Shanghai City Highlights

On arrival at Shanghai Airport or Shanghai railway station, you will be met by an English-speaking guide and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel in the city. The journey takes approximately one hour.

The rest of the day is at leisure. You may wish to relax at the hotel after your journey or head out to get a first feel for Shanghai, a dynamic city known for its striking skyline, historic neighbourhoods and lively street life.

Overnight in Shanghai.

fter breakfast, we meet in the hotel lobby at around 08:30 for a full-day sightseeing tour of Shanghai.

We begin at Yu Garden, one of the city’s most treasured classical gardens. Dating back to the Ming Dynasty, it was built by official Pan Yunduan as a peaceful retreat for his parents. Around the garden, the old bazaar offers a lively introduction to local snacks, crafts and souvenirs.

We then visit the Jade Buddha Temple, founded in 1882 to house two jade Buddha statues brought from Burma by the monk Huigen. Although the original temple was damaged during the upheaval that ended the Qing Dynasty, the statues were saved and the present temple was completed in 1928.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue to Nanjing Road, China’s best-known shopping street, before visiting the Bund. Set along the west bank of the Huangpu River, the Bund is one of Shanghai’s most iconic sights, where historic architecture faces the modern skyline of Pudong across the water.

Return to the hotel is expected at approximately 18:30. Overnight in Shanghai.

After breakfast, the day is free to enjoy Shanghai at your own pace. You may choose to explore more of the city, go shopping or make use of the hotel facilities.

Alternatively, you can book one of the following optional tours, not included:

Zhujiajiao Water Town full-day excursion: Pick-up from your hotel at 09:00. Zhujiajiao is one of Shanghai’s best-preserved ancient water towns, with a history of more than 1,700 years. Often compared to Venice, it is known for its canals, stone bridges and traditional houses. After lunch at a local restaurant, you enjoy a 30-minute cruise by traditional wooden sculling boat. The tour ends at approximately 17:00.

Suzhou full-day excursion: Pick-up from your hotel at 08:00. Visit the Humble Administrator’s Garden, first built in 1509 during the Ming Dynasty as a private retreat for the retired official Wang Xianchen. Continue to the Lingering Garden, one of China’s four most famous classical gardens, admired for its elegant halls, rockeries and varied architecture. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Panmen City Gate, an ancient combined land and water gate dating back to the Wu Kingdom. The day also includes a 45-minute cruise along the Suzhou Grand Canal from Xinshiqiao Wharf. The tour ends at approximately 18:00.

Tongli Water Town full-day excursion: Pick-up from your hotel at 08:00. Visit Tongli, a well-preserved water town with more than 1,000 years of history, located near Taihu Lake and around 18 kilometres from Suzhou. Its canals, bridges and traditional houses reflect the culture of the Jiangnan region. After lunch at a local restaurant, you enjoy a 30-minute cruise by traditional wooden sculling boat. The tour ends at approximately 18:00. Overnight in Shanghai.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will have some free time to relax or explore at your leisure before your driver transfers you to Shanghai International Airport for your departure flight.