Shanghai

Maglev train + metro transfer to city center(1 hour)

The Maglev is worth the experience — 431 km/h in complete smoothness. From Longyang Road, transfer to Metro Line 2 (45 minutes to People's Square). Total: ~55 CNY. Set up Alipay on your phone — Shanghai is almost entirely cashless

Sunset walk along The Bund(1.5 hours)

Shanghai's iconic 1.5km waterfront with 52 heritage buildings in Gothic, Baroque, and Art Deco styles facing the neon Pudong skyline. Best at dusk when both sides light up. Walk south to north, ending at Waibaidu Bridge. Free

Dinner at Mr & Mrs Bund(1.5 hours)

French bistro on the 6th floor of Bund 18 with terrace views of Pudong. The foie gras burger is legendary. Mains 180-350 CNY. Book a window or terrace table for the view

Yu Garden (Yuyuan)(2 hours)

400-year-old classical Chinese garden with rockeries, koi ponds, and dragon-wall pavilions. Arrive before 10AM to beat crowds. Entry: 40 CNY (April-June). The surrounding bazaar is a maze of souvenir shops — the garden itself is the real attraction

Xiaolongbao at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant(45 minutes)

Right next to Yu Garden. 18 CNY for 16 soup dumplings. Go upstairs for a sit-down experience (slightly pricier, less queue). Technique: place on spoon, nibble hole, slurp soup, then eat

Walk The Bund architecture trail(1.5 hours)

Use the free walking tour markers along the promenade. Highlights: the HSBC Building (1923, now Pudong Development Bank — peek inside the restored mosaic ceiling), Fairmont Peace Hotel (art deco masterpiece), and the Custom House clock tower

Huangpu River cruise(1 hour)

Evening cruise for the best nighttime panorama of both sides lit up. 120 CNY (~$17). Departures from the Shiliupu Pier every 30 minutes from 7PM

Morning walk along Wukang Road(1.5 hours)

Art Deco apartment blocks, plane tree canopy, and the iconic Normandie Apartments building at the road's end. Start from the Former Residence of Ba Jin (free, writer's home-museum) and walk south. The best coffee in Shanghai lines this road — try Manner Coffee (15-25 CNY)

Explore Anfu Road and Ferguson Lane(1.5 hours)

Anfu Road has vintage shops, independent bookstores, and the legendary Shanghai Fashion Store (vintage Chinese textiles). Ferguson Lane is a hidden compound with galleries and restaurants accessed through a gate

Lunch at Jesse Restaurant on Tianping Road(1 hour)

Arguably Shanghai's best home-style cooking. The hongshao rou (red-braised pork, 68 CNY) is a masterpiece. The crab meat tofu (seasonal, 58 CNY) is silky perfection. Cash only, no reservations — arrive at 11:30AM

Tianzifang art alleyways(1.5 hours)

Narrow shikumen lanes filled with artist studios, craft shops, and tiny bars. Free to enter. Good for hand-painted postcards and silk scarves. 10 min from Dapuqiao Metro (Line 9). Visit on a weekday to avoid weekend crush

Cocktails at Speak Low(1 hour)

A speakeasy hidden behind a bartending equipment shop on Fuxing Middle Road. Ring the doorbell. Four floors, each more exclusive. Cocktails 80-120 CNY. Regularly ranked among Asia's best bars

Shanghai Tower observation deck(1.5 hours)

China's tallest building (632m). Floor 118 observation deck: 180 CNY. Go early for clearest skies. On a good day you can see the curve of the Huangpu River for dozens of kilometers. The elevator ride itself (55 seconds to the top) is an experience

Lujiazui Skywalk(30 minutes)

A free elevated walkway connecting the three supertall towers at ground level. Neck-craning views straight up at the Shanghai Tower, World Financial Center, and Jin Mao Tower

Lunch at Din Tai Fung in IFC Mall Pudong(1 hour)

The Taipei-based dumpling chain's Shanghai outpost. Xiaolongbao (60 CNY for 10), truffle dumplings (seasonal), and the dan dan noodles are all outstanding. Expect a 20-minute wait at peak hours

Nanjing Road pedestrian street(2 hours)

