Ultimate 2-Day Shanghai Itinerary: Iconic Sights and Hidden Corners

Shanghai is a wild mix of the future and the past. Glass skyscrapers shoot up next to ancient temples and buzzing street markets. If you’ve got just two days, don’t sweat it—you can still soak in a lot. This guide cuts through the fluff and takes you straight to the city’s essentials, from peaceful gardens and riverside walks to the best places to watch the city light up at night.

Here’s the plan: you’ll wander through the famous Yuyuan Garden, stroll along the leafy lanes of the Former French Concession, get swept up in the crowds on Nanjing Road, and catch the skyline from the Bund and Lujiazui. We’ll even squeeze in a trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town—a slice of old China, canals and all.

Ready? Let’s dive into your two-day Shanghai adventure.

Let’s embark on your exciting 2-day Shanghai adventure!

Day 1: Old-World Charm and New Heights

Start your first day exploring the city’s rich history, then watch it morph into a modern marvel right before your eyes.

Yuyuan Garden & Bazaar: A Pocket of Calm

Kick things off at Yuyuan Garden. Tucked into the busy city center, this garden has survived for more than 400 years. It’s small—just a couple of hectares—but every inch is packed with winding paths, peaceful ponds, and quirky rock sculptures.

Wander through halls like Sansui and Wanhua, peek into the Inner Garden, and make sure you see the famous “Sublime Jade Rock”—it’s a local legend.

Tips for Visiting Yuyuan Garden:

• Avoid Crowds: To experience the garden’s tranquility fully, we recommend visiting in the early morning or on a weekday.
• Yuyuan Tourist Mart: Adjacent to the garden, the Yuyuan Tourist Mart (also known as Yuyuan Bazaar) is a vibrant marketplace filled with hundreds of shops and stalls selling souvenirs, local snacks, and traditional crafts. It’s a great place to find unique gifts and sample authentic Shanghai street food. You’ll also find teahouses and restaurants, alongside familiar Western brands.

Opening Hours and Ticket Prices:

• Price: 40 RMB (April to June, September to November); 30 RMB (July – August, December – March)
• Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry: 4:30 PM)

French Concession: European Vibes, Shanghai Style

Next up, head west to the Former French Concession. This area feels like a different world—wide, tree-lined streets, old stone houses, cozy cafes, and indie shops. You’ll want to slow down and just wander.

After visiting the former French concession, many tourists go to Tianzifang, a historic district with its traditional alleys, shikumen houses and more than 200 small businesses: cafes, restaurants, art galleries, craft shops and studios.

Although there are a few souvenir shops, the area has not developed too much and still retains its historic charm. Unlike Xintiandi, another nearby tourist destination, it has managed to retain its hometown feel.

In Tianzifang, the cult of coffee is emerging, which makes it the ideal place to enjoy this caffeinated beverage while people watching in this unique setting.

Xintiandi: Where Old Meets New

A quick walk from Tianzifang, Xintiandi is flashier. Think glossy boutiques, trendy restaurants, and restored shikumen buildings, all set up for people–watching. This is where Shanghai’s past and present really mash up. You’ll also find the historic site where the Chinese Communist Party held its first National Congress. Walk around, window-shop, maybe grab a drink—it’s a great way to see how the city reinvents itself.

Lujiazui New District: The City Soars

Now let’s crank things up. Head to Lujiazui, Shanghai’s financial center, where the skyline looks like it came from a sci-fi movie. The city’s tallest towers—like the Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao, and the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower—are all here, lighting up the night. You’ll want your camera for this one.

While primarily a business district, Lujiazui warmly welcomes tourists, offering incredible photographic opportunities and breathtaking views. Even if you’re just passing through, the sheer scale and architectural ambition of these towers are a sight not to be missed.

Key Skyscrapers to Check Out in Lujiazui:

• The Oriental Pearl TV Tower: You can’t miss the Oriental Pearl — it’s that wild-looking tower with the spheres stacked up, like futuristic marbles. Built in 1994, it used to be the tallest building in China. Even now, it’s basically the face of modern Shanghai. Three huge columns hold up eleven shiny spheres, and inside you’ll find several observation decks. Each deck gives you a different angle on The Bund and the Pudong skyline.

Feeling brave? Try standing on the glass floor up in one of the spheres. The view is amazing, and honestly, a little terrifying if you don’t love heights. There’s also a museum inside that traces Shanghai’s history, and if you’re hungry for more than just the view, you’ll find Asia’s highest panoramic restaurant up there.

