This itinerary example for 2 nights and 3 days is jam-packed with the key highlights of modern and traditional Shanghai.
Day 1
- Shanghai World Financial Centre
- Wander past the towers Jin Mao and the new Shanghai Tower
- Dongcheng Road Wharf and ferry to the Bund (金陵东路)
- Stroll north along the Bund
- Nighttime stroll and shopping along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street
Day 2
- Shanghai Urban Planning Museum & People’s Square
- Jing’an Temple
- Xintiandi & The French Concession
- Foot Massage
- Shopping at Huaihai Middle Road
Day 3
- Shanghai Confucian Temple
- Yuyuan Garden
- Huangpu River Cruise
- Science and Technology Museum
- Ride the world’s fastest train – Maglev (if leaving via Pudong Airport)
This plan is designed to spend the least amount of time possible in-transit making use primarily of Metro Line 2. For places to stay, I would suggest a hotel close to a metro station on that line, see here for my picks of hotel picks along Nanjing Road which includes several near line 2 stations.