Shanghai's answer to Times Square — 5.5km of neon, department stores, and street performers. Start at People's Square and walk east toward The Bund. The Food Hall basement of the Shanghai No. 1 Department Store has excellent pastries

Dinner at Yang's Fry Dumplings (multiple locations)(30 minutes)

Shengjianbao — pan-fried pork buns with crispy bottoms and soup inside. 8 CNY for 4. The Huanghe Road branch near People's Square is the original. Grab, eat standing, move on — that is the local way

Bus to Zhujiajiao(1.5 hours)

Direct bus from Pu'an Road station near People's Square (12 CNY). Less touristy than nearby Zhouzhuang but equally atmospheric

Fangsheng Bridge and canal walk(2 hours)

The five-arch Ming dynasty bridge is the town's centerpiece. Walk the canal-side streets through to the North Gate. Individual attraction entries 5-10 CNY, or 80 CNY combo ticket. The Post Office Museum (Qing dynasty) is worth a stop

Gondola ride through the canals(30 minutes)

150 CNY per boat (seats 4-6). The gondolier navigates under ancient stone bridges — quintessential water town. Negotiate price if you are alone

Lunch at a canal-side restaurant(1 hour)

Try zongzi (sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves, 5 CNY), the local braised pork knuckle (38 CNY), and rice wine from the riverside shops (10 CNY for a cup — sip cautiously, it is stronger than it tastes)

Shanghai Museum on People's Square(2.5 hours)

Free entry (ID required). One of China's finest museums — the ancient jade gallery, bronze collection, and ceramics hall are world-class. The calligraphy collection alone is worth an hour. Open 9AM-5PM. The building's shape represents a ding (ancient bronze vessel)

Power Station of Art (PSA)(1.5 hours)

China's first state-run contemporary art museum in a converted power station along the Huangpu River. Free entry. Rotating exhibitions of Chinese and international contemporary art. The 165m chimney is a landmark. Open 11AM-7PM, closed Mondays

Late lunch at Jia Jia Tang Bao on Huanghe Road(30 minutes)

The locals' choice for xiaolongbao — 6 CNY for 4 dumplings. The crab meat version (seasonal autumn, 15 CNY for 4) is the holy grail. Expect a queue — it moves fast

Dinner at Lost Heaven on the Bund(1.5 hours)

Yunnan cuisine overlooking the river. Dai-style grilled fish, Burmese tea leaf salad, and mushroom clay pot. Mains 88-168 CNY. Terrace tables have direct Pudong views

Jazz at the Fairmont Peace Hotel(1.5 hours)

The Old Jazz Bar has live jazz nightly from 6:30PM — the house band has been playing since the 1980s. Cocktails 100-150 CNY. The art deco interior of this 1929 hotel is Shanghai at its most glamorous. No cover charge

Morning walk along Fuxing Park(1 hour)

The French Concession's loveliest park. Join locals practicing sword tai chi, ballroom dancing, and card games under the plane trees. Free entry from 6AM. The park cafe does decent coffee

Last shopping on Nanjing West Road or Huaihai Road(1.5 hours)

Huaihai Road (Middle) is a more curated shopping street than Nanjing Road — IAPM Mall and K11 Art Mall have high-end brands and art exhibitions. Pick up Shanghai-brand enamel mugs or White Rabbit candy (Shanghai's iconic sweet) as gifts

Airport transfer(1-1.5 hours)

Maglev to PVG (50 CNY, 8 min from Longyang Road). Metro Line 2 or 10 to SHA. Allow 3 hours before international flights. Shanghai airport security is thorough but efficient

Maglev train + metro to city center(1 hour)

The Maglev hits 431 km/h. From Longyang Road, transfer to Metro Line 2. Total: ~55 CNY. Set up Alipay immediately

Sunset walk along The Bund(1.5 hours)

1.5km waterfront with 52 heritage buildings facing neon Pudong. Best at dusk. Walk south to north to Waibaidu Bridge. Free

Dinner at Mr & Mrs Bund(1.5 hours)

French bistro, 6th floor of Bund 18 with Pudong views. Foie gras burger is legendary. Mains 180-350 CNY

Yu Garden (Yuyuan)(2 hours)

400-year-old garden with rockeries, koi ponds, dragon-wall pavilions. Entry: 40 CNY. Arrive before 10AM

