5-Day Shanghai Tour | Classic Combination of The Bund and Disneyland・Suitable for All Ages Guide

Shanghai, the magic city at the mouth of the Yangtze River, offers the architectural expo of The Bund, the fairy-tale carnival of Disneyland, and the old-town charm of Yuyuan Garden. Watch the river view with elders on Binjiang Avenue, explore mysteries with kids at the Science and Technology Museum—here, every day is a feast of tradition meeting modernity. 🗓️ Itinerary Overview D1: Arrive in Shanghai → The Bund → Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street → Yuyuan Garden D2: Shanghai Disneyland D3: Shanghai Science and Technology Museum → Lujiazui → Oriental Pearl Tower D4: Tianzifang → Xintiandi → Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art D5: Zhujiajiao Ancient Town → Return 🌉 Day 1: Stroll The Bund · Taste the Old City 📍 The Bund (Free) Highlights: "Expo of International Architecture" with century-old European buildings on one side and Lujiazui skyscrapers on the other. The sunset over the Huangpu River is stunning. Elders can take a sightseeing tram (50 RMB/person), kids can snap "building reflections" on the floodwall. Early morning is less crowded and great for photos. 🕙 Best time: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM (including sunset) 📸 Photo spot: The Bund viewing platform (capture the Oriental Pearl Tower across the river with people, use a wide-angle lens) 💡 Tips: Crowded on holidays, hold kids’ hands; river breeze is strong, bring a light jacket. 📍 Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street (Free) Highlights: Century-old commercial street with famous stores like Wing On Department Store and First Food Store. Elders can buy butterfly pastries (25 RMB/bag), kids can enjoy DQ ice cream (20 RMB each). Perfect for a 1-hour food and shopping stroll. 🕙 Suggested time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM 📍 Yuyuan Garden (4A, 40 RMB ticket) Highlights: Ming Dynasty garden with iconic Nine-turn Bridge and Huxin Pavilion. Lantern Festival is lively here. Elders can drink green tea at Huxin Pavilion (50 RMB/cup), kids can buy Nanxiang soup dumplings (30 RMB/steamer). The garden’s rockeries are great for ancient-style photos. 🕙 Opening hours: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM, recommended 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM 🍜 Dining recommendation: Yuyuan’s "Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant," must-try crab roe soup dumplings (45 RMB/steamer) and fresh meat soup buns (20 RMB/steamer), about 50 RMB per person. 🏨 Accommodation recommendation: "Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund" (family rooms available, 5-minute walk to The Bund), prices 1000-1500 RMB/night, river view rooms are excellent; budget option "Hanting Youjia" (300-400 RMB/night, near subway). 🎢 Day 2: Fairy-tale Carnival · Full Day at Disneyland 📍 Shanghai Disneyland (5A, tickets from 599 RMB) Highlights: Seven themed lands, must-try rides include "TRON Lightcycle Power Run" and "Pirates of the Caribbean." Elders can watch the "Frozen" theater show (sit and rest), kids love "Seven Dwarfs Mine Train" and "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh." Don’t miss the fireworks show at 9:15 PM. 🕙 Opening hours: 8:30 AM - 9:30 PM, recommended to arrive before 8:00 AM (early entry card allows 1-hour early access) 💰 Prices: Adults 599-699 RMB (varies by date), seniors 65+ at 479 RMB, children 1.0-1.4 meters at 449 RMB 📸 Photo spot: Front of the castle (capture people with the castle, morning light is best) 💡 Tips: Bring a foldable water bottle (free drinking water in the park); elders can rest at "Mickey Avenue" rest area; download the "Disney Resort" app to book waiting passes. 🔬 Day 3: Science Exploration · Sky-high Views 📍 Shanghai Science and Technology Museum (5A, 40 RMB ticket) Highlights: Perfect for families, featuring "Biodiversity" (tropical rainforest), "Robot World" (robots playing chess and dancing), and "Space Exploration" (space capsule simulation). Elders can visit the "Earth Home" exhibit (educational), kids can play with water and build in the "Children’s Science Park," very interactive. 🕙 Opening hours: 9:30 AM - 5:15 PM (closed Mondays), recommended 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM 📸 Photo spot: Lobby’s "Biological Spiral" sculpture (family photo with a tech vibe background) 📍 Lujiazui (Free) Highlights: Shanghai’s financial center with Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and Jin Mao Tower. Elders can take a sightseeing tram (30 RMB/person) to see skyscrapers, kids can play claw machines at "Lujiazui Center" mall. 