the 17 Metro lines cover most of the city, it’s unlikely you’ll need to use taxis or buses during your 5 days in Shanghai. Taxi prices start at 14 Yuan increasing by 2.5 Yuan for each kilometre and are higher at night.

To avoid confusion, anxiety and unintentional city tours – having a screenshot or printed version of the place you are going in Mandarin is good to show the taxi driver.

Certain places are easy to cover on foot, such as The Bund and Nanjing Road. But Shanghai is huge and there can be large distances between places. Given how cheap and quick the metro is, it makes for an easy and convenient choice over long walks. Especially in the heat of summer or cold of winter.

Where to Stay in Shanghai

Pretty much all of the best things to do in Shanghai are located in the centre of the city. As such, I recommend staying as central as possible to make the most of your time here.

Generally speaking, staying near a Metro Line 2 station is best as this line links pretty much everywhere you’ll want to go.

Like all cities, Shanghai has a full range of options from budget to luxury accommodation for your 5 days in Shanghai.

Hostels in Shanghai

The city doesn’t have a big hostel scene and backpackers aren’t too common here. But, there are still a couple of cheap and basic hostels.

Meego Youth Hotel has private rooms and dorms. It’s surrounded by grocery stores, bars and restaurants. The metro is a few blocks away.

Alternatively, Hidden Designer Youth Hostel is located right by People’s Park and Nanjing Road. With a metro station also very close by.

The hostel has private rooms and dorms and allows check-in from midday.

If you’re looking for cheap and cheerful, there are plenty of options in Shanghai.

Conveniently located near the metro, Shanghai Fish Inn Bund has sleek rooms and all the essential facilities. The executive suite even comes in a very budget-friendly price range, so it can be a great place to upgrade for a little extra luxury.

Another option is Seventh Heaven Hotel , located a stone’s throw from the Nanjing Road pedestrian shopping street. As well as being 5 minutes from the metro, the hotel also has a cabaret, beauty salon and massage parlour!

Shanghai is full of mid-range options and a lot of them have pretty good facilities.

One such option is the Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World , situated on the northern side of People’s Park. This hotel is centrally located just metres from the metro and Shanghai’s famous shopping street.

All stays come with free use of the fitness centre and indoor swimming pool! Additionally, if that wasn’t enough, it also has a revolving restaurant on the 45th floor!

If money is no object or you just fancy treating yourself to a night of luxury, you’ll want to check out The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong .

Located among the skyscrapers in Pudong, this hotel is a slice of luxury. This hotel features an indoor swimming pool with panoramic views of the city (free use as a hotel guest).

Plus, all rooms have city views. And, even the cheapest room has a standalone bathtub, an extra-large bed, floor-to-ceiling windows and over 500 square feet of space!

How many days do you need in Shanghai?

5 days is a good amount of time to see the best Shanghai has to offer, without having to rush around like mad! From food to history to culture, the city has something for everyone.

You could see the top attractions in 2 action-packed days. With 3 or 4 days, you’d probably still have to be selective about what you see and do.

Of course, you won’t see the whole city in 5 days. But, in this time, you’ll start to get a real feel for the culture and way of life. And, get to see the best spots in the city.

What to Eat in Shanghai

Shanghai is full of amazing restaurants and street food stalls. And, there are a few foods that you have to try! All of these can be found all across Shanghai, so when you’re in a restaurant keep an eye out for them.

Xiaolongbao

Xiaolongbao is soup dumplings made with pork and/or crab meat, most commonly. The soup is made in advance and then refrigerated to turn into a jelly, in this state it can then be wrapped in the outer shell.

The dumplings are steamed and the jelly melts back to soup inside! Be careful when you eat them though as you don’t want to burn the inside of your mouth!

These are, in essence, crepes that come with a variety of toppings. Normally including egg, spring onions, spicy sauce and a rice cake/cracker.

Additional sweet and savoury options also vary depending on the seller. Jian Bing is commonly sold in small, hole-in-the-wall food outlets on the streets of Shanghai.

Cong you Bing

Cong You Bing is a popular savoury snack across much of China. These scallion (spring onion) pancakes are available in restaurants and street-side stalls. Cheap and tasty!

Shengjianbao

Shengjianbao is fried pork buns, with a much thicker and doughier outside than xiaolongbao.

Yang’s Dumplings restaurants are commonplace in Shanghai and are a perfect place to try these bao buns.

Shanghai 5-Day Itinerary: Day 1

Day 1 of your Shanghai 5-day itinerary should be spent exploring the heart of the city! Use this time to get your bearings in this vast city and it’ll make your next 4 days in Shanghai much easier.

Consider taking a walking tour for a guided view of the city, but you can do it all yourself.

Key stops: People’s Square & Park, Nanjing Road, The Bund, Yu Gardens and the Old City.

People’s Square & People’s Park

Start your day in People’s Square and People’s Park. This is a popular meeting spot for locals in Shanghai.

You’ll find yourself immersed in the Shanghainese culture pretty quickly. Hence, this is the perfect first stop for your Shanghai trip itinerary.

Nanjing Road Shopping Street

Next, you’ll want to visit Nanjing Road, which starts at the northeast corner of People’s Park. It’s full of national and international brand shops and restaurants.

On a warm day, you’ll want to stop for ice cream along this street. Or perhaps a hot drink in winter.

Nanjing Road runs all the way from People’s Square to the next stop and is an absolute must-do in Shanghai…

Home of the most famous viewpoint in all of Shanghai is The Bund! This long, riverside promenade offers spectacular views of the Lujiazui skyscrapers.

Once you’ve finished at the city’s most popular photo spot (it’ll be hard to drag yourself away from the mesmerising view), head south to the next stop.

Make sure you also visit the Bund after dark, the lit-up skyline is one of the best things to see in Shanghai – simply spectacular!

Just a 20-minute walk south along The Bund is the popular and beautiful Yu Gardens.

The small entrance fee (30/40 Yuan [off-peak/peak]) is well worth it to see the 5 acres of gardens, water features and traditional Chinese-style architecture.

Shanghai Old City

The gardens are located in the heart of Shanghai Old City , a great place for exploring.

From the city wall to temples, and streets full of local sellers and shops, it’s a very different experience from central Shanghai.

Take a food tour

Finally, finish off Day 1 of this Shanghai 5-day itinerary with a food tour .

Guided tours are good as they allow you to visit local eateries and be introduced to local cuisines without a language barrier. I went on a tour with Free Tour Asia , although there are other operators available at a range of costs.

> > > RELATED POST: If you only have 1 day in Shanghai, I recommend following this Shanghai one-day itinerary to see the best of the city!

Shanghai 5-Day Itinerary: Day 2

Day 2 of 5 in Shanghai explores the Lujiazui area of the city. It’s home to some of the most popular Shanghai tourist attractions.

Known for its soaring skyscrapers, the architecture and engineering in Lujiazui will leave you in awe!

Key stops: Oriental Pearl Tower, Science Museum, Century Park.

Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Put your head in the clouds and journey to the top of some of the tallest buildings in the world.

The Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower provides the full visitor experience with a 360-degree transparent Skydeck at 259 metres up as well as an observation deck at 351 metres.

Other options for skyscrapers include the Shanghai World Financial Center , known by locals as ‘the bottle opener’ for its distinctive look.

The building has three observation floors – including a transparent floor deck on the 100th floor, 474 metres up!

Another option is the Shanghai Tower – the second tallest building in the world at 623 metres high!

The observation floors are located around 550 metres above the ground – for stunning views of Shanghai (or the clouds). Given this, choose a clear day to ascend the Shanghai Tower for the best views.

Science & Technology Museum

Next up, is the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum . It’s three stops along on the Shanghai Metro from the TV tower.

This vast museum covers all areas of science from pre-historic animals to space exploration. There’s something for everyone here and you can easily spend a couple of hours seeing all the exhibitions.

Century Park

Located just a stone’s throw from the science museum is Century Park . This huge, inner-city park is a world away from the skyscrapers.

In the park, you can hire bicycles or pedalos, you can visit the small funfair, or you can just explore the many gardens and lakes. The perfect slice of nature in a busy metropolitan city!

If you exit the park through Exit 7 on the south side then you’ll pass the Century Mart on your way to Century Park Metro station. Is it really a trip abroad without a trip to a local supermarket for unique snacks and drinks? I would say not!

Did I buy several bottles of salted caramel flavour Pepsi? Absolutely, yes! Was it sickeningly nice? Also, yes!

Shanghai 5-Day Itinerary: Day 3

For the mid-point of this Shanghai itinerary, it’s time for a day trip to Hangzhou.

This beautiful city is one of the best day trips from Shanghai and is located just less than 200 kilometres southwest of Shanghai. But, thanks to the high-speed train network, the journey time is just 1 hour!

Key stops: Hangzhou & West Lake.

The high-speed trains run from Shanghai to Hangzhou from Hongqiao Railway Station . Which is located on Line 2 of the metro.

Trains run several times an hour from 6 am to 9.30 pm.

You can buy a ticket from the station – but don’t expect the staff to speak any English. Alternatively, you can book your train tickets in advance and online using 12go.asia – a specialist transport agency. Remember to pack your passport, as this is required to travel on trains in China.

Once you arrive at Hangzhou East Railway Station (Hangzhoudong), take the Metro (Line 1) 5 stops to Fengqi Road. From here, it’s just a 10-minute walk to West Lake – the absolute jewel of Hangzhou.

West Lake in Hangzhou

West Lake is the hub of the best things to see in Hangzhou. There are many attractions, viewpoints and photo spots on the shores.

With stops for attractions, photos and breaks, it’ll take you most of the day to walk the perimeter of the lake. But, rest assured, this is the best place to be in Hangzhou.

All around the lake, you’ll find pavilions, parks, bridges and walking trails. There are viewpoints and photo spots almost everywhere. And you can even take a trip on the lake with the pleasure boat service.

By early evening, you’ll want to be back on the eastern side of the lake to watch the sunset in the west. This is a popular activity at West Lake, so you won’t be alone, but that won’t detract from a magical sunset.

Give yourself enough time to navigate the Metro back to Hangzhou Station and get your train back to Shanghai.

Given everything that we’ve covered so far, you’re only 60% of the way through this Shanghai itinerary! Two more action-packed days to come!

> > > RELATED POST: Looking for a shorted Shanghai trip itinerary? This Shanghai 3-Day Itinerary makes sure you get to visit the best the city has to offer in just a few days!

Shanghai 5-Day Itinerary: Day 4

Day 4 and we’re back exploring some of the best places to visit in Shanghai – it’s what we came to do after all! Today’s itinerary is rather cultured as we visit a host of temples and museums.

Key stops: Jing’an Temple, Food Market, Jade Buddha Temple, History Museum, Urban Planning Museum, Shanghai Museum

Jing’An Temple

First up is the beautiful Jing’an Temple . Which is served by a Metro stop aptly named ‘Jing’an Temple’ on Lines 2 and 7.

Surrounded by skyscrapers and modern-day buildings, this temple complex is just shy of 2000 years old! Although, there have been more recent reconstructions and restorations.

Huxi Mosque Muslim Food Market

Next up, is the Huxi Mosque Muslim Food Market , which runs every Friday from 10 am until 3 pm.

Here, you can sample many delicacies of the Uyghur people such as lamb skewers and freshly baked bread.

The market is located on Changde Road, just a short walk from the Changshou Road Metro Station. Which is two stops north of Jing’an Temple on Line 7.

Jade Buddha Temple

A 20-minute walk away from Huxi Mosque is the Jade Buddha Temple , home to a giant jade-green Buddha statue.

This impressive temple complex is a great place to learn more about Buddhism. And you can easily spend at least an hour here exploring the many parts.

From the Jade Buddha Temple, you should head two Metro stops away to the Shanghai Natural History Museum (Line 13). This tourist-friendly museum is a great place to escape the outside weather for a couple of hours while learning a thing or two.

Although, there are a large number of stuffed (preserved) animals. Which do look quite creepy and perhaps aren’t as accepted in Western culture these days.

A 30-minute walk from the history museum will bring you to the Shanghai Urban Planning Museum .

It isn’t the biggest of museums in Shanghai. But the main attraction is a complete model version of the city of Shanghai. Featuring every building and every road, to scale!

The museum also showcases the rapid development of Shanghai into today’s status as the world’s most populated city!

If you’re not completely sick of museums of this point, then just across the road is Shanghai Museum . This free museum contains 1000s of artefacts and artworks providing a snapshot into China’s history and culture.

Shanghai 5-Day Itinerary: Day 5

For the final day of your Shanghai China itinerary, I’d recommend a slightly easier day (i.e not visiting 5+ attractions in one day!)…

Two potential options: Disneyland Shanghai or Zhujiajiao water town

Disneyland Shanghai

Like all Disney parks around the world, Disneyland Shanghai is a truly magical place and fun for all the family!

If you book tickets at least 7 days in advance online then you get a discount and avoid queuing on the day. Generally, weekends are peak times and weekdays are regular prices.

Despite the high prices, entrance to the park is much cheaper than for other Disney parks around the world (including Hong Kong).

Disneyland Shanghai is the last stop on the eastern end of Line 11 of the Metro. From People’s Square Station, you’ll need to take Line 8 nine stops south to Oriental Sports Center. Then, you’ll need to change to Line 11 for the eight stops to Disneyland.

Zhujiajiao Water Town

Zhujiajiao is located to the west of the city and is an ancient water town. Much like its more famous counterpart, Venice.

The town makes for a great day trip from Shanghai as you can explore the canals, old streets, bridges and take gondola rides.

As the town is a dedicated tourist area, it can get very busy on weekends and public holidays. So I recommend visiting during the week if possible.

You can reach Zhujiajiao via the Metro. You’ll need to take Line 2 all the way to Hongqiao Railway Station stop, then change to Line 17.

After the 11 stops, you’ll arrive at Zhujiajiao Metro Station, which is a 15-minute walk from the water town.

Is Shanghai Safe for Tourists?

Assuming you apply the usual rules of common sense, then yes, Shanghai is a safe city for visitors.

Like anywhere that is popular with tourists, exercise reasonable caution about pickpockets. Avoid putting your phone or wallet in your back (or visible) pockets and make use of hotel safes for valuable items.

Additionally, visitors to China are required by law to carry their passports on them at all times. As such, I recommend finding a safe internal pocket within your bag for this.

Is Shanghai Tourist Friendly?

The city attracts tourists from across China and across the world. But, tourism has been almost non-existent for the last 3 years.

Given the hardships and measures the city had to endure, it’s hard to say how welcome visitors will be made to feel as the country opens its doors.

However, the city has a good tourism infrastructure and will continue to attract visitors for years to come. And if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s to travel while you can.

Is Shanghai an Expensive City?

Shanghai seems to have a reputation as an expensive city. While it would be easy to spend your money here, there are plenty of budget options. And what you do spend on, you get much more value for money than in the West.

Both food, travel and accommodation are fairly cheap. Meaning, that you can make the rest of your trip as cheap or expensive as you want.

For those on a budget, choose from the many free activities, take the metro and eat locally.

But if you want to spend more money there are plenty of tours, western restaurants and international brand shops.

And, for most people visiting Shanghai, they’ll be somewhere in the middle. So, you can choose which experiences are important enough to you, to spend money on.

Is Shanghai worth visiting?

If you like big cities and tall skyscrapers and don’t mind immersing yourself in a totally different culture and language, Shanghai is for you.

In this city, east meets west and historical landmarks sit in the shadows of modern engineering masterpieces. It’s busy, it’s big and it’s every bit worth visiting!

If you have any questions or want any more information drop a comment below and I’ll get back to you!

Prices and offerings mentioned are correct to the best of my knowledge as of April 2023 but are subject to change in future.

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21 thoughts on “Shanghai 5-Day Itinerary (The Best of Shanghai)”

This sounds like a great Itinerary. I find it interesting that such a large city is mostly cash based.

90% of the locals don’t carry a single cent of cash. They scan QR code with their phone to pay. While for foreigners without access to this app, it’s cash only in most stores. Stores catering to tourists do accept credit card.

Yes, this is true. Pretty much everyone uses WeChat for payment, but you need a Chinese mobile number to access the app. So for tourists, it is pretty much cash only. Card payments are accepted in some places, but it’s just easier to have cash as you never know if they will accept Visa/Mastercard/have a working card machine. Apple pay can be used in some places, but Google Pay doesn’t work with the ban on Google.

Such an in-depth guide! You really haven’t missed anything out and it will certainly help me plan my trip to Shanghai! Thanks so much and keep up the great work 🙂

Thank you, glad you found it useful! Hopefully we will all be back travelling freely soon!

A few comments: I felt the Shanghai Art Museum to be more interesting than the Science Museum. You did not mention the MagLev train. If you qualify, the Executive Lounges at China’s international hotels (e.g., Marriott) put anything in America to shame. The tidal bore (Silver Dragon) in Hangzhou at the river is not to be missed, if you time it right.

Ah I should definitely add the MagLev train, there’s not many places in the world you can travel at those speeds (and it feel like a pleasant ride all the same). Thanks for letting me know, I’ll consider these next time I update the post.

I lived in Shanghai for eight years; one in Pudong and the rest in Puxi. This was a very good recap for the city, and the comments are also good. Thank you!

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the post!

Does tourists need to use Ali pay to make payment in Shanghai ? Can foreigners pay with cash in most shop frequent by local?

I haven’t been since before 2020 but I had no problems using cash then and even had free withdrawals from ATMs. It might be worth checking out some forums to see if it’s changed in the last few years especially with the lack of international visitors.

Many thanks for this very interesting article about your 5 days itinerary in Shanghai. Perhaps is our online route planner for the Shanghai metro (subway) usefull as well: https://www.metrocazar.com/shanghai/

Very helpful, thank you!

Going next week and I’m quite nervous! How is english speaking with the locals fare? Last time I was in Shanghai was 20 years ago.

Excited to see shanghai!

I found far fewer people spoke English than I expected, especially in restaurants/shops etc. I’d recommend finding a good offline/non-Google translation app as that’ll help a lot, or using a tour guide, walking tours etc.

This 5-day itinerary looks like a great way to see the best of Shanghai, from historical sites and museums to delicious food and shopping – I don’t know where I’m going to start but I’m looking forward to planning my trip using this guide!

Is the Muslim Friday market really open for business? I read that it has been closed down after covid.

Hi Liza, I believe it has closed down permanently. I tried to leave in places that had closed over the pandemic in the hope they might open again with the return of tourism, but seems that’s not the case here, I will update as soon as I can. Thanks, Zoe

Hey Zoe, I’ve just returned home from China and this is a great itinerary for Shanghai 🙂 Just on the spitting – you’re right about it not being very common in Shanghai. However, if you go to any smaller Chinese city it is still very prevalent. What did you think of Disneyland? I wasn’t sure about going there alone!

Hi Mike, thanks for the feedback, always nice to hear. That’s interesting to know, I haven’t visited any of the smaller Chinese cities since way back in 2010 but it was very widespread then. Always love a Disney trip, sometimes you just have to get your cliche tourist hat on for a day! Thanks, Zoe

Great Itinerary, simple and sweet. Found helpful. Thanks for sharing !!!

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• Shanghai Itinerary 5 days for first time visitors

This is post 8 of 9 in the series “China”

China – the land of dragons is a vast and varied country that witnessed one of the oldest history in the world. Pagodas, temples, majestic mountains and rivers, it’s a place like no others and almost like another world. Fortunately, I speak Mandarin so here are some of my hidden top tips;

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• Qingyuan China: 7 things to do
• Shenzhen from Hong Kong: day trip + weekend guide
• Shanghai water town: Zhujiajiao vs Qibao
• Best restaurants in Shanghai and what to eat

Shanghai is one of the biggest cities in China and famed for its French architecture and cosmopolitan status. While it is easy to cover the major sights in one day if you really try, it would be a shame not to give Shanghai a proper chance. To be fair, it took me quite a while to put together a good itinerary because the city is big and full of cool things to do!

Note: Check here for a food and restaurants guide in Shanghai with more detail on the places I had eaten at.

Shanghai’s airports

Pudong airport.

The bigger but further airport, the fastest way to get from the airport to the city is via Maglev trains. It operates between Longyang Road Station and the airport and departs every 15-20 minutes.

You can purchase the tickets online to save some time and save some RMB – and I highly recommend you, on landing, to check the timetable beforehand . Longyang Road is connected to Line 2, 7, and 16 on the Metro line – and you can find a map here.

Alternatively, you can also take the metro directly from the airport into the city. But the queue to get in is long (since all metro stations require security bag checks) and it’d be harder to get a seat.

Also, if you are a group and or have big luggage, it might be better to arrange private transfer since the total time can take up to an hour and a half to reach the city center

Hongqiao Airport

Much closer to the city, Hongqiao can be reached via the metro line 10. There are different stops for the two terminals, so be sure you know which one to go to beforehand. It’s a 5 minutes’ walk from the metro station to the airport, which is a lot smaller than Pudong so easy to get around.

Sim card for Shanghai

It’s much easier to order a WiFi device or Sim Card before reaching Shanghai as you are likely require to register to purchase a sim card with your full details if you do it on the ground.

If you are arriving and leaving from Pudong Airport, consider getting a WiFi device with unlimited 4G data and can connect up to 5 devices!

