5 Days in Shanghai: The Bund, Yu Garden, Zhujiajiao Day Trip (2026 Itinerary)

Five days is the sweet spot for Shanghai. It covers the iconic skyline (The Bund, Shanghai Tower, Pudong), the city’s old-town soul (Yu Garden, French Concession), two day trips (Zhujiajiao water town and Suzhou), and enough time to slow down and eat. Shanghai is the most international city in China — the metro signs are in English, restaurants have English menus, and Alipay/WeChat Pay work everywhere. Plan ¥3,000–5,000 ($420–700) per person for the week excluding flights, or ¥5,000–9,000 ($700–1,260) with mid-range hotels.

Day 1: The Bund + Yu Garden + Nanjing Road

Morning (9:00–12:00) — Yu Garden and Old City

Start at Yu Garden (豫园, yùyuán), the 16th-century Ming-dynasty classical garden in the heart of the Old City. ¥40 ($5.50) entry, open 8:30 AM–5:00 PM, closed Mondays. The rockeries, koi ponds, and dragon walls are the highlights. Allow 1.5 hours.

Walk out through the Yu Garden Bazaar (城隍庙, chénghuángmiào) — a maze of traditional shops, teahouses, and street-food stalls. The famous Nanxiang Xiaolongbao (南翔小笼) restaurant here has been serving soup dumplings since 1900. Get a steamer (¥30–50) and a cup of tea in the upstairs seating.

Afternoon (12:00–15:00) — The Bund and Pudong

Take the metro to East Nanjing Road (南京东路) station. Walk west to The Bund (外滩, wàitān) — Shanghai’s famous 1.5 km riverfront promenade. The colonial-era buildings on the west side (the former British, French, and American concessions) are now a museum of architecture. The skyline on the east side is the futuristic Pudong financial district.

Stroll the Bund slowly — it’s free and open 24/7. For the best photos, walk to the Bund Bull sculpture at the northern end, then south to the Chen Yi Square. Most visitors spend 1–2 hours here.

Cross to Pudong: take the ferry from Shiliupu Wharf (十六铺码头) to Lujiazui for ¥2 — it’s the cheapest way to see the skyline. Or take the metro across the river.

Evening (18:00–21:00) — Shanghai Tower or Nanjing Road

For sunset, head up Shanghai Tower (上海中心). At 632m, it’s the tallest building in China and second-tallest in the world. ¥180 ($25) to the 118th-floor observation deck. Pre-book online. The view at sunset is spectacular.

For a budget evening, walk Nanjing Road (南京路) — Shanghai’s main shopping street, 5 km long, 1.5 km of which is a pedestrian-only zone. The neon at night is a classic Shanghai scene.

Dinner: try Jia Jia Tang Bao (佳家汤包) for xiaolongbao, or Lost Heaven for Yunnan cuisine. For upscale, Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet is the world’s most experimental restaurant (10 seats, ¥6,000+ per person, book months ahead).

Verified: “Zhujiajiao is one of the oldest settlements in China, with archaeological findings dating back 5,000 years. The town was established about 1,700 years ago” — That’s Shanghai, accessed 2026-07-24

Day 2: French Concession + Shanghai Museum + Xintiandi

Morning (9:00–13:00) — Shanghai Museum

The Shanghai Museum (上海博物馆) is one of China’s best free museums. The bronze gallery, ceramic gallery, and calligraphy gallery are the highlights. Free entry, but book a slot online in advance. Located in People’s Square (人民广场). Allow 2.5 hours.

Lunch: try Xiao Jin Ling (小金陵) for soup dumplings, or Yong Foo Élite (永福路52号) for upscale Shanghainese cuisine in a 1930s villa.

Afternoon (13:00–17:00) — French Concession Walk

The French Concession (法租界, fǎzūjiè) is a 1.5 km² area of tree-lined streets and 1920s-30s European architecture. It’s the most walkable, beautiful part of Shanghai.

