Planning a trip to Shanghai with kids can feel overwhelming.
Between navigating China’s payment apps, figuring out transportation, and choosing the right location to stay, I wouldn’t blame you for thinking it’s too complicated of a trip with young children. In today’s blog I’ll prove to you why this is wrong.
Hear me out.
Shanghai is one of the most family-friendly cities in Asia once you know how it works.
After spending two weeks in Shanghai with our toddler, we’ve figured out exactly what makes traveling here with children easy. And I’ll share it here with you today, including what mistakes to avoid!
This guide gives you:
• A 5-day Shanghai itinerary designed for families
• Kid-tested attractions (playgrounds, museums, Disneyland)
• The apps you’ll need before arriving in China
• Where to stay for easy sightseeing; and most of all
• Practical tips to avoid common travel headaches
If you’re visiting Shanghai with toddlers or young kids, this itinerary will help you see the highlights without exhausting everyone.
Let’s dive in.
Nic x
If you’re traveling to China with children, Shanghai is the best place to start. The city is modern, safe and surprisingly easy to navigate for families. Here’s why we think it works so well with kids:
For families visiting China for the first time, Shanghai offers the perfect balance of culture, comfort and convenience.
Simplify your travel preparations by downloading and setting up Alipay and WeChat Pay before departing your home country. Link these apps to your Wise card, debit card, or credit card in advance! It’s much easier to handle any hiccups at home than navigating app versions and verification challenges once you’re in China. P.S You will need your passport.
Both apps will help you:
To use WeChat for payments, you must have a Chinese phone number.
Unfortunately, Google Maps doesn’t work well in China. Apple Maps is okay, but Amap is your best bet. It has an English version and works great for walking or driving directions. Download it directly from your phones App Store.
Another option is Baidu Maps, but it lacks English support, so we didn’t find it as user-friendly. You can still give it a go if you’d like to navigate like a local.
If you’re using an international eSIM or roaming plan, you can rely on Google Translate.
But if you’re buying a local Chinese SIM, consider downloading Baidu Translate – it’s accurate and works offline too.
Download Baidu app from your home country – this will ensure it will be in your primary language. Baidu has several apps, with some being only in mandarin.
Trip.com has the best range of accommodation, fast-train tickets, attractions and tours with real reviews and easy bookings. Since moving to China, this is the only site I use to book within China. Use my link below for a discount on your next booking
This is my go-to site for discounts on attractions and tours. I always check Klook before booking any tickets for theme parks, local attractions or tours. Their deals are reliable and amazing across Asia (not just in China). We used Klook in Korea, China and Japan. You can pay in your own currency before leaving home. Save on fees + hassle of finding the right and best ticket prices.
Dianping is an app that Chinese use to buy ‘deals’ for just about everything. Massage, beauty treatments, activities, you name it, there is probably a deal on Dianping. You can download the Dianping app through your phones app store. Once in Chiina, it will show you local vouchers – saving you money. Dianpings English support functions aren’t great. We use Dianping’s mini-programme through WeChat to take advantage of the built in translation tool.
The most popular airport in Shanghai, is the Pudong International Airport. This is an hour’s drive from the Bund (Shanghai’s central district) and can be accessed via metro or ride-sharing services.
My advice, especially if you’re traveling with kids is to book an airport pickup through trip.com. Save the hassle of trying to find the ‘ride-sharing’ area and navigating persistent ‘taxi’ drivers offering cheap fares. (While they have died down a little, the taxi scam is still very popular at places in China like airports). With an airport pickup (transfer), you’ll get a dedicated driver who will meet you at arrivals. They will take you straight to your hotel and because it’s prepaid, no ‘converting’ currency in your head on 0 hours of sleep. Use my link below to get a discount on the pickup service we used.
We stayed at SSWA Boutique Hotel, a stylish and family-friendly base that’s walking distance to many top sights. We found this hotel on trip.com and it offered an excellent stay, with large well appointed rooms, great views and an excellent, daily buffet breakfast. Use my link below for a discount on your Shanghai hotel stay.
Arrival tips:
Today’s Plan
Begin your adventure at the historic Yuyuan Gardens, an inner-city garden, previously enjoyed by the Emperor and royalty. This natural beauty is very popular, so arrive early to enjoy the tranquility and peace before the crowds. The intricate pavilions and koi-filled ponds captivate visitors of all ages.
This isn’t suitable for push-chairs and you may find it difficult to navigate with one. Use a front/back pack or have the kids walk and explore with you. There are lots of winding pathways and preserved pagoda’s showcasing Shanghainese history.
Tip: Children under 3 enter free; adult tickets are under NZD .
