Shanghai’s Promenade: The Bund – Pudong Skyline – South Bund Soft Spinning Material Market – Yu Garden (Yuyuan)

The Bund (Wai Tan) - Guests will be picked up from their hotel lobby in Shanghai at 9:00 A.M. to visit The Bund, Shanghai’s most popular attraction. This waterfront area is a protected historical district in central Shanghai, featuring buildings and wharves along Zhongshan East No.1 Road. The promenade offers a close-up view of the beautiful old colonial buildings from the former Shanghai International Settlement. On one side of the Huangpu River are high-tech futuristic skyscrapers, while the other side showcases 19th-century colonial architecture. The Bund provides the best views of the Pudong Skyline, with its modern skyscrapers, and is an ideal spot for capturing photos of the Oriental Pearl Tower. The Bund is stunning both day and night, with buildings lighting up in the evening.

Bund International Architecture Exhibition - The western-style buildings are well-preserved by the Chinese government, with over 50 structures on the west bank of the Huangpu River. The Peace Hotel is a notable highlight.

Riverside Promenade (Bingjiang Da Dao) - A stroll along the waterfront Promenade on the Bund is a must in Shanghai. It offers the best view of “old” Shanghai with colonial European architecture nearby, and “new” Shanghai with ultra-modern Chinese architecture across the river, highlighting the architectural contrast.

The Bund City Sculptures - Several sculptures adorn the Bund, including a large bronze bull on “Chinese Wall Street,” inspired by the one on Wall Street in New York City.

Heping Fandian - The Peace Hotel is a unique historic building, serving as a living museum of a bygone era, and is worth visiting for its interior.

Huangpu River - A landmark of Shanghai, the Huangpu River divides the city into Pudong and Puxi. Walking along the Huangpu River at the Bund is a must-do activity in Shanghai.

Pudong New Area - This newly developed area in Shanghai includes the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, and Shanghai World Financial Center, along with numerous shops, embodying modernity in every sense.

Shanghai Tower - One of the most thrilling experiences in Shanghai is enjoying a panoramic view from the top of a tall building. Visitors can choose between the Shanghai Tower and the Oriental Pearl Tower. The Shanghai Tower boasts the world’s highest observation deck (1,844 feet or 562 meters). From the top, visitors can see other skyscrapers below them. The Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China and the third tallest in the world, with 128 stories and a height of 2,073 feet (632 meters). However, the views are best on clear days, so it’s advisable to visit on a day without mist or fog.

Oriental Pearl Tower (Dongfang Mingzhu) - An alternative for panoramic views of Shanghai, visitors can choose between the Shanghai Tower and this iconic landmark. The best photos of the Oriental Pearl Tower can be taken from the Bund. Visitors likely captured a picture of the tower earlier in the day.

Shanghai World Financial Center - Located near the Shanghai Tower and not far from the Oriental Pearl Tower, visitors will pass by this tall building and can take great close-up photos if they choose to visit the Shanghai Tower.

South Bund Soft Spinning Material Market - China is a major exporter of clothing due to its affordable and high-quality products. Many big clothing brands have factories in China. The South Bund Soft Spinning Material Market is ranked as the second most popular attraction in Shanghai on Tripadvisor. It’s worth exploring this clothing market shopping mall.

Old Town (Nanshi) - Featuring fantastic old buildings and excellent shopping, with food places lining the laneways beneath historic structures. Visitors can find plenty of food, drinks, clothing, and souvenirs here.

Yu Garden (Yuyuan) - Yu Garden showcases exquisite examples of traditional landscaping. Its intricate architecture, tranquil ponds, and lush greenery transport visitors to a different era. Strolling through zigzag bridges, rockeries, and pavilions offers a peaceful escape from urban life. Visitors can see old Chinese architecture refurbished into shophouses, eateries, and souvenir shops.

Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum - Celebrating Jewish history in Shanghai, this museum offers personal stories and a wealth of history to explore in its many rooms. It provides insights into a lesser-known part of history. Today’s tour concludes around 5 P.M.

Shanghai Museum – Nanjing Road – Natural History Museum

Shanghai Museum (Shanghai Bowuguan) - The tour begins at 9:00 A.M. with a visit to the Shanghai Museum, which focuses on ancient Chinese history and art. Permanent exhibitions include porcelain vases, ancient seals, jades, scrolls, classical Chinese furniture, and figurines. The tour includes a paid audio guide for the museum.

People’s Square (Renmin Guang Chang) - A serene and beautiful public area where hundreds of people walk or relax. The large square offers various spots to sit and watch people, with beautifully landscaped surroundings.