• Opening Hours: 8:30 AM to 9:30 PM
• Price: 220 RMB (all-inclusive ticket for three spheres and museum); 160 RMB (first two spheres and museum); 120 RMB (second sphere and museum); 35 RMB (museum only).

Shanghai Tower:

Shanghai Tower is impossible to ignore. At 632 meters, it’s the tallest building in China and the second tallest in the world (as of 2018). The elevators rocket you up to the 119th floor in less than a minute. Most of the tower’s for business, but the observation deck is open to everyone. If you thought the view from the Pearl Tower was high, this one takes it up a notch.

• Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 9:30 PM
• Price: 180 RMB

Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC):

This one’s the “bottle opener” — you’ll see why when you spot the cut-out at the top. The SWFC rises 492 meters over Pudong and is mostly offices, but there’s a fancy hotel and a slick shopping arcade, too. The observation decks span floors 94 to 100, with the 100th floor Skywalk — a 55-meter glass walkway that feels like walking in the clouds. Prefer something more chill? Grab tea or coffee at the Park Hyatt between floors 79 and 93 and soak in the views.

• Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
• Fee: 120 RMB (observation deck only, 94th floor); 180 RMB (all-inclusive ticket including SkyWalk).

Jinmao Tower:

Jinmao used to be Shanghai’s tallest until 2007, and even though it’s slipped to number four, its design still stands out. The Grand Hyatt Hotel takes up the top floors, and the Cloud 9 bar on the 87th floor is a great spot for drinks with a view — and way less crowded than the observation decks. If you want to push your limits, the 88th floor has a glass walkway stretching 60 meters around the building.

Opening hours: 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Price: 120 RMB

Century Boulevard & Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

Need a break between skyscrapers? Walk down Century Boulevard. This 5-kilometer stretch runs straight from the Oriental Pearl Tower to Century Park, Shanghai’s biggest green space. The boulevard is lined with botanical gardens and sculptures — it’s a good way to catch your breath and see another side of Pudong.

Right by the Oriental Pearl, you’ll also find the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium. It’s massive — 20,500 square meters — and full of marine life, from sharks to colorful coral reefs. There’s a 150-meter underwater tunnel, the longest in the world, where you can watch fish swim all around you. The aquarium has a whole section dedicated to Chinese aquatic life, and it’s perfect for families or just a rainy afternoon.

• Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 9:30 PM
• Price: 120 RMB

The Bund: Where Old Shanghai Stands Tall

If you’re in Shanghai, you can’t skip The Bund. Seriously, it’s a must. This stretch runs along the west bank of the Huangpu River, and it’s packed with grand old buildings that date back to before World War II. Back then, big foreign powers set up shop here during the Shanghai International Concession era, and you can still see the mix of Gothic, Baroque, and neoclassical styles they left behind. These days, a lot of these buildings house stylish boutiques, restaurants, and offices, but the historic vibe is still front and center.

Walk along The Bund and you get the best of both worlds—on one side, those stately colonial facades; on the other, Pudong’s futuristic skyline with its glass towers practically glowing at night. Locals and visitors both flock here for the view, and you’ll see everyone from photographers to families just taking it all in.

Some spots you shouldn’t miss::

• The Old HSBC Building: This one’s hard to ignore—a six-story neoclassical giant that once served as the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation’s headquarters from 1923 to 1955. Now, it belongs to the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, but the grand dome and stonework still make you stop and stare.
  
  

  

• The Customs House: The Customs House: Built in 1927, this eight-story landmark is famous for its clock tower—locals call the clock “Big Ching,” a little nod to Big Ben back in London. If you’re anywhere on The Bund, it’s tough to miss. 

  

• Huangpu Park: Head north and you’ll find this green patch—a nice quiet spot after a long walk. Here’s where the Monument to the Heroes of the People stands, honoring those who helped liberate Shanghai, plus a War Memorial for World War I soldiers. If you’re into history, duck into the Bund Historical Museum inside the park. 

  

• The Bund Tourist Tunnel: Want something a bit quirky? Hop on the tourist tunnel that zips under the river to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. It only takes five minutes, but the psychedelic lights and sounds make it a trip you won’t forget. Tickets cost 45 RMB.
  
  

  

Huangpu River Cruise: A Dazzling Night Spectacle

Wrap up your day with a Huangpu River Cruise. Honestly, there’s no better way to see the city switch from day to night. The cruise glides right between the old stone buildings of The Bund and the shining towers of Pudong, all lit up after dark. Boats leave from Shiliupu Wharf at the southern end of The Bund, and you can grab tickets right at the dock. Trips range from a quick 30 minutes to a laid-back 3.5 hours, but the 50-minute ride is perfect. It takes you past all the big sights—Shanghai Tower, the World Financial Center, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, and every landmark along The Bund—before looping back to where you started. It’s a front-row seat to Shanghai’s past and future, all in one go.

