One Week in Shanghai: A 7-Day Itinerary of Skyscrapers, Street Food, and Water Towns
Shanghai is China’s modern metropolis where Art Deco landmarks meet a futuristic skyline. Once a 19th‑century treaty port, its layered history shows in the neoclassical facades lining the Bund, leafy lanes in the Former French Concession, and temples tucked between glass towers.
Today, the city buzzes with stellar museums, design-forward cafes, and a culinary scene that swings from humble soup-dumpling counters to Michelin‑starred dining. Food is a headline act—think xiaolongbao, shengjian (pan-fried soup buns), hairy crab (in season), and refined Huaiyang cuisine.
Practical notes: the metro is extensive, cashless payments via Alipay/WeChat are common, and English signage is solid in central areas. Spring and fall are mild; summers are humid. For airport transfers, the Maglev from PVG clocks 431 km/h (8 minutes to Longyang Road), or take the reliable Line 2 metro/taxis.
Shanghai
Shanghai dazzles with contrasts—colonial Bund vistas against the avant‑garde Lujiazui skyline; artisan boutiques on Anfu Road beside century-old markets; tranquil water towns within an hour of town. It’s a city made for walkers, museum‑hoppers, and committed eaters.
- Top sights: The Bund promenade, Yu Garden & City God Temple, Lujiazui (Shanghai Tower/Shanghai World Financial Center/Jin Mao), Former French Concession, Shanghai Museum, West Bund art mile, Tianzifang, M50 Art District.
- Neighborhood vibes: the Bund for sunset views; Jing’an and Xuhui for coffee, boutiques, and bistros; Xintiandi for nightlife; Pudong for sky-high observation decks.
- Dining highlights: soup dumplings at Jia Jia Tang Bao, shengjian at Yang’s Fry-Dumpling, Yunnan plates at Lost Heaven, refined vegetarian tasting menus at Fu He Hui, and Peking duck at Da Dong.
Where to stay (affiliate links):
- The Peninsula Shanghai (Bund views, classic Art Deco elegance): Check rates
- The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong (skyline, top‑tier service; Flair rooftop): Check rates
- Kerry Hotel Pudong (family‑friendly, near Century Park): Check rates
- Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World (central, near People’s Square): Check rates
- Campanile Shanghai Bund Hotel (value, walk to the Bund): Check rates
- Shanghai Fish Inn Bund (budget-boutique near the river): Check rates
- Shanghai Blue Mountain Bund Youth Hostel (social, wallet‑friendly): See availability
- Browse more: VRBO apartments | Hotels.com
Getting there and around: For flights, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From nearby cities, high‑speed trains are fast via Trip.com Trains (e.g., Hangzhou ~45–60 min, Suzhou ~25–35 min; $8–$20 one‑way). PVG to downtown: Maglev to Longyang Rd (8 min, ~50 RMB), Metro Line 2 to People’s Square (~1 hr, ~7–9 RMB), taxi (~45–70 min, ~180–220 RMB).
Day 1: Arrival, The Bund, and a Yunnan Welcome
Morning: In transit to Shanghai. Hydrate and download an offline metro map; most venues accept mobile pay, but keep a physical card and some cash for small shops.
Afternoon: Check in, then stroll the Bund promenade from Garden Bridge to Yan’an Rd. Watch the neoclassical banks glow while Pudong’s Lujiazui skyline—Shanghai Tower, SWFC, Jin Mao—rises across the river. Coffee break at Manner Coffee (local roaster; smooth flat whites) or Pain Chaud (buttery croissants, seasonal tarts).
Evening: Dinner at Lost Heaven on the Bund (Yunnan flavors: Dai-style lemongrass fish, tea leaf salad, and crisp Yunnan mushrooms). Nightcap with skyline views at Flair Rooftop (inside the Ritz-Carlton Pudong) or riverside cocktails at The Nest (Nordic bites, great DJs on weekends).
Day 2: Old Shanghai—Yu Garden, City God Temple, and a Night Cruise
Morning: Breakfast at RAC (crepes, croque madame, excellent coffee). Head to Yu Garden (classical Ming‑style pavilions and koi ponds). Cross the Nine-Bend Bridge past the Huxinting Teahouse and wander the City God Temple bazaar. Snag a mid‑morning snack: Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant for xiaolongbao.
Afternoon: Explore the Shanghai Museum (bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy) on People’s Square, then amble Nanjing Road to the Bund for daylight photos. Late lunch: Jia Jia Tang Bao (ultra‑thin wrappers, rich crab roe broth) or Yang’s Fry‑Dumpling (crispy‑bottomed shengjian).
Evening: See the skyline sparkle on a VIP river experience: Private Evening Tour: VIP Huangpu River Cruise and Shanghai Lights.
