Shanghai’s Pudong rose from rice paddies to a forest of glass in a single generation. Today, its Lujiazui skyline—Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and the “bottle opener” (Shanghai World Financial Center)—forms the city’s most famous face across the Huangpu River from the Bund. This 2-day itinerary keeps you east of the river so you can savor big views with minimal backtracking.

Expect easy transport, polished malls layered with independent cafés, leafy parks, and museums built for curious minds. Families can peel off for Shanghai Disney; culture lovers can swap in the China Art Museum, housed in the 2010 Expo pavilion. Evenings are for river breezes—cruise past neon-washed cornices or toast the skyline from a rooftop.

Practical notes: Most museums are closed Mondays; check hours before you go. Payment is largely cashless—Alipay/WeChat now accept foreign cards, but keeping a little RMB helps. From Pudong Airport (PVG), the Maglev turns a long commute into an 8‑minute thrill that drops you at Longyang Road for an easy metro hop to Lujiazui.

Shanghai (Pudong)

Pudong is Shanghai’s modern manifesto: audacious architecture, swift transit, polished promenades, and a skyline that looks best at blue hour. Base yourself around Lujiazui for walkable towers, malls, and river views; head south to Qiantan for breezy parks, cafés, and design-forward shopping.

• Icons: Shanghai Tower Observatory (118F), Shanghai World Financial Center Skywalk, Jin Mao’s atrium, Oriental Pearl Tower.
• Green escapes: Century Park’s lakes, lawns, and bike paths; Pudong riverside promenade for sunset Bund views.
• Museums: Shanghai Science & Technology Museum (hands-on), China Art Museum (Expo pavilion, free general admission).
• Flavor map: Din Tai Fung’s xiao long bao, Jin Xuan’s Michelin-star Cantonese, The COOK’s global stations, Haidilao hotpot.
• Family option: Shanghai Disney Resort (rides, parades, nighttime spectacular on select evenings).

Where to stay (Pudong picks): For sweeping views and easy nights out, target Lujiazui. Consider The Ritz-Carlton Pudong (rooftop Flair, Jin Xuan), Park Hyatt Shanghai (sky-high rooms in SWFC), Grand Hyatt (inside Jin Mao), or Mandarin Oriental Pudong (quiet riverfront luxe). For families near parks and casual dining, Kerry Hotel Pudong by Century Park is superb. Browse listings on Hotels.com or check serviced apartments and river-view stays via VRBO.

Getting to/around Shanghai: Fly into PVG for easiest Pudong access. Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. From PVG, the Maglev to Longyang Road takes ~8 minutes (¥50 one-way; 20% off with same-day boarding pass), then metro Line 2 one stop to Lujiazui (~10 minutes). Taxi to Lujiazui runs 45–60 minutes, ~¥150–200 depending on traffic. Coming by rail? High-speed trains from Beijing/Shenzhen arrive at Hongqiao; metro Line 2 connects to Lujiazui in ~45–55 minutes. Book China trains via Trip.com trains (Beijing–Shanghai G-trains ~4.5–6 hours; ~¥560 second class).

Day 1: Arrival, Lujiazui Icons, and a Night on the River

Morning: Travel day. Aim for an early flight/train so you touch down in Shanghai by early afternoon. If you arrive at PVG, ride the Maglev for a jet-lag-friendly jolt and glide into Lujiazui via Metro Line 2.

Afternoon: Check in, then fuel up. For a fast, polished intro to local flavors, hit Din Tai Fung (IFC Mall) for xiao long bao—try classic pork, crab roe, and the truffle splurge; expect ¥45–120 per steamer and tea service done right. Prefer hearty northern fare? Xibei Oat Noodle Village (Super Brand Mall) serves youpo noodles, cumin lamb skewers, and buckwheat pancakes (¥70–120 pp).

Walk the elevated Lujiazui Circular Pedestrian Bridge for 360° views of the towers and the Bund. Coffee break at Seesaw Coffee (L+ Mall) or Manner Coffee (multiple kiosks) for excellent espresso (¥15–30). Time your ascent for late afternoon: the Shanghai Tower Observatory (118F) pairs daylight panoramas with sunset glow and night neon; tickets ~¥180 weekdays/~¥220 weekends; allow 60–90 minutes.

Evening: Dine sky-high. For refined Cantonese with a Michelin star, book Jin Xuan at The Ritz-Carlton Pudong—dim sum classics, roasted meats, and silk-smooth soups (¥500–900 pp depending on courses). Prefer Italian with view? Scena at the same hotel does handmade pasta and wood-fired pizzas (mains ¥150–280).

Cap the night with a Huangpu River cruise (45–60 minutes; ~¥120–180). Boats depart frequently from docks near the Oriental Pearl; the skyline shimmer is worth every minute. Nightcap at Flair Rooftop (Ritz-Carlton Pudong): signature cocktails ~¥120–150 and the best open-air angle on the Bund.

Day 2: Parks, Museums, Qiantan Design—and Departure

Morning: Start green at Century Park (opens ~7 a.m.; entry ~¥10). Stroll lakeside paths or rent bikes (¥20–40/hr) and loop the lawns and groves. Coffee and a light bite nearby at Baker & Spice (pastries ¥15–30; flat whites ¥30–40) or head south to Qiantan for specialty pours at Blue Bottle Coffee and % Arabica (Qiantan Taikoo Li; pour-overs ¥45–58).

Hands-on learning at the Shanghai Science & Technology Museum across from Century Park (Tue–Sun ~9–17; adult ~¥60). Interactive halls span robotics to biodiversity; great for families. If it’s Monday or you prefer marine life, swap in the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium by the Oriental Pearl (adult ~¥160; dramatic tunnel tanks).

Afternoon: Lunch by the park at The COOK (Kerry Hotel Pudong): a lively food hall with dim sum, noodles, seafood, and a dessert station (sets ~¥120–180; à la carte varies). Hotpot fans can queue for Haidilao (Kerry Parkside)—famed service, customizable broths (¥120–200 pp).

Art time: head to the China Art Museum in the striking red Expo pavilion (Tue–Sun; general admission free; special exhibits ¥20–40). Prefer design-forward strolling? Wander Qiantan Taikoo Li’s open-air lanes for indie boutiques and sculpture, then follow the landscaped Pudong riverside north for final Bund views.

Transfer to PVG: Metro Line 2 or taxi back to Longyang Road, then the Maglev (every 15–20 minutes; 8 minutes ride). If traffic is light, a taxi runs ~45–60 minutes to the airport.

Evening: If you’ve got a late flight or an extra night, book seats for a night skyline encore: cocktails back at Flair or craft beers at The BREW (Kerry Hotel) with pub bites and seasonal taps. Disney fans can devote an extra afternoon/evening to Shanghai Disney Resort (date-based pricing ~¥399–719)—arrive mid-afternoon, stay for the nighttime spectacular, and taxi ~30–40 minutes back to Lujiazui.

Booking shortcuts: Compare hotels on Hotels.com or whole apartments on VRBO. Lock flights with Trip.com or Kiwi.com, and reserve China high-speed trains on Trip.com trains.

In two compact days, you’ll ride the Maglev, drink in one of the world’s great skylines, and taste Shanghai from delicate soup dumplings to celebratory Cantonese banquets. Pudong makes it easy—walkable icons above, serene parks below, and the river always ready for a luminous farewell.