VPN for China

It’s essential to get a VPN in China if you need to access Google, Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube – basically, all your usual hangouts. There are many free ones on the market but they aren’t very good. Most people use ExpressVPN , which costs around 12.75 USD for a month but can get you watching Netflix and using everything at top speed.

For more tips on traveling in China, check out my post here.

Getting around Shanghai

Shanghai is a best city and while some sights are within walking distance, you’ll need to use public transport or taxi to get around. In addition, google map isn’t very accurate or doesn’t load so it’s best to download another map. If you know Chinese, I recommend 高德地圖 as it let you save locations (unlike Baidu). Otherwise, try to get offline map eg OsmAnd or Maps.me .

Tip: download a PDF of the Shanghai Metro map and get a paper map from your hotel

Shanghai Metro

The metro in Shanghai is fairly easy to use. If you are staying more than one day, it would save a lot of time to get a metro pass. You can get it at the metro station at the airport or any station. Simply go to the counter and asks for a metro pass.

It costs 20 RMB for the card itself and you can top up as you like. The 20 RMB is refundable when you return it at the station.

An average journey costs between 6-4 RMB in the city center and its useful to have a map handy.

Buses in Shanghai

The bus link in Shanghai is pretty good, and most have English announcements as well. They charge a flat fare between 1-3 rmb depending on how far the line runs.

During non rush hours, it can be a faster point to point transport method. Again, I used the Chinese Map to help me navigate, so if you are unsure it’s best to take a taxi or metro.

Taxi in Shanghai

Have your hotel or destination address in Chinese is immensely helpful. DO keep a card or a written version of it with you and insist that the driver turns on the meter. If possible, using a taxi app would be easier and can likely be done by asking your hotel staff.

Cycling in Shanghai

It is difficult to register for the sharebike system in China without a China mobile number.

However, I can use my Hong Long ofo Account but it charges me more – 3 rmb per 15 minutes – which is comparable to a metro trip that lasts half an hour.

Shanghai itinerary 5 days

Day 1 pudong riverside and yu garden, binjiang avenue 濱江大道.

The eastern promenade in Pudong area near Lujiazui, this section is completed with jogging and cycling trails at 2.5km long. I ended up starting my trip here just because my Airbnb was nearby, and was pleasantly surprised to find it a great walk and lacks the usual crowd, although it’d be more time efficient if I cycled!

The western edge has a beautiful view of the Bund and the Oriental Pearl tower. Here are some of the top sights to look out for, too:

A former shipyard that was built in 1862 by a British company, a relic of one of the many Shanghai’s shipyards that had all been demolished in 2005 except one. It is now a mall and theatre, with many promenade-side restaurants. They did a good job of preserving the industrial edge of the shipyard and making it a modern mall.

Oriental Pearl Tower

From the riverside there are plenty of points where you can see the Oriental Pearl Tower clearly and get a good shot without anyone in sight! You can also go up its observation tower, although since the weather was abysmal during my visit so I didn’t go up. But you can pre-purchase ticket online for a discount and skip the ticket queue.

If you are planning to do more sightseeing in Shanghai, you can also consider the Shanghai Attraction Pass that includes entry to the Oriental Pearl Tower along with a few other perks at a discounted rate.

The financial hub of Shanghai, it is the equivalent of Wanchai/Central in Hong Kong and Canary Wharf in London. Fun fact: a lot of the buildings share the same names to those in Hong Kong and major cities such as IFC (International Finance Center).

The coolest part, in my opinion, is the circular pedestrian walkway that straddles the giant roundabout beneath. You can get a great view of the Oriental Pearl Tower here, though it’s much harder to fit it in the frame of your camera.

正大廣場 Super Brand Mall lunch

A big mall by the ring pedestrian road at Lujiazui, it is home to many restaurants and some even offers a view of the Bund. I ate at a chain store – 南小館 the Dining Room – that serves Shanghainese food with modern seatings and a view of the Bund. It’s not the best food in the world but it was a nice place to sit. Alternatively, there are many other choices inside such as a coconut chicken hot pot one shop down.

Fuyumen Market 福佑門

Get on the metro at Lujiazui then change at East Nanjing Road to Yu Garden. Fuymen Market Market sells a lot of trinkets such as sunglasses, bags, socks etc and is right by the metro station.

It’s worth a snoop if you like browsing, don’t forget to haggle when you buy, particularly if the price is not listed.

Yuyuan Tourist Mart

Arguably one of the must-sees in Shanghai, Yuyuan Tourist Mart is often just refer to as Yu Garden as well, but that is technically only the inner garden. The area was once a Ming Dynasty Garden built by an aristocrat at the time. However, the family eventually lost their fortune and the garden was pass around and neglected until 1760 when it was reopened as the Western Garden by wealthy locals. But that also didn’t last long with the Opium War and Japanese Occupation.

The area was home to some tea houses and restaurants for a while but was once again abandoned during the liberation before it was finally rebuilt. It is most recognisable by the distinctive architecture of the curved roofs and wood on white. This area is free to enter and fairly commercialised, with shops and restaurants vying for your attention. In the center is the famous ‘Nine Curve Bridge’.

On the bright side, there are plenty of food store around so you definitely won’t be leaving hungry.

The current Yu Garden we see is a reconstruction done in the 50s. To visit the inner gardens will cost you 40 RMB and you can also get online here . Since there’s an admission fee, the inner garden is quieter with the quintessential ponds, pavilions, bridges, and greenery. If you are free and don’t mind paying, I think it’s a nice walk and look around!

Opening times: 9:00 – 16:45, last entry 16:00

City God Temple

The City God Temple is a Taoist shrine that was built in 1403 in the Ming Dynasty. City God, as his name suggests, is a personification and representation of the city and therefore an important part of people’s live.

The temple was expanded numerous times in history, however, the wars had all but destroyed it and the current temple we see was rebuilt in 1926. Similar to many Taoist temple, it also houses other deities inside such as the Chinese Cupid, Tin Hau, and the Money God.

The temple isn’t very big at all, so unless you are particularly interested or curious, the other temples such as Jing’an and Longhua are more worth visiting.

Admission fee: 10 RMB

Opening times: 8:30 – 16:30

Depending on the time and how tired you are, I’d say go straight to the Bund and admire the view. If you are quick, here is an extra stop:

The Bund Finance Center

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A distinctive bronze building that looks like a giant organ, the Bund Finance Center is a multi-purpose building that also houses exhibitions. The pipes are meant to resemble not only stage curtains, but a harp and a crown, though I thought it looks more like an organ. The most interesting fact of all is that the pipes, which consists of three layers, can rotate around!

The attraction that needs no introduction, the Bund is the most iconic place in Shanghai and a testimony to its turbulent and multi-ethnic past. These beautiful French buildings are a relics of the western banks and enterprises that had flourished in the city after the Nanjing Treaty was signed following the First Opium War.

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The French, along with other western countries, had divided up the city and set base there along the Huangpu River. The French Concession was the biggest of all, taking up prime real estate by the river for trade and settlement. Nowadays, it’s a lengthy promenade that overlooks the new financial hub Lujiazui and also offer a good view of these buildings.

It is pretty busy no matter which day of the week you visit, especially during sunset time.

The nearest station is the East Nanjing Pedestrian Street and the walk to and from is almost always jam packed.

Nanjing Pedestrian Street

An 19th century road that was once called Park Lane, the Nanjing Road East is for the most part a pedestrian street now. It is THE high street of Shanghai teeming with department stores, high end malls, and anything in between. The pedestrian street is one block from the Bund and goes all the way to People’s Square, with a spacious width of 28m.

The wide lane is adorned by trees and there’s even a little train can take you from one end to the other for 5 RMB! The best part is that the shops and restaurants aren’t all high end, you can find plenty of affordable shops and eateries among the branded names.

ZhouLi LaoYa FenSiTang (Qi Pu Road) 妯娌老鴨粉絲湯

I ended up eating at this restaurant in one of the streets between the Bund and Nanjing Road. They serve up very affordable though more adventurous noodles as well as soup dumplings. Their signature dish is the duck blood and meat noodles and even with soup dumplings only cost me 33 RMB!

Address: 中國上海市虹口區武昌路579號

Opening times: 9:00 – 23:00

Day 2 Museums and Tianzifang

Shanghai museum.

With free admission, there’s really no reason why one wouldn’t pay a visit to the Shanghai Museum. It highlights the main cultural gems of China: ceramics (porcelain), calligraphy, jade, and more. All of the exhibits are done well and in chronological order, with Chinese and English explanation throughout.

While the museum is not big, to do a walk through of all four floors will likely take 2 hours, more if you are paying close attention. Here’s an overview of the exhibits:

• 4th floor coins, minorities, jade, and furniture from Ming and Qing dynasty
• 3rd floor calligraphy, painting, seals
• 2nd floor ceramics and porcelain
• 1st floor bronze and sculptures

My personal favourites were the Chinese minority and coins. They also have seasonal exhibits .

There is free storage available across the hall from entrance as well as audio guides (20 RMB).

Opening times: close Monday, 9:00 – 17:00, last entry 16:00

World Expo Museum

Even if you are uninterested in the exhibit, the architecture of the building is swoon worthy as a combination of glass, wood, and white stone.

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The glass roofs are particularly photogenic and it was almost empty on my visit on a dreary Friday afternoon. They let me use my tripods too!

It’s free to visit the museum, all you need to do is get tickets from the northern hall and then go across to the exhibit.

It showcases the different expos around the word in the last few centuries, in particular London, Paris, and the effect they have on the general public and, in particular, the host cities. The exhibits are spread over 5 floors ending with Shanghai expo. Then on the floors back down it’s exhibits from around the world.

They have escalators but they weren’t working in my visit.

Opening times: close Monday, 9:00 – 17:00, last entry 16:15

The most famous Shikumen area in Shanghai, Tianzifang is a cluster of 200 odd shops and restaurants clustered in the maze-like streets of an old residential neighborhood-turn-tourist-district. Shikumen refers to the architecture style of the buildings, which is akin to wutong and combine Western and Chinese design that was popular in Shanghai in late 19th and early 20th century.

Tanzifang itself was built in the 30s and used to be an ordinary residential area on the edge of French Concession. Its cheap rents and location drew a flood of artists over who helped protest against its demolishment in the early 21st century.

It’s very easy to lose your way around the streets inside with street food, international cuisine, and boutiques sandwiched side by side. The charm of Tanzifang isn’t only in the narrow lanes and brick facade, but in the fact that it’s still lived in with the residents’ motorbikes parked along the street, electric cables in the air and old ladies sitting on the bench outside.

There are many dining options here as well – from western to Thai food. A few cafes are around the area, too.

Nearest station: Dapuqiao 打浦橋

Yuyuan Road 愚院路

A super cute tree lined road, Yuyuan Road extends between Jing’an Temple and Zhongshan Park with many historic building and French architecture. If you like cute cafes, boutiques, and little nooks and crannies, then you’d love exploring Yuyuan Road. A number of famous local authors and merchants lived here, so you’ll see a sign here and there declaring it as the former residents of so-and-so.

I was late for dinner with some friends so I was only able to do a quick walk through and snapped some shots.

Dinner at Lotus Hubei Cuisine 蓮餐廳．湖北菜

Do you like spicy food? This is the place to be! It serves Hubei cuisine with a modern twist. It’s more suitable for a group as most dishes are meant for sharing.

Address: 長寧區 长宁路641号

Opening times: 11:00 – 14:00, 17:00 – 22:00

Drinks at Saga-Milu

After dinner, my friends from uni found this cute bar hidden in a residential street right by the main road. The cocktails are divine, though prices rival that of Hong Kong’s. This small bar is very popular so it might be best to book beforehand if you know you are going.

Address: 江蘇路62弄弄里54弄18號後門

Opening times: 19:00 – 02:00

Day 3 People’s Park and Longhua Temple

People’s park and marriage market.

People’s Park is the most central park in Shanghai, bordering Nanjing Road and People’s Square. It covers over 92,000 m2 of ground, built in the 50s and taking up the northern part of the old Shanghai Race Course.

Nowadays, it’s a place where people gathers on the weekend to do morning exercises, dance, sketch, and most famous of all: find romantic prospect for their children.

In the northern part of the park, parents lined the side of the path with umbrellas with handwritten notes of their children’s age, occupation, and a short bio. More parents with a smattering of tourist roam the open market with the former seeking prospects and the latter curiously looking. If you want to take photos don’t take close up, be discreet and fast as they can be quite unfriendly about having their photos taken.

Shanghai History Museum

Right by People’s Park, it’s a beautiful historical building itself with four floors of exhibits and a top floor restaurant and garden. It is housed in the building that used to be the Shanghai Race Club, distinctive with its brick facade and tall clock tower.

The Museum covers the history of Shanghai from prehistoric period to modern history, with many interactive exhibits and short movies. If you are unfamiliar with the history of the city, it’s well worth a visit. The lobby offers a short film that goes over the history of Shanghai from prehistoric to modern times, lasting about 8 minutes, as well as a wall of interactive maps and chronicles.

The first floor covers the prehistoric settlements and through the different dynasties in China history, then it moves to focus on the recent past starting from the 19th century when its port opened after the Treaty of Nanking.

The rooftop has a decent view of the surrounding and a western restaurant. There are seasonal exhibits in the other building but I didn’t have time to check them out.

You can rent an audio guide for 20 RMB right of the entrance with a deposit of 300 RMB.

Free admission

Opening times: 9:00 – 17:00

(I didn’t end up getting lunch here because I wanted to make the best of time sight-seeing  – but I did buy some bread from a bakery)

St. Ignatius Cathedral, Xujiahui 徐家匯

In a city full of temples, St. Ignatius Cathedral is the most well-known church in Shanghai since it is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of the city. While a temple existed on the grounds since 1851, the current Neo-Gothic church was built to accommodate larger crowds in the early 20th century.

During the Cultural Revolution, however, much of the cathedral was destroyed and used as grain storage. It was reopened in 1978 with restoration being carried out since the 80s, starting with the church towers and ending with the stained glass window in this century.  

The exit to the church (3) is currently under construction, as is the area in front of it (May 2019).

It is free to visit inside during its opening hours and when it’s not in service. The area is currently (May 2019) under construction so I’d give it a skip or stop by enroute to Longhua Temple briefly (the next day)/

Note: it’s not a short walk from all metro lines except 1 to get to the church – it’s like 10 minutes walk to the nearest exit!

Opening times: 9:00-11:00, 13:00 – 16:00

Longhua Temple 龍華寺

A huge Buddhist temple complex on the southern edge of town, Longhua Temple’s history can be traced back to War of the Three Kingdoms (242 AD). The current architecture style, however, it’s from Song Dynasty as it was destroyed and even then these are reconstruction from Qing Dynasty and the 50s.

The temple boosts 20,000 square meter of grounds and attracts many here to pay respect to the Buddha. Outside the temple, you’ll find tortoises basking in the small pond and the pagoda:

Incense are strictly forbidden to enter the temple, and you must purchase any from the temple shop itself and not bring your own.

The temple ground are extensive, with a symmetrical design down the center. There are various halls in the temple dedicated to the Buddha, as well as various others such as the Louhans (Arhat – highly enlightened Buddhists), and the thousand-hand Guayin.

Admission fee: 10 RMB – however seems to be free admission right now with construction around. You are not allowed to bring your own incense.

Nearest station: Longhua exit 2

Opening times: 9:00 – 16:30

Longhua Memorial Park of Revolutionary Martyrs

A memorial park built in 1981 to commemorate the communists who was executed between 1927 to 1931 when the ground it is on now was the Garrison Command and prison.

Allegedly, over 9000 people were held here and 800 killed. After the Japanese Occupation, the building was used as a factory for a time. The park is big with a memorial center in the heart, surrounded by various memorial sculptures and even a bamboo forest. If you aren’t in a hurry after visiting the Longhua Temple, do pay it a visit.

Opening times: 6:00-17:00 for the park, and 9:00-16:00 for the memorial

Dinner at 嗲記湯包

Food dumplings galore – I was enticed to try this place as they serve soup dumplings the size of my face and it was decent for its price point.

Address: 定西路1115号夢海上1樓106室

Opening times: 9:00 – 21:00

Today would be a good day to get a massage. I basically collapsed back in my hotel since I have decision making problem! Later, someone recommended Zen Message to me, but it was already my penultimate day.

Day 4 Food tour and Qibao

Morning food tour.

I did a breakfast food tour with Untour Shanghai which starts at 9am and lasts for three hours! See more about the tour and eating in Shanghai here.

Propaganda Poster Museum

A collection of posters mostly from the Cultural Revolution period by Mr. Yang Pei Ming, the Propaganda Poster Museum is hidden away in the basement of a residential building. Mr Yang started collecting the posters in 1995 and his collection are considered to be one of the best as many Maoist propaganda posters were destroyed.

The museum consist only of two rooms with a separate gift shops with good English, Chinese, and French explanation. It might not be as comprehensive or well laid out as the other museums I go to, but if you are interested in art and the Moaist era, it’s worth a visit.

Admission fee: 25 RMB

Address: Changning, Shanghai, China, 200333

Opening times: 10:00 – 17:00

Xintiandi and French Concession

Xintiandi is another Shikumen neighbourhood but it was completely rebuilt and designed it into a shopping district in 2001. The historic buildings are in the center, which is also a pedestrian-only zone with one of the most expensive real estates in Shanghai. The entire area are full of modern malls and restaurants with outdoor seatings, making it a lively place to be.

In addition, there’s also a Shikumen Open House Museum and Museum of the First National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. As it is in the French Concession area, the area is home to many historic buildings and quaint parks. If you like shopping, soaking in the atmosphere, and pretty architecture, Xintiandi is the place to be.

Jing’an Temple 靜安寺

A sprawling Buddhist Temple complex at the end of Nanjing Road, Jing’an means Quiet and Peace in Chinese. The existence of the temple can be traced back to the War of the Three Kingdoms in 2nd century AD, but the current location dates back to the Song Dynasty. In fact, the current temple was rebuilt in the 80s with the addition of the Pagoda.

There are various halls in the temple, most notable is the main hall Mahavira, as well as Heavenly Kings, Three Saints, and more. Incense are restricted to the those bought from the temple itself and usually spots a queue at the front of the temple. Many also throw coins into the opening of the pagodas to make a wish.

Jing’an Temple is a working temple and monks can be seen roaming around or found praying in halls. You can walk around the temple on ground level and on the gate level, taking a closer look at the two towers by the entrance gate.

The Pagoda is at the back of the temple and not accessible from the inside that I can see, and is best viewed outside around the back. It’s actually quite hard to get a photo of the entire temple complex, but the nearby skywalk gets a decent view of the top of the temple.

Opening times: 7:30 – 17:00

Qipao Old Town

A charming water town within the town limit of Shanghai, Qibao is perfect for anyone who wants to see one but doesn’t have a lot of time. It’s just a few minutes walk from the metro station of the same name. For more info about visit Qipao and Zhujiajiao, see my post on Shanghai Water Towns .

Day 5 Zhujiajiao or other day trips

Zhujiajiao朱家角.

A water town about an hour or so from Shanghai – see my post on Shanghai Water Town for more information on how to visit!

Best Area to Stay in Shanghai

Generally, I’d say stay near a metro station and it shouldn’t be that bad at all. But if you want to be the center of action, I recommend the general area around Diazijia on line 2 and line 10. They are connected to most other lines and also go directly to either airport. I’ll also list some alternatives that are good for budget and are more hip!

The district of Huangpu is much larger than you think, encompassing the Bund, Yu Garden, and in general the French Concession. It’s much easier to split it further down according to the main attraction close by:

Close to the Bund

For lively vibes in the most iconic part of Shanghai, stay close to the Bund and Nanjing Road and you’ll never run out of things to do or cool places to visit. However, the Bund is almost always fairly busy.

Mid-range: Shanghai Fish Inn East Nanjing Road has great function rooms despite being a little harder to find in an alley. If you are fans of apartments, The Bund Cozy Loft is a good choice.

Splurge: Fairmont Peace Hotel on the Bund not only has a view of the Bund, it is a historic building in itself in the beautiful art-deco style and a must see even if you aren’t staying there. Alternatively, the Shanghai Edition is a new and modern hotel with a gorgeous rooftop.

Around Dashijie Xintiandi  

Stay closer in the heart of the French Concession where you’ll find old architecture and plenty of malls and amusements.

Budget: want great location and don’t mind small rooms? Haishang Xiaowu Hotel (Renmin Plaza Branch) fits the bill – though review says that staff doesn’t speak much English and it can be quite loud.

Midrange: U hotel Xintiandi is set between Xintiandi and Loaximen, I’ve personally stayed there and enjoyed the location. The rooms are relatively clean with good amenities (and washing machine!). But the single room is on the small side. Staff speaks a little English but it’s a quirky refurbished hutong hotel!

The Phoenix Hostel Shanghai-LaoShan is closer to metro station and designed to resemble an ancient Chinese guesthouse. Its room are competitively priced and even has a rooftop bar!

Low level splurge: Metropolo Classiq, Shanghai, YMCA-People square has retro style rooms that are big and clean by People’s Square.

Basically the majority of land east of the Huangpu River, the Pudong area is vast extending along the river from Lujiazui south and east. It’s the more futuristic and newer part of Shanghai.

