How to spend 12 days in Shanghai

🗺️Destination Overview 📍Itinerary: Day 1–2: City Center + The Bund • The Bund: Stroll along the waterfront, admire colonial buildings and skyline views. • Nanjing Road: Great for shopping and people-watching. • Huangpu River Cruise at night – magical city lights! Day 3: Old Shanghai & Yu Garden • Yu Garden: Classical Chinese garden – beautiful and peaceful. • Explore Old City Bazaar for snacks like soup dumplings (Xiao Long Bao). • Visit City God Temple nearby. Day 4: Modern Marvels – Pudong • Go up Shanghai Tower or Jin Mao Tower for sky-high views. • Check out Shanghai Science & Technology Museum or Super Brand Mall. Day 5: French Concession • Wander Tianzifang and Xintiandi – trendy areas with cafes, art, and colonial charm. • Chill at Fuxing Park or go on a walking tour. Day 6: Museums & Art • Visit Shanghai Museum (free and excellent). • Explore Power Station of Art or M50 Art District. Day 7: Day Trip – Zhujiajiao Water Town • Beautiful canals, stone bridges, and local snacks. • Just 1–1.5 hours from Shanghai. Day 8: Local Life & Culture • Morning Tai Chi in Century Park. • Visit Qibao Old Town or explore neighborhoods off the beaten path. Day 9: Disneyland Shanghai • If you love theme parks, it’s a must. Unique rides like TRON, ZOOTOPIA, PIRATE CARIBEANS blabla Day 10: Day Trip – Suzhou • Famous for classical gardens (e.g., Humble Administrator’s Garden). • 30-minute bullet train. Day 11: Relaxing & Shopping • Spa day or massage. • Shopping at AP Plaza, Global Harbor, or SML Center. • Tea-tasting at Tianshan Tea Market. Day 12: Wrap-Up & River View Farewell • Revisit The Bund or a rooftop bar (like Bar Rouge). • Souvenir shopping. • Enjoy one last bowl of hand-pulled noodles or hot pot. Tips: 🏨 Accommodation Tips • Book hotels with international service standards (not all accept foreign credit cards or passports easily). 🚇 Getting Around • Metro: Fast, cheap, and extensive. Get a Shanghai Public Transport Card (refillable). • Taxis: Use DiDi—few drivers speak English, and cashless is preferred. • Walk: Many neighborhoods are walkable and fun to explore. 🍜 Food Tips • Try local must-eats: • Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) at Jia Jia Tang Bao • Shengjianbao (pan-fried buns) • Street snacks in Yuyuan Bazaar • Use translation apps in small restaurants; menus may not have English. • Avoid tap water—drink bottled or boiled only. 💵 Money & Payments • Alipay / WeChat Pay is king—even for street vendors. 🛍️ Shopping Tips • Nanjing Road: High-street brands and malls. • AP Plaza (Science & Tech Museum metro stop): Bargain market (great for knock-offs—haggle hard). • Tianzifang / M50: For art, design, and souvenirs. 🧭 Other Smart Tips • Start early: Sites like Yu Garden and Disneyland get crowded fast. • Check pollution levels: Shanghai’s air quality can fluctuate—use AirVisual app. • Weather: Summers are hot and humid. Dress suitably.