Start at Yu Garden in the Old City around 8:30–9:00, before the courtyards fill with tour groups and the summer heat builds. Allow about 1½ hours for the zigzag bridges, carved halls, rockeries, and small garden views; admission is usually around ¥30–40, and opening hours are generally 9:00–16:30, though confirm locally before setting out. From central Shanghai, take Metro Line 10 or 14 to Yuyuan Garden Station, then walk roughly 10 minutes through the busy bazaar area. Afterward, have an early lunch at Nanxiang Mantou Dian, a long-established name for xiaolongbao near the garden. Expect about ¥40–80 per person; go before noon if possible, as queues become noticeably longer.
Walk from Nanxiang Mantou Dian to Shanghai Old Street, following the traditional shopfronts and lanes around the Old City. This is a short, relaxed stop—about 45 minutes—best treated as an atmospheric wander rather than a checklist. Look into the tea shops and craft stalls, and keep small cash or mobile payment ready for snacks; some tiny vendors may not accept foreign cards. In the late afternoon, continue toward The Bund by taxi or DiDi—usually 10–20 minutes depending on traffic—or walk north through the Old City and along the river if you want a longer, more local-feeling route. Reach the promenade around 16:30–17:00, when the light softens. Spend around 1½ hours admiring the historic bankside buildings and Pudong skyline; the riverside itself is free, but bring water, sunscreen, and patience for the crowds.
Finish with the Huangpu River evening ferry from Shiliupu Wharf, walking south along the Bund for roughly 15–20 minutes. Public ferries are inexpensive—typically only a few yuan—and the crossing takes about 10–15 minutes each way, with departures varying by day and season. Aim to board around dusk, but check the current sailing board at the wharf because sightseeing-oriented services and ordinary commuter ferries do not always run on identical schedules. Stand outside for the best view of the illuminated Bund façades and Pudong towers, then return to the Bund or Yuyuan Garden Station by metro or DiDi.