Splurge: Ritz Carlton and Shangri-La are both at Lujiazui, and for those who prefer apartments there’s the IFC Residence – all with a view of iconic buildings and the Bund!

Hi, my name is Nam. I am 24 and spent half my life in Hong Kong and the other half in UK. I believe there's endless experience and beauty in the world and this is me chronicling how to experience the best at the best price.

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Great! I am planning on visiting China someday. Thank you for the tips and for sharing.

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4-Day Shanghai Itinerary

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• Shanghai in 4 days
• 1-Day Shanghai Itinerary
• 2-Day Shanghai Itinerary
• 3-Day Shanghai Itinerary
• 5-Day Shanghai Itinerary

Table of contents

Day 1: most popular attractions, day 2: west side of town, day 3: proximity is everything, day 4: keep it simple, oriental pearl tv tower.

Shanghai Tower

Shanghai world financial center, jin mao tower, where to eat, m on the bund, lost heaven bar, gucheng park （northeast gate）, shanghai old street, yuyuan old street, shanghai museum, di shui dong, lost heaven, shanghai science and technology museum, century park, 1933 old millfun, huangpu park, china art museum, din tai fung, shanghai zhujiajiao ancient town tourist zone, shanghai ancient town at zhujiajiao tourism development co., ltd., shanghai audi international circuit, guyi garden, hongqiao pearl market, top searches in shanghai, popular road trips from shanghai, what's the weather like in shanghai.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Shanghai for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Shanghai in January
• Weather in Shanghai in February
• Weather in Shanghai in March
• Weather in Shanghai in April
• Weather in Shanghai in May
• Weather in Shanghai in June
• Weather in Shanghai in July
• Weather in Shanghai in August
• Weather in Shanghai in September
• Weather in Shanghai in October
• Weather in Shanghai in November
• Weather in Shanghai in December

All road trips from Shanghai

• Shanghai to Hong Kong drive
• Shanghai to Beijing drive
• Shanghai to Hangzhou drive
• Shanghai to Hanoi drive
• Shanghai to Seoul drive
• Shanghai to Nanjing drive
• Shanghai to Xi'an drive
• Shanghai to Macau drive
• Shanghai to Hoi An drive
• Shanghai to Wuxi drive
• Shanghai to Guangzhou drive
• Shanghai to Tongxiang drive
• Shanghai to Qingdao drive
• Shanghai to Xiamen drive
• Shanghai to Chengdu drive
• Shanghai to Ningbo drive
• Shanghai to Hue drive
• Shanghai to Busan drive
• Shanghai to Halong Bay drive
• Shanghai to Fukuoka drive
• Shanghai to Changzhou drive
• Shanghai to Wuhan drive
• Shanghai to Yangzhou drive
• Shanghai to Shaoxing drive
• Shanghai to Huangshan drive
• Shanghai to Yangshuo County drive
• Shanghai to Zhangjiajie drive
• Shanghai to Tianjin drive
• Shanghai to Guilin drive
• Shanghai to Vladivostok drive

Explore nearby places

• Chongming County
• Jiashan County
• Haiyan County
• Shengsi County
• Zhangjiagang
• Rudong County
• Daishan County
• Changxing County

All related maps of Shanghai

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• Map of Jiangyin
• Map of Yuyao
• Map of Huzhou
• Map of Jingjiang
• Map of Shangyu
• Map of Changxing County
• Map of Ningbo
• Map of Rugao
• Map of Zhoushan

Shanghai throughout the year

• Shanghai in January
• Shanghai in February
• Shanghai in March
• Shanghai in April
• Shanghai in May
• Shanghai in June
• Shanghai in July
• Shanghai in August
• Shanghai in September
• Shanghai in October
• Shanghai in November
• Shanghai in December

Looking for other day-by-day itineraries in Shanghai?

Check out our other curated itineraries that are also filled with jam-packed days:

Day itineraries for nearby cities

• 4-Day Suzhou Itinerary
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• 4-Day Ningbo Itinerary
• 4-Day Jiashan County Itinerary
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Shanghai Travel Guide: Visiting as an American [2023]

· everything you need to know about visiting shanghai as an american, coming from someone who worked there ·.

If you want to visit one of the biggest cities in the world, you definitely need to consider Shanghai. With a population of over 25 million people, Shanghai is the biggest city in China and one of the 5 biggest cities in the world. For comparison, Shanghai is slightly bigger than Sao Paulo, Brazi l , which is the biggest city in the entire western hemisphere. While visiting a city 1.5 times bigger than New York may sound intimidating, Shanghai is absolutely worth the visit, and actually very tourist friendly. After living and working there for a whole summer, we definitely recommend checking it out. This guide will help you plan your trip while giving our top tips – as well as those from our Chinese friends – for visiting Shanghai.

Top Things to Do in Shanghai

Being so giant, Shanghai has just about anything you could want. This list is certainly not exhaustive – it’s more so just our top recommendations for things to do as an American tourist in the biggest city in China! From Chinese history and culture to American icons, this list should help you to start planning your Shanghai itinerary.

1. Walk down Nanjing Road

Nanjing Road is one of the coolest places to explore in all of Shanghai. This long strip is filled with stores, restaurants, and malls of every price range and is an awesome way to spend an evening. This place is so popular that during busy hours you need to swim through crowds of people just to get to wherever you’re going.

Since it is easily accessible by the metro, Nanjing Road is one of the world’s busiest shopping streets ranking right up there with Times Square. One of the best things to do here is enter the very fancy malls and look at stores like Gucci, Versace, and Louis Vuitton, but unless you’re rich, these items are probably not within your price range. While it is known best for its luxury designer brand stores, Nanjing Road is a must-see part of Shanghai for travelers of every budget.

2. Visit Yu Garden and Chenghuang Temple

Built over four centuries ago, Yu Garden is a must-see attraction in Shanghai. This beautiful outdoor garden was built by the Ming Dynasty and was the center of sophisticated culture at the time. Spanning about five acres, you can expect to spend a bit over an hour here and come out with great pictures and a deepened appreciation for Chinese architecture.

Both of these complexes show the beauty of old Chinese architecture and are conveniently located right in the city.

Chenghuang Temple is a different pace and style from Yu Garden but is equally worthy of a visit. This giant Taoist temple was built in the middle of the 1600s and is one of the most iconic places to visit in all of Shanghai. The temple grounds are actually made of nine buildings covering over 21,000 square feet. Both of these complexes show the beauty of old Chinese architecture and are located right in the city. No Shanghai visit is complete without stopping at both of these places!

3. Visit the Shanghai Tower and Oriental Pearl Tower

Whenever you think of a major city, there are iconic attractions that come to mind. In Paris , it’s the Eiffel Tower. In Rio de Janeiro , it’s Christ the Redeemer. In Shanghai, that attraction is the Oriental Pearl Tower, which was the tallest structure in China until 2007. This TV tower that appears to have a giant pearl lodged in its core is one of the biggest and most iconic buildings in Shanghai and is a bucket list item that you need to see.

The tower is so tall that our ears popped when taking the jet elevator to the top.

Conveniently, the Shanghai Tower is nearby! The Shanghai Tower is the second tallest building in the entire world standing at 2,073 feet, trailing only behind the Burj Khalifa in Dubai . Taking an elevator to the top of the Shanghai Tower is a really cool experience, as there is only one building in the entire world that can take you any higher. From the top of the Shanghai Tower, there is a great view of the Oriental Pearl tower, too, which is an added perk of paying the ticket fee!

4. Spend a Day at Disneyland Shanghai

In case you didn’t know, Disney is really popular. Disney is so popular around the world that there are six Disneylands in five countries on three different continents. Everyone knows about the Disneyland in Los Angeles and Disney World in Orlando, but not as many people realize that you can also go see Mickey Mouse and his pals in Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai! Visiting Disneyland in Shanghai is very easy to do, and is a great use of a day if you’re looking for something to do.

For-warning: The lines are even longer than Disney World in Orlando.

We spent a day at Disneyland and honestly didn’t go on one ride. The lines are insanely long – longer than in Orlando – and the one ride we waited in line for shut down as we got to the front. However, don’t let our iffy experience mar your expectations! The park is awesome to walk around in, and we had some really fantastic food, too. You can reach Disneyland directly on the Metro and you can buy tickets online or at the park.

5. Experience a Proper Night Club

We aren’t normally crazy partiers. While we love having a good time, we’re more into chill bar scenes than we are into clubs. With that being said, visiting a rooftop night club is a must-do thing in Shanghai if you like to go out. There are so many great options, and the parties are truly incredible. While there is a cover at some bars, the experience is totally worth it.

We went to Bar Rouge, which is considered one of the best spots to go out in the whole city. As Shanghai is so international, these night clubs are filled with people from all over the world.

We actually have two friends that met in a club in China and wound up getting married a couple of years later!

On that note, local establishments love when foreigners visit, as attracting foreigners in China tends to earn a place some esteem. As China is extremely ethnically homogenous (not diverse), any non-Chinese tourists are pretty exotic and give a club or bar a lot of street cred. For this reason, foreigners often drink for free in the finest clubs in all of Shanghai.

How to Get to Shanghai

Flying to shanghai.

Being one of the biggest cities in the world, you can expect that Shanghai is a very accessible destination. In fact, Shanghai is the only city in China to have multiple international airports! Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the bigger of the two international airports and handles about 60% of the cities air traffic. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) , the other of the two, handles the other 40% of Shanghai’s flights. If you’re visiting Shanghai from abroad, your only option will be to fly into either of these airports. The flight from the United States to China is a very long one regardless of your origin and destination cities, so I’d recommend that you check out my detailed guide to finding cheap flights so that you can save yourself a bit of cash.

– R E A D –

We flew in and out of Pudong International Airport, but both airports are very nice and are connected well to the city. Both airports are served directly by metro stations. Pudong International Airport’s metro station is served by line 2, while Hongqiao International Airport’s station is served by both lines 2 and 10. To get from either airport into the city, the most convenient way is absolutely by metro.

Taking a Domestic Train to Shanghai

If you’re heading to Shanghai from somewhere else in China, look into taking a bullet train . We took a high-speed train from Shanghai to Beijing and it was a really cool experience. The train moves at over 200mph, and we covered the 819 mile distance in about 4.5 hours.

How to Get Around Shanghai

METRO | DIDI

Even though Shanghai is one of the biggest cities in the world and sprawls further than the eye can see, it is one of the most navigable cities I’ve ever been to. Getting around Shanghai could not be any easier, thanks to the incredible public transportation. I’ve mentioned in several posts how much I value a good metro system, and Shanghai easily has the best metro system I’ve ever used . While the metro systems in Panama City , Sao Paulo , and London are all great, nothing even comes close to the quality of public transportation in Shanghai. The subway is immaculately clean, it’s air-conditioned, and its 18 lines that share 473 stations will take you anywhere in the city you need to go. All of that, plus it’s cheap and all of the signs and announcements are in both Mandarin and English.

Shanghai has the best metro I have ever used.

If you are going somewhere that isn’t conveniently reached by the metro or you aren’t a fan of public transportation, you should download the DiDi app. DiDi is essentially China’s Uber, and it works pretty much the same. In fact, Uber owns a big portion of DiDi! You can call a ride from anywhere in the city, and your driver will drop you off at your designated destination. DiDi is just as safe and convenient as Uber and is definitely the best way to get around the city other than the metro.

If you can avoid it, NEVER take a taxi in Shanghai. The drivers will undoubtedly rip you off when they see that you are foreign. Instead, download the Didi App.

While there are taxis all over the city and they are safe, we never recommend using taxis unless its absolutely necessary, and since DiDi covers the whole city of Shanghai, taxis just aren’t necessary. They usually cost more than a DiDi, and many drivers will make up their own price rather than using the meter. If you do need to use a taxi, make sure that the driver turns on the meter and sets it to zero before starting your trip.

Is Visiting Shanghai as an American Safe?

Despite the tense political relationship between the Chinese and American governments, visiting Shanghai as an American tourist is about as safe as visiting the United States as a Chinese tourist. In fact, we felt like Shanghai was one of the safest major cities we’ve ever been to, largely thanks to the strong policing and culture of responsibility. The metro trains are all watched by security cameras, too, which makes pickpocketing pretty rare on the metro, at least compared to other metro systems around the world. We walked around late at night without any problems whatsoever, and never once had any kind of threat or instance of insecurity.

Shanghai was one of the safest major cities we’ve ever been to, largely thanks to the strong policing and culture of responsibility.

While this shouldn’t need to be said, it is a sad trap that many Americans and other western tourists fall into when visiting Shanghai: don’t seek out any kind of prostitution or “special” massage treatments. Many unwise tourists fall into one of these two traps and are very quickly stuck in a room with a pimp and forced to withdraw thousands of dollars before leaving. I’m not even kidding. While it shouldn’t need to be said, stay away from all forms of prostitution as it is illegal, dangerous, and costly.

On a similar note, be sure not to commit any crimes while visiting Shanghai. Some laws differ than those of the United States, and most laws are strictly enforced. Just like the United States, you probably don’t want to wind up in a Chinese jail until things get sorted out. We literally had friends who got into trouble at a night club and if our Mandarin speaking professor hadn’t been there to step in, they would have been arrested. Don’t be dumb and please follow the law.

Our Final Tips for Visiting Shanghai as an American

Get your tourist visa early.

The biggest tip we can offer is making sure that you get your tourist visa well in advance of your trip. Sometimes getting a tourist visa to China can be a hassle, and it would really be a shame to miss out on your trip to Shanghai simply because of not having a visa. If you’re new to getting visas and are looking for some tips, check out my post on applying for foreign visas .

BUY A METRO CARD

In addition to that, we’d recommend buying a metro card at any metro station and using that as your main means of transportation throughout the city. It’s very cheap and accessible and there is really no better way to get around. Just beware that you can’t share a card, as the price of your trip depends on the length of your travel. Since you need to swipe in and swipe out on every trip, you can’t swipe the same metro card for two people entering a station. You’ll need to have separate cards for everyone in your group. It is easy to add the metro cards to your mobile wallet.

LEARNING BASIC CHINESE PHRASES WILL GO A LONG WAY

Finally, Chinese is a very difficult language, but learning a few basic phrases would go a long way in helping you to get around. While there is a fair amount of English spoken, it is certainly not common and in some situations, like taxis, it is non-existent. Learning a few simple phrases like “I want this” or “please” and “thank you” is both considerate and helpful and really not too difficult.

That’s all we have for you about visiting Shanghai as an American! Hopefully this Shanghai Travel Guide helps you to plan the best possible trip to the biggest city in China. If you have any questions, be sure to drop a comment in the comment section!

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.

things to do

One of the cities I always want to visit, thank you for the detailed post!

You got it! Thanks for reading!

My wife and I are taking a cruise out of Singapore that stops in Hong Kong and end in Shanghai. I noticed that your article was written in 2021. Does the advice still apply in 2024?

This advice does still apply. That would be such an awesome cruise! Where else does it stop?

We found Shanghai to be very safe, affordable, and filled with things to do. If you have any particular questions, I’d love to help you out if you send me an email at [email protected] !

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25 quick and helpful Shanghai travel tips (2024)

Posted by Gayle Aggiss | Updated October 1, 2023 | China blog , Travel

Shanghai is hands down one of the most buzzing cities in the world and it’s one of my personal favorites.

You probably hear this a lot, but Shanghai really does have everything.

It’s got amazing food, shopping, culture, architecture, history… the list goes on.

But despite all of these amazing features, it’s still different to western countries and can be confusing for first timers and experienced travelers alike.

So, to make your trip smoother, here are the top Shanghai travel tips that I’ve put together after numerous trips to this incredible city.

1. Eat your way around the world

Eat Chinese food or international cuisine in Shanghai – take your pick. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

The food in Shanghai is so damn good, and has always satisfied my hungry stomach. (I’m not ashamed to say that I travel for the food as much as the sights.)

I ate Mongolian food for the first time while I was in Shanghai. Previously, I hadn’t even known that Mongolian food was a thing.

I still think about the cheesy, meaty goodness at that restaurant!

But if you want to sink your teeth into something local, my favorite kinds of Shanghai dumplings are:

• Xiao long bao (小笼包), delicate little things that have a soup broth inside
• Sheng jian (生煎) which are fried pork dumplings with a crispy base.

They’re both so delicious that I wrote an entire article about how good the dumplings in China are  (you can check it out later).

My advice while you’re in Shanghai is to get out of your comfort zone and try everything. Watch where the locals go and what they eat.

2. See if visa-free travel applies to you

You’ll need an L tourist visa if you’re ineligible for Visa Free Transit. Image by i viewfinder on Shutterstock.

To be able to sink your teeth into a Shanghai dumpling, you’ll need to make sure you get here in the first place!

Like most travelers to Shanghai, you’ll probably have to get a visa before you visit.

And depending on where you live, the visa process can be difficult or time-consuming, so I recommend getting started early. Not the week before you leave!

However, if you’re on a short trip (on the way to another country), then it’s worth knowing that Shanghai has a 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit policy.

Passport holders from a bunch of countries can enjoy 144 hours in Shanghai without having to get a visa.

So, if you’re on your way to somewhere else, you could spend up to 6 days in Shanghai without going through any extra paperwork trouble.

Some of the countries included under this rule are:

• Germany and many European countries
• New Zealand

Interestingly, some large countries like India and Malaysia do not enjoy this privilege, and you’ll need to apply for a tourist visa regardless of the length of your stay.

You can check your eligibility for Visa Free Transit by tapping here.

Note that this opens up in a new window (it’s an official Chinese government site).

3. Get a VPN

Access banned websites and apps in Shanghai with a VPN. Image by Privecstasy on Unsplash.

If you’re like most people, then you enjoy sharing images and updates about your trip as you explore. But you’ll have a lot more trouble doing that while you’re in Shanghai.

China’s firewall is real, and it will leave you unable to access sites like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Google.

Basically, the sites that you’re most likely to use to stay connected, share your holiday snaps, and find out the answers to questions (like ‘best dumpling restaurants in Shanghai’), will be completely off limits.

That’s why you’ll need a virtual private network (VPN) during your stay. And you’ll need to download it before arriving in China, otherwise you won’t be able to download it at all.

You can read a review of which VPN is best for Shanghai here or tap on the button below to get the one which The Helpful Panda recommends.

If you’re already in China and your VPN is playing up (that’s normal in China), there’s a troubleshooting guide here .

4. Don’t tip

People generally don’t tip in Shanghai. Image by AndreyCherkasov on Shutterstock.

If you’re from the United States, you’ll be used to tipping. But please don’t tip in China.

Not only do the locals not tip, service staff may feel awkward if you try and slip them a note.

There are a few little exceptions to the ‘no tipping’ rule, so I suggest you read this article that Mike wrote .

5. Beware the traffic

Shanghai traffic on a good day! Image by Robert Biesewig on Pixabay.

OK, this applies all over China, but I need to put it in this list of Shanghai travel tips.

Don’t expect everyone to obey traffic laws. Red lights, cross walks, they’re more suggestions than hard and fast laws in Shanghai.

So, don’t just step out when the walk sign flashes and expect to be safe.

This applies to walking on the sidewalk too. Back home, I always think of the sidewalk as car-free and much safer to walk on.

But in Shanghai, you’ll find e-scooters and e-bikes driving like maniacs on the sidewalk, and it isn’t unusual for cars to park on the sidewalk. Keep your eyes and ears open!

6. Use a navigation app

Using a map app will definitely help you. Image by Brett Jordan on Pexels.

Now, I’ll be the first one to tell you that Shanghai is easy to navigate.

The tourist areas are generally well-signposted and, if you get lost, the locals can speak some English.

But why rely on the locals, or even your intuition, when you can use a navigation app?

The best China map app , in my opinion, is MAPS.ME but others swear by Google using a VPN.

It’s ultimately up to you, but if you plan on using MAPS.ME just remember to download your Shanghai map before you arrive in China so you can use it offline (and not use expensive roaming data) while you’re there. Awesome.

If you use one of the Chinese map apps, like Gaode, you’ll need to be able to read Mandarin!

7. Prepare for squat toilets

Yep, this is me photographing a squat toilet. Image supplied by Gayle Aggiss.

Shanghai gets a lot of foreign visitors, so it has facilities to match.

But if you go need to use public toilets, like at a local mall, you’ll probably be confronted with the dreaded Chinese squat toilet (boy, was it fun writing that article).

These toilets can be a bigger challenge than you might expect, especially for women. Here’s a few tips to help you survive them:

• Carry toilet paper with you, as the toilets usually don’t have them
• Don’t put the toilet paper down the toilet, it goes in the bin
• Try not to look at the bin as it’s usually quite foul and overflowing
• Bring sanitizer with you as there’s usually no soap.

If you struggle to squat, then plan your daily trips around places you know have western toilets. Or, if you can, do your business in your hotel!

8. Explore the side streets

Get off the main streets for better, cheaper food. Image by Paralaxis on Shutterstock.

In any big Chinese city, and especially Shanghai, the food is often better (and always cheaper) if you venture off the main street.

I can’t tell you how many amazing meals I’ve had in China down side streets.

9. Pack your adapter

This is something you shouldn’t forget to pack in your bag. Image by Edward Eyer on Pexels.

Shanghai’s power points aren’t uniform, and you’ll find A, C, and I plug sockets apparently at random.

