Explore the quaint cobbled streets of the Chinese quarter, hear the echoes of the city glamorous pre-war heyday in Frenchtown, and admire the starling modern architecture of Pudong and European architecture that lines the Bund. Shanghai is shackled to a past of which it is both suspicious and proud, but, as the Chinese saying 'if the old does not go, the new will not come.' Take this exceptional opportunity to visit the new Shanghai and Hangzhou will waft you back to days gone by.
Arrive in Shanghai, Paris of the Oriental, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
The rest of the day is free at leisure on your own.
Stay overnight in Shanghai
In the morning, our experienced driver and English-speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel.
Start your exciting sightseeing tour with a visit to the French Concession, a symbol of the past privileges given to Westerners. Begin the stroll at Fuxing Park for a view of China’s morning exercise/wellness routines. Follow the streets through the French Concession, where colonial residences now stand transformed into restaurants, bars, and diverse boutiques. A former global capital of vice, this Shanghai quarter once stood exempt from Chinese law!
The morning continues on through Xintiandi, a revitalized neighborhood that now stands as one of the most animated centers of the city. Conclude the Concession walk by traversing Tianzifang, a maze of alleyways and lanes boasting restaurants, boutiques, and small galleries full of authentic, modern art. Lunch is on own account.
In the afternoon, you will visit Shanghai Tower (632 meters), the highest building of China. You will have a panoramic view of the whole city with a 360 degrees dimension from the observatory. Then, relax yourself on the Huangpu River sightseeing cruise, and you will see amazing city landmarks alone the riverside, such as Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai Tower and colonial buildings of the Bund.
After sightseeing, transfer back to the hotel.
Stay overnight in Shanghai
In the morning, our experienced driver and English-speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel.
Begin with a visit to Shanghai’s old town. Though mostly restored today, visitors can explore the remaining lilongs (equivalent to Beijing’s hutongs), originated in the Qing Dynasty, where local Shanghai life goes on as normal. The old town also houses the Yu Garden, a Ming-era masterpiece of ponds and pavilions, a great place to get acquainted with the Chinese art of gardenscaping. Then, visit Yuyuan bazaar and enjoy a Tang-dynasty tea ceremony, tasting local teas as you learn about tea-drinking etiquette. Lunch is on own account.
In the afternoon, stroll along The Bund, Shanghai’s colonial-era waterfront beside the Huangpu River, the city’s famous promenade. Running alongside some of Puxi’s most historical buildings, this area dates back to the 1930’s and displays Shanghai’s rich culture and European influence. Move along to the stimulating Nanjing Road, overflowing with colorful signs and crowds of locals and tourists alike. Stroll the neighboring streets, take in the ‘recycled’ attractions, note the restaurants, food stalls, and loads more… a quintessential Asian metropolis.
After sightseeing, transfer back to the hotel.
Stay overnight in Shanghai
Early in the morning, our experienced driver and English-speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the train station. You will receive your ticket and directly board the bullet train to Hangzhou.
Arrive Hangzhou, renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. Marco Polo described it as "one of the most beautiful cities in the world", it is also ranked as one of the most scenic cities.
Your tour begins at one of Hangzhou's signature sites, the West Lake. Enjoy a lake cruise for one-hour to see the top ten West Lake scenic views. It's a good opportunity to relax and admire the surrounding view of rolling hills and elegant pavilions and bridges. West Lake is like a shining pearl inlaid on the vast land of China, reputed for beautiful scenery, a multitude of historical sites, brilliant cultural relics, and a profusion of native products. Legend has it that the West Lake was a heavenly jewel fallen to earth. Pragmatists insist that it is a mere lagoon on Hangzhou's western fringe. In any case, West Lake has inspired painters for centuries.
Disembark on Su Causeway and visit Huaxiang Guanyu (Fish Viewing at the Flower Pond), one of the Ten Scenes of the West Lake. Lunch will be provided in a local restaurant to experience the wonderful cuisine of Hangzhou.
After lunch, move on to visit Lingyin Temple - one of the most famous Buddhist Temples in China. The Lingyin (Souls Retreat) Temple is one of the most famous Buddhist Temples in China. It was constructed in 326 at the foot of Lingyin Mountain by an Indian monk named Huili with a history of more than 1,600 years.
Thereafter, continue to visit Peak Flown from Afar. Famous for its beautiful scenery and stone carvings that are comparable with Dazu Stone Carving in Sichuan Province. In the caves and cliffs of peak, there are more than 470 stone statuses from Five Dynasties Period (907A.D. -960A.D.) to Yuan Dynasty. The name of this peak comes from a legend. It is that an Indian monk named Huili arrived in the valley 1,600 years ago and was surprised to see a peak so dissimilar from any other in the valley. He thought that the peak was flown over from India because the shape, although unique in China, was common in India.
After sightseeing, transfer to the train station and board the fast train back to Shanghai.
On arrival, transfer to hotel. Stay overnight in Shanghai
Breakfast is at hotel.
Free at leisure until time for check-out by noon.
Transferred to the airport for your flight back home
Contact us to create personalized journeys based on your preferences and budget.
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