How to Plan a Shanghai Tour

Shanghai is an exceptionally captivating city, not merely due to its thriving economy, towering skyscrapers, and the shimmering neon lights that adorn its nights.

It is its unique urban landscape and profound historical and cultural heritage that truly enchant. As such, the city is often referred to by the Chinese as the "Magic Metropolis."

Experience the Best of Old & New Shanghai

If it is your first time visiting China, Shanghai is the perfect gateway to begin your journey. The city seamlessly blends China's rich history with cutting-edge modernity, all encapsulated in an easily navigable urban environment.

Discover the secrets to meticulously planning your Shanghai tour. Uncover insider tips and personalized itinerary ideas to make the most of your visit to this vibrant city.

1-Day Shanghai Day Trip to Yuyuan Garden

• Yuyuan Garden - Walk along The Bund - Tianzifang - The Former French Concession

1-Day Shanghai Day Trip to Huangpu River Cruise

• Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower - Take a Boat Down to Huangpu River - Shanghai Museum East

4-Day Shanghai City Packages & Zhujiajiao Water Town

• Day 1: Shanghai Arrival
• Day 2: The Bund - Yuyuan Garden - Shanghai Tower - Former French Concession Area
• Day 3: Zhouzhuang Water Town
• Day 4: Shanghai Departure

Trips to Cities Around Shanghai

If you wish to travel to cities around Shanghai, you can take the high-speed train to destinations such as Hangzhou, Suzhou, or Huangshan.

2-Day Hangzhou Bullet Train Tour from Shanghai

• Day 1: Lingyin Temple - Feilai Feng (Flying Peak) - Liuhe Pagoda (Six Harmonies Pagoda)
• Day 2: West Lake - China Tea Museum - Qinghefang Pedestrian Street - Hu Qingyu Hall Chinese Traditional Herbal Medicine Museum

2-Day Suzhou's Exquisite Gardens Tour from Shanghai

• Day 1: Humble Administrator's Garden - Grand Canal - Panmen Gate
• Day 2: Master of the Nets Garden - Rickshaw Ride

4-Day Huangshan and Hongcun Village Tour

• Day 1: Arrival in Huangshan
• Day 2: Yellow Mountain - Yungu cable car
• Day 3: Shexian and Tangyue Memorial Arches - Bao Family Garden - Tunxi Ancient Street
• Day 4: Village of Hongcun - Departure

Must to do in Shanghai

• 1. Stroll Along the Bund.
• 2. Check out the Skyline from the Shanghai Tower Observation Deck.
• 3. Capture the View from the Oriental Pearl TV Tower.
• 4. Wander the Streets of the French Concession Walking down the French.
• 5. Admire the Old City at Yuyuan Garden and Bazaar.
• 6. Visit Zhujiajiao Water Town.

We have curated a selection of Shanghai's finest attractions to showcase the city's enchanting allure. Click here to see Top 20 Things to Do in Shanghai.

Food You Should Try in Shanghai

1. Shengjian Steamed Stuffed Bun: a kind of fried and steamed bun, with sesame and chives on the outside and meat on the inside. It’s popular for its crisp wrapper, thick soup, and tender meat.

2. Xiaolong Steamed Stuffed Bun: a kind of steamed bun with meat stuffing, renowned for its tender wrapper and fresh meat. It is named after the cooker “xiao long”, which is weaved using bamboo skin.

3. Xiekehuang: a kind of baked pastry with sesame on the outside, popular for its crunchy wrapper as well as stuffing, which can be sweet or salty. It is called (‘crab-shell-yellow’) because its round shape and yellow color resemble a crab shell.

• Recommended Tour: 3-Hour Shanghai Night Street Food Adventure

Ride a Huangpu River Cruise at Night

The Huangpu River Night Cruise is one of the best ways to witness the beauty of the city's combination of traditional architecture and modern skyscrapers。

It offers breathtaking views of the mesmerizing skyline, especially illuminating the city's charm. Some highlighted sites include the Bund, a famous waterfront area, and Pudong. 

Cycling around the Old Street in Shanghai

Spend a half day strolling around Shanghai by bike. You will see the most famous Shanghai highlights in rapid succession, sky-scrappers on the Bund, romantic French-style buildings in the Former French Region, traditional Shanghai architecture -Shikumen in Xintiandi, and prosperous commercial Nanjing Road.

