Best Shanghai Travel Routes and Time

Shanghai, as the most economically developed city in China, enjoys a very high international reputation. Known as the “Magic City”, what kind of magic does Shanghai have? Many people, especially those from other parts of China, do not know much about Shanghai. Here, I will share a most heartfelt Shanghai travel guide.

Shanghai is a city full of depth but always youthful. Its changes and constancies attract people from all over the world and from different age groups, with an enduring appeal.

However, the arrangement of the travel guide still needs to focus on everyone’s “heart’s desire”. This guide will provide suggestions for your journey, and you can combine them as you like.

Shanghai Tourism Attractions Map

Bus Tour

Bus Tour

If you are on a self-guided tour of Shanghai and your schedule is not long (no more than 5 days), I recommend choosing a sightseeing bus tour around the city for the first two days. There are two operators: Big Bus (100 yuan/person) operated by British Open-top Bus Sightseeing Tour and City Sightseeing (30 yuan/person) operated by Spring Airlines Travel. I have taken Big Bus twice, and it was a good experience.

【Suggested Duration】

One day, depart early

【Suggested Route】(Take Big Bus as an example)

First, take the Red Line at New World City: Nanjing Road (New World City) People’s Square‧Shanghai Art Museum‧Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street‧The Bund. At The Bund, switch to the Blue Line (The Bund is the junction of the Red and Blue Lines. The bus will stop for a short time. You can get off and visit The Bund first, then board the Blue Line at the same place). The Bund‧Oriental Pearl Tower‧Shanghai World Financial Center‧Jinmao Tower‧Old Wharf‧Shiliupu Bund Sightseeing Pier‧The Bund, switch back to the Red Line and complete the unfinished part of the route. Shiliupu Bund Sightseeing Pier‧Yuyuan Garden‧Xintiandi. Keep on the Red Line to Nanjing Road (New World City). Change to the Green Line at Nanjing Road (Nanjing Road is the junction of the Red and Green Lines) – Shanghai Municipal Museum‧Huaihai Road‧Jing’an Temple‧Portman Hotel‧Jade Buddha Temple‧Shanghai Art Museum, finally return to the starting point Nanjing Road (New World City).

This way, you can take all three lines in the shortest time. Each line usually takes 1 hour (without getting off) and you can choose any stop to get off and visit.

【Benefits】

1. Save your mind, effort, money and time.

2. You can sit on the second floor open-top bus, travel through the streets and alleys of Shanghai, and see more local customs.

3. You can listen to the explanation with headphones on the bus.

4. Relatively safe.

【Tips】

1. Both operators have their own advantages and disadvantages. You can choose according to the attractions they pass through~

2. Generally, a single ticket (excluding ticket for attraction entrance) is valid for 24 hours. If you want to get off at some attractions, it is recommended that you start early in the morning~

3. The wind is strong on the second-floor open-top bus. Remember to wear a hat and scarf to keep warm~

“Old” Shanghai

Old Shanghai

Shanghai is a city with a sense of time. The streets and alleys of Puxi are full of red bricks, green tiles, and Shikumen houses, all exuding the unique charm of “Old Shanghai”.

Xintiandi

“Sophisticated taste” is a unique label of Shanghai. Shanghai Xintiandi is perhaps the best place to showcase this sophisticated taste. Sitting in a Western restaurant or bar, watching people coming and going, the lights and the colors, looking at the delicate faces and fiery red lips at the opposite table, it’s like time has gone back to the 1920s and 1930s in Shanghai, the sights are all fascinating.

【Suggested Duration】

It’s suitable for taking photos during the day, about 1 hour. It’s suitable for eating and drinking at night, unlimited time, you can stay up all night~

Tianzifang

Tianzifang is the taste of the lanes and alleys, full of creative shops, galleries and photography exhibitions, as well as a variety of snack shops, teahouses, open-air restaurants and cafes. The biggest feature of Tianzifang is that many residents still live here.

【Suggested Duration】

During the day, about 1-2 hours. It is more suitable for teenagers.

