3 days in Shanghai 上海
Art deco riverfront, 1930s plane trees, and the world’s largest metro network.
By Charlie Simmon, Founder and editor · Reviewed 22 October 2026
The plan
One headline sight a day, with the evening left for food. Crossing a Chinese city takes longer than the map suggests; this plan does not pretend otherwise.
Day 1
The Bund and Lujiazui skyline
Eat: Xiaolongbao soup dumplings
Day 2
Former French Concession and Wukang Road
Eat: Shengjianbao
Day 3
Yu Garden and the Old City
Eat: Hongshao rou (braised pork)
Where to stay
Stay within a 10-minute walk of a metro station inside the inner ring. Shanghai has a metro, so most journeys cost ¥2–10 and avoid traffic.
Getting there
Hongqiao is one of Asia’s largest stations: Suzhou 25 min, Hangzhou 45 min, Beijing 4h30.
The main airport is Pudong (PVG) / Hongqiao (SHA).
When to go
The most comfortable months are March, April, May, October, November. Avoid Golden Week (1–7 October) and the Spring Festival travel period.
- January — not a peak month
- February — not a peak month
- March — recommended
- April — recommended
- May — recommended
- June — not a peak month
- July — not a peak month
- August — not a peak month
- September — not a peak month
- October — recommended
- November — recommended
- December — not a peak month
What it costs
Per person per day, excluding flights. Multiply by 3 for this trip.
| Tier | Daily | Sleeping | Eating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ¥300–500 | Hostel dorm or simple guesthouse | Street breakfast, noodle shops |
| Mid-range | ¥800–1,500 | 3–4★ hotel near a metro | Sit-down restaurants, one splurge |
| Comfort | ¥2,500+ | 5★ or boutique courtyard hotel | Fine dining and tasting menus |
Questions people ask
Is 3 days enough for Shanghai?
It is tight. The city page budgets 4 nights; with 3 days, keep one headline sight a day and skip a day trip rather than trying to cover everything.
When is the best time to visit Shanghai?
The most comfortable months are March, April, May, October, November. Avoid Golden Week (1–7 October) and the Spring Festival travel period unless your dates are fixed.
How do I get to Shanghai?
Hongqiao is one of Asia’s largest stations: Suzhou 25 min, Hangzhou 45 min, Beijing 4h30. The main airport is Pudong (PVG) / Hongqiao (SHA).
What should I budget for 3 days?
Excluding flights: budget ¥300–500, mid-range ¥800–1,500, comfort ¥2,500+ per person per day. Multiply the daily figure by 3; hotels drive the difference more than food.
Do I need a visa?
Visa policy is national, not city-level. Check your passport against the current visa-free and transit routes before booking.