3D/2N: A Guide To Shanghai For The Bon Vivant Traveler

Lifestyle Asia’s resident bon vivant takes us through his itinerary for a long-weekend escapade to Shanghai, exploring its rhythms through skyline views, destination dining, luxury hotels, and unhurried afternoons that are a testament to the city’s exhilarating spontaneity.

Day One: At Shanghai, You Hit The Ground Running

Check-In At The Shanghai EDITION

We arrived in Shanghai early in the morning and headed straight from Pudong International Airport to The Shanghai EDITION. I’ve always had a thing for EDITION hotels, and staying at every one around the world has somehow become one of my unofficial life goals. The moment we arrived, we were escorted straight to our room—a City View Loft Double—and, after years away from Shanghai, I was immediately reminded why I love this city so much. There’s an energy to it that’s difficult to describe and replicate. It’s fastpaced, glamorous, and constantly evolving, yet it still manages to feel romantic, especially in winter.

Afternoon Tea At The Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai

After settling in, we made our way to the Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai for afternoon tea at Il Giardino. It was freezing outside, but we decided to brave the cold anyway. Inspired by the gardens of the original Bvlgari Hotel in Milan, the restaurant feels intimate and impossibly elegant. Between the tea, pastries, and endless conversation, it felt like the perfect way to ease ourselves into the city.

Sunset Drinks At ROOF

A few hours later, we were back at The Shanghai EDITION, this time for cocktails at ROOF, the hotel’s rooftop bar. Perched on the 29th floor and framed by an ivy-covered trellis, the space offers one of the best views of Pudong and the Bund. The plan was to have one drink before dinner; naturally, that didn’t happen.

Martinis And Room Service

Back in our room, we freshened up, ordered another round of martinis, and somehow extended the cocktail hour. I firmly believe that this is exactly how holidays should be spent: no rushing from one place to another, no rigid itineraries. Just good friends, good drinks, and the luxury of having absolutely nowhere else to be.

Flair At The Ritz-Carlton

Because we were still full, we skipped a proper dinner and headed straight to Flair at The Ritz-Carlton for light bites and—unsurprisingly—more drinks. Located on the 58th floor, the rooftop bar offers spectacular views of the city, including the Oriental Pearl Tower rising above the skyline. The night, however, was far from over, though I’ll say, cheekily, some parts of the itinerary are best left unwritten.

Day Two: A Full Day To Yourself? Here’s What To Try In Shanghai

Breakfast At The Shanghai EDITION

The previous night ended much later than we had intended, but we still somehow managed to wake up early enough for a quick workout before breakfast. Vacation calories, of course, don’t count, but a little balance never hurts. We headed to Shanghai Tavern for coffee and breakfast before making our way upstairs to get ready for the day ahead.

A Morning In Xintiandi

Our first stop was Xintiandi, one of Shanghai’s most charming neighborhoods. It’s a place where the old and new aspects of Shanghai coexist effortlessly. Historic shikumen townhouses stand alongside luxury boutiques, cafés, restaurants, and designer storefronts, creating an atmosphere that’s nostalgic yet never out of touch with modernity. We spent the morning wandering through the streets, shopping, and taking our time. One of the best things about Shanghai is there’s always something to discover, even when there isn’t much of a plan.

Lunch At Le Comptoir De Pierre Gagnaire

Eventually, we had to cut our shopping trip short to make our reservation at Le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire, the chef’s first venture in mainland China. Located inside Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li, the restaurant comes from another era. Inspired by Shanghai in the 1930s and the elegance of traditional Parisian salons, the interiors give off an air of timelessness. 

The meal itself was equally memorable. Under the direction of Chef Romain Chapel, the restaurant balances French tradition with the creativity of Pierre Gagnaire’s approach to cooking. Lunch stretched longer than expected (as good lunches often do).