【Nearby Recommendations】

It is very close to Tianzifang (about 10 minutes by shared bicycle). Zhougong Mansion on Sinan Road is also worth visiting. Those who are interested in our Party and the people will find it very interesting~

Yuyuan Garden / City God Temple

Yuyuan Garden, originally a private garden in the Ming Dynasty, is one of the classic gardens in the Jiangnan region, covering an area of about 20,000 square meters. On the side of the garden, there are the City God Temple and shopping streets for tourists.

The City God Temple is a place for Shanghainese people to pray for blessings. Walk across the Nine-bend Bridge and you will have walked through all the twists and turns of the year~ Nanxiang Xiaolong (soup dumplings), Ningbo Glutinous Rice Balls, and Crab Roe Soup Dumplings are a must-try.

【Suggested Duration】

Visit Yuyuan Garden and the City God Temple during the day, and the lantern display and commercial street at night. It takes about 1-2 hours. Personally, I think it is more beautiful at night~

In addition, I would like to introduce several places with a sophisticated atmosphere that are generally unknown to tourists, but after I took some friends who like to take photos and want to experience the sophisticated atmosphere of Shanghai, they all fell in love with them~

1. Julu Road, Fumin Road, Changle Road (recognized by Shanghainese as the most beautiful, most interesting, and richest districts)

2. Duolun Road (museums, exhibition halls, antique calligraphy and painting, bookstores, tea rooms, and bars on both sides of the road have become good places for domestic and foreign guests to enjoy themselves, travel and consume culture)

3. Dingxiang Garden (one of the most famous and best-preserved old mansions in Shanghai); Sinan Mansion (Zhougong Mansion is also one of them, with many beautiful restaurants),

4. Urumqi Road, Tibet North Road, Wukang Road, Hengshan Road, Shaoxing Road all have a strong sophisticated atmosphere.

Modern City

Modern City

Among Chinese cities, Shanghai is one of the most internationalized and modernized. In the past, the economic output of The Bund accounted for 50% of China’s total economic output. Now, the Pudong Lujiazui Financial District has once again attracted the attention of the world. The modern urban feel of Shanghai is imprinted with the label of “Magic City”, just like London, Tokyo and New York.

Nanjing East and West Road / Huaihai Middle Road / Outlet

Shanghai is a city with a magical shopping power. Almost every subway station in the city center is connected to several shopping malls. The most concentrated shopping areas in the city are Nanjing East Road, Nanjing West Road and Huaihai Middle Road. Friends also recommend the outlet which is a bit far from the city center. The price is almost the same as overseas~

Nanjing East Road Pedestrian Street, connecting People’s Square to The Bund, takes about 30 minutes to walk through without going into the stores. If you get tired halfway, you can take a 5 yuan/person small train~

On Nanjing West Road, there is also a famous attraction, Jing’an Temple. When spring comes, the Jing’an Park next to it is also full of spring scenery~

The Bund

The Bund, or Waibaidu, was designated as the British Concession in 1844, becoming a true reflection of Shanghai’s “Ten Miles of Foreign Concessions”. It is also the starting point of the former Shanghai concession area and the entire modern city of Shanghai.

Pudong Lujiazui

There is a Century Ring (I heard it has no name, so I quietly named it) in Pudong Lujiazui. Around it is a gathering place of the “big names” in Pudong. In addition to the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Disney flagship store, there are also the three giants of Pudong’s financial circle: Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, Jinmao Tower, as well as the Shanghai branches of major banks. Standing here, you can feel the wind carrying the scent of money~

The following is a screenshot from the recently aired “China from Above – Shanghai” (episode 6). You can choose one of the tall buildings in the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and Jinmao Tower to go to the top and experience the charm of “Night Shanghai”~

Disneyland

I have done some research on Shanghai Disneyland, but I have never been inside because I was always afraid of crowds. Now, more and more people are going there… There are many guides online and on Weibo. If you are too lazy to look them up, you can add my personal WeChat account and I will send them to you~

【Suggested Duration】

1~2 days, avoid weekends. If you want to finish your plan within one day, start early. The evening fireworks show is a must-see.

