Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Shanghai?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Shanghai?
Not sure how much time you'll need in Shanghai, China? Most people spend two to five days in Shanghai during their visit. After all, the cosmopolitan port city will let you tour the famous sights and museums, soak up the big city atmosphere, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and go shopping.
Shanghai is a financial and economic hub in China that brings international tourists, business workers, and backpackers. At the heart of its tourist scene is the Bund, which is a waterfront promenade that has colonial and modern buildings. Shanghai is a foodie destination that has great street food as well as high end restaurants.
Do you have one or two weeks to visit Shanghai? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one week enough time in Shanghai?
With one week at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Shanghai has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Shanghai as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the museums and landmarks, the big city activities, and the cuisine at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend a week in Shanghai
When visiting Shanghai, you absolutely can't miss the Bund as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience it.
The culinary scene in Shanghai is world famous, and draws visitors from around the globe. Make sure you spend time enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this port city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour, too. Many are either a half day or just a few hours, so you can fit one into your schedule easily. The city's cuisine has a long history with many distinct traditional dishes. The foods incorporate a lot of soy sauce and sugar and you'll find most dishes are rice based as opposed to using wheat products. Popular local dishes include the famous Shanghai soup dumplings, steamed crab, and braised pork. The city is also famous for its snacks, which can be purchased at one of the many snack houses or street stalls.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Half-Day Bike Tour of Shanghai Old Town with Food Tasting ($110)
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai ($79)
- Off-beaten Route: Shanghai Old Town Discovery&Street Food Tasting ($98)
Shanghai is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the port city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. It's possible to explore the major tourist areas on foot but it can be very hot and humid during the summer months.
Shanghai is home to renowned museums and iconic landmarks, so dive into the port city's famous attractions. The city's historical sites rank among the most awe-inspiring globally. The city's sights mix culture with modern innovation. From the futuristic skyline and the iconic waterfront area known as the Bund, to the classic Yu Garden, there are a diversity of sights around the city. There are also museums like the Shanghai Museum, which educate visitors on Chinese culture.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Shanghai Private Tour with River Cruise, Shanghai Tower, and Lunch or Dinner ($177)
- Private Night Tour-VIP River Cruise and Shanghai Tower Option ($144)
- Private Shanghai Night Tour : Shanghai Tower Observation Deck and Amazing Lights ($123)
Shanghai is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. Its distinct, futuristic skyline and scenic waterside strolls make this city a beautiful place to explore.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Shanghai Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town and Boat Ride ($139)
- From Shanghai: Zhujiajiao Water Town Private Tour with Boat Ride ($139)
- Shanghai City Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st and Best Rated ($5)
The public transit in Shanghai is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the port city quite easily and affordably. There is a metro system as well as buses and taxis which are relatively affordable.
Since Shanghai is such a large city, you can spend at least a day exploring the many neighborhoods, attractions, and activities found around town. Break up visiting popular landmarks with the more authentic neighborhoods for shopping and dining. The city is one of the world's financial capitals and it balances its east meets west persona with surprising ease.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Shanghai Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town and Boat Ride ($139)
- 4-Hour Flexible Private Shanghai City Tour ($115)
- Private Shanghai Full Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights ($115)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. A night out can quickly become very expensive. Many of the venues are spread out so you'll likely spend at least some of the time in a taxi. The Bund is one of the most popular areas for nightlife, but this area also has the most expensive bars and clubs. They often offer impressive views of Pudong and the Huangpu River though.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Shanghai Pub Crawl (Guided Bar Hopping) with Shots Included ($26)
- Shanghai Nightlife Private Transfer Service ($43)
- Huangpu River Cruise and Shanghai Nightlife Experience with Optional Late Dinner ($199)
Shopping in Shanghai is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city has many large shopping malls with department stores, name brand fashion, and trendy shops. It is also known for its cheap electronics and tailor-made clothes.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Shanghai Shopping Tour with Local Shopping Guru ($95)
- Private Shopping Experience with Insider ($138)
- Private Shanghai Shopping Tour with Local Shopping Guru ($90)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Shanghai.
After you've explored most of Shanghai, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Suzhou Day Trip from Shanghai by Bullet Train with All Inclusive Option ($220)
- Suzhou Private Day Trip from Shanghai with Bullet Train Option ($193)
- Private Day Trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town w/Flexible Shanghai Highlights ($169)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Shanghai.
Shanghai is such a huge city that you can easily spend another day in one of the neighborhoods that you haven't visited. Look for those hidden gems and local spots where most tourists don't go. Or, pick another neighborhood with local charm that you haven't fully explored yet.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Shanghai.
Because this is a world-class shopping destination, you'll need yet another day to find the best deals. Each area of Shanghai offers a different vibe and atmosphere, and along with it, different styles of shops.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Shanghai.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Shanghai?
Two weeks is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Shanghai, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Enjoy the chance to tour the famous sights and museums, soak up the big city atmosphere, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and go shopping on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Shanghai as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.
Shanghai, China
How to spend 2 weeks in Shanghai
With 2 weeks in Shanghai, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the port city has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time perusing the musuems, experiencing the city's neighborhoods, dining at local restaurants, and browsing the shops. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this port city looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- Private Suzhou Day Trip from Shanghai by Bullet Train with All Inclusive Option ($220)
- Suzhou Private Day Trip from Shanghai with Bullet Train Option ($193)
- Private Day Trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town w/Flexible Shanghai Highlights ($169)
- Private Day Trip to Suzhou and Zhouzhuang or Tongli from Shanghai ($241)
- Shanghai day trip:Yuyuan garden,Bund,Shanghai Museum，Former French Concession ($163)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Shanghai, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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