48-Hour Shanghai Itinerary: The Ultimate Weekend Trip (2026 Guide)
Maximize your Shanghai weekend getaway. The Bund at night, historic sites, local food favorites, and French Concession walks—all in 48 hours.
48 Hours in Shanghai: The Perfect Weekend
A weekend in Shanghai is surprisingly doable—and surprisingly rewarding. With efficient planning, you can experience the city’s highlights: glittering skylines, historic neighborhoods, incredible food, and that unmistakable Shanghai energy.
📅 Last Updated: January 2026 (verified on location)
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | Friday evening – Sunday evening |
| Visa | Check requirements for your nationality |
| Estimated Cost | $400-800 |
| Essential Apps | WeChat Pay, Alipay, DiDi |
Before You Go
Checklist
- Passport valid for 6+ months
- WeChat Pay/Alipay set up (guide here)
- DiDi app installed
- Hotel booked (Nanjing Road or Xintiandi area recommended)
- Haidilao/Lamb skewer reservations (via WeChat)
Flight Strategy
| Route | Recommended Time | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Outbound | Friday evening | Arrive ~9 PM, start fresh Saturday |
| Return | Sunday evening | Full day before departure |
💡 Pro Tip: Hongqiao Airport is closer to the city center than Pudong—saves valuable time on a short trip.
Day 0: Friday Night (Arrival)
9:00 PM - Land in Shanghai
From Pudong Airport, options to reach the city:
| Transport | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 2 | 70 min | ¥7 |
| Maglev + Metro | 40 min | ¥50+4 |
| DiDi/Taxi | 50 min | ¥150-200 |
10:30 PM - Check in and Late Dinner
Recommended hotel areas: Near Nanjing East Road, People’s Square, or Xintiandi stations.
Late-night options:
- Haidilao (open until 7 AM) - reservation guide
- The Bund walk (24 hours) - Bund guide
Day 1: Saturday (Full Exploration)
9:00 AM - Morning at Xintiandi
Start at Xintiandi, where restored 1920s shikumen buildings house cafes and shops. Historic architecture, modern vibes.
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Metro | Xintiandi Station, Lines 10/13 |
| Time needed | 30 min - 1 hour |
| Cost | Free (coffee extra) |
10:30 AM - French Concession City Walk
Shanghai’s most photogenic neighborhood. Tree-lined streets, European architecture, trendy cafes.
Suggested route (2-3 hours):
- Start at Wukang Road → Wukang Mansion photos
- Anfu Road cafe street
- Grab bubble tea at Heytea
- Browse boutiques
💡 Pro Tip: Weekday mornings are best for photos. Weekend afternoons get crowded.
1:00 PM - Lunch: Shanghainese Home Cooking
Try local favorites like red-braised pork and scallion oil noodles at a traditional restaurant.
| Dish | Price |
|---|---|
| Hongshao Rou (红烧肉) | ¥38 |
| Mapo Doufu | ¥28 |
| Egg Fried Rice | ¥22 |
3:00 PM - Heytea Break
With 250+ locations in Shanghai versus a handful elsewhere, Heytea is basically a Shanghai institution now.
Try: Grape Cheese Tea or Mango Pomelo Sago
5:00 PM - Shanghai Tower Sunset
Catch sunset from the world’s second-tallest building’s observation deck at 546 meters.
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Tickets | ¥180 (book online) |
| Time | 1-1.5 hours |
| Best time | Arrive 1 hour before sunset |
7:00 PM - Dinner: Lamb Skewers
The viral restaurant that has tourists lining up for hours. Inner Mongolian lamb on conveyor belt grills.
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Booking | WeChat mini-program (essential!) |
| Wait without booking | 40 min - 3 hours |
| Cost | ~¥125/person |
Must-order: Lamb skewers, condensed milk toast, free milk ice cream at the end.
9:30 PM - The Bund Night Walk
End the day at Shanghai’s most iconic viewpoint. The Pudong skyline lit up across the Huangpu River.
Options:
- Bund promenade walk (free)
- Huangpu River cruise (¥120-180)
- Rooftop bar cocktails (¥150+)
Day 2: Sunday (Classic Sites + Departure)
8:30 AM - Breakfast: Xiaolongbao
Start with Shanghai’s signature dish—soup dumplings.
Recommended: Jia Jia Tang Bao—short lines, excellent dumplings. Full xiaolongbao guide
10:00 AM - Yu Garden
400-year-old classical Chinese garden surrounded by a bustling bazaar.
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Admission | ¥40 |
| Hours | 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Time needed | 1-2 hours |
12:00 PM - Nanjing Road Shopping
China’s most famous shopping street. Window shop, people watch, grab snacks.
What to buy:
- Last-minute Heytea
- Three Squirrels nuts
- China-exclusive snacks
2:00 PM - RT-Mart Supermarket (Optional)
If you have time, this hypermarket has become a treasure hunt destination for visitors—snacks and specialty items at local prices.
| Popular Items | Notes |
|---|---|
| Three Squirrels Macadamia | Half the price of elsewhere |
| Guolifang Fruit Liquor | 15-23% ABV, unique souvenir |
| China-exclusive snacks | Oreo flavors, etc. |
Location: Pingxingguan Road - Line 1 Yanchang Road Station
3:00 PM - Head to Airport
- Hongqiao: 30-40 min via Metro Lines 2/10
- Pudong: 70 min via Line 2 or 40 min via Maglev
Budget Breakdown
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Round-trip flights | Varies by origin |
| Hotel (1-2 nights) | ¥300-600/night |
| Food (2 days) | ¥300-500 |
| Attractions/Transport | ¥200-400 |
| Shopping | Personal choice |
| Total (excluding flights) | ¥800-1,500 (~$110-200) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa?
Check requirements for your specific nationality. Many countries qualify for 144-hour visa-free transit for Shanghai.
Do I need cash?
Almost nothing requires cash anymore. WeChat Pay and Alipay cover 99% of transactions. But ¥100 in cash doesn’t hurt.
Is one night enough?
Technically possible, but two nights lets you actually experience the city rather than just race through it.
Is it safe to travel solo?
Very safe. Shanghai has excellent public safety, and the metro system is straightforward even without Chinese.
Related Guides
- Shanghai Food Trio - Lamb skewers + Haidilao + Heytea
- WeChat Pay Setup - Essential payment guide
- Metro Guide - Getting around
This guide was last updated in January 2026. Some details may change—verify before your trip.
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