Eat and Travel With Us

Shanghai Four Days Itinerary (Day 1)

For our year-end vacation this year, we decided to visit the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, as well as the neighbouring cities of Hangzhou and Suzhou. We wanted to visit these cities at a time when China is on the transitional path towards consolidating her position as a world power. It should be interesting to experience the dynamics and developments of this transition.

Today was the official start of our China vacation. I was feeling excited on the cab as we made our way to Changi Airport. After checking in, we grabbed a quick bite at KFC before boarding the plane. We were flying overnight with Cathay Airlines and transiting via Hong Kong. Four hours later, I woke up in Hong Kong for the transit. After another two-hours flight, we arrived dreary-eyed at Shanghai Pudong airport. This article was last updated on 14 August 2019.

Shanghai Maglev Train
Shanghai Maglev Airport Station

After crossing the immigration checkpoint, we made our way to the Maglev ticketing counter to buy our return train tickets between Longyang metro station and the Pudong International Airport metro station.

We bought the “Ordinary Return Tickets” which are valid for seven days. We got a 20% discount on our tickets (originally 80RMB) because we were buying the tickets on the day we arrived in Shanghai. The bullet train comes in 20 minutes intervals so we boarded the train very shortly after. The cabins were mostly empty and we pretty much got to choose to sit anywhere within our cabin! And we were glad we did not splurge on the “VIP” seats (160RMB) because our seats were not much different.

Seven minutes later, we were at Longyang metro station, 30km away! Why so fast? Because the bullet train travels at speeds of up to 430km/h.

You can check out this site for more details on the Maglev tickets.

Also check out the Shanghai Subway Map.

Shanghai Maglev Train

Sofitel Shanghai Hyland
BathroomFrom Longyang Road metro station, it was a short thirty minutes ride to East Nanjing Road metro station on Line 2  (green line). From Exit 4, we walked five minutes to the first hotel of our Shanghai trip, Sofitel Shanghai Hyland. See this map for directions.

Check-in was prompt and professional, and the hotel room was decent-sized and comfortable.

After getting a much-needed bath, we made our way to the first tourist destination of our China trip, Zhujiajiao 朱家角.

Zhujiajiao 朱家角
RiverMany tourists lament about the lack of authentic Chinese culture in the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai.

However, located on the outskirts of Shanghai, is a 1700 years old ancient water town with stone arch bridges and historical buildings.

This is the rustic town of Zhujiajiao 朱家角, with a tiny population of 60,000. Literally translated, the name of the town means “Zhu’s family corner”.

How to go Zhujiajiao
To reach this ancient water town, we took a train ride to Dashijie metro station on Line 8 (blue line), exited from Exit 3, and walked to the bus stop at 10 Pu An Road 普安路10号. See this map to get a clearer idea. Below is the landmark at the bus stop.

Bus Stop to ZhujiajiaoLandmark at Pu An Road bus stop

From there, we took the *bus line Huzhu Gaosu Kuaixian 沪朱高速快线. The bus comes every 30 minutes and the trip costs just 12 RMB. You pay by metro card or in cash to the bus conductor after boarding. There are a total of six stops, and Zhujiajiao is at the last stop. The trip takes about an hour.

*Since 30 December 17, there is a new metro line, 17 (an extension of line 2) that brings passengers directly to Zhujiajiao station. It costs around RMB 10 and takes about 80 minutes.

Huzhu Gaosu Kuaixian 沪朱高速快线 bus to Zhujiajiao. Trip takes about an hour.

The bus ride was definitely worth it.

Walking along the streets of the water town, it almost felt like we had been transported to ancient China. There were many historical stone bridges and Qing Dynasty style buildings, and numerous rivers running through the water town. We saw several cafes along the riverbanks, with customers inside enjoying a cuppa while admiring the river view. It was hard to believe such a tranquil place existed just an hour away from the hectic city life of Shanghai.

Time seemed to slow down here.

Water TownCheng Huang MiaoDoor Knockers

We bought onion pancakes from one of the street vendors.

Man, it tasted good!

The pancake was crispy and warm, and not too oily. And it cost just 1.50RMB! The locals probably loved it as well because the person queuing in front of me actually bought twenty.

Onion Pancake

There are pig trotters stalls everywhere in Zhujiajiao.

We bought a pork rice dumpling and pig trotter from one stall named 银杏树阿婆粽. The dumpling was slightly oily and a little bland. The pig trotter, however, saved the day. The meat was tender and fresh, and the fats seemed to melt in my mouth.

Pork Rice Dumplings

Pig Trotters

Other food stuff on sale at 银杏树阿婆粽

Zhujiajiao also happens to be a great place to café-hop.

There are many quaint cafes located along the riverbanks, with the standard offerings of “tea, coffee and beer”. Unfortunately, we had to rush to catch the bus back to Shanghai, but I can imagine it must be great to chill out in one of the cafes along the riverbank.
52 Tea Room




Xintiandi 新天地
We left Zhujiajiao at about 5pm, arriving back in Shanghai at 6pm. We took the metro to Xintiandi station on Line 10 (purple line), to visit the affluent district of Xintiandi 新天地.

This is the heavily gentrified district of the French Concession, an area that was ruled by the French between 1849 and 1946.

It is now home to the Chinese elites and top executive expats, and is the most expensive place to live in China. The place is popular with tourists because it has many art galleries, cafes, and restaurants.

Simply Thai 天泰餐厅 at Xintiandi
We were famished after our trip to Zhujiajiao and went for dinner at a popular Thai restaurant: Simply Thai.

The restaurant serves classic Thai food in a casual and convivial environment.

When we were there, the place was packed with both locals and expats, chatting gaily over dinner.

