Morning

View an Architectural Treasure. Dating back to 247 A.D., the ornate Jing’An Temple is a stunning historical treasure located just 10 minutes away from The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai. Explore the temple grounds, where various forms of art are on display.

Midday

Browse Shanghai’s Most Impressive Art Collection. One of Asia’s largest museums, the massive China Art Museum displays a sprawling mix of contemporary and modern works from international and Chinese artists like 20th-century painter Lin Fengmian, who blends Western and Eastern styles.

Afternoon

People-Watch at Fuxing Park. Situated in a French-inflected district of Shanghai, Fuxing Park is a great spot for an afternoon walk shaded by sycamore trees. Locals can be seen throughout the grounds, which include a lake, dancing, playing mahjong or practicing tai chi.

Evening

Experience a Staple Dish of Shanghai. Xiaolongbao, otherwise known as soup dumplings, are considered by many to be the city’s most famous dish. At Din Tai Fung, located in the Shanghai Centre, they’re made from extra-delicate dough and filled with crab or pork and a delicious broth.

Attend a Unique Performance. One of the most well-respected acrobatic acts in the world, the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe includes beautifully skilled dancers doing seemingly impossible acts, including aerial maneuvers while suspended from sheets of silk that will leave you breathless. 

Morning

Stroll Along Shanghai’s Boardwalk. Zhongshan Road, a waterfront block where the Bund (pronounced like “Fund”) runs along the bank of the Huangpu River, is great for observing Chinese locals and some of the most spectacular skyscrapers, which sit across the river. 

Observe a Quirky Side of Shanghai. One of the largest parks in downtown Shanghai, the People’s Park includes many locals relaxing, solo exhibitions from famous artists, and, on the weekends, the Marriage Market, a matchmaking event where parents congregate to search for partners for their children. 

Midday

Dine on Spectacular Chinese Fare. Wildly popular with locals, the Bai Jia Qian Wei serves some of the most outstanding dishes from the nearby province of Anhui. Don’t miss the restaurant’s signature dish, a braised free-range chicken that’s drenched in rice wine and served with bamboo shoots.

Afternoon

Shop on a Legendary Road. Nanjing Road is a shopping destination like none other in Asia. Divided into two sides, the east side is home to the biggest department store in the world, an Apple store and specialty jewelry boutiques for jade, pearls and other precious items, while shoppers on the west side can peruse luxury malls and boutiques like Plaza 66 and Citic Square.

Evening

Have a Proper Steak. The distinguished Portman’s Restaurant at The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai sources the finest Australian Wagyu beef from an excellent family farm in northern Tasmania along with steaks of deep red salmon from the local freshwater China river.

Morning

Visit an Active Monastery.  Jade Buddha Temple was built in the early 1900s and remains one of the few monasteries still in operation in Shanghai. Its crowned jewel is a Buddha carved from pure jade. Some 20,000 Chinese Buddhists pay the site a visit each day, so brace yourself for some crowds. 

Midday

Get Your Art Fix. Known by locals as M50, 50 Moganshan Road was once a factory that wove textiles. Today, 120 creatives have taken over the space and opened galleries, studios and boutiques filled with one-of-a-kind fashion and home design pieces.

Afternoon

Experience a Unique Slice of Chinese History. In the early half of the 20th century, Dr. Sun Yat-sen organized a revolution against the Qing Empire and, for a moment, became president. Visit Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence to learn more about the rich history of China and view artifacts, including swords, military maps and other remnants from the revolt.

Evening

Taste the Local Obsession. Crab is everywhere in Shanghai, and no restaurant celebrates the seafood more properly than the superb Xie Zun Yuan. The kitchen removes the fresh meat from its shell and stuffs it in chewy dumplings and simmers it in delicious sauces. 

Sip Unique Cocktails. At The Ritz Bar & Lounge, award-winning bartender Jackael He mixes surprising cocktails that incorporate seasonal ingredients. Be sure to try his signature Pineapple Butter Beer, which is made with Beluga vodka, homemade pineapple shrub, fresh pineapple juice and maple syrup, all topped with an IPA and butter cream foam for a velvety finish.

Morning

Soothe Yourself With Ancient Remedies. Book the Urban Retreat Signature Body Refreshing treatment at the Spa at The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai to experience a wholly relaxing blend of Western and Eastern strokes that targets key meridians in the body. 

Get a Stellar Cup of Coffee. One of the most respected coffee shops in the city, MQ staffs a coffee scientist, Cai Zhongshun, who brews his many options of coffee beans using futuristic equipment like the Slayer machine, debatably the most high-end machine in the world at over $18,000. They carefully source their high-quality beans from the best regions in the world, including Yunnan and Kenya. 

Pay a Visit to a Stunning Monastery. A must-visit for any trip to Shanghai, the Jade Buddha Temple was all but destroyed during the revolution against the Qing Dynasty. Luckily, intricate porcelain work, ancient paintings and the namesake jade Buddhas were recovered. In 1926, they were given a new home in the city. Be prepared to wait for a bit, as the site attracts large crowds each day.

Midday

Dine on Exceptional Cantonese Cuisine. With red lacquered details and birdcages suspended from high ceilings, Xin Dau Ji serves beautiful prepared regional classics like deep-fried pigeon, tender slices of chicken coated with Szechuan peppers, and spicy jumbo-sized shrimp. 

Visit a World-Class Art Museum. On the edge of the large and relaxing People’s Park, the massive China Art Museum has a brilliant architectural design, modeled after the interlocking bracket roofs of traditional Chinese buildings. Exhibits focus on modern artists from China’s past century. 

Afternoon

Take a Walk Along the Water. The Bund, a mile-long strip along the promenade of the Huangpu River, includes a tour of Shanghai’s many styles of architecture: neoclassical, Gothic, baroque and super-modern. Get a panoramic view of the city at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and take a break at Huangpu Park to see locals practicing tai chi. 

Shop on a Legendary Road. A world-famous destination for luxury shopping, the neon-lit Nanjing Road, which neighbors The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai, has over 600 stores, including a sprawling mall and boutiques that specialize in beautiful jade jewelry. More than 1 million people a day shop along the street, so there are plenty of opportunities for people-watching. 

Evening

Have a Unique Dining Experience. Chef Alan Wong of Alan Wong’s at The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai interprets Hawaiian cuisine using ingredients from Hawaii and Asia. Order the Taste of Hawaii menu for ginger-crusted red snapper from Kagoshima, Japan, and Kalua pig, pork prepared in the style of luaus. 

Step Back Into the 1920s. Cap off your evening with a trip back in time at Heydey, a small intimate venue that harks back to the glamorous days of 1920s and 30s Shanghai. Enjoy live jazz paired with classic cocktails as you toast to a great day.