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What to see in Shanghai in 2 or 3 days | Itinerary + Map
The popular city of Shanghai is one of the best cities in all of Asia. Many travelers visit it during a route through China or even as a stopover on the way to other destinations such as South Korea or Japan. There are so many amazing places to see in Shanghai in 2 days.
As soon as you arrive you realise that it is a different city. Despite having more than 26 million inhabitants (more than half of Spain!) it is an orderly and very modern city. Even though it is in China at many times It gives the feeling of a "westernized" city, but when you turn the corner you feel like you're in China again. It has some brutal contrasts!
Come with me and I'll tell you the route I would take if I had 2 or 3 days in Shanghai.
In this article we will focus on telling you What to see in 2 days in Shanghai to make the most of your time, from the most iconic spots and surprising viewpoints to places where you can try typical, delicious and cheap food.
If you have a stopover in Shanghai You can also visit some of the places I recommend because Getting to the center from Shanghai Airport It is simple and fast.
In case you have a third day, we leave you an additional suggestion at the end of the article.
What to see in Shanghai in 2 days
Before I start talking to you about the best places to see in Shanghai in 2 days I recommend you read our Guide to travel to ChinaIn it we collect all the tips that we believe are essential for any traveler who arrives to the Asian giant for the first time. China is not a difficult country for the tourist, but yes It has certain peculiarities that are not found anywhere else in the world.
Day 1: Visit the cultural districts and old areas of Shanghai
Although Shanghai is a really large city, it has the advantage that Its most interesting areas are quite close to each otherYou can move on foot between the different points that I will recommend or using the efficient Shanghai public transport. The first day touring Shanghai I recommend focus on historical monuments and more traditional neighborhoods.
If you are traveling with your family or a group of friends and you prefer a private professional guide to accompany you around the city, you can take a look at this tour.
Yuyuan Gardens
First thing in the morning I recommend you go to the Yuyuan Gardens. In this area you will always find many tourists but if you get up early enough there will not be many people. The entrance to the gardens costs 40 yuan per person and it is worth it. Inside you can admire the mix of garden areas, ponds and different pavilions with many wooden carvings and very curious roofs.
These gardens are surrounded by an impressive, but also crowded, shopping area where they sell all kinds of objects and foods aimed at tourists. Despite the amount of people The architecture of the area is spectacular and it is one of the best things to see in Shanghai in 2 days. You can easily spend several hours touring this entire area where Shops mingle with ancient Taoist temples and paying attention to its details.
This is one of the most visited areas of Shanghai and I recommend you visit it twice. Either the night of the first day or the second you should return to the surroundings of the Yuyuan Gardens to admire its illuminated traditional architecture.
Gucheng Park
A very short distance from the Yuyuan Gardens and its commercial area is Gucheng Park, one of the most famous and quiet parks in the center of Shanghai. It has no comparison with the gigantic parks that you can see Beijing, but it is nice to walk around and does not take much time. What we liked most is its small bamboo forest where there is a very cute cafe.
Jade Buddha Temple – The best Buddhist temple to see in Shanghai in 2 days
The next stop I recommend you make is at the Jade Buddha Temple. The best way to get there is by subway, as it is not very central. This is one of the main Buddhist temples in Shanghai and is very famous for housing a Buddha carved entirely from Jade brought from Burma.
It is a bit hidden next to one of the squares where they burn incense, I must admit that it was quite difficult for us to find it. It is forbidden to take photos. So if you want to know what one of the most famous Buddhas to see in Shanghai is like, you will have to do it with your own eyes.
We had read in some blogs that you had to pay an entrance fee but we got in for free. The site is quite large with a large number of different Buddha sculptures and several prayer areas. They also have rooms where locals write with traditional brushes on large scrolls.
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A stop for lovers of modern architecture – Tian'an Sunshine Plaza
Located about 15 minutes walk from the Jade Buddha Temple is a building with one of the most curious architectures in all of Shanghai. It is popularly known as Tian'An, the building of 1000 trees. The name is due to the strange architecture where there are dozens of columns with a tree at the end. It would be something to see in Shanghai in 2 days only if you are a big fan of modern architecture.
Another place to see in Shanghai that is very architecturally curious is China Art Museum.
French Concession (French Concession)
Another interesting neighborhood to see in Shanghai in 2 days is the French Concession. I recommend you come eat here Since there is a wide range of food on offer, if you have already eaten it is also a great place to have a coffee or a sweet treat. There are many modern establishments frequented by both locals and foreigners who live there.
The French concession is a trendy neighborhood with a lot of historical past where most of the foreigners who live in Shanghai live. It is one of those neighborhoods with a lot of atmosphere that you have to visit without going anywhere in particular. Simply mingle with the locals and enjoy a pleasant walk through its streets. If you prefer to be accompanied by a guide who will explain the history of the neighborhood, you can do so with This free tour.
tianzifang
Within the French concession there is a set of alleys called Tian Zi Fang where a large number of very interesting shops are concentrated, many of them focused on crafts.
This is an old residential area. composed of many alleys It has been renovated to house cafes, restaurants, craft shops, galleries, and souvenir shops. It is probably the most famous and touristy street in the French Concession.
Longhua Temple
We take the subway again until Longhua Temple Station, In Line 12 to visit the oldest Buddhist temple in Shanghai. Although it has undergone several renovations, it dates back to the 3rd century. At Longhua Temple you will find a very large enclosure that stands out especially for its seven-story pagodaWhen we visited there were many believers milling around it, very curious to see.
