Shanghai in One Day Itinerary: A First-Timer’s Guide to the Best of Shanghai

First time planning a Shanghai in one day itinerary for a long layover or an add-on to a Beijing Trip?

Wondering what to do in Shanghai in 24 hours or less?

Here’s my exact Shanghai day trip tour I experienced, with travel tips to help you plan your China trip!

Discover the top highlights from my China trip to spark your Shanghai vacation planning and make the most of your time!

I included my best picks of the best things to do in Shanghai in one day! It’s perfect if it’s your first time visiting China!

By Karen Mae | Sept 25, 2026

In this Shanghai travel blog, you’ll learn how to experience the best of Shanghai in a single day with the right planning and itinerary! Get inspired and excited to see spectacular skyscrapers, ancient houses, glowing picturesque waterfront views, delicious authentic food, and historic gems!

Know what to expect and how to spend one day in Shanghai that truly aligns with what you want to experience!

I traveled to Shanghai solo, but not entirely alone. I had a private tour guide and driver the whole time as part of my Shanghai 10-hour layover tour. Since I wasn’t comfortable traveling in China on my own and was tight on time, I booked this All-inclusive Customized Shanghai Layover Tour!

It’s so convenient and worth it! I highly recommend it!

I’ve been to China twice! These are the best things to do in Shanghai in one day that I found worth experiencing! From the traditional houses, ancient gardens, the Bund, and Huangpu River to the dazzling skyline of Lujiazui, atmospheric old streets, the best photo spots in Shanghai, and authentic Shanghai food and drinks that made my solo trip to China AMAZING!

I also included what to see in Shanghai in 1 day for free that you can add to your Shanghai in one day itinerary!

May this solo female travel to Shanghai help you plan your travel!

I hope you’ll fall in love with Shanghai in one day for your first visit to China, as I did!

Shanghai in One Day

Morning

Jade Buddha Temple
Yu Garden
Yuyuan Bazaar

Afternoon

Paradise Dynasty
Shanghai Famous Buildings
People’s Square ~ City Sightseeing

Evening

The Bund (Wai Tan)

Morning in Shanghai

Breakfast in Shanghai

Start your one day in Shanghai the perfect way with a delicious traditional breakfast at your chosen hotel, cafe, or food court counter!

I recommend trying a traditional Shanghai breakfast for an authentic local experience!

It’s my first time trying this large xiaolongbao filled with savory meat and hot broth! It’s delicious! You can sip its flavorful soup through a straw inside the dumpling! ~ Uniquely enjoyable! It’s a must-try food in Shanghai!

Another favorite I found delicious is the local sweet Dou Jiang (Soy Milk) drink! It’s freshly boiled, with a sweet soybean flavor and a lighter texture! The warmth and sweetness I felt having it for breakfast were perfect for the cold weather while traveling in Shanghai for a day!

Jade Buddha Temple

one day in shanghai — Courtyard of the Jade Buddha Temple

An architectural and cultural highlight from my Shanghai trip that I suggest adding to your Shanghai in one day itinerary is a visit to Jade Buddha Temple.

When I visited, I witnessed an active ceremony with many monks on site. It’s interesting to observe and experience their cultural and religious practices in traditional architecture.

Travel Tips | Must Know

See the impressive large statues inside. An entrance fee is required.
No photos are allowed inside the main Jade Buddha Hall.
Visit on a weekday morning.
Reserve a walking tour of Shanghai’s oldest temple here.

My honest experience:

I found the Jade Buddha Temple worth visiting, especially if you want a true local experience of the incense-scented atmosphere at its most serene in the morning. I found the place especially interesting.

It’s the first Shanghai cultural landmark I visited that truly made me realize I’m in a different country, experiencing a different culture.

Yu Garden

You can’t go to Shanghai without visiting Yu Garden, an old but well-preserved garden with beautiful Chinese pavilions and ancient architecture.

Enjoy strolling around and appreciating the ancient houses, walkways, “Exquisite Jade Rock”, peaceful ponds filled with koi fish, and the natural scenery, with a history of 400 years!

Did you know Yu Garden was first built during the Ming Dynasty?

It’s a must-add to your Shanghai itinerary, especially if it’s your first time visiting Shanghai, China!

If you love nature and ancient architecture, you’ll appreciate this place! I enjoyed learning a bit of its history and walking around the peaceful gardens, even if it was raining! It’s a serene historic place that makes visiting Shanghai memorable!

Must-Know | Travel Tips

Visiting the inner gardens requires an admission ticket, but the beautiful traditional bazaar is free to see.
Monday: Closed (Open only on national public holidays). Please always check updated operating hours before visiting.
If you’re staying for more than one day in Shanghai, come back after sunset to see the stunning Yuyuan Old Street light up at night! Enjoy the glowing display of golden roofs and red lanterns!

Interested in visiting inside the Yu Garden? Reserve in advance Yu Garden Admission Ticket

Yuyuan Bazaar (Shanghai Old Street)

best things to do in shanghai in one day — Huxinting Teahouse

Photograph one of the Instagrammable spots in Shanghai ~ the Huxinting Teahouse or Pavilion in the Heart of the Lake.

If you’re looking for unmissable places to visit in Shanghai in one day, this surrounding area is an absolute must-see! Don’t leave without snapping photo of this historic place! It’s one of the best things to do in Shanghai!

Did you know that Huxinting Teahouse can only be reached by a zigzagging bridge, which was traditionally believed to keep evil spirits away?

