Old-world lanes meet glass-and-steel skyscrapers in Shanghai, China’s most dynamic city. Once a treaty port of competing foreign concessions, it grew into the “Paris of the Orient” in the 1920s and today dazzles with the Lujiazui skyline, leafy French Concession streets, and a dining scene that runs from dumpling stalls to Michelin temples.

For families, the city is easy to love: clean, safe metro lines, stroller-friendly riverfronts, engaging museums, and parks where kids can run while adults sip excellent coffee. Food is a highlight—try shengjian (crispy pan-fried soup buns), scallion pancakes, and sweet-and-savory Shanghainese braises.

Practical notes: public transport is efficient and cheap; tap-and-go with a rechargeable metro card. Foreign bank cards now work with Alipay/WeChat Pay in most spots, but cash still helps for small vendors. Spring and fall bring mild weather; summers are hot and humid. This plan leans relaxing and budget-conscious with family time built in.

Shanghai

Shanghai’s contrasts are its magic: sunrise tai chi in Fuxing Park, afternoon espresso in an indie roastery, and night views from The Bund as boats drift the Huangpu. Explore the Old Town’s historic lanes, browse boutiques in Tianzifang, and ride the world’s fastest commercial train (the Maglev) for a pure “only-in-Shanghai” moment.

• Top sights: The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Museum, Lujiazui (Shanghai Tower), French Concession, M50 Art District, Zhujiajiao Water Town.
• Great for kids: Shanghai Natural History Museum, Century Park pedal boats, Huangpu River cruise, Science & Technology Museum.
• Where to stay (family + budget-minded options): - Shanghai Fish Inn Bund (value, walkable to The Bund) - Campanile Shanghai Bund Hotel (clean, modern basics near Yuyuan) - Shanghai Blue Mountain Bund Youth Hostel (budget with family rooms) - For midrange with kids’ facilities: Kerry Hotel Pudong (excellent play areas), or skyline views at The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong as a one-night splurge.
• Search more stays: VRBO Shanghai apartments or Hotels.com Shanghai.

Getting there and around: For flights, compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If arriving from other Chinese cities, check high-speed rail on Trip.com Trains (e.g., Beijing–Shanghai 4.5–6 hrs, from ~$70 second class). From PVG airport, the Maglev (8 minutes to Longyang Rd, ~50 RMB) then metro is fast; taxis to central Puxi are ~45–60 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, The Bund Glow, and Easy Eats

Afternoon: Land and ride the Maglev + metro or taxi to your hotel. Shake off jet lag with a gentle stroll down the Bund promenade: kids can count historic facades while you all watch barges ply the Huangpu. Pop into Manner Coffee (ubiquitous, quality espresso) for a quick pick-me-up.

Evening: Dine on shengjian (pan-fried soup dumplings) at Yang’s Fry-Dumpling near Nanjing Rd—crispy bottoms, brothy centers, and budget-friendly. For a sit-down option, try Jia Jia Tang Bao (simple, beloved xiaolongbao) or Din Tai Fung (reliable, kid-friendly). End with night views back on The Bund before an early sleep.

Day 2: Yuyuan Garden, Old Town Bites, and Nanjing Road Lights

Morning: Explore the Old Town lanes: incense-swirled City God Temple, folk craft stalls, and photogenic roofs. To deepen the experience and keep walking manageable for little ones, join this private tour:

3-Hour Shanghai Yu Garden & Old Town Private Tour with Tea Tasting

Stroll classical pavilions and koi ponds, then enjoy a tea ceremony—calm and engaging for families.

Afternoon: Snack your way through Nanshi: try Nanxiang Steamed Bun for xiaolongbao and Shen Dacheng for traditional pastries. Coffee at Seesaw Coffee (Yuyuan or nearby) for a modern Shanghai roast.

Evening: Head to Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street for easy souvenir shopping and street performers. Dinner at Grandmother’s Home (Waipojia) for approachable Shanghainese classics (braised pork, lion’s head meatballs) at family-friendly prices.

Day 3: Lujiazui Skylines and Shanghai Tower

Morning: Cross to Pudong by metro to Lujiazui. Let the kids run on the lawns around the Oriental Pearl Tower and pop into the IFC Mall playgrounds if needed. Light breakfast at % Arabica (Lujiazui)—great flat whites and croissants.

Afternoon: Elevate the day with skip-the-line options for the city’s highest views:

Shanghai Tower (The Top of Shanghai) Ticket Booking

Zip to Floor 118 for jaw-dropping panoramas; kids love spotting boats and tiny cars below.

Evening: Dinner at Din Tai Fung (Shanghai IFC) for dumplings, sautéed greens, and noodles. If energy allows, duck into the dazzling Starbucks Reserve Roastery on West Nanjing Road for cocoa or tea and a whimsical wander.

Day 4: French Concession Calm, Tianzifang Crafts

Morning: Join locals in Fuxing Park—tai chi at dawn, then a bench coffee from Manner. Walk the plane-tree boulevards past Art Deco villas. Brunch at Egg (if open) for pancakes and eggs, or grab jianbing from a street cart for a budget treat.

Afternoon: Explore Tianzifang (Taikang Rd): handmade toys, papercut studios, and compact galleries. For culture with older kids, the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center offers a bite-size, fascinating look at 20th-century design and history.