Cross the river and step out of the historical beauty of Shanghai, into the modern skyline. Visit the Oriental Pearl Tower (famous pink tower on the Bund) and enjoy panoramic views of the river and city. The Super Brand Mall offers shopping and dining options suitable for families, with plenty of places to rest tired legs.
Hidden Gem: The Ritz Carlton’s 58th-floor lounge welcomes families for a relaxing break with a view. They offer drinks, light meals and most importantly, ICE CREAM and a view. Enjoy the air up high and unobstructed views, with their outdoor balcony.
Experience the serenity of Jing’an Temple before heading to The Bund.
Jing’an Temple is a golden temple, in the middle of Shanghai. It’s a popular attraction, that merges history with modern day society. Surrounded by gigantic malls, this temple is a great place to see just how much Shanghai has changed over the years. From here, make your way to the Bund for an evening stroll. The Bund’s waterfront provides stunning views of Shanghai’s illuminated skyline.
Tip: If crowds aren’t your thing, you’re on the right side of the river to head to the North Bund. This will offer you excellent views of the Shanghai skyline without the crowds. Catch the metro for the best and fastest access.
After a big day exploring, you will want to take some downtime and let the little ones recharge. Here are some fun options to help keep both you and the kids entertained
This is interactive and air-conditioned (or heated if you’re there in the cooler months). A big hit with little kids, and engaging for Adults. With China’s rich history, this is a great place to explore some of the more interesting parts of history.
Relax in the sun with some food and enjoy watching locals practice tai chi surrounded by pretty gardens. If you want a little more stimulation, Changfeng Park is also a good option, with open space for the kids to play and Sea Life Aquarium nearby.
There are lots of indoor play zones attached to cute cafes, or within malls. Great for a coffee break while the kids let off some steam. We went to a Thomas the Tank Engine Pay and Play Century Link Mall. This was an awesome couple hours break, with onsite nanny’s and supervision, allowing you to checkout the mall or grab a coffee and relax.
📍 Dedicate a full day to the wonders of Shanghai Disneyland. From classic attractions to unique experiences like TRON Lightcyle Power Run and Zootopia, there is something for everyone.
💡 Key Tip: Pre-book your DiDi for the return journey. You’ll avoid long waits or having to haggle with less than friendly taxi drivers.
🍴 Dinner Recommendation: The Cheesecake Factory in Disneytown! A fun treat (especially if you’re from NZ — it’s a novelty!) and always a crowd-pleaser.
🎥 Check out my YouTube video on how to make the most of your day at Disneyland Shanghai here.
Visit M&M’s World for a colorful and interactive experience. It’s a delightful stop for kids and chocolate lovers of all ages, and a great place to pick up Shanghai unique souvenirs. Wander down Nanjing road for some of the latest shopping afterwards.
Revisit the Bund in the evening to see the skyline from a different perspective. Consider a river cruise for a memorable family experience. (You can reach the Bund at the end of Nanjing Road).
For older kids or art lovers, this area is packed with murals and intimate art studios. Pick up a one of a kind piece for home, if you’re into collecting hand crafted collectibles.
Wrap up your day with dumplings from Din Tai Fung — we went to the one near Jing’an and it was so good, we went twice!
End your trip with a journey back in time.
Zhujiajiao is a beautiful ancient water town, known as the “Venice of Shanghai.” You’ll find stone bridges, boat rides, tea houses, and lots of photo ops.
If your flight’s not until the evening, this makes the perfect final day adventure before heading home.
Q: Is Shanghai stroller-friendly?
A: Major attractions and public transportation are generally accessible, but some older areas may have uneven surfaces.
Q: Are there child-friendly dining options?
A: Yes, many restaurants offer kid-friendly menus and high chairs.
Q: What’s the best way to get around?
A: DiDi is convenient for families, and the metro system is efficient and affordable.Final Thoughts
A: This is the MOST asked question about traveling to Shanghai with kids. The answer is yes. Shanghai is incredibly safe to travel with children. A lot of China is. Shanghai has low violent crime rates, good transport and an overall family-friendly culture.
Shanghai surprised us in all the best ways — it’s modern, magical, and totally doable with little kids. Whether you’re there for a few days or a few weeks, there’s no shortage of adventures. For more adventures, checkout my blog post on Zhujiajiao Water City just out of Shanghai.
Let me know if you’ve got questions or need help planning — I love connecting with fellow travel families!
Until next time,
Nic x
🇨🇳 Planning a trip to China? Don’t get stuck without the right apps! From the specific VPNs we use to stay connected to the only hotel booking site we trust for foreigners, we have listed everything in our toolkit. 👉
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