Work, sleep, repeat – it’s a cycle we all know too well. You’ve been hard at work non-stop, and we think you deserve a break. But if you’ve only got time for a short vacay, let our 4D3N Shanghai itinerary show you how to squeeze the best of the city into just 4 days.
This trip promises to be an aesthetic addition to your Instagram feed, filled with scenic landscapes, fun activities and a whole lot of sightseeing.
There are plenty of direct flight options from Singapore to Shanghai Pudong International Airport, and the journey will take approximately 5.5 hours. If you’re the type to feel restless on a flight, fret not. It will be over and done before you know it.
A one-way flight on Singapore Airlines starts from S$436. You can try scoring even better one-way flight deals on Spring Airlines (from S$274) and Air China (from S$350).
Superior Queen Room at Novotel Clover Shanghai.
Image credit: Trip.com
It depends on what you’re looking for. Pudong is a bit further from the city, but it’s more convenient to get to the airport and Shanghai Disneyland. Stay at the Novotel Shanghai Clover in Pudong – it’s a family-friendly hotel with a playground and a free shuttle to Shanghai Disneyland. With room rates as low as S$113/night, that sounds like a steal.
Image credit: kanapol vimala via Google Maps
Other popular districts among tourists are Huangpu, which is near The Bund. Consider staying at the Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre (from S$249/night) with a great view of the city centre, located right around the corner from East Nanjing Road and People’s Park.
Xuhui is known for its high-end malls, trendy bars, and aesthetic cafes – a great pick if you’re looking to explore a more atas neighbourhood and shop to your heart’s content.
For a more cultural experience, Jing’An is where it’s at – it’s home to the 1800-year-old Jing’An Temple. Book a stay at Jing’An Shangri-La, West Shanghai (from S$362/night), a 5-star hotel decked out with high-end amenities and experiences for you to enjoy, including a fine dining restaurant and a luxury spa.
Image credit: Stephanie Wong via Google Maps
Egg, or you can look up “Egg Shanghai”, is a cosy breakfast cafe in Jing’An with a rustic, minimalist interior. Choose a seat by the window for prime people-watching and let the warm sunlight flood the space while you tuck into your morning feast.
Image adapted from: @eggshanghai via Instagram
It has the usual cafe brunch items, including Avocado Toast (RMB55, ~S$9.83) and a Breakfast ‘Taco’ (RMB68, ~S$12.16). Menu items range between S$2 and S$12 – way more wallet-friendly than the cafes back in Singapore.
Once you’ve filled your stomach, take a walk through People’s Park – just a 10-minute drive from the cafe – to let that breakfast settle. It’s a popular spot to enjoy scenic views and beautiful greenery. And since a lot of the plants are evergreen, you’ll still get to soak in nature even in the winter months.
This also means that it can get crowded, so if you want to avoid crowds, pop by on a weekday when you’re more likely to have the place to yourself.
Image credit: @范范范范范一凡િ🌝ી via RED
But if you do come on a weekend, you’ll get a chance to witness the Marriage Market.
Every week, parents gather here to find matches for their unmarried adult children. Yes – it’s as literal as it sounds.
You’ll see posters pinned up on umbrellas, shopping trolleys, and various makeshift stands around the park, sharing details about the kids and what kind of partner they’re after.
What’s interesting is that it’s structured like a market, with different sections catering to specific preferences. So, let’s say someone has a child who graduated from overseas, they would usually hang around that particular section to find a match from a similar background. It’s like a dating app, but in real life and with parental supervision.
Image credit: Mauro Martin via Google Maps
Now, the real Shanghai treat begins – yummy food. Yang’s Dumplings is a popular franchise across the city, where you can get 4 pan-fried pork dumplings for RMB8 (~S$1.43). The most popular outlets are the ones on Ningbo Road in Huangpu, Minli Road in Jing’An, and East Nanjing.
If you’re heading straight from People’s Park, we would recommend the East Nanjing outlet, which is just an 8-minute drive away. The outlet is also just a 6-minute walk from the main shopping district.