Want to go shopping and try street food? Yuyuan Bazaar is a great place for you!

If you’re interested in traditional craftsmanship, century-old brand stores, and historic tea houses, you’ll find them at the Old Street!

Must-Know | Travel Tips

Huxinting Teahouse is right in the middle of a pond just outside the gates of Yu Garden.
The Yuyuan Bazaar is closely connected with Shanghai Old Street! It’s a vibrant marketplace and enjoyable to stroll around.
Visit at dusk to see the famous glowing golden lights and hanging red lanterns illuminate at night!

Afternoon in Shanghai

Lunch at Paradise Dynasty (inside Shanghai Tower)

what to eat in shanghai — Delicious, colorful Shanghainese lunch! Must-try the signature 8-flavor colored soup dumplings!

I recommend having lunch at Paradise Dynasty! The restaurant ambiance, food, and service were great! The restaurant is located inside the Shanghai Tower.

It’s my first time trying their signature rainbow dumplings, each with a different filling flavor! Honestly, everything I had at this table was delicious!

Here’s everything I tried and recommend (as long as you’re not allergic to any of the ingredients)! ~Enjoy!

Rainbow Xiao Long Bao
Stir-Fried String Beans with Minced Pork
Shanghai Fried Rice
Pan-Fried Pork Buns / Sheng Jian Bao (My personal favorite ~ three fried buns on the right)
Flavorful Stir-Fried Chicken and Shrimp
Fresh watermelon juice and hot tea

Shanghai Tourist Attractions

must see shanghai — Jin Mao Tower (left) , Shanghai World Financial Center (middle) and Shanghai Tower (right)

After lunch, enjoy sightseeing or visiting the three famous skyscrapers in the Lujiazui financial district of Pudong, Shanghai, China! They’re very close to each other and within walking distance.

One of the best things to do in Shanghai in one day is seeing the panoramic view of the city!

The twisting Shanghai Tower on the right, the bottle-opener-shaped Shanghai World Financial Center in the middle, and the pagoda-style Jin Mao Tower on the left!

As part of my Shanghai layover tour, I visited the Jin Mao Tower observation deck. It has a high-speed elevator to the 88th floor!

Jin Mao Tower Observation Deck

See the panoramic view from the top of Jin Mao Tower!

Unfortunately, it was gloomy and raining when I went. I hope you experience better weather when you spend your one day in Shanghai!

From the top, you can see plenty of buildings, including the famous Oriental Pearl TV Tower! Admire the scenery and take photos!

If you travel to see unique architecture and enjoy the city skyline, it’s worth visiting!

Whenever I book a panoramic view of the city, I usually go before sunset, so I can see both the day and night scenery. Since I only had one day in Shanghai, I can’t do that.

However, it’s still one of the main highlights of my Shanghai trip since I found it a great way to include in a first-timer’s Shanghai itinerary to experience the heights, up to the 88th floor, and see the city’s most famous landmarks from a different perspective.

Did you know that Jin Mao Tower is one of the tallest skyscrapers in Shanghai?

Don’t leave without getting a glimpse of the Grand Hyatt Hotel, a 60-meter-long glass skywalk (without rails!) as part of the tower!

Alternative (s)

People’s Square

shanghai sightseeing — Tomorrow Square Skyscraper in the background

Looking for one of the free things to do in Shanghai that’s open 24 hours? Wondering what to see in Shanghai in one day or less?

Shanghai Travel Tips | Must-Know

This is the place to see a lot in one location, including cultural landmarks, modern skyscrapers, Shanghai museums, and uniquely designed gardens! There’s also a nearby shopping street, Nanjing Road, with boutiques if you want to shop. The area also connects directly to The Bund waterfront!

It’s one of the best places to visit in Shanghai! I think it’s the perfect way to see more in a short time, especially if you have less than 24 hours in Shanghai! So, it’s a must-consider for your Shanghai in one day itinerary!

Evening in Shanghai

The Bund (Wai Tan)

End your amazing Shanghai day with a colorful glow!

One of the unmissable things to do in Shanghai day trip is walking around The Bund waterfront!

Just like any city’s famous landmarks, it feels like you didn’t go to Shanghai if you didn’t see The Bund and the stunning night city skyline view by the water!

The glow of the colorful buildings is a must-see in Shanghai! It’s the best highlight of my Shanghai trip!

Shanghai Travel tips

I recommend arriving before sunset to capture and experience both day and night scenery!
Take into consideration when planning your Shanghai itinerary for a day:
- The lights come on from 5:30 pm to 7 pm (depending on the season) and stay on until 10:00 pm.
Have more than one day in Shanghai?
- Consider taking the Huangpu River Cruise to see the skyline on a boat with fewer crowds and an unobstructed view!
- Zhujiajiao Water Town Private Tour with Boat Ride

May this post about Shanghai in one day help you plan your Shanghai trip to include the best things to do, must-see attractions, scenic views, where to eat, best photo spots and travel tips (First-Timer’s Guide)

I hope this Shanghai travel blog gives you the most memorable experience that aligns with what you’re looking to experience!

~ One Day Travel Posts ~ Read next:

Thank you for considering this Shanghai in one day itinerary created especially if you’re traveling to Shanghai for the first time! I hope I have sparked your China trip planning!

~ Safe travels, and enjoy visiting Shanghai, China ~

Shanghai in One Day Itinerary: A First-Timer’s Guide to the Best of Shanghai