Xiaolongbao at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant(45 minutes)

Next to Yu Garden. 18 CNY for 16 dumplings. Go upstairs for sit-down. Technique: spoon, nibble, slurp, eat

City God Temple and Old Street(1.5 hours)

The Taoist City God Temple (10 CNY) is surrounded by traditional architecture rebuilt in Ming style. The old streets have teahouses and snack vendors. Try the five-spice tofu (5 CNY)

Huangpu River cruise(1 hour)

Evening cruise with both sides lit up. 120 CNY from Shiliupu Pier, departures every 30 minutes from 7PM

Morning walk along Wukang Road(1.5 hours)

Art Deco apartments, plane tree canopy, Normandie Apartments. Try Manner Coffee (15-25 CNY)

Anfu Road and Ferguson Lane(1.5 hours)

Vintage shops, bookstores, galleries. Ferguson Lane is a hidden compound accessed through a gate

Lunch at Jesse Restaurant(1 hour)

Best home-style cooking. Hongshao rou (68 CNY) is a masterpiece. Cash only, no reservations — arrive 11:30AM

Tianzifang art alleyways(1.5 hours)

Shikumen lanes with studios, crafts, bars. Free entry. Dapuqiao Metro (Line 9). Visit weekdays

Cocktails at Speak Low(1 hour)

Speakeasy behind bartending shop on Fuxing Middle Road. Ring doorbell. Cocktails 80-120 CNY

Shanghai Tower observation deck(1.5 hours)

China's tallest (632m). Floor 118: 180 CNY. Go early for clear skies. 55-second elevator ride

Lujiazui Skywalk(30 minutes)

Free elevated walkway with neck-craning views of three supertall towers

Lunch at Din Tai Fung in IFC Mall(1 hour)

Xiaolongbao (60 CNY for 10), truffle dumplings (seasonal), dan dan noodles

Nanjing Road pedestrian street(2 hours)

5.5km of neon and shopping. Walk east from People's Square toward The Bund

Yang's Fry Dumplings(30 minutes)

Shengjianbao — pan-fried buns, crispy bottoms, soup inside. 8 CNY for 4. Huanghe Road branch is the original

Bus to Zhujiajiao(1.5 hours)

From Pu'an Road station (12 CNY). Less touristy than Zhouzhuang

Fangsheng Bridge and canal walk(2 hours)

Five-arch Ming bridge is the centerpiece. Individual attractions 5-10 CNY, combo: 80 CNY

Gondola ride(30 minutes)

150 CNY per boat (seats 4-6). Under ancient stone bridges

Canal-side lunch(1 hour)

Zongzi (5 CNY), braised pork knuckle (38 CNY), rice wine (10 CNY/cup — stronger than it tastes)

Shanghai Museum(2.5 hours)

Free entry (ID required). Ancient jade, bronze, ceramics collections are world-class. Open 9AM-5PM

Power Station of Art(1.5 hours)

Contemporary art in converted power station. Free. 165m chimney landmark. Open 11AM-7PM, closed Mondays

Jia Jia Tang Bao(30 minutes)

Locals' xiaolongbao. 6 CNY for 4. Crab version (seasonal autumn, 15 CNY for 4) is the grail

Dinner at Lost Heaven on the Bund(1.5 hours)

Yunnan cuisine with river views. Mains 88-168 CNY. Terrace tables have Pudong panorama

Jazz at Fairmont Peace Hotel(1.5 hours)

Old Jazz Bar, live jazz nightly from 6:30PM. Cocktails 100-150 CNY. Art deco 1929 interior. No cover

Free morning — sleep in or French Concession cafe(3 hours)

The mid-trip rest. Grab an excellent flat white at Seesaw Coffee on Yuyuan Road (28-35 CNY)

Jing'an Temple(1 hour)

A 780-year-old Buddhist temple gleaming with gold, incongruously surrounded by luxury malls. Entry: 50 CNY. The jade Buddha (3.8m) is impressive. Active place of worship — respectful dress

Jing'an Sculpture Park(45 minutes)

Free outdoor sculpture park adjacent to the temple. Pleasant for a stroll between the cultural sites. Local families picnic here on weekends

Shanghai Natural History Museum(2 hours)

