See both sides of the Huangpu
Pair a Bund walk with time around Lujiazui for two perspectives on the skyline.
Shanghai.
Riverfront skylines, quiet lanes and a modern Chinese city at full speed.
Plan My Shanghai Trip ↗A quick introduction
- Recommended stay
- 3–4 days; allow an extra day for a nearby town.
- Best for
- First China trips · Architecture and museums · Food and city walks
- When to visit
- Consider April–May or October–November for city walks. Summer can be hot and wet; check the forecast for your dates.
- Major airports
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). Check which airport and terminal your flight uses.
- Getting around
- Use the metro for cross-city journeys and explore individual neighborhoods on foot. Airport rail links, taxis and transfers serve different routes; choose around your luggage and arrival time.
Why visit Shanghai?
Shanghai rewards both the big-picture view and the small detour. Watch the Huangpu River from the Bund, explore the lanes around historic neighborhoods, then make time for a museum or a simple noodle lunch. It is a useful starting point for a first China trip or a few days around a business visit.
Experiences to make time for
Find a slower street
Explore Wukang Road and the Hengshan–Fuxing area, leaving time for small shops and cafés.
Choose a garden or museum
Visit Yuyuan Garden or select a Shanghai Museum branch around your interests and its current entry arrangements.
Where to stay
Choose an area around your interests and onward journey. These are neighborhoods to consider, not hotel endorsements.
People’s Square / Huangpu
Consider this central base for the Bund, museums and metro connections.
Jing’an / central Xuhui
Consider these areas for neighborhood walks, restaurants and a less riverfront-focused stay.
Food to try
- Shengjian — pan-fried pork buns
- Scallion oil noodles
- Hongshao rou — red-braised pork belly
First-time tips
- Save your hotel name and address in Chinese for the last part of your journey.
- Group each day around one area; crossing the city repeatedly can consume your sightseeing time.
- Check the exact museum branch, reservation requirements and opening day before setting out.
A flexible itinerary
Adjust the order and pace around your arrival, interests, weather and attraction availability. This is an idea for your trip, not a fixed tour.
- Day 1
River and skyline
Arrive at an easy pace, explore the Bund and add Lujiazui if your arrival time allows.
- Day 2
Garden and local flavors
Visit Yuyuan Garden, pause for a local lunch and choose a nearby museum or neighborhood walk.
- Day 3
Lanes and your own interests
Walk the Wukang–Fuxing area, then leave an afternoon for art, shopping or a second museum.
Good to combine with
- Suzhou for gardens and canals
- Hangzhou for West Lake and a longer regional stay
Questions, answered.
Is three days enough for Shanghai?
Three full days work as a first introduction. Add time if you want several museums, a theme park or an excursion outside the city.
Which Shanghai airport should I choose?
Compare the actual flight, arrival time and onward route. Pudong and Hongqiao are separate airports; do not treat a transfer between them as a terminal change.
Can I ask for only a guide or airport transfer?
Yes. Tell ChinaConnect which part of the visit needs support, and our team can review a request for individual local services.
Keep exploring
YOUR NEXT STEP
Plan My Shanghai Trip ↗Planning a trip to Shanghai?
Tell us your dates, group size and what you need.