A mother friend of mine told me that Shanghai is a very suitable place for family trips. No matter what the weather is, there are places for children to play.

Children’s Museum, Wild Animal Park, Ocean Aquarium, Maya Water Park, a variety of large indoor amusement parks, and farmhouses in Chongming and Qingpu. Spend a week with your children, you will never run out of choices~

Journey of Culture

Journey of Culture

University Campus

Shanghai is home to many universities. Among them, I am fond of Jiaotong University (Xuhui Campus) and Tongji University (Siping Road Campus). If you go there at this time of year, the green trees and cherry blossoms complement each other, creating a unique charm. Fudan University, which is another place I plan to visit.

Arts and Technology

Shanghai is also quite successful in design and technology. If you like to see exhibitions, you can pay attention to the exhibition information of Long Museum, 1933 Old Factory, and Red Town Creative Park. My friend said that 1933 Old Factory is a paradise for photography lovers. The combination of light and shadow is especially suitable for practicing with SLR cameras. Or wear plain clothes to take photos, which has a unique flavor.

If you or your children love technology, the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum is a good choice. It is very interactive, informative and interesting.

In addition, Shanghai’s libraries and museums are also very distinctive. If you have time, you may as well go and immerse yourself in them.

【Tips】

Most of the exhibition halls in Shanghai are closed on Mondays.

10th Shanghai Biennale

In addition, if you are an art enthusiast or particularly like new things, I would recommend K11, a mall that combines art, food and shopping (you can make an appointment with a free tour guide at the consultation desk to take you around, about half an hour) ~

Natural Scenery

Natural Scenery

The bridges and flowing water in the Jiangnan region are also fascinating. If you have enough time, you can go to the surrounding areas of Shanghai. Zhujiajiao, Chongming Island, and the nearby Tongli Ancient Town and Wuxi are all recommended by friends. I haven’t been there myself, so I’m planning to go there on weekends when the weather is good~

I have been to West Lake and Thousand Island Lake in Hangzhou (highly recommend a restaurant called “Ji He”), Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou, Qidong in Nantong, and Wuzhen. Two days are usually enough. They all have their own advantages and disadvantages. I won’t go into details here. If you are interested, you can contact me privately.

Cusine and Wine

Cusine and Wine

There are quite a few snacks in Shanghai, and you can find many chain stores that have been around for hundreds of years, allowing you to try them all at once. I personally recommend crab roe soup dumplings, crayfish steamed buns, and scallion oil noodles~ Gongdelin and Xinghualou have other traditional snacks (which can be used as souvenirs) ~

As for main meals, if you want to try Shanghai cuisine, I have been to “Shanghai No. 1”, which is quite good. However, Shanghai cuisine is a bit sweet for me, a Cantonese girl, so I usually choose Japanese food or hot pot when dining out. There are many Japanese restaurants in Shanghai, and many of them are run by Japanese. There used to be many on Guyang Road, but some were demolished during subway construction. Some are still left. For hot pot, I highly recommend Lao Wang Pig Stomach Chicken Hot Pot and San Ren Xing Bone King Hot Pot, which are the two I eat most often. If you want something lighter, you can have porridge. You can try Xiao Hei Ao Qing, their seafood dishes are also very good~

In Shanghai, you should also try Western food, cafes, and bars.

I recommend a popular store called BlackBird on Urumqi Road. Their brunch is quite good, especially for taking photos.

There is also a store called “High Heels 73 Hours”, which combines high heels, full meals and afternoon tea. It has a unique style, and it will be loved by girls who like to wear high heels.

For bars that are a bit lively, I recommend Babalusa. My friend recommends MYST Club.

If you eat and drink, you can try Shanghai local yellow wine. Tell the waiter to add ginger strips and heat it up. Girls can add some hawthorn candies to suit their taste. It’s very good for relieving fatigue after a day.