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View of Shanghai skyline from the Bund

Explore Shanghai

Example 5 Day Tour
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Add this 4-night extension to any China trip for an experience of urban life in the world's most populous city. Shanghai offers shopping, restaurants, and a variety of amusement that appeals to locals and visitors alike. Explore unique museums and art collections, wander the streets of the colonial buildings in the French concession district, or take a walk along the Bund for impressive views to the Pearl Tower and the Pudong district. Enjoy a good overview of what the city has to offer on this 5-day Shanghai tour.
Three sitting buddhas at the Jade Buddha Temple in ShanghaiOld Chinese Houses and High Rises in French Concession, ShanghaiTai chi in ShanghaiYuyuan garden in ShanghaiShanghai skyline at duskStreet vendor food including roasted duckView of Shanghai skyline from the Bund
Highlights
  • Visit the French Concession, once the premier residential & retail district
  • Tour Yuyuan Garden, once the largest & most prestigious in Shanghai
  • Explore Jade Buddha Temple, the Art Center, and Tianzifang
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Explore Shanghai

In the morning, the local guide arrives to meet you at the hotel lobby. Start the tour with a visit to Dr. Sun Yatsen's former residence in French Concession. This peaceful and secluded garden residence features a two-story European-style building.

After that, visit The Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center. "Better City. Better Life" is what the Shanghai government promises its people, but how better this international metropolis be developed? The Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center gives you the answer.

After lunch, visit the Shanghai Museum located in People's Square, the center of Shanghai. It is a large museum of ancient Chinese art and boasts to be the best one in China.

In the evening, go to the Bund for a short stroll to admire the stunning night view on both sides of the Pu River.

Day 2: Shanghai City Tour

This morning, visit Yuyuan Garden in the heart of Shanghai's old city. This 400-year traditional Chinese garden is about two hectares (five acres). Each pavilion, hall, stone, and stream in the garden expresses the quintessence of South China landscape design from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. With more than forty distinct locations, separated by dragon walls, winding corridors, and beautiful flowers, it forms a unique picture featuring "one step, one beauty; every step, every beauty." The surrounding market is packed with both traditional and modern shops, restaurants, and temples. The nearby Chenghuang Miao (Landlord Temple of Taoisam) serves as a captivating attraction and shopping corner for tourists.

After lunch, drive to visit the Shanghai World Financial Center. This skyscraper stands as the second tallest in mainland China, comprising 101 floors and towering at a height of 492 meters (approximately 1,614 feet). At the time of its construction, it claimed the title for the highest roof and usable floor heights, announced by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). The 100th floor offers an ideal vantage point to observe the pinnacle of the neighboring Jinmao Building, the entirety of Pudong, the Oriental Pearl Tower, and numerous iconic landmarks of Shanghai.

In the evening, enjoy the Acrobatics Show. After that, you'll be transferred back to the hotel by your guide.

Day 3: Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town

Depart this morning after breakfast for a one hour drive to Zhujiajiao, an ancient water town established about 1700 years ago. The ancient site along the Yangtze River allowed for easy access to transportation before vehicles were used. Town still contains many well-preserved examples of Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture, including numerous old stone bridges and ancient buildings that line the waterways. Wander this quaint town by boat and visit some areas of interest including the local Buddhist temple and the Kezhi Garden.

This afternoon visit the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center, a remarkable and private one-of-a-kind museum dedicated to documenting the changes of modern China as depicted on posters between 1910 and 1990. The collection gives an inside look to the attitudes and political undertones of this era, particularly to the Cultural Revolution.
 

Day 4: Jade Buddha Temple

Today drive 20 minutes and visit the small but charming Jade Buddha Temple, built between 1911 and 1918 in the style of the Song Dynasty. See here the white Jade Buddha encrusted with jewels said to weigh about 1,000 kg (or about 2,200 lbs). Next visit the Moganshan Art District (known also as M50), a location where many contemporary artists come together and display their skills.

After lunch visit the art street of Tianzifang in the French Concession. Originally just a neighborhood in the district, it was redeveloped in 2000 to become a new art and commercial zone. With the rest of your time today you may opt to visit other well known Shanghai attractions, including the Wild Animal park, Riverside Promenade, Longshu Temple, Science & Technology Museum, or see another acrobat performance this evening.

Day 5: Return Home

  • 1 Breakfast
Take a taxi back to the airport today or add more time in the city of Shanghai.

Accommodations

Shanghai - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$1,445 2-3 travelers

Notes

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Rates based on current exchange rate CNY/US dollars. Please contact us for exact quote in US dollars.

Rates may vary based on current exchange rate.

Included
  • 4 Breakfasts
  • 4 Nights Accommodations
  • 1 Day Locally Hosted Guide Service
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Arrival Transfer
  • Departure Transfer
  • Meals not Included - Alcoholic Beverages ($3-$10 ea) are not included with meals
  • China Visa Fee - US citizens must obtain visa prior to arrival
  • Optional Excursions - $20-70 Ticket range for ERA acrobat show

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.

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Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge

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