Shanghai
Best things to do in Shanghai, including free and rainy-day options
Walk the Bund at 07:00 before the crowds, then cross to Pudong or take the 2 RMB ferry. Spend an afternoon in the French Concession lanes and one museum day at Shanghai Museum or the Power Station of Art. Budget two full days plus one rainy-day indoor block; skip the observation decks on hazy days.Walk the Bund at 7:00 AM before the crowds, then cross to Pudong or take the 2 RMB ferry. Spend an afternoon in the French Concession lanes and one museum day at Shanghai Museum or the Power Station of Art. Budget two full days plus one rainy-day indoor block; skip the observation decks on hazy days.
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GuideShanghai
Key facts
- Minimum time
- 2 full days for the core; 3–4 nights if you add Suzhou or Hangzhou
- Best hours
- Bund 06:30–08:30; Yu Garden and the old town before 10:00
- Free highlights
- The Bund, French Concession lanes, People's Park, Bund ferry (2 RMB)
- Rainy-day picks
- Shanghai Museum, Power Station of Art, Shanghai Tower, Tianzifang covered lanes
- Metro farecheck
- 3–7 RMB per ride, 2026 estimate
- Museum entrycheck
- Shanghai Museum free with advance booking; some special exhibitions charged
- Closed Mondayscheck
- Most public museums close Mondays; check each site
Quick answer
Shanghai rewards a short, tight list. Do the Bund early, one old-town block, one concession walk, one museum, and one view from above. Two full days covers it; a third day is for a water town or Suzhou.
If you have only one day, start at the Bund at 07:00, walk Nanjing Road east to west, cut through People's Park, then spend the afternoon in the French Concession and finish at Xintiandi or the Bund ferry after dark.
Choices: what to do, what it costs, how long
Prices are 2026 estimates in RMB. Metro fares are cheap; the big variables are observation decks and river cruises.
| Thing to do | Best time | Time needed | Cost (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Bund promenade | 06:30–08:30 or after 19:00 | 1–1.5 h | Free |
| Bund ferry to Pudong | Any daylight hour | 20 min crossing | 2 RMB |
| Yu Garden and old town | Before 10:00 | 2 h | Garden 40 RMB; streets free |
| French Concession lanes | Morning or late afternoon | 2–3 h | Free |
| Shanghai Museum | Weekday opening | 2–3 h | Free with booking; check |
| Power Station of Art | Afternoon | 2 h | Free; special shows charged |
| Shanghai Tower observatory | Clear day only | 1–1.5 h | 180 RMB and up; check |
| Tianzifang and Xintiandi | Evening | 1.5–2 h | Free to walk |
| Huangpu river cruise | After dark | 45–60 min | 120 RMB and up; check |
| Zhujiajiao water town | Weekday morning | Half day | Metro plus entry fees; check |
Ticket prices and Monday closures change; confirm on the day.
Details
Questions people ask
What are the best things to do in Shanghai?
The Bund at 07:00, the old town around Yu Garden before 10:00, a walk through the French Concession lanes, one museum (Shanghai Museum or Power Station of Art), and one view from above on a clear day. Two full days covers the core.
What are free things to do in Shanghai?
The Bund promenade, the French Concession lanes, People's Park and People's Square, Tianzifang and Xintiandi streets, and the public areas of the old town. Shanghai Museum is free with advance booking. The Bund ferry crossing costs about 2 RMB.
What can I do in Shanghai when it rains?
Shanghai Museum, the Power Station of Art, the Shanghai Tower observatory (views are poor in rain), covered lanes at Tianzifang, and the city's malls and metro-linked shopping streets. Most public museums close on Mondays, so check before you go.
How many days do I need in Shanghai?
Two full days for the Bund, old town, French Concession and one museum. Add a third or fourth night for Suzhou, Hangzhou or a water town such as Zhujiajiao.
Is the Bund better at sunrise or at night?
Both work. 06:30–08:30 is quiet and good for photos of the Pudong skyline; after 19:00 the buildings are lit but the promenade is packed. If you only have one slot, go early.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialShanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism
- officialShanghai Metro
- officialShanghai Museum
- officialPower Station of Art
- secondaryWikivoyage – Shanghai