Shanghai itinerary 3 days: What to do in 3 days in Shanghai perfectly?

Self-guided travel to China still makes many people think, because of language barriers and sightseeing experiences. However, this is a wonderfully beautiful place that you should not miss! Refer to the shared Shanghai itinerary 3 days on how to spend 3 days in Shanghai and what to do in Shanghai in 3 days below!

Originating from a humble origin as a fishing village on the coast of mainland China, Shanghai is now the largest city in China and the 3rd largest in the world after Delhi and Tokyo.

With its skyscrapers, massive shopping and commercial entertainment areas, and parks and museums popular with locals, expats and tourists, Shanghai is perfectly depicting modern China. To help you explore this special city, here is a weekend itinerary to guide you through this gem!

Shanghai itinerary 3 days: Day 1 – Must-See Places

Start your Shanghai exploration by immersing yourself in the splendid traditional Chinese architecture of Yuyuan Gardens. Located next to the City God Temple, these gardens showcase cultural relics, calligraphy, paintings and sculptures by famous artists. Take a walk around the shopping streets near the gardens to pick up some traditional Chinese souvenirs and Shanghai delicacies.

A quick metro ride from Yuyuan Gardens is Xintiandi, a pedestrian shopping and entertainment district in Shanghai. With mid-19th-century buildings now serving as cafes and restaurants, it is the perfect place to wander along the narrow alleys and enjoy the unique fusion of international exteriors and traditional Chinese interiors.

Shanghai Highlights Half Day Bike Tour

After your visit to Yuyuan Gardens and Xintiandi, spend the afternoon strolling the famous Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, China’s premier shopping street. Conveniently located above a busy metro station, this car-free street is home to hundreds of commercial businesses offering a wide range of goods and services including popular fashion brands such as Forever 21, and restaurants serving Western and Chinese cuisine, as well as traditional shops selling silk, jade and embroidered clothing.

At the eastern end of the pedestrian street is Puxi Bund, Shanghai’s waterfront area lined with buildings of various architectural styles and a stunning view of the Shanghai skyline across the Huang Pu River. Don’t forget to bring your camera as you’ll definitely want to capture the captivating city lights at dusk. A quick taxi ride through the Yan’an Tunnel will take you to the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, home to thousands of marine creatures and the world’s longest underwater pedestrian tunnel.

Day 2 – Explore Traditional and Colonial Culture

In the heart of the energetic city of Shanghai, there is the peaceful Jing’an Temple. With its magnificent golden dome and sweet fragrance wafting through the corridors, it is home to the largest Buddhist shrine and a perfect way to start the morning.

Not far from the temple, at the intersection of Changle Road and Maoming Road, is a small market selling ready-to-wear and tailor-made cheongsams, an elegant women’s dress. After shopping for souvenirs here, take a walk down to Fuxing Park, a beautiful French-style park in the heart of Shanghai. An oasis in the middle of a bustling city, this park is an ideal place to take a break from Shanghai’s fast-paced environment.

Enjoy a snack or a hearty lunch at one of the many restaurants and cafes in Tianzifang. Originally built for Shanghai’s French colonialists and retaining its Shikum architecture, the area has now been transformed into the city’s most popular nightclub, bar, cafe, art gallery and antique shop.

Finally, explore the famous Shanghai Museum, which houses Buddhist sculptures, traditional Chinese furniture and a vast collection of ancient ceramics. A walk around the museum will enlighten you on the philosophy, manners and way of thinking of traditional Chinese people.

Day 3 – Discover Modern Shanghai

Start your adventure on the final day on the east side of the Huang Pu River in Century Park, Shanghai’s largest park. With its fascinating blend of eastern and western landscapes, lakes, bird sanctuaries and children’s play areas, the park offers a fun atmosphere for both adults and children. After a relaxing morning in the park, head to the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, the largest science museum in the city. Learn more about the wonders of science with flora and fauna, robotics and space technology all under one roof.

Next, explore modern Shanghai and head to the Lujiazui Financial District to discover a highly developed part of the city with huge shopping malls and the city’s most prominent landmarks. You’ll get a close-up look at Shanghai’s tallest buildings, including the Oriental Pearl T.V. Tower, the handbag-shaped Shanghai World Financial Center, the pagoda-shaped Jinmao Tower and the elegant twisting shape of the new Shanghai Tower. If you have time, you should head up to the Oriental Pearl T.V. Tower’s viewing gallery and get a 360-degree view of the city from 350 meters above ground.

Head to the Shanghai Circus World, an incredible spectacle of acrobatics and martial arts performances. The acrobatics of the incredibly talented Chinese dancers combined with special music, sound and lighting effects are not to be missed. Check out the Nanpu Bridge from across the river, where a golden dragon is said to appear flying over the river at night.

With its mix of classic colonial architecture and modern skyscrapers, along with ancient temples and serene gardens, Shanghai has a lot to offer, whether you’re a local or a first-time visitor to China. Hop on a plane and spend your perfect weekend in Shanghai now!

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Shanghai you can refer to

• Shanghai Museum Half Day Tour
• Shanghai Disneyland Admission Ticket
• Huangpu River Cruise（Qingjiang Line）
• Yu Garden Admission Ticket in Shanghai
• Shanghai Tower 118th Floor Observation Deck Ticket
• Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park Ticket
• [World Highest Skywalk] Shanghai Jin Mao Tower 88th Floor Exclusive Skywalk Experience
• Oriental Pearl Tower
• CMHK | HK 7 Days unlimited data + 200 HK Local Mins + 1GB Mainland China and Macau data (HK Airport Pick Up)
• [Thailand Pick Up] Dtac GO INTER SIM Card Zone 1(Asia, Australia, USA, exclude Thailand)
• [Unlimited Data] 4G Portable WiFi for Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau from Uroaming (HK Airport Pick Up)
• 4G WiFi (HK Airport Pick Up) for Hong Kong/Macau/China (No Speed Limited) from Song WiFi

Read more: Shanghai travel blog — The fullest Shanghai travel guide for first-timers.