2 and a half day Shanghai itinerary- please help

Question

Hi. We are a couple in mid 50s. We are reaching Shanghai at 7 PM on 2nd May and our departure from Shanghai international airport is at 7 PM on 5 May. Our hotel is on Nanjing Road ( East)

On one of the days we would like to go to Zhujiajio water town.

Other highlights that we wish to see are the Bund, Shanghai tower, Yuyuan Gardens, Jade Buddha temple, Shanghai museum, M50, people’s paradise , people’s square , Pudong skyline.

Can you please advice how to put them together if we want to see all these places on our own.

Thanks

Answer

With 2.5 days in Shanghai, staying on Nanjing Road (East), you can cover most of the main attractions efficiently by grouping sites geographically and considering travel times. Here’s a suggested itinerary:

Day 1 – Arrival Evening (2nd May)

Arrive at your hotel around 7 PM.
Take a leisurely walk along East Nanjing Road to get a feel for the city’s vibrant shopping district.
If energy allows, visit the Bund for evening views of the illuminated skyline across the Huangpu River.

Day 2 – Classic Shanghai & Museums

Morning: Start at People’s Square. Visit the Shanghai Museum for a great overview of Chinese art and history.
Walk to People’s Park if time allows, enjoy local scenes.
Midday: Head to Yu Garden and Yuyuan Bazaar for traditional architecture, gardens, and snack options.
Afternoon: Visit the Jade Buddha Temple. It is a short taxi or metro ride from Yu Garden area.
Late afternoon: Go to M50 (contemporary art district) to see modern galleries. This may take 1-2 hours.
Evening: Return to the Bund/Pudong skyline area. Consider going up Shanghai Tower or Shanghai World Financial Center for sunset views.

Day 3 – Zhujiajiao Water Town & Departure (5th May)

Morning: Take an early taxi or metro to Zhujiajiao Water Town (approx. 1–1.5 hours from central Shanghai). Walk along canals, bridges, and enjoy local snacks.
Lunch: Try local dishes in the water town.
Afternoon: Return to central Shanghai in time to pick up luggage and head to the airport (allow 1–1.5 hours plus security). Ensure you leave Zhujiajiao by early afternoon to reach the airport comfortably for your 7 PM flight.

Tips for seeing it all:

Use metro and taxis to save time; Shanghai traffic can be heavy.
Buy Shanghai Tower tickets online in advance to avoid queues.
Some attractions like M50 and Jade Buddha Temple can be shortened if you need extra time for travel or rest.
Evening visits to the Bund are recommended for the illuminated skyline.

This itinerary balances sightseeing, walking, and travel time, allowing you to see Shanghai highlights and enjoy a day at Zhujiajiao Water Town before departing.

2 and a half day Shanghai itinerary- please help

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