Spectacular modern building in Jing'an Sculpture Park. Entry: 30 CNY. Interactive exhibits, dinosaur skeletons, and impressive taxidermy. Good for a break from historical sites

M50 Creative Park (Moganshan Road)(2.5 hours)

Converted textile mills housing over 100 galleries and artist studios. Free to wander. ShanghART Gallery (one of China's most important contemporary galleries) and island6 Arts Center are highlights. Most galleries 10AM-6PM

Walk along Suzhou Creek(1 hour)

The creek was Shanghai's industrial artery — now lined with converted warehouses and new developments. Walk east from M50 toward the Bund. The 1933 Old Millfun (a converted slaughterhouse with stunning brutalist architecture) is worth a detour

Lunch at 1933 Old Millfun restaurants(1 hour)

This art-deco former slaughterhouse has several restaurants in its dramatic concrete interior. The building itself — with its interlocking bridges and ramps — is the real attraction. Free to enter

Rockbund Art Museum(1 hour)

In a beautifully restored 1932 Art Deco building near the Bund. Entry: 30 CNY. Rotating contemporary exhibitions. The rooftop has sneaky Bund views. Open 10AM-6PM

Dinner in Hongkou — Little Tokyo area(1.5 hours)

Shanghai's Japanese neighborhood near Hongkou Stadium has excellent ramen (Ippudo, 50-65 CNY), izakayas, and yakitori. Less well-known to tourists but hugely popular with locals

Bullet train to Hangzhou(1 hour)

G-series from Shanghai Hongqiao to Hangzhou East (73 CNY, departures every 15 minutes). Metro Line 1 from the station to West Lake area (3 CNY)

West Lake boat ride and causeways(2.5 hours)

Rent a hand-rowed boat (150 CNY/hour, seats 4) or take the electric boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (55 CNY including island entry). Walk along Su Causeway and Bai Causeway. Free lakeside access

Lunch at Louwailou Restaurant(1 hour)

Hangzhou's most famous restaurant since 1848, on the lake shore. Dongpo pork (88 CNY) and West Lake vinegar fish (128 CNY) are signature Hangzhou dishes. The sweet-sour fish is an acquired taste but a cultural must-try

Lingyin Temple and Feilai Feng Grottoes(1.5 hours)

One of China's most important Buddhist temples, set in a forested valley with 470 carved Buddhist figures in cliff grottoes. Entry: 30 CNY (park) + 75 CNY (temple). The 24.8m camphorwood Shakyamuni statue inside is magnificent

Shanghai cooking class(3 hours)

Cook Shanghai at the Shanghai Culinary Workshop teaches xiaolongbao, shengjianbao, and Shanghainese stir-fries. Classes 400-600 CNY including the meal you cook. Book at least 3 days ahead

Afternoon at leisure(2 hours)

Relax at your hotel or explore a neighborhood you have not visited yet

Shouning Road night market crawl(2 hours)

Shanghai's most famous late-night food street (open from 6PM). Xiaolongxia (crawfish) is the star — a plate of garlic-butter crawfish costs 60-100 CNY. Grilled lamb skewers, cold beer, and hundreds of plastic tables on the sidewalk. This is working-class Shanghai at its most vibrant

Late-night cocktails at Bar Rouge on the Bund(1 hour)

Rooftop bar at Bund 18 with unbeatable views of Pudong's light show. Cocktails 100-150 CNY. The terrace is open late on weekends. Dress code enforced

Propaganda Poster Art Centre(1.5 hours)

A private collection of 6,000+ original Mao-era propaganda posters hidden in a residential apartment basement. Entry: 25 CNY. The collector Yang Peiming may show you around personally. Call ahead for appointment — address is in the Huashan Road area

Xujiahui Cathedral (St. Ignatius)(45 minutes)

A striking Gothic cathedral built in 1910, one of Shanghai's largest churches. Free entry (services open to visitors). The twin spires and stained glass are incongruous in modern Shanghai but remind you of the city's multilayered history

Lunch at Xibo (Xinjiang cuisine)(1 hour)

Uyghur restaurant chain on Changshu Road. Da pan ji (big plate chicken, 88 CNY for 2) and hand-pulled noodles (28 CNY). The lamb skewers with cumin (8 CNY each) are addictive