Suggested route:

• Fuxing Park (复兴公园) — locals doing tai chi, mahjong, and ballroom dancing
• Sinan Mansions (思南公馆) — restored 1920s villas, now boutique shops and cafés
• Wukang Road (武康路) — the most photogenic street, with the iconic Wukang Mansion
• Anfu Road (安福路) — café and shopping street popular with Shanghai’s creative class
• Tianzifang (田子坊) — narrow alleys with art studios, boutiques, and cafés

Evening (17:00–21:00) — Xintiandi and dinner

Xintiandi (新天地) is a dining and entertainment complex in restored 1920s shikumen (stone-gate) houses. It’s touristy but pretty. For dinner, try Dianchi Kitchen for Yunnan cuisine, or The Nest for modern Chinese.

If you have energy after dinner, hit Bar Rouge or M on the Bund for cocktails with a Bund view.

Day 3: Day trip to Zhujiajiao water town

All day (8:00–18:00) — Zhujiajiao Water Town

Zhujiajiao (朱家角) is Shanghai’s best-preserved ancient water town, 1,700 years old, 48 km from central Shanghai. It’s the easiest day trip and the most rewarding for first-time visitors.

Getting there: Take Metro Line 17 from Longyang Road or Hongqiao Railway Station to Zhujiajiao Station. The journey takes 1 hour and costs ¥8 ($1.10). Or take the Huzhu Express Bus (沪朱高速快线) from People’s Square for ¥12 ($1.70) one-way, runs every 30 minutes.

What to see:

• Fangsheng Bridge (放生桥) — the largest, longest, tallest stone arch bridge in Shanghai, built in 1571
• Bei Dajie (北大街) — the “mile-long street with a thousand shops,” Ming and Qing dynasty architecture
• Kezhi Garden (课植园) — restored 1912 Chinese garden, ¥25 entry
• Yuanjin Monastery (圆津禅院) — 700-year-old Buddhist temple, ¥10 entry
• Boat ride on the canals: ¥150 for 6 people (15 minutes), or ¥300 for a longer tour

What to eat: the town is famous for zharou (扎肉, braised pork belly, ¥3–6 per piece), zongzi (粽子, sticky rice dumplings, ¥4–6), and dried soy beans (¥10/250g bag).

Returning: trains back to Shanghai run until 10 PM. Last bus around 8 PM.

Alternative day trip options:

• Suzhou (苏州) — 25 min by high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao. Classical gardens (Humble Administrator’s Garden, ¥45), canals, and the famous Suzhou Museum designed by I.M. Pei (free, but book ahead).
• Hangzhou (杭州) — 45 min by high-speed train. West Lake, Lingyin Temple, and Longjing tea plantations.
• Tongli Water Town (同里) — closer than Zhujiajiao, less touristy, ¥100 entry to the ancient town.

Day 4: Pudong + Tianzifang + night cruise

Morning (9:00–12:00) — Pudong skyscrapers

Take the metro to Lujiazui (陆家嘴) station. The Pudong skyline is Shanghai’s postcard. Three observation decks to choose from:

• Shanghai Tower (632m) — tallest in China, ¥180 ($25)
• Shanghai World Financial Center (474m) — the “bottle opener” building, ¥160 ($22)
• Oriental Pearl TV Tower (468m) — the iconic round tower, ¥199 ($28)

Shanghai Tower is the best single experience. Skip the others unless you’re a skyscraper fan.

Lunch in Pudong: try Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐) in Shanghai IFC Mall for xiaolongbao, or Lao Zheng Xing (老正兴) for classic Shanghainese.

Afternoon (14:00–17:00) — Tianzifang + Propaganda Poster Art Centre

The Propaganda Poster Art Centre (宣传画艺术中心) is a hidden gem — a private collection of 6,000+ original Chinese propaganda posters from 1949–1979. Located in a residential basement in the French Concession. ¥25 entry. Allow 1 hour. Cash only.

