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1 day · Shanghai itinerary

Shanghai in 1 Day: The Perfect One-Day Itinerary

Only have one day in Shanghai? See its old and new icons. Here is how to spend one perfect day in China’s most dazzling city — plus the best-rated tours to book.

At a glance

  1. 1The Bund
  2. 2Yu Garden
  3. 3Old Town
  4. 4River cruise

Morning: the Bund

Walk the waterfront and admire the skyline.

Midday: Yu Garden

Explore the classical garden and bazaar.

Evening: river cruise

Cruise the Huangpu past the neon towers.

Book the experiences in this itinerary

Top-rated tours for exactly what this plan recommends in Shanghai — prices per person.

Private Tour durch das Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Yu Garden und den Oriental Pearl Tower
Shanghai
Private Tour durch das Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Yu Garden und den Oriental Pearl Tower
5.0(1)·8 Stunden
ab$170/ Person
über Viator
Flussfahrt auf dem Huangpu und Abendtour Bund City Lights durch Shanghai
Shanghai
Flussfahrt auf dem Huangpu und Abendtour Bund City Lights durch Shanghai
3.8(117)·3 Stunden
ab$79/ Person
über Viator
Private Shanghai Evening Street Food Wander- und Kreuzfahrttour
Shanghai
Private Shanghai Evening Street Food Wander- und Kreuzfahrttour
5.0(124)·4 Stunden
ab$134/ Person
über Viator
Shanghai Private Tour mit Materialmarkt und Jin Mao Tower
Shanghai
Shanghai Private Tour mit Materialmarkt und Jin Mao Tower
5.0(1)·9 Stunden
ab$220/ Person
über Viator
4 - Stunden Food Tour in Qibao Water Town ab Shanghai mit der U-Bahn
Shanghai
4 - Stunden Food Tour in Qibao Water Town ab Shanghai mit der U-Bahn
4.9(34)·4 Stunden
ab$95/ Person
über Viator
Private Tour durch das Propaganda Poster Art Center von Shanghai, den Yu Garden und den Fuxing Park
Shanghai
Private Tour durch das Propaganda Poster Art Center von Shanghai, den Yu Garden und den Fuxing Park
8 Stunden
ab$163/ Person
über Viator
Private Street Food Walking Tour mit Shanghai Tower Option
Shanghai
Private Street Food Walking Tour mit Shanghai Tower Option
4.8(13)·4 Stunden
ab$90/ Person
über Viator
Private Tour durch das Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, den Bund, den Yu Garden und den Shanghai Tower
Shanghai
Private Tour durch das Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, den Bund, den Yu Garden und den Shanghai Tower
8 Stunden
ab$222/ Person
über Viator

Shanghai in 1 day — FAQ

Can you see Shanghai in one day?
Yes — walk the Bund in the morning, explore Yu Garden and the Old Town at midday, and cruise the Huangpu River past the illuminated skyline in the evening, covering Shanghai’s essential highlights.
What is the best one-day Shanghai tour?
A city tour of the Bund and Yu Garden combined with an evening Huangpu River cruise is the most rewarding way to see Shanghai in a day.
How much does one day in Shanghai cost?
Budget roughly €40–€90 per person for a guided city tour with a river cruise, depending on inclusions.

Explore more in Shanghai

City & BundZhujiajiao Water TownHuangpu Cruise