Shanghai is a vast, fast and surprisingly easy city for visitors. It sits on the Huangpu River, with old Puxi on the west bank and futuristic Pudong on the east, and its highlights are well connected by one of the world's biggest metro systems. Three days covers the headline sights, four or five lets you add a day trip, and a week gives you time to slow down. Here is how to plan a first visit.
Before you fly: the booking list
A few things are worth arranging in advance. First, check the current entry rules for your passport, since China has introduced visa-free and transit schemes for many nationalities, and confirm the rules shortly before you travel. Second, set up mobile payment, because Alipay and WeChat Pay are used almost everywhere and both can be linked to many foreign cards. Third, book a timed ticket for the Shanghai Tower observation deck, a seat at the ERA acrobatics show, and Shanghai Disneyland tickets if you plan a park day. Fourth, reserve a day trip to a water town, which is easiest as a private tour.
Getting around
The metro is fast, cheap and clearly signed in English, and it reaches nearly every sight in this guide. Taxis and ride-hailing are inexpensive, and a taxi is the easiest way to reach an address if you show the Chinese name on your phone. From Pudong airport, the Maglev train reaches the edge of the city in minutes and the metro or a taxi covers the rest. Walking is the best way to see the Bund and the French Concession, but distances are large, so use the metro to hop between areas.
How many days
Three days is the minimum: one for the Bund, the old city and Yu Garden, one for Pudong and the Shanghai Tower, and one for the French Concession and a show. Four days lets you add a water town such as Zhujiajiao, five days lets you add Zhouzhuang with Suzhou or a full day at Shanghai Disneyland. Build in an unscheduled afternoon, because the city is best enjoyed by wandering.
Day one: the Bund and the old city
Start with the Bund promenade in the morning, then walk to Yu Garden for the classical garden and the bazaar. Have lunch in the old city, and take the afternoon for Nanjing Road or a French Concession stroll. In the evening, board a Huangpu River cruise to see the Bund and Pudong lit up, or walk the promenade after dark.
Day two: Pudong and the French Concession
Spend the morning in Pudong, with the Shanghai Tower observation deck on a clear day, and cross back to Puxi for the afternoon. A guided breakfast food tour in the French Concession is a good start on another morning. Spend the afternoon on Wukang Road and the park, and end with an evening at the ERA acrobatics show.
Day three: a water town or Disney
Take a half-day trip to Zhujiajiao for canals, bridges and a boat ride, returning in time for dinner. Families may prefer a full day at Shanghai Disneyland. If you have more time, give Zhouzhuang and Suzhou a full day of their own.
Practical notes
Spring and autumn are the best seasons, with mild weather and clearer skies, while summer is hot and humid and winter is cold and damp. National holidays, including the first week of October and Chinese New Year, bring huge crowds, so avoid them if you can. Carry your passport for ticket checks, keep some cash as a backup, and download an offline translation app. Tap water is not drunk, so use bottled or boiled water. Finally, wear comfortable shoes, since the best discoveries in Shanghai are on foot.
