Compare prices from several sites before booking

Always bestprice Travel
Shanghai

Always bestprice Travel · Travel itinerary

Shanghai (China) in 1 day – Complete itinerary

1 day · Riverfront, shopping, gardens, skyline

Shanghai, China

QR code of the online itineraryScan to open the online itinerary

Always bestprice Travel · Contents

In this itinerary

  1. Overview and map3
  2. Day 1 – From the Bund to the Pudong skyline4
  3. Indicative budget5
  4. Practical tips6
Guide to Shanghai
SHANGHAI · ITINERARY

Shanghai (China) in 1 day – Complete itinerary

1 day · Riverfront, shopping, gardens, skyline

The day takes in some of Shanghai’s most recognizable sights: the historic architecture of the Bund, the commercial buzz of Nanjing Road, and the more intimate atmosphere of Yu Garden. The route moves from west toward the historic center and ends in Pudong, limiting transfers to a single river crossing. The stops alternate between walks, a lunch break, and a panoramic visit, offering a varied picture of the city without rushing. Times, fares, and admission availability are indicative: before setting out, check transport and tickets through official channels.

Stops
4 · 4 with location
Mode
Walking
Route
9.7 km · 117 min
Source
Mapbox · walking

Stops on the map

Walking · 9.7 km · 117 min · Source: Mapbox · walking

  2. 4.3 km · 52 min
    Walking 52 min (4.3 km) · Taxi ~18 min · Metro ~27 min (estimate)
  3. 2.3 km · 28 min
    Walking 28 min (2.3 km) · Taxi ~10 min · Metro ~17 min (estimate)
  4. 3.0 km · 37 min
    Walking 37 min (3.0 km) · Taxi ~23 min · Metro ~33 min (estimate)
Itinerary map
Itinerary stopsWalking route

Day 1 – From the Bund to the Pudong skyline

10:00–21:00 Moderate walks, with breaks

Discover the contrast between historic and modern Shanghai by following a linear itinerary from Puxi to Pudong.

10:00

The Bund (Waitan)

Spend about an hour along the riverside, strolling the promenade and taking in the historic building facades on one side and Pudong’s skyscrapers on the other. Access to the promenade is free; allow CNY 0 for the visit, excluding any personal expenses. Then reach Nanjing Road on foot in about 15–25 minutes, depending on your starting point and pace.

Morning light can help bring out the architectural details; bring a windproof layer for the riverfront.

11:30

Nanjing Road

Walk along part of the pedestrian street, among signs, department stores, and shops, stopping for a coffee break or a snack. The stroll has no admission fee; budget about CNY 20–60 for a simple drink or bite, depending on the venue. Then continue to Yu Garden by metro or taxi: the transfer takes roughly 15–30 minutes and can cost about CNY 3–7 by metro.

If you want to browse the shops, agree on a meeting point in advance and keep the crowds in the busiest central areas in mind.

14:00

Yu Garden

Set aside about two hours for the garden and its pavilions, small bridges, ornamental rocks, and courtyards, following a leisurely route and leaving time for a lunch break nearby. The admission ticket, if required for the visit, may be roughly CNY 30–40; check the fee, access method, and availability on official channels. To reach the final stop, allow for a transfer of about 15–25 minutes to Lujiazui, for example by metro, with an estimated cost of CNY 3–7.

Access rules and fees may vary: check official information before your visit.

17:00

Oriental Pearl Tower

End the day in Pudong, spending about two or three hours at the tower and its observation decks, where you can take in the Huangpu River, the Bund, and the city skyline. Entry packages can vary depending on the areas included; use CNY 160–220 as a rough reference and check prices, tickets, and availability on the official website. After your visit, leave time for dinner nearby, with an estimated spend of CNY 60–150 per person depending on the venue.

To enjoy the city in the late-afternoon light and after sunset, check the ticket time slot in advance.

Estimated budget

City transport for the dayCNY 10–30
Approximate admission to Yu GardenCNY 30–40
Approximate admission to Oriental Pearl TowerCNY 160–220
Lunch, snacks and dinnerCNY 100–250
Personal expenses and drinksCNY 20–80

Amounts are expressed in Chinese yuan (CNY) and should be considered indicative, not verified: they may change depending on the season, time slot, route, venue, and ticket type. Check fares, access conditions, and availability on the official websites of the attractions and transport providers; the budget does not include flights, accommodation, or any additional personal expenses.

Practical tips

  • Keep the addresses of the stops in Chinese characters handy, useful for taxis and local directions.
  • For the metro and payments, check in advance the options available for visitors and how to buy tickets.
  • Allow extra time for checks, queues and walking transfers within the stations.
  • Check the official websites of Yu Garden and Oriental Pearl Tower for fares, access and availability before planning your day.