Shanghai Travel Guide: The Bund, the Skyline & Easy Day Trips
A practical Shanghai guide — the Bund at night, Yu Garden, the French Concession, and the best day trips by high-speed rail. 2–3 days is enough.
Plan at a glance
- Best time
- March–May & September–November
- Suggested stay
- 2–3 days
- Region
- East China
- Visa shortcut
- Most nationalities can enter visa-free for up to 240 hours in transit — see the guide
Shanghai is the city China shows to the world — art-deco riverfront on one bank, a sci-fi skyline on the other, and leafy lane neighborhoods in between. Unlike Beijing, nothing here is ancient; the thrill is the scale and the energy. It is also the country’s easiest city for foreigners: card payments, English menus, and seamless metro connections.
Two to three days is the sweet spot, ideally as your departure city after Beijing and Xi’an on a classic first-timer route.
Day 1 — The Bund and Pudong
- The Bund — the 1920s–30s bank buildings facing the river. Come at sunset; the skyline across the water lights up around 19:00 and switches off around 22:00.
- Huangpu River crossing — the touristy-but-fun option is the ferry (¥2) rather than the sightseeing cruise (¥120+).
- Shanghai Tower — China’s tallest building. The observation deck on the 118th floor (¥199) has the fastest elevators on earth. Book a clear-weather slot; mist kills the view.
Day 2 — Old Shanghai
- Yu Garden & City God Temple bazaar — a classical Ming-dynasty garden wrapped in a lively market quarter. Go before 9 am to beat the crowds.
- The former French Concession — plane-tree streets, 1930s villas, boutiques and cafés. Walk Wukang Road to Anfu Road; this is Shanghai’s best people-watching.
- Tianzifang or Xintiandi — renovated shikui lanes turned café districts (pick one).
Day 3 — Day trips by high-speed rail
Shanghai’s rail hubs make day trips almost unfair:
| Destination | From | Time | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suzhou | Shanghai Station | 25–40 min | Classical gardens, canals |
| Hangzhou | Hongqiao | 45–60 min | West Lake, tea hills |
| Zhujiajiao water town | taxi/bus ~1 h | — | Canal town, no train needed |
Our high-speed rail guide explains how foreigners book tickets with a passport in minutes.
Eating in Shanghai
Shanghai food is sweet, braised and dumpling-centric:
- Xiaolongbao — soup dumplings; Jia Jia Tang Bao is the beloved local benchmark, Din Tai Fung the polished chain.
- Shengjianbao — pan-fried pork buns with a crisp base, the true breakfast of the city.
- Hongshao rou — red-braised pork belly, a Shanghai signature.
- For a splurge, the Bund-side restaurants on and around the Bund offer tasting menus with skyline views.
Getting in and around
- Two airports: Pudong (PVG, international) linked by the 430 km/h Maglev (8 min to Longyang Road, then metro); Hongqiao (SHA, mostly domestic) attached directly to the main rail station.
- Metro: 20+ lines, English announcements, ¥3–9 rides. A payments app transit code covers everything.
- Taxis/Didi: plentiful and metered; the airport runs to downtown cost ¥100–160.
Practical notes
Shanghai hotels are the most foreigner-friendly in China — almost every property accepts international guests, but skim our hotel guide if you plan to book small boutique stays. And if your passport allows it, the whole trip can run on visa-free transit with Shanghai as your exit port.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Shanghai?
Two full days cover the core — the Bund, Pudong, Yu Garden and the former French Concession. A third day opens up the water town of Zhujiajiao or a high-speed rail run to Suzhou or Hangzhou.
Is Shanghai a good first stop in China?
Yes — it is the softest landing in the country. English signage is widespread, international cards work in most malls, and the metro is world-class. Many travelers fly into Shanghai and out of Beijing.
What is the best time to walk the Bund?
Sunset into early evening. Cross to the Pudong side before dusk, watch the lights come on across the river, then walk back along the Bund promenade.
Does the Maglev from Pudong Airport accept foreign cards?
Ticket machines can be unreliable with foreign cards, but staffed counters accept cash and Alipay/WeChat Pay. The one-way ride costs ¥50 (¥40 with a same-day air ticket).
