China · Shanghai
Shanghai — "the Pearl of the Orient" — pairs the world’s most dazzling skyline with the narrow lanes of old shikumen lanes, century-old dumpling shops and the calm of classical gardens. A 3-day stay at ¥1000–1500 covers the essentials.
Across the Huangpu River, the colonial bank buildings glow against the Pudong towers — the classic evening view of Shanghai.
The grey-brick lane houses that defined old Shanghai still hide teahouses, galleries and courtyard life.
Steam a basket of Nanxiang soup dumplings at the temple’s century-old food streets.
A maze of lanes turned creative quarter — boutiques, coffee, galleries and street art.
The garden villas of the French Concession carry the stories of old Shanghai.
Polished shikumen lanes with bars and restaurants — old Shanghai with a modern pulse.
Two to three days cover the core: the Bund and Pudong skyline, Yuyuan and the old town, Tianzifang and Xintiandi, plus a day trip to Zhujiajiao water town.
April–May and September–October are mild and comfortable; summer is hot and humid, winter is cold but clear.
18 yuan buys a 24-hour pass; a 72-hour pass costs 45 yuan at Hongqiao Railway Station ticket windows — unlimited rides within the city.
Shengjian (pan-fried buns), Nanxiang xiaolongbao, crab-shell pastry, braised pork ribs with rice cake and fried tofu vermicelli soup are the local classics.
Domestic and international flights land at the city’s airport, linked to the city centre by metro and airport shuttles.
High-speed rail (CRH) connects most Chinese cities; the main station is close to the centre with metro transfer.
Long-distance coaches serve nearby towns and provinces from the main bus station.
Metered taxis and ride-hailing apps are easy to flag; a 3 km city trip starts around ¥14.
Car rental with a local driver is available for day trips to the countryside and coastline.
Fifty-two heritage bank buildings line the waterfront promenade opposite the Pudong towers; free to walk at any hour.
A Ming-dynasty garden of rockeries, pavilions and the famous zigzag bridge and Mid-Lake Pavilion. ¥40 peak / ¥30 low season, 8:30–17:00.
Old-town temple surrounded by snack streets — the home of Nanxiang xiaolongbao. Temple ¥10.
Pudong’s icon with viewing spheres from ¥100; the skyline at dusk is unforgettable.
A creative lane district of boutiques, cafés and galleries built from old shikumen houses — free.
Restored shikumen lanes with bars and restaurants; a flagship of Shanghai’s nightlife.
Around the 15th day of the first lunar month, the City God Temple quarter fills with lantern parades and folk shows.
Each October, international bands gather for the city’s flagship jazz festival.
Formula One roars into Shanghai every season at the international circuit.
The Golden Goblet awards bring world cinema to the city every June.
A 1933 riverside warehouse — UNESCO Asia-Pacific heritage. Dorm from ¥55. Phone +86 21 5888 8817.
Near People’s Square and Nanjing Road; dorm ¥55, twin ¥240. Phone +86 21 6327 7766.
Three minutes’ walk to the Bund; business room from ¥209. Phone +86 21 6087 9889.
Five-star near Jing’an Temple and Zhang Ailing’s former residence; selected room from ¥545. Phone +86 21 5355 9898.
Crisp-bottomed pork buns from ¥12 at Yang’s Fried Dumplings on Nanjing Road East.
Soup dumplings from ¥36 at the century-old Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant, Yuyuan Road.
A Nanjing Road institution for rice cakes, dumplings and pastries from ¥17.
Benbang (Shanghai-style) classics: oil-sizzling eel and shepherd’s purse with braised pork intestine.
The signature snack of Shanghai’s old town — buy it near the temple.
Herbal cough drops made with almond and traditional medicines, sold for over a century.
A famous Qing-era craft of fine bamboo engraving and sculpture.
Gu embroidery and hand-woven wool carpets from the city’s workshops.
A free ancient water town of 36 stone bridges and Ming–Qing houses, one hour from the centre.
A relaxed street of snacks, opera and folk crafts; metro Line 9 to Qibao station.
A canal town southwest of Shanghai; free gate, town sights ¥50.
Museum, Nanjing Road, the Bund, City God Temple and Yuyuan in one walkable day. View the plan →
The relaxed 3-day loop from the PDF guide — culture, old town, Xujiahui and Qibao. View the plan →
Culture & the Bund Shanghai Museum, Nanjing Road, the Bund, City God Temple snacks and Yuyuan Garden — the classic first day.
Lanes of Old Shanghai Tianzifang’s creative lanes, the garden villas of Sinan Road, Xintiandi’s shikumen nightlife and the free First CPC Congress site.
Xujiahui & Qibao Xujiahui Cathedral and the old library, then metro to Qibao Old Street for snacks, opera and folk crafts.
A 3-day trip costs roughly ¥1000–1500: youth-hostel beds from ¥55, meals ¥40 per person, metro ¥18/day.
Hongqiao and Pudong airports; Hongqiao Railway Station (Phone +86 21 9510 5123) merges air, rail, metro and coach.
Shanghai tourist hotline +86 21 2311 1111; tourism complaint +86 21 6439 3615.
Spring and autumn; avoid the July–August heat and the National Day crowds.
Tickets, hotels, train seats and local drivers arranged by our team — free of charge, no obligation.
Browse full details for Yuyuan, the temple and more.
Local operators and licensed agencies in Shanghai.
Souvenirs and food products from Shanghai.