Where to go if you have 3 days in Shanghai? A trip of downtown Shanghai usually only takes about 2 days, so you can extend your itinerary to the suburbs or even to the nearby Suzhou area, and here are the best suggestions to help you make most of your 3-day vacation.
Shanghai Attractions Map (click to enlarge)
If this is your first time in Shanghai and you want to fully appreciate the charm of the city while only visiting the downtown area, then this 3-day Shanghai past and present contrast tour itinerary is best for you.
Day 1: Arrival - Shanghai Maglev Train - Shanghai Circus World
If you arrive at Shanghai in Pudong International Airport, you definitely cannot miss the Shanghai Maglev Train, the first operational high-speed maglev train in the world with speed about 300km/h, and it only takes about 8 minutes to transfer from Pudong airport to the city center. If you want some unique experience at evening, you can go to Shanghai Circus World located in the northern part of Jing'an District to watch an entertaining acrobatic show, including breathtaking "balls of death" acts, chair balancing, hula hoops, juggling of benches, walking in the air, and other wonderful performances.
Day 2: Oriental Pearl Tower/Shanghai Tower - Shanghai Museum East - Yu Garden - Nanjing Road - The Bund
First go to Shanghai Pudong (east of the Huangpu River) area, and choose one of the skyscrapers such as Oriental Pearl Tower - the most famous landmark in Shanghai / Shanghai Tower - the tallest building in China and second tallest one in the world with the total height of 632m to enjoy the amazing panoramic view of downtown Shanghai. Then visit Shanghai Museum East, also in Pudong area, which is dubbed "Textbooks of Chinese Art History" to appreciate remarkable ancient Chinese arts through rich collections of the bronze, ceramics, paintings, calligraphic works, etc. Continue transfer to Yu Garden in Puxi (west of the Huangpu River) area to get a glimpse at classical Chinese garden architecture and abundant traditional culture, as well as experience the lively atmosphere of Yuyuan Bazaar and taste some local snacks. Next head to Nanjing Road, which is the oldest shopping street in Shanghai that has been extended to the Bund. Then you can walk directly to The Bund to enjoy the dazzling night view along the Bund, the Huangpu River and the Lujiazui area.
Day 3: Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center - Tianzifang - Leave
First take a morning trip to Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center in the downtown, which is the largest urban planning exhibition hall and is a popular museum for Shanghai new-visitors. Then, continue to visit Tianzifang in Shanghai old town, which is a block of old lanes of cultural and artistic features, where you can enjoy the daily life of the Shanghainese and modern flavor of local snacks, lovely bars, souvenir shops, etc. If you have more time, you can also explore the nearby Wukang Road area for a city walk experience and more.
Highlights of this Itinerary
Shanghai Maglev Train
Oriental Pearl Tower
Shanghai Museum East
Urban Planning Exhibition Center
☛ 3 Days Shanghai Past and Present Contrast Tour (at Leisure Pace)
☛ 2 Days Efficient Shanghai City Tour
If you want to extend your trip in Shanghai and visit the suburban water towns, then you need to set aside one day to visit nearby water towns, such as Zhujiajiao or Fengjing Water Town.
Day 1: Arrival - Shanghai Circus World
After you arrive in Shanghai, you can take a short rest and then head to Shanghai Circus World located in the northern part of Jing'an District to watch the entertaining acrobatic show, including breathtaking "balls of death" acts, chair balancing, hula hoops, juggling of benches, walking in the air, and other wonderful performances.
