6-day Shanghai itinerary for Filipinos: visa, budget, Disneyland and more

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Shanghai brings together historic neighbourhoods, skyscrapers, museums, shopping and one of Asia’s Disney resorts. Grouping nearby attractions makes the city easier to explore.

This 6-day Shanghai itinerary includes four days around the city, one full day at Shanghai Disneyland and a departure day with no rushed sightseeing. It starts and ends at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).

Filipino tourists generally need a visa before travelling to mainland China. Check the latest requirements before paying for non-refundable flights or accommodation.

We'll also introduce the Wise card, a handy travel companion to make seamless card payments when you're overseas.

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How many days do you need in Shanghai?

Four or five days may be enough if you focus on central Shanghai and skip Disneyland. Six days is more comfortable for a first trip that includes the theme park, the Bund, the old city, museums and Pudong.

Choose the version that suits your priorities:

• Complete first-time trip: Follow the six-day itinerary below
• Five-day trip: Remove Disneyland or the museum and French Concession day
• No theme parks: Replace Disneyland with Zhujiajiao water town or another city day
• Slower trip: Add a seventh day for Zhujiajiao, shopping or another museum
• Shanghai-only city break: Spend four full days in the city without changing hotels

Save Beijing, Xi’an or another distant city for a longer multi-city trip.

Planning flights from the Philippines

Fly into and out of Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Compare the total fare and check the terminal before booking your flight.

PVG is around 30 kilometres from central Shanghai. The official guide estimates about one hour and 7 CNY by Metro Line 2 to People’s Square, or roughly 50 minutes and 180 CNY by taxi before traffic-related differences.⁴

For a late arrival, check the final public transport service and keep the first evening flexible.

Most Filipino tourists also need to pay Philippine travel tax unless exempt or eligible for a reduced rate. Check whether it is already included in the airfare.³ Read our guide to Philippine travel tax.

6-day Shanghai itinerary at a glance

Use one central hotel for all five nights and group nearby attractions into the same day. This plan balances Shanghai’s historic districts and modern skyline with a dedicated Disneyland day.

The summary below covers the main trip logistics, including airports, neighbourhoods, transport and overall pace.

How much should you budget for 6 days in Shanghai?

Budget for flights, five hotel nights, visa costs, transfers, food, transport, attractions, data, insurance, shopping and emergencies.

These official prices can help with part of your estimate:⁴ ⁷

Disney prices vary by date and ticket type. These figures were viewed on 7 August 2026. Use the current CNY to PHP rate when budgeting in pesos.

Detailed 6-day Shanghai itinerary

Day 1 — Arrive and explore central Shanghai

Morning or afternoon — Airport arrival and hotel check-in

Allow time for immigration, baggage and the journey from PVG. Choose Metro Line 2, the maglev with a metro transfer, a bus, taxi or booked transfer.⁴

People’s Square, East Nanjing Road and Jing’an are practical bases. Stay near a metro station for easier Disneyland and Pudong journeys.

Present your passport at check-in. Hotels register foreign guests; different procedures apply in a private home.⁹ Leave your bags if the room is not ready.

Evening — The Bund or Nanjing Road

If you arrive early enough, walk along East Nanjing Road or the Bund rather than crossing several areas after a flight.

Have dinner nearby. Skyline-view restaurants may require advance booking.

Day 2 — See old and historic Shanghai

Morning — Yu Garden and the old city

Start around Yu Garden and the old city. Check its hours, tickets and real-name booking rules, bringing the passport used for any reservation.

Expect crowds on weekends and public holidays. Try Xiao Long Bao or another local meal without spending the morning in one long queue.

Afternoon — Xintiandi and the former French Concession

Continue to Xintiandi, then walk through part of the former French Concession. Choose Fuxing Park, Sinan Mansions or Wukang Road rather than fitting in all three.

Allow time for cafés and breaks, as walking distances add up.

Evening — Huaihai Road or a relaxed dinner

Eat around Xintiandi or Huaihai Road. Check the last metro and save your hotel address in Chinese.

Day 3 — Visit museums and local neighbourhoods

Morning — People’s Square and Shanghai Museum

Visit Shanghai Museum at People’s Square. Individual visitors can generally enter with a passport without reserving, although peak periods or exhibitions may require bookings. It normally closes on Mondays except public holidays.⁶

Check which galleries are open. Alternatively, explore People’s Square or another nearby venue.

