A Foodie’s 5-Day Shanghai Itinerary: Street Eats, Skylines, and Ancient Water Towns
Shanghai is China’s electric crossroads—where 19th‑century treaty-port mansions face off against glass-and-steel icons, and where breakfast can still be a sesame-studded jianbing bought curbside. The Bund tells the story of global trade and colonial-era finance, while across the river Lujiazui’s towers declare the future. For travelers, it’s an easy city to love: efficient metro, superb food at every budget, and nights that glow neon along the Huangpu.
Food is the city’s heartbeat. Shanghainese cooking favors sweet-savory braises and delicate seafood, while street classics like shengjianbao (crispy pan-fried soup dumplings) keep locals lining up. Slurp scallion oil noodles at lunch, then dive into hot pot after dark. Coffee culture is booming, too—homegrown chains like Manner and Seesaw stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Blue Bottle.
Practical notes: The metro is vast and bilingual; rides run roughly 3–6 RMB. Many visitors qualify for 144‑hour visa‑free transit—always verify the latest rules before you fly. Mobile payments (Alipay/WeChat Pay) are ubiquitous, but cards and cash still work at hotels and larger venues. Tipping isn’t customary. Summers are humid; spring and fall are delightful for walking.
Shanghai
Once a walled city, Shanghai exploded in the late 1800s into a cosmopolitan port. The Art Deco gems along The Bund and the leafy lanes of the French Concession whisper that era’s stories. Today the skyline’s superstars—Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao, and the Oriental Pearl—make this one of Asia’s definitive cityscapes.
- Top sights: The Bund promenade, Yu Garden & City God Temple, Former French Concession, Tianzifang lanes, Lujiazui towers, West Bund riverside, M50 art district.
- For foodies: Soup dumplings (xiao long bao) at Nanxiang, pan-fried shengjian at Yang’s, braised pork belly at Jesse (Xin Ji Shi), sesame noodles at Dexing, late-night hot pot at Hai Di Lao.
- Fun facts: The Maglev hits 431 km/h from Pudong Airport; Shanghai Tower’s elevator is among the world’s fastest; Shanghainese is a Wu dialect distinct from Mandarin.
Where to stay (by vibe): The Bund/Huangpu for river views and classic architecture; Jing’an for central dining and cafes; Former French Concession for tree-lined charm and boutiques; Pudong/Lujiazui for skyline views and easy access to museums and the financial district. Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.
Getting in and around: Fly into Pudong (PVG) or Hongqiao (SHA). Search flights on Trip.com. From PVG, the Maglev to Longyang Road takes ~8 minutes; the metro (Line 2) to People’s Square takes ~60–75 minutes; taxis/Didi take ~45–70 minutes depending on traffic. For China rail trips, see Trip.com Trains.
Day 1: The Bund Arrival, Old Shanghai Flavors, River Lights
Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs with a slow walk along The Bund, admiring Art Deco banks opposite the futuristic skyline. If peckish, grab a quick bite at Nanxiang Mantou Dian (classic xiao long bao) or a Portuguese egg tart from Lillian Bakery.
Evening: Dinner at Lost Heaven on the Bund for fragrant Yunnan dishes—consider the tea-smoked duck, wild mushroom stir-fries, and Dai-style lemongrass chicken. Then see Shanghai sparkle on a VIP cruise:
Private Evening Tour: VIP Huangpu River Cruise and Shanghai Lights
Post-cruise, enjoy a nightcap with a view at FLAIR (Ritz-Carlton Pudong) or head to cocktail temple Union Trading Company for inventive, balanced drinks.
Day 2: French Concession Strolls, Lujiazui Heights, Tastes of Old Shanghai
Morning: Coffee at Manner or Blue Bottle (Jing’an), then wander the Former French Concession: plane trees, Art Deco apartments, and lilong lanes. Pause in Fuxing Park to watch locals practice tai chi, then browse boutiques around Anfu Road and Sinan Mansions.
Afternoon: Cross to Pudong’s Lujiazui. First-timers should go all the way to the top with a timed ticket:
Shanghai Tower (The Top of Shanghai) Ticket Booking
At 546 meters, the observatory delivers sweeping city views. For lunch nearby, try Din Tai Fung (IFC Mall) for consistent xiao long bao and silky chicken soup.