Getting to and Around Shanghai

You can enter China via Shanghai by air or boat. You can go via Beijing, Hong Kong, or Guangzhou if you can’t get to Shanghai directly. Shanghai is linked to the rest of China by efficient rail and flight networks.

Two International Airports in Shanghai

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) : Located in Pudong New District, approximately 30 kilometers (18 miles) east of downtown Shanghai, this is the biggest airline hub in eastern China.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) : Located in Hongqiao County, the western suburbs of Shanghai, this is approximately 13 kilometers (8 miles) from the city center. Together with Pudong International Airport, it serves as one of the busiest airports in the east of China.

Two International Cruise Terminals in Shanghai

• Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal 上海港国际客运中心
• Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal 上海吴淞口国际邮轮港

Three Railway Stations

• Shanghai Railway Station
• Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station
• Shanghai South Railway Station

Maglev Train

Starting at Longyanglu Station on Line 2 of the Shanghai Metro and ending at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, the Shanghai Maglev Railway is the very first elevated maglev line in commercial operation in the world.

It can run at the amazing speed of 430 miles per hour, which means it can take you from downtown Shanghai to Shanghai Pudong International Airport in only 8 minutes.

By Public City Transportation

• Metro: The Shanghai Metro leads in all directions, with 14 lines and 366 stations.
• Bus: The Shanghai Bus System is also very developed. The buses can reach many small places the metro cannot reach.
• Sightseeing bus: This is a good choice if you want to do some sightseeing in downtown Shanghai because it only stops at scenic spots, which will save you time.

Private Transfer Service

China Travel offers a convenient alternative to public transport. With our private tours, you'll enjoy fully-equipped vehicles, a knowledgeable local driver, and an English-speaking guide.

Visa-Needed or Visa-Free

Currently, citizens from over 70 countries can enter China without a visa for stays ranging from 10 to 30 days.

Citizens from 38 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, France, Germany, Italy, and others, can enjoy a 30-day visa-free stay. To learn more about this policy.

• 240-Hour Visa-Free in China: 10-Day Visa-Free Transit 2025
• Shanghai Port Visa (Landing Visa): How to Apply for a Port Visa in Shanghai

Recommended Accommodation in Shanghai

Luxurious Hotel

• Stay in a riverside hotel along the Bund to watch the splendid skyline of Pudong
• Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund(Five-star) Ranked #2 on Trip Advisor
• Fairmont Peace Hotel Shanghai (Five-star) Ranked #7 on Trip Advisor
• Les Suites Orient, Bund Shanghai (Five-star) Ranked #20 on Trip Advisor (Best price among all the five-star hotels on the Bund )

Hotels in Pudong

• Mandarin Oriental Pudong (Five-star) Ranked #1 on Trip Advisor
• Four Seasons Shanghai Pudong (Five-star) Ranked #2 on Trip Advisor

Comfortable Hotel

Some hotels are not that expensive, but the location is good. Such as the Bund Hotel (near the Bund, 4-star).

Economic Hotel

If you are not too concerned about the environment around your accommodation, there are lots of hostels available, such as Kingstown Hotel Plaza Shanghai, Jinjiangzhixing Hotel, Seven Days Hotel, and so on.

Best Times to Visit Shanghai - Spring and Autumn

The best periods to visit Shanghai are spring (from March to May) and Autumn (from September to November).

The moderate temperatures in these two periods give travelers the most comfortable feeling. There is no extreme weather in Shanghai and the temperature is friendly all year round.

The rainy season is from mid-June to mid-July. The average rainy days in these two months are 28 days. Prepare to carry your rain gear with you all the time if you are to travel during this period.

Though it seldom rains in winter, the cold and damp winter climate is unpleasant. The temperatures can be down to 5 degrees centigrade. But at this time, there will be fewer visitors in Shanghai.

So, if you don’t want to see crowds, winter is a good time to visit Shanghai. The scenery is still nice and the temperature is bearable.

• Related Reading: learn more details about the Best Time to Visit Shanghai

Monthly Shanghai Weather

Shanghai Weather by Month

• Shanghai Weather in January
• Shanghai Weather in February
• Shanghai Weather in March
• Shanghai Weather in April
• Shanghai Weather in May
• Shanghai Weather in June
• Shanghai Weather in July
• Shanghai Weather in August
• Shanghai Weather in September
• Shanghai Weather in October
• Shanghai Weather in November
• Shanghai Weather in December