Shanghai: Shanghai’s Promenade: The Bund

The Bund (Wai Tan) - We’ll pick you up from your hotel lobby in Shanghai at 9:00 A.M. to visit The Bund, Shanghai’s most popular attraction. This waterfront area and protected historical district in central Shanghai features buildings and wharves along Zhongshan East No.1 road. The promenade offers close-up views of beautiful old colonial buildings from the former Shanghai International Settlement. On one side of the Huangpu River, you’ll see high-tech futuristic skyscrapers, while the other side showcases 19th-century colonial architecture. The Bund provides the best views of the Pudong Skyline and the Oriental Pearl Tower, making it a perfect spot for photos. The Bund is stunning both day and night.

Bund International Architecture Exhibition - This area features well-preserved western architecture, maintained by the Chinese government. Over 50 buildings line the west bank of the Huangpu River, with the Peace Hotel being a highlight.

Riverside Promenade (Bingjiang Da Dao) - A stroll along the waterfront Promenade on the Bund is a must in Shanghai. It offers the best views of old Shanghai with its colonial European architecture on one side and the new Shanghai with its ultra-modern Chinese architecture on the other. The architectural contrast between the new and old is striking.

The Bund City Sculptures - The Bund features several sculptures, 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 distinctive historic building, serving as a living museum of a bygone era. It’s worth visiting to see its interior.

Huangpu River - This landmark river separates Shanghai into two parts, Pudong and Puxi. A stroll along the Huangpu River at the Bund is a must-do activity in Shanghai.

Pudong New Area - The latest development area in Shanghai, Pudong features the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and numerous shops. It’s modern in every sense of the word.

Shanghai Tower - One of the most exciting activities in Shanghai is getting a panoramic view from the top of a tall building. You can choose between Shanghai Tower and the Oriental Pearl Tower. Shanghai Tower boasts the world’s highest observation deck at 1,844 feet (562 meters). From the top, visitors can see other skyscrapers below them. 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 avoid visiting on misty or foggy days.

Oriental Pearl Tower (Dongfang Mingzhu) - This tower is another option for panoramic views of Shanghai. It’s an iconic landmark and one of Shanghai’s most popular attractions. The best photos of the Oriental Pearl Tower can be taken from the Bund. You likely already captured a picture of it during your earlier visit to the Bund.

Shanghai World Financial Center - Located close to Shanghai Tower and not far from the Oriental Pearl Tower, this building is worth a visit. If you choose to visit Shanghai Tower, you’ll pass by this tall building and can take great close-up photos.

South Bund Soft Spinning Material Market - China is known for exporting a large amount 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 visiting this clothing market shopping mall.

Old Town (Nanshi) - This area features fantastic old buildings and great shopping, with food places lining the laneways beneath historic buildings. Visitors can find plenty of food, drinks, clothes, and souvenirs here.

Yu Garden (Yuyuan) - Yu Garden showcases exquisite traditional landscaping. Its intricate architecture, tranquil ponds, and lush greenery transport visitors to a different era. Strolling through the zigzag bridges, rockeries, and pavilions offers a peaceful escape from the urban hustle and bustle. The garden also features old Chinese architecture that has been refurbished into shophouses, eateries, and souvenir shops.

Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum - This museum celebrates Jewish history in Shanghai, featuring personal stories and historical exhibits. It’s an educational experience about a lesser-known part of history. The tour ends around 5 P.M.

Shanghai

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

Former French Concession - This area features old architecture from the French concession period, with streets and alleys resembling the south of France. It’s a relaxed area with many bars and cafes. After visiting this attraction, you’ll be returned to your hotel in Shanghai around 5:00 PM.

Fuxing Park - To experience Chinese daily life, visit a park! Retirees engage in various activities, including tea drinking. You can see local retirees participating in social clubs such as the maracas club, ballroom dancing club, tai chi club, Chinese yoyo club, ribbon dancing club, singing club, calligraphy club, and card playing club.

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

Shanghai to Beijing by Bullet Train

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall - This exhibition showcases Shanghai’s transformation from a fishing village to a city of 30 million people and an international financial and trade capital. It highlights the city’s planning, construction, and development, including its importance in minerals and business. The exhibition features a huge model of the city.

Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre - This small museum, tucked away inside a building, is a fascinating place that conserves Chinese history through a collection of around 6,000 posters. Talking to the owner, Mr. Yang, enhances the experience. After the tour, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel.

Beijing - In the afternoon, you’ll take a 4.5-hour bullet train to Beijing and then transfer to your hotel. Remember to book your own hotel in Beijing city center for tonight and the following tour days.

Beijing

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang) - Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in downtown Beijing in the morning. You’ll visit Tian’anmen Square, a city square in the center of Beijing named after the Tiananmen (“Gate of Heavenly Peace”) to its north. It’s a great starting point for a day of sightseeing.

Tian’anmen - This monumental gate in central Beijing is a national symbol of China. First built during the Ming dynasty in 1420, Tiananmen was the entrance to the Imperial City, where the Forbidden City is located.

