Shanghai Travel Guide. 2 Day Itinerary With Honest Stops, Food Wins, and What We’d Skip Next Time

Yu Garden surprised us right away. 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. Hidden courtyards. The layout constantly pulls you inward instead of outward, which makes the garden feel much larger than it looks at first glance. It is peaceful, detailed, and easy to get lost in. We easily hit our step count here.

Right after exiting Yu Garden, you are funneled directly into the Old Street area. This ended up being one of our favorite places in Shanghai. Traditional balconies lined with lanterns sit next to modern storefronts and neon signs. It felt like walking through an old Chinese film set with a modern soundtrack layered on top.

We followed a crowd into Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant, a legendary spot located near the City God Temple. Established in 1900, this restaurant is closely tied to the origins of xiaolongbao.

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 for our taste. Still, this place represents what many Shanghainese think of when they think of xiaolongbao, so it felt important to try it here.

With full stomachs, we took the metro to Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. This is one of the busiest shopping streets in the world, and it 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, which makes it an easy afternoon walk if you want to end your day with skyline views.

Lights turn on at 6 pm, but patience pays off here. 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.

The buildings feel close enough to touch. The colors pull you in. This skyline alone explains why so many people fall in love with Shanghai.

A short walk away is Waibaidu Bridge, where the crowds thin out and the skyline looks completely different. It is one of the best alternative photo spots near The Bund.

Crab roe was high on our must-eat list in Shanghai, and this meal delivered. 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.

On our way to our next stop, we stumbled into M50 Creative Park. Think 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.

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

The French Concession was one of the biggest surprises of the 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. 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.

We paid 160 RMB for a three-minute underground tram with flashing lights. There was no lineup, which should have warned us. It felt dated and underwhelming. Save your money and take the metro.

We walked to the base of the Oriental Pearl Tower but skipped going up due to cloudy weather. It is impressive up close, but the skyline is better enjoyed from across the river.

Lujiazui itself is fascinating. Massive skyscrapers. Financial hubs. Pedestrian bridges with nonstop movement. We explored IFC Mall and soaked in the atmosphere before heading back for dinner.

Dahuchun has been serving shengjian bao since the 1930s and is even recognized by the Michelin Guide. 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. Prices were reasonable, and the experience felt authentic.