We ordered the Tom Yam Seafood Soup (50RMB), Wok Fried Squid with Tom Yum Paste (68RMB), and Soft Shell Crab with Pork Floss (RMB68). Overall, the food passed muster, with our favourite dish being the Tom Yam soup. The feisty soup was spicy with a rich fragrance, and the fresh seafood complimented the soup base nicely. Service was prompt too, despite the restaurant being packed.

Simply Thai Xintiandi
Address: 159 Madang Road (Corner of Xingye Road)
Telephone Contact: +8621 6431 1134
Email: enquiry@simplythegroup.com
Opening Hours: Sun to Thurs, 11am – 12am. Fri and Sat, 11am – 1am

Directions to Simply Thai Xintiandi
From Exit 6 of Xintiandi metro station on Line 10 (purple line), walk for about five minutes along Madang Road 马当路. Click here to see the map.

For their other branches, visit www.simplythegroup.com

Tom Yam Seafood Soup (50RMB)

Soft Shell Crab with Pork Floss (RMB68)

Wok Fried Squid with Tom Yum Paste (68RMB)

After dinner, we strolled along the streets of Xintiandi. Because we were visiting in November, the weather was great.

We had an enjoyable walk in the cool night air while admiring the beautiful night view of this former French Concession district.

Plane trees along Xintiandi

East Nanjing Walking Street 南京步行街
Nanjing East RoadWe decided to do some quick shopping / sightseeing along East Nanjing Walking Street before settling for the night. This vibrant street is right outside East Nanjing Road metro station on Line 2 (green line).

It felt like we were in the golden days of 1930s Shanghai, the “old Shanghai” image typically depicted in movies and literature.

The shopping malls are housed in colonial-style buildings, lining both sides of the entire stretch of road.

Nanjing East RoadThe road was packed with locals and tourists, and tourist trams ran along the road.

You can get a ride on one of these trams for 5RMB if your legs are too sore from all the shopping.

There were many street vendors who tried to sell us toys. Even though they were a little annoying, they backed off after we ignored them. Sadly, we also saw several homeless people and beggars, a sign of Shanghai’s worsening income equality amidst its rapid globalization.

TramTram ride along East Nanjing Walking Street for just 5RMB

Finally, we headed back to our comfortable room in Sofitel for a good night’s rest. We had not had a proper sleep since our overnight flight 24 hours ago!

Also read:
Shanghai Four Days Itinerary
Shanghai Four Days Itinerary (Day 2)
Shanghai Four Days Itinerary (Day 3)
Shanghai Four Days Itinerary (Day 4)

This article is part of our completely free and fantastic Ultimate Shanghai Travel Guide. Why spend days researching when all your holiday information is simply a click away?

Shanghai Day One Itinerary

Time
7am Flight from Singapore to Shanghai
8am Flight from Singapore to Shanghai
9am Flight from Singapore to Shanghai
10am Touch down at Shanghai Pudong Airport
11am Maglev bullet train to Longyang Road metro station. Metro to East Nanjing Road metro station
12pm Check in at Sofitel Shanghai Hyland
1pm One Hour Bus Ride to Zhujiajiao
2pm Tour Zhujiajiao
3pm Tour Zhujiajiao
4pm Tour Zhujiajiao
5pm One Hour Bus Ride to Shanghai
6pm Dinner at Simply Thai Xintiandi
7pm Tour Xintiandi
8pm Tour Xintiandi
9pm  Tour East Nanjing Walking Street
10pm Return to Hotel
11pm

13 Comments and Questions

  • DemiFarrell
    22 Jun 15

    Awesome photographs of Shanghai city…!!!

  • administrator
    23 Jun 15

    thank you!

  • yanty
    11 May 16

    I want to ask about the tram in East Nanjing Walking Street. Is 5 RMB for a one time ride, or can we ride it for the whole night? and can we custom stop along the street?

  • Evan
    12 May 16

    Hello Yanty thanks for your question. 5 RMB is for a one-time ride only. No you cannot custom stop along the street, the tram simply goes from one end of the street to the other end.

  • Camille
    14 Jun 18

    Great helpful tips! Thank you for sharing your ideas, I tried it and took Shanghai Metro and fully enjoyed Shanghai.

  • Evan
    15 Jun 18

    Hi Camille! You’re welcome! Glad you had fun in Shanghai.

  • Tan Cheow Heng
    14 Dec 18

    Hi, love your post. I will be travelling to Shanghai end of the month as well with family. We have booked Central Hotel near to Nanjing East Station. I am wondering if the path from the station to the hotel (even if it’s only 10mins) will be difficult, like very busy roads or a lot of obstacles?

  • Evan
    15 Dec 18

    Hi Cheow Heng, thanks for your kind words! It will not be a difficult walk. The roads are well-paved and you shouldn’t have any problems.

  • Steve
    02 Jun 19

    If you had an extra day to spend in either Hangzhou or Suzhou, which city would you spend it in?

  • Steve
    02 Jun 19

    By that I mean, which of the two cities could you have spent a second night in and still felt you had plenty to do?

  • Evan
    03 Jun 19

    Hi Steve! I would have spent an extra day in Hangzhou, and spent some time exploring the Longjing tea fields, Hangzhou Songcheng Park, and perhaps even make a visit to the Alibaba headquarters!

  • ao
    08 Aug 19

    From Zhujiajiao, how did you travel back to Shanghai? Is the bus stop the same place, and do they drop you back at the same place in Shanghai?

  • Evan
    09 Aug 19

    Hi ao! Since 30 Dec 17, there is a new metro line (line 17, an extension of line 2) that will bring you directly to the Zhujiajiao station. It costs about RMB 10 and will take around 80 minutes.