East Nanjing Road is your one-stop spot for all the holiday shopping you could ever want. It’s best known for its European-style architecture that’s been around for about 100 years, and is just a 10-minute drive away from The Bund. With views like that, it’s of course a great place for snapping some holiday photos.
One highlight here is the 4-storey POP MART shop – basically heaven for blind box collectors. You can’t miss it either, thanks to the massive SKULLPANDA plastered to the store facade.
There’s also an M&M’s World, stocked with chocolate in every colour of the rainbow, plus M&M’s merchandise you can take home with you. The kids will definitely enjoy this one, and as a treat, you could even grab them a 250g bag of M&M’s for RMB59 (~S$10.58).
Image credit: @环保老爸 via RED
Zhuangshi Longxing Xiaolongxia Noodle Restaurant is that spot you’ve been seeing all over social media. Get their Golden Crab Dried Noodles or Golden Crab Steamed Rice for RMB168 (~S$30.02) – both come loaded with crab roe and taste as indulgent as they sound.
Those feeling adventurous can go for the raw crab meat and roe for RMB468 (~S$83.64) – a delicacy that’s worth checking out at least once. But make sure to plan ahead because you’ll have to reserve the dish in advance.
End your day on a chill note by exploring the West Bund. It’s a bit further from the main tourist area, but it has a great view of the Shanghai skyline, especially from the Longyao Riverfront Square.
The best part is that it’s a lesser-known spot – perfect for a nice, long stroll through nature. You’ll get a good break from the hustle and bustle of the city here.
A Niang Mian Guan is a local noodle restaurant, tucked away on the side of Sinan Road in Huangpu. It’s a rather small space with limited seating, but the homely vibes make it worth squeezing in for. The restaurant’s claim to fame is yellow croaker noodles priced at RMB35 (~S$6.25) – a well-loved Shanghai dish with fish and pickled vegetables.
Their crab roe noodles (RMB149, ~S$149) and stir-fried eel (RMB54, ~S$9.67) are also worth trying.
Image credit: Victor Jianto via Google Maps
The Shanghai Natural History Museum is a 5-storey journey through time, with exhibits exploring prehistoric plants, animals, and everything in between. You’ll also find an impressive collection of fossils from dinosaurs and other extinct species – kind of like in Night at the Museum, except sadly, the dinosaurs won’t come to life.
Book a 2-hour tour if you want the full lowdown from a guide who’ll point out the coolest exhibits and share quirky facts you might otherwise miss. It’s priced from S$14.47 per person, and English-speaking guides are available too.
Get tickets for the Shanghai Natural History Museum 2-hour tour.
You’ll want to save some stomach space before visiting Yuyuan Old Street. The entire stretch is a bustling marketplace lined with stores selling sweet and savoury treats, like tang hu lu, egg waffle ice cream, and chuan chuan – much like our local bazaars.
Prepare to spend around RMB5 (~S$0.89) to RMB30 (~S$5.37) on each food item here.
Image adapted from: @masita_in via Instagram
A must-try is the giant xiao long bao (RMB25, ~S$4.46) from Lu Bo Lang. It’s literally the size of your palm, and you’ll have to slurp up the warm soup through a straw. They’ll serve it on a plate, so it’s easy to bring it around as you take your time to enjoy the treat.
Image credit: Dhananjay Baghel via Google Maps
Just a 3-minute walk away is Yu Garden – a must-visit on any Shanghai itinerary, with its lush greenery wrapped around a massive pond. Also known as Yuyuan Garden, it was originally built in 1559 by Pan Yunduan for his parents. You’ll also find the City God Temple of Shanghai adjacent to the garden, where you’ll get to discover Shanghai’s Taoist heritage.
Entry to the garden starts from S$2.65, and it’s a prime spot for capturing family shots against a postcard-like backdrop. There are also hanfu rentals available at varying prices, depending on where you get them from.
Get tickets to Yu Garden.
Panxiaoshao is a Yunnan-style barbecue franchise with an outlet right on The Bund. Load up on a variety of delicious skewers and pair them with your fruit cocktail of choice.
