Shanghai - Financial Center, Yu Garden, Nanjing Road

Oriental Pearl Tower (Dongfang Mingzhu) - The Oriental Pearl Radio and TV Tower is situated by the Huangpu River in Shanghai, at the tip of Pudong’s Lujiazui area. Standing at 468 meters, it ranks as the third tallest tower in Asia. Nestled among the modern structures of the Lujiazui district, the tower offers a stunning view of the international metropolis alongside the Bund’s world architectural expo. The Oriental Pearl Tower is a hub for sightseeing, dining, shopping, entertainment, river tours, conferences, exhibitions, historical displays, and travel services, making it a landmark and a major tourist attraction in Shanghai.

The eleven spheres of the Oriental Pearl Tower, varying in size, sparkle brilliantly. From the blue sky to the lush grasslands, they create a dreamlike scene of “big beads and small jade plates.” The tower features a high-speed elevator that travels between three 9-meter-high pillars and the world’s first 360-degree transparent three-track elevator, offering visitors a breathtaking view of the modern technological marvel.

Yu Garden (Yuyuan) - Yu Garden is a renowned classical garden in the southern Yangtze River region. Built during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty by Pan Yunduan, a governor in Sichuan, it boasts a history of over 400 years. During the 1853 uprising of the Shanghai Small Sword Society, the garden’s Spring Hall served as the northern command center for the rebels, displaying weapons, self-minted coins, and cultural relics from that era. After liberation, the government undertook extensive renovations, and the garden was officially opened to the public in 1961.

Jingguan Hall, also known as “Qingxue Hall,” is the main hall of the Inner Garden. It features intricately carved pillars and painted beams, exuding grandeur and spaciousness. The hall spans five rooms in width and three in depth, with two stone lions guarding its entrance. Inside, two gold plaques read “Jingguan” and “Lingmaoshi.” The name “Jingguan” signifies tranquility and observation, inspired by the saying “Everything is comfortable in quiet observation.” Opposite the hall, a variety of rock formations resemble animals like the Three Officials’ Longevity, White Deer Gazing at the Moon, and Bats Flying. It is said that over 100 animal shapes can be discerned through careful observation. The garden also features century-old trees, a small courtyard with a pond, winding corridors, and a serene, natural environment.

Nanjing Lu (Nanjing Road) - Over its 100-year development, Nanjing Road has seen the creation of various architectural styles. The buildings vary in height and design, with some sections retaining arcade structures due to road widening. The layout of Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street breaks from traditional designs, featuring a flat layout without street edges, creating a more spacious walking area. The vertical section is adjusted to ensure indoor floors are higher than outdoor ones, allowing the street to serve as an emergency passage while accommodating blind roads and accessible facilities.

Shanghai - Tianzifang, Xintiandi, Bund, People’s Square

Xingmu Handicraft Tianzifang - Tianzifang is a trendy and creative district formed from the transformation of Shanghai’s Shikumen architectural complex. It serves as a creative hub for many artists and is often referred to as “Xintiandi’s second.” However, Tianzifang has its own unique charm, showcasing the friendly, warm, and bustling side of Shanghai. As you wander through its labyrinthine lanes, you’ll discover quaint shops and art studios. The area is home to teahouses, open-air restaurants, cafes, galleries, home decor stores, and numerous creative studios.

Xintiandi - Shanghai Xintiandi is a tourist attraction that blends Shanghai’s historical and cultural heritage with modern Chinese and Western influences. Based on the Shikumen architectural style, Xintiandi has repurposed these old residential buildings for commercial use, transforming them into a center for fashion, leisure, and cultural entertainment. Walking through Xintiandi feels like stepping back into 1920s and 1930s Shanghai, but each building offers a modern and stylish experience. This blend of old and new creates a unique cultural symphony that attracts both domestic and international tourists.

The Bund (Wai Tan) - The Bund has symbolized Shanghai for over a century. Stretching 4 kilometers along the west bank of the Huangpu River from the Waibaidu Bridge to the Nanpu Bridge, it is one of Shanghai’s top ten scenic spots and tourist attractions. The east side of the Bund features the expansive Huangpu River and the new Bund waterfront, where visitors can admire the river’s charm and the modern skyline of Pudong’s Lujiazui area. The west side showcases a variety of Chinese and Western architectural styles, earning it the nickname “World Architecture Expo.”

