China Guide / Tools / Shanghai itinerary
Build the route before it builds itself.
Choose the days, interests, travel type, and budget. The itinerary streams back — day by day, five blocks each, with transit times, spend estimates, and one sharp local note per segment. A consultant takes it from there.
Interactive builder
Load the Shanghai itinerary builder when you need it.
The route builder is kept out of the first mobile paint so the guide loads quickly. It opens here as you scroll, or you can start it now.
Planning questions
How many days do I need for Shanghai?
Three days is the floor for a coherent Shanghai trip — enough for the Bund, French Concession, and one good museum. Five days is the most productive window: three days in Shanghai and one in Suzhou, with a buffer day for jet lag or weather. Seven to ten days lets you add Hangzhou or slow the pace considerably.
Is a Suzhou day trip worth it from Shanghai?
Yes, for trips of five days or longer. Suzhou is 30 minutes from Shanghai Hongqiao station on the G-class high-speed train. The classical gardens — Humble Administrator's Garden and Lingering Garden in particular — are legitimately different from anything in Shanghai. The canal-side streets around Pingjiang Road are also genuinely walkable. A 9am departure, four to five hours in Suzhou, and a return by early evening works well.
What is the French Concession and should I base myself there?
The French Concession is a neighborhood in the Xuhui and Jing'an districts defined by plane-tree-lined streets, lane houses, and a dense concentration of independent cafes, restaurants, and boutiques. It is the most walkable and livable part of Shanghai for first-time visitors. Basing yourself there — around Xintiandi, Tianzifang, or the Wukang Road area — puts you within a short metro ride of Jing'an Temple, People's Square, and the Bund.
How does the itinerary builder work?
You choose the number of days (3–10), your interests, travel type, and budget. The tool sends these inputs to an AI model and streams a day-by-day itinerary directly to the page. Each day has five time blocks — early morning, lunch, afternoon, dinner, and evening — with a location, transit note, spend estimate, and a short local tip. The result is a starting shape, not a final booking. A LocalKey consultant reviews and tailors it further if you request one.
Do I need Alipay or WeChat Pay in Shanghai?
Yes. Cash is widely refused and card terminals are inconsistent. Alipay now accepts international Visa and Mastercard for tourists — link your card in the Alipay app before arriving. WeChat Pay is an alternative but the setup is more involved for non-Chinese users. Set up Alipay in your home country before departure; the airport connection is slower and the flow is easier with a stable connection.
What is the best time of year to visit Shanghai?
April to May and September to October are the most comfortable months. Spring brings cherry blossoms in Jing'an Sculpture Park and mild temperatures. Autumn has clear skies and lower humidity. June brings the plum rain season — extended grey drizzle for three to four weeks. July and August are hot and humid with occasional typhoon risk. January and February are cold but uncrowded, with Chinese New Year transforming the city briefly.
What budget should I plan for a Shanghai trip?
Budget travelers can manage on ¥300–500 per day (around USD 40–70) using hostels, metro, and street food. Mid-range — 4-star hotels, good local restaurants, and occasional taxis — runs ¥800–1500 per day (USD 110–210). Luxury travelers at 5-star hotels with fine dining should plan ¥2500 or more per day per person. Flights and shopping are separate. Entry to most parks and many museums is free or under ¥100.
Can I get a SIM card or eSIM for China before I arrive?
Yes. An eSIM with a mainland China data plan is the most practical option. Several providers offer China-compatible eSIMs that can be activated before departure. These give you a functional data connection from the moment you land — important for navigation, translation, and Alipay QR code scanning. Airport SIM counters exist but queues can be long. VPN access on a Chinese carrier SIM is restricted by law; if you need VPN access for work, configure it before entering mainland China.