Tips for the Huangpu River Cruise:

• Evening Cruise: For the most spectacular views, take the cruise in the evening to witness Shanghai’s impressive nighttime lights. Cruises usually run every hour during the day and every 15 minutes at night, though schedules may vary seasonally.
• Arrival Time: Arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled departure to allow for boarding.
• Boat Amenities: While some boats offer more modern amenities, including bars and restaurants, all are safe and comfortable. Since you’ll likely spend most of your time on deck capturing photos of the incredible skyline, basic amenities are often sufficient. If you prefer a dining experience, select a cruise that includes a meal.

How to Get There:

• Shiliupu Wharf is easily accessible by car, bus, or subway. It’s also a short 10-minute walk from Yuyuan Garden.

Opening Hours and Ticket Prices:

• Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
• Ticket Price: 120 RMB (sightseeing only; prices vary for cruises with meals or snacks).

Recommended Duration: 1-2 hours

Day 2: Ancient Water Towns & Sky-High Views

On your second day in Shanghai, you get something completely different. First, you leave the city behind for a while and wander through an old water town. Later, you’re right back in the thick of the city, looking out over everything from way up high.

Zhujiajiao Water Town: Venice, but Make It Shanghai

Kick off your morning with a trip to Zhujiajiao, a place people love to call the “Venice of Shanghai.” It sits just outside the city, but it feels like you’ve stepped into a quieter, simpler world. Think stone bridges, narrow lanes, old houses, and canals that wind everywhere. There’s a calm here that you just can’t find in downtown Shanghai.

Walk around and you’ll find yourself on cobbled streets that twist and turn. There are 36 ancient bridges—each one gives you a new angle on the canals. Fangsheng Bridge is the big one, built back in the 1500s, while Lang Bridge is a wooden beauty that stretches over the water like a long hallway.

Don’t skip North Street. It’s a kilometer of Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, full of shops and snacks. If you cross the Dianpu River, you’ll hit Kezhi Park, a proper Chinese garden. Hike up the little hill to the Moon View Pavilion—the highest spot around. From there, you can see the whole town spread out below you.

A Few Quick Tips for Zhujiajiao:

• Hop on a boat if you can. It doesn’t cost much, and you’ll float right through the heart of the town—hands down the best way to see it. Getting here’s easy. Take a taxi, a bus, or just ride the subway straight out from central Shanghai.
• The town itself is free to wander, but if you want to check out the sights (and you should), you’ll need a ticket. The 120 RMB pass covers nine sites and a boat ride. Or grab the 60 RMB pass if you’re skipping the boat and just want access to eight spots..

Accommodation in Shanghai

The best areas to stay in Shanghai include:

The Bund

✔ Best area to stay in Shanghai for sightseeing & first-time travellers

Recommended hotels near The Bund

Thanks to its central location and 24/7 popularity with tourists, hotels in & around The Bund area, unsurprisingly, come at a premium. Most of the selection here sits in the mid-range to luxury categories including some of the sleekest 5-star hotels in Shanghai and even in all of China.

• Shanghai Fish Inn East Nanjing Road: The best budget pick in the district, this boutique hotel offers clean newly-renovated room on a quiet side street just minutes from the action of The Bund and Nanjing Road.
• Metropolo Classiq Shanghai Off Bund: An elegant mid-range hotel featuring spacious rooms with extras like soaker tubs built for your relaxation. The higher-end offerings include private balconies with spectacular views towards the Pudong skyline.
• Hotel Indigo Shanghai On The Bund: A stunning boutique hotel with ultra-stylish rooms affixed with unique artwork and modern furnishings and decor with a Chinese twist. The hotel’s chic rooftop bar is one of the finest places in the city to enjoy a cocktail to dramatic skyline views.
• Fairmont Peace Hotel On the Bund: A Shanghai accommodations classic, this illustrious Bund hotel has a history dating back over 80 years and has played host to most celebrities than any other hotel in the city. Besides the elegant rooms, guests will be charmed by the hotel’s world-class amenities from its famous Jazz Bar to the soothing treatments at the Willow Stream Spa.

