Three Days to Experience Shanghai
Three days is the sweet spot for Shanghai—enough time to see the highlights, enjoy the food scene, and get a feel for the city’s different neighborhoods without rushing.
📅 Last Updated: January 2026 (verified on location)
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|
| Duration | 3 days (2 nights minimum) |
| Theme | Attractions + Food + Shopping |
| Budget | ¥1,500-2,500 |
| Recommended Hotels | Nanjing Road or Xintiandi area |
3-Day Overview
| Day | Theme | Highlights |
|---|
| Day 1 | Classic Shanghai | Bund → Yu Garden → Nanjing Road → Night views |
| Day 2 | French Concession | Wukang Road → Anfu Road → Xintiandi → Haidilao |
| Day 3 | Food & Shopping | Lamb skewers → RT-Mart → Riverside walk |
Day 1: Classic Shanghai
Theme: Past meets present—colonial architecture and futuristic skylines.
Schedule
| Time | Location | Activity | Budget |
|---|
| 9:00-11:30 AM | The Bund | Morning walk + photos | Free |
| 12:00-2:00 PM | Yu Garden | Garden + xiaolongbao | ¥100 |
| 2:30-5:00 PM | Nanjing Road | Shopping + cafe | ¥100 |
| 5:30-7:00 PM | Shanghai Tower | Sunset observatory | ¥180 |
| 7:30-9:00 PM | IFC Mall | Dinner | ¥100 |
| 9:30 PM | The Bund | Night walk | Free |
Morning: The Bund (外滩)
| Activity | Notes |
|---|
| Getting there | Metro Line 2, Nanjing East Road Station |
| Walk time | 2-2.5 hours |
| Photo tip | Morning light illuminates Pudong without backlighting |
Midday: Yu Garden (豫园)
| Activity | Details |
|---|
| Garden entry | ¥40 |
| Lunch | Nanxiang xiaolongbao |
| Bazaar | Browse after lunch |
Afternoon: Nanjing Road
| Activity | Details |
|---|
| Shopping | Department stores, brand shops |
| Cafe | Heytea or Starbucks Reserve |
| Snacks | Local street food |
Evening: Lujiazui + Night Views
| Activity | Details |
|---|
| Observatory | Shanghai Tower 118th floor (arrive for sunset) |
| Dinner | Din Tai Fung or Waiba at IFC |
| Night walk | Return to Bund for lit-up skyline |
💡 Day 1 Tip: Book Shanghai Tower tickets online. Arrive 1 hour before sunset for the full light transition.
Day 2: French Concession & Food
Theme: Vintage vibes and Shanghai’s best dining experiences.
Schedule
| Time | Location | Activity | Budget |
|---|
| 10:00 AM-12:00 PM | Wukang Road | City walk + cafe | ¥50 |
| 12:30-2:00 PM | Anfu Road | Brunch + boutiques | ¥100 |
| 2:30-4:00 PM | Tianzifang | Art district browsing | ¥100 |
| 4:30-6:00 PM | Xintiandi | Historic neighborhood | Free |
| 6:30-8:00 PM | Xintiandi | Dinner or drinks | ¥100 |
| 9:00-11:00 PM | Haidilao | Hot pot | ¥150 |
Morning: Wukang Road City Walk
| Route | Notes |
|---|
| Start | Shanghai Library Station, Exit 3 |
| Walk | Wukang Mansion, tree-lined streets |
| Cafe | Captain George or % Arabica |
| Photos | Wukang Mansion, vintage lanes |
Midday: Anfu Road Brunch
| Spot | Type |
|---|
| Egg | Brunch favorite |
| RAC | Australian-style cafe |
| Local spots | Shanghainese home cooking |
Afternoon: Tianzifang → Xintiandi
| Activity | Details |
|---|
| Tianzifang | Maze-like art district, small shops, galleries |
| Xintiandi | Restored shikumen buildings, upscale vibe |
| Walk time | 15 minutes between them |
Evening: Xintiandi + Haidilao
| Activity | Details |
|---|
| Xintiandi stroll | Evening atmosphere in restored lanes |
| Optional bar | TMSK rooftop |
| Haidilao | Late night hot pot (shorter wait after 10 PM) |
💡 Day 2 Tip: Haidilao waits drop significantly after 10 PM!
Theme: Complete the food mission and pick up souvenirs.
Schedule
| Time | Location | Activity | Budget |
|---|
| 10:00 AM-12:00 PM | Free time | Hotel area or rest | - |
| 12:30-2:30 PM | Lamb skewers | Lunch | ¥130 |
| 3:00-5:00 PM | RT-Mart | Shopping | ¥200-400 |
| 5:30-7:00 PM | Binjiang Avenue | Riverside night walk | Free |
| 7:30 PM | Airport | Departure | ¥50 |
Lunch: Lamb Skewers (很久以前)
| Info | Details |
|---|
| Best location | Ruihong Tiandi branch |
| Booking | WeChat mini-program (essential) |
| Must-order | Lamb skewers + condensed milk toast + beer |
| Cost | ~¥130/person |
💡 Reservation tip: Book for 5 PM to walk right in with minimal wait.
| Info | Details |
|---|
| Best branch | Pingxingguan Road |
| Getting there | Metro Line 1, Yanchang Road Station |
| Time needed | 1.5-2 hours |
Shopping List:
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|
| Three Squirrels macadamia | ¥40 | Half price vs elsewhere |
| Guolifang fruit liquor | ¥15-30 | Unique souvenir |
| Lao Gan Ma chili crisp | ¥15 | Classic condiment |
| China-exclusive snacks | Various | Unique flavors |
Evening: Binjiang Avenue Night Walk
Close your trip with The Bund view from the Pudong side.
| Info | Details |
|---|
| Location | Riverside promenade |
| Best time | 1 hour after sunset |
| Cost | Free |
Budget Summary
3-Day Total (Mid-Range)
| Item | Budget |
|---|
| Hotel (2 nights) | ¥600-1,000 |
| Food (9 meals) | ¥500-700 |
| Attractions/Admission | ¥250 |
| Transport | ¥100 |
| Shopping | ¥200-400 |
| Total | ¥1,650-2,450 |
Budget Tips
| Item | Savings Method |
|---|
| Hotels | 3-star near Nanjing Road (¥300/night) |
| Food | Food courts, local restaurants |
| Observatory | Jin Mao Tower (¥120) or free riverside walks |
| Transport | Metro day pass (¥18) |
Hotel Area Recommendations
| Area | Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Nanjing Road | Central, convenient | Noisy |
| Xintiandi | Stylish, great dining | Higher prices |
| Jing’an Temple | Good value, accessible | Farther from main sights |
Weather Alternatives
Rainy Day Swaps
| Original | Alternative |
|---|
| Bund walk | Shanghai Museum (free) |
| City walk | Mall shopping (IFC, Hongqiao) |
| Night views | Indoor observatory or bar |
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I do lamb skewers vs Haidilao?
Haidilao: after 10 PM (Day 2 evening). Lamb skewers: 5 PM reservation (Day 3 lunch or dinner).
Ship items to your hotel from RT-Mart, or save shopping for your last day.
Is this itinerary good for kids?
Day 2’s city walk involves lots of walking. Consider swapping for Shanghai Disneyland instead.
How long is the airport trip from downtown?
- Hongqiao: 30-40 min via Metro
- Pudong: 70 min via Metro or 40 min via Maglev
This guide was last updated in January 2026.
