Shanghai DIY Travel Guide: 5 Days, 4 Nights
Pre-Trip Preparations
Get ready to explore Shanghai! Here's what you need to do before you go:
- Chinese Visa: Apply at least 1-2 weeks in advance.
- 4G SIM or eSIM: Buy one in your home country for easy access to Google, Facebook, and YouTube.
- Essential Apps: Alipay, Didi, Gaode Maps (or Baidu Maps), WeChat.
- Transportation Card: You can use Alipay directly (activate a virtual metro card).
- Hotel Recommendations: Choose a hotel in People's Square, East Nanjing Road, or The Bund for easy access to transportation and entertainment.
Recommended Hotels
1. Hanting Hotel (汉庭酒店 - East Nanjing Road Station)
Location: Less than 100m from East Nanjing Road subway station.
Price: From $65 USD per night.
Pros: Ideal if you want to stay right in the Nanjing Road pedestrian street �C convenient for walking, sightseeing, and shopping.
Cons: It can be a bit difficult to get a Didi in this area. You might need to walk to a main street to book one.
2. Yitel Premium Hotel (和颐至尊酒店 - near People's Square)
Location: Approximately 570m from People's Square station.
Price: From $75 USD per night.
Pros: Centrally located, with easy access to Shanghai's popular attractions.
Getting from the Airport to Central Shanghai
From Pudong Airport (浦东 Pudong) to Central Shanghai
Pudong Airport is about 30km from the city center.
Metro: The subway is the most popular and convenient option.
Operating Hours: 6:00 AM �C 10:30 PM
Follow the signs in the airport to find the subway area.
Arriving after 10:30 PM? Take the Airport Bus!
Follow the signs inside the airport to the Airport Bus ticket area.
If you're going to the Bund area, buy a ticket to "Yan'an East Road �C Zhejiang Middle Road" station. Staff at the ticket counter can assist you �C just show them the name of the station.
Travel Time: Approximately 1 hour and 2 minutes, get off at the 4th stop. From here, you can call a Didi or walk to your nearby hotel.
Bus Ticket Price: 22 RMB
From Hongqiao Airport (虹桥 Hongqiao) to Central Shanghai
Hongqiao Airport is closer to the center, only about 18km away.
Metro: Take Metro Line 2 �C this line goes directly to The Bund area, making it very convenient for tourists.
Official Operating Hours: 5:30 AM �C 10:00 PM
Price: 7 RMB
Extended Night Service (Line 2):
- Monday �C Saturday: 2 night trains: 11:04 PM and 11:30 PM
- Sunday: 4 night trains: 11:04 PM | 11:30 PM | 11:45 PM | 12:00 AM
Note: Trains in Shanghai are very punctual, so be mindful of the schedule!
Arriving Later?
Taxi: If you're traveling in a group, a taxi is faster and more convenient.
Night Bus: Alternatively, take night bus route 316 towards the city center.
Recommended Stop: Yan'an East Road �C Zhongshan East 1st Road.
Travel Time: Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Note: This route has many stops (~30 stops), so it takes longer.
Price: 2 RMB
Transferring Between Pudong & Hongqiao: The suburban train is the fastest way (~40 minutes).
5-Day, 4-Night Shanghai Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival �C Exploring the Old Town
Arrive at Pudong/Hongqiao Airport �C Check in to your hotel in the People's Square or The Bund area.
Afternoon:
- Yu Garden & City God Temple (Yuyuan Garden) �C Experience the classical beauty amidst the city.
- Dinner: Enjoy local specialties like xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), hand-pulled noodles, and dumplings.
Evening:
- Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street �C A shopping paradise, stroll and admire the lights.
- Check out The Bund �C Incredible views of Lujiazui, especially when lit up from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Day 2: Modern Shanghai �C Lujiazui
Lujiazui �C The Financial Center:
- Oriental Pearl Tower �C Go up to the observation deck.
- Shanghai Tower �C The tallest building in China.
- IFC Mall �C Luxury shopping.
Afternoon:
- Check out Shamei Building �C Direct view of the Oriental Pearl Tower.
- Enjoy sunset coffee at Rei Flower or J's Link near Zhapu Bridge.
Evening:
- Check out Zhapu Bridge �C Stunning when the city lights up.
- Combine with a photo at Yuanxin Tian'an Hall �C Vintage European style view.
Day 3: Classic Shanghai �C Art
Morning:
- Tianzifang �C An artistic neighborhood with many photo spots and stylish cafes.
- Xintiandi �C A historic Western district with French architecture and upscale restaurants.
Afternoon:
- Shopping at major malls: Super Brand Mall, Nanjing Road, Global Harbor Mall.
Evening:
- Dinner at a restaurant with river views �C Recommendations: Casanova, The Fellas Terrace.
Day 4: Suburbs �C Water Town / Disneyland (Optional)
Option 1: Water Town (High-speed train ~1.5 hours)
- Explore the ancient town, take a boat ride, rent Hanfu clothing, and take photos with stone bridges and lanterns.
- Have lunch with Jiangnan specialties like braised pork and steamed buns.
- Return to Shanghai in the evening.
Option 2: Shanghai Disneyland
- Spend the whole day enjoying themed areas, parades, and the evening fireworks show.
- Buy tickets in advance and arrive early to minimize queuing.
Day 5: Shopping �C Departure
- Quick visit to North Bund �C A green riverside park with frequently changing seasonal themes.
- Buy souvenirs at Nanjing Road, or at local supermarkets like Hema Fresh.
- Head to the airport to end your trip.
Tips for a Smooth Shanghai Trip
- You'll be doing a lot of walking, so bring comfortable shoes and water.
- Exchange some cash (RMB) in advance, and use Alipay for convenient payments.
- Book tickets (Oriental Pearl Tower, Disneyland, high-speed train to Water Town) in advance through Trip.com or 12306.
Choose a Hotel Near a Metro Station
Traveling mainly by subway, staying near a station will save you a lot of time and energy.
Take a photo of your hotel address �C if you get lost, it will be easier to call a taxi/Didi back.
Buy a Chinese SIM Card Before You Go
If you want to use Facebook, Google, YouTube... you must buy a SIM card from your home country.
SIM cards purchased in China will block all international platforms, and using a VPN can be unreliable.
Install Alipay �C It's a Must!
Regardless of what others say, you should have an Alipay account ready.
In China, cash is almost useless �C many places don't even have small change!
Go to Account & Security > ID Information: if it shows the correct name + the words "Verified", you're OK.
Load 1000�C2000 RMB in advance �C I almost didn't have to use cash at all, just scan and pay in 1 second!
Download Xiaohongshu (小红书)
Before each destination, use this app to:
- Find beautiful photo spots
- Determine the ideal time to take photos
Many famous places require you to know the angle to take an amazing shot.
Don't Miss This $0.30 Experience!
- Take a ferry across the Huangpu River �C super chill
- Take a double-decker bus �C admire the city from above, it's worth trying!
What to Eat in Shanghai? �C Write These Down!
- Hairy Crab Noodles (蟹黄鱼, 蟹上黄)
- Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings):
- Din Tai Fung (鼎泰�S) �C Globally renowned
- Lai Lai Xiao Long (莱莱小笼) �C Michelin recommended
- Chongqing Hot Pot (Split Pot) �C ��姐重庆火锅 (People's Square branch open until 2�C3 AM)
- Bubble Tea: Chagee, Heytea…