So, make sure that you pack an adapter to match. It’s one of the best things to buy for your trip.

Side note: Check out Mike’s incredible packing list for China , which covers a lot more than power adapters!

Depending on where you’re from, you might also need a voltage converter just to make sure your electronics don’t get blown out.

10. Bring your passport on day trips

It may sound obvious, but if you forget your passport then you can’t get into the tourist sites. Image by Gustavo Fring on Pexels.

Got a day trip planned for Suzhou or one of the lovely water towns?

If you’re taking the high-speed train, you’ll need to bring your passport to be able to board the train.

The locals use their national ID card to go through the electronic gates, while foreigners like you and me annoyingly have to go to the manual gate and present our passport.

Also, most tourist attractions in China require ID to get in, so even if you stay in central Shanghai, you will need your passport to get into places.

11. Use the Metro or Didi

This is the symbol to look out for to take the subway. Image by TK Kurikawa on Shutterstock.

While we’re on the topic of trains, let’s talk about how good the Shanghai subway is.

It’s prompt, clean, and will take you all over the city (of course). And there’s a whopping 16 lines.

The Metro also connects up with Maglev train, which is the ‘magnetic levitation’ train that you can get to and from the Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

If you’d rather travel in a car while you’re in the city, then download Didi, which is China’s version of Uber.

You can literally get a ride within a few minutes from anywhere in the city.

I suggest you take a look at the other great travel apps to use in China .

12. Explore the shopping malls

There are shopping centers in and around Nanjing Road. Image by ThewayIsee on Shutterstock.

If you’re cashed up and love shopping, then you’ll love Shanghai.

Check out this website where you can filter for shopping centers and malls based on the Metro stations you’re near.

I’m not a big shopper myself, so wandering down East Nanjing Road is enough for me.

13. Stay near attractions

I recommend staying near The Bund as that’s where many of the main attractions are. Image by Adli Wahid on Unsplash.

Although Shanghai is China’s largest city, it’s remarkably walkable.

But this doesn’t mean that you’ll want to walk for miles every day while you’re there, especially if you’re only in Shanghai for a few days.

To avoid this, consider staying near the attractions you most want to see. This will cut down on your transport times and costs as well as shoe leather.

You can check out some great hotels in Shanghai by tapping on the button below.

Obviously if you’re on a packaged tour you don’t need to worry about this. But Shanghai is the easiest place in China to travel solo .

Oh, and fun fact: the population of Shanghai is about the same as the whole of Australia, where I’m from.

14. Use a translation app

A translation app is an indispensable tool for Shanghai. Image by Lars Poyansky on Shutterstock.

There’s more English in Shanghai than in any other city in China, but this doesn’t mean that everyone speaks English or that everyone will understand you.

Taxi drivers in particular often don’t speak English and this can make getting around difficult.

To overcome this issue, use a translation app on your phone. Pleco is a good one, but there are plenty of others.

I like using trusty Google Translate, but just remember you’ll need a VPN in Shanghai to use any of Google’s services.

If you’re a bit old school, or a bit old (sorry mum!), then at least make sure you have the hotel’s address on a business card or written down somewhere in Chinese characters.

That way, you can just hand it to a taxi driver and be on your merry way.

15. Get out of the city

Getting wet in Zhouzhuang Water Town! Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

One of the best Shanghai travel tips that I can give you is to get out of the city if you can.

This will give you a break from the noise and the lights and there are also some absolutely amazing places really close to Shanghai that are well worth seeing.

If you’re not part of a tour group, take advantage of the bullet trains and go!

Here’s where I recommend that you visit:

• Hangzhou, for lake cruises and tea (1 hour from Shanghai Hongqiao by train)
• Suzhou, for beautiful gardens (30 minutes by train)
• Nanjing , where you can experience China’s ancient capital (75 minutes by train).

There are also some picture-perfect ancient water towns within easy reach of the city:

• Zhujiajiao Water Town (40 minutes by Metro, then walk)
• Tongli Water Town (75 minutes by car, or take train to Suzhou)
• Zhouzhuang Water Town (90 minutes by car).

Just remember to bring your passport to board the bullet trains, as I mentioned in tip number 7.

16. Don’t drink the water

Only drink bottled water in China. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

This may seem like an obvious one, but the consequences of forgetting are pretty dire, so I’m including it.

Do not drink the tap water while you’re in Shanghai. Drink bottled water at all times and use it to brush your teeth as well.

You don’t want to spend all of your short time in Shanghai being sick, so don’t risk it.

17. Avoid Shanghai in summer

Everyone covers up in Shanghai in the summer. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

Autumn and spring are the best times to visit the city as the weather is mostly very pleasant.

But even winter is fairly mild and comfortable for most (there’s no snow in Shanghai).

In contrast, summers can be intense. Between June and August, you can expect temperatures around 86-95°F (30-35°C) or even as high as 104°F (40°C).

Combine these temperatures with all of the city’s glass and metal plus high humidity, and it can lead to a lot of hot, sticky days.

If you have choice over travel dates, I recommend booking your trip for the other seasons.

Check out the page on the best time to visit Shanghai and Beijing .

18. Reconsider that trip to Disneyland

Think twice if you want to use your time in Shanghai by visiting Disney Resort. Image by Woshinidayess on Pixabay.

Look, I need to be honest and tell you I haven’t been to Shanghai Disney Resort. I’m not really an amusement parks kind of girl.

But hearing from friends who have been there, all I’ll say is have a big hard think if you want to spend an entire day at Shanghai Disney.

It’s expensive, there are long queues, and in my opinion, plenty of other better places to visit!

Only go there if you’re a massive fan.

19. See the best tourist sights

The French Concession is a lovely area to explore. Image by Robert Mullan on Shutterstock.

Only in Shanghai for a few days?

Then here are the best places where everyone typically goes:

• The Bund, which is the huge, lovely waterfront and a true Shanghai landmark
• Pudong skyline, which you can see from the Bund or you can go up one of the towers (see below)
• Nanjing Road for large stores and malls
• Yuyuan Garden for traditional Chinese gardens (see below)
• Jing’an temple for a more peaceful experience in the city
• Former French Concession , where there are cafes and leafy trees
• Xintiandi and Huaihai Road for upmarket shopping and dining
• Puxi District if you’re into nightlife.

Note: Try to avoid public holidays and weekends if you can.

Also, the Chinese are night owls, so if you get somewhere when it opens, you’ll beat the hordes (well, at least for the first hour).

20. Go up a tower

There’s so much fog that you can only see the top of the Bottle Opener. Image by Jeremy Zhu on Pixabay.

I say ‘a’ tower as there are so many options!

But if you like observation decks like I do, then you could try a few:

• Shanghai Tower is China’s tallest building, and one of the world’s tallest buildings
• Shanghai World Financial Center, the second tallest building in the city which looks like a big bottle opener
• Jin Mao Tower, which is nestled between the two above
• Oriental Pearl TV Tower Observation Deck, one of the futuristic buildings on the banks of the Huangpu River.

They’re all in Pudong, so you could literally tower-hop your way through this district.

The Oriental Pearl Tower is the original tall structure in Pudong, but now looks a little dwarfed next to the other monstrosities.

Note: You’ll only get spectacular views on days where there’s no smog or clouds.

Otherwise, you’ll see absolutely nothing (well, except smog and clouds).

21. Beware of strangers at Yuyuan Garden

There’s a known scam that happens near the Yu Garden. Image by Laurette Chapuis on Pixabay.

Shanghai, like the rest of China, is very safe and especially for foreign tourists.

However, there’s a common scam near the busiest tourist attractions in China, that being the Yu Garden in Shanghai and the Forbidden City in Beijing.

Basically, someone (usually a woman) with excellent English will start talking to you, and once she’s built your trust, she’ll invite you to a teahouse.

The only thing is – the tea will cost an astronomical price per cup, and you’ll only find this out once you’ve downed half a dozen of them.

And, you’ll be locked inside the teahouse until you pay! So, never ever accompany a stranger to a teahouse in China.

22. Use mobile payments but carry cash

Everyone in Shanghai uses their phone to pay. Image by Humphery on Shutterstock.

Shanghai is mostly a cashless city, with most hotels, shops, and attractions relying on mobile payments.

Lots of shops may even refuse to take large bills because they can’t give you change. This means you should prepare other ways to pay other than cash.

Download WeChat Pay or Alipay and set it up with your card before you go.

Seriously, no one uses cash anymore in China!

23. Get your coffee fix (hopefully)

Some coffee shops don’t accept cash or even have customer service. Image by Sarunyu L on Shutterstock.

While I’m on the topic of payment apps, you’ll find that some of the coffee shops in Shanghai (I’m looking at you, Luckin Coffee) only take app orders.

The apps are only in Mandarin, and you’ll need a Master’s degree on how to order. And that’s assuming you’ve already set up your foreign card on WeChat Pay or Alipay.

You might need to ‘shop around’ for a coffee shop that will take your cash order, otherwise head to a Starbucks.

At least you won’t go thirsty in the country’s biggest city. Shanghai has the most coffee shops in the world (you can see more crazy facts about China here .)

24. Take a boat ride on the Huangpu

Find your feet in the city by doing a river cruise. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

I like being around water. I’m Australian.

So, if you’re anything like me and you need some respite from all the concreteness that is Shanghai, take a boat ride on the Huangpu River.

There are a few options leaving from The Bund area, and it’s nice to see the city from a different angle.

25. Go further

Take the high-speed to explore other parts of China. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

I’ll finish with this tip.

If you want to visit other Chinese cities, I recommend taking the high-speed train.

For relatively short distances, the train is always cheaper than flying, but even on longer distances it can be just as good.

For example, you can get from Shanghai to Beijing in under five hours on the bullet train. You cut out all the stress and extra time needed at the airport for security and whatnot.

And, domestic flights in China can be relatively expensive.

Psst! Last travel tip

I mentioned at the start how all the major foreign sites and apps are blocked in China.

So, I’m reminding you before you go off and have a cup of tea!

If you want to use the internet in China using hotel Wi-Fi, then you’ll need to get a VPN on your devices.

Check out this review or tap on the button below for the recommended one.

Just remember to download it before you arrive, as VPN sales are blocked in China.

You’ll have a great time in Shanghai

This huge, exciting city is perfect for giving you a quick taste of all that China has to offer. It’s remarkably safe as well, making it a great option for first timers to China.

Unfortunately, even with the best Shanghai travel tips in the world, you may still find yourself shocked and uncertain when you first visit the city (e.g. the public toilets may get you).

So, keep these travel tips in mind, but be open to the new and unfamiliar. Because they’ll definitely make the best stories when you get back home.

And finally, don’t forget to try the delicious soup dumplings. I’m so envious already!

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments area below. And be sure to get your VPN before you leave . Bon voyage and safe travels.

Where to from here?

You’ll like these little nuggets of Shanghai knowledge:

• Shanghai travel guide
• Best time to visit Shanghai
• What to wear in Shanghai
• What is Shanghai known for?

Or, if you want more travel tips, then check out these pages:

• Best China travel tips
• Best Beijing travel tips

Main image credit: Sean Sheng on Pixabay.

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Tips and faq about shanghai travel, what do i need to know before going to shanghai.

The most important things are to see if you’re eligible for Visa Free Transit and to get a VPN before you jet off. You should also set up WeChat Pay or Alipay because the city is almost cashless.

What is the best way to explore Shanghai?

Use the Metro which has a whopping 16 lines and numerous interchanges.

How many days is enough for Shanghai?

You could rush through it within a few days, but if you want to explore the water towns and nearby cities (like Suzhou, Hangzhou, etc), then a week would be ideal.

Is Shanghai an expensive city to visit?

Yes, compared to other Chinese cities. But a trip to Shanghai won’t totally break the bank, provided you eat local Chinese food, stay at three-star hotels, and don’t splurge too much at the shopping malls!

Commercial relationship disclosure: The Helpful Panda has commercial arrangements with organizations that may appear on this page, such as affiliate links. See our terms for more info.

Gayle Aggiss

Gayle loves learning and is intensely curious about the world. This curiosity has driven her to travel and work overseas, including China and Vietnam. Gayle is from Perth, Western Australia. You can follow her on LinkedIn .

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Shanghai Disneyland Trip Planning Guide

Shanghai Disneyland is Disney’s newest park, located in China. This travel planning guide covers all facets of a visit to Shanghai Disney Resort, from general: airfare, transportation, currency, etc. to Disney-specifics: food in the parks, where to stay, FastPass strategy, and more.

Let’s start with a threshold question: should you visit? We enjoyed Shanghai Disneyland much more than we expected, and found this to be a fairly common reaction among others we encountered who went for opening day. No, it’s not the best Disney park in the world–or even Asia–but it’s arguably the best opening day park with the most well-rounded attraction attraction roster Disney has built since EuroDisney.

Moreover, Shanghai Disneyland has a lot of potential as it grows. Since it is already proving very popular with guests, we assume that growth will happen sooner rather than later. We’ll have to update our theme park rankings, but we’d put Shanghai Disneyland about middle of the pack. In other words, we do recommend visiting, but it shouldn’t be your top priority for the international parks, nor should it be your first international park.

If you are traveling to China, we recommend this post as a Shanghai Disneyland-specific supplement to other general resources. For general travel advice to China, we reviewed several books at our local library before booking the trip, but ended up buying only Lonely Planet Shanghai because that’s the only city we planned on visiting.

If you’re planning on visiting other spots in China, that one guide will not suffice. Honestly, none of the generalized “China” guides seemed all that good–we’d probably get one of those, but supplement it with another city guide (probably Lonely Planet Beijing ).

Now let’s dig into the meat of this Shanghai Disney Resort Trip Planning Guide!

Cultural Etiquette ‘n’ Stuff

If you Google “Shanghai Disneyland etiquette” you will find numerous results painting an unflattering picture of the resort and its guests. Trash all over the central plaza, reports of line-cutting, uncouth behavior, and general anarchy is the scene being presented by the media.

Our experience with Shanghai Disneyland did not align with these media reports whatsoever. Yes, there was trash in the central plaza after guests had been sitting around for 2 hours waiting for the fireworks, but it was cleaned up within 10 minutes after the show. You’ll find the same ‘scene’ at literally every other Disney castle park on the planet post-fireworks. Nowhere in the park was this messy at any other time. In general, we did not witness behavior that is in any way worse than what can be observed of Americans at any day of the year at Walt Disney World.

To be sure, you will possibly witness things you would not see in U.S. parks. The one thing that is potentially very disconcerting for westerners is public defecation. This is a hot-button issue even within China ( and particularly controversial between Hong Kongers and the Mainland Chinese ), and at least in part is rooted in the divide between urban and agrarian life in China, and the rapid pace of technological advancement in the cities. I’m hardly an expert on the cultural underpinnings of this all, so I’ll leave it at that.

My advice would be to not let it get to you. Just as you probably shouldn’t let it get to you when an adult has a meltdown and throws a temper tantrum at Walt Disney World. Neither are things society necessarily condones, but westerners seem far more fauxtraged by the former.

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of either, but both strike me as “ignore it and move along” scenarios. Hardly significant in the grand scheme of a visit. Particularly when the cleanliness level of the park is exceptionally high. And the cleanliness level of Shanghai Disneyland is exceptionally high.

Other things to expect are less personal space than you might be accustomed to in the U.S. and line-cutting. I didn’t notice the former at all, but don’t be surprised if you do. That comes with the territory of living in any population-dense place (and we’ve experienced the same in Hong Kong and Tokyo).

As for line-cutting, we noticed this a grand total of one time. On that one occasion, someone in front of us stopped the cutters from proceeding further by putting their arms outstretched on the queue stanchions. We experience cutting a good deal in the U.S. as parties try to “join their groups” farther ahead, and my mental reaction is always (“how about they join you farther back?!”) but not wanting to be confrontational about it, we always just let them pass.

I would not let any of these supposed “etiquette” issues deter you from visiting China. From our perspective, they are total non-issues. It does not require some unduly expansive view of cultural relativism, either–just a basic understanding that different cultures have different norms and mores. Any culture (including ours) can be negatively stereotyped. Don’t feed into that.

Language Barrier

If you’ve already read our Tokyo Disney Resort Planning Guide or Hong Kong Disneyland Planning Guide , this will sound familiar. Personally, I see the language barrier as no barrier at all (in any of these destinations). All signs have English on them and there are English park maps.

Just as is the case in Japan and Hong Kong, English is not the first language of Cast Members at Shanghai Disneyland. It’s a second language, at best. With that said, the two things that really work in your favor are pantomime and that Cast Members offer exemplary Disney service in Shanghai Disneyland.

The most common interactions you’ll have with Cast Members are when ordering meals, and menus with photos at every register made this incredibly easy for us. We didn’t once have an issue. If you’re a veteran of Disney parks or are doing research now (by reading guides like this one!), there’s a good chance you aren’t going to need to interact with Cast Members a ton during your visit, as you won’t have as many random questions along the way.

Beyond that, the Cast Members at Shanghai Disneyland are exceptional, trying to go above and beyond (with service that is nearly Japanese-caliber). The only time we encountered any problems were when trying to retrieve stored luggage from Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, and then this was was resolved by one Cast Member finding another who spoke better English and could assist.

When it comes to attractions, many of the shows and rides are entirely in Mandarin. Save for the shows, I don’t think this really matters. Most Disney attractions (everywhere) lean heavily on visual storytelling to engage a variety of audiences (including young children who are still developing their language skills), and the same is true in Shanghai Disneyland.

Think about Peter Pan’s Flight, for example. Do you recall any of its dialogue? If so, was that dialogue actually crucial to your enjoyment and understanding of the ride, or was it more or less superfluous given that flying over London pretty much speaks for itself?

I would say that 75% of the time or more, enjoyment of an attraction in no way depends upon spoken word. This is true on TRON: Lightcycle Power Run, Soaring Over the Horizon, Roaring Rapids, Camp Discovery, Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue, Explorer Canoes, Jet Packs, and literally every ride in Fantasyland.

You may not understand the exact words Jack Sparrow is saying while riding Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure, you can surmise exactly what’s going on based upon the ride’s visuals (hint: there’s a battle, and it’s for the treasure that has sunken).

Even in the dialogue-heavy Eye of the Storm stunt show, visuals were such a dominant element of the experience that we had a great time just watching the show unfold, without a complete understanding of the plot (which seemed more like “guidelines” anyway).

Visas v. Visa-Free Transit Rule

Most visitors to mainland China are going to need/want to apply for a travel visa prior to visiting China. The Chinese Embassy website details how to go about this. There are a number of services that will make the process painless for you if you’re uncomfortable submitting the paperwork yourself. Additionally, TDR Explorer has a full guide explaining this process, to which we will defer since we did not get visas.

Instead, we took advantage of the 144-hour visa exemption . This rule only applies if you’re making a stopover in China and are visiting a third country on your trip. For example, if your route is Los Angeles to Shanghai to Tokyo to Los Angeles, you are eligible for the exemption, so long as you stay in China for less than 144 hours. If you’re taking a roundtrip flight to Shanghai, you are not eligible.

The amount of time spent in that third country is immaterial, so even booking an itinerary with a 2-hour layover in Japan would work (so long as you don’t have a layover in the same country before arriving to Shanghai–your “bookended” countries around the China portion of the trip must be different).

One caveat about this is a seldom-used rule and many airport agents–particularly those in smaller cities–may not be aware of it. They should be able to enter your travel information in their Travel Information Manual Automatic ( Timatic ) system and be advised that you qualify for visa-free travel, but should is the operative word there.

If you are going to take advantage of the visa-free travel exemption, we would highly recommend printing out paper copies of all travel documents, including your hotel confirmation. You should also try to obtain a Timatic printout confirming that you’re eligible for visa-free transit. This is particularly true if you booked open-jaw flights or legs of the trip through multiple carriers.

This was how we booked our trip (LAX->PVG->HKG->NRT->LAX) and the United agent in Los Angeles at the ticketing counter needed to see our travel documents to enter our information into their Timatic system in order to print our boarding passes (we were unable to do online checkin as a result). We then encountered a second agent at the gate who had to again confirm our documents when they did a visa-check. It was painless for us, but LAX also flies numerous routes to China, so it’s probably not all that uncommon.

By contrast, our friend Mark flew out of Orlando, and despite showing them the necessary information, Air Canada agents ignored documentation concerning the 144-hour rule and flat out denied him a boarding pass, stating that there was “no such rule.” Sadly, the indubitable duo of Florida Man and Dudley Do-Right couldn’t crack this mystery even when handed the policy. (In fairness, words are hard.)

Mark ultimately got the issue straightened out by speaking with a United manager at the airport (it was a codeshare flight), but by that time it was too late and missed his flight. There are other anecdotes like this on the 144-Hour Master Thread on FlyerTalk –but even more success stories, so don’t get too scared. We mention this not to dissuade you from taking advantage of the 144-hour rule, but so you arrive at the airport with ample time to address any issues that might arise.

Once we landed at PVG, we took advantage of the visa-free line at Immigration. If you’re utilizing the exemption, make sure to look for this line, as there was literally no one in it when we arrived, as compared to a lengthy line for regular visa transit.

