Shanghai 4 Days 3 Nights Budget Travel Guide

Of course! As a travel blogger, I’m happy to carefully plan a 4-day, 3-night Shanghai itinerary for you, complete with a detailed budget reference (per person), suitable for most independent travelers. The budget is divided into three tiers: 【Economy】, 【Comfort】, and 【Premium】, so you can choose according to your needs.

📍 Destination: Shanghai, China
📅 Trip Duration: 4 days 3 nights
🗓 Recommended Travel Time: Spring and Autumn (March-May, September-November), with pleasant weather ideal for city strolls and outdoor activities.

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🌟 Itinerary Overview (General Schedule)
Day 1: The Bund · Nanjing Road · Yuyuan Garden · City God Temple
- Afternoon: Arrive in Shanghai, check into hotel
- Evening: Stroll along The Bund, enjoy the night view of both sides of the Huangpu River (Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower)
- Night: Shopping and snacks at Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street
- Optional: Visit the Oriental Pearl Tower or Shanghai Tower Observation Deck (118th floor)

Day 2: Shanghai Museum · People’s Square · Xintiandi · Tianzifang
- Morning: Visit Shanghai Museum (free, reservation required)
- Noon: Lunch near People’s Square
- Afternoon: Explore Xintiandi’s Shikumen architecture + coffee break
- Evening: Wander the artsy alleys of Tianzifang, take photos and check in
- Night: Night cycling or walking along Huangpu Riverside

Day 3: Disneyland One-Day Tour (or alternative: Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park / In-depth Yuyuan Garden tour)
- All day: Shanghai Disneyland (recommended to buy tickets and reserve entry in advance)
- Night: Watch the fireworks show (subject to daily schedule)

Alternative plan if not visiting theme parks:
- Morning: Jing’an Temple + Jing’an Kerry Centre
- Afternoon: Wukang Road + Anfu Road arts district (trendy cafes, boutique shops)
- Night: St. Ignatius Cathedral in Xujiahui + dinner at Metro City

Day 4: Zhujiajiao Ancient Town or Hongqiao Tiandi Shopping + Return
- Morning: Head to Zhujiajiao Ancient Town (direct via Metro Line 17), experience the Jiangnan water town charm
- Noon: Taste local specialties like braised pork, grandma’s tea, and zongzi in the ancient town
- Afternoon: Before departure, shop or dine near Hongqiao Tiandi or National Exhibition and Convention Center
- Evening: Head to airport/train station, end of trip

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💰 Budget Details (Per Person, RMB)

| Item | Economy | Comfort | Premium |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Round-trip Transport (High-speed train) ¥600 (Second class) | ¥600 | ¥600 |
| Accommodation (3 nights) ¥300/night × 3 = ¥900 (Chain budget hotel) | ¥600/night × 3 = ¥1800 (4-star hotel/boutique guesthouse) | ¥1200+/night × 3 = ¥3600+ (5-star hotels like Jing’an Shangri-La, The Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund) |
| Local Transport (Metro + taxi) ¥100 (mainly metro) | ¥150 | ¥300 (including private car/more taxis) |
| Meals (daily approx.) ¥80 × 4 = ¥320 (snacks + simple meals) | ¥150 × 4 = ¥600 (full meals + coffee + light bites) | ¥300 × 4 = ¥1200 (trendy restaurants + Michelin recommended) |
| Attraction Tickets ¥400 (Disney single-day ticket ¥475, others free or low cost) | ¥500 (including Disney + observation decks) | ¥700 (VIP access/special experiences) |
| Shopping/Souvenirs/Others | ¥200 | ¥500 | ¥1000+ |
| Total (Estimated) | Around ¥2,520 | Around ¥4,150 | ¥7,400+ |

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Travel Tips (From the Blogger)

1. Transportation Suggestions
- Download the "Metro Metropolis" app to scan QR codes for metro rides.
- Use "Gaode Map" or "Baidu Map" for seamless bus and metro navigation.
- Take Metro Line 11 directly to Disneyland; go early to avoid crowds.

2. Recommended Accommodation Areas
- Economy: People’s Square, Zhongshan Park, Jing’an Temple metro lines
- Comfort: Xintiandi, Huaihai Road, North Bund
- Premium: The Bund, Lujiazui, Hengshan Road

3. Food Recommendations
- Snacks: Nanxiang Xiaolongbao (Yuyuan Garden), Fresh Meat Mooncakes (Guangming Village), Shengjianbao (Xiaoyang Shengjian)
- Full meals: Lao Jishi (local cuisine), Crab Roe Noodles (Yuxingji), Trendy cafes (%Arabica, Manner)

4. Pitfalls to Avoid
- For The Bund observation decks, choose Shanghai Tower (China’s tallest) for better views.
- Download the official Disneyland app in advance to grab FastPasses.
- Tianzifang is quite commercialized; visit in the evening to avoid peak crowds.

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Summary

- Want to save money but have a fulfilling trip? Choose 【Economy】, under ¥2500.
- Want comfortable lodging and good food? 【Comfort】around ¥4000 offers the best value.
- Want premium service and experiences? 【Premium】¥7000+, ideal for couples/family vacations.

If you tell me your departure city, number of travelers, and preferences (like photography, food, family trips, etc.), I can customize a personalized itinerary for you!

Wishing you a magical encounter with the bustling charm and vibrant life of Shanghai! ✨
— Your travel blogger 📸✈️