Shanghai Zhangjiajie 5 7 10 14 Days Tour Itinerary

If you're only interested in Shanghai and Zhangjiajie, then this combination is ideal—on one side, a dazzling international metropolis, and on the other, a world-renowned natural wonder. Visit Zhangjiajie when it’s less crowded to truly appreciate how nature has sculpted its mountains so breathtakingly.

For a more relaxed pace, consider spending 2–3 nights in Shanghai and 2–3 nights in Zhangjiajie, making it a 5 to 7-day trip. If you're short on time, 5 days will do. With more time, you can opt for a deeper exploration of the region, stretching the trip to 7–10 days and including nearby areas as well.

5 Days Shanghai and Zhangjiajie Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Shanghai - First Glimpse of the "Magic City"

Hotel: Fairmont Peace Hotel (Bund landmark, historic luxury) or Park Hyatt Shanghai (88-100F of Shanghai World Financial Center, panoramic views)

Lunch: Jesse Restaurant (Huaihai Road, classic Shanghainese: braised pork, drunken chicken)

Afternoon: Stroll the Bund waterfront promenade, Explore Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, Visit Power Station of Art (contemporary exhibitions)

Dinner: Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet (20-course multi-sensory Michelin experience) or Fu He Hui (Michelin-starred vegetarian tasting menu)

Evening Activity: Bund nightscape photography + Huangpu River cruise (VIP private cabin with champagne)

Day 2: Shanghai/Zhangjiajie by a morning direct flight

Lunch: Miao Jiang Impression (Xibu Street: sour fish soup, sticky rice cakes) or Tujia Three-Pot Feast (pork/beef/veg hotpot with chili relish)

Afternoon Highlights: Tianmen Mountain, 7.5km cableway (world’s longest alpine lift), Tianmen Cave (natural 131.5m-high arch), Glass Skywalk (60m cliff-hugging path)

Hotel: Country Garden Phoenix Hotel or Crowne Plaza Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan

Dinner: Zuimei Western Hunan Cuisine (black truffle braised pork ribs) or Hotel Chinese restaurant

Night Show: Tianmen Fox Fairy outdoor musical (VIP seats, ethnic love legend)

Day 3: Zhangjiajie - Avatar Mountains" Expedition

Full-Day Exploration: Yuanjiajie: "Hallelujah Mountain" (floating peaks inspiration for Avatar), Tianzi Mountain: Summit views via cable car, Ten-Mile Gallery: Electric train through karst formations

Lunch: Scenic area restaurant or gourmet picnic (pre-ordered)

Afternoon: Golden Whip Stream leisure hike (4.5km, waterfalls/monkeys)

Dinner: Tusi Palace Restaurant (Miao minority banquet + fire dancing show)

Day 4: Return to Shanghai - Art & Retail Therapy

Morning: Flight back to Shanghai

Lunch: The Commune Social (Spanish tapas fusion, Jing’an)

Afternoon Options: Xintiandi: Art deco shikumen cafes, Nanjing West Road: Prada/Gucci flagship boutiques, Shanghai Tower Observatory (632m, world’s 2nd-highest)

Dinner: Jean Georges (Michelin French) or Canton 8 (2-star Michelin Cantonese)

Night Entertainment: ERA, Intersection of Time acrobatics show or Performance at Shanghai Grand Theatre

Hotel: Day 1 hotels or Jing’an Shangri-La / Four Seasons Shanghai

Day 5: Shanghai Departure · Leisurely Farewell

Morning Choices: Wukang Road heritage villas + coffee, Shanghai Museum (bronze/gallery collections), Fosun Foundation art exhibitions

Lunch: Xiao Nan Guo (refined Shanghainese: crab roe dumplings, lion’s head meatballs)

Transfer: Private car to PVG/SHA airport

7 Days Leisure Shanghai and Zhangjiajie Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Shanghai

Arrive at Pudong or Hongqiao Airport, private transfer to hotel

Hotel Check-in: Fairmont Peace Hotel (prime location on the Bund)

Dinner: Sir Elly’s Rooftop Bar at No. 18 on the Bund (enjoy stunning views of the Huangpu River)

Evening Activity: Stroll along the Bund + Explore Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street

Day 2: Shanghai City Highlights

Morning: Shanghai Museum (People’s Square), former French Concession with historic houses on Wukang Road and Sinan Road

Lunch: YongFoo Elite (a popular Shanghainese restaurant in a historic mansion)

Afternoon: Tianzifang Arts District, Chenghuang Temple & Yuyuan Garden

Dinner: Old Jesse (Michelin-recommended for authentic local cuisine)

Evening Activity: Huangpu River Night Cruise (departing from Shiliupu Pier)

Day 3: Modern Shanghai + Cultural Experience

Morning: Visit Shanghai Tower Observation Deck (tallest in China), photo stops at Oriental Pearl Tower and Jin Mao Tower (exterior)

Lunch: Restaurant inside Shanghai Tower – panoramic city view dining

Afternoon: Choose between Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art or China Art Museum;

or join a family-friendly cultural activity: Beijing opera mask painting, tie-dye, or sugar art (customizable)

Dinner: Nanlu·Zheli (high-end Zhejiang cuisine)

Optional Evening Activity: Rooftop bar in Lujiazui or Shanghai Acrobatics Show

Day 4: Fly to Zhangjiajie · Wulingyuan National Forest Park

Flight: 07:00 Shanghai Hongqiao → 09:30 Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport

Transfer to Wulingyuan (approx. 1 hour), hotel check-in and short rest

Lunch: Tujia-style restaurant (local dishes like “Sanxia pot,” smoked meats, kudzu noodles)

Afternoon: Hike along Golden Whip Stream (easy and scenic trail for all ages)

Hotel Check-in: Nabaili Hotel Zhangjiajie (great location in Wulingyuan)

Dinner: Hunan Cuisine on Xibu Street

Evening Activity: Stroll through Xibu Street + watch a traditional Tujia performance

Day 5: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Highlights

Morning: Ride Bailong Elevator (world’s tallest outdoor lift), visit Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (inspiration for Avatar’s floating mountains)

Lunch: Simple meal or packed lunch within the scenic area

Afternoon: Visit Tianzi Mountain (sea of clouds, unique rock formations), or take a light hike to Ten-Mile Gallery and return by eco-bus

Dinner: Local restaurant in Caihuaping or Xibu Street (authentic taste and comfortable setting)

Evening: Rest at hotel or enjoy a hot spring spa (available in some hotels)

Day 6: Yellow Dragon Cave or Tianmen Mountain + Return to Shanghai

Morning (choose one): Tianmen Mountain (glass skywalk + cableway), or Yellow Dragon Cave (stunning karst cave with boat + walking tour)

Lunch: Local specialties (e.g., steamed preserved meat, spicy beef noodles)

Afternoon: Short rest or shopping in the city

Dinner: Near the airport

Evening Flight: 21:30 Zhangjiajie - 23:45 Shanghai

Transfer to hotel: Fairmont Peace Hotel or airport-area hotel

Day 7: Shanghai – Departure

Transfer to airport based on flight time

If flying in the afternoon: Free time for shopping around Jing’an Temple, strolling in Jing’an Park, or enjoying a leisurely brunch

Departure – End of trip