📍 Oriental Pearl Tower (5A, tickets from 199 RMB) Highlights: Shanghai landmark with a 259-meter transparent skywalk (a test of courage). Elders can visit the lower sphere (100 RMB) for easy viewing, kids can explore the "Shanghai Urban History Exhibition Hall" to see old Shanghai street scenes (included in ticket). 🕙 Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, recommended 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (for sunset) 💡 Tips: Combo tickets are more cost-effective; avoid long lines by visiting after 5:00 PM. 🎨 Day 4: Artistic Stroll · Old City New Charm 📍 Tianzifang (Free) Highlights: Artistic alley neighborhood with handmade shops and cafes. Elders can admire Shikumen architecture, kids can buy creative stickers (10 RMB each). Great for photos and check-ins. 🕙 Suggested time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 📍 Xintiandi (Free) Highlights: Fashion landmark renovated from Shikumen houses, featuring trendy restaurants and luxury shops. Elders can stroll in Taiping Lake Park, kids can watch street performers (free). The evening lighting is very romantic. 🕙 Suggested time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM 📍 Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art (Free, special exhibitions charged) Highlights: Industrial-style building hosting international art exhibitions. Elders can see the "Urban Architecture Exhibition," kids can paint in the "Children’s Art Workshop" (free). Rooftop terrace offers views of the Huangpu River. 🕙 Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM (closed Mondays), recommended 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM 🏮 Day 5: Ancient Town Finale · Leisure Water Town Tour 📍 Zhujiajiao Ancient Town (4A, 60 RMB ticket, town free, attractions charged) Highlights: Best-preserved water town in Shanghai, known as "Venice of Shanghai." Take a black-awning boat (60 RMB/boat, seats 6) to see bridges and flowing water. Elders can visit "Ke Zhi Garden" (ticket included) to see ancient gardens, kids can buy cured meat (20 RMB/bag) as snacks. 🕙 Opening hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, recommended 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM 📸 Photo spot: Fangsheng Bridge (capture the bridge arch and boats, stand on the bridge edge) 💡 Tips: The town is moderately commercialized, compare prices before buying souvenirs; stone pavements are slippery, wear non-slip shoes. ✨ Shanghai Survival Guide 1️⃣ Transportation: Subway covers all attractions (3-10 RMB), download "Metro Metropolis" app for QR code rides; Disneyland is accessible via Line 11; taxi starting fare 14 RMB, 20-30 RMB between city attractions; elders/kids should prioritize subway (with elevators). 2️⃣ Clothing: Spring and autumn wear trench coats + light sweaters (cool mornings and evenings), summer wear short sleeves + sun protection (for Disneyland and outdoor Bund), winter wear down jackets + scarves (damp and cold), comfortable sneakers are a must for walking. 3️⃣ Taboos: Do not touch exhibits in the Science Museum; no queue jumping or loud noise in Disneyland; do not feed fish randomly in the ancient town. 4️⃣ Accommodation: Stay downtown for the first 3 days (near The Bund/subway), Disneyland hotels (1500-2000 RMB/night with shuttle) or nearby homestays (300-500 RMB/night); choose hotels with children’s amenities if traveling with kids. 🛍️ Must-buy Souvenirs ① White Rabbit Creamy Candy (gift box 30 RMB/box, classic flavor loved by elders and kids) ② Shanghai Butterfly Pastry (International Hotel version, 30 RMB/bag, crispy and sweet) ③ Disneyland Merchandise (StellaLou plush 100 RMB each, keychains 50 RMB each) ④ Yuyuan Pear Syrup Candy (25 RMB/box, soothes throat and cough, good for elders) Shanghai’s romance is the evening breeze at The Bund and the lights of Lujiazui; its childlike fun is the fireworks at Disneyland and wonders at the Science and Technology Museum. Whether walking slowly with parents on Binjiang Avenue, making wishes in front of the castle with kids, or having coffee with friends in Tianzifang, there are moments here that will touch your heart. If you come to Shanghai, do you want to see the night view at The Bund first or meet Mickey at Disneyland?