There are just some cities you fall in love with – Shanghai was one of them for me. I wasn’t expecting it, but I was blown away by our time in Shanghai and honestly can’t wait to visit again. During our trip there, we were able to see a lot – both local and tourist spots – and found some incredible restaurants while we were exploring. So today, here is what to see, do, and eat in Shanghai in 4 days!
Day 1:
Check into the Shanghai EDITION located very conveniently on the Nanjing Pedestrian Road and super close to The Bund.
Start your day with a walk through Shanghai to get yourself oriented – starting with sunrise on The Bund with a view of The Pearl Tower, one of the famous buildings on the Shanghai skyline and before the area gets busy.
Then head to the People’s Square, a beautiful park garden about 20 minutes from the EDITION. After a walk through the park, grab a Didi (China’s version of Uber – download it before you go to China!) and head over to the W Hotel for lunch at The Kitchen Table. The view is spectacular here and the food is fantastic too! (Make a reservation beforehand though.)
After lunch, walk down to North Bund Green Land, a park area across the street from the W Hotel where you’ll have incredible views of the stunning Shanghai skyline.
For dinner, head to the B2 level of the mall across the street from the Shanghai EDITION hotel and choose a spot for dinner and then watch the skyline light up from the comfort of your room – the lights start on the buildings at 7pm.
Day 2:
Have breakfast at your hotel or grab a Starbucks (or a Luckin Coffee) and the jump in a DiDi again to Yu Garden. This historic area of Shanghai is beautiful, with old historic temples and complexes. It also has great shopping in the Yuyuan area around the garden. Stop here for an early lunch at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant.
On the way back to the hotel (whether walking or grabbing a DiDi), stop by the Customs Houses on The Bund – these beautiful old colonials buildings are kept up so well and a beautiful example of period architecture.
For dinner, head to the Central Market (under the large cover right across the street from the EDITION). There are lots of restaurants in there to choose from. After dinner, head up to the EDITION rooftop where you’ll have incredible skyline views of the city at sunset.
Day 3:
Start your day by jumping on the Shanghai Metro and heading to the Pudong area of the city. This part of the city is where all the skyscrapers are and upon exiting the metro, you’ll be right in the thick of the tall buildings. Some highlights here are the Pearl Tower and the Pudong Apple Store (an architectural beauty). Then head down the street about 10 minutes to the Shanghai Tower and go up 118 floors to see an incredible wrap around view of the entire city. Go early though – it gets crowded!
When you exit the Shanghai Tower viewing area, stop in the food hall for some Peking Duck before wandering down the street to the Shanghai Aquarium.
After an afternoon rest, head back to the W Hotel for dinner at Yen. This was one of the best meals of our trip, serving a modern take on traditional Chinese food and it was delicious. Plus the view here is incredible and it’s a fun splurge meal. Also – coming from me as a designer, check out the bathrooms on the restaurant floor of the W Hotel – incredible tile work!
Day 4:
In the morning, grab a DiDi and head to the Jade Buddha Temple complex. This area is beautiful – both the traditional architecture and the temples themselves. We also found great souvenirs gifts here!
Then grab another car and head to the Bund Finance Center where you’ll get to see an incredible architectural marvel. The best spot to stop is to grab coffee at Baker & Spice and take in the incredible view.
For your final night, grab dinner near the hotel and take a final walk along The Bund at sunset, enjoying the magic of Shanghai!
Heading to Shanghai?