Nanjing Lu (Nanjing Road) - Similar to Oxford Street in London, Nanjing Road is lined with towering buildings housing shops from around the world. It’s an attractive shopping area with numerous restaurants, cafes, and shops at street level and above. It features big-name branded stores and local outlets. Notable attractions include a shop selling Bee Cheng Hiang, the famous Singaporean beef and pork jerky, and an m&m store, one of only five worldwide. The 600-square-meter LEGO flagship store is also located on Nanjing Road.

Shanghai Natural History Museum (Jing’an) - A vast museum with a wide range of collections, including dinosaur skeletons and animatronics, taxidermied animals, minerals, rocks, and Shanghai’s ecology. After visiting this attraction, guests will be dropped off at their hotel in Shanghai around 5:00 PM.

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall – Former French Concession – Propaganda Poster Art Centre

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall - This exhibition hall illustrates how Shanghai evolved from a fishing village to a city of 30 million and an international financial and trade capital. It covers planning, construction, and development, highlighting its significance in minerals and business. The hall features a huge model of the city.

Former French Concession - Visitors can see remnants of the French concession period in the old, interesting architecture. Streets and alleys resemble the south of France, creating a relaxed atmosphere with numerous bars and cafes.

Fuxing Park - To experience Chinese daily life, visit a park! Retirees engage in their favorite activities, including tea. Visitors can observe local retirees gathering in various social clubs, such as maracas, ballroom dancing, tai chi, Chinese yoyo, ribbon dancing, singing, calligraphy, and card playing clubs.

Longhua Temple - Longhua Temple is a spiritual and historical site, the oldest and largest temple in Shanghai. Although reconstructed, it preserves the architectural design of a Song dynasty (960–1279) Chan School monastery.

Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre - This small museum, tucked away inside a building with minimal signage, is a fascinating place that conserves Chinese history. It houses a collection of around 6,000 posters. Speaking with the owner, Mr. Yang, enhances the experience.

The Water Towns in Suzhou – Tongli Town – The Classical Gardens of Suzhou

Luzhi Ancient Town - Eastern China’s water towns are renowned for their pretty whitewashed houses, arched stone bridges, and bustling canal-side streets. Locals maintain waterside lifestyles, using the Yangzi’s offshoot rivers and canals for washing clothes, catching food, and transportation. Luzhi is an elegant place with original Ming and Qing-era residences, unlike other reconstructed water towns. Luzhi is famous for its beautiful waterways and ancient bridges, some dating back to the Song dynasty. A walk in Luzhi is like stepping into history, tranquil and serene.

Tongli Town - Known for its canal system, Tongli is nicknamed “Venice of the East.” It’s one of the most famous water towns in eastern China, founded over 1,000 years ago during the Song dynasty. The town retains many features of an ancient Wu region town.

The Classical Gardens of Suzhou - These gardens in Suzhou, Jiangsu, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Dating back to the 6th century BCE, they were inspired by royal hunting gardens built by the King of the State of Wu. Private gardens emerged around the 4th century, reaching their peak in the 18th century. Today, over 50 gardens exist, built by scholars and featuring classical Chinese garden design elements like constructed landscapes mimicking natural scenery with strategically located pavilions and pagodas. Visitors will explore Tuisi Garden, located in Tongli Town.

Tuisi Garden - Also known as Retreat and Reflection Garden, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Designed by artist Yuanlong for Ren Lansheng and built between 1885 and 1887, the garden features pavilions, bridges, rockeries, corridors, and halls, creating the illusion of floating on water.

• Private guiding service
• Private transportation
• Admission tickets to attractions
• Lunch

• Hotel
• Meals (except daily lunches)
• Gratuities (for good services)
• Insurances

This 4-day private tour encompasses all the major attractions in Shanghai, two historic water towns, and a classical garden in Suzhou. The tour includes private transportation and simple, delicious local lunches. You’ll explore Shanghai’s Promenade The Bund, a Classical Garden in Suzhou, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, Former French Concession, Tongli Ancient Water Town, South Bund Soft Spinning Material Market, Shanghai Tower (or Oriental Pearl Tower), and more. All the sites you’ll visit on this tour have excellent reviews on Tripadvisor. You’ll uncover these hidden gems and gain a deeper appreciation of the culture and history of Shanghai and Suzhou. Unlike other tours that either skip an ancient water town or visit just one, this tour takes you to two ancient water towns, including the more picturesque Tongli Ancient Water Town compared to Zhujiajiao. Additionally, you’ll visit one of Suzhou’s Classical Gardens.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.