Shanghai Film Museum(1.5 hours)

Celebrates Shanghai's history as 'Hollywood of the East' in the 1930s. Interactive exhibits, film sets, and dubbing studios. Entry: 60 CNY. Near Caoxi Road Metro. Good for film buffs

Bullet train to Suzhou(30 minutes)

G-series from Shanghai Station or Hongqiao to Suzhou (40-60 CNY). Trains every 20 minutes

Humble Administrator's Garden(1.5 hours)

The largest and most famous of Suzhou's gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entry: 70 CNY (April-Oct). Water pavilions, lotus ponds, and rock formations. Arrive at 8AM opening to avoid crowds

Tiger Hill(1 hour)

Suzhou's most visited attraction, topped by a leaning pagoda (961 AD). Entry: 60 CNY. The Sword Testing Stone and Sword Pool are rich in legend. The pagoda tilts 3 degrees — Suzhou's Leaning Tower

Pingjiang Road canal walk and lunch(2 hours)

An 800m pedestrian street along a canal in the old town. Teahouses, silk shops, and the best Suzhou-style noodles at Tong De Xing (marinated duck noodles, 15-25 CNY). Buy Suzhou silk at a canal-side shop

Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum(1.5 hours)

In the Ohel Moishe Synagogue in Hongkou. Tells the story of ~20,000 European Jews who fled to Shanghai during WWII. Entry: 50 CNY. Deeply moving exhibits with original documents and testimony. Open 9AM-5PM

Tilanqiao neighborhood walk(1 hour)

The former Jewish ghetto area still has 1930s apartment buildings and lane houses. Interpretive signs mark significant locations. A contemplative walk through history

West Bund Art District walk(2 hours)

Shanghai's newest museum cluster along the Huangpu River south bank. Long Museum West Bund (50 CNY — excellent Chinese contemporary art), Yuz Museum (100 CNY — international contemporary), and Tank Shanghai (free — art in converted aviation fuel tanks). The waterfront promenade connects them all

Farewell dinner at Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet(3 hours)

If budget allows, Shanghai's most avant-garde dining experience — 10 guests per night in a secret location, 20-course tasting with sensory immersion (sound, visuals, scent). From 6,000 CNY per person. Book months ahead. Otherwise, Fu He Hui (vegetarian fine dining, tasting menu 580 CNY) is an excellent alternative

Morning in Fuxing Park(1 hour)

Join locals for tai chi, ballroom dancing, and card games under plane trees. The French Concession's loveliest park. Free from 6AM

Last shopping — White Rabbit candy and local gifts(1 hour)

Pick up Shanghai-brand enamel mugs, White Rabbit candy (Shanghai's iconic sweet), and vacuum-packed xiaolongbao from Din Tai Fung for gifts

Airport transfer(1-1.5 hours)

Maglev to PVG (50 CNY, 8 min from Longyang Road). Metro to SHA. Allow 3 hours before international flights

Maglev + metro to city center(1 hour)

Maglev hits 431 km/h. Transfer at Longyang Road to Metro Line 2. Total ~55 CNY. Set up Alipay immediately

Sunset walk along The Bund(1.5 hours)

1.5km waterfront with 52 heritage buildings facing Pudong. Best at dusk. Walk south to north. Free

Dinner at Mr & Mrs Bund(1.5 hours)

French bistro, 6th floor Bund 18. Foie gras burger. Mains 180-350 CNY

Yu Garden (Yuyuan)(2 hours)

400-year-old garden. Entry: 40 CNY. Arrive before 10AM

Xiaolongbao at Nanxiang(45 minutes)

18 CNY for 16 dumplings. Technique: spoon, nibble, slurp, eat

City God Temple and Old Street(1.5 hours)

Taoist temple (10 CNY) surrounded by Ming-style architecture. Five-spice tofu: 5 CNY

Huangpu River cruise(1 hour)

120 CNY from Shiliupu Pier, departures from 7PM

Wukang Road morning walk(1.5 hours)

Art Deco apartments, plane trees, Normandie building. Manner Coffee 15-25 CNY

Anfu Road and Ferguson Lane(1.5 hours)

Vintage shops, bookstores, galleries behind a hidden gate

Lunch at Jesse Restaurant(1 hour)

