Description
Day 1: Symphony of Past and Present, a Century-Long Dialogue Across the Huangpu River
Morning: Ming Dynasty Heritage and Local Life (09:00 – 11:30)
Visit Yu Garden, known as “the crown of Southeast China’s famous gardens”.
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In-depth Background: Originally built in the 38th year of Emperor Jiajing’s reign in the Ming Dynasty (1559), Yu Garden is a quintessential classical garden of Jiangnan. Its architecture is famous for exquisite brick carvings, stone carvings, and clay sculptures. Be sure to observe the famous “Cloud-Piercing Dragon Wall,” where the majestic dragon head and body undulate along the tile roof as if moving through the clouds.
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Scenic Highlights: Beyond the iconic Nine-Turn Bridge and Mid-Lake Pavilion, don’t miss the Ancient Ginkgo Tree in front of Wanhua Tower, which is nearly 500 years old. If visiting in autumn, the golden leaves against the ancient architecture create a magnificent sight.
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Living Details: The City God Temple area in the early morning is a great place to experience the morning life of old Shanghai. You can watch local seniors sketching or exercising near the bridge. If you’re interested in tea culture, you can visit the Huxinting (Mid-Lake Pavilion) Tea House (est. 1784) on your own to enjoy a pot of tea while overlooking the bustling crowds.
Lunch: Shanghai on the Tip of Your Tongue (11:30 – 13:00)
Dining Included Lunch is included.
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Dining Location: We will arrange lunch at a restaurant with a unique historical background within the Yu Garden commercial district.
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Recommended Dishes: Authentic Nanxiang Steamed Buns (Xiaolongbao) (thin skin, generous filling, rich soup), Oil-Exploded River Shrimp, and the signature “heavy oil and red soy sauce” Shanghai Braised Pork Belly.
Afternoon: Lujiazui Journey in the Clouds (13:00 – 16:30)
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Experience Mode: We will take you on a ferry ride, the most traditional way for Shanghainese to cross the river. The ferry takes only a few minutes but provides a perfect low-angle perspective of the skyscrapers and the century-old Bund from the water.
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Core Attraction: Shanghai Tower. This is China’s tallest and the world’s second-tallest building.
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Practical Tips: You will take an ultra-fast elevator at 18 m/s directly to the 118th-floor “Top of Shanghai.” We suggest finding a corner by the window for a 360° view of the Oriental Pearl Tower’s spire and the top of the “Bottle Opener” World Financial Center.
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Recommended Activity: At the “Air Post Office” here, you can pick a cloud-themed postcard, stamp it with an exclusive postmark, and send it to friends and family.
Evening: Nanjing Road and the International Architecture Exhibition (16:30 – 20:30)
Stroll along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street.
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Practical Information: Stretching about 2 km from People’s Square to the Bund. You can visit “Shen Da Cheng” to try green rice balls or buy a freshly baked pork mooncake at “Zhen Lao Da Fang” (approx. ￥5-10 each). If you’re tired, you can take the nostalgic “Dangdang” tram (￥5/person) at your own expense.
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Our Arrangement Arrive at The Bund to enjoy the night view.
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Architectural Details: The Bund features 52 buildings of diverse foreign styles. You can appreciate the sound of the Customs House clock, which chimes every 15 minutes. The lights turn on at 19:00 sharp, outlining Neoclassical and Baroque silhouettes, making it feel like a dream back to Old Shanghai’s golden age.
Dinner and Accommodation
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Dinner (Self-care): The Bund area offers diverse dining options. For affordable local flavors, walk to nearby Fuzhou Road for famous noodle shops (approx. ￥40-60 per person). For river views, choose a restaurant at Bund 5 or 6 (reservation required, ￥500+ per person).
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Accommodation: High-quality hotel in central Shanghai (arranged by us).
Day 2: Deep in the Plane Trees, Walking Through the Time Tunnel of Shikumen
Morning: Two Customized City Walk Routes to Choose From
Option 1: French Concession Walking Route (09:00 – 12:00, approx. 3 hours)
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Itinerary: Wukang Road → Xuhui Old House Art Center → Wukang Mansion → Soong Ching Ling’s Former Residence → Little White House.
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Architectural Features: Wukang Mansion is a masterpiece left to Shanghai by architect László Hudec, shaped like a giant ship. Strolling along the plane tree-shaded Wukang Road, you’ll notice many wrought-iron flower stands on balconies, showcasing a strong Art Deco style.
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Cultural Details: Soong Ching Ling’s Former Residence (ticket ￥20, real-name reservation required) is a classic European garden villa where you can learn about the life of this great woman.
Option 2: Shanghai Longtang Walking Route (08:30 – 12:30, approx. 4 hours)
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Itinerary: Zhang Yuan → Jing’an Villa → Xintiandi → Tianzifang.
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In-depth Intro: Zhang Yuan is currently Shanghai’s largest and most diverse Shikumen architectural complex. Here, you can observe the perfect fusion of Chinese row houses and Western-style carved lintels.
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Life Experience: In Jing’an Villa, you can see real lane life—residents drying clothes on poles and neighbors chatting in Shanghainese, full of authentic local atmosphere.
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Key Recommendation: The Shikumen Open House Museum in Xintiandi. it recreates a typical 1920s Shanghai home setting, from gramophones to old-style furniture, taking you back a hundred years in an instant.
Lunch: Haipai Fusion Cuisine (12:30 – 14:00)
Dining Included Lunch is included.
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Dining Location: Arranged at an exquisite restaurant near Huaihai Road or Xintiandi.
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Special Recommendations: Try Lion’s Head with Crab Meat, Sauteed Eel with Hot Oil, or Haipai-style light fusion dishes to experience Shanghai’s refined food culture.
Afternoon: Creative Districts and Farewell (14:00 – 16:30)
Stroll through Tianzifang.
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Scenic Highlights: This is Shanghai’s most artistic neighborhood, with countless handicraft shops and galleries hidden in its lanes.
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Practical Tips: Tianzifang is like a maze; we suggest putting away the map and wandering freely. It has a strong artistic atmosphere, perfect for picking up Haipai vanishing cream or handmade Qipaos as souvenirs.
Tour Conclusion (16:30)
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Transfer Service: Our guide will take you to the airport or railway station. If you wish to continue exploring, you can ask the guide about extension trips to Suzhou Gardens or West Lake in Hangzhou.
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