Transportation

When it comes to airfare, we always recommend using a combination of hacks and patience to save money on flights. We recommend that you start by checking out ITA Software using flexible travel dates to narrow times that might be cheapest. There are a myriad of parameters you can set, and in our experience, ITA is the best way to find the lowest prices on airfare for set dates of travel. (Note: you cannot book via ITA.)

ITA is what we recommend because it’s great with more complex itineraries that include stopovers, open-jaw flights, etc. We figure this will come in handy for those looking to do the “Disney Grand Circle Tour of the Pacific Rim” and knock out all of the Disney parks in Asia on a single trip.

We cover how to do this in our “ How to Visit 3 Disney Destinations on 1 Airfare ” post, and the airfare savings are considerable leveraging these airfare rules. It might seem complicated at first, but it is well worth reading that post and figuring it out. That post covers how to incorporate Shanghai Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Tokyo Disney Resort into a single trip. As mentioned above, our itinerary included stops in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. The total cost of our itinerary was just over $1,000, and the only reason it was that expensive is because our dates were locked in around Shanghai’s Grand Opening. Had we been more flexible, we could’ve booked the trip for ~$700.

To find great airfare deals like this, you should use fare alerts on Airfarewatchdog.com . You can set some parameters for the alerts here and receive email updates when they deem prices to be low. If your home airport is not a major international hub, we’d recommend adding the nearest major airport to your alert list, as sometimes it can be cheaper to book a flight to that airport, and then book the rest of your itinerary.

Minus the 12+ hour flight, getting from the United States to Shanghai Disneyland is easy–easier than any other international park aside from Hong Kong Disneyland. Once you land in Shanghai (fly into PVG), you can take a taxi to the parks for under $20 US. (The park and airport are both on the outskirts of the city, conveniently near one another.) You’ll likely be met by a bunch of “airport reps” inside PVG trying to book you a charter car–ignore them and go outside to find a taxi. If you book one of the cars inside, you’re going to pay at least $50. (These guys can be very pushy and ignoring them is the best strategy, as once you engage at all, they won’t leave you alone.)

Alternatively, you can take the Shanghai Metro, Line 11 if you’re staying downtown and want to get to Shanghai Disney Resort. We started our trip on The Bund (downtown) and used the Metro to get to Shanghai Disney Resort, which took a little less than an hour with one transfer. Be mindful that the Metro does stop operating shortly after SDL closes.

If you’re trying to get downtown from the airport, taxis are also available, but the Maglev is the best option . This is exactly what the name sounds like–a magnetic levitation transport. It’s basically like the hoverboard from Back to the Future , but for an entire train full of people.

Asia mass transit (Shanghai included) is very clean, safe, and reliable. That’s a big part of the appeal for us as Americans–seeing space-age stuff like hovertrains and bullet trains. In terms of getting around in general, there are several useful apps are Explore Shanghai, SmartShanghai, and Baidu Maps.

If you’re traveling to China and intend upon using the internet, you’ll want to either rent a SIM card or a MiFi unit. Unlike Hong Kong where free public WiFi is available across the city, it’s not quite as widespread in Shanghai (and we could rarely get it to work–most times it required receiving a text message to activate; we finally gave up). We used 3GSolutions for MiFi rental and were satisfied with our experience. They also do SIM cards , which are cheaper, but we opted for MiFi since it’s easily shareable.

Our MiFi was delivered to our hotel (there’s free WiFi in PVG) downtown and handed to us at check-in. When we were done with the rental, we gave it to the front desk at Shanghai Disneyland Hotel in a package provided to us. I guess someone from 3GSolutions goes around and picks them up? All I know is that we weren’t charged for the device, so they must’ve received it somehow…

Additionally, mainland China has “The Great Firewall,” which blocks out a number of popular social media sites and portions of the internet that are important for connected Americans. As such, we highly recommend getting a VPN. After doing a bunch of research, we opted for ExpressVPN (that link will get you 30 free days, but it’s after you pay for 30 days, so those free days may be of little use to you).

Price-wise, it’s slightly more expensive than competitors, but our research indicated that it was more reliable and faster. We had absolutely zero issues with it, and would recommend it. (We didn’t try alternatives, so YMMV on those.) You might also consider Opera’s free VPN, which people have reported using with success in China . We opted against this since it would be ineffective for non-browser based internet uses.

China’s currency is the Yuan (you can find a current conversion rate via Google). You might consider ordering some Yuan before your trip from your local bank, as it’s nice to have for the metro, taxis, etc. It is not necessary to order a significant amount, as the vast majority of businesses in Shanghai accept credit card.

We strongly recommend having a credit card with no foreign transaction fees for any international travel. Actually, having 2-3 cards is ideal, in case one is inexplicably denied (it seems to occur for us at a higher rate than normal when traveling) or flagged (even when we notify the bank of travel plans, this has occurred).

When using your credit card, always pay with the local currency (if given the option) to avoid a potential fee and for a more favorable conversion rate. Note that in Shanghai, there’s no contactless pay system that’s nearly as ubiquitous as the Octopus card is in Hong Kong.

How Many Days?

If you’re casual visitor to China and randomly stumbled upon this article, a single day is sufficient to see the highlights of Shanghai Disneyland as part of your China trip.

If you’re a serious Disney fan, we recommend two days. You will likely want to dig deeper in the park, and despite the (deceptively) limited attraction lineup, there’s quite a bit to do that is unique to Shanghai Disneyland. Additionally, many of the attractions have already proven to have long waits, and average wait-times for even less popular attractions tend to exceed 30 minutes.

Beyond that, you’ll want to try the many dining options, shop, see the shows at SDL, and just generally explore the park. All of this takes more time than you expect, making 2 days the perfect amount of time, in our opinion.

We spent 3 days in Shanghai Disneyland on our first visit, and we still left wanting more. Granted, we are probably not the best example, as I spent hours per day just taking photos and the summer humidity left us fatigued during the middle of the day. Still, we think there’s an ample amount to justify 2 days in the park.

If you are crunched for time, visiting multiple Disney parks in Asia, we recommend allocating 66% to 75% of your days at Tokyo Disney Resort. (If we had 6 days total for the parks and were doing just Shanghai and Tokyo, we’d do a 2-4 split. If doing Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, we’d do a 1-1-4 split.)

Additionally, we recommend allocating around half of your time on the entire trip to non-Disney sights. Hong Kong, China, and Japan each have a lot to offer, and it’s really simple to navigate all of them thanks to wonderful public transportation. Because of this, we would not do Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Resort, and Shanghai Disneyland all on the same trip. Unless you have a month for the trip, you’re going to be bouncing around too much and miss too much. That’s just us, though.

When to Visit

With Shanghai Disneyland only having opened a few months ago, it’s impossible to write a definitive “when to visit” section about the park at present. However, we think a lot can be gleaned from visitation trends at Hong Kong Disneyland, which shares some guest demographics with Shanghai Disneyland, and should be a good baseline. Likewise, weather in Shanghai is important.

First, the time to avoid: summer. Vacation crowds and summer humidity almost caused us to pass on Opening Day, but it was too much to resist. For our next visit, the months of May through August are out of the question due to humidity. We also would not go for Chinese New Year, or any other national holiday, as those tend to be the busiest travel times.

Climate-wise, Shanghai is not as far south as Hong Kong, which can be hot even in October and November. It’s also not as far north as Beijing, where it can snow in the winter. With this in mind, we’d probably view late-October through mid-December and February through April as the best times to visit. This article covers other good/bad times to visit China .

In all likelihood, our travel schedule would be dictated by Japan and seasonal events more than anything else. We anticipate Shanghai Disneyland not offering any Christmas entertainment or decorations its first year, and wouldn’t be surprised if it’s never celebrated there. Along with Christianity, Christmas was banned by the Chinese government until recently , and between the government’s ownership interest in Shanghai Disneyland and the low percentage of the population that celebrate the holiday, we could see it being ignored at Shanghai Disneyland.

However, we love Christmas at Tokyo Disney Resort and weather-wise, this seems like it would be an ideal time to visit, so we could see our “sweet spot” for an Asia trip that includes both Tokyo and Shanghai as being in late November or early December, irrespective of whether Shanghai will get in the festive spirit.

You should also consider which days of the week to visit. Before purchasing tickets, we’d highly recommend consulting the Park Hours . In a rare move as compared to other international parks, we are actually going to recommend a weekend visit at this point. Potentially.

That depends upon a comparison of park hours on weekday versus weekend dates for your timeframe. Right now, we are noticing some weekend dates are open up to 3.5 hours more than adjacent weekday dates. We find it highly unlikely that crowds will be sufficiently higher on weekends as compared to weekdays to offset this added time.

As of right now, wait times are slightly higher on weekends, but not that much higher. In fact, even with “only” +2 hours on the weekend, we’d probably still choose that. (If there’s a 1 hour difference, a weekday probably makes more sense.)

The other things to consider here are that all tourist spots in the city are going to be more crowded on weekends, and–if you’re continuing on to Japan–that you should never visit Tokyo Disney Resort on a weekend.

Where to Stay

Shanghai Disneyland has two official hotels: Toy Story Hotel and Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, both of which are within walking distance of the park. Both also offer shuttles, and Shanghai Disneyland Hotel also offers boat service. We highly recommend staying at one of these official Disney hotels–more so than we do in Tokyo or Hong Kong, in fact.

We stayed at Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, and liked it quite a bit. This is the flagship hotel, featuring an Art Nouveau ocean liner-inspired style (particularly in the lobby) and it’s slightly closer to the park. The rooms were passable: somewhere in between a Walt Disney World Moderate and Deluxe. A few more details given the price point would’ve been appreciated.

I’m not sure that you’d call Toy Story Hotel a “Value” Resort given the price point, but that’s how it struck me. I know parents with kids might like the decorations, but it just didn’t do anything for me. It reminds me of Art of Animation, room-wise, but without any of the exterior charm.

These are the obvious picks for a visit to Shanghai Disneyland. While there are no Extra Magic Hours or anything of that sort (yet?), guests tend to line up to enter the park at least 30 minutes before opening, so that long train ride from downtown may not be the best way to start your day. If you’re planning on exploring downtown Shanghai, we’d recommend doing a split stay.

If you’re on a tighter budget, the $200+/night rates at the official Shanghai Disney Resort hotels might be a tough pill to swallow. Unfortunately, given the recency of the park’s construction, there are not yet any Good Neighbor Hotels or other options in the immediate area. Additionally, you might have a tough time determining what, exactly, is convenient to Shanghai Disney Resort.

As for off-site hotels, you options are basically downtown, airport hotels, or spots along the Metro in between. Based on our research (not first-hand stays), here are a few options that should be convenient to Shanghai Disneyland along the Metro:

• Shanghai Pudong Theme Park Wassim Hotel
• Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai International Tourism and Resorts Zone
• Novotel Shanghai Clover
• Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Kangqiao
• JI Hotel Shanghai Kangqiao Xiuyan Road

Again, we haven’t stayed at any of these, so we cannot vouch for them. If you’ve visited Shanghai Disneyland and stayed at an off-site hotel, we’d love to hear feedback as to where you stayed and what you thought.

Buying Park Tickets

Park tickets for Shanghai Disneyland are inexpensive as compared to the US parks. Currently, only 1-2 day tickets and Annual Passes are sold at Shanghai Disneyland. Much like Walt Disney World and Disneyland, Shanghai has seasonal pricing, with tickets during peak travel times costing more.

Fortunately, there are now discounted 1-2 day tickets for Shanghai Disneyland available via Klook . Depending upon the ticket season, you’re looking at a savings of around $5-10 per ticket, which is not bad considering that Shanghai Disneyland is already one of the least expensive Disney Parks in the world. To really sweeten the deal, you can take $5 off your first purchase on Klook by entering our exclusive discount code KLKDTB at checkout!

For this reason, we highly recommend buying in advance from Klook. If you purchase tickets from Shanghai Disneyland directly, you’ll pay significantly more. You’ll have a few options once you purchase, including a paper voucher or digital ticket. We went the digital route, taking a screenshot of the ticket (for safety increase our internet was down) as well. We then received a paper ticket after our digital ticket was scanned at the turnstiles.

No matter how you purchase your tickets, make sure to bring your passport in case the Cast Member requests to check your ID (you should always have your passport on your person when traveling internationally).

In addition to tickets, you can purchase “Disney Premier Access,” which is essentially paid FastPass. There are two versions of this–one that can be purchased per attraction ($17-22 per ride) and another version that includes every attraction ($10-13 per ride).

Disney Premier Access offers priority access via the FastPass line at the following attractions: Soaring Over the Horizon, Roaring Rapids, TRON Lightcyle Power Run, Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Peter Pan’s Flight.

Unless you’re visiting on a national holiday or particularly busy weekend, you won’t need Disney Premier access on the vast majority of these attractions. Even though it’s more expensive, to do individual rides, you’re likely only going to need this pass for Roaring Rapids or Soaring Over the Horizon (but not both), unless you don’t arrive at rope drop…in which case you could need it for both. Otherwise, smart use of FastPass and a good park touring strategy (see below) should be good enough.

Park Strategy/Touring Plans

We plan to write a dedicated 1-Day Touring Plan for Shanghai Disneyland, but for now, here’s roughly how we’d start the day, along with FastPass strategy. This requires arriving to the park 30 minutes before opening, perhaps more depending upon the season (in loosely following wait times, crowds have remained high since the park’s Grand Opening)…

• Get FastPass for Roaring Rapids
• Go to Camp Discovery to do the rope course (low capacity, and lockers are in short supply)
• Get FastPass for Peter Pan’s Flight
• Get FastPass for TRON Lightcycle Power Run
• Last FastPass: Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue
• Last ride (<5 minutes until close): Voyage to the Crystal Grotto or TRON Lightcycle Power Run

These tips operate on the assumption that you’re willing to skip clones or near-clones. Meaning no Soaring (if you must do that here, get a FastPass for it first thing and do Roaring Rapids via standby), Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, etc.

We also are trying to get you onto the TRON coaster at night, which is why we wait so long to get a FastPass for that. You should be mindful of FastPass return times when adapting these tips to your plans. If TRON already has a late afternoon return time when you’re eligible for your second FastPass, don’t get the Peter Pan’s Flight FastPass.

Lines for Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure and all Fantasyland attractions will be shorter at night. Tomorrowland lines seem to get longer at night, which is probably indicative of most guests starting their days in Adventure Isle and progressing around until arriving in Tomorrowland last.

Single Rider is available at Pirates, Roaring Rapids, Mine Train, and TRON. However, the line is not always open, and when it is, you might have a difficult time using it if you show up as a group. (We did.) During our visit, the Single Rider line was only ever open for Pirates.

If an attraction breaks down (and we mention this because it has been occurring quite a bit with Roaring Rapids and TRON) while you are in line, we strongly recommend going to Guest Services at the front of the park (past the “Train” Station) and requesting to speak to someone. We experienced a breakdown after waiting in line 2+ hours for Roaring Rapids, and Cast Members were not giving out re-admissions when clearing the line. However, Guest Services assisted us.

If you intend upon watching the parade, you can safely grab a spot for it 20 minutes before start time. The parade route is insanely long, and front row spots tended to be available until the last minute.

Ignite the Dream (the nighttime spectacular) is a totally different story. If you want a good view of this show, including the projections, fountains, and fireworks, you need to select a (centered) spot in Gardens of Imagination at least 90 minutes before the show, potentially earlier. This is why having 2 days in Shanghai Disneyland can be a good thing–you can skip Ignite the Dream your second time and maximize ride time when attractions tend to have shorter waits.

Restaurants in Shanghai Disneyland serve a wide range of cuisine, ranging from burgers, pizza, and fried chicken to traditional Chinese dishes. Most restaurants are counter service, but there are also buffets and table service restaurants around the resort.

Unlike Tokyo Disney Resort, Shanghai’s snacking game isn’t nearly as strong. Nor is its table service scene. We strongly suggest sticking to counter service restaurants for most of your dining needs. You’ll find a few viable snack spots on Mickey Avenue (including Il Paperino, the bomb ice cream shop) and there are also the insanely popular turkey legs in Adventure Isle, but other than that…not much.

Many of you will probably be alarmed/elated that Shanghai Disney Resort serves Pepsi instead of Coke. So, you either have a reason to go or a reason to skip the park now, depending upon your alliances in the soda wars. Pepsi aside, we recommend bringing a filtered water bottle with you to Shanghai Disneyland. There are far fewer drinking fountains than in the U.S. parks, and this is probably a cultural thing, as most guests carry water bottles with them. (Each drinking fountain also has a faucet for filling bottles.)

We intend upon doing a range of restaurant reviews in the near future, and we will update this post with links to those, but for now, here are some of the restaurants we recommend, which should get you through a couple of days in the park:

• Tangled Tree Tavern
• Mickey & Pal’s Market Cafe
• Wandering Moon Teahouse (must-do)
• Barbossa’s Bounty (must-do)

If you must do table service, do it in Disneytown or one of the hotels. We can’t speak to any of these restaurants, but we did dine at Royal Banquet Hall in Enchanted Storybook Castle, and it was a bit disappointing. (The characters were awesome, though!)

Disney boozehounds will also be happy that there are a few bars located around Disneytown and the resort hotels (but not in Shanghai Disneyland). Of these, our recommendation is Bacchus Lounge, which was open ~2-3 hours after the park closed on our visit and offered views overlooking Wishing Star Lake and towards the castle.

What to Pack

The items on our Unique Disney Packing List will be helpful in any of the Disney theme parks. If you’re visiting Shanghai in the late spring, summer, or early fall, plan for hot weather. Things like Frogg Togg Chilly Pads and USB-Powered Fan will come in handy to keep you cool, as will moisture wicking clothing.

You’ll also need a power adapter when traveling in China, because plugs are three-prong “type I” as opposed to “type A” that we use in the US (and Japan at Tokyo Disney Resort). If you intend upon doing international travel to other destinations in the future, we recommend something robust, like this Universal Travel Adapter . It includes the added utility of having 2 USB plugins in additions to a standard plug. Rather than buying/packing multiple adapters, we pack this along with a Travel Power Strip . Some–particularly western chains–hotels in China will have US plugs, but it’s better to just play it safe.

In general, we would caution against overpacking and recommend only taking a single carry-on bag, especially if you’ll be moving around. Mass transit in Asia can be crowded, and dragging around multiple suitcases is a serious hassle. You can read more of our “carry-on philosophy” and which types of bags we use here .

Additionally, Shanghai is a world city, and you can purchase just about anything there that you’d be able to purchase at a convenience store anywhere else. In other words, don’t pack for every possible contingency. If you are going to be staying in multiple hotels in Asia, we highly recommend packing cubes or compression bags for organization.

Okay–that should be a good jumping off point. Hopefully others who have been will weigh in with additional tips in the comments, and we can refine this guide based on questions you might have. Want to see more photos or read about Shanghai Disneyland in agonizing detail? Check out our Shanghai Disneyland Grand Opening Trip Report from our very first visit to China.

Your Thoughts

Do you agree or disagree with our advice for visiting Shanghai Disneyland? Any additional tips to add? Any thoughts about Disney’s newest park of your own? Any questions? Please feel free to ask or assist in the comments. With so little Shanghai Disneyland trip planning materials out there, your feedback (both questions and answers) can be useful in helping others plan their trips!

Written by Tom Bricker

Hi Tom, thanks for the information. I am planning to visit SDL in June (no choice as to dates) and was wondering if you have had occasion to update this review? Thanks again!

I second that motion! It’s a nightmare planning my June trip due to lack of updated information out there. Thank you, Tom and Sarah!

We’re planning a SDL trip in June too. Things I’ve learned so far in my research: SDL Hotel bookings can be made at least 6 months in advance but park tickets only released 30 days in advance. Park tickets and entry are guaranteed for SDL resort hotel guests so can be purchased from hotel concierge 1 day before your planned visit (For example, check in on Thursday and buying ticket for a Friday park visit). If buying park tickets directly from your SDL hotel, you receive one free premier access pass (fastpass) per guest per day. SDLR hotel guests receive up to one hour early entry and use of a hotel guest entrance into SDL located in Disneytown. When entering your name into the reservation system on SDL website, you can only list your first and last name but not a middle name. After you receive your hotel confirmation, you’ll need to e-mail SDL with your full legal name (name listed on passport) for all members of your traveling party including children. The hotel will send you a confirmation letter with all the legal names listed on the hotel reservation. This letter is important to print out and show when entering China (especially if using 144 hr transit without visa-which we plan to do). SDL website has a live chat function if you have questions or you can email them (link on SDL website) and get a response within a few days. I hope this helps!

Hi, This sounds like such a great trip and I just love your little collections of mementos! I’m heading to Paris for the first time later in the fall and would love a travel guide – especially on places to eat! виза за Канада онлайн

If you plan on eating in DLP resort I suggest you book ahead. Otherwise the quick dining is poor. We had a good meal at Walt’s (DLP) and fun at PYMs kitchen (DHS) which was well themed. Billy Bob’s buffet at Disney village (no need for park entry) is also pretty good. Avoid walk up counter service at Hollywood studios. Bakeries at DLP are generally OK. Long waits in peak hours and a bit pricy.

Thank you for sharing this excellent information. Your blog is really cool. It was truly user friendly experience.

