China Itinerary
The Perfect 6-Day Shanghai Itinerary
Shanghai 🇨🇳 · Built from 17 real traveler plans · 40 spots
Shanghai is one of the most-planned destinations on Triply. We took 17 real traveler itineraries and distilled them into this 6-day plan — built around the 40+ places people actually saved, ranked by how often they show up. No filler, no tourist traps nobody bookmarks: just the spots real travelers keep choosing for Shanghai.
5 of these places were found in real travel videos — TikToks, Reels and YouTube guides that travelers imported into Triply — not scraped from a top-10 list. Where a spot kept showing up across creators, we say so.
Have 5 or 7 or 8 days instead of 6? 5-day Shanghai itinerary · 7-day Shanghai itinerary · 8-day Shanghai itinerary — same ranked list, cut to fit, further down this page.
6-Day Shanghai Itinerary
Day 1
Experience the vibrant energy of one of the world's busiest shopping streets, bustling with department stores, boutiques, and eateries.
A historic waterfront promenade offering panoramic views of Shanghai's iconic skyline across the Huangpu River. It is famous for its collection of colonial-era buildings on one side and the futuristic Pudong skyscrapers on the other, best experienced after dark.
A classical Chinese garden with exquisite rockeries, pavilions, ponds, and bridges, offering a serene escape in the bustling city.
Tianzifang is a charming arts and crafts enclave nestled within a preserved section of traditional shikumen (stone-gated) houses in Shanghai. Its narrow alleys are filled with small craft shops, art galleries, cafes, and restaurants, offering a bohemian atmosphere. Visitors enjoy strolling through its labyrinthine lanes and discovering unique local products.
An iconic Shanghai landmark, offering multiple observation decks with stunning city views and a unique transparent floor.
Day 2
Enjoy the tranquility of Fuxing Park, a French-style park featuring classical gardens, fountains, and vibrant morning activities like tai chi and ballroom dancing.
A green oasis in the city center, offering a tranquil escape and a chance to observe local life, including the famous 'marriage market' on weekends.
A world-class museum housing an extensive collection of ancient Chinese art, including bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, and sculpture.
Offers exquisite Yunnanese cuisine with stunning views of the Bund, blending authentic flavors with a sophisticated ambiance.
Day 3
Immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of this ancient Taoist temple complex surrounded by traditional markets and snack stalls.
Explore this stunning Buddhist temple, a serene oasis amidst the bustling cityscape, known for its golden roofs and intricate carvings.
Discover a vibrant contemporary art district housed in former industrial buildings, featuring galleries and artists' studios.
Visit the second-tallest building in the world and experience its breathtaking observation deck for unparalleled city views.
An urban park situated in Shanghai's Pudong district, offering green respite amidst the towering skyscrapers of Lujiazui. It provides excellent vantage points for photographing the iconic skyline, including the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Tower, and Jin Mao Tower. The park often features art installations and landscaped gardens.
Day 4
Ascend to the 'Sky Walk' observation deck on the 100th floor for breathtaking views, including the famous 'bottle opener' design.
Explore the bustling traditional market surrounding Yuyuan Garden, filled with souvenir shops, tea houses, and street food vendors.
An upscale shopping area in Shanghai known for its blend of modern malls and preserved traditional Shikumen architecture. Visitors can explore various retail brands, enjoy diverse dining options, and experience a vibrant cultural atmosphere.
A serene urban park surrounding Jing'an Temple, offering lush greenery, a pond, and a quiet escape from the city's hustle.
Day 5
Discover exquisite traditional Chinese handicrafts, including embroidery, jade carvings, and paper cutting, housed in a historic mansion.
Located in the former Shanghai Race Club building, this museum showcases the city's rich history from ancient times to the present.
Discover a vast collection of natural history exhibits, including dinosaur skeletons and diverse ecosystems, in a striking modern building.
Day 6
Wander through a meticulously designed classical Chinese garden, showcasing traditional architecture and serene landscapes.
Shanghai's largest ecological park, featuring a large lake, diverse landscapes, and various recreational activities like boating and cycling.
A large urban park featuring a reconstructed historic bell tower, a beautiful lake, and diverse plant life, perfect for relaxation.
Explore China's first state-run contemporary art museum, housed in a converted power plant, showcasing modern Chinese and international art.
5-Day Shanghai Itinerary
Short on time? These are the 25 places travelers save most, in 5 days: skip the rest without regret.
- Day 1: Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street → The Bund → Yu Garden → Tianzifang → Oriental Pearl TV Tower
- Day 2: Fuxing Park → People's Park → Shanghai Museum → Jia Jia Tang Bao (Huanghe Road) → Lost Heaven on the Bund
- Day 3: City God Temple of Shanghai → Jing'an Temple → M50 Creative Park → Shanghai Tower → Lujiazui Central Green Space
- Day 4: Shanghai World Financial Center → Yuyuan Old Street → Xintiandi → Jing'an Park → People's Square
- Day 5: Din Tai Fung (Shanghai IFC) → Shanghai Museum of Arts and Crafts → Shanghai History Museum → Jade Buddha Temple → Shanghai Natural History Museum
7-Day Shanghai Itinerary
With 7 days you get past the headline sights into the places people only reach on a longer Shanghai trip. Days 7–7 are the extra stops.
