You have to visit Shanghai at least once
🌟Shanghai, a magical city folding time and space. The Bund’s international architecture faces the skyscrapers of Lujiazui across the river, the French Concession’s century-old villas are hidden under sycamore trees, and the Nine-turn Bridge in the Old City connects to the most modern shopping malls. Four days and three nights, take you from Puxi to Pudong, experiencing both modernity and everyday life to the fullest~👇
🛫 DAY 1: The Bund · International Architecture and Sleepless Night by the Huangpu River🏛️
🌅 Arrive early morning and head straight to the Bund
52 classical revival buildings of various styles stand along the river, known as the “International Architecture Expo.” Stroll from Waibaidu Bridge to Jinling East Road, each building tells a story. Under the green dome of the Peace Hotel, an elderly jazz band plays old Shanghai melodies at night.
🍽️ Lunch on East Nanjing Road
Must-try: Dashuchun Shengjian (traditional style with less soup but rich meat flavor), International Hotel Butterfly Pastry (256 layers of puff pastry, made famous by the show "Blossoms"), Shenda Cheng Tiaotou Cake, a mix of carbs and sweets full of local flavor.
🌃 Evening visit to Shanghai Tower
Go up to the 118th-floor observation deck one hour before sunset for a 360-degree view of Shanghai. The Huangpu River below looks like a silk ribbon, and the Bund’s lighting ceremony starts promptly at 7 PM, with thousands of lights spreading across the night🌇
🏡 DAY 2: French Concession · Artistic Stroll Under Sycamore Trees🍃
🌞 Morning walk on Wukang Road
Start at Wukang Building and slowly wander along the sycamore-lined alleys. Ba Jin’s former residence and Soong Ching-ling’s former residence are hidden in deep lanes, and trendy cafes are housed in old villas. On Anfu Road, boutiques, bakeries, and theaters cluster together, making it Shanghai’s most fashionable neighborhood.
🍽️ Lunch at a local Shanghainese restaurant
Must-try: Braised pork belly (rich and melts in your mouth), Caotou Quanzi (wine-flavored greens with soft large intestines), Yanduxian (spring bamboo shoots and salted pork so fresh it’s unbelievable), paired with a bowl of rice you’ll want two.
🌊 Afternoon pilgrimage to Xujiahui
The twin towers of Xujiahui Catholic Church pierce the skyline, and Xujiahui Academy has become a new internet hotspot. Sit on the academy’s terrace, sip coffee, and watch the century-old church and modern shopping district frame each other.
🌃 Evening at Xintiandi Shikumen
Old Shikumen buildings transformed into a trendy landmark, packed with restaurants, bars, and cafes filled with faces from all over the world. Sit outdoors with a drink and watch old houses meet the new generation.
🎡 DAY 3: Disneyland · A Day of Dreams🏰
🌞 All day at Shanghai Disneyland Resort
Eight themed lands, from Mickey Avenue to Gardens of Imagination, Adventure Isle to Tomorrowland. Must-ride: TRON Lightcycle Power Run (a sci-fi coaster accelerating to 240 km/h in 4.9 seconds), Soaring Over the Horizon (immersive world tour), Pirates of the Caribbean – Battle for the Sunken Treasure.
🍽️ Lunch inside the park
Must-try: Turkey leg (bigger than your face), Mickey ice cream, Disney exclusive desserts.
🌊 Afternoon parade must-see
The Mickey fairy tale train slowly passes by, bringing all childhood memories to life. The fireworks show at night is the grand finale, the castle lit up by lights, and when Marvel music plays, the whole crowd erupts✨
🌊 DAY 4: Yuyuan Garden and Suzhou Creek · Old City and New Waterfront🎋
🌞 Morning exploration of Yuyuan Garden
A Ming Dynasty Jiangnan garden with pavilions, towers, rockeries, ponds, and winding paths. Peak season tickets 40 RMB, off-season 30 RMB. The nearby City God Temple is bustling with incense, and the Nine-turn Bridge is crowded with photographers.
🍽️ Lunch at Yuyuan Food City to wrap up
Must-try: Nanxiang soup dumplings (thin skin, tender meat, juicy), Ningbo tangyuan, five-spice beans. Sit in the Lakeside Pavilion tea house, sipping tea while watching people come and go on the Nine-turn Bridge.
🌊 Afternoon stroll along Suzhou Creek
Walk west along the river from Waibaidu Bridge, where old factories have been converted into art spaces, cafes, and galleries. In front of the Sihang Warehouse War Memorial, walls full of bullet holes tell the story of history.
🌅 Evening daydream at Zhapu Road Bridge
The best spot to photograph the “three-piece set” of Lujiazui. The sunset dyes the river golden, boats slowly pass by, newlyweds on the bridge and fishermen below each have their own Shanghai.
⛺ Must-try experiences at a glance
• Morning light at the Bund: international architecture and the Huangpu River
• Wukang Road stroll: old villas under sycamore trees
• Lujiazui high-rise visit: cloud-level view of the magic city
• Disneyland fireworks: childhood dreams for one night
• Yuyuan Nine-turn Bridge: the lively atmosphere of the Old City
• Suzhou Creek waterfront: artistic rebirth of industrial heritage
• French Concession cafes: Shanghai’s petite bourgeois daily life
🏨 Accommodation guide
• People’s Square/East Nanjing Road: most convenient transport, concentrated attractions, easy dining
• Along the Bund: river view from your window, stunning night scenes, higher prices
• French Concession: stylish villa homestays, perfect for artistic youth
• Lujiazui: luxury hotels abound, ideal for business travelers
🚌 Transportation guide
✈️ Airports: Pudong and Hongqiao, metro direct to downtown
🚇 City: download “Metro Metropolis” app for subway covering all attractions
🚲 Short trips: shared bikes + walking best for the sycamore area
🚕 Taxi: highest starting fare nationwide, avoid rush hours
🍽️ Must-eat food list
• Shengjian buns (Dashuchun/Xiaoyang Shengjian)
• Soup dumplings (Nanxiang/Jiajia Tangbao)
• Braised pork belly (the soul of local cuisine)
• Butterfly pastry (International Hotel’s top queue item)
• Pork rib rice cake (Xian De Lai)
• Scallion oil noodles (simple yet amazing)
• Four Kings (pancakes, fried dough sticks, sticky rice, soy milk)
💡 Friendly reminders
• Reservations: museums closed on Mondays, popular spots need advance booking
• Off-peak: Bund lights up at 7 PM, weekends are very crowded
• Sunscreen: apply even when strolling in the sycamore area
• Best seasons: March-May, September-November, mild weather
• Rainy season: June-July, bring rain gear
• Avoid scams: don’t trust scalpers near attractions
• Luggage storage: some metro stations and attractions offer storage services
🌟In Shanghai, you live in the past, present, and future simultaneously—the century-old buildings of the Bund, the lazy afternoons in the French Concession, the skyscraper clouds of Lujiazui, and the dream factory of Disneyland. They coexist without disturbing each other, each brilliant in its own way. The ten-mile foreign concession is a land of fireworks and dazzling nightlife, but if you go deeper, it’s all about the warmth of everyday life.
Noah46 Mitchell - Nate27