Afternoon — Jing’an or Tianzifang

Choose Jing’an for its temple, shops and cafés, or Tianzifang for compact lanes and small stores.

Keep some CNY for small purchases and ask before photographing religious or residential spaces.

Evening — Food, shopping or an early night

Have dinner near Jing’an, Tianzifang or your hotel.

Day 4 — Explore modern Pudong

Morning — Lujiazui skyline

Take the metro to Lujiazui and see the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center.

Choose one paid observation deck, checking the weather, hours and ticket conditions before booking.

Afternoon — Museum, mall or riverside walk

Continue to Shanghai Museum East, a mall or another Pudong attraction. Individual museum visitors normally enter with a passport without reserving, although crowd controls may apply.⁶

For a slower day, spend more time by the river and avoid several similar observation decks.

Evening — See the skyline after dark

Return to the Bund for skyline views or eat around Lujiazui. Allow for busy metro stations.

For a river cruise, confirm the pier, departure, inclusions and cancellation terms. The Bund is a free alternative.

Day 5 — Spend the day at Shanghai Disneyland

Morning — Travel to Shanghai Disney Resort

Leave early. Buy dated tickets through official channels or an authorised partner, ensuring the visitor details match the required identification.⁷

Use the official app for hours, attraction status and wait times. Bring the booking passport and check the park rules.

Afternoon — Prioritise your main attractions

Choose a few must-do rides, check show times early and decide whether paid priority access is worthwhile.

Keep the order flexible for queues, weather and temporary closures.

Evening — Fireworks or return to the hotel

If staying for the nighttime show, expect exit crowds. Check the last metro or official taxi pick-up point.

If Disneyland is not part of your trip, use this day for Zhujiajiao water town, another museum or a slower shopping day in Shanghai.

Day 6 — Depart from Shanghai

Morning or afternoon — Airport transfer

Check out and leave for PVG with enough time for the airport journey, airline check-in, security, immigration and any tax-refund steps. Recheck the terminal and public transport schedule.⁴

Avoid distant attractions on departure day. A nearby breakfast or short walk is more realistic when you have a later flight.

Evening — Arrival in the Philippines

Complete or update Philippine eTravel within 72 hours before returning.² Save the QR code and keep your passport, boarding pass and baggage receipt accessible.

Practical Shanghai travel tips

Plan around Shanghai’s seasonal weather, China’s entry rules and the payment and connectivity tools you may need during the trip.

When is the best time to visit Shanghai?

Shanghai has four seasons. Spring is generally warm but changeable, summer is hot and humid, and the plum-rain period can bring extended wet weather.⁸ Autumn is another popular time for outdoor sightseeing, while winter can feel cold and damp.

Check the forecast before packing, particularly for Disneyland and long waterfront walks. Public holidays can also affect crowds, room prices and attraction availability.

China visa and entry requirements for Filipinos

Filipino holders of ordinary passports generally need an L visa for a tourist trip to Shanghai. The Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Manila handles ordinary visa applications and currently requires applicants to complete the form and upload supporting materials for online review before submitting physical documents after approval.¹

Use the official centre’s current checklist for your circumstances. If an itinerary is requested, enter your genuine dates, flights, accommodation and activities. Avoid non-refundable bookings made only to create visa documents unless the official instructions require them.

This article covers a regular tourist visit to mainland China. Different rules may apply to eligible transit passengers or travellers entering another part of China, so check the official policy for your exact route.

Complete Philippine eTravel within 72 hours before leaving the Philippines and before returning.²

For a step-by-step overview, see Wise’s guide to China visa requirements for Filipinos.

Getting around Shanghai

The metro is usually the easiest way to cover long distances. Single-journey tickets are distance-based, and service centres across the network can sell tickets using supported international bank cards.⁵ You can also explore transport apps and mobile-payment options, but keep a backup method in case setup or verification does not work.

Carry your passport when a ticket or attraction uses real-name registration. Save key place names and the hotel address in Chinese, as English place names may not always be enough for a driver.

Staying connected in Shanghai

Check whether your phone is unlocked and supports your preferred SIM or eSIM. Compare data, validity, hotspot rules, activation and access to the online services you normally use before buying a plan.

Download essential apps, offline booking details and addresses before departure. Some familiar websites and services may work differently in mainland China, so do not leave setup until after landing.