In addition to several prayer rooms, it is notable for a giant bell that is rung during special ceremonies such as Chinese New Year's Eve when monks ring it 108 times.
Jing'an Temple
If you have followed the route I have suggested for your first day in Shanghai, you will surely arrive at this temple at dusk or once it is already dark. For us, it is the best time of day to visit it since it is completely illuminated andcontrasts with all the large buildings that surround itThe only drawback to seeing it at night is that you won't be able to go inside to visit it.
We recommend you go see it and have dinner in the area. There is also a park right in front where we found many locals dancing. As always when you go to a park in China, it was a real spectacle.
This temple was completely destroyed during a fire in 1972 and rebuilt in 1990. We were quite surprised that the ground floor facing outside has been reused to set up shops.
Day 2: Explore the most modern area of Shanghai
I confess that the old part of Shanghai surprised me a lot, but if there is one thing this city is famous for, it is its modern style and its famous skyline in front of the famous Bund promenade.
That's why you'll need a full day to explore this entire area where Shanghai boasts of its economic power and its tall skyscrapers.
People's Square – The most curious square to see in Shanghai in 2 days
This central park in Shanghai is well known for hosting the city's most famous market, the Singles Market. If you've never heard of it before, it involves a large number of parents trying to find partners for their children. The most common method is using carTVs carton where they explain the carmost notable characteristics of their children such as age, height, weight, hobbies and even salary.
This market It takes place every weekend, especially in the morning, so if your visit to Shanghai coincides with this, you should stop by this square to be amazed by this peculiar tradition.
Aside from the singles market the park itself is nice and It is surrounded by some very interesting museums such as the Shanghai Historical Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art or the Shanghai Museum. All of them have free access, They have very valuable pieces and are ideal for taking them for a short walk.
nanjing road
This very long street in the centre of Shanghai is the city's main commercial hub. You can start touring it from People's Square, just as it becomes a pedestrian street, until you reach the Bund. The entire tour can be done in half an hour, but I assure you that there are so many interesting things and shops that it will take you much longer.
Nanjing Road is always very lively but it is during the afternoon and early evening when there are more people.
The Bund – The most famous place to see in Shanghai in 2 days
El Waist It is a long walk that is located on the banks of the Huangpu River and is the most famous place in Shanghai. This walk stands out thanks to the fascinating Pudong skyline which can be seen on the other side of the river. The most famous buildings that can be seen are The Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower, which is the third tallest building in the world at 632 metres high. The other skyscrapers in the financial district are also not overlooked.
There is no doubt that the Bund is one of the most photographed spots in all of China. And don't just settle for seeing it during the day, I recommend returning to this place at night to see the illuminated skylineDon't miss it because it is one of the best things to see in Shanghai in 2 days.
By the way, there are a lot of people right in front of Nanjing Road, but as soon as you move a little further along the promenade there are far fewer people and the views are identical.
Pudong Financial District
Don't settle for seeing it from the other shore, Cross the river and visit the streets of Pudong district. You can do it Boat or the subway. Walk the streets between the feet of the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower, so tall that its top floors are sometimes lost in the clouds. You might end up with a neck ache from looking up so much.
On these streets you will find elevated walkways to better view all the buildings around you. These walkways also connect several luxury shopping centres.
ᐈ A very good plan is climb to the top of the Shanghai Tower, where the best price for the entrance is in klook (a very popular portal in Asia and completely trustworthy)
Have a drink at a bar with a view
The views from the Bund at night are a spectacle, but what do you say to having similar views from the top of a building with a drink in your hand? You can end your day touring Shanghai on the rooftop of one of the hotels with views along the Bund. It's not a very cheap plan, but it's a unique experience.
Make a note of these places, some require reservations and have a dress code:
- Sir Elly's
- The House of Roosevelt
- Hotel Indigo
- Bar Rouge
- The Glamour Bar
- Rooftop of The Shanghai EDITION hotel
Proposal for a third day in Shanghai
If you have more days to visit Shanghai, you will not lack things to do. You can continue touring the city center or even visiting the same places you have seen in previous days, the experience changes completely by visiting them during the day or at night. If you are traveling with your family, you could visit Disney Shanghai, one of the most important amusement parks in the entire country.
But my best suggestion is to get out of the city. For example, take metro line 17 and visit Zhujiajiao ancient villageThis town built on a river was described by Marco Polo as the Venice of the East.
⪼ You can read much more about him at Zhujiajiao, the Venice of Shanghai.
Another good alternative is to go to the nearby and surprising city of Hangzhou to spend 1 day. We have A guide to Hangzhou very complete where we explain everything you can see and do there to fully convince you.
Getting around in Shanghai Public transport or taxi?
All the places I have recommended to you in this article about what to see in Shanghai in 2 days are easily accessible by public transport. In addition, public transport in Shanghai, and throughout China in general, is very efficient and cheap.
Taxis aren't either carsince the distances are short, but if you want it to be even cheaper I recommend using the DiDi mini app that is inside by Alipay.
Where to sleep in shanghai
Accommodation in major Chinese cities is somewhat more carand it can represent a large part of your travel budget, for example if you want a good hotel with a view in Shanghai. But also There are cheap accommodation options For travelers on a tighter budget, the best advice I can give you in China is to book hotels with Trip.com, the Chinese copy of BookingTrip has a lot more to offer and is usually cheaper.
Map with all the points to see in Shanghai in 2 days
I hope that this proposed itinerary with Everything to see in Shanghai in 2 days help you organize your days around the city. You can also read our guides travel to China on your own to organize your trip through this gigantic and interesting country or take a look at our proposals for China itineraries.