Don’t leave without trying their Beef with Vodka skewers (RMB36, ~S$6.41) – you’ll get 8 sticks, making it a pretty solid deal. And if you’re still feeling peckish, consider adding the Small Pot of Rice Noodles for RMB45 (~S$8.02) to round out your meal.
Image credit: Jamie Higgs-Dey via Google Maps
The Shanghai skyline is stunning any time of day, but it really turns on the charm after dark. But there’s a catch – the crowds along the waterfront can make it tricky to get a good view. So, a solution is to hop on a Huangpu River Cruise.
When the sun goes down and the city lights up, the night cruise (from S$25.15) will take you across the Huangpu River towards Pudong, and you’ll get to see iconic landmarks like the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower. Kick back and relax, feel the cool night breeze, and simply enjoy the view.
Book tickets for the Huangpu River Cruise.
Image credit: @shanghaidisneyresort via Instagram
No trip to Shanghai is complete without visiting Shanghai Disneyland – the most magical place on earth. A 1-day ticket starts from S$80.15. To beat the queue, we recommend that you arrive early so you’ll have the whole day to catch all the popular rides.
A little hack for your trip would be to download the Shanghai Disney Resort app (Apple Store | Google Play). It is an all-inclusive app that’ll help you manage bookings, navigate the park and check for wait times to ensure you know when to stop by different rides.
Book tickets to Shanghai Disneyland.
Image credit: Shanghai Disney Resort
Be prepared for long wait times throughout the day – especially for popular attractions. We recommend that you plan your path through the park beforehand so you’re not wasting precious time figuring out how to get from one place to the next. But if you do get lucky and manage to beat the crowd, there’s no harm in checking the most popular rides first.
One to put on your list is the TRON Lightcycle Power Run ride, an immersive experience that fans of the 2010 movie Tron: Legacy would enjoy. You will be positioned as if you are riding an actual Lighcycle bike, and it will take you through many twists and turns at high speed.
Image credit: Shanghai Disney Resort
After a thrilling ride, cool down before heading off to the next attraction with the Mickey’s Storybook Express parade. It’s a blend of dance, music and fun, starring all of your favourite Disney characters.
Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Goofy, and Disney princesses will be performing to Disney-themed tunes across the Gardens of Imagination – located right at the centre of the park.
Note that parade timings may vary depending on the weather and day, so do refer to the app for more information.
Pinocchio Village Kitchen is right by the Gardens of Imagination – just nice for a lunch break after the parade. Despite the name, only the front of the shop features Pinocchio. The main theme of the food and desserts here is centred around Winnie the Pooh and friends.
Treat yourself to ice cream featuring Pooh bear, Tigger, and Piglet. There’s even a Pooh bear-shaped egg yolk in the Fried Egg Noodle with Smoked Beef Brisket and Pickle Vegetable Squid (RMB119, ~S$21.24). Other mains to try include the Baked Macaroni with Bacon and Mushroom (RMB99, ~S$17.70) and Pulled Pork Pizza (RMB109, ~S$19.49).
Children aged 3 to 11 can also enjoy kids’ meals such as a Tomato and Mozzarella Pizza (RMB55, ~S$9.83).
Image credit: Shanghai Disney Resort
If you have kids tagging along, let them try out the Seven Dwarves Mine Train rollercoaster ride. You will be taken on a log ride through mountains and valleys with sections where you’ll catch glimpses of the dwarves themselves at work.
This ride, sadly, has a height limit – children have to be at least 97cm tall.
Image credit: Shanghai Disney Resort
Fun fact: the Disney ride came first – the classic franchise was inspired by the park attraction, which first opened way back in 1967 at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
In this version, you’ll be venturing through scenes from the first movie. Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for the Sunken Treasure will take you along Captain Jack Sparrow’s journey through pirate-infested waters, with monsters, sirens and even Davy Jones himself.
Be prepared to witness all your favourite moments in one ride – there’s even a part where you’ll be “underwater”, so make sure to watch out for the Kraken.
Image credit: Shanghai Disney Resort
Similar to the one we have at Sentosa, ILLUMINATE! A Nighttime Celebration is a big fireworks spectacle with light displays and projections that happens every night at Shanghai Disneyland. It’s the perfect encore for all park visitors.
