3 days in Shanghai
The essential first trip: old-city lanes to the Bund, one clear Pudong skyline day and one walk through Shanghai's most distinctive western neighbourhoods.
Stay around People's Square, East Nanjing Road or a Line 2/10 interchange. Reserve the correct Shanghai Museum venue and one observatory first; the free Bund and neighbourhood walks can move around rain and visibility.
Old city to the Bund
Yu Garden → City God Temple area → Bund → Nanjing Road.
09:00 — Yu Garden at opening
Carry the passport used for any booking and distinguish the paid classical garden from the free bazaar around it. Eat before the lunch queues peak and compare menus before ordering famous dumplings.
14:00 — walk north toward the river
Use the old-city lanes and waterfront as one continuous route. Reach the Bund in daylight, see the historic facades, then wait for the skyline lights rather than leaving and returning.
19:00 — East Nanjing Road
Walk west only as far as your energy allows. Ignore tea-ceremony invitations, unlicensed photo sellers and strangers proposing a “student art show.”
Move: Metro Line 10/14 to Yuyuan Garden; walk north to the Bund, then west to East Nanjing Road. Yu Garden · Bund guide →
Museum and Pudong skyline
Shanghai Museum → People's Square → Lujiazui → ferry or metro → Bund night.
09:00 — the correct museum branch
Verify the address, exhibition, closure day and passport entry. “Shanghai Museum” can lead to the wrong building if your ticket is for another venue. Give the collection two to three focused hours.
14:30 — Lujiazui
Take Line 2 across the river, walk the elevated ring and choose one paid observatory only if visibility is good. Do not buy both Shanghai Tower and Oriental Pearl tickets simply because both are nearby.
18:00 — cross back
Use the public ferry if operating conveniently for your route, otherwise Line 2. Keep the exact pier name and last practical service time; do not confuse the sightseeing tunnel with public transport.
Move: People's Square → Line 2 → Lujiazui; ferry or metro back. Museum guide · Lujiazui guide →
Former French Concession
Wukang Mansion → Wukang/Anfu Road → Sinan Mansions → Tianzifang → Xintiandi.
09:00 — Wukang and Anfu
Begin before café queues and follow the plane-tree streets on foot. These are living residential neighbourhoods: keep doorways clear and do not turn private entrances into photo sets.
13:30 — Sinan and Tianzifang
Use metro or one short ride rather than walking every connecting road. Tianzifang's lanes are narrow; keep valuables closed and choose shops by clear prices, not shouted discounts.
17:30 — Xintiandi
End in restored shikumen lanes with an easy dinner. Reserve only if you want a specific restaurant; otherwise compare posted menus and avoid an unnecessary cross-city evening.
Move: Line 10/11 and short walks connect the districts; save 武康大楼, 田子坊 and 新天地. French Concession · Tianzifang · Xintiandi →
Three-day essentials
- Carry the original passport and match booking names exactly.
- Confirm the museum venue and closure day before planning Day 2.
- Buy an observatory only after checking visibility.
- Use supported contactless cards, Alipay or a single ticket on the metro; keep payment backup.
- Ignore unsolicited tea, massage, art-show and nightlife invitations around tourist streets.