Nanjing Road & People’s Square

✔ Top neighbourhood to stay in Shanghai for shopping & eating to your heart’s content

Recommended hotels near Nanjing Road & People’s Square

It shouldn’t be surprisingly that with such a central location, hotels here don’t necessarily come cheap. Most of the selection around East Nanjing Road is in the mid-range with true budget and higher-end luxury picks a little more difficult to find.

• The Phoenix Hostel Shanghai LaoShan: One of the few recommended budget choices around here, this property features both dorms and private rooms with private bathrooms to its guests. The location, within five-minute walking distance from People’s Square Station, is extra convenient.
• The Yangtze Boutique Shanghai: A lovely hotel featuring a supremely elegant style that blends Art Deco sophistication with Chinese sensibilities. Guests will love the three on-site restaurants—serving everything from Cantonese to modern Italian—as well as enjoying at nightcap at the classy on-site cocktail lounge, The Bar.
• Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World: Although its rooms are a little less flashy than other hotels in the area, this delightful mid-range Shanghai hotel is still a charmer with a host of superb amenities including five on-site restaurants to try, a palatial indoor pool, mini-golf facilities, and a day spa. The location one-minute away from the People’s Square metro station doesn’t hurt either.
• Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre: Offering spacious rooms with dramatic skyline views, this superb luxury hotel checks all the boxes for the perfect place to stay in the centre of Shanghai. Both Nanjing East Road and People’s Square are just five minutes away.
• JW Marriott Shanghai at Tomorrow Square: One of the finest luxury picks in the district, this lofty 5-star hotel delights with soaring views and a glut of amenities that’ll have you singing its praises. Don’t miss out on its stunning outdoor pool and its insane vistas over the city centre.

Old City

✔ Best area to stay for uncovering Shanghai’s ancient roots

While it’s admittedly a little kitschy at times, Old City offers a fleeting glimpse at Shanghai’s historical character outside of its colonial quarters.

Hidden within its disorganized warren of narrow alleyways and along historic merchant roads lined with traditional Chinese architecture, the spirit of ancient Shanghai lives on—even if it’s just a tiny taste.

Recommended hotels in Old City

• Campanile Shanghai Bund Hotel: A simple modern Shanghai hotel just a few blocks from the ancient city wall that’s by far the best budget place to stay in the area. Rooms are spotless and feature upgraded facilities & contemporary furnishings. Both Yuyuan Garden and The Bund are fifteen minutes away by foot.
• SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund: A lovely mid-range boutique hotel perched on the edge of the Old City just steps from one of the few remaining sections of ancient city wall. The rooms here are elegant and larger than most in China, impressing with superb skyline views.
• Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel: The best hotel in the area, this fantastic luxury property draws travellers in with expansive guestrooms that defy Shanghai’s usually tight standards. Relax to the lights of the ancient quarter or Pudong in the hotel’s restaurant, bar, indoor pool or ever your own private soaker tub in your room to get the full Renaissance experience.

Former French Concession

✔ Top-rated area to stay in Shanghai for discovering leafy boulevards, elegant bars & cafés, and hip restaurants

By far the most surprising neighbourhood in Shanghai, the Former French Concession is not just one of the city’s best districts to explore, but one of the most recommended areas to stay.

Recommended hotels in the French Concession

• Hotel Equatorial Shanghai: With a shortage of good budget hotels, this low-mid-range hotel offers one of the best balances between budget-friendliness and quality in the French Concession. Rooms are fairly standard stock, but extras like an indoor pool & well-equipped gym tip the scales in this property’s favour.
• Shanghai Donghu Hotel: A classy mid-range luxury hotel in the historic heart of the Former French Concession. The rooms exude a traditional oriental elegance and are more spacious than average.
• InterContinental Shanghai Ruijin: A candidate for the absolute best hotel in the OFC, this luxurious property is hidden away on a leafy avenue that feels more like an exclusive French villa than a hotel in the middle of one of the world’s largest cities. From the elegant old world decor to the lush park-like grounds, there’s no experience quite like this in China’s largest city.
• The Puli Hotel And Spa: An elegant property nestled into the northern fringes of the French Concession near Jing’an. Rooms are outfitted with sleek modern furnishings and peer out onto the Shanghai cityscape with gusto through floor-to-ceiling windows. Slip into the steam room, hot spring tub or infinity pool for the ultimate in relaxation.

Jing’an

✔ Best district to stay in Shanghai for great shopping, eating & more affordable luxury

Located just west of the Nanjing East Road & People’s Square, Jing’an is among the most popular neighbourhoods in Shanghai for expats thanks to its excellent transportation connections, wide array of housing options as well as deluge of shopping malls, cafés and restaurants.