Hi Tom, first of all, thanks for writing a fun and informative article. It’s a very interesting read. I’m wondering if you mind getting inputs on the time of year to travel to SHDL and its seasonal events? I’m re-reading the article and the section on when is the preferred time and Christmas is a little off…I don’t want to come off as rude or trying to teach you how to tour Shanghai Disney…

Your guild on HKDL and Tokyo helped so much with my planning. So I just thought the Shanghai one can be touched up a little. I have a diamond AP for SHDL and visits all the time. Anyway thanks again, your website has been a great delight for me.

That knock on American infrastructure was pretty uncalled for considering you’re praising a literal dictatorship. But I guess its okay to praise communist china while also insulting “entitled Americans” because china has better trains.

As a ‘historical’ note, this guide was written 4 years ago at a time when a lot of the Shanghai Disneyland coverage revolved around anecdotal reports of kids pooping in lines and people trying to draw a line from that to “the park is gross.” (Hence the tone of the ‘Cultural Etiquette’ section.)

Nowhere do we praise the CCP. The last several years have made abundantly clear how awful the Chinese regime is for a multitude of reasons, and it’s heartbreaking to see what’s happening in Hong Kong. The next time this article receives an update–whenever international travel is allowed to China again–we will be including warnings against Americans traveling to China.

It’s also true that our infrastructure is pretty bad (compared to almost all of Europe and Asia, not just China) and American guests are the US parks are often entitled. Multiple things can be true at once.

After the COVID-19(Coronavirus Disease 2019) is over, I am going to Shanghai Disneyland with my family for two days.

Very nice post, this article is very informative for shanghai travel lovers.

Hello! Long time reader, first time comment-er

I am heading to Shanghai for work and of COURSE will be making a stop at Shanghai Disney before I head back to the states. Not sure how old this article is, or when it was last updated, but you had mentioned how contactless isn’t a big thing there. When I was in the city of Shanghai, a year a go, WeChat was HUGE and you could pay everything contactless through it. Is Shanghai Disney just not caught up to that trend like the rest of Shanghai?

Thanks, Katie

Just FYI, your Klook coupon code doesn’t seem to work anymore!

Currently in Shanghai doing a crazy park run from the US doing Shanghai Disneyland and also Hong Kong Disneyland (doing Tokyo in a separate trip in a couple of months). Just wanted to give another hotel option if you wanted to save some $$ compared to the onsite offerings. The Shanghai Marriott Hotel Kangqiao is a newish hotel a couple of miles from the park that has a free shuttle service Shanghai Disneyland. $100 USD per night for one of the nicer Marriotts out there. Granted…..i wouldn’t stay here if my main goal was to be close to Shanghai proper but if Disneyland is your focus or you have business in the area it is a great choice

Just visited this amazing park and I’d like to share that late October was perfect for my visit. No crowds at all – TRON and Pirates had a 10 to 20 minutes wait on Saturday and Sunday. Since tickets for weekends cost more than tickets for weekdays, I believe that Mondays now may have the worst crowds. Soaring has the worst wait times (it hit 75 minutes on both days), just like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (45 to 60 minutes) and Roaring Rapids (30 to 40 minutes). But get a Fastpass (using the app) for any of these attractions as soon as you arrive (early) in the park and you’ll be OK. I visited on October 27 and 28, after the National Holidays (first week of October) and when most kids were studying for exams. So it was a pleasant experience.

I studied abroad in Shanghai during the Fall of 2016 and went to Shanghai Disney with my mom when she visited during some of my last days there in late November. The weather was chilly, but not at all unbearable with light jackets. We stayed in the Toy Story Hotel and loved it. Our first night there we could see the fireworks show from our room–they even had a channel on the TV to listen to the show’s audio alongside the fireworks (I don’t know if this is common or not). The Cast Members there are incredibly helpful and most spoke English.

Note that this was within months of Opening Day, but it was not crowded at all. We noticed that the rides that allowed for guests to take selfies on the ride (Dumbo, jet packs, etc) were far more crowded than the ones we thought would have long lines (Tron, Pirates of the Carribean, the Star Wars area, etc). The shows were all amazing and I echo what another commenter said: the Tarzan show is BREATHTAKING. We loved it so much we saw it twice. We spent two days there in total and thought that was the perfect amount of time to see / do everything we wanted.

One final note: I would avoid going to Shanghai Disney — or all of China for that matter — during their National Holiday during the first week of October. That is when the cities are the most crowded along with during the New Year. If you do spend any amount of time in Shanghai besides the park, I suggest going to Yu Yuan garden! Happy travelling.

Planning a trip the first weekend of October. My husband, who now lives in Hangzhou south of Shanghai, says it’s a Chinese Festival Holiday. He wants to go that weekend due to jet lag of our return trip there. Does anyone know what the crowd is like for such a holiday? After reading some comments, I’m thinking I’d rather go the weekend before and deal with pushing thru tiredness. He’s been to the area several times and knows how to navigate so that won’t add to our trip. Thanks!

Planning a trip there soon! Questions for those who have visited from another country: I keep reading about the challenges of getting a legit taxi at the airport vs. the rip-off services that try to get you to go with them. How hard is it for a foreigner to identify the “legit” taxis at the airport? And if this is such a challenge, why not take the train into the resort? Quite honestly we are heavily leaning toward taking the train and avoiding the entire taxi “experience” that everyone seems to have there. But I’ve not seen many who chose the train and I’m wondering why….

Hi, did you take he train in the end or taxi? What were your experiences. Thank

Following up, two years later….

We couldn’t see that the train system was going to be an easy option, as there was no direct train service from the Airport to Disney. We would have had to make at least one or two transfers, and we weren’t comfortable doing this in Shanghai, a city (and country) we’d never visited before.

So we opted for the taxi service. It’s true what they say – the minute you get your luggage you will be approached by dozens of people trying to get you to take one of their very expensive car services. We ignored all of these people, and that wasn’t the easiest thing to do with them constantly in your face about their “taxis”.

It was easy to find the real taxi area, as there were plenty of signs, and it was similar to many airports with a long line of cabs and airport personnel directing travelers to the nearest available cab. So, getting a taxi was not an issue.

Getting to the hotel, however…..

We gave the taxi driver the address of our hotel – a Marriott property near the Disney Resort. At the onset, he seemed to understand, but that quickly ended up not being the case. From there, it was at least 30 minutes worth of wrong turns, backtracking, etc. before we finally arrived at the hotel.

We learned quickly that Google Maps does not line up correctly with your actual GPS location in China, and therefore as a US traveler you often think you are in the wrong place. For example, when in the Disney park itself, Google Maps shows you in a random neighborhood several miles away. You can see the image of Disney on your phone, but it doesn’t appear as if you are there. This issue obviously did not help us when trying to direct our driver to our hotel. We probably just made it worse.

Long story short, we made it to the hotel, which we knew had a free shuttle to and from the Disney Resort every hour. And, we learned, they also ran their shuttle to and from the Airport!!!!!! Talk about things we wish we would have known in advance…

Other than this, our trip was FANTASTIC. The Disney Resort far exceeded our expectations, and the cities of Shanghai and Beijing were amazing to visit. Hopefully someday we can return.

My husband lived in Hangzhou 2018 2019. I was Ofer there and went to Shanghai and Tokyo Disney as was our kids and bf’s. We took the train from airport to Disney when all of the kids (20’s) came over. It is easy to do really. There are signs above the trains showing each stop. You just have to know each time to what stop (in number). It is also inside the train above all the doors. It lights up which stop you are at. When transferring, same thing. My husband ran to one beeping to close doors. I didn’t get in. Well my arm did until I ripped it out I knew where I was going and go to the nest transfer. GPS worked fine for us as well. We used in for walking shanghai. I do know personal drivers there who are the best if ever needed. One drove us to Disney the first time. They are hired by my husband’s old company.

We just got back from a trip to Shanghai Disney last week (June 26 & 27). We had a great time & I thought I’d add our 2 cents about the experience.

1. We did the 144hr visa free transit! It can be done, but when we checked in we were told “cannot” at the airport. We were traveling with Air Asia – a manager eventually called the airline office in Shanghai and confirmed that our travel plan was ok. Our itenerary was Chiang-mai –> Bangkok –>Shanghai –> Kuala Lumpor –>Shanghai. This took some time and some unnecessary stress but worked out ok.

2. Week days in the summer are still very crowded! We stayed in the ToyStory Hotel and were able to secure a fastpass for the River ride. We thought if we got to the park early using the special entrance for hotel guests we would be able to ride that or soaring first thing while the line was short. The line was already 180min when we arrived at the queue 10 min before the ‘official opening time’. Be prepared to wait. For our family no ride is worth over an hour wait. (If you only have one day and must do all the big rides -soaring, river rapids, mine train, & tron. You will prob need to purchase a fastpass. I’m frugal and we didn’t want to spend the extra money on it. We never did ride Soaring but have been on it before, so my kids were OK with that. But we did have time for all the other big rides, and some of the classics. Since I was there with teens, they opted out of attractions geared toward younger kids. We also skipped the character meet-n-greets.

3. You will walk a LOT!! I think we put in close to 20,000 steps each day.

4. It was HOT (feels like temps were around 110 F). Bring your hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and umbrella for shade. My kids teased me for being an Asian mom and then asked to walk with me when I had the umbrella up.

5. Everything in Shanghai took longer than we thought it would from getting our visas at the airport, to checking in at the hotel, to transport to Disney. Give yourself a 15-30 minute travel cushion. Oh, bring along extra patience. There are alot of people and personal space isn’t really a value.

6. We found the food and snacking game to be a bit lacking. Granted we were usually looking for Western Food. We didn’t go hungry, but I should have packed some snacks. (I usually do but listened to my hubs who said don’t bother since we were traveling with only carry ons.) There are plenty of places to refill your water bottle in the park. It won’t be cold, but its free, and did I mention it was hot.

7. We had a really great time and made a lot of memories! Tron is awesome!! We also loved the Pirates ride. Because it was so hot we made scheduled stops for the shows (in the AC during the afternoons.) We ended up enjoying them even though they were in Chinese. We especially loved Tarzan – the acrobatics were amazing.

Stacy – would love to talk with you more and ask specific questions. We are planning to go for our son’s senior trip but as Westerners, we feel inadequately prepared and the whole thing kind of overwhelms us. Wish I had a way to contact you so I could ask some travel specific questions!!!

I was there in November 2017 for a day. I am planning to bring my daughter for a post HS graduation trip in June 2019 and am planning that now – we’re doing a whirlwind trip to Tokyo, Kyoto, Hong Kong and Shanghai in about 2 weeks due to her schedule. November was my first time to China (Hong Kong and Shanghai) and I did it as a solo leisure traveler but I’ve traveled generally to Asia several times for work and often solo so I’m a fairly intrepid traveler.

If you are on Disboards, you can PM me at AinW – I check it every couple of weeks and would be happy to answer general questions about short trips to Shanghai &/or Hong Kong.

Happy planning 🙂

I think one of the interesting elements of the Asia parks is that each has a slightly different appeal in regard to age demographics. We lived in Hong Kong, and I went to Honk Kong Disney more often than I want to admit to. I went often enough to write an app. For my money, Hong Kong is probably the best Disney park worldwide for the toddler set. The park is small and most of the rides are aimed at younger kids. There is Grizzly Gulch and Space Mountain, but most are really for the toddler and preschool set. We spent 7+ days in Disney Shanghai, and I personally liked it a lot more than Tokyo Disney. The Shanghai attractions are newer and some, like Pirates of the Carribean, are actually quite breathtaking. The Tokyo attractions feel quite dated by comparison. I should also point out that we had a fairly serious emergency at Tokyo because the park didn’t have an epi pen on hand in their medical center. On top of that, no one at the medical center spoke English. So be aware.

I’d like to point out that your ‘Dudley-Do Right’ reference is offensive and outright incorrect. The ‘Air Canada’ agents in Orlando are in fact, Americans.

Does Shanghai Disney provide luggage lockers as we plan to go to Disney on our last day so after Disney straight to airport.

Yes, there are luggage lockers (I was there in November 2017 and had to leave my luggage). I took the Metro and was there about an hour before park opening (and had not pre-purchased a park ticket). Unlike Hong Kong (where luggage check is between the Metro stop and park entrance), in Shanghai you do it at Guest Relations AFTER you pass through security. I waited in the first queue (to go through security) THEN entered a different queue to purchase my park ticket THEN headed to the right to Guest Relations and baggage check. They gave me a claim ticket (sorry – I don’t remember how much; I think about the equivalent of $5). A full-sized carry-on wheeled bag was not a problem to check.

Great Guide! We are planning to visit in this summer in June. I’m wondering if/how your touring plan will change now that ToyStory Land is open.

Thanks for the great blog. We just got back from Shanghai Tuesday–literally were in Shanghai Disneyland on Monday 11/27. We got super lucky–Monday was the first day of the Enchanted Holidays at Shanghai Disney Resort . When we got to the park we could hear Christmas music playing and the resort had “light” Christmas decorations. We were able to go to the Christmas tree lighting ceremony as well. It was a lot of fun to experience a bit of Christmas in Shanghai. We were there on a Monday–crowds were very light. We were able to do almost all the rides we wanted to. The longest wait line we saw was a 120 at Soaring–the longest we waited in was 30 minutes. They also recently updated the App to allow you to get Fastpasses in the app. I was able to scan everyone in our parties park tickets and we were able to get fast passes through the app all at once. This was super convenient. They also offered several options to buy fast passes–you could buy a single fast pass for about $8 US, or you could buy all the fast passes for $40. So I can see how they are going to monetize this. I am also interested if the pricing is dynamic–maybe it was fairly low since it was a slow day when we were there. We had fast passes for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. When we got there the ride was closed for maintenance- when we checked the app they had already changed our fast passes to non expiring fast passes that could be used on any ride.

The weather was great in November–the day was very pleasant-although it did get a bit chilly at night. The food in the park was not my favorite. We did eat at Barbossas Bounty and it was just ok. The park closed at 8–so right at closing we went to Ippudo in Disneytown for Ramen–it was delicious and not overpriced. I was surprised how easy it was to get to Disneytown–if we go again in the future I can see us eating most of our meals there. The restaurants looked much better and with a Disneytown entrance it was just a short walk.

Overall we loved Shanghai Disneyland–it wasn’t quite the Christmas we are used to at Disneyland–but it was a great experience.

Hello Can i bring pack food inside the park?is there any halal restaurant inside?

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5 Days in Shanghai: What to Do and See in Shanghai

by Trip.com

May 15, 2024

• Shanghai 5-Days Itinerary: Cheap Flights to Shanghai

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Shanghai Disney Resort

Opening Hours: Open from 11/25-11/25,Thu,9:00am-8:30pm;Open from 11/26-11/26,Fri,9:00am-8:00pm;Open from 11/27-11/27,Sat,9:00am-8:30pm;Open from 11/28-11/28,Sun,9:00am-8:30pm;Open from 11/29-11/29,Mon,9:00am-8:00pm;Open from 11/30-12/5,Tue-Sun,9:00am-8:30pm

Ticket Price: 399 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 Days

Location: Shanghai Disney Resort, Chuansha New Town, Pudong New Area, Shanghai

As the first Disney resort in mainland China, Shanghai Disney Resort is a world-class family entertainment destination. It features Shanghai Disneyland Park, an entertainment district, two themed hotels, recreational facilities, a lake, and associated transportation hubs. One unique aspect about Shanghai Disney is the way the park incorporates Chinese tastes into its design. With plenty to do and fun for people of all ages, the Shanghai Disney Resort is certainly one of the city’s premiere attractions.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Expatexplorer: Before visiting Shanghai Disneyland i didn’t really understand the hype surrounding Disney theme parks. I have now returned 3 times and it has completely blown my expectations out of the water. - Before you go, download the app. This will help you understand show times, queue times and where the restaurants are located - Stay til the fireworks and light display at the end. I usually hate fireworks but again this was truly an incredible show and i loved it - Visit Disneytown, this is actually just outside the theme park itself, but there are some great restaurants (Cheesecake factory) and shops here to explore - Enjoy everything the park has to offer! If you enjoy fast rides, go on Tron. Admire the work of Imagineers on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Enjoy the musical performances at the parade and shows. Embrace the magic and you won’t be disappointed!

Daniel: You can drink alcohol here. I, like many others, have forever wondered at various parks if i can. so you will be pleased to know that there is a food hall to the east a short walk from the main pavillion you can. As for the park...it is one of the better ones. Prices are acceptable. The ride wait time is low and most of the rides are very enjoyable. The Tron cycles so much that we did them three times. The mountain line walk is the right mix of concerning and exciting. With an unbeatable view of the park. Food is a typical Disney fare. Nothing to write home about. Definitely come for the end of the day light show. One of the best I have seen at any park. Florida, France, Hong Kong... they just dont compare. Just remember to beat the foot traffic and power walk out od there when its done.

Day 1 | Evening

For convenient access to more popular attractions, Hyakumangoku Onsen Hotel is the best places.

Hyakumangoku Onsen Hotel

The Hyakumangoku Onsen Hotel is a great choice for guests looking for accommodation in Shanghai , having been recently opened in 2021.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport is located approximately 18km away and Shanghai Railway Station around 35km away. Transportation around the city is also convenient, with Disney Resort Metro Station within walking distance. There's plenty to do nearby, with Aoxing Park, 浦東國際影視產業園共享空間 and JEGOPLAY TOO Family Park all within a short distance.

In their spare time, guests can explore the hotel's surroundings. Guests of this Shanghai hotel can make use of the parking facilities.

Germaphobes can rest easy - the level of cleanliness is highly rated at this hotel. This hotel is a popular accommodation for guests traveling with families.

Airport pickup service

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Day 2 | Morning

Oriental pearl radio & television tower.

Opening Hours: Open from 1/1-9/30,9:00am-9:00pm;Open from 10/1-10/7,8:00am-10:00pm;Open from 10/8-12/31,9:00am-9:00pm

Ticket Price: 35 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Hours

Location: No. 1 Century Avenue, Lujia zu i, Pudong New Area, Shanghai

The Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower is arguably the most recognizable feature on Shanghai’s skyline. Completed in 1994, it has come to symbolize China’s modernization and emergence on the global scene. Visitors travel up and down the Oriental Pearl Tower in double-decker elevators that can hold up to fifty people. Located on the tower’s lower levels is the Shanghai Municipal History Museum. Given its iconic status, this is certainly a can’t-miss attraction.

Trip.com User: Amazing views across shanghai from a 360 degree perspective! Even though I went when the weather was terrible, cloudy, foggy and raining, I still couldn’t fault the view! Multiple observation areas which were quite busy but not too bad! My only comment was that it was quite difficult as an English speaker (no written Chinese understanding) to work out what was actually included in each of the tickets at different price points! But overall a great experience, it took about an hour and a half to go all the way up and back down including getting tickets and queuing, but I was in no rush, however I also feel like I could have taken even more time easily. I imagine sunset would be a great time to go (if it is better weather than my visit) as it is lovey to see all the lights x

Yoghurtfighter: Shanghai Overseas Beach Photo Raiders Oriental Pearl Tower Photo Excellent location The Bund is probably the place where everyone who goes to the Mordor must punch in. Although I have been to Shanghai countless times, I will come here to share a few photos of the Bund and punch in. Very good location, such as: Dianchi Road Nanjing East Road Jiujiang Road and other sections of these roads have a high rate of filming. It is very casual to take pictures of the Oriental Pearl Tower. No tourists are required to locate others. Also know where you are ～

Day 2 | Afternoon

After finishing the tour at Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower, you can head to Shanghai Wild Animal Park, the most worth visiting place around the corner.

Shanghai Wild Animal Park

Opening Hours: Open from 3/1-6/30,9:00am-5:00pm;Open from 7/1-8/31,9:00am-8:00pm;Open from 9/1-11/30,9:00am-5:00pm;Open from 12/1-2/28,9:00am-4:30pm

Ticket Price: 130 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 0.5-1 Days

Location: No.178, Nanliu Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai

Opened in 1995, the Shanghai Wild Animal Park was one of the first AAAAA (highest-rated) tourist attractions in China. Visitors can see more than 10,000 exotic animals, most of which are rare wildlife, including giant pandas, snub-nosed monkeys, takins, crested ibis, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, white rhinos, and cheetahs. The park is divided into drive-through and pedestrian areas. The drive-through portions are modeled on safari parks where animals roam through natural habitats. Another popular attraction is the park’s tiger feeding pen where you can witness up close giant tigers. With lots to see and do, the Shanghai Wild Animal Park is fun for people of all ages.

Ohime_gozasoro: The Shanghai Wildlife Zoo was relatively close to Shanghai Airport and the taxi fare was quite cheap. You can go by train from the center of Shanghai, but it takes a little time. There is a locker to leave your luggage and it seems that you need a smartphone app to use it. I felt that the hurdle was high for foreigners. The number of animals, the size of the site, the comfort was quite good and the satisfaction was high. There were many pandas and I thought it was a rare creature, but it was all over. You can pay an additional fee to the safari, but this is really recommended. I experienced the highest fee, but it was a powerful point such as a large group of white tigers and bears, and feeding raw meat. You can take a bus to go around the course, but if you sit near the entrance of the feeding, you can see where you eat the feed in front of you. All the explanations were Chinese. There are several places to eat in the garden. There were many people in fast food everywhere.