Forbidden City-The Palace Museum - The Forbidden City is the largest Imperial Palace in the world. You’ll spend several hours exploring this example of Imperial architecture and learning about its history. English audio guide devices are provided for a better understanding of the rich history and stories about the imperial families behind the grand buildings.

Meridian Gate (Wu Men) - The southern and largest gate of the Forbidden City, the Meridian Gate has two protruding arms on either side and five arches. The center arch was reserved for the Emperor, while officials and servants used the four side arches.

Hall of Great Harmony (Taihe Dian) - Located in the center of the Forbidden City along its central axis, this is the largest and grandest hall. It is one of the largest wooden structures in China and was where Ming and Qing dynasty emperors hosted enthronement and wedding ceremonies.

The Nine Dragon Screen of The Palace Museum - One of three such screens in China, this screen features coiling dragons in colored glazed tiles, built in 1773. It’s a type of screen wall with reliefs of nine different Chinese dragons, typically found in imperial Chinese palaces and gardens.

The Antiquarium of The Palace Museum - This mini museum within the Forbidden City houses beautiful displays of gold ornaments, royal furniture, outfits, and other items.

The Imperial Garden of The Palace Museum - This garden features rock formations, vines, greenery, ancient trees, and pavilions. It was a sacred place for emperors within the Forbidden City.

Turret of The Palace Museum - The turrets on the corners of the Forbidden City are a photographer’s delight. The best views of the turrets are from outside the Forbidden City, with the moat adding to their beauty.

Beihai Park (Beihai Gongyuan) - Also known as the Winter Palace, Beihai Park is a public park and former imperial garden in the northwestern part of the Imperial City, Beijing. Built in the 11th century, it is one of the largest Chinese gardens and contains many historically important structures, palaces, and temples. It has been open to the public as a park since 1925.

Jingshan Park (Jingshan Gongyuan) - Climb to the top pavilion for a fabulous panoramic view of the Forbidden City.

Beijing: The Great Wall of China

Mutianyu Great Wall - A 1.5-hour drive will take you to the Mutianyu Great Wall in the morning. This section is the most famous and ideal part of the Great Wall. You’ll take a cable car up to the wall and spend 1 to 2 hours hiking and exploring the watchtowers. You’ll then take an exhilarating toboggan ride back down.

Lama Temple (Yonghegong) - Also known as Yonghe Temple, Harmony and Peace Palace Lamasery, and Yonghe Lamasery, this temple is the largest and most perfectly preserved lamasery in present-day China.

Back Lakes (Hou Hai) - This area features local goods, food, drinks, and small streets around a beautiful lake. It’s a lively and family-oriented area with a bar scene and live music. Many people take wedding photos here, indicating its beauty.

Beijing

Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) - In the morning, you’ll visit the Summer Palace, a summer resort for Imperial Family Members and the best-preserved Imperial Park. Listed as a World Heritage Site, it was originally named Qingyi Yuan or the Garden of Clear Ripples and was first constructed in 1750. It was rebuilt in 1886 after being razed by the Anglo-French Allied Forces in 1860. Renamed Yihe Yuan or the Garden of Health and Harmony, it was ravaged again by the Allied Forces of the Eight Powers in 1900. You can visit the court area, lake area, and long corridor.

Long Corridor at the Summer Palace - This covered walkway, first erected in the mid-18th century, is famous for its 728-meter (2,388 ft) length and rich painted decoration. Empress Dowager Cixi likely enjoyed strolling here, admiring the thousands of artworks depicting scenic views, myths, folktales, and Buddhist scenes.

Tower of Buddhist Incense (Summer Palace) - Originally intended to be a nine-story Buddhist pagoda resembling the Yellow Crane Tower, construction was halted after the eighth story. The tower, built on a 20-meter (66 ft) tall stone base, measures three stories and 41 meters (135 ft) in height, supported by eight ironwood pillars. Empress Dowager Cixi visited the tower to offer incense and pray.

Temple of Heaven - The largest Imperial place of worship from ancient times, this site is now a park where locals engage in social activities like singing, dancing, and Taiji practice.

Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest - This magnificent triple-gabled circular building, 36 meters (118 ft) in diameter and 38 meters (125 ft) tall, is where the Emperor prayed for good harvests. The wooden building is constructed without nails. After the tour, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel.

Chaoyang Theater - This theater features outstanding performances of stunts, dance, and acrobatics by men and women in colorful costumes. The breathtaking acrobatic show starts in the early evening, and you’ll have a good seat included in your tour. In 2023, the show moved to Red Theater, where your guide may take you to watch the renowned acrobatic show.

Beijing - At the end of the tour, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel in Beijing.

• One way bullet train ride from Shanghai to Beijing
• Lunch
• Cable car and Toboggan ride at Mutianyu Great Wall
• Hotel pickup & drop-off
• Private tour guide
• Private transportation

• Hotels (Please book your own hotels in Shanghai &Beijing, according to the itinerary plan)
• Meals (except daily lunches)
• Gratuities