How to Spend 7 Days in Shanghai - Shanghai 7 Days Itinerary Plans 2025/2026

Plan A: Shanghai Hangzhou&Huangshan Exploration

Hangzhou and Huangshan are popular destinations in the Yangtze River Delta region, as well as their geographical location close to Shanghai and convenient high-speed rail network, making them popular choices for medium and long-term itineraries around Shanghai. This 7-day trip, you can not only enjoy the cityscapes of Shanghai, immerse yourself in the elegant vibe of Hangzhou, but also appreciate the charm of the quaint nature of Huangshan.

Yangtze River Delta Travel Map (click to enlarge)

Day 1: Shanghai Arrival

After you arrive in Shanghai, you can take a short rest and then head to Shanghai Circus World located in the northern part of Jing'an District to watch the entertaining acrobatic show, including breathtaking "balls of death" acts, chair balancing, hula hoops, juggling of benches, walking in the air, and other wonderful performances.

Day 2: Shanghai City Exploration (Oriental Pearl Tower/Shanghai Tower - Shanghai Museum East - Yu Garden - Nanjing Road - The Bund)

First go to Shanghai Pudong (east of the Huangpu River) area, and choose one of the skyscrapers such as Oriental Pearl Tower - the most famous landmark in Shanghai / Shanghai Tower - the tallest building in China and second tallest one in the world with the total height of 632m to enjoy the amazing panoramic view of downtown Shanghai. Then visit Shanghai Museum East, also in Pudong area, which is dubbed "Textbooks of Chinese Art History" to appreciate remarkable ancient Chinese arts through rich collections of the bronze, ceramics, paintings, calligraphic works, etc. Continue transfer to Yu Garden in Puxi (west of the Huangpu River) area to get a glimpse at classical Chinese garden architecture and abundant traditional culture, as well as experience the lively atmosphere of Yuyuan Bazaar and taste some local snacks. Next head to Nanjing Road, which is the oldest shopping street in Shanghai that has been extended to the Bund. Then you can walk directly to The Bund to enjoy the dazzling night view along the Bund, the Huangpu River and the Lujiazui area.

Day 3: Shanghai - Tongxiang (Wuzhen Water Town) - Hangzhou

Departing from Shanghai today, take the morning high-speed train to Tongxiang, which takes about an hour to arrive. Then transfer to Wuzhen Water Town. As a classic water town of Jiangnan (south of the Yangtze River) style, Wuzhen is reputed as "the Venice of the East" with peaceful environment and ancient architectures. Here you can find old buildings situated along the winding river, and various workshops, stores and museums are the highlights of the romantic and tranquil little town, which all make Wuzhen a very poetic and romantic place in China. When you finish your water town tour in Wuzhen, you can transfer directly to Hangzhou, which about 80 kilometers (1.5 hours by car) away from the city center of Hangzhou.

Day 4: Hangzhou City Exploration (West Lake - Feilai Peak - Lingyin Temple - China National Tea Museum - Meijiawu Village)

First, make the symbolic visit to the picturesque West Lake, which is the iconic site of Hangzhou and a pretty UNESCO World Heritage. Cruise on West Lake is a good way to experience the beautiful scenery. Next, go to Feilai Peak, which features in over 300 Buddhist carvings lining the riverbanks and hillsides and tucked away inside grottoes. Continue to the adjacent Lingyin Temple of nearly 1,700 year, which is the oldest and one of the most popular temples in Hangzhou. After that, go to China National Tea Museum to learn systematically about Chinese tea culture including the history, procession, customs and classification of tea, and admire diverse kinds of tea wares, machines, displays, etc. Then, transfer to Meijiawu Tea Village, a refreshing wonderland surrounded by mountains with a large area of emerald Dragon Well tea plantations in neat lines and curves. Walk among the tea plantations with fun and take beautiful photos.

Day 5: Hangzhou - Huangshan (Hongcun/Xidi Ancient Village)

Departing from Hangzhou today, take the morning high-speed train to Huangshan, which takes about 1.5 hours to arrive. Then transfer to one of the ancient villages in Huangshan, Hongcun or Xidi, which respectively about 65 kilometers (1.5 hours by car) and 50 kilometers (1 hour by car) away from the city center of Huangshan. Hongcun Ancient Village, a 900-year-old ancient village known for “Ancient Village in Chinese Paintings”, which was listed as UNESCO World Heritage site along with Xidi in 2000. It was also the filming location of famous Oscar-winner film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with typical Anhui-style architecture. Xidi Ancient Village, also a well-preserved and time-honored ancient village with history over 900 years, where still have 300 ancient dwellings left from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and 124 were well-preserved. It has enjoyed the reputation of “Household in Peach Blossom Garden”.

Day 6: Mount Huangshan

Today, transfer from Hongcun or Xidi to Huangshan Scenic Area, the distance is 30 kilometers (40 minutes by car) and 40 kilometers (50 minutes by car) respectively. Mt. Huangshan, also Yellow Mountain was listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. It is famous for the five wonders – odd-shaped pines, spectacular rocky peaks, sea of clouds, hot spring and winter snow. Generally speaking, it takes about 3 hours for energetic hiker to hike from the Dispelling Cloud Pavilion, via 1st Ring and 2nd Ring to the bottom and return to the starting point. For beginners, children, and senior travelers, you can decide the hiking length on your own, usually 2 hours for the 1st Ring and 2.5 hours for the 2nd Ring. To enjoy the beautiful sunset and sunrise scenery of Mount Huangshan, we recommend that you stay in the Huangshan Scenic Area for one night.

Day 7: Mount Huangshan - Huangshan Departure

Get up early (usually around 5am to 6am) to enjoy the magnificent sunrise from Mount Huangshan. In good-weather days, you can see clearly the golden light of the sun piercing the mists, and rocky peaks rising above the frothy, ever-changing sea of white clouds. Then you can continue on your sightseeing or take a cable car to exit the Huangshan Scenic Area.

Highlights of this Itinerary

• Yu Garden
• Wuzhen Water Town
• Xidi Ancient Village
• Mt. Huangshan

☛ 7 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Huangshan Highlights Tour

Plan B: Shanghai with Other Popular China Destinations - Recommended for First Timers

If you want to enrich your trip beyond the essences of Shanghai, consider extending to other popular destinations, like Beijing with a captivating blend of imperial history and modern dynamism, Xian for the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors, Hong Kong for its coexist culture of east and west and modern atmosphere, Guilin for picturesque karst landform scenery, Yangtze River Cruise for leisure sightseeing sailing vacation, etc. These destinations provide a diverse and immersive experience, from ancient capitals, cultural treasures and the unique East-meets-West charm to dramatic landscapes, tranquil waterways, perfecting for those looking to delve deeper into China’s rich heritage and natural beauty. Check the recommended itineraries below to get inspired! Check more about China Tours from Shanghai >>

• Forbidden City
• Ancient City Wall
• Li River
• Yangtze River Cruise