Shanghai itinerary for first-timers
The classic neighborhoods in an order that works, with a 4K street walk for every stop. Watch your trip before you take it.
Day 1: Yu Garden, Nanjing Road & the Bund
The classical Yu Garden and the lanes of the old city, the pedestrian length of East Nanjing Road, and the Bund lit up at night.
- 1
Morning
Yu Garden
A classical garden from the Ming dynasty in the old city: pavilions, ponds, rockeries and carved halls, laid out in the 16th century as a private retreat.
- Great Rockery
- Exquisite Jade Rock
- Garden pavilions
Arrive at opening time; by late morning the garden and the bazaar around it are packed.
Walk out through the bazaar into the old city lanes, about 5 min.
- 2
Late morning
The old quarter
The lanes of the old Chinese city around Yu Garden, with traditional rooftops, snack shops and small streets that survived the rebuilding around them.
- Old city lanes
- Yuyuan bazaar
- Traditional rooftops
Old Quarter, French Concession and Xintiandi Walk
Video by World Wanderings: 4K Walking Tours on YouTube
Jump toWalk north along Henan Road or take the metro to East Nanjing Road, about 20 min.
- 3
Afternoon
East Nanjing Road
China's first modern shopping street, now a long pedestrian promenade between old European-style department stores, running from People's Square to the Bund.
- Nanjing Road pedestrian street
- Historic department stores
Walk east along Nanjing Road to the river, about 15 min.
- 4
Evening
The Bund
The riverside promenade lined with the floodlit banks and trading houses of old Shanghai, looking straight across the Huangpu at the lights of Pudong.
- Bund promenade
- Historic waterfront buildings
- Pudong skyline view
The buildings and the skyline are lit up in the evening; come after dark for the classic view.
Walking Shanghai at Night: Nanjing Road to the Bund
Video by World Wanderings: 4K Walking Tours on YouTube
Jump to
Day 2: The French Concession, Tianzifang & Xintiandi
Plane-tree streets and villas in the former French Concession, the alleys of Tianzifang, and an evening in Xintiandi.
- 1
Morning
The former French Concession
Quiet streets under plane trees, European-style villas, apartment blocks and lane houses: the most pleasant part of Shanghai for an aimless walk.
- Plane-tree avenues
- Old villas
- Lane houses
Old Quarter, French Concession and Xintiandi Walk
Video by World Wanderings: 4K Walking Tours on YouTube
Jump toWalk south-east to Taikang Road, about 20 min.
- 2
Afternoon
Tianzifang
A maze of narrow alleys between old shikumen stone-gate houses, now full of small cafés, craft shops and galleries.
- Taikang Road lanes
- Shikumen houses
- Small galleries
Walk north to Xintiandi, about 15 min.
- 3
Evening
Xintiandi
Restored shikumen lanes turned into a pedestrian quarter of restaurants and terraces, busy in the evenings.
- Xintiandi lanes
- Shikumen architecture
- Outdoor terraces
Day 3: Jing'an, 1000 Trees & Pudong
Jing'an Temple and West Nanjing Road, the tree-covered terraces of 1000 Trees, the towers of Lujiazui, and the Pudong riverside at night.
- 1
Morning
Jing'an Temple & West Nanjing Road
A Buddhist temple with golden roofs surrounded by glass towers and the upmarket shopping streets of West Nanjing Road.
- Jing'an Temple
- West Nanjing Road
Taxi or walk north to Suzhou Creek, about 20 min.
- 2
Late morning
1000 Trees & Suzhou Creek
A terraced complex covered in trees and planted pillars, rising like a hillside above Suzhou Creek.
- 1000 Trees terraces
- Suzhou Creek
Shanghai Walking Tour: Futuristic Skyline and the Bund
Video by World Wanderings: 4K Walking Tours on YouTube
Jump toMetro to Lujiazui, about 25 min.
- 3
Afternoon
Lujiazui
Pudong's financial district at street level: the circular pedestrian bridge, the pink spheres of the Oriental Pearl Tower, and the giants side by side, the Jin Mao Tower, the twisting Shanghai Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center.
- Circular pedestrian bridge
- Oriental Pearl Tower
- Shanghai Tower
- Jin Mao Tower
Walk down to the riverside promenade, about 10 min.
- 4
Night
Pudong riverside at night
The Pudong side of the river after dark, with the towers lit up overhead and the floodlit Bund glowing across the water.
- Pudong skyline at night
- View of the Bund
Shanghai Walking Tour: Futuristic Skyline and the Bund
Video by World Wanderings: 4K Walking Tours on YouTube
Jump to
Travelling with someone?
Send them this 3-day Shanghai plan, videos included.
Planning your first trip to Shanghai
How many days?
Three days covers the Bund and the old city, the French Concession, and Jing'an and Pudong. Two days is enough for the classic sights.
Where to stay
Around People's Square and Nanjing Road is central for everything; the Bund has the river views; the former French Concession is leafy and full of cafés; Jing'an is upscale and well connected; Lujiazui in Pudong is for skyline views.
Getting around
The metro is huge and easy to use, with signs in English. Walking works well inside each district, and taxis are plentiful for the gaps. Mobile payment apps are used almost everywhere, so set one up before you go.
Shanghai is built around the Huangpu River. On the west bank, the Bund's row of grand banks and trading houses faces the river, Nanjing Road runs inland from it, and the old walled city around Yu Garden lies just to the south. Further west, the plane-tree streets of the former French Concession hold villas, lane houses, Tianzifang and Xintiandi. On the east bank, the towers of Lujiazui in Pudong make up one of the most famous skylines in the world.
Every stop comes with a walking video filmed on those streets, so you can see the gardens, the lanes and the skyline before you arrive. Use the buttons under each video to jump to the landmark, or press Preview to watch a whole day in a row.
Shanghai itinerary: common questions
How many days do you need in Shanghai?
Three days is a good first visit: one for Yu Garden, Nanjing Road and the Bund, one for the French Concession, Tianzifang and Xintiandi, and one for Jing'an and Pudong. Two days covers the classic sights.
Where is the best view of the Shanghai skyline?
From the Bund promenade on the west bank, looking across the Huangpu at Lujiazui, especially after dark. From the Pudong side you get the opposite view, of the floodlit Bund.
Is Shanghai walkable?
Within districts, yes: the Bund, Nanjing Road, the old city and the French Concession are all good on foot. The city is very large, so use the metro between districts.
When is the best time to visit Shanghai?
April to May and October to November are the most pleasant. June brings the rainy season, July and August are hot and humid, and winter is cold and damp.
Travel times are approximate. Check opening days and any booking requirements before you go.
Keep exploring Shanghai
More 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
Shanghai city guide →