Shanghai Travel Guide: Ultimate 5-Day Itinerary for First Timers

This Shanghai travel guide covers two days in China's most cosmopolitan city – the Bund, the French Concession, the best food markets, and what actually surprised us. Shanghai had been on our list for years and it delivered in ways we didn’t expect, including a few places that completely outperformed the hype, and a few that didn’t. This post covers exactly how we spent two days in Shanghai: what was worth our time, what we’d skip, and where we ate some of the best meals of our entire 202-day Asia trip.

Prices below are approximate. We didn’t track every receipt on this trip so some are rough estimates based on what we remember.

Shanghai Travel Guide: In This Post

DAY 1: Old Shanghai, Classic Food, and The Bund at Night

Yu Garden and Yuyuan Old Street

📍 Yu Garden Map | Yuyuan Old Street Map

Yu Garden was one of the biggest surprises of the whole trip. We expected something open and park-like, similar to a city green space. Instead, we walked into a carefully designed classical garden built in the Ming Dynasty by a government official as a gift for his parents. Stone bridges, rock formations, curved corridors, and hidden courtyards. The layout constantly pulls you inward instead of outward, which makes it feel much larger than it looks at first glance.

Right after exiting, you are funneled directly into Yuyuan Old Street, which ended up being one of our favourite areas in all of Shanghai. Traditional balconies lined with lanterns sit next to modern storefronts and neon signs. We came back here multiple times at different times of day.

Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant 南翔馒头店

📍 Map | 💰 ~200 RMB for two (~$38 CAD / ~$28 USD) — rough estimate

We followed a crowd into Nanxiang, a legendary spot established in 1900 near the City God Temple. We ordered classic xiaolongbao, crab roe xiaolongbao, and one oversized soup dumpling. The soup was rich and deeply savory. The wrappers were slightly thicker than we prefer and the filling leaned a bit sweet. Still, this place represents what many Shanghainese think of when they think of xiaolongbao, so it felt important to try it here. That said, if quality and value are your priorities, scroll down to Jia Jia Tang Bao.

Jia Jia Tang Bao 佳家汤包 (Go Here Instead)

📍 Map | 💰 Pork XLB 23 RMB (~$4 CAD / ~$3 USD) for 12 pieces. Crab and meat XLB 38 RMB (~$7 CAD / ~$5 USD) for 12 pieces.

This was the best xiaolongbao we had in Shanghai, better than Nanxiang, and the prices are almost unbelievably cheap. 12 dumplings for $4 CAD. The crab roe XLB were the standout: thin wrappers, generous filling, proper soup burst when you bite in. We ordered the crab noodles too and that glossy orange sauce was something we are still thinking about.

This place was not featured in our vlog but we wish it had been. We talked about coming back every single day we were in Shanghai. If you only have time for one dumpling spot, make it this one.

Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street

📍 Map

Nanjing Road is one of the busiest shopping streets in the world and it absolutely feels like it. Endless malls, flashing signs, street snacks, and people moving in every direction. The street stretches from People’s Square all the way to The Bund, making it a natural afternoon walk if you want to end your day with skyline views.

The Bund and Waibaidu Bridge at Night

📍 The Bund Map | Waibaidu Bridge Map

The Bund at night is one of the most spectacular things we have seen on any trip. Lights turn on at 6pm, but patience pays off. The Oriental Pearl Tower lights up first, then the rest of the skyline slowly follows. Once everything clicks on, it is overwhelming in the best way. A short walk away is Waibaidu Bridge, where the crowds thin out and the skyline looks completely different. One of the best alternative photo spots in the area.

Dinner: Crab Roe at Xie San Bao 蟹粒宝

📍 No. 74, Nanhui Road, Jing’an District | 💰 ~100 RMB (~$19 CAD / ~$14 USD) — rough estimate

Crab roe was high on our must-eat list in Shanghai and this meal delivered completely. We ordered crab roe noodles, crab roe rice, and crab roe xiaolongbao. The noodles arrived covered in a glossy orange sauce that immediately made our mouths water. One bite and we understood the hype. Rich, savory, and packed with crab flavor. We actually preferred the rice version over the noodles, which surprised us. This meal alone justified coming to Shanghai.

DAY 2: Modern Shanghai, Aesthetic Stops, and Reality Checks

M50 Creative Park

📍 Map

We stumbled into M50 on our way to the next stop and were glad we did. Former factories turned into galleries, murals, and studios. It reminded us of creative districts back home, just smaller and more intimate. Worth a wander if you like street art and quiet corners.

1000 Trees

📍 Map

This spot looks incredible online and the architecture genuinely is interesting, but in person it felt more like a photo stop than a destination. The mall inside was empty and quiet when we visited. If you love architectural photography, stop by. Otherwise it is easy to skip.

French Concession and Wukang Road

📍 Map

The French Concession was one of the biggest surprises of the entire trip. Tree-lined streets, calm energy, and a completely different pace from the rest of Shanghai. We wished we had more time here. Wukang Building, often compared to New York’s Flatiron, did not do much for us personally. Crowds were thick and everyone was lining up for the same photo. We recommend a quick look, then spending your time wandering the surrounding streets instead.