Day 3: Lujiazui’s Skyscrapers and Modern Shanghai
Morning: Coffee at Seesaw (single‑origin pour‑overs) and a pastry from Luneurs. Ride to Lujiazui and go up Shanghai Tower (China’s tallest, 632 m)—time your visit for late morning to beat crowds. The adjacent skywalks link to Jin Mao Tower and the “bottle opener” SWFC.
Afternoon: Lunch at Din Tai Fung (IFC Mall; precise dumplings, crispy pork cutlet). Walk the Lujiazui Green park loop, or visit the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium if traveling with kids. If you’re museum‑minded, cross to Power Station of Art for contemporary exhibitions in a converted power plant.
Evening: Try Da Dong (Bund area; lacquered Peking duck with whisper‑thin pancakes) or book ahead at Fu He Hui (vegetarian tasting menu celebrating seasonal produce). Cocktails after at Union Trading Company (neighborhood bar, award‑winning classics with a twist).
Day 4: Zhujiajiao Water Town + Tianzifang Lanes
Morning: Escape to canals and stone bridges on this half‑day outing: From Shanghai: Zhujiajiao Water Town Private Tour with Boat Ride.
Afternoon: Return to the city and wander Tianzifang’s artsy lanes (studios, design boutiques). Coffee at Blue Bottle or a fruit tea at a local stall. Late lunch: Kuanzhai Alley Noodles stand‑in options or a sit‑down at Green & Safe (salads, pizzas, local produce) nearby.
Evening: Dinner at Xibo (Xinjiang cuisine—grilled lamb skewers, handmade flatbreads, cumin‑scented dishes). Nightcap at Speak Low (hidden speakeasy, inventive cocktails; arrive early or expect a wait).
Day 5: Suzhou Day Trip—Classical Gardens and Canals
Morning: Take a curated, efficient excursion: Private Suzhou Day Trip from Shanghai by Bullet Train.
Afternoon: Lunch in Suzhou at Song He Lou (classic Suzhou dishes—squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, sweet braised pork). Stroll canal lanes for handicrafts and tea before returning to Shanghai.
Evening: Back in town, keep it casual: Yang’s Fry-Dumpling for shengjian or a warming Haidilao hot pot (DIY sauces, attentive service) if you want a late dinner.
Day 6: Art, Design, and a Night Food Tour
Morning: Espresso at Manner Coffee near M50 Art District. Explore studios and galleries along Moganshan Road, then head to the West Bund for the Long Museum (West Bund) and riverside strolls.
Afternoon: Lunch at Luneurs (West Bund outpost; salads, quiche, gelato) or riverside cafes. Visit Power Station of Art for contemporary shows or drop into ShanghART Gallery if you’re curating a shortlist.
Evening: Join a delicious walk through the former French Concession: Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai.
Day 7: Slow Morning in the French Concession and Departure
Morning: Brunch at RAC or Baker & Spice before a leisurely loop through Fuxing Park (tai chi, kites, ballroom dancers on weekends). Browse Anfu Road’s boutiques and fragrance shops; grab a last coffee at Seesaw or %Arabica.
Afternoon: Pop into the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center (engaging look at mid‑20th‑century graphic art). Pick up edible souvenirs—Lao Da Fang’s savory pork mooncakes or tins of Dragon Well tea. Depart for the airport by metro (Line 2) or taxi, budgeting ~60–90 minutes to PVG depending on traffic; Maglev from Longyang Road trims that down.
Evening: Departure day. If you have extra hours before your flight, a final Bund promenade or a quick bowl of scallion oil noodles near your hotel is the perfect coda.
Optional add‑ons within the week (if swapping days or extending):
- Disneyland Shanghai for families (plan a full day; arrive at rope drop).
- Shanghai Tower at sunset for golden light over the Bund (arrive ~1 hour before sunset).
- Century Park bike ride and picnic in Pudong if you want greenery.
Another great guided option (consider swapping into Day 2 or 3): VIP Huangpu River Lights Tour pairs perfectly with a Bund stroll and night photography.
Prefer a full‑day city overview with a driver and guide? Consider this comprehensive option in place of one DIY day: 4‑Hour Private Shanghai City Tour with Old and New Highlights (shorter format you can pair with museum time or shopping).
Final travel tip: For flights into or out of China, search wide date ranges on Trip.com and Kiwi.com for the best combinations, and use Hotels.com or VRBO filters to stay near the metro (Lines 2, 10, 12 are especially handy for first‑timers).
Summary: In seven days, you’ve traced Shanghai from classical gardens to cloud‑scraping towers, tasted its street snacks and tasting menus, and glided past the lit‑up Bund. This itinerary balances headline sights with neighborhood texture—leaving just enough unscripted time to fall for the city’s everyday rhythm.