What are the best things to do in Shanghai?
Top picks in Shanghai include The Bund waterfront, Yu Garden and Old City, Shanghai Tower / Lujiazui skyline, French Concession walk. See the full list and itinerary on this Shanghai travel guide.
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Shanghai Travel Guide
Things to do in Shanghai — Explore Shanghai
Photo: xiquinhosilva · CC BY 2.0
Why visit Shanghai
Shanghai is one of four cities in China that are administered as municipalities (市), meaning that it is not part of any province, and its government instead reports directly to the central government in Beijing. There are several ways to rate the size of cities; based on UN numbers, Shanghai is the fifth-largest city in the world after Jakarta, Dhaka, Tokyo and Delhi. By any measure, it is in the top ten for the world and either the largest in China or second to (Source: Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA.)
Shanghai is a stop in China, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise The Bund waterfront, Yu Garden and Old City, Shanghai Tower / Lujiazui skyline instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 50–130 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: November–March for cooler, drier conditions. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
November–March for cooler, drier conditions
Weather
Varies from tropical to temperate depending on the season
Experiences
Things to do in Shanghai
1
The Bund waterfront
2
Yu Garden and Old City
3
Shanghai Tower / Lujiazui skyline
4
French Concession walk
5
Jing'an Temple
6
Shanghai Museum
7
Zhujiajiao water town day trip
8
Nanjing Road
Budget travel
Free things to do in Shanghai
The Bund waterfront
Yu Garden and Old City
French Concession walk
Jing'an Temple
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Shanghai itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit The Bund waterfront
- Visit Yu Garden and Old City
- Visit Shanghai Tower / Lujiazui skyline
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit French Concession walk
- Visit Jing'an Temple
- Visit Shanghai Museum
- 3
Day 3
More highlights
- Visit Zhujiajiao water town day trip
- Visit Nanjing Road
Prefer a full 7-day trip with costs and FAQs? Read the Shanghai itinerary guide.
Budget
Shanghai trip cost
Budget
USD 25–45
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 50–130
per person / day
Luxury
USD 150–245+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Shanghai, China. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Shanghai
Estimated total (USD)
$2,145
≈ $1,073 per person · $306 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $90/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Shanghai mid-range ground costs (budget 25–45 · mid 50–130 · luxury 150–245+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Nightlife
- Shanghai Pub Crawl
In pictures
Shanghai gallery
Photos: xiquinhosilva, Stefan Fussan, Chainwit., Legolas1024, Another Believer — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Shanghai travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Shanghai?
November–March for cooler, drier conditions.
How many days do I need in Shanghai?
Plan at least 3 days in Shanghai for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Shanghai?
Stay near the centre of Shanghai for easy access to attractions, or near the airport if you have a short layover.
How much does a trip to Shanghai cost?
On the ground in Shanghai (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 25–45 per person per day, mid-range about 50–130, and luxury about 150–245+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Shanghai, China. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
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