Evening: Dinner at Lost Heaven (The Bund or Gaoyou Rd) for aromatic Yunnan fare—dai-style ribs, tea leaf salad, and kid-pleasing coconut rice. Night stroll along nearby streets for gelato.

Day 5: Water Town Day Trip—Zhujiajiao

Morning: Take Metro Line 17 to Zhujiajiao (about 60–75 minutes; budget-friendly) or a taxi if you prefer door-to-door. Walk stone bridges, watch boats slip through canals, and visit small temples.

Afternoon: Lunch on local snacks: zongzi (sticky rice), smoked fish, and sweet osmanthus cakes. Consider a short punt boat ride for a restful water-level view. Browse handicrafts before returning to the city.

Evening: Back in Shanghai, unwind with an affordable foot massage near your hotel (common and family-friendly for older kids). Simple noodle dinner at a Lanzhou hand-pulled noodle shop—fresh, fast, and cheap.

Day 6: Museums and a Huangpu River Dinner Cruise

Morning: Reserve free timed tickets (bring passports) and visit the Shanghai Museum at People’s Square—bronzes, ceramics, and calligraphy in digestible galleries. Kids often enjoy the ancient bronze animal forms.

Afternoon: Lunch on Wujiang Rd (casual eateries) and peek into the compact Shanghai History Museum for models of old Shanghai. Coffee break at Blue Bottle (when nearby) or another Manner branch.

Evening: Settle into the skyline with this relaxed, family-friendly cruise including buffet:

Huangpu River Evening Cruise Ticket with Dinner

Glide past neon-lit Pudong and the Bund’s grand facades—perfect photos, no tired feet.

Day 7: Science, Century Park, and Easy Shopping

Morning: Visit the Shanghai Science & Technology Museum—hands-on halls, robots, and nature dioramas. It’s engaging and air-conditioned, ideal for families.

Afternoon: Walk or metro to Century Park for paddle boats and shaded paths. Picnic with bakery items from Fochon or 85°C, or grab a simple bento from a convenience store.

Evening: Explore the bargain-friendly AP Plaza (Science & Technology Museum) underground market for souvenirs (practice polite haggling). Dinner at Haidilao Hot Pot—stellar service, kids’ aprons, and mild broths available.

Day 8: Suzhou Creek Art and Coffee Day

Morning: Head to M50 Art District on Moganshan Rd—converted factories filled with contemporary galleries and murals. Coffee at Seesaw (M50) or indie roasteries along the creek.

Afternoon: Stroll the Suzhou Creek promenade toward the North Suzhou Rd bridges for quieter city views. Light lunch at Wagas (salads, pastas) or a neighborhood shengjian shop to keep costs low.

Evening: Try a street food graze: scallion pancakes, skewers, or hand-pulled noodles near Jing’an. If you’d like a guided tasting in central neighborhoods, consider:

Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai

You’ll sample a dozen Shanghainese bites—fun, filling, and surprisingly affordable.

Day 9: Temples, Fabrics, and Farewell Views

Morning: Visit Jing’an Temple (striking gold roofs; serene prayer halls). Coffee at Little Bean or another Manner nearby, plus a last custard tart from Shen Dacheng.

Afternoon: Make final bargains at the South Bund Fabric Market (Lujiabang Rd)—tailored shirts or qipao can be turned around quickly if you started fittings earlier; otherwise pick up silk scarves and buttons. Grab noodles or dumplings nearby.

Evening: If you’re leaving late, squeeze in one more perspective: a gentle Bund stroll or a quick visit to the Bund Finance Center terraces for people-watching. Depart for PVG/Hongqiao with time to spare; the metro is cost-effective, taxis easiest with luggage.

Optional add-ons and swaps (if energy or interests shift)

• Swap a skyline: Prefer a different icon? The Oriental Pearl Tower Ticket offers a glass-floor walkway and a small history museum.

  

• Rainy-day backup: Shanghai Natural History Museum (dinosaur hall is a hit), or a kid-friendly board game café in the French Concession.
• More shopping: Jing’an Kerry Centre and Reel Mall for local boutiques; Xintiandi for design-forward shops and cafés.

Estimated local costs (to help a budget of 26/100 go far)

• Metro rides: 3–6 RMB per trip; day pass ~18 RMB.
• Casual meals: 20–50 RMB per person (dumplings, noodles); midrange sit-down 80–150 RMB.
• Coffee: 15–35 RMB at Manner/Seesaw; more at international chains.
• Attractions: Many parks free or low-cost; observation decks and cruises vary—see ticket links above.

Book these handpicked experiences for your dates

• 3-Hour Shanghai Yu Garden & Old Town Private Tour with Tea Tasting

  

• Shanghai Tower (The Top of Shanghai) Ticket Booking

  

• Huangpu River Evening Cruise Ticket with Dinner

  

• Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai

  

Where to sleep—quick picks with links: Classic luxury by the river at The Peninsula Shanghai; full-family facilities at Kerry Hotel Pudong; solid value steps from the action at Campanile Shanghai Bund Hotel and Shanghai Fish Inn Bund; views-for-days at The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong; central convenience at Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World. For homey space, browse VRBO apartments, or scan more hotels on Hotels.com.

Across nine days, this plan gives your family time to breathe: tranquil gardens, café stops, hands-on museums, and slow river moments—plus the must-see skyline. With budget-wise meals and efficient metro rides, you enjoy Shanghai’s best without rushing or overspending. Safe travels and happy dumpling hunting!