Then walk to Tianzifang (田子坊) — narrow alleys converted to art studios, boutiques, and craft shops. Buy souvenirs, browse, and have a coffee.

Evening (18:30–21:30) — Huangpu River night cruise

The Huangpu River night cruise (黄浦江夜游) is the classic Shanghai evening experience. Boats depart from the Bund every 15–30 minutes, ¥120–180 ($17–25) for a 1-hour cruise. The illuminated skyline of Pudong is unforgettable.

Alternatively, dine at one of the riverside restaurants on the Bund itself: Mr & Mrs Bund (French, upscale, ¥600+/person), M on the Bund (Western, more casual).

Day 5: Jing’an Temple + shopping + final meal

Morning (9:00–12:00) — Jing’an Temple and Jing’an Park

Jing’an Temple (静安寺) is a 1,200-year-old Buddhist temple in the heart of the city, surrounded by skyscrapers. ¥50 ($7) entry, open 7:30 AM–5:00 PM. The golden Buddha inside is the highlight. The surrounding Jing’an Park (静安公园) is a peaceful urban oasis.

Lunch: try Dian Ping for xiaolongbao, or Jesse Restaurant for Shanghainese cuisine.

Afternoon (13:00–17:00) — Shopping + final wander

Top shopping options:

• Nanjing West Road (南京西路) — luxury brands (Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Chanel)
• Xintiandi (新天地) — boutique and designer shops
• Tianzifang (田子坊) — independent designers and crafts
• AP Plaza (Han City) — fake market, haggling required, ¥30–200 for “Gucci” bags (let your conscience decide)

For something more authentic, visit Yuyuan Bazaar (if you missed Day 1) or Dongtai Road Antique Market (Sundays only, 9 AM–4 PM, free).

Evening (18:00–21:00) — Final dinner

For your last dinner, try one of Shanghai’s signature dishes:

• Hairy crab (大闸蟹, dàzháxiè) — September–December only, the Shanghai delicacy. Steamed, served with ginger vinegar. ¥80–150 each
• Red-braised pork belly (红烧肉, hóngshāoròu) — Shanghai’s most iconic comfort food
• Drunken shrimp (醉虾) — fresh river shrimp marinated in Shaoxing wine

The restaurants that do all three well: Lao Zheng Xing (老正兴, founded 1862), Xiao Shao Xing (小绍兴), 138 Xinyao Hot Pot.

Day trips if you have 6+ days

• Day 6: Suzhou — Classical Gardens, Tiger Hill, Pingjiang Road
• Day 7: Hangzhou — West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Longjing tea
• Day 6 alternative: Shanghai Disney Resort — 1 day minimum, the only Disney in mainland China

Where to stay

Budget (¥300–600/night, $42–84) — hostels and budget chains near People’s Square. Mingtown Hostel Shanghai, Jin Jiang Inn, Hanting Express.

Mid-range (¥800–1,500/night, $112–210) — 4-star hotels near the Bund or French Concession. Les Suites Orient Bund, URBN Boutique, Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World.

Luxury (¥1,800–5,000/night, $252–700) — The Peninsula Shanghai (¥3,000+, Bund view), Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund (¥2,500+), Mandarin Oriental Pudong (¥3,000+, Lujiazui).

For complete booking advice, see our Trip.com vs Booking.com guide and where to find foreigner-friendly hotels.

Book this Shanghai trip

Everything from The Bund hotels to Yu Garden entry tickets to the Zhujiajiao day trip can be booked on these three platforms. Click through to see real-time prices for your dates.

Booking essentials before you go

• 240-hour visa-free transit: Shanghai is one of the entry ports — see our 240-hour visa-free guide
• Alipay/WeChat Pay: see our Alipay setup guide — Shanghai is one of the most mobile-payment-friendly cities
• eSIM: see our eSIM guide for data access
• VPN: see our VPN guide if you need Google/Instagram

For an extended 2-week China trip, see our 7-day classic China route that combines Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai.