Shanghai has reinvented itself many times—from a treaty port to Art Deco capital, from factory floors to a 21st-century finance hub. Today it’s a city of bold contrasts: serene classical gardens, neon-lit supertalls, alleyway cafés, and design-forward malls.

For travelers, that means rich variety. Snap the world-famous skyline from the Bund, wander the French Concession’s plane-tree boulevards, and boat past stone bridges in nearby water towns. Museums, street snacks, and night views keep every day packed with color.

Practical notes: Metro is fast, clean, and cheap; cashless payment is common (cards work broadly; Alipay/WeChat Pay now support foreign cards). A local SIM/eSIM helps. Spring and autumn are mild; summers are humid. Book popular observatories and cruises ahead—sunsets fill up fast.

Shanghai

Shanghai is China’s most camera-ready city: a forest of towers rising over the Huangpu River, Art Deco gems along the Bund, and lilong (lane) houses tucked between hip cafés and boutiques. It’s also a fantastic place to shop—from indie craft studios in Tianzifang to big-name fashion on Nanjing West Road.

Eat your way across regions of China: soup dumplings (xiao long bao), crispy shengjian buns, fiery Hunan dishes, and elegant Jiangnan cuisine. Coffee culture flourishes too—local roasters, minimalist cafés, and bakery-cafés perfect for a mid-day recharge.

Where to stay (mid-range budget friendly with a few splurges):

• Luxury with a river view: The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong (rooftop views at FLAIR; high design, direct access to IFC).
• Classic Bund prestige: The Peninsula Shanghai (museum-grade Art Deco and postcard views).
• Upper-mid in Pudong: Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai (next to Century Park, dining galore).
• Excellent value near the Bund: Campanile Shanghai Bund Hotel (clean, modern, walkable).
• Boutique-budget near the river: Shanghai Fish Inn Bund (friendly, simple, top location).
• Central and convenient: Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World (People’s Square, metro access, skyline bar).

Compare more stays: Hotels.com – Shanghai | Apartment-style options: VRBO – Shanghai

Getting in: Search flights to PVG (Pudong) or SHA (Hongqiao) on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From PVG, the Maglev to Longyang Rd. takes 8 minutes (then metro/taxi); a taxi to the Bund is ~45–60 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, the Bund Glow, and First Bites

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Land and check in. If you’re at the Bund, shake off the flight with a gentle riverfront walk. Pop into Manner Coffee or Seesaw Coffee for a flat white, then wander to Waibaidu (Garden) Bridge for classic frames of the skyline—perfect golden-hour photography.

Evening: Dinner at Lost Heaven on the Bund (Yunnan flavors—lemongrass chicken, tea-leaf salad, crisp spring rolls). Alternatively, try Xiao Yang Shengjian for pan-fried soup buns and a bowl of hot-and-sour soup. Cap the night with skyline shots from The Bund; for a drink, The Nest does craft cocktails and seafood plates with a view. Night owls: Bar Rouge is still a Shanghai nightlife icon with terrace views.

Day 2: Old Shanghai, Yu Garden, Tianzifang, and the French Concession

Morning: Breakfast with a local touch—grab a jianbing (savory crepe) from a street stall and a latte from % Arabica (Anfu Rd). Explore Yuyuan Garden and the City God Temple bazaar: koi ponds, Ming-style halls, and photogenic zig-zag bridges. Early is best to avoid crowds.

Afternoon: Lunch at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant (the original name behind famous soup dumplings). Then browse Tianzifang’s lanes for ceramics, papercuts, indie jewelry, and photo-ready brick alleys. Walk or ride to the Former French Concession: Fuxing Park, Wukang Rd., and Ferguson Lane offer leafy streets, boutiques, and galleries.

Evening: Xintiandi for dinner—Din Tai Fung (precision xiao long bao, cucumber salad, shrimp fried rice) or Guyi (Hunan heat, cumin ribs, dry-pot dishes). Post-dinner, stroll the car-free lanes for night photography and window shopping.

Day 3: Skyscrapers of Lujiazui, Observatory Views, and Night River Lights

Morning: Fuel up at Baker & Spice or Seesaw Coffee in IFC Mall, then head to the tallest view in town. Skip lines with advance tickets:

Shanghai Tower (The Top of Shanghai) Ticket Booking

Ride one of the world’s fastest elevators to sweeping 360° views—prime lens territory for skyline panoramas.

Afternoon: Walk the elevated skywalks of Lujiazui for dynamic city shots. Lunch options: Crystal Jade (refined Cantonese) or Din Tai Fung in IFC; for something casual, hit Liangpi (cold noodles) or roujiamo (Chinese “burger”) stalls in the mall food court. If you fancy art and architecture, detour to the Power Station of Art or Long Museum (West Bund) for contemporary exhibits and industrial-chic backdrops.

Evening: See the skyline come alive from the water with a VIP experience:

Private Evening Tour: VIP Huangpu River Cruise and Shanghai Lights

It’s the city’s most photogenic hour—light trails, reflections, and the full Bund façade illuminated. After, grab late bites at a noodle shop or sip a nightcap on a rooftop in Lujiazui (FLAIR at Ritz-Carlton is a standout).

Day 4: Day Trip to Suzhou—Gardens, Canals, and Silk

Make it easy and efficient with a guided day out to the “Oriental Venice” (about 25–30 minutes by bullet train from Shanghai Hongqiao):

Suzhou Private Day Trip from Shanghai with Bullet Train Option

Expect UNESCO-listed gardens (Humble Administrator’s Garden), narrow canals along Pingjiang Rd., and time for silk or embroidery shopping. Photography is stellar—arched bridges, stone lanes, and classical pavilions mirrored in ponds. Prefer DIY? Check bullet trains on Trip.com Trains; fares are typically ~$8–15 each way, plus metro/taxi.

Day 5: Water Town Morning, Designer Districts Afternoon

Morning: Slip back in time on cobbled lanes, stone bridges, and tranquil canals—close to the city yet worlds away:

Shanghai Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town and Boat Ride

Capture reflections from arched bridges and canal boats gliding under whitewashed eaves—prime photography. Snack on local zongzi (rice dumplings) or almond tofu sweets before heading back.

Afternoon: Back in town, shop Nanjing West Road’s fashion flagships (IFC West, Plaza 66, Reel, Jing’an Kerry Centre). For souvenirs with character, stop by Tianzifang studios you may have bookmarked earlier or browse the South Bund Fabric Market for custom-tailored shirts and dresses (allow 2–3 days for pickup; some tailors can rush).

Evening: Dinner near Jing’an Temple: choose Canton Disco-inspired Cantonese small plates, or keep it classic with Jesse-style Jiangnan dishes (braised pork, river shrimp). For budget-friendly comfort, hit a hotpot favorite like Hai Di Lao (great service and late hours). If you missed skyline cocktails, FLAIR at the Ritz-Carlton Pudong is a spectacular photo perch.

Day 6: Culture Fix, Last Sips, and Departure

Morning: Coffee and pastries at Pain Chaud, then the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre for a vivid, offbeat look at 20th-century Chinese visual culture—small, powerful, and memorable. Alternatively, breeze through the Shanghai Museum (People’s Square) for bronzes, jades, and calligraphy highlights.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping on Huaihai Middle Road or K11 Art Mall. Slurp a quick bowl of scallion oil noodles and grab takeaway pastries for the plane. Depart for the airport: Hongqiao (SHA) suits western districts; Pudong (PVG) for most long-hauls. Search flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Evening: In transit.

Insider Tips for a Smooth, Budget-Savvy Stay

• Metro is your friend: signs are bilingual; single rides ~US$0.50–1. Ride-hailing (Didi) is abundant; taxis take cards in most cases.
• Best photo light: sunrise on the Bund (near deserted) and blue hour from the river or Lujiazui’s riverfront.
• Street eats: look for busy stalls; try shengjian bao (crispy-bottom buns) and scallion pancakes. For delicate dumplings, order crab roe xiao long bao in season (autumn).
• Shopping strategy: Big-brand fashion around Nanjing West; local design in the French Concession; tailor-made at South Bund Fabric Market.
• Connectivity: eSIM or airport SIM desks are quick; many cafés offer Wi‑Fi. Some global apps may be restricted—plan offline maps accordingly.

Optional add-ons if you extend: Disney day (world-class TRON coaster), Hangzhou’s West Lake by bullet train, or a half-day modern-architecture photo walk from the Rockbund to North Bund.

Bookable highlights referenced in this plan:

• Shanghai Tower (Ticket Booking)
• Private VIP Huangpu River Cruise & City Lights
• Suzhou Private Day Trip (Bullet Train Option)
• Zhujiajiao Water Town + Boat Ride (Half-Day)

In just six days, you’ll taste Shanghai’s history and its future—glittering skylines, hushed gardens, canal towns, and creative neighborhoods. With smart transit, mid-range dining, and targeted splurges, this itinerary is built to be repeatable, photo-rich, and fun to follow.