3 Days in Shanghai: Modern Marvels & Old World Charm

Day 1 explores the grand Bund waterfront, a 1.5-km stretch of art deco and neoclassical buildings facing the Pudong skyline, then heads into the Old City for Yuyuan Garden and the bustling City God Temple bazaar.

The Old City area centers around the Ming-dynasty Yuyuan Garden, with classical pavilions, rockeries, and the zigzag Nine-Bend Bridge, surrounded by the lively Yuyuan Bazaar with traditional tea houses and street food.

Day 2 takes you to Pudong's futuristic Lujiazui financial district, home to the Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, and the Shanghai World Financial Center, with the riverside promenade offering the best skyline photos.

Day 3 wanders the leafy streets of the former French Concession, where plane trees shade art deco villas and boutique cafés, then visits Jing'an Temple and the trendy Xintiandi entertainment district.

Start your Shanghai journey on the Bund, the iconic waterfront promenade lined with 26 grand colonial buildings. The best view is from the Huangpu River railing looking across at Pudong's futuristic towers. Visit early morning to avoid crowds. The Shanghai Pudong Development Bank building (former HSBC) has a stunning dome interior open to the public.

China's premier shopping street stretches 1.2 km from the Bund to People's Square. A mix of historic department stores (like the Art Deco Wing On) and modern malls. Don't miss the century-old Shen Da Cheng snack counter for traditional Shanghai pastries. The vintage sightseeing tram runs the full length.

A Shanghai institution since 1994, famous for shengjianbao — pan-fried pork buns with a crispy bottom and juicy filling. Order a portion of 4 buns (about 12 yuan) plus a bowl of beef soup. Eat them fresh off the griddle — the soup inside is scalding hot. The original Nanjing Road branch is always busy but moves quickly.

A classical Ming Dynasty garden built in 1559, Yuyuan is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape design. Wander through the Grand Rockery (a 14-meter-tall stone masterpiece), the Exquisite Jade Hall, and the famous zigzag Nine-Bend Bridge over the pond. The Inner Garden section is quieter. Tickets cost 40 yuan; buy at the gate or scan the QR code for mobile payment.

The bustling temple market surrounding the City God Temple (Chenghuang Miao) is a maze of narrow alleys filled with souvenir shops, tea houses, and snack stalls. Try the famous Nanxiang steamed buns (xiaolongbao) at the original Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant. The temple itself dates to the 15th century and is still active — a peaceful contrast to the commercial frenzy outside.

End Day 1 with dinner at a restaurant overlooking the Bund's illuminated colonial buildings and the Pudong skyline. Lost Heaven on Yan'an Road serves excellent Yunnan Chinese cuisine in a moody, dimly-lit interior. Request a window table for the best view, or walk across the street to the Bund after dinner to see the buildings lit up against the night sky. The light show runs until 22:00.

China's tallest building at 632 meters. The observation deck on Level 118 (546 m) offers a breathtaking 360° view of the entire city and the Huangpu River. Book tickets online in advance (180 yuan) to skip the queue. The world's fastest elevator reaches 18 m/s — your ears will pop. Go on a clear morning for best visibility before the smog builds up.

The world-famous Taiwanese chain known for xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) made with scientific precision. Watch through the glass as chefs fold each dumpling with exactly 18 pleats. The truffle and pork xiaolongbao and the fried rice with shrimp are standouts. Located on the 2nd floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center. Expect a 20-minute wait at peak times.

Shanghai's most recognizable landmark with its distinctive pink spheres. The main observation sphere at 263 m offers panoramic views, but the glass-floored observation deck at 259 m is the thrill — walk on transparent panels 86 stories up. The History Museum at the base covers Shanghai's 20th-century transformation. Combined tickets cost 220 yuan.

A beautifully landscaped 2.5-km riverside park with the best angle for photographing the Bund's colonial skyline across the river. Benches and shaded pavilions line the path. Grab a coffee from a vending machine and watch the ships pass. The elevated wooden boardwalk near the Oriental Pearl is the most photogenic spot, especially in the late afternoon golden light.

A legendary fine-dining restaurant on the 7th floor of the Nissin Shipping Building on the Bund, offering an uninterrupted view of Pudong's skyline. Australian chef Michelle Garbutt's menu is modern European with Asian influences. The Sunday brunch is famous but tonight's a la carte dinner is equally memorable. Book at least 2 weeks ahead for a window table. Dress code is smart casual.

A 1,800-year-old working Buddhist temple dramatically set against the skyscrapers of Jing'an. The temple's three main halls house a 3.87-meter-tall jade Buddha, a Ming Dynasty silver Buddha, and an enormous copper bell cast in 1381. Climb the 7-story pagoda for views over the temple rooftops to the surrounding towers. Admission is 50 yuan. Dress modestly — shoulders and knees covered.

One of China's premier museums, housed in a striking bronze vessel-shaped building on People's Square. The permanent collection includes 120,000 pieces spanning 5,000 years. Don't miss the Ancient Chinese Bronze Gallery (Shang and Zhou dynasty ritual vessels) and the Ming-Qing Painting Gallery. Free admission but reserve a time slot online in advance — weekend slots go fast. Allow at least 2 hours.

Grab lunch in the bustling area around People's Square. Head to the Shanghai Art Museum's ground-floor café for a quiet meal with a view of the square, or try the nearby food court in Raffles City for authentic Shanghainese dishes like smoked fish and braised tofu skin. For a quick bite, the xiaolongbao at the nearby Din Tai Fung (Happy Valley branch) is always reliable.

Shanghai's most beautiful residential street, lined with plane trees and art deco villas from the 1920s-30s. Start at the iconic Wukang Mansion (Normandie Apartments), a landmark ship-like building at the Huaihai Road junction. Walk south past the former residences of writers Ba Jin and Zhang Leping, and the Shanghai Song Ching Ling Residence. Peek into the elegant courtyard of the Shanghai Library's Old Building. The neighborhood's specialty coffee shops make perfect pit stops.

A labyrinthine arts and crafts enclave built into a 1930s shikumen (stone-gate) residential block. Narrow alleys are packed with galleries, design studios, craft shops, and tiny bars. Unlike the polished Xintiandi next door, Tianzifang retains a raw, bohemian energy. Bargaining is expected at souvenir stalls. Try the freshly rolled fruit ice cream or a craft beer at one of the rooftop bars with views over the old rooftops.

Xintiandi is Shanghai's most stylish dining and entertainment district, built around restored shikumen lane houses. For a memorable farewell dinner, book a table at Ulterior (a roof terrace) for Sichuan-inspired cocktails and sharing plates with a view, or try the Shanghainese classics at Ye Shanghai inside the Langham Hotel. End the night with a stroll through the atmospheric stone-gate alleyways lit by lanterns — a perfect finale to your Shanghai trip.