1 Day in Shanghai Itinerary + Map

If you only have one day in Shanghai, can you actually see the best of the city? We think you can. Shanghai is huge, but many of its main sights are relatively easy to connect, making it possible to experience a mix of historic neighbourhoods, futuristic skyscrapers, riverside views and bustling shopping streets in a single day.

The bigger question is what to leave out. With limited time, you don’t want to spend your entire day ticking off attractions – especially in a city that feels more like a place to live than a traditional sightseeing destination.

We visited Shanghai during our 2-week backpacking trip through China and put together this Shanghai 1-day itinerary to help you make the most of your time. From the French Concession and Old City to the Bund, Nanjing Road and a rooftop bar with skyline views, here’s how we would spend one day in Shanghai.

Shanghai in 1 Day

Shanghai 1 Day Itinerary Map

1 Day Shanghai Itinerary

Morning – French Concession

Start your day in the avenues and alleys of the former French Concession.

Stroll the bohemian Tianzifang area, an artsy enclave with many boutique shops, bars, and restaurants.

You should have no problem finding a delicious breakfast here.

Lunch – Old City of Shanghai

Take the train to the Old City of Shanghai. The houses along the alleys and squares are beautifully renovated. The downside is that the area is quite small and can get crowded quickly.

Two main sights in the old town are the City God Temple and Yuyuan Garden. If you only visit Shanghai in China both are worthwhile. If you also visit other places in China, we wouldn’t bother with the entrance fees.

Shanghai Old Town is the perfect place to grab lunch. Huxinting Tea House, the oldest tea house in Shanghai is in the area. If the line is too long, there are also a ton of dumpling places and other food spots.

Afternoon – The Bund

From Shanghai Old City, it’s an easy walk through Gucheng Park to the Bund, the riverfront promenade of Shanghai.

Here, you can enjoy views of the Pudong skyline across the river including Shanghai Tower – the highest building in China – and the Oriental Pearl Tower, the former highest building in China.

If you want to, you can catch a ferry across the Huangpu River from the Bund to Pudong. You can also access the viewing platforms of Shanghai Tower or the Oriental Pearl Tower but we skipped this in favour of a rooftop bar (and saving money).

Evening – Nanjing Road and Marriage Market

From the Bund, take a stroll along Nanjing Road – one of the biggest shopping streets in the world.

You can either walk all the way to the People's Park or take one of the little tourist trains that run up and down Nanjing Road.

If you’re in Shanghai on a Saturday or Sunday, don’t miss the Shanghai Marriage Market in People's Park. Parents of unmarried adults gather in the park from noon to 5 p.m. to trade information on their children.

Night – Rooftop Bar

We love a good rooftop bar. We chose the Sky Dome Bar on top of the Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai as it was super close to our hostel. There was no strict dress code and the beers were surprisingly affordable.

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