Evening: Dive into a guided tasting that hits beloved street eats and neighborhood haunts:
Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai
Expect soup dumplings, scallion oil noodles, savory pancakes, and seasonal bites in the old French Concession fringe. If you still have room, finish with sesame soft-serve or a cream puff from a neighborhood bakery.
Day 3: Canals of Zhujiajiao, Then Hot Pot and Cocktails
Morning–Afternoon: Trade skyscrapers for stone bridges in Zhujiajiao Water Town. This half-day private trip includes a serene boat ride through narrow canals and time to explore Ming-Qing era alleyways. Great for photos and a taste of Jiangnan life:
Shanghai Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town and Boat Ride
Snack on river shrimp, osmanthus cakes, or rice wine peanuts along the lanes before heading back to town.
Evening: It’s hot pot night. Hai Di Lao delivers friendly service, half-and-half broths, and an encyclopedic ingredient list; Xiao Long Kan leans spicier and atmospheric. Afterwards, sip at award-winning Speak Low (multi-level speakeasy by Shingo Gokan)—arrive early for a seat—or try EPIC for seasonal Chinese ingredients in modern cocktails.
Day 4: Temples, Art Warehouses, West Bund Sunset
Morning: Start with soy milk and youtiao at a local breakfast shop, then visit the Jade Buddha Temple (quiet in the early hours). Continue to M50 Art District, a cluster of contemporary galleries in old textile mills; pop into small studios to meet artists and pick up affordable prints.
Afternoon: Taxi or metro to the riverside West Bund. Choose between the West Bund Museum (frequent international collaborations) and the photogenic Long Museum West Bund. Stroll or bike the promenade; families will find playgrounds and kite flyers on breezy days.
Evening: Dinner in Jing’an or Xintiandi: - Jesse (Xin Ji Shi) for homestyle Shanghainese like red-braised pork and yellow croaker with scallions. - Dexing Noodle House for a classic bowl of Shanghai-style noodles in rich soy broth with eel or pork chop. - Yang’s Fry-Dumpling for iconic shengjianbao with crisp bottoms and scalding soup.
Cap the night with skyline views from The Nest (Bund-side lounge, Nordic-leaning bites) or a refined drink at The Punch Room (if you’re near The Shanghai EDITION).
Day 5: Yu Garden, Last Bites, and Departure
Morning: Coffee and croissants at Lost Bakery or a flat white at Seesaw. Then wander the newly polished Yu Garden & City God Temple precinct. The classical garden’s zig-zag bridges and carved pavilions are a window into Ming-era aesthetics—go at opening for thinner crowds.
Afternoon: Pick up last-minute gifts—soy sauce caramels, tea, local ceramics—then grab a quick lunch: - Nanxiang for one more steamer of xiao long bao, - Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles shop for a fast, satisfying bowl, or - Wagas/Baker & Spice if you’re craving salads and sandwiches.
Evening (Departure): Allow 1–1.5 hours to reach PVG by taxi/Didi in traffic; the metro is predictable but slower. If timing works, the Maglev is the quickest hop to Pudong. Search or adjust flights on Trip.com.
Budget Tips (Score: 50/100)
- Eat like a local: Breakfast street stalls, noodles, and dumpling chains are flavorful and inexpensive. Splurge selectively on a view bar or one “wow” dinner.
- Transport: The metro is clean, safe, and cheap; tap in with contactless or buy a rechargeable card. Ferries across the Huangpu are scenic and cost just a few RMB.
- Timing: Major sights are calmer early on weekdays. Reserve popular restaurants and all observation decks/cruises in advance—especially on weekends and holidays.
Optional Add-Ons (If You Have Energy)
- Tianzifang: Artsy lanes for indie shops, ceramics, and casual bites.
- Shanghai Museum (East): For bronzes, jade, and calligraphy in a modern Pudong space.
- Nanjing Road (West): Shopping boulevards and malls; duck into food courts for sampling sprees.
Handy Links
Included Viator activities (4): VIP Huangpu River Cruise and Shanghai Lights; Shanghai Tower Ticket; Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai; Zhujiajiao Water Town and Boat Ride.
Five days in Shanghai deliver a full plate: sky-high views, lantern-lit river nights, and a glorious parade of noodles, dumplings, and hot pot. With this foodie-friendly itinerary, you’ll taste history in the lanes and see tomorrow across the river—then dream of seconds on the flight home.