Day 2: Oriental Pearl Tower/Shanghai Tower - Shanghai Museum East - Tianzifang - The Bund
First go to Shanghai Pudong (east of the Huangpu River) area, and choose one of the skyscrapers such as Oriental Pearl Tower - the most famous landmark in Shanghai / Shanghai Tower - the tallest building in China and second tallest one in the world with the total height of 632m to enjoy the amazing panoramic view of downtown Shanghai. Continue visit Shanghai Museum East, also in Pudong area, which is dubbed "Textbooks of Chinese Art History" to appreciate remarkable ancient Chinese arts through rich collections of the bronze, ceramics, paintings, calligraphic works, etc. Then transfer to Shanghai old town to visit Tianzifang, which is a block of old lanes of cultural and artistic features, where you can enjoy the daily life of the Shanghainese and modern flavor of local snacks, lovely bars, souvenir shops, etc. When night falls, you should come to The Bund, where you can not only enjoy the charm of the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, but also marvel at the most prosperous night view of Shanghai in the Lujiazui area.
Day 3: Zhujiajiao/Fengjing Water Town - Leave
Considering factors such as time, distance, and the value, we recommend that you choose Zhujiajiao, the closest and largest water town in Shanghai, located in Qingpu District, 48 kilometers (about 1 hour by car) or Fengjing, the township in Shanghai on the list of Historic Towns of China, located in Jinshan District, 68 kilometers (about 1.5 hours by car) from Shanghai downtown for a half-day visiting. Since most of water towns are located in the suburbs far from the city downtown with inconvenient transportation, we strongly recommend you choose our Shanghai tour packages including water towns with English-speaking guide and private driver or customize the itinerary that includes the water towns according to your needs.
Highlights of this Itinerary
Incredible Acrobatic Show
Shanghai Tower
Tianzifang
Zhujiajiao Water Town
☛ 3 Days Shanghai Highlights Tour with Zhuajiajiao Water Town Visit
☛ 3 Days Shanghai & Fengjing Water Town Tour
If you are traveling with children and want to have a pleasant family trip in Shanghai, then this 3-day itinerary that includes Disneyland Park will provide your family an unforgettable experience.
Day 1: Arrival - The Bund - Huangpu River Cruise
After you arrive in Shanghai, you can take a short rest and then head to The Bund, where you can not only enjoy the charm of the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, but also marvel at the most prosperous night view of Shanghai in the Lujiazui area. If you want to fully appreciate the magic of Shanghai, you cannot miss the Huangpu River Cruise and the night cruise is the most recommended, because you can see the skyscrapers and historical sites all lighted up by colorful lights.
Day 2: Shanghai Disney Resort
Shanghai Disney Resort in east suburb, is the biggest Disneyland in Asia. Constructed in traditional Disney style with Chinese elements, Shanghai Disney Resort offers massive recreation facilities, live shows and interesting experience for kids and visitors of all ages. It currently consists of 7 themed lands - Adventure Isle, Disney & Pixar Toy Story Land, Fantasyland, Gardens of Imagination, Tomorrowland, Treasure Cove and City of Zootopia. The two themed hotels and a Disneytown offer a shopping, dining and entertainment, etc. Enjoy high flexibility to arrange your Disneyland day tour by yourself, and make the best use of time and money to realize your Disneyland dream tour, play a series of Disney themed activities, interact with Disney roles and create a wonderful adventure with your family and friends.
Day 3: Yu Garden & Bazaar - Shanghai Zotter Chocolate Factory - Leave
Today, take the morning trip to Yu Garden, a famous Southern China classical garden which was originally built about 450 years ago. Yuyuan Bazaar outside the garden is an interesting place for shopping traditional Chinese handicrafts and artworks and tasting a variety of local snacks. Then go to the nearby Shanghai Zotter Chocolate Factory to enjoy a fantastic chocolate experience, where you will have a special chance to watch and learn more about chocolate's origins, how to make chocolate, and taste many kinds of fresh chocolates. If there is still free time, you can also visit the nearby City God Temple, named for enshrining the sacred Taoist figure - City God of the city, where you can explore Taoist architecture, culture and history of Shanghai.