The Bund And Nanjing Road

After lunch, we headed back towards the Bund and Nanjing Road, conveniently located just a short walk from our hotel. No matter how many times I visit Shanghai, I always find myself returning to the Bund. The contrast between the historic buildings lining the waterfront and the futuristic skyline across the river never loses its appeal. It feels Shanghainese: one foot firmly planted in the past and the other already reaching for the future.

Nanjing Road, meanwhile, was exactly as I remembered it: crowded, lively, and impossible to resist. By that point, we had been out since early morning, so we retreated to the hotel for a quick break and an even quicker nap before the evening began.

Cocktails At The Bvlgari Bar

Prior to our dinner reservation, we found ourselves back at the Bvlgari Hotel for pre-dinner drinks. Still full from lunch, we decided to keep things light and ordered a few of the signature Bvlgari cocktails, a tradition of ours whenever we visit one of the brand’s properties.

Naturally, the cocktails were accompanied by caviar, a few bar bites, and yet another round of drinks. In retrospect, we probably should have paced ourselves; the problem, of course, was that the night was only beginning.

Dinner At Mi Shang Prada Rong Zhai

After drinks at the Bvlgari Bar, we made our way to Mi Shang Prada Rong Zhai for dinner. Prada’s first standalone fine dining concept in Asia, the restaurant was created in collaboration with acclaimed filmmaker Wong Kar Wai, so expectations were naturally high. Housed inside the beautifully restored Rong Zhai residence, the experience is a meeting point between Milan and Shanghai, with fashion, art, design, and gastronomy existing under one roof.

As luck would have it, we were seated at what was arguably the best table in the dining room, making the evening feel even more special. A few cocktails in and still riding the momentum of the day, we settled into the experience completely. At one point, I looked around and thought that it all felt strangely familiar; the warm lighting, rich textures, and tastefully moody atmosphere made it seem as though we wandered into In the Mood for Love (or perhaps that was just the martinis talking).

All Night At La Barra

The highlight of the evening was La Barra in the Jing’an district. By one of those strange coincidences that seem to happen only while traveling, friends from different parts of the world also happened to be in Shanghai at exactly the same time. We spent the night catching up, dancing at our tables, ordering more drinks than we probably needed, and celebrating the curious way a city can make the world feel unexpectedly small. The sun would rise a few hours later, but that was a problem for another day.

Day Three: An Easy Morning Before The Flight Back To Manila

We woke up a little later than planned on our final morning, though to be fair, the previous evening had been well worth it. We were cutting it dangerously close to our lunch reservation, so it was fortunate that we set several alarms the night before.

Lunch At Heavenly Jin

For our final day in Shanghai, we saved one of the city’s most memorable experiences for last. Located on the 120th floor of Shanghai Tower, Heavenly Jin holds the distinction of being the highest restaurant in the world housed within a building. Considering that Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China and the third tallest in the world, the name seems especially appropriate.

The restaurant specializes in Jiangnan and Huaiyang cuisine, but the view is every bit as impressive as the menu. From our table, the city seemed to stretch endlessly beneath us, and for a few hours Shanghai felt both impossibly vast and surprisingly intimate. The food was exceptional, the service impeccable, and the entire experience lived up to its name. Sharing one final meal while looking out across the city felt like the perfect way to end our stay.

It was, quite literally, heavenly. And although our trip was coming to an end, Shanghai somehow left us wanting more—which, I think, is exactly what the best cities are supposed to do.

One Last Stop At Margiela Café

Before checking out of the hotel and making our way back to Pudong International Airport for our flight to Manila, we headed to West Nanjing Road for some last-minute shopping. As if Shanghai hadn’t tempted us enough already, we stumbled upon the Margiela Café. Naturally, we had to stop for coffee before our flight. The space is exactly what you’d expect: understated, chic, and highly photogenic.

Just like that, our trip came to an end. Shanghai was short, sweet, and wonderfully indulgent. Three days somehow felt both too long and not nearly long enough. We’ll definitely be back, preferably with a little more time and perhaps fewer martinis (then again, probably not).

This article was originally published in our September 2026 issue.

Photography by Paolo Torio