People’s Square (Renmin Guang Chang) - Located in Huangpu District, Shanghai People’s Square is the city’s political, economic, cultural, tourist, and transportation hub, as well as a key landmark. Originally the Shanghai Jockey Club, it was a venue for horse racing and other elite activities. Today, People’s Square comprises an open plaza, People’s Park, and surrounding cultural, tourist, and commercial buildings. Covering 140,000 square meters, it once hosted city-wide parades and rallies, accommodating over 1.2 million people. It is also the starting point of National Highway 318.

Known as the “Green Lung of the City,” People’s Square is a garden-style plaza that integrates finance, administration, culture, transportation, and commerce. The north side houses the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, the northwest features the Shanghai Grand Theatre, the northeast is home to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, and the south side hosts the Shanghai Museum. People’s Avenue runs through the square, flanked by 17-meter-wide green belts covering 80,000 square meters.

Shanghai - Zhujiajiao Watertown

Zhujiajiao Ancient Town - Dubbed the “Venice of Shanghai” and “Hollywood of Shanghai’s suburbs,” Zhujiajiao is also known as the Pearl Street Pavilion. Located in Qingpu District, it is 30 kilometers from Hongqiao International Airport, with Kunshan to the north, Jiaxing to the south, and Pingwang to the west. National Highway 318 and the Golden Channel Port River run through the town, providing convenient land and water transportation. With its picturesque scenery and abundant resources, Zhujiajiao is the best-preserved ancient water town in Shanghai. In 1991, it was named one of Shanghai’s four famous historical and cultural towns.

Shanghai - Sheshan, Chenshan Botanical Garden

Sheshan Forest Park - Shanghai Sheshan National Forest Park is located in Songjiang District, 30 kilometers from downtown Shanghai. It is the city’s only natural mountain forest resort, covering 401 hectares and featuring Shanghai’s highest peak. The park’s twelve peaks, resembling emeralds, stretch 13 kilometers from southwest to northeast, creating a beautiful landscape on the Shanghai Plain. Once a botanical garden in the 1960s, it was designated a national forest park in 1993 and a national tourist resort in 1995. Sheshan is renowned for its rich historical and cultural heritage, including religious sites, springs, stone carvings, and scenic spots. The park also features the Far East’s first cathedral, China’s premier astronomical observatory, a forest bird garden, an aerial cable car, and dry land sledges. The interconnected peaks and scenic spots create a picturesque landscape, while the lush greenery and vibrant flowers offer a serene escape.

Suzhou - Humble Administration Garden, Tiger Hill

Humble Administrator’s Garden - Located at 178 Northeast Street in Suzhou, Zhuozheng Garden is the city’s largest classical garden, covering 78 mu. Centered around water, the garden features picturesque mountains, elegant halls and pavilions, lush flora, and the distinctive charm of a Jiangnan water village. The garden is divided into three sections: the bright and open East Garden, the central garden which is the essence of the entire garden, and the beautifully constructed West Garden. The southern part of the garden is a residential area, reflecting the traditional layout of Jiangnan dwellings. It also houses the Suzhou Garden Museum, the only museum in China dedicated to classical gardens.

Tiger Hill - The two most famous attractions on Tiger Hill are the Huqiu Pagoda and the Sword Pool. The pool is named for three reasons: its shape resembles a flat sword when viewed from above; it is said that 3,000 swords were buried here for King Helu of Wu; and it is believed that Qin Shihuang and Sun Quan once dug for swords here, creating the pool. The Sword Pool is considered the most mysterious spot on Tiger Hill, and it is said to be the entrance to King Helu’s tomb.

Shanghai - Wuzhen

Wuzhen Water Town - Wuzhen is one of China’s first famous historical and cultural towns, known for its charm and beauty. It is a national 5A tourist attraction and is often called “the last water town in China.” With over 7,000 years of civilization and 1,300 years of history, Wuzhen is a quintessential Jiangnan water town, renowned for its fish and rice and silk production. It is one of the top 20 Golden Week tourist destinations and one of six ancient towns south of the Yangtze River. In 1991, it was named a famous historical and cultural city in Zhejiang Province. Since 2013, Wuzhen has hosted the Wuzhen Theatre Festival and became the permanent site of the World Internet Conference in 2014.

Shanghai - Fabric Market, Clothes Market, Chinese Market

Shanghai Science and Technology Museum - A Chinese market offering a wide variety of goods.

• Private transportation
• In-vehicle air conditioning