Highlights of this Itinerary
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The Bund
Huangpu River Cruise
Shanghai Disney Resort
Yu Garden
☛ 4 Days Shanghai Magic Tour with Disneyland Park (including 1 day for Zhujiajiao Water Town)
Thanks to the fast and convenient high-speed rail network, you can reach Suzhou from Shanghai in half an hour and enjoy a side trip to Suzhou with both Suzhou gardens and water towns in just 3 days.
Shanghai Suzhou Travel Map (click to enlarge)
Day 1: Arrival - Shanghai Museum East - Oriental Pearl Tower/Shanghai Tower - The Bund
If you arrive in Shanghai on the same day, you will have very limited time to visit city downtown. First, head to the Shanghai Museum East in the Pudong (east of the Huangpu River) area to appreciate remarkable ancient Chinese arts through rich collections of the bronze, ceramics, paintings, calligraphic works, etc. Then choose one of the skyscrapers such as Oriental Pearl Tower - the most famous landmark in Shanghai / Shanghai Tower - the tallest building in China and second tallest one in the world with the total height of 632m to enjoy the amazing panoramic view of downtown Shanghai. Continue to the Bund in the Puxi (west of the Huangpu River) area at evening to enjoy the dazzling night view along the Bund, the Huangpu River and the Lujiazui area.
Day 2: Suzhou Silk Museum - Humble Administrator's Garden - Tongli/Zhouzhuang Water Town
Departing from Shanghai today, take the morning high-speed train to Suzhou, which only takes about half an hour to arrive. First go straight to Suzhou Silk Museum, which is the first museum that specializes in silk in China and well demonstrates the thousand years’ Chinese silk history, displays silk relics, fragments, garments and tapestry, etc. Continue come to the most classic Chinese garden - Humble Administrator's Garden, which listed as World Heritage Site in 1997 by UNESCO. It is a representation of Jiangnan classical garden with a combination of buildings, ponds, bridges, paths and trees arranged in a specific manner, and is now the largest classical garden in Suzhou. Then transfer to one of the famous water town in Suzhou, Tongli or Zhouzhuang, which respectively about 30 kilometers (50 minutes by car) and 40 kilometers (70 minutes by car) away from the city center of Suzhou. Since most of water towns are located in the suburbs far from the city downtown with inconvenient transportation, we strongly recommend you choose our Suzhou tour packages including water towns with English-speaking guide and private driver or customize the itinerary that includes the water towns according to your needs.
Day 3: Tongli/Zhouzhuang Water Town - Leave
Today you can fully enjoy a half-day tour in Tongli or Zhouzhuang Water Town. Tongli is one of the top six ancient towns in Jiangnan area (south of Yangtze River), which is world reputed as the "Oriental Venice" with its more than 1000-year-old history, authentic features of old buildings, rich old rivers, simple folk culture of locals. Zhouzhuang is not only the "No. 1 Water Town in China" but also one of the top ten tourist attractions in China favored by European people. Here you can feel its long history of about 1000 years and admire the authentic features of water town in regions south of the Yangtze River in China. When you finish your water town tour in Suzhou, you can transfer directly to Shanghai, which respectively about 90 kilometers (2 hours by car) and 70 kilometers (1.5 hours by car) away from the city center of Shanghai.
Highlights of this Itinerary
Suzhou Silk Museum
Humble Administrator's Garden
Tongli Water Town
Zhouzhuang Water Town
☛ Contact us to customize your Shanghai tour with Suzhou now!
Shanghai applies to the 240-Hour Transit Visa Exemption. Visitor from 50+ foreign countries who hold valid travel document & connecting flights to a third country/region can stay in Shanghai and other permitted regions of China up to 240 hours without a Chinese Visa. If you have a short layover less than 24 hours, you also don’t have to apply for a visa to visit Shanghai.
