Here are 5 different one-day Shanghai itineraries that a foreign couple might enjoy:
Itinerary 1: Modern Shanghai
- Start the day with a visit to the Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in China, for panoramic views of the city.
- Walk along the Bund, Shanghai’s iconic waterfront promenade, and admire the mix of colonial and modern architecture.
- Visit the Shanghai Museum, which houses a vast collection of Chinese art and artifacts.
- Have lunch at the famous Din Tai Fung restaurant, known for its delicious soup dumplings.
- Spend the afternoon shopping at Nanjing Road, one of the busiest shopping streets in the world.
- End the day with a visit to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, another iconic landmark that offers stunning views of the city at night.
Itinerary 2: Traditional Shanghai
- Start the day with a visit to the Yuyuan Garden, a traditional Chinese garden with beautiful pavilions and rock formations.
- Walk through the nearby Old Town area, known for its narrow alleys and traditional architecture.
- Have lunch at a local restaurant serving traditional Shanghai cuisine, such as xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) or shengjianbao (pan-fried buns).
- Take a boat ride on the Huangpu River, which offers great views of the city’s skyline.
- Visit the Jade Buddha Temple, a peaceful Buddhist temple that houses two jade Buddha statues brought from Burma.
- End the day with a performance at the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe, known for its impressive acrobatic feats.
Itinerary 3: Art and Culture
- Start the day with a visit to the Power Station of Art, a contemporary art museum housed in a former power station.
- Walk through the M50 art district, which is home to numerous galleries and studios showcasing the work of local artists.
- Have lunch at a nearby cafe or restaurant, such as the Commune Social or the M50 Creative Park.
- Visit the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre, which houses a collection of over 6,000 Chinese propaganda posters from the 20th century.
- Spend the afternoon exploring the French Concession area, known for its charming streets lined with boutiques and cafes.
- End the day with a performance at the Shanghai Grand Theatre, which hosts a variety of cultural events and performances.
Itinerary 4: Food Tour
- Start the day with breakfast at a local street food market, such as the Xiangyang Road Muslim Market, known for its delicious lamb skewers and other snacks.
- Take a city food tour, stopping at various restaurants and street food vendors to try traditional Shanghai cuisines, such as xiaolongbao, shengjianbao, and hairy crab.
- Visit the Dongtai Road Antique Market, which is also known for its food stalls selling traditional Chinese snacks.
- Take a cooking class in the afternoon, where you can learn to make your own dumplings or other dishes.
- End the day with a visit to a rooftop bar, such as the Bar Rouge or the Flair Rooftop Bar, to enjoy a drink and the city views.
Itinerary 5: Day Trip to Suzhou
- Take a morning train to Suzhou, a nearby city known for its beautiful gardens and canals.
- Visit the Humble Administrator’s Garden, one of the most famous gardens in China and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Have lunch at a local restaurant serving traditional Suzhou cuisines, such as sweet and sour mandarin fish or fried rice with lotus root.
- Take a boat ride on the canals of Suzhou, which are sometimes called the “Venice of the East.”
- Visit the Suzhou Museum, which showcases the art and history of the city.
- Return to Shanghai by express railway.