Hongshao rou (68 CNY). Cash only. Arrive 11:30AM

Tianzifang(1.5 hours)

Shikumen lanes with studios and crafts. Free. Weekdays best

Cocktails at Speak Low(1 hour)

Speakeasy on Fuxing Middle Road. Ring doorbell. Cocktails 80-120 CNY

Shanghai Tower observation deck(1.5 hours)

632m, Floor 118: 180 CNY. 55-second elevator. Go early for clear views

Lujiazui Skywalk(30 minutes)

Free elevated walkway with views of three supertall towers

Lunch at Din Tai Fung IFC Mall(1 hour)

Xiaolongbao 60 CNY/10, truffle dumplings, dan dan noodles

Nanjing Road(2 hours)

5.5km of neon and shops. Walk from People's Square toward The Bund

Yang's Fry Dumplings(30 minutes)

Shengjianbao: 8 CNY for 4. Huanghe Road branch is the original

Bus to Zhujiajiao(1.5 hours)

From Pu'an Road (12 CNY)

Fangsheng Bridge and canal walk(2 hours)

Five-arch Ming bridge. Individual sites 5-10 CNY, combo 80 CNY

Gondola ride(30 minutes)

150 CNY per boat (4-6 people)

Canal-side lunch(1 hour)

Zongzi (5 CNY), braised pork knuckle (38 CNY), rice wine (10 CNY/cup)

Shanghai Museum(2.5 hours)

Free (ID required). Jade, bronze, ceramics. World-class. Open 9AM-5PM

Power Station of Art(1.5 hours)

Contemporary art in converted power station. Free. 165m chimney

Jia Jia Tang Bao(30 minutes)

6 CNY for 4 dumplings. Crab version (autumn, 15 CNY/4) is the grail

Dinner at Lost Heaven(1.5 hours)

Yunnan cuisine on the Bund. Mains 88-168 CNY

Jazz at Fairmont Peace Hotel(1.5 hours)

Live jazz nightly from 6:30PM. Cocktails 100-150 CNY. No cover

Free morning(3 hours)

Sleep in. Seesaw Coffee on Yuyuan Road (28-35 CNY)

Jing'an Temple(1 hour)

780-year-old gold-gleaming temple amid luxury malls. Entry: 50 CNY

Jing'an Sculpture Park(45 minutes)

Free outdoor sculptures. Pleasant stroll

Shanghai Natural History Museum(2 hours)

Modern building in the park. Entry: 30 CNY. Dinosaurs and interactive exhibits

M50 Creative Park(2.5 hours)

100+ galleries in converted mills. ShanghART Gallery is a must. Free. 10AM-6PM

Suzhou Creek walk(1 hour)

East from M50. Detour to 1933 Old Millfun — converted slaughterhouse with brutalist architecture

Lunch at 1933 Old Millfun(1 hour)

Several restaurants inside dramatic concrete interior. Building itself is the star. Free to enter

Rockbund Art Museum(1 hour)

1932 Art Deco building near Bund. Entry: 30 CNY. Sneaky rooftop Bund views

Dinner in Hongkou's Little Tokyo(1.5 hours)

Ippudo ramen (50-65 CNY), izakayas, yakitori. Popular with locals

Bullet train to Hangzhou(1 hour)

G-series from Hongqiao (73 CNY, every 15 min). Metro to West Lake (3 CNY)

West Lake boat ride and causeways(2.5 hours)

Hand-rowed boat 150 CNY/hour or electric boat 55 CNY. Walk Su and Bai Causeways

Lunch at Louwailou(1 hour)

Since 1848. Dongpo pork (88 CNY), West Lake vinegar fish (128 CNY)

Lingyin Temple(1.5 hours)

470 cliff-carved Buddhas. Entry: 30 CNY (park) + 75 CNY (temple). 24.8m camphorwood Buddha

Shanghai cooking class(3 hours)

Shanghai Culinary Workshop: xiaolongbao, shengjianbao, stir-fries. 400-600 CNY including meal

Shouning Road night market(2 hours)

Crawfish (60-100 CNY), lamb skewers, cold beer, plastic sidewalk tables. Working-class Shanghai at its best. Opens 6PM

Bar Rouge rooftop(1 hour)

