Ultimate 3-Day Shanghai Itinerary: Best Things to Do & See

Start your Shanghai adventure at The Bund, an iconic waterfront promenade lined with colonial-era buildings and offering sweeping views of Pudong’s futuristic skyline.

The Bund

Explore the historic heart of the city at Yuyuan Garden, a classical Chinese garden dating back to the Ming dynasty, surrounded by a lively bazaar perfect for souvenir hunting and sampling street snacks.

Yuyuan Garden

Experience the world-famous shopping and neon lights of Nanjing Road, home to flagship stores, trendy boutiques, and local eateries.

Nanjing Road

Stop for lunch at Jia Jia Tang Bao, a beloved local spot famous for its fresh, soupy xiaolongbao dumplings.

Jia Jia Tang Bao

Stroll along Huangpu River on a scenic night cruise to witness Shanghai’s illuminated skyline shimmering above the water.

Huangpu River

Begin in Tianzifang, a labyrinth of renovated alleyways filled with local art studios, quirky boutiques, and cozy coffee shops in the former French Concession.

Tianzifang

Enjoy brunch at Egg, a hip café popular for its creative breakfast dishes and excellent coffee, nestled among leafy streets.

Egg

Discover contemporary Chinese art at the renowned Power Station of Art, China’s first state-run museum dedicated to modern art, set in a converted power plant on the Huangpu riverfront.

Power Station of Art

Stroll through the lush Fuxing Park, where locals practice tai chi, play cards, and dance beneath old plane trees in a classic blend of Chinese and French landscaping.

Fuxing Park

Dine at the atmospheric Lost Heaven restaurant, renowned for its Yunnan-inspired cuisine and dramatic décor, perfect for an unforgettable Shanghai dinner.

Lost Heaven

Ascend the Shanghai Tower, China’s tallest building, for panoramic vistas from the observation deck—unmatched perspectives of the city’s gravity-defying skyline.

Shanghai Tower

Visit the futuristic Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, where you’ll find a stunning scale model of the entire city and learn about its ambitious past and future.

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center

Wander through Dongtai Road Antique Market, a haven for vintage lovers and treasure hunters, where you can find everything from Mao-era memorabilia to Qing dynasty trinkets.

Dongtai Road Antique Market

Have a laid-back lunch at Baker and Spice, a popular bakery café known for fresh bread, salads, and riverside views along the Suzhou Creek.

Baker and Spice

Wrap up your trip with cocktails and dazzling city lights at Bar Rouge, a chic rooftop bar on the Bund that offers some of the best nighttime views of Shanghai’s skyline.

Bar Rouge