Day 1 Yu Garden, Shikumen House in French Concession, Shanghai Museum, World Financial Center, Huangpu

09:00: Meet your tour guide in your hotel lobby and set out for this day trip;

09:30 - 11:00: Your first destination is Yuyuan Garden. Situated in Anren Jie, Yuyuan Garden is the only fully restored classical Chinese garden in Shanghai. It was initially built by government officer Pan Yunduan in 1577 as a resort for his parents to spend their remaining years in comfort and happiness. “Yu” in Chinese signifies pleasure and satisfaction, thus, the garden was named as “Yu”. As a perfect model of the south Chinese landscaping style garden of the Ming and Qing dynasties, it is a MUST for all tourists coming to Shanghai. Wandering in pavilions, corridors, streams, courtyards and other natural features of the Garden, you will enjoy both the natural beauty and the man-made creations.

11:10-12:00: Your next sight is a Shikumen House in the French Concession. As the most featured Shanghai accommodation form, Shikumen was a new type of building that integrated western culture with the traditional Chinese vernacular dwelling. It originated in the period of the Taiping Rebellion, when tons of rich businessmen, officials, and landlords from the Jiangsu and Zhejiang area were compelled to appeal for protection from foreign concessions, who later seized the opportunity to build these dwelling forms in a large quantity. Until 1920-1930s, these still served as one of the more popular  residence types, except that people attached less importance to the appearance, but more to simplicity. The door frames of the buildings are made of stone, giving the name of Shikumen (Stone-ringed Door).

12:00-13:00：Have lunch at a local restaurant to taste the most authentic Shanghai cuisine.

13:30 - 15:30: Head for the Shanghai Museum. The exhibition building of the Shanghai Museum is designed with a round dome and square base, symbolizing the ancient Chinese philosophy of a round heaven and a square land. Meanwhile, with the development of modern technology, the lively presentations of some artifacts creates a marvelous visual effect integrated with the traditional culture and modern spirit.

16:00-17:00: Enjoy a full view of this magnificent city from the Shanghai World Financial Center. This is the third tallest building in China and the fifth tallest in the world. It’s a mixed usage building that hosts businesses, restaurants, a shopping mall, offices and hotels. There are only a few floors open to the public.

In the evening, you will board a cruise and enjoy the splendid Shanghai night view along the Huangpu River.




    

Day 2 Zhujiajiao Water Town, Tianzifang Street

09:00: Meet your tour guide and start your second day tour.

10:00 - 13:00: Start your day with a visit to the Zhujiajiao Water Town. This town was a significant trading hub with nearby countries 1700 years ago, and boats were used to ferry all kinds of wares here. Lining the banks are many houses built in rows with interlacing narrow paths connecting each other. The best way to see the town is from a boat where you can enjoy a leisurely ride observing the life along the river (Boat ride for your own account). Walking the streets to be part of the bustling life, is also fun.

13:00 - 14:00: Enjoy authentic local food under the guidance of your tour guide.

15:00 - 16:30: Leave for Tianzifang, another glimmering example of the preservation and development of the local Shikumen architecture. Located in a labyrinth of alleyways off Taikang Road near Dapu Bridge, it is an arts and crafts enclave developed from a renovated residential area with families still residing in the neighboring buildings. It is also referred to as Taikang Road. Based on the similar concept in Xintiandi of renovating whilst preserving the local Shikumen-style houses, this area has been converted into a great place for arts in Shanghai. Since 1998, many famous Chinese artists, including Chen Yifei, Er Dongqiang, Wang Jieyin and Wang Jiajun, set up their studios in Tianzifang, which has added to its fame.

17:00: Drop off at your Shanghai hotel.