Trip.com User: thats the best animal park ive been to. super clean, animals are easy to reach and look happy. stuff is very friendly. Its a luttle far, but you still can easily go with the metro, you’ll soend the whole day there. Better weekdays to avoid the crowd. The territory is really big and beautiful. rent a bicucle, otherwise could be to tiresom to walk around. enjoed it very much. want to go again

Day 2 | Evening

If you want to explore other popular attractions later, Heyitang Hotel Shanghai International Tourism Resort is a suitable place for you to stay and refresh.

Heyitang Hotel Shanghai International Tourism Resort

The Heyitang Hotel Shanghai International Tourism Resort was recently opened in 2022, making it a fantastic choice for those staying in Shanghai.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai South Railway Station are located 25km and 50km away respectively. The closest major public transportation, Huinan Metro Station, is only 300m away. Keeping busy is easy, with Fuquan Naos, Old Bell Park and Taoyuan Folk Culture Village all nearby.

This hotel makes a great place to kick back and relax after a long day of sightseeing. This Shanghai hotel provides parking on site.

Our guests consider this hotel to have excellent service. This hotel is the usual choice for a large number of business travelers.

Day 3 | Morning

Shanghai science and technology museum.

Opening Hours: Open on Tue-Sun,9:00am-5:00pm;Closed on Mon;Open from 8:30am-5:30pm during Chinese public holidays

Ticket Price: 45 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 4-8 Hours

Location: 2000 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai

Located near Century Park, the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum (SSTM) is the city’s premiere museum dedicated to enhancing public awareness of and engagement with science and technology. The museum’s large collection covers everything from geology and plate tectonics to space exploration and human health. With many interactive features, SSTM is a great destination for families with young children. No matter who you are, there is something to spark your curiosity. You won’t regret spending a few hours exploring this vast museum.

Trip.com User: Shanghai Science and Technology Museum is located in the Century Avenue of Pudong New District, covering an area of 6.8 sq. m. and building area of 9.8 sq. m., with the theme of "Natural, Humanities, Science and Technology", so that every visitor can enjoy the influence of modern science and technology. Crustal Search, Intelligent Light, BioVientiane, Audiovisual Paradise, Children's Science Park, BioVientiane, Natural Museum, and four different styles of cinemas, including IMAX three-dimensional giant cinema, IWERKS four-dimensional cinema, IMAX ball-screen cinema, The high-tech movie theater in the space theater, but the movie is more expensive than the money.

TaztoesInChina: We initially thought this museum was for kids but it turned out we were wrong. There’s so much to explore and learn in this museum. It sports various sections and themes. It takes alot of walking but you’re able to cover the museum in an afternoon. As there are kids sections, be prepared to see groups of children on school excursions. This also means that its a great day trip for families. The shop has some really cool goodies but mostly overpriced! There’s a vending machine where you can purchase some drinks and many restaurants in the area making it easy to get some food along the way.

Day 3 | Afternoon

When time permits after visiting Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, don’t forget pay a visit to Shanghai Ocean Aquarium.

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Opening Hours: Open from 9/1-6/30,9:00am-6:00pm;Open from 7/1-8/31,9:00am-9:00pm;Open from 9:00am-9:00pm during China's national day

Ticket Price: 160 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-3 Hours

Location: 1388 Lujiazu i Ring Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai1388 Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai

The Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is located in the bustling Lujiazui section of Pudong, Shanghai. Located near the Oriental Pearl Tower, the aquarium exhibits a wide variety of marine life. The Aquarium's 168 m underwater tunnel is a central attraction and provides visitors the chance to explore several, distinct aquatic environments. The many animal species on display include spotted seals, Antarctic penguins, giant salamanders, and Chinese alligators, not to mention such aquarium treasures as weedy seadragons and zebra sharks.

Trip.com User: On the major travel information networks, I agree with you that Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is one of the must-visit attractions. I use Didi to call the car in the morning, call the car in the busy time, and take about 45 minutes to sit in the car. Arrived at the aquarium about 9:30, the flow is OK, the adult fare 160, the elderly $90, 1 meter - 1.4 meter $110, the museum is wonderful everywhere, especially the four underwater tunnels, it is a great call.

My Shanghai Life: Amazing place! we just walked by and decided to take a look (160 rmb - Adult; 110 rmb - child). it is surprisingly big: 3 floors (note: you can only go one way). I liked that the information about the sea life is both in English and Chinese. we had a great afternoon!

Day 3 | Evening

For convenient access to more popular attractions, JOYA Shanghai Lujiazui Hotel is the best places.

JOYA Shanghai Lujiazui Hotel

Opened in 2020, the JOYA Shanghai Lujiazui Hotel offers travelers a pleasant stay in Shanghai, whether for business or leisure purposes.

Boasting a convenient location, the hotel is just 10km from Shanghai Railway Station and 24km from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Just a short walk from Shangcheng Road Metro Station, traveling to most city destinations is a breeze. Famous local attractions Halcyon Gallery, Laobaidu Riverside Greenland Chimney Plaza and 卓睿號遊艇俱樂部, can all be reached with a short walk.

When guests have some time on their hands they can make use of the onsite facilities. This Shanghai hotel offers parking on site.

According to our guests, this hotel provides a very high level of service. For guests traveling with families, this hotel is consistently one of the most popular choices.

Day 4 | Morning

Madame tussauds shanghai.

Opening Hours: Open from 8/11-12/31,10:00am-9:00pm

Ticket Price: 190 RMB

Location: 10th Floor, New World Commercial Building, People's Square, Huangpu District, Shanghai

Madame Tussauds Shanghai has become famous throughout the world for its lifelike wax figures. As only the second Madame Tussauds located in Asia, the museum features uncannily lifelike reproductions of nearly 80 celebrities, including Yao Ming, Jackie Chan, David Beckham, Tom Cruise, Michael Jordan, and Bill Clinton. Each figurine is elaborately made in a London studio with more than 200 years of wax making experience. By incorporating new technologies into the figurines, Madame Tussauds Shanghai is able to offer visitors a more immersive experience. Certainly this particular museum lives up to the reputation Madame Tussauds has garnered throughout the world.

Isa in 中国: Quite an interesting visit! The tour will only take you about an hour. Make sure to stay around for the ice age movie it’s quite fun! 😁

Trip.com User: a bit expensive at ¥190 for an adult ticket, but the laughs and pictures and fun made it worth it.

Day 4 | Afternoon

Now we come to another great highlight in the city: Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park.

Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park

Opening Hours: Open from 11/1-11/30,Mon-Fri,9:30am-5:30pm;Open from 11/1-11/30,Sat-Sun,9:30am-6:00pm;Open from 12/1-12/31,Mon-Fri,10:00am-5:00pm;Open from 12/1-12/31,Sat-Sun,9:30am-5:30pm;Open from 12/24-12/26,Fri-Sun,9:30am-8:00pm

Ticket Price: 330 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 0.5-1.0 Days

Location: No.166 Yinfei Road, Nanhui New Town, Pudong New District, Shanghai

Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park has been rated as a national 4A-level tourist attraction. With the theme of marine culture, it has created five regions and a resort hotel. It has 16 major stars such as "Killer Whale Science Lecture Hall", "Walrus Travel Notes" and "Dolphin Love Song". Repertoire: There are six animal exhibition venues including Antarctic Penguin Pavilion and Sea Beast Quest Pavilion, providing more than ten amusement facilities such as volcano rafting, dolphin roller coaster, etc., bringing together more than 30,000 marine creatures, showing the ocean dream float parade and 100 performances! The first deep-sea mermaid restaurant in the magic capital was officially opened. Located in the mermaid restaurant in the Volcano Shark Museum in Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park, the mermaid princess danced gracefully under the colorful ocean. Diners can enjoy the high-end French restaurant while sharing with the mermaid princesses. Go to a deep-sea appointment and start the magic city tide experience. Savor exquisite French cuisine and feel the magic of the sea. At the moment of entering the door, the light and shadow of the blue water curtain attracts everyone's attention. When a school of golden fish rushes towards you through the blue waves, it seems that you can embrace the sea with open arms. Panoramic floor-to-ceiling glass, nearly ten meters of water depth, fully wraps the dining table, interacts with the small fish swimming beside you, and makes friends with these leisurely underwater world residents. The fish swam over their heads in groups, and every frame and photo they took was sent to the circle of friends to the point where they received more than 100 likes! The specific open area of the park: Amusement equipment: Dolphin roller coaster, volcanic rafting, space-time cable car, deep sea voyage, fast penguin, happy little flying fish, flying boulder, ocean Trojan, pelican adventure; performing arts and venues: Orca Science Lecture Hall, Walrus Hee Travels, Sea Beast Detective Hall/Sea Beast Science Feeding Show, Dolphin Love Song, Ocean Dream Float Parade, Town Party, Tribal Carnival, Rainforest Style, Water Trapeze.

dirra: One of our last Shanghai parks was the brand new Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park! Home to many exhibits, killer whales, and the signature Steel Dolphin Intamin Blitz coaster, we were very much looking forward to visiting. Upon arrival we slowly started figuring out that this park is *just* shy of being a hit, but somehow charges prices comparable to Shanghai Disneyland. Let’s go explore.

Farz: it was wonderful experience. we went there on one Saturday. it was not that crowded. Every performance is worth watching. Weekend tickets are more expensive. Kids and parents can enjoy together. Rain coat is only needed if you sit in the first front rows of killer whale shark.

Day 4 | Evening

Don’t forget to book Artyzen Lingang Shanghai in advance, because all the tourists head to Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park love staying at it.

Artyzen Lingang Shanghai

The Artyzen Lingang Shanghai was recently opened in 2022, making it a fantastic choice for those staying in Shanghai.

From the hotel, Shanghai Pudong International Airport is approximately 33km away. Traveling to and from the airport is easy with Shanghai Pudong International Airport located approximately 33km away. The closest major public transportation, Dishui Lake Metro Station, is only 600m away. Keeping busy is easy, with 星際大冒險, Shanghai Planetarium and China Maritime Museum all nearby.

After a long day of sightseeing, guests can retire to the comfort of the hotel. This Shanghai hotel provides parking on site.

If cleanliness is important to you, this hotel makes an excellent choice, as our guests consider this to be one of the cleanest hotels in the city.

Swimming pool

Shanghai Happy Valley

Opening Hours: Open from 11/15-12/23,9:30am-6:00pm

Ticket Price: 230 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Days

Location: No.888, Linhu Road, Songshan Town, Songjiang District, Shanghai

Shanghai Happy Valley is a large-scale theme park located in the Songjiang district of Shanghai, about 40 km west of the city center. It includes seven themed areas: Sunshine Harbour, Happy Times, Hurricane Bay, Gold Mine, Happy Ocean, Shanghai Beach, and Shangri-La. Happy Valley features many thrilling rides, circus shows and parades, and even a Mayan Carnival. The park is great for kids and makes for an enjoyable outing. With plenty of thrilling rides, adults also have much to enjoy from a day spent at Happy Valley.

Trip.com User: Forget Disney! If you're actually looking for crazy, blood-blanching rollercoasters happy valley is the obvious choice. Rides are insane and really get your adrenaline going. it's a bit far out but makes for an awesome day trip. nice balance between the adult rides and more relaxed attractions. Food wasn't amazing but that's not the reason to go to a theme park haha. really enjoyed the day spent there - caught about 12 rides and stayed inside until 6pm.

Santiago Guitar: it’s far.... yes! but it’s awesome! if you go in summer be prepared! the heat will be hard! attractions are fun and more! food is not that great tho.... which they got better options to eat! If you’re in Shanghai and one day one to explore something different have a car there or get on subway! try to arrive early you will have ton of fun! only a few attraction where closed when we went!

• Shanghai 5-Days Itinerary: Cheap Flights from Shanghai

* All reviews in the blog are machine-translated.

Table of Content

• Day 1: Shanghai Disney Resort
• Day 2: Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower, Shanghai Wild Animal Park
• Day 3: Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
• Day 4: Madame Tussauds Shanghai, Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park
• Day 5: Shanghai Happy Valley

Shanghai Weather

Find What to Do in Shanghai in 5 Days Tour

Eatwith moments - learn authentic chinese cuisine in a shared kitchen space covering an area of ​​600 square meters.

• Chinese cooking classes taught by professional chefs There are a wide variety of courses, including dim sum making or Chinese food.

Private Chinese Cooking Class in Shanghai with Vegetarian Option

Customized facial and eye treatment in shanghai, shanghai's 3-hour culinary journey: local delights await.

• Experience Shanghai's culinary wonders from morning to late-night, with all tastings included for a satisfying meal. Immerse in the city's changing culture, learning its history and traditions during a guided tour with tastings. Discover local favorites and taste Shanghainese classics like scallion oil noodles and soup dumplings.

Eatwith Moments-Shanghai-A feast of mountains and sea in an old house on Yongjia Road

• After entering the door, there is an open garden with birds singing, flowers fragrant and full of green plants. There are also calligraphy charity activities here every Wednesday, where you can learn calligraphy for free.

Shanghai Era Theatre Acrobatics Show Ticket

<h3>besides shanghai itinerary 5 days, people also search for ...</h3>.

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20 things to experience in Shanghai

Not only is Shanghai the largest city in China but it’s also one of the largest cities in the world. It’s an important business center but perhaps more notably a favored tourist destination. You don’t want to miss out on the sights, foods and fun this city provides travelers, so book your flight and find a hotel in Shanghai so you can finally have your dream vacation.

1. The Bund

Source: Flickr

Map the location

A gorgeous riverfront boardwalk many frequent for its view of the city and striking skyline that makes for a great photo op is the Bund . Walking along here you’ll see the likes of famous Shanghai skyscrapers and other buildings across the Huangpu River, like the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center. Past visitors agree strolling along this waterfront is best done at night when it’s less crowded and you’re under the glow of lights from all the buildings.

2. Eat Xiaolongbao

It’s easy to say all dumplings are alike, but there are specific distinctions throughout Chinese culture. And the Xiaolongbao is Shanghai’s very distinctive and popular version. Traditionally prepared with bamboo steaming baskets, the dumplings are usually stuffed with pork and served with a ginger-type vinegar for dipping. Most travelers say avoid the high-end restaurants and go to the local holes-in-the wall for the best Xiaolongbaos in Shanghai.

3. Shanghai World Financial Center… toilets

When you see a skyscraper resembling a massive bottle opener, then you know you found the Shanghai World Financial Center . It’s not only one of the world’s tallest buildings but also one of the best bird’s-eye views of this city. Need to use the restroom? Stop off at the 94th floor for the world’s highest-altitude restrooms – 1,388 feet. Then head up to the 100th floor for another record – the world’s highest observatory and its glass-walled walkway. There is an admission fee. (Around $15)

4. Shanghai Natural Wild Insect Kingdom

A great attraction for kids, the Shanghai Natural Wild Insect Kingdom offers live displays where the insects live in different environment like water and rainforest. In addition to insects, there are amphibians like Chinese alligators and tree frogs… and oddly, goats. To parents, it may feel like a hodge-podge (not to mention the Looney Tunes statues outside), but kids will revel in the interaction with the insects and animals.

5 locals you must meet on every trip Get the inside scoop

5. Yuyuan Garden

At times, visitors feel overwhelmed from the buildings, loud sounds, various smells and packed streets of Shanghai. Go to Yuyuan Garden and find some tranquility in this little hidden treasure in the center of the city. Take your time to experience the decorated bridges and the Chinese pagodas and spot all the stone dragons around the garden. Don’t miss the Lotus Pool, a breathtaking and peaceful spot where you can meditate and relax. There is an admission fee for the Garden.

6. Jade Buddha Temple

Another Shanghai spot giving off a serene atmosphere is the Jade Buddha Temple , built between 1918 and 1928. All kinds of figures and statues reside in this temple, but none are more special than the two cultural jade Buddhist statues. You will marvel at the temple’s centerpiece, is the 1.9m-high (6 feet) pale-green jade Buddha carved from one piece, but unfortunately photographs are not permitted. The Temple is a popular stop for tour buses, so be prepared for crowds. There is an admission fee.

7. Shanghai Sidecar Tours

For a unique experience to see the bustling streets of the city, try taking a Shanghai Sidecar Tour . Zip around Shanghai’s neighborhoods in motorcycle sidecars driven by expert, English-speaking guides. Tours are tailored around centers of interests or Shanghai history and can range from 2 to 4 hours depending on what you want to learn. Depending on the tour, expect to pay extra for things like GoPro camera renting, video editing and burning to DVD. Tips are encouraged.

8. Nanjing Road

A vacation isn’t a vacation unless you get to shop. And the place to do it in Shanghai, and really all of China, is Nanjing Road . Hundreds of businesses line this 3.4-mile long street, including high-end fashion stores, traditional Chinese stores, specialty shops and common American fast food chains. This spot is always busy and full of people, so be prepared to walk briskly through crowds. At night the neon signs make this Shanghai street sparkle like the Las Vegas strip.

9. Get a Chinese Massage (owww!)

Source: Getty Images

There’s really nothing like a great massage while on vacation, right? Well, at some of the best places for massage in Shanghai , you can get one… intense… massage. If you’re looking for a soothing massage, there are several to choose from throughout the city. However you’re in China, so go with the traditional therapy for tackling muscle pain, but it’s not for the weak at heart. What’s the saying? No pain. No gain. In the end though, you are gonna feel refreshed.

10. Shanghai Marriage Market

Started in 1996, the Shanghai Marriage Market allows parents to advertise their single children by hanging paper “profiles” in a corner of People’s Park . Parents promote the typical achievements of their kids: education, work, age, etc. in hopes of finding that love connection. If both parents find a pairing that could work, they work on setting their kids up on a blind date. While remembering this stems from a more traditional time when parents arranged their children’s marriages, this is still a fun experience for visitors and something to share with your friends.

11. Shanghai Acrobatic Show

Nothing is more shocking or entertaining than a Shanghai acrobatic show. A popular show is ERA Intersection of Time . Performed at Shanghai Circus World , ERA is a story combining Chinese acrobatics, martial arts and dance, along with modern technology. The acrobats’ tricks and stunts keep you on the edge of your seat, while the music, lighting and sounds just intensify your overall experience. This is a must-see while in Shanghai.

12.  Jing’an Park

Yet another peaceful getaway inside Shanghai, Jing’an Park is a green urban oasis in the middle of the bustling city. From small caves to picturesque waterfalls, this charming park was developed across from the Jing’an Temple , an ancient Buddhist temple. In the morning, Shanghai residents perform the beautiful art of Tai Chi here and gives you a chance to watch this peaceful ritual. Tip: Don’t confuse Jing’an Park with the Jing’an Sculpture Park , which is nearby.

13. Tianzifang

One of the coolest areas of Shanghai, Tianzifang is an array of alleyways and stone architecture that feels a lot artsy and chic. It houses more than 200 small businesses from coffee cafes to art galleries and quirky fashion boutiques to one-of-kind bars. Make sure you take plenty of selfies when you visit, because the backgrounds will be uniquely Shanghai. Bonus: It’s right around the corner from the SML Center,  the largest international shopping mall.

14. Shanghai Museum

Composed of 11 galleries on four floors, the Shanghai Museum celebrates 5,000 years of Chinese history. This place is big, and if you’re a history buff, it’s suggested you take a couple of days to tour its massive collections. Not a history lover? Choose an area or two of focus like the Jade or Ming dynasty furniture or traditional Chinese calligraphy. Fun fact: The top of the museum is shaped like an ancient Chinese cooking pot.

15. Oriental Pearl Tower

The Tower and it design harkens back to the 1980s, so it may feel out of date. So should you skip this venue? No way! With its noticeable purple design, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower consists of three main full-scope sightseeing spheres. The bottom sphere houses a VR Roller Coaster and futuristic space city; the middle sphere offers 360° view of the city while walking on transparent glass and a revolving restaurant; and the third sphere hasa 5D Cinema (not a typo) and old-school arcade with dozens of games.

16. Shanghai Maglev

Ever wanted to 18 miles in roughly 7 minutes? Here’s your chance. The Shanghai Maglev is magnetic levitation train that travels at lightning speeds, back and forth between the city and Pudong International Airport. The train hovers a half-inch above the track. Round trip costs about 80 yuan ($12). Shanghai Maglev currently the fastest train in the world, but China is working on one that goes 373 mph .

17. Shanghai Urban Planning Museum

One of the most impressive venues in the city is the Shanghai Urban Planning Museum , which boasts five floors covering Shanghai’s urban planning  history. Located in People’s Square, the museum’s largest attraction is a stunning model of the entire city. Throw in a Virtual World 3D tour and several interactive displays and you have the most unique museum in the city. Plus when you leave the museum, you’re greeted with “Old Shanghai Street,” a re-creation of 1930s Shanghai.

18. Bund Sightseeing Tunnel

The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel is one of Shanghai’s strangest attractions. Located beneath the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, you travel under the Huangpu River by train for the most psychedelic trip of your life. Compartments on the train are completely transparent, so you can see all around, and the sound system changes as much as the colors. It takes about 5 minutes to go through the tunnel, plus it’s a great chance for memorable vacation photos.

19. Grand Cinema

Source: Ideal Singapore

If you’re in Shanghai for an extended vacation, you might want a taste of homegrown cinema. The historic Grand Cinema is your best option for popcorn and a movie. It’s the pinnacle of lavish theater design – Italian marble and Art Deco fixtures dot the main lounge. There are six theaters, including one that tops out at more than 1,500 seats and two levels. There’s even a VIP room with 25 seats for groups or work teams and translation earbuds in some seats.