📷 Note: We are updating the images for this section. Check back soon.

Zhengyuanyuan Foot Massage Chain 郑远元

💰 90 min package: 166 RMB (~$31 CAD / ~$23 USD). Loyalty card price: 133 RMB (~$25 CAD / ~$18 USD)

This foot massage chain is one of the best kept secrets for travellers in China and we cannot recommend it enough. Zhengyuanyuan is a franchise with locations all over the country, which means the technique and quality are consistent no matter which branch you walk into. We always got the 90-minute package, which includes a foot pedicure (they scrape your dead skin and cut your toenails), a full foot massage, and a brief shoulder massage. It was incredible.

For $31 CAD you are getting 90 minutes of proper work. We went multiple times across different cities in China and were never disappointed. Look for the 郑远元 sign.

Harmay (Skip This)

I was genuinely excited about Harmay before we got there, and genuinely disappointed once we walked in. I had seen so many reels about this place promising incredible deals on beauty products, so I went in ready to buy. The reality: the prices are actually quite high for what they are selling. I also overheard several Korean travellers nearby saying the exact same thing. When you are used to Olive Young, Harmay is a bummer. Save your money and your luggage space.

Bund Sightseeing Tunnel (Also Skip This)

📍 Map | 💰 160 RMB (~$30 CAD / ~$22 USD) per person

We paid $30 CAD each for a three-minute underground tram with flashing lights and immediately regretted it. There was no lineup when we arrived, which should have been our warning. It felt dated and underwhelming. Save your money and take the metro instead.

Oriental Pearl Tower and Lujiazui

📍 Map

Lujiazui is fascinating to walk through even if you skip going up the tower. Massive skyscrapers, financial hubs, pedestrian bridges with nonstop movement. We walked to the base of the Oriental Pearl Tower but skipped going up due to cloudy weather. The skyline is better enjoyed from across the river at The Bund anyway.

Grandmother Restaurant 外婆家

💰 Dongpo pork 88 RMB (~$17 CAD / ~$12 USD). Full meal for two ~200 RMB (~$38 CAD / ~$28 USD) — rough estimate

This restaurant was not in our vlog but it was one of the best meals we had in Shanghai. Grandmother is massively popular with Korean travellers who rave about the dongpo pork, and they are right to. The pork belly is braised until it falls apart, rich and glossy with a sauce that leans sweet. We agreed with the hype completely. We also ordered the duck and rice cakes, though we didn’t keep track of those prices separately. If you are in Shanghai and want a proper Shanghainese meal without paying fine dining prices, this is where to go.

Dinner: Dahuchun Shengjian Bao 大壶春

📍 Map | 💰 ~60 RMB for two (~$11 CAD / ~$8 USD) — rough estimate

Dahuchun has been serving shengjian bao since the 1930s and is recognised by the Michelin Guide, but the prices stay refreshingly reasonable. We arrived just before the rush and shared a table with strangers once the place filled up. The buns were exactly what we hoped for: crispy bottoms, fluffy dough, juicy filling that squirts if you are not careful. For $11 CAD for two people, this was one of the best value meals of the whole trip.

Where We Stayed in Shanghai

Su Shi Luxury Hotel Shanghai Yuyuan Metro Station

⭐ 4 out of 5 | Book on Agoda

We couldn’t have asked for a better location for a first visit to Shanghai. Our hotel was just steps from Yu Garden, which meant we could wander through Yuyuan Old Street multiple times at different times of day. The Bund was walkable and most of our Day 1 itinerary required very little transit time. If we return to Shanghai, we’d love to try staying closer to Nanjing Road for a different pace and more late-night energy.

Nearest metros: Tiantong Road Station (220m) and North Sichuan Road Station (770m)

FAQ

Is Shanghai worth visiting?

Absolutely. There is a reason Shanghai ranks among the most visited cities in the world. It had been on our bucket list for years and we cannot believe it took us this long to go. Big cities, incredible food, endless shopping, and iconic sightseeing. Shanghai delivers on all of it.

How many days do you need in Shanghai?

We were in Shanghai for five days total. Two days filming, two days exploring, and one wind-down day. We packed a lot in and walked close to 20,000 steps daily. If you follow our itinerary at a slower pace, three to four full days works well for most travellers.

Watch our full Shanghai episode on YouTube for the complete experience, and follow us on Instagram @chasing.jenny for updates from the road.

China Travel Essentials We Actually Used

Two months in China taught us what’s worth buying before you go. These saved us repeatedly.

Item	Why You Need It	Buy on Amazon.ca
Anker Power Bank (20,000mAh)	China runs on QR codes and your phone battery dies constantly. This is mandatory.	Check price →
Universal Travel Adapter	China uses Type A, C, and I sockets. A universal adapter covers every room.	Check price →
RFID-Blocking Wallet	Crowded metro and tourist sites. Keep cards protected.	Check price →
TSA Luggage Locks	Required for international flights. Lost one in Seoul, bought four more.	Check price →
Noise-Cancelling Earbuds	High-speed trains, loud restaurants, hostels. You’ll use these every single day.	Check price →

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For destination details, check the official tourism site.

Shanghai in 2 Days: What We Ate, Loved, and Would Skip