Day 1 in Shanghai

Welcome to Shanghai! Upon arrival at the airport, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!

We recommend you get acquainted with the city, take a walk around People`s Square situated in the heart of the city, covering 34 acres, the area includes People`s Park. The square is surrounded by historical buildings including the Grand Theatre and the Shanghai Museum, the park features wide paths lined with trees and a giant musical fountain situated in the middle. Grab a bite to eat and head to the park for a picnic.

Make your way to the Shanghai Museum situated in the area, this is one of China`s most important museums which houses a collection of over 120,000 historical artifacts spread throughout its four floors. The museum showcases the past 6,000 years of history in Shanghai with 11 galleries and 3 exhibition halls.

Head over to Nanjing Road one of the most popular shopping streets in the city covering 3 miles in the pedestrian-only area filled with shopping malls, department stores, small local shops, hotels, restaurants, bars, a mini train and a plethora of dining options. Fill your belly with some traditional dumplings, soup or noodles and stroll along the streets to find that perfect souvenir.

Make your way to the wet end of Nanjing Road which connects you to the famous Bund, this area is considered to be Shanghai`s Old Town and the heart of the financial district. The Bund sits on the west banks of the Huangpu River, lined with beautiful colonial buildings with restaurants, shops, and bars. It is the perfect place to watch the sunset or take a sunset cruise on the River for some spectacular sights of the sparkling city at night.

Grab some dinner at one of the restaurants featured in the area, enjoy a drink and wander around the area then head back to your hotel and retire for the evening.

Day 2 in Shanghai

Start your day with a pleasant stroll around Yu Gardens, a peaceful, tranquil space with its spectacular architecture shown in the pavilions, bridges, pagodas, rockeries and the 11ft high Jade Rock. Enjoy some breakfast and try some Xiaolongba (steamed buns) at the Huxinting Teahouse restaurant in the garden, grab some coffee or tea and explore the beautiful scenery.

Make your way to the City God Temple next to the gardens, the fold temple dates back to the 15th century and was built to honor the legendary Han general, Huo Guang. The building contains several halls, two gardens and is the host of many festivals throughout the year.

Head over to the French Concession in the Xuhui District, this historical area stretches along beautiful shady tree-lined streets, a popular area in the city filled with galleries, boutiques, quaint cafes, and restaurants. Explore the area and sit down at one of the outdoor cafes or restaurants for some lunch and take in the tranquil setting.

From here head down to the River and take the ferry over to the Lujiazui area where you will find plenty of attractions to keep you busy for the afternoon.

Alternatively, you can take a ride through the Bund Tourist Tunnel, an exciting tram ride under the river. The three main towers here are the Jin Mao Tower, The Shanghai World Financial Center, and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, these three skyscrapers are iconic landmarks in Lujiazui, that make up the spectacular sparkling skyline of the city.

Start out at the Jinmao Tower which stand at 1,380ft tall one of the 7th tallest buildings in the world and features a shopping mall, a cinema and an observation deck on the 88th floor which can be reached by the express elevators that travel at 9 meters per second, taking only 45 minutes to reach the top.

The Shanghai World Financial Center is 1,614ft tall skyscraper, the 9th tallest building in the world and the 4th tallest in the country. The tower features restaurants, a shopping mall and an observation deck with the tower`s design resembling a giant bottle opener. Head up to Sky Walk the observation deck located on the 100th floor where you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city from 1,555ft in the air.

Wander through the Lujiazui Central Green Space, a large 22-acre park area featuring lots of green space and fountains, the perfect place for a picnic, surrounded by the skyscrapers in the area. Binjiang Avenue funs for 8,202 ft along the Huangpu River facing the Bund which is also a great place for a stroll and to take in the sights. Grab some lunch around one of these areas and sit back and relax after your busy morning.

The Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is adjacent to the Oriental Pearl Tower, one of the largest aquariums in the world covering 264,000 sq ft, featuring the world`s longest enclosed underwater viewing tunnel that runs for 551ft. Check out the different exhibits at the aquarium which cover the world`s five continents and its four oceans.

Head over to the Oriental Pearl Radio and TV Tower situated in Pudong Park on the east banks of the river, a recognizable landmark standing at 1,563ft tall featuring a unique design with 11 spheres, 3 legs, and 15 observatory levels. Check out the Shanghai Municipal History Museum located at the base of the tower and the Oriental Pearl Science Fantasy World. When you arrive at the tower make reservations for dinner at the revolving restaurant. Explore the attractions at the tower including a mall, do some shopping and head up to the 360-degree glass-floored observation deck and enjoy the views over the Bund and the surrounding city which is spectacular when lit up at night.

Head to dinner at the revolving restaurant which sits at 875ft high and makes a complete revolution every few hours, enjoy the sights while dining on some traditional cuisine.

After dinner wonder along the scenic Pudong Riverside Promenade, a 1.5 mile stretch of the river providing stunning views of The Bund lit up in all its glory, the promenade is filled with dining, activities, and entertainment.

Day 3 in Shanghai

Start today off with some temple hopping. Visit the Jade Buddha Temple which is an active Buddhist monastery and one of the most famous temples in the world, named after the two jade Buddhist statues featured here. The giant seated Buddha can be found in the Jade Buddha Hall and sits at 6 ½ feet tall weighing in at 452lbs made from pure jade, The Reclining Buddha is 3.4ft long and is found in The Reclining Buddha hall. There are also three golden Buddha`s situated in the Grand Hall representing the past, present, and future. Wander the grounds and capture a glimpse of the Buddha`s practicing their morning prayers.

From here head over to the Longhua Temple which is the largest temple located in the city in Longhua Park. Explore the five main halls that make up the temple and the spectacular grounds that surround the halls, visit the restaurant on site and enjoy some lunch then view the 7 story pagoda on site which stands at 131ft tall made from wood and brick and dates back to 242AD.

Make your way back over to the Pudong District and visit some of the museums in the area including the China Art Museum, The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum and The Shanghai Oriental Art Center. Explore the museums and surrounding area for the afternoon and grab some lunch on the go or sit down at one of the many local restaurants and enjoy a meal.

On your last evening in the city make your way back down to the Riverside where you can find plenty of attractions either on the Pudong side or over on The Bund. There are lots of waterfront restaurants along the river which are the perfect place to sit back and relax with a cocktail while enjoying a spectacular sunset and some delicious food. Wander along the waterfront after dinner and do some shopping.

Additional Days in Shanghai

If you are able to spend additional days in Shanghai be sure to visit the city`s theme parks, including Shanghai`s Disneyland where you can explore seven themed zones in the famous park. Disneytown is located just outside the park, an area packed with restaurants, shopping, food, and entertainment.

Visit the Shanghai Zoo, the large zoo houses over 6,000 animals with 600 of them being rare Chinese animals spread over 184 acres. There are 5 exhibition areas spread over lots of green space decorated with trees and plants.

Jinjiang Action Park is a large amusement park and home of the Shanghai Ferris Wheel which stands at 354ft tall with a 322ft diameter. There are about 40 land and water-themed rides and attractions including roller coasters and Canyon rafting inside the park.

Happy Valley is another amusement park in the city, about 25 miles from downtown Shanghai. The theme park features a natural setting amongst gardens and ponds and has seven themed zones to explore.

Your Last Day in Shanghai

Depart from your hotel to the airport for your return flight home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer to the airport if so the representative will meet you at your hotel with plenty of time to get you to the airport for your flight out.