A complete 3-day Shanghai plan — the city center on days one and two, a Suzhou or Zhujiajiao day trip on day three.
Morning at Yu Garden and the City God Temple, afternoon wandering the French Concession, evening on the Bund for sunset into night, closing with a Huangpu river cruise if you haven't already. This is the full version of our 1-day itinerary — if you have three days, don't rush it into half a day.
Spend day two on the Pudong side you admired from across the river the night before. Go up the Shanghai Tower's observation deck in the morning when visibility is typically best, before afternoon haze builds. In the afternoon, Nanjing Road's pedestrian shopping street connects back toward the Bund if you want a second pass at street level, or the Jade Buddha Temple for a quieter, less crowded religious site than Yu Garden's busy old town.
The world's second-tallest building, best visited in the morning before afternoon haze sets in.
From $66
1-2 hours
Use the third day for a day trip. Suzhou is the stronger pick if you want UNESCO-listed classical gardens and have the roughly 25-40 minute bullet train journey each way built into your day — this is the better choice if you can only pick one. Zhujiajiao is closer (around an hour) and a good lighter option if you'd rather spend less of the day in transit and more time wandering canals. Either works as a full day with return by early evening.
The stronger day-trip pick if you can only do one — classical gardens via a fast, comfortable train.
From $585
Full day
Yes, comfortably — two days for the city center (old town, French Concession, Bund, Pudong skyline) and a third for a Suzhou or Zhujiajiao day trip.
Suzhou if you only have time for one and want classical UNESCO-listed gardens; Zhujiajiao if you'd rather spend less time in transit and more time wandering canals close to the city.
Handpicked experiences with licensed local guides. Instant confirmation.
A one-day sampler of the water town, old colonial district and skyline
Suzhou's UNESCO-listed gardens and canals in one day trip with a boat ride
The stronger day-trip pick if you can only do one — classical gardens via bullet train
A guided visit separating the real garden from the surrounding bazaar
The easiest canal-town day trip from Shanghai, with the signature gondola ride
Both the historic Bund and futuristic Pudong skyline from the water
The world's second-tallest building, best visited in the morning
Covers more ground than walking alone, brunch stop included
Both skylines lit up at night, seen from the water
Ticketing and park logistics handled for the first Disney park on the Chinese mainland
Experience the difference of local mastery. Our licensed guides ensure you see the soul of the city.