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  Shanghai travel blog — the fullest shanghai travel guide for first-timers.

  This Shanghai tourist destination will give you the feeling of returning to the days of the Republic of China. Because most of the works recreated are almost identical to the originals. You will see Department Store Building No. 1, Xintiandi neighborhood…

  • Top places to visit in Shanghai — 29+ famous, must-see & best places to visit in Shanghai
  • Disneyland shanghai blog — The useful Disneyland Shanghai guide & how to spend a day in Disneyland Shanghai
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  Not only is it open to visitors, filming still takes place at the studio (but if there is filming, the whole filming area will be blocked from visiting).

  How to go: You take mentro line 1 from the city center to Xinzhuang station, then change to line 5 to continue to Minhang Development Zone station. Then take a taxi to go to Shanghai Film Park.

  

  Shanghai Tower

  • Address: 501 Yincheng Middle Rd, Lu Jia Zui, Lujiazui Residential District, Pudong Xinqu
  • Opening hours: 8:30 – 21:30
  • Ticket price: 180 yuan – Buy tickets in advance here
  • Directions: Metro Line 2 – Lujiazai – Exit 6
  

  Lujiazui area is home to the most modern high-rise buildings in Shanghai city. Among them, the most prominent is still the 128-storey Shanghai Tower. This is the tallest building in China and the second tallest in the world.

  You can buy tickets to the observation deck on the 118th floor of Shanghai Tower to see the panoramic view of Shanghai city. The view up here is quite blurry due to the glass covering it.

  

  I went at sunset but couldn’t see anything clearly. I had to wait until the whole city was lit up to be beautiful. You can book tickets online or buy at the counter (queuing takes 10 minutes).

  Huangpu River

  

  The Huangpu River is known as the Mother River of Shanghai. It divides Pudong, Puxi from the world-famous the Bund and Lujiazui financial centers. Admiring the brilliant night view of the Huangpu River is an indispensable stop for visitors to Shanghai. You can also take a cruise on the river to admire the extremely poetic and romantic scenery on both banks.

  With a total length of about 113 km and a river width of 300 – 700 meters, the Huangpu River flows through various districts of Shanghai and is the symbol of this flourishing metropolis.

  

  Chenghuang Miao (City God Temple of Shanghai)

  Address: 249 Fangbang Middle Rd, Huangpu, Shanghai, China, 200000 Hours: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

  

  Among the modern high-rise buildings in the city, somewhere still looms ancient architectural features from the Ming Dynasty, which are being preserved in the area of the Imperial Chenghuang Miao.

  Although the name is a temple, there is actually no temple at all inside this neighborhood. This entire area is a complex of houses and two gardens built in the 15th century. Currently, most of the buildings on the grounds of the City God Temple of Shanghai have been used as restaurants, fashion stores and hotels.

  

  Around this Shanghai tourist destination, it is always bustling with people. Revealing to you that the Imperial Chenghuang Miao is very sparkling at night, and there are many more attractive dishes.

  Going to Chenghuang Miao, you can fully experience Shanghai’s folk customs, sample famous local snacks and dishes. Every night, the colorful lights on the ancient buildings make the place beautiful.

  

  Address: 279 Yu Yuan Lao Jie, Huangpu, Shanghai, China, 200000

  

  Located in the tourist area of Chenghuang Miao, Yu Garden is a classical garden with a history of more than 400 years. It has a sophisticated design and a rare quietness in a bustling city like Shanghai. When you visit Yu Garden, you can also see hundreds of famous inscriptions and stone carving collections.

  

  In addition to Yu Garden, Shanghai also has a number of other famous gardens such as Guyuan, Drunk Baichi, Qiuxiayu, Qushuiyuan…

  Xintiandi (# shanghai guide)

  

  Xintiandi street located near Huaihai Road was formerly known as the old Shikum alley. Today, it is a fashionable spot frequented by young people and a must-see tourist destination. During the day, you can admire the beautiful street views and enjoy leisurely afternoon tea. In the evening, you can go to different bars to experience the bustling nightlife in Shanghai.

  

  There are many food stalls, commercial, entertainment and cultural shops along both sides of the road. Xintiandi Street has blue tiles, red and green brick walls, thick lacquered doors. Walking through here will give you the feeling that you are reliving the years 1920 – 1930.

  Madame Tussauds Shanghai

  

  Madame Tussauds Shanghai is located next to Nanjing Road and has a famous collection of wax figures. Here, you can dance with Michael Jackson, quarrel with Sun Hao, the emperor’s “Four Lord”, see Yao Ming, play with Beckham and even shoot Obama. It’s really interesting, isn’t it?

  

  In Madame Tussauds museum, you can learn about the process of making wax statues and have hands-on experiences such as competing in making models of famous people’s hands… However, you can also make your own hand wax model and keep it as a souvenir here.

  Shanghai Ocean Aquarium (# shanghai city guide)

  Address: China, Shanghai, Pudong, Lujiazui Hours: 9 AM–6 PM

  

  Shanghai Aquarium Park is located next to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, where you can see not only freshwater creatures, marine creatures from around the world but also exciting animal performances.

  

  There are 4 tunnels at the bottom of the aquarium. If you get lost here, you just need to look up and you will see magical sharks or sea turtles swimming right above your head.

  Jade Buddha Temple

  Address: 170 Anyuan Rd, Jing’An, China, 200061

  

  Jade Buddha Temple is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Shanghai. Besides its ancient and sacred beauty, this pagoda is also famous for its Buddha statue, exquisitely carved from a block of white jade from Burma. This is why you should visit the temple to admire this 19th-century statue.

  

  When visiting the temple, remember to maintain order, dress neatly and discreetly, and do not film or take photos because this is a temple of worship for local people.

  World Financial Center

  

  If you want to see the panoramic view of Shanghai from above, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the World Financial Center when coming to this city. This is considered the most magnificent building in Shanghai in particular and the world in general because it holds the record for being the building with the highest roof in the world with 101 floors, 492m high.

  

  Dine at a luxury restaurant and watch Shanghai transform by night from an unlikely location is sure to be a memorable experience in your trip. Come and let us know how you feel?

  Take a cruise on the Huangpu River

  Another way to see the city and its charming Shanghai Bund is to cruise along the Huangpu River. Standing on the cruise ship, visitors will feel the atmosphere as well as the vibrant and bustling beauty along the river banks.

  

  The time for a cruise trip lasts about 1 – 4 hours, especially if you go in the evening, you will be served a luxurious dinner. Evening is the best time for you to book a cruise trip. When the light from the tall buildings shines straight onto the Huangpu River, it creates a shimmering, surreal photo frame that couldn’t be more wonderful.

  Shanghai Centre Theatre

  Address: 1376 Nanjing Rd (W), 南京西路 Jing’An, Shanghai, China, 200041

  

  In addition to unique cuisine and interesting sightseeing spots, enjoying a concert at Shanghai Centre Theater is also another great experience. In particular, when visiting Shanghai Centre Theater, visitors should definitely not miss the world’s most famous circus performances including balancing acts, contortion, coordinated juggling and discus throwing… With the incredible talent and technique of the artists, your 2 hours will definitely not be wasted.

  

  Where to stay?

  Not all hotels in China are allowed to accept foreign guests. To know whether the hotel accepts foreign guests or not, read the reviews. If you see any language beyond Chinese, it proves that the hotel is allowed to accept foreign guests.

  

  Hotels that are allowed to accept foreign guests in Shanghai will check in international guests using a facial recognition system (while in Beijing, we do not have this case when checking in).

  Hotel room prices in Shanghai are relatively expensive but the quality is not very good. And especially the receptionist here speaks English very bad (only in central areas with tourists, luckily the receptionist can speak a few English sentences).

  

  As a major city in China, this city offers all types of hotels from budget to luxury. Please refer to the Shanghai hotels below for your trip.

  FX Hotel Xujiahui Shanghai Stadium Branch

  This hotel has a 4-star standard, located in the center of Xujiahui and Everbright Xuhui. This place features 118 rooms for visitors to choose from. And you can rest assured because the equipment is fully furnished. In addition, customer service is considered very good by the attentive and enthusiastic staff.

  

  The cost per night is about $43 for a double room of about 15m2. Considered quite economical for your budget. Come and experience it.

  Shanghai Chi Chen Boutique Hotel

  Shanghai Chi Chen Boutique Hotel is a 3-star hotel with full amenities. Especially here is the extremely spacious parking lot and includes airport shuttle service. The staff is considered enthusiastic, thoughtful and dedicated. They are ready to advise you on tourist attractions or questions about their city.

  

  When traveling to Shanghai, you can freely choose the form of accommodation from 5-star hotels to motels or apartments for rent @heremagazine

  Guhua Garden Hotel Shanghai

  Guhua Garden Hotel Shanghai is also another 3-star hotel in Shanghai.

  With room prices ranging from only $37, and there are up to 138 rooms with full amenities such as TV, refrigerator, wifi… for visitors to choose from. The service here is quite good, the staff are enthusiastic and friendly enough to give this affordable hotel 10 points, right?

  

  In my opinion, you should book a room near Nanjing Walking Street and near metro stations for convenience. Although it is cheaper to live far away, it is very tiring to go back and forth, and the receptionists in these areas are not very good at English.

  I discovered this because during my trip to Shanghai, I booked a room in 2 different zones. The first few days, I stayed at Shanghai Holland Hotel, near MRT Zhongsan Bei. This hotel is close to my friend’s house and is a residential area, so there are very few restaurants around.

  The next day, I moved to Baron Business Hotel, near Nanjing Road and Shanghai Wharf. This was the cheapest option and had 2 single beds at the time of my booking. However, the staff here has very good English, different from the first hotel I stayed at.

  Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

  • Hotel Equatorial Shanghai ( Agoda , Booking )
  • Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai ( Agoda , Booking )
  • The Langham Shanghai Xintiandi ( Agoda , Booking )
  • InterContinental Shanghai Ruijin ( Agoda , Booking )
  • Cordis, Shanghai, Hongqiao ( Agoda , Booking )
  • Campanile Shanghai Bund Hotel ( Agoda , Booking )
  • The PuLi Hotel and Spa ( Agoda , Booking )
  • SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund ( Agoda , Booking )
  • The Peninsula Shanghai ( Agoda , Booking )
  • Shanghai Marriott Marquis City Centre ( Agoda , Booking )
  

  Check out more top & best hotels in Shanghai on Agoda.com or Booking.com

  What to eat?

  The Chinese have a saying “South-sweet, north-salty, east-hot and west-sour.” and Shanghai cuisine belongs to the “South sweet” category. For that reason, the dishes here are often less greasy, fresh and have a very characteristic sweet flavor. Furthermore, in the cooking process, from selecting ingredients to presenting the dish, is given great importance. No wonder the dishes here are compared to beautiful women.

  Below are some famous traditional dishes that domestic and foreign tourists come to Shanghai must enjoy.

  Pan-Fried Pork Buns (Sheng Jian Bao)

  

  Pan-Fried Pork Buns (Shengjianbao) can be said to be a typical Shanghai snack with a history of hundreds of years. Its characteristics are: Crispy outside, juicy, delicious meat. The flavors of meat, oil, onions and sesame linger in the mouth.

  Shanghai Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao)

  

  When it comes to Shanghai Soup Dumplings, the dumplings at Nanxiang Xiaolongbao are the most famous. This dish is very famous, originating from the town of Nanxiang on the outskirts of Shanghai. It has a small size, thin transparent shell and is steamed using a special small bamboo basket, so it is also called “(small cage dumpling)”. The taste is delicious, fatty but not greasy, very frugal and worth enjoying.

  

  Shanghai-Style Braised Pork Belly (Hong Shao Rou)

  

  Shanghai’s braised pork is sweeter than other places. This dish includes soy sauce, sugar, Hangzhou braised pork (dongpo meat), Wuxi braised pork with a very thick and red oil sauce.

  Shanghai Savory Mooncakes (Xian Rou Yue Bing)

  

  The savory mooncakes are very crispy, the meat inside is delicious and you can taste the delicious sauce in every bite. The taste of the cake is very light, much less fat than the traditional moon cake. The most famous mooncakes is in Guangming Village.

  Stir-fried rice cakes

  

  There are many delicious cakes in Shanghai made from rice, a typical ingredient of the ancient agricultural civilization. In Shanghai there are many traditional rice cake shops such as Wang Jiasha and Shen Dacheng. Snack shops everywhere are also very popular with young people.

  Shanghai Sweet and Sour Ribs

  

  The Shanghai sweet and sour ribs dish, sweet and tender, the meat is best eaten when it is cold. Almost every restaurant in Shanghai has this dish and visitors coming here cannot miss it.

  Smoked fish (Xun Yu)

  

  Smoked fish is very popular in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. This dish is a cold dish. The pieces of fish are marinated for more than three hours with more than ten different spices so they are very soft, and the sauce is sweet and not spicy at all, making it very enjoyable for visitors to enjoy.

  Crab Roe with Tofu

  

  Crab Roe with Tofu is a flavorful dish in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. It is made by cooking crab meat with yellow tofu. The dish has a delicious taste and is smooth and soft and is very popular in Shanghai.

  Chinese Tea Eggs

  

  Chinese Tea Eggs is considered a famous dish of Shanghainese. When mentioning this beautiful city, it is certainly impossible not to enjoy it and is considered the most worth trying dish when coming here. Egg tea’s main ingredients are braised eggs with star anise, cinnamon bark, etc. When eaten, it has a light, relaxing scent. This dish has a fairly frugal flavor, suitable for morning breakfast.

  Shanghai steamed dumplings

  

  It’s no exaggeration to say that Shanghai steamed dumplings are the ultimate street food. If you are a lover of culinary tourism, you should not miss this dumpling dish. The two most popular types are vegetarian dumplings and steamed dumplings, each with its own unique flavor.

  Shark fin soup

  

  Shanghai shark fin soup is called a “high-end dish” famous not only in China but also in the world. However, the price paid is not cheap. But if possible, you should enjoy this dish when traveling to Shanghai.

  Yangcheng Lake Crab

  

  This is a species of crab that lives in Yangcheng Lake and is only found in Shanghai. This species of crab has a rather strange shape compared to other crab species. It has a blue color covered with feathers and a scrumptious flavor. You can taste fried or steamed Yangcheng crab at several restaurants in Shanghai.

  Where to eat?

  
  • Shanghai Ren Jia House: Where you can enjoy many delicious and cheap dishes such as Shanghai dumplings, drunken shrimp (shrimp soaked in wine)…
  • Wang Baohe Restaurant: This is the world of crab dishes and wine. If you want to eat delicious Yangcheng lake crab, come here.
  • Xiao Shaoxing Restaurant: The main dishes of this restaurant are chicken foot soup, chicken blood and chicken dishes.
  • Xinjishi Restaurant: This restaurant is a bit shabby, but the food is delicious and super cheap. The most popular dishes here are: soy-braised pork, pickled eggplant, crab-flavored tofu…
  •  Jian Guo Restaurant: The famous dining destination in Shanghai attracts the most tourists with its cozy space, delicious, abundant food and affordable prices. For less than 100 yuan, you can have a full meal with many dishes at this restaurant.
  • Shanghai markets are a great place for those who love and want to explore Shanghai’s street food.

  What and where to shop in Shanghai?

  

  Have fun, eat, drink, take pictures but don’t forget to shop. You can refer to the gifts you should buy and some shopping locations in the detailed article here !

  Suggested Shanghai itinerary 5 days

  You should spend 4 days or more to explore Shanghai. During my trip to China, I went to three places: Shanghai – Beijing – Suzhou, in which Shanghai was the main transit point. So I spent 2 more days in Suzhou and 3 more days in Beijing.

  

  The following itinerary is the days I spent in Shanghai. You can alternate Suzhou and Beijing into the itinerary below.

  DAY 1: Fly to Shanghai – Nanjing Pedestrian Street – The Bund

  I flew to Shanghai at 2:15 p.m., then it was over 5pm after I finished checking in and got back to the hotel. So after eating, you can only visit Nanjing Pedestrian Street, then go to the Bund area to admire the night view.

  DAY 2: Xintiandi – Kikyo Space – The Bund

  The next day in Shanghai, we visited Xintiandi and Kikyo Space (a virtual living photography museum). Then in the evening, I went back to Shanghai Bund again, because I hadn’t played full the day before.

  

  DAY 3: Shanghai Film Park – Shanghai Tower – Shanghai City God Temple (Chenghuang Miao)

  Because Shanghai Film Park is quite far from the center, I spent half a day here. Around 3pm, go back to Shanghai Tower to see the panoramic view of the city. In the evening, go to the Chenghuang Miao area to eat and visit.

  DAY 4: Powerlong Museum – Light Museum – Lujiazui – Flair Rooftop

  Last day in Shanghai, for photography activities, eating and shopping.

  DAY 5: Go to the airport to return to Hanoi

  

  Travel costs

  In general, the cost of self-sufficient travel to Shanghai is relatively expensive, especially air tickets and hotels. However, the cost of food and transportation in the city is quite cheap. To save money, you should hunt for cheap air tickets and book hotel rooms early.

  The following is a summary of my self-sufficient travel costs to Shanghai, you can refer to it:

  Some notes and tips before you go

  Language: Remember that most Shanghai locals do not speak English. So to have the most complete trip, learn basic communication sentences in advance or bring a mini dictionary for tourists (of course, in the case of a tour, this is not necessary). At the same time, bring a map, write down the hotel address and emergency phone number for tourists, etc. so that if any problem occurs, you can respond promptly.

  Money: Shanghai residents rarely use the US dollar. Therefore, if you want to buy or sell goods here, you should exchange to yuan (CNY) before going to China. In case of urgent need, you can also exchange money at banks or some places that specialize in exchanging money for tourists. Make sure you have enough knowledge to not be disadvantaged in this case! The use of USD in China in general and Shanghai in particular is not very common. Except for some places that specialize in selling goods to tourists, all denominations and currencies can be accepted, but otherwise, Chinese Yuan is still the most popular. At the same time, photocopy your passport so you can exchange money at banks when you run out of money.

  

  If you come to Shanghai in the summer, don’t forget to bring sunscreen, umbrella, handheld fan, etc. because the summer here is quite hot and sunny.

  I exchanged money for yuan at Ha Trung street, Hanoi. When exchanging money, the staff also advised me that the 100¥ note is very often counterfeited, so you need to pay attention to this note.

  Bring your passport with you because you will be checked at any time on the street (usually the police will not be too harsh on this case, you can show the passport photo saved on your phone for check).

  When traveling to China on your own in general and to Shanghai in particular, you should pre-install some necessary applications to support during the trip such as Baidu, WeChat, Didi…

  Shanghai is one of the extremely safe cities, I don’t feel afraid when walking at midnight. The reason is because many security cameras with facial recognition systems are installed all over the city. Anyone who does anything unusual will be found out immediately.

  If you don’t know how to arrange your Shanghai travel itinerary, you can refer to Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour. This tour will go to the main tourist attractions in the city such as People’s Square, Jade Buddha Temple, Oriental Pearl Tower… For details, please refer to the following link.

  

  Above is all the information you need to know about traveling to Shanghai, hopefully it will be helpful for your upcoming trip.

  Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Shanghai you can refer to

  • Shanghai By Night
  • Best of Shanghai Half Day Tour
  • Essential Shanghai 3 Day Private Tour
  • Shanghai Museum Half Day Tour
  • 2 Days Shanghai Private Tour
  • Modern Shanghai Private Day Tour
  • Shanghai City Walking Tour
  • Traditional Shanghai Private Day Tour
  • Private Shanghai Classic Full Day Bike Tour
  • Shanghai Disneyland Admission Ticket
  • Shanghai Disneyland Admission (90 days calendar)
  • Huangpu River Cruise（Qingjiang Line）
  • Yu Garden Admission Ticket in Shanghai
  • Shanghai Tower 118th Floor Observation Deck Ticket
  • Shanghai Bund Sightseeing Tunnel
  • Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park Ticket
  • Shanghai Pudong International Airport Transfers
  • [World Highest Skywalk] Shanghai Jin Mao Tower 88th Floor Exclusive Skywalk Experience
  • [Bund View·Klook Exclusive] Shanghai Magic Jungle Ticket
  • Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden
  • Shanghai EF PARK Power Formula Park
  • Shanghai Disneyland Annual Pass
  • Shanghai Disneyland (1 Day Admission/2 Day Admission)
  • Oriental Pearl Tower
  • CMHK | HK 7 Days unlimited data + 200 HK Local Mins + 1GB Mainland China and Macau data (HK Airport Pick Up)
  • [Thailand Pick Up] Dtac GO INTER SIM Card Zone 1(Asia, Australia, USA, exclude Thailand)
  • 4G LTE WiFi (MNL Airport Pick Up) for Asia
  • 4G Portable WiFi (Manila Delivery) for Asia
  • [Unlimited Data] 4G Portable WiFi for Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau from Uroaming (HK Airport Pick Up)
  • 4G WiFi (HK Airport Pick Up) for Hong Kong/Macau/China (No Speed Limited) from Song WiFi
  

  Read more China guide here .

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