4 daysShanghai · Zhujiajiao · Tongli
My 4-Day Shanghai Itinerary: City Highlights & Water Towns
Four days in Shanghai, from the Bund and Yu Garden to Zhujiajiao, Tongli and Suzhou. This is the first-time itinerary I’d actually recommend.
Asia · China
Shanghai
Electric skylines, historic water towns, hidden gardens, and a city that makes old and new feel inseparable.
Shanghai is a city of sharp contrasts, where futuristic skylines sit alongside historic neighbourhoods, gardens, canals, and easy escapes to ancient water towns. These guides focus on realistic itineraries, public transport, food, neighbourhoods, and the day trips that make it possible to experience both the city’s modern energy and the quieter places just beyond it.
Essential planning
- Best time to visit
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- How long to stay
- 3–5 days
- Getting around
- Shanghai Metro, Didi, walking
- Airport
- Shanghai Pudong (PVG) / Hongqiao (SHA)
- Airport to center
- From Pudong, use the Maglev plus Metro or Metro Line 2; allow roughly 45–70 minutes depending on destination
- Typical daily budget
- €60–€130 / day
Latest Shanghai guides
City GuideMulti Day Guides
My 4-Day Shanghai Itinerary: City Highlights & Water Towns
Four days in Shanghai, from the Bund and Yu Garden to Zhujiajiao, Tongli and Suzhou. This is the first-time itinerary I’d actually recommend.
Day Trips
Tongli Water Town & Suzhou: A Day Trip from Shanghai
Is Tongli worth the trip from Shanghai? This guide covers how to get there, ticket costs, Tuisi Garden, canal boats and how to combine Tongli with Suzhou.
Day Trips
Zhujiajiao Water Town: An Easy Day Trip from Shanghai
Zhujiajiao is one of Shanghai’s easiest water-town escapes. Here’s how to reach it by metro, what’s free, what to see and whether a half day is enough.