How Many Days in Shanghai Is Enough?

With the unique blend of tradition and modernity, along with convenient international flights, Shanghai is an ideal destination for all-age travelers, especially for first-time visitors to China.

Most of the attractions in Shanghai are located in the center of this city, so it won't take much time on the road. Three to four days are ideal for an authentic and relaxing Shanghai experience, giving you time to explore iconic landmarks and soak in the city's vibrant atmosphere at your own pace.

If you have more time, consider extending your trip to explore the nearby cities like Hangzhou or Suzhou. No matter your schedule or requirements, we offer a selection of customizable itineraries to suit your interests and preferences.

3-4 Days: Classic Shanghai Tour

Skyscrapers opposite the Bund

This itinerary is perfect for travelers visiting China for the first time or those with a limited vacation. Shanghai's efficient transportation network makes it easy to get around and see a lot in a short amount of time without feeling overwhelmed.

The following itinerary is provided for your reference to inspire your travel plans. Feel free to contact us for a customized trip tailored to match your preferences.

• Day 1: Welcome to Shanghai! When you get out of the airport, you can find our guide waiting for you with a warm welcome. Then, you may have a good rest at your hotel and prepare for your Shanghai journey.
• Day 2: Your city highlights tour starts from the Bund. It's a must-see in Shanghai. One of the best ways to enjoy yourself is walking along the waterfront. After lunch, take a 20-minute walk to Yu Garden and admire this traditional Chinese garden. If you're interested in admiring Shanghai from a unique perspective, consider taking a night cruise on the Huangpu River. You may also have a dinner on the cruise and enjoy the wonderful night view.
• Day 3: On this day, bid farewell to Shanghai and head on to your next journey.

Note: If you have one more day, consider extending it to a 4-day tour. You can try to add some traditional activities, like a Chinese dim sum class, or learn about Chinese history by exploring the Shanghai Museum on your third day. And finally depart on the fourth day.

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5 Days: Family Tour with Disney

Local life in Zhujiajiao

Shanghai is a good destination for kids because it is home to the only Disneyland in mainland China, one of only three in Asia. This makes the itinerary especially suitable for families with kids.

• Day 1: Our exclusive car will pick you up at the airport and escort you to your hotel. You may have a good rest at the hotel and prepare for your journey the next day.
• Day 2: Your Shanghai tour officially starts on this day. And you're going to see classic city highlights in Shanghai, such as Yu Garden, the Bund, and the Former French Concession. Each of these attractions will take about 2 hours to visit. If you want to experience Chinese acrobatics, consider watching an acrobatic show at Shanghai Circus World from 7:30 pm to 9:15 pm.
• Day 3: On the third day, our exclusive car will drive you to Shanghai Disneyland in the morning. Here, we suggest you book the Prime Access service, as this allows you to skip queuing at certain rides and save a lot of time for you.
• Day 4: On the fourth day, explore skyscrapers in the Pudong area first. The skyscrapers include Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai Tower, and Shanghai World Financial Center, all of which are on the top list of the highest skyscrapers in the world. In the afternoon, visit Zhujiajiao Water Town, which is in the southwest of this city. Zhujiajiao Water Town is a classical Chinese water town known for its picturesque canals, stone bridges, and historic architecture.
• Day 5: On the last day, our drivers will escort you to the airport for your next journey.
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Shanghai Day Tour & Layover Tour

Yu Garden in Shanghai

• Time Needed: 7 to 10 hours

A day trip in Shanghai is quite convenient, thanks to the maglev train, which significantly shortens the travel time from the airport to the scenic spot. However, a day trip generally requires at least 7 hours.

Let's say you're already out of the airport. If you take the Maglev train and transfer to Metro Line 2, you can get to the Bund in 1 hour. Then, you may take your time to sightsee some attractions around the Bund area: the Bund, Yu Garden, or Oriental Pearl Tower. It takes about 2 hours for each attraction.

When you've done the sightseeing, take Metro Line 2 and the Maglev train to get to the airport. Now, this costs 4 hours in total if you only visit one attraction. However, it's wise to spare an extra 3 hours for checking in and passing security checks and customs at the airport.

A gentle reminder: Even though Disneyland is near the Pudong Airport, we do not recommend you visit Disneyland on a day tour or layover tour in Shanghai. You may need to spare a whole day for Disneyland, as it's quite large.

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Shanghai Excursion Ideas

If you hold a passport from one of the 54 eligible countries, such as the US, Canada, or UK, you can explore Shanghai and other certain areas, including the surrounding Zhejiang and Jiangsu, under the 10-day visa-free transit policy. These regions, known for their economic dynamism, offer a wealth of cultural and historical attractions.

We recommend extending your stay to visit the beautiful city of Hangzhou, famous for its West Lake, or the picturesque city of Suzhou, renowned for its classical gardens.

4 Days in Shanghai & Suzhou

The Lingering Garden in Suzhou

If you're interested in traditional Chinese gardens or water towns, Suzhou is a perfect place to go. In this itinerary, you will visit Shanghai first, Suzhou next, and get back to Shanghai for departure.

After 2 days in Shanghai, you will take a bullet train to Suzhou for an excursion. Since Suzhou is next to Shanghai, it only takes about 30 minutes to reach Suzhou from Shanghai by bullet train. Suzhou has a nickname of "Venice of the East." It is famous for its classical Chinese gardens and picturesque water towns that have tranquil canals and stone bridges. When your tour ends, take a bullet train back to Shanghai and bid farewell to this charming city.

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5 Days in Shanghai & Hangzhou

West Lake in Hangzhou

Hangzhou is also an attractive city with the beautiful West Lake. Furthermore, it is home to West Lake Longjing, one of China's ten most famous teas. In addition to admiring the stunning landscape, you have the opportunity to tour tea plantations and immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Chinese tea culture.

Similar to a Suzhou excursion, you can spend the first two days in Shanghai. On the third day of your tour, take a high-speed train to Hangzhou, which takes about an hour. The itinerary for the day is relatively simple: visit Chenghuang Pavilion, Hefang Street, and the Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The highlight of your Hangzhou trip comes the next day with a West Lake boat trip, where you can immerse yourself in the legendary Chinese love story of Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian. Finally, visit a Longjing tea plantation, where you can learn about Chinese tea culture and try to make tea under the guidance of tutors.

In the end, you can choose to depart from Hangzhou or Shanghai, as both cities have international flights.

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Plan Your Shanghai Tour With Us

Shorter trip? Longer exploration? Shanghai caters to all paces. Let us craft your perfect itinerary – contact us or email trip@odynovotours.com for a personalized Shanghai experience.