Planning a trip to Shanghai can feel overwhelming—after all, it’s one of the world’s most dynamic cities, packed with ancient temples, futuristic skylines, luxury malls, and even a world-class theme park. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning for a deeper dive, this 4-day Shanghai itinerary is designed to help you explore the city’s highlights without the stress of overplanning. Perfect for independent travelers, this guide breaks down your visit into manageable, themed days, so you can experience the best of what Shanghai has to offer at your own pace.
In this article, we’ll take you through a well-balanced tour of the city. Day 1 focuses on Shanghai Highlights, where you’ll explore the iconic Bund, Yu Garden, and the bustling streets of Nanjing Road. Day 2 shifts to History & Culture, diving into the city’s rich past with stops like the French Concession and Longhua Temple. On Day 3, it’s all about Modern Attractions & Luxury Shopping, with sky-high views from the Shanghai Tower and designer finds in upscale malls. Finally, Day 4 is reserved for pure fun at Shanghai Disneyland Park, offering an enchanting way to cap off your trip.
Whether you’re into ancient history, sleek skyscrapers, or thrilling rides, this guide will help you plan a stress-free, well-rounded adventure in China’s most cosmopolitan city. Let’s dive in and start building your perfect 4-day Shanghai itinerary!
4-Day Shanghai Itinerary | Day 1 – Shanghai Highlights
If travelers only had one day in Shanghai, that day would best be spent at The Bund and along the western banks of Huangpu River. This area is home to the city’s waterfront promenade as well as some of the best shopping streets, museums and parks.
- The Bund – this riverfront neighborhood hosts a promenade lined with colonial buildings, quaint boutiques and restaurants. Scenic attractions include Waibaidu Bridge, Huangpu Park and Bund Sightseeing Tunnel.
- Huangpu River Cruise – cruise down the Huangpu River to get better views of Shanghai’s modern skyscrapers and historic sites. The cruise is fantastic by day and a dazzling treat at night.
- Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street – after a walk along The Bund, head east onto Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. This stretch of shops has been compared to Fifth Avenue in New York, and even if shopping isn’t on the itinerary, the architecture in this area is a sight to behold.
- Shanghai Museum – at the end of Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, tourists will find Shanghai Museum, where guests can take free tours and explore more than one million artifacts that help document the history of China.
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4-Day Shanghai Itinerary | Day 2 – History & Culture
Also, on the banks of the Huangpu River lies Shanghai Old City, complete with ancient city walls and traditional Chinese buildings. Yu (Yuyuan) Garden and Yuyuan Old Street shopping district are the can’t-miss attractions in Shanghai Old City, but if time allows, visitors should try to see nearby City God Temple as well.
- French Concession – it only takes 15 minutes to get from Shanghai Old City to the French Concession (Tianzifang), but once visitors arrive, they’ll feel like they’ve traveled across the world! The historic district has maintained its colonial vibe, and guests will find an amazing selection of local shops, cafés and historic hotspots.
- Longhua Temple – sightseers can travel from Dapuqiao Station in the French Concession to Longhua Station in about 15 minutes to arrive just outside Longhua Temple. This ancient temple dates to the third century, and the grounds feature a towering pagoda, library and garden.
- Shanghai Street Food Markets – at some time in the day (and hopefully several times), tourists are bound to get hungry! There’s no better way to defeat hunger than with Shanghai street food. Make it a point to stop by at least one of the most popular street food markets in Shanghai. Try Wujiang Road Leisure Street, Yunnan Road Traditional Brand Delicacy Street or Fangbang Lu Food Street.
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4-Day Shanghai Itinerary | Day 3 – Modern Attractions & Luxury Shopping
One of the best places to visit in Shanghai is People’s Park. This modern green space contains the Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai, and just outside its perimeter sets Shanghai Grand Theatre, the Shanghai People’s Government building and Shanghai Museum, not to mention dozens of other sights and attractions.
- Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall – take a peek into Shanghai’s future development with a glimpse of a model city that shows existing buildings alongside future approved sites.
- Shanghai Tower – zip up 127 floors of China’s tallest building to get a bird’s eye view of Shanghai and the Huangpu River. Shanghai Tower also is a great place to shop in Shanghai’s Pudong District.
- Shopping – visitors could spend days shopping in Shanghai, but some of the best places to hit up for a quick shopping spree are Huaihai Middle Road and Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. Prefer a local market atmosphere over upscale fashion shops? Try Yuyuan Old Street and Yuyuan Fashion Street near Yu Garden.
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4-Day Shanghai Itinerary | Day 4 – Shanghai Disneyland Park
One of the main reasons millions of travelers visit Shanghai each year is to spend a day at Shanghai Disneyland Park. The park was the first Disney theme park built in mainland China and features attractions unlike any other Disney park in the world. Families and children alike will have a blast exploring the seven themed areas in the park, one of which features the Enchanted Storybook Castle, the tallest theme castle in the world!
Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Entry fee: 399 CNY (56 USD) for adults and 299 CNY (42 USD) for children and seniors. (Tickets are limited each day to reduce crowds and must be booked in advance through the Shanghai Disneyland Park website.)
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Where to Stay in Shanghai
SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund
Mingtown Etour International Youth Hostel Shanghai
Merry Hotel Shanghai
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