Try to be at the Gardens of Imagination at least 30 to 45 minutes earlier, before the crowds stream in. Don’t plan on choping seats – just reach early enough to get a decent view.
Note that timings vary depending on the day and weather conditions. There might even be 2 showings on certain days, so do keep a lookout on the app.
You won’t need to travel far to refuel – just head to Disneytown, which features a selection of restaurants serving different cuisines for you to try.
At Xiang Zi Kuan, you’ll get to enjoy authentic Sichuan cuisine, including the classic suan cai yu and other speciality cold dishes. A meal here will set you back around RMB51 to RMB100 (~S$9.10-S$17.84) per pax.
Weixiangzhai has been featured in the Michelin Guide for 5 consecutive years since 2021, and boasts a long legacy of over 80 years.
Make sure to order their Signature Sesame Noodles (RMB14, ~S$2.50) when you’re there – it’s a simple dish, but a flavourful one. Diners enjoy pairing it with the Fried Pork Chops (RMB16, ~S$2.86) and the Spicy Meat Mixed with Noodles (RMB21, ~S$3.75). This is a hearty breakfast spot to power you through the last leg of your trip.
History buffs, take note – Longhua Temple has been around for 2,000 years, and is the place to visit to immerse yourself in Buddhist culture. It’s also just a 15-minute car ride from the previous breakfast spot.
This Buddhist monastery is dedicated to the Maitreya Buddha, and its star attraction is the majestic 7-storey pagoda, towering over the lot from 40m up.
While you’re here, wander through beautiful Song Dynasty architecture and steal some last bits of nature before heading back to the city. Entrance to the temple grounds is free, so you can pop in for a quick look or linger as long as you like.
Image credit: Paweł Jeśko via Google Maps
Time to tick yet another touristy thing off your Shanghai bucket list by visiting the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. If you’ve seen any pictures of the city’s skyline, you would have noticed this massive tower making an appearance in every one of them. The TV tower really ties together the cyberfuturistic aesthetic of Lujiazui.
While the landmark is stunning from street level, you’ll get an even better view from the Sightseeing Galleria at 263m above ground. Admission to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower starts from S$31.80.
Get tickets to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower.
Image credit: Shirbie Whitman via Google Maps
At this point, we’re sure you’ve had enough dumplings. Just a 10-minute drive away is TUK Turkish Restaurant, a halal eatery serving up savoury Mediterranean selections to fill you up before your journey home.
Customers recommend the balloon bread (RMB24, ~S$4.29) and cheese pide (RMB62, S$11.09), before ending the meal with baklava (RMB48, S$8.59) for dessert.
The restaurant is also located near 96广场 AKA 96 Plaza, so head there after your early dinner to do any last-minute shopping before your flight home.
Image credit: StockZ Alerts via Google Maps
As your final day in Shanghai comes to a close, it’s time to head home.
The journey to the airport can take about 30 to 45 minutes, even by car. So, it’s best to leave as soon as you can to give yourself ample time for check-in and security clearance before your flight. You wouldn’t want a reverse Home Alone situation.
The subway system in Shanghai is convenient and easy to navigate, but if you’d rather travel above ground, download the Didi app (App Store | Google Play) – basically China’s version of Grab.
The entire app is in English, so you won’t be stuck copying and pasting phrases into Google Translate all the time. Even the in-app chat auto-translates, making it super tourist-friendly.
It’s also conveniently embedded in the WeChat app (App Store | Google Play) – an all-in-one app to download when travelling to China. Just set it up before your trip by logging into the app with your Singapore phone number – it can be used to make payments, find your way around, even book Didi drivers.
Shanghai has so much to offer – whether you’re here for the culture, the shopping, or just to eat your way through the city, there’s something to fill every moment. All of these make first-time trips – and even repeat trips to Shanghai – absolutely worthwhile.
More places to explore in China:
Cover image adapted from: @王小猫 & @环保老爸 via RED, Trip.com, Jamie Higgs-Dey via Google Maps
A portion of this content may contain referral links where The Smart Local may collect a commission. Our opinions remain our own.
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