Recommended hotels in Jing’an

As one of the most popular options for where to stay in Shanghai, there’s plenty of choice for travellers in Jing’an. Most accommodations here fall into the mid-range.

There’s also a fairly large concentration of 5-star hotels in Jing’an, making it, along with Lujiazui and The Bund, a first-class district for luxury travellers, although at more affordable prices than either.

• Campanile Shanghai Natural History Museum Hotel: The best hotel in Jing’an for budget travellers, this property surprises with clean modern rooms that don’t suffer the same cramped quarters or low quality of most offerings in the price range.
• URBN Boutique Shanghai: A hip & trendy mid-range boutique hotel boasting a unique design aesthetic that fuses modern urban elements with Asian motifs. The entire property is designed to be eco-friendly from the mysterious bamboo garden to the locally-sourced seafood at the on-site bistro.
• InterContinental Shanghai Jing’an: A excellent value luxury hotel with all the amenities you’d come to expect from IHG. Enjoy a range of Asian cuisines to try from Cantonese & Shanghainese to Sichuan & Japanese in one of the hotel’s seven on-site restaurants. Skyline views from the expansive guestrooms are simply breathtaking.
• Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai: A stunner among Shanghai hotels, this luxurious hotel lives up to its parent’s brand with a gentle mix of pure sophistication and modernity. Everything from the charming rooms to the soothing on-site spa spells out a dream-like choice for where to stay in Shanghai.

Lujiazui

✔ Best area to stay for basking in the ultimate in Shanghai luxury experience

Recommended hotels in Lujiazui

With much of Shanghai’s wheelin’ and dealin’ taking place in the lofty skyscrapers of Lujiazui, the district focuses extensively on the high-end of the market.

Not surprisingly, Lujiazui and Pudong are home to many of the best luxury hotels in Shanghai at prices that fit their unmatched swankiness.

• Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai: One of the most affordable 5-stars in Lujiazui, this grand luxury hotel charms guests with its art-deco-inspired rooms that sport floor-to-ceiling windows peering onto Shanghai & the river. Seven dining options as well as a fully-equipped health club—with everything from an indoor pool to a spa—await.
• Grand Hyatt Shanghai: Located in the upper echelons of Jin Mao Tower, this lofty luxury Shanghai hotel unleashes mega-sized rooms with interiors inspired by art-deco. If the skyline views through the large panoramic windows in your room aren’t quite enough, retire to the Sky Pool or the popular rooftop Cloud 9 Patio & Piano Bar for some of Shanghai’s most incredible vistas.
• Pudong Shangri-La, East Shanghai: A classy & elegant property leaning more towards the traditional than the modern with its cultured decor & furnishings. The deluxe rooms are a superb value for Lujiazui, but the hotel’s Horizon rooms will truly take your breath away.
• The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong: Perhaps the best luxury hotel in Shanghai, this exquisite property boasts one of the premier locations in the city with the iconic Oriental Pearl TV Tower staring it down at every angle. There’s a whole slew of superb amenities here from a indoor infinity pool to a spa, but none is more unique than Flair, a rooftop restaurant & bar that soars as the highest, not just in Shanghai, but in China.

Shanghai Tourist Map

Here is a tourist map of Shanghai, which will help you spot the main places to visit in town!

And you, what are you planning to visit in Shanghai?

Extend Your Shanghai Knowledge: Related Articles & Resources

To further assist you in your travel preparations and deepen your understanding of Shanghai and beyond, we’ve compiled a list of related articles from our blog. These resources offer additional insights, detailed guides, and practical tips to enhance your Chinese adventure:

• Discover all our articles about China: This comprehensive tag page lists all our articles related to China, providing a wealth of information for your broader travel plans.
• Shanghai: Top 12 Must-Do Things: A concise guide highlighting the absolute essential experiences and attractions in Shanghai, perfect for quick reference or if you have limited time.
• 3 Days in Shanghai: Ultimate 3-Day Itinerary: If you have an extra day, this guide offers a balanced 3-day exploration of Shanghai’s key attractions.
• 5 Days in Shanghai: Ultimate 5-Day Itinerary: For those with more time, this guide provides an in-depth 5-day exploration of Shanghai and its surroundings.
• Where to stay in Shanghai?: This essential guide provides detailed recommendations on the best neighborhoods and hotels in Shanghai, catering to all budgets and travel styles, ensuring you find the perfect base for your stay.
• Shanghai Metro Map & Time Table: A practical guide to navigating Shanghai’s efficient metro system
• What language spoken in Shanghai?: Learn about the local dialect and language tips for your trip.