See our guide to the best eSIMs for international travel.

Shopping and payments in Shanghai

Leave room in your budget for pasalubong, and carry more than one payment method so you have a backup if an app, card or terminal does not work.

What should you buy in Shanghai?

Popular souvenirs and pasalubong include tea, silk products, snacks, stationery, beauty products, Disney merchandise and Shanghai-themed gifts. Check authenticity, baggage limits and Philippine customs rules before buying food, liquids or high-value items.

How to pay in Shanghai: cash, cards and mobile wallets

Bring more than one way to pay. Mobile wallets such as Alipay and Weixin Pay are widely used, and international visitors can link supported foreign bank cards. International cards are also accepted where the relevant network logo is displayed, while CNY cash remains available as a backup.¹⁰

Set up any mobile wallet before the trip if possible, but carry a physical card and some CNY in case verification, connectivity or a merchant’s payment setup causes problems.

An ATM or terminal may offer to convert a withdrawal or card payment into PHP. This is dynamic currency conversion (DCC), where the operator chooses the exchange rate and may add a markup or fee.¹¹ To decline it, select CNY, “local currency” or “without conversion”. Your card provider will then handle the conversion, although its usual overseas or withdrawal fees may still apply.

Learn more about using cash or card in China.

Travelling to Shanghai? Spend in Chinese yuan with Wise

The Wise card lets you spend in 40+ currencies at the mid-market rate including USD, SGD, GBP, and JPY so you know you'll be getting a great deal in over 150+ countries. Simply create a free Wise account, order a card and top-up PHP to get started.

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In supported countries, Wise also lets you pay with QR codes, giving you another easy way to pay when cards or cash aren't your first choice. That means you can use Wise for card payments, cash withdrawals, and QR payments, all from the same account.

While abroad, you can choose to spend directly in PHP and let auto-conversion do the trick, or convert to your desired currency with your Wise account. Either way, you’ll get the exchange rate you see on Google, with low, transparent fees from 0.57%.

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Before travelling to Shanghai: checklist

• Check the latest China tourist-visa process
• Make sure your itinerary matches your actual plans
• Confirm flights, terminals, baggage and accommodation
• Complete Philippine eTravel within 72 hours before departure
• Review Philippine travel tax
• Book Disneyland and other timed attractions
• Arrange insurance and mobile data
• Set up mobile payment and carry backup payment methods
• Save hotel and attraction addresses in Chinese
• Check the weather and public-holiday calendar
• Review customs rules before buying pasalubong

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Frequently asked questions

Is 6 days enough for Shanghai?

Yes. Six days gives you four city sightseeing days, one full Disneyland day and a manageable departure day. Remove Disneyland if you prefer a shorter four- or five-day city break.

Do Filipinos need a visa for Shanghai?

Filipino holders of ordinary passports generally need a tourist visa before visiting mainland China. Check the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Manila for the current process and requirements.¹

Where should first-time visitors stay in Shanghai?

People’s Square, East Nanjing Road and Jing’an are practical central bases. Choose a hotel near a metro station and check the journey to both PVG and Disneyland before booking.

Should I visit Zhujiajiao or Shanghai Disneyland?

Choose Disneyland for a full theme-park day. Choose Zhujiajiao for canals, historic streets and a slower day outside central Shanghai. Add a seventh day if both are important.

Can I use this itinerary for a China visa application?

You can adapt it using your genuine dates, flights, accommodation and planned activities. Follow the official checklist and submit only information that matches the trip you intend to take.

Can I rely only on my international card in Shanghai?

It is safer not to. Set up a supported mobile wallet and carry some CNY as backup. Look for your card network’s logo before paying directly by card.

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Sources:

1. Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Manila — Online visa application process
2. Philippine eTravel — Frequently asked questions
3. Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority — Travel Tax
4. Shanghai Municipal Government — Transportation at Shanghai airports
5. Shanghai Municipal Government — How to take the Shanghai Metro
6. Shanghai Municipal Government — A guide to the Shanghai Museum
7. Shanghai Disney Resort — Official website
8. Shanghai Municipal Government — Shanghai’s weather and four seasons
9. Shanghai Municipal Government — Temporary accommodation registration for foreign visitors
10. Shanghai Municipal Government — Payment methods for foreign visitors
11. Visa — Decoding Dynamic Currency Conversion