Being a modern city with less natural sights, Shanghai can be visited all year round. Summer (June to August) is hot and rainy with roughly 60% of the annual total amount. The hottest period of Shanghai happens in July or August, when the daytime temperature rises above 30℃. Shanghai during winter (December to February) is cold, humid. It seldom snows, if has, often occurs in the coldest January and February. Hence, the ideal times to visit Shanghai are warm spring (March to May) and cool autumn (September to November) with the most comfortable temperature, more sunny days and colorful natural scenery.
There are two airports in Shanghai - Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) with international flights covering over 130 international cities (regions) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) mainly with domestic flights between Shanghai and Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Guilin and other major destinations in China. Shanghai has a well-developed high speed train network in China and well-linked with Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong (Jinan, Qufu, Mount Tai...), Jiangsu (Suzhou, Nanjing, Wuxi...) through China’s busiest high speed railway - Beijing Shanghai High Speed Railway. You can also get to Shanghai by international cruise from Japan, South Korea or by Yangtze River Cruise from Chongqing and other cities in the upper reaches.
Accommodation choice in Shanghai is plentiful, so you can easily find hotels top luxury brands, modish boutique hotels to budget types. Hotels in the downtown Shanghai close to the Bund and People’s Square is the best accommodation area for most travelers. Because they have perfect location to the Bund, Nanjing Road and offer quick access to lots of excellent restaurants and shopping.
A classic Shanghai city tour usually takes about 2 days. If you have 1 to 2 days more, you can either extend your trip from Shanghai to Suzhou, feel the elegant classical gardens, immerse in the serene ancient water townships and catch a glimpse of the fabulous Chines silk culture; or use 2 days to visit Hangzhou, view the West Lake, old-line Lingyin Temple and learn more about the famous Longjing Tea. It’s quite popular to extend a Hangzhou tour to one of the nearby water towns, like Wuzhen, Xitang for 1 extra day. Taking 5 ~ 6 days is enough to cover the essence of Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou. Nature loves are highly suggested a Huangshan Mountain tour if you fitness and time allows. It needs 3 to 4 more days for a typical hiking trip with nearby World Heritages (Hongcun, Xidi Ancient Villages...).
To help you enjoy a worry-free trip to Shanghai, we suggest you travel with us, and our local guide and driver will escort you from your hotel to the scenic area and our guide will take you to the best sightseeing deck and give interesting introduction of the sites and stories to enrich your experience. All you need is to focus on the highlights. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us directly!
No matter how many days you plan to stay in Shanghai, China Discovery always has a suitable tour for you. We are also specialized in high-quality private tours as well as tailor-made tour packages that fit you best according to your own interests, requirement, traveling time, etc. Below are the Most Popular Shanghai Tour Packages 2025/2026. If you have no idea where to start, please don't hesitate to contact our travel experts for help.
Explore the old and new of Shanghai, admire the past cultural heritages among the modern scrapers, meet perfect blend of traditional and urbanization
Explore the 3 most popular destinations of the Yangtze Delta - Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou by the fast bullet trains. Every day is connected well, without any waste of time and money.
In this 2-day classic Shanghai tour, you will discover top iconic landmarks of Shanghai like the Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai World Financial Center to appreciate the real charm of Shanghai. Everything is perfectly arranged!
Looking for a unique Shanghai tour which is different from the regular itineraries? Here it is - A harmony between soft and hard landscapes results in one of a kind holiday in Shanghai.
Traveling Shanghai with Huangshan, the Yellow Mountain takes you traverse from modern to ancient, from fashion to tradition, from city’s hustle and bustle to tranquility and quietness in this area.
Make your Disney dream tour come true with fancy experiences. View modern skyline and ancient sites to deeply understand magic of Shanghai!
A short but essential trip to Shanghai and Beijing, the two main parts of China will show you a seamless blend of ancient imperial wonders and a modern metropolis. Furthermore, it will be a lifetime memory to take a bullet train from Shanghai to Beijing in just 5 hours.
Take 4 days to discover the urban vitality of Shanghai and time-treasured classic heritages of Suzhou, feel distinct charm of the ancient and modern.
Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.
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