Bund 18. Pudong light show views. Cocktails 100-150 CNY. Dress code

Propaganda Poster Art Centre(1.5 hours)

6,000+ original posters in apartment basement. Entry: 25 CNY. Call ahead

Xujiahui Cathedral(45 minutes)

Gothic cathedral (1910) with twin spires and stained glass. Free

Lunch at Xibo (Xinjiang)(1 hour)

Da pan ji (88 CNY/2), hand-pulled noodles (28 CNY), cumin lamb skewers (8 CNY each)

Shanghai Film Museum(1.5 hours)

1930s 'Hollywood of the East' history. Entry: 60 CNY. Interactive exhibits

Bullet train to Suzhou(30 minutes)

G-series (40-60 CNY). Trains every 20 minutes

Humble Administrator's Garden(1.5 hours)

Suzhou's largest garden. UNESCO site. Entry: 70 CNY. Arrive at 8AM

Tiger Hill(1 hour)

Leaning pagoda (961 AD). Entry: 60 CNY. Tilts 3 degrees

Pingjiang Road canal walk and lunch(2 hours)

800m canal street. Duck noodles at Tong De Xing (15-25 CNY). Silk shops

Jewish Refugees Museum(1.5 hours)

In Ohel Moishe Synagogue, Hongkou. 20,000 refugees' story. Entry: 50 CNY

Tilanqiao walk(1 hour)

Former ghetto area with 1930s buildings and interpretive signs

West Bund Art District(2 hours)

Long Museum (50 CNY), Yuz Museum (100 CNY), Tank Shanghai (free). Waterfront promenade

Dinner at Fu He Hui(2 hours)

Vegetarian fine dining. Tasting menu 580 CNY. Michelin-starred Chinese Buddhist cuisine

Option A: Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center(1.5 hours)

Massive scale model of all of Shanghai on the 3rd floor. Entry: 30 CNY. Near People's Square

Option B: Fuxing Park tai chi and coffee(2 hours)

Join morning tai chi under plane trees, then cafe-hop through surrounding lanes

Lunch at Jianguo 328 (Shanghainese)(1 hour)

Old-school Shanghainese cuisine. Hongshao rou, smoked fish, crab shell pastries. Mains 38-68 CNY

Option C: Qibao Ancient Town(3 hours)

A water town within Shanghai's metro system (Line 9). Free entry to streets. Lamb skewers and stinky tofu at the food stalls. Less polished than Zhujiajiao but more local

Bus to Wuzhen(2 hours)

Direct bus from Shanghai South Station (65 CNY). Or private car (500-600 CNY round trip)

East Scenic Zone (Dongzha)(2 hours)

The daytime zone with indigo dyeing workshops, rice wine distillery, and shadow puppet shows. Entry: 110 CNY

West Scenic Zone (Xizha)(3 hours)

The main attraction — canals lined with Qing-dynasty wooden buildings. Entry: 150 CNY (combo with East: 190 CNY). Stay until dusk when red lanterns illuminate the canals and the crowds thin. Dramatically more atmospheric after sunset

Dinner at a canal-side restaurant in Xizha(1 hour)

Red-braised pork belly, stir-fried river shrimp, and Wuzhen rice wine (10 CNY/cup). The candlelit canal reflections make this one of China's most romantic dining settings

Longhua Temple(1.5 hours)

Shanghai's largest and oldest temple (242 AD), still an active Buddhist monastery. Entry: 10 CNY. The pagoda (40m, Song dynasty) is the icon. The vegetarian restaurant inside serves excellent mock-meat dishes (30-50 CNY)

Longhua Martyrs' Cemetery and Memorial(1 hour)

A moving memorial to those killed during the Chinese revolution. Beautiful parkland with sculptures. Free entry

Lunch at Longhua Temple vegetarian restaurant(45 minutes)

Mock goose, mock duck, and their famous vegetarian xiaolongbao — all made from tofu and mushrooms. 30-50 CNY per dish

Explore Tianshan Tea City(1.5 hours)

A massive multi-floor tea market on Zhongshan West Road. Free tastings at every stall. Pu'er, oolong, and longjing green tea make excellent gifts. Prices far below tourist areas

Evening: Shanghai Acrobatic Show at Shanghai Centre(1.5 hours)