- Day 1: Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street → The Bund → Yu Garden → Tianzifang → Oriental Pearl TV Tower
- Day 2: Fuxing Park → People's Park → Shanghai Museum → Jia Jia Tang Bao (Huanghe Road) → Lost Heaven on the Bund
- Day 3: City God Temple of Shanghai → Jing'an Temple → M50 Creative Park → Shanghai Tower → Lujiazui Central Green Space
- Day 4: Shanghai World Financial Center → Yuyuan Old Street → Xintiandi → Jing'an Park → People's Square
- Day 5: Din Tai Fung (Shanghai IFC) → Shanghai Museum of Arts and Crafts → Shanghai History Museum → Jade Buddha Temple → Shanghai Natural History Museum
- Day 6: Yuyuan Garden → Shanghai City God Temple → Century Park → Xujiahui Park → Power Station of Art
- Day 7: Shanghai Old Street → Qibao Temple → Suzhou Creek → Shanghai Botanical Garden → Former French Concession
8-Day Shanghai Itinerary
With 8 days you get past the headline sights into the places people only reach on a longer Shanghai trip. Days 7–8 are the extra stops.
- Day 1: Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street → The Bund → Yu Garden → Tianzifang → Oriental Pearl TV Tower
- Day 2: Fuxing Park → People's Park → Shanghai Museum → Jia Jia Tang Bao (Huanghe Road) → Lost Heaven on the Bund
- Day 3: City God Temple of Shanghai → Jing'an Temple → M50 Creative Park → Shanghai Tower → Lujiazui Central Green Space
- Day 4: Shanghai World Financial Center → Yuyuan Old Street → Xintiandi → Jing'an Park → People's Square
- Day 5: Din Tai Fung (Shanghai IFC) → Shanghai Museum of Arts and Crafts → Shanghai History Museum → Jade Buddha Temple → Shanghai Natural History Museum
- Day 6: Yuyuan Garden → Shanghai City God Temple → Century Park → Xujiahui Park → Power Station of Art
- Day 7: Shanghai Old Street → Qibao Temple → Suzhou Creek → Shanghai Botanical Garden → Former French Concession
- Day 8: Mercato → Longhua Temple → West Nanjing Road → Xiao Yang Sheng Jian (Wujiang Road) → Minhang Sports Park
Top Things to Do in Shanghai
- The Bund — ★ 4.7 (saved by 11 travelers)A historic waterfront promenade offering panoramic views of Shanghai's iconic skyline across the Huangpu River.
- Yu Garden — ★ 4.5 (saved by 11 travelers)A classical Chinese garden with exquisite rockeries, pavilions, ponds, and bridges, offering a serene escape in the bustling city.
- Oriental Pearl TV Tower — ★ 4.6 (saved by 10 travelers)An iconic Shanghai landmark, offering multiple observation decks with stunning city views and a unique transparent floor.
- Fuxing Park — ★ 4.4 (saved by 10 travelers)Enjoy the tranquility of Fuxing Park, a French-style park featuring classical gardens, fountains, and vibrant morning activities like tai chi and ballroom dancing.
- Shanghai Museum — ★ 4.7 (saved by 8 travelers)A world-class museum housing an extensive collection of ancient Chinese art, including bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, and sculpture.
- City God Temple of Shanghai — ★ 4.6 (saved by 7 travelers)Immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of this ancient Taoist temple complex surrounded by traditional markets and snack stalls.
- Jing'an Temple — ★ 4.6 (saved by 6 travelers)Explore this stunning Buddhist temple, a serene oasis amidst the bustling cityscape, known for its golden roofs and intricate carvings.
- M50 Creative Park — ★ 4.3 (saved by 6 travelers)Discover a vibrant contemporary art district housed in former industrial buildings, featuring galleries and artists' studios.
Where to Eat in Shanghai
- Jia Jia Tang Bao (Huanghe Road) — ★ 4.6
- Lost Heaven on the Bund — ★ 4.2
- Din Tai Fung (Shanghai IFC) — ★ 4.4
- Mercato — ★ 4.6
- Xiao Yang Sheng Jian (Wujiang Road) — ★ 4.3
Shanghai Travel FAQ
How many days do you need in Shanghai?
Most travelers planning Shanghai on Triply spend about 6 days there. That's enough to cover the top sights — Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, The Bund, Yu Garden — without rushing. This page also has 5-day and 7-day and 8-day versions of the same plan.
What are the top things to do in Shanghai?
Based on 17 real Shanghai itineraries, the most-saved spots are Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, The Bund, Yu Garden, Tianzifang, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Fuxing Park.
Where should I eat in Shanghai?
The most-saved places to eat in Shanghai are Jia Jia Tang Bao (Huanghe Road), Lost Heaven on the Bund, Din Tai Fung (Shanghai IFC), Mercato, Xiao Yang Sheng Jian (Wujiang Road).
Is Shanghai worth visiting?
Shanghai is one of the most-planned destinations on Triply, with 17 traveler itineraries covering 40+ spots — so yes, there's plenty to fill a 6-day trip.
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