Three days is enough for the Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, the Bund, the former French Concession and one water town, Zhujiajiao. Two nights in one hotel keep it simple. Prices are quoted per trip, so none appear here.
The route at a glance
| Day | Main stops | Facts behind them |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shanghai Museum East, Yu Garden, the Bund | Museum: over 120,000 pieces; permanent galleries at Shanghai Museum East. Yu Garden: 2 hectares. Bund: 1.6 km, 52 buildings. |
| 2 | Tianzifang, Xintiandi | Tianzifang block dates from 1933. Xintiandi was completed in 2001. |
| 3 | Zhujiajiao, then transfer out | 36 stone bridges. Qingpu District. |
Day 1: museum, garden and river
Start at Shanghai Museum East in Pudong, where the permanent galleries are shown while the People’s Square building hosts only an Americas exhibition (until 14 November 2027). Wikipedia counts over 120,000 pieces in the collection. After lunch, Yu Garden, which covers 2 hectares and has over 40 scenic spots. End on the Bund at dusk, a 1.6 km riverfront of 52 buildings.
Day 2: the French Concession on foot
The former concession was established on 6 April 1849 and handed over in 1943. Tianzifang’s core block dates from 1933 and now holds more than 200 small businesses. Xintiandi was bought by Shui On Group in 1996 and completed in 2001.
Day 3: Zhujiajiao
A morning in the water town, then the transfer to your airport or station. Zhujiajiao has 36 stone bridges and a Line 17 metro station.
What this route leaves out
It leaves out Suzhou and Hangzhou. If you have a fourth or fifth day, our five-day route adds Suzhou’s UNESCO gardens and West Lake. It also leaves out hotels and prices on purpose: we choose hotels with you and quote in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Is three days enough for Shanghai?
For the main sights listed here, yes. We plan two or three stops a day so you keep a walking pace.
Can I add Suzhou or Hangzhou?
Yes, as a replacement for day 3 or as extra days. Hangzhou is 45 minutes by high-speed train, according to Wikipedia.
Do I need a visa?
See our visa guide. UK and Canadian ordinary-passport holders can visit visa-free for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026, per the Chinese Embassy notice.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked on 9 November 2026 against these sources, from official pages where they exist and from the Wikipedia articles named in the list. Hours, prices and access change; we confirm them again before every trip.
- Wikipedia: Shanghai Museum (read 2026-11-09)
- Wikipedia: Yu Garden (read 2026-11-09)
- Wikipedia: The Bund (read 2026-11-09)
- Wikipedia: French Concession (read 2026-11-09)
- Wikipedia: Tianzifang (read 2026-11-09)
- Wikipedia: Xintiandi (read 2026-11-09)
- Wikipedia: Zhujiajiao (read 2026-11-09)
- Chinese Embassy in the UK: Notice on China’s Visa Waiver Policy for the UK and Canada, 15 Feb 2026 (read 2026-11-09)