World-class acrobatics at the Shanghai Centre Theatre or ERA show at Shangcheng Theatre. Tickets 150-380 CNY. No dialogue needed — pure jaw-dropping physical skill

Sunrise photography along the Bund(1.5 hours)

The Bund without crowds. Arrive by 5:30AM for golden light on both the heritage buildings and Pudong towers. The Waibaidu Bridge with morning mist is the money shot

Tongji University campus area(1.5 hours)

The Siping Road area around Tongji University is Shanghai's design district — galleries, studios, and design shops in converted residential lanes. Free to wander. The Knowledge and Innovation Community is the anchor

Lunch at a wet market food court(1 hour)

Many of Shanghai's wet markets have upstairs food courts where vendors cook the ingredients from downstairs. Try the market attached to Madang Road — the wonton soup and stir-fried rice cakes are excellent (15-25 CNY)

Free afternoon — massage or vintage shopping(2 hours)

Traditional Chinese massage at Dragonfly Spa (180-280 CNY/hour, multiple locations). Or browse vintage shops on Changle Road and Xinle Road in the French Concession

Transfer to Moganshan(2.5 hours)

Hire a car (600-800 CNY round trip) or take a bus from Shanghai to Deqing (60 CNY) then taxi to the mountain. The winding mountain road up is scenic

Hiking through bamboo forests(2.5 hours)

The Sword Pool trail and main ridge walk pass through dense bamboo groves, old stone villas, and hidden waterfalls. Well-marked paths. Entry to the scenic area: 80 CNY. The bamboo sea is genuinely magical — green light filtering through millions of stalks

Lunch at Moganshan Lodge or Le Passage Mohkan Shan(1 hour)

Several boutique hotels serve excellent lunch to non-guests. Farm-to-table mountain cuisine — bamboo shoots, free-range chicken, freshwater fish. Mains 60-120 CNY

Visit remaining colonial-era villas(1 hour)

Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong both stayed on this mountain (at different times). The villas of foreign missionaries and taipans from the 1920s-30s are scattered through the forest

Morning at Julu Road and Changle Road(2 hours)

The epicenter of Shanghai's cafe culture. Dozens of specialty coffee shops within a 500m radius. Try % Arabica (25 CNY), or the hidden rooftop at Fumi Coffee. Browse the vinyl shops and independent boutiques

Former French Concession architecture walk(2 hours)

Download the 'Shanghai Deco' walking tour app (free). Self-guided through Art Deco apartment buildings, Streamline Moderne villas, and Spanish Colonial houses you would miss without guidance

Lunch at Chun on Jing'an side(1 hour)

Shanghainese dim sum. The pan-fried pork buns, shrimp rice rolls, and sesame tang yuan (sweet rice balls) are all under 30 CNY. No English menu — point at neighboring tables

Evening sunset at Lupu Bridge viewpoint(1 hour)

The world's second-longest steel arch bridge has a pedestrian walkway (free) with Pudong sunset views that rival any rooftop bar. Locals jog here at golden hour

Option A: Shanghai Disneyland(Full day)

China's first Disney park with the world's tallest Disney castle. Tickets: 475-769 CNY depending on season. TRON Lightcycle Power Run and Pirates of the Caribbean are the headliners. Metro Line 11 to Disney Resort (1 hour from city center). Arrive at opening for shortest queues

Option B: Revisit your favorites(Full day)

Return to the French Concession cafe you loved, the dumpling shop you dreamed about, or the art gallery that moved you. Three weeks gives you the luxury of return visits

Farewell dinner(2 hours)

Splurge at Ultraviolet (6,000+ CNY, book months ahead), or the more accessible Hakkasan (set menu 588 CNY), or keep it real at your favorite hole-in-the-wall. The best farewell dinners in Shanghai are never the fanciest

Morning at Fuxing Park(1 hour)

Tai chi, dancing, and card games under plane trees. Free from 6AM. Your last Shanghai morning ritual

Last shopping(1 hour)

White Rabbit candy, Shanghai-brand enamel mugs, vacuum-packed Din Tai Fung xiaolongbao for gifts

Airport transfer(1-1.5 hours)

Maglev to PVG (50 CNY, 8 min). Metro to SHA. Allow 3 hours before international flights