Things to do in

Shanghai

After meeting your guide at the meeting point or being picked up from your hotel, start this private tour that explores the most important sites in Shanghai. The first stop will be Tianzifang, a cozy neighborhood housing some of Shanghai's most interesting and creative businesses. Your guide will then walk you to the Former French Concession, also known as the FFC, and bring you to the Shanghai Associated House Common Pleas. Listen to the interesting stories about how the UK, US and France ran their courts in Shanghai. Next, head to the Sinan Mansions, an area where only Western villas were allowed to be built. Visit the former residence of general Zhou Enlai, housed in a beautiful French-style building, which was also used as the Shanghai Office of the Delegates of the Communist Party of China. Then marvel at Dr Sun Yat-Sen’s former residence, where most of the elements remain untouched. Learn about how he influenced the revolution in China and how he is still one of the most renowned figures in Chinese society.  Finally, visit the Xintiandi, where the CCP was formed. Visit the site of the first National Congress of the CCP to learn how they came into power in China. Your tour will conclude here. You can get advice from your local guide about eateries or bars in the surrounding area.

You can either make your own way to the meeting point or be collected at your accommodation. Board the bus and leave Shanghai. Head to the oldest and most well-protected water village in China.  Located 16 miles west of downtown Shanghai, Zhujiajiao water village is 400 years old and is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Discover the picturesque canals and rivers and admire the large Dian Shan Lake. Take the opportunity to go shopping, take a stroll, and explore this beautiful village. Try some local street food and be amazed by the tastes. You can even practice your bargaining skills at the local shops. After spending three hours taking in the local culture, you will return to downtown Shanghai for approximately 6:30 PM.

Discover two picturesque Chinese towns, Suzhou and Zhouzhuang, each with its own unique characteristics. Founded in around 600 BC, Suzhou is one of the oldest settlements in the Yangtze basin. Its neighborhoods and interconnected waterways are truly a masterpiece. Suzhou was one of the few cities in China to escape the ravages of the Cultural Revolution, its celebrated gardens miraculously surviving largely intact. Visit the Master of Nets Garden, the Silk Embroidery Research Institute, the Grand Canal and a silk factory while in Suzhou. After a traditional Chinese lunch, you'll travel to Zhouzhuang. Well known for its beautiful natural environment and simple architecture, this city has remained remarkably well-preserved for over 900 years. The majority of the town's residences were built during the Ming and Qing dynasties, with nearly 100 classic courtyards and 60 carved-brick archways from those periods still in use. Travel by boat through the city’s waterways and past classic Zhouzhuang dwellings before returning to Shanghai. Immerse yourself in the history of Shanghai with the assistance of your own personal guide.

First, you will stop at the Nanjing Road, where you will take a quick stroll. After that, you will take the evening cruise on the Huangpu River. On the cruise, you can see both sides of the river, Pu Dong and Pu Xi, which means “East River” and “West River”. Then, you will have the chance to walk along the Bund, which is known for its international architecture. Here, there are a lot of chic pubs and restaurants in old historic buildings. Afterwards, you will transfer to the Pudong side to enjoy the wonderful view of the newly developed commercial part of Shanghai city. Here, you can spend time on your own or continue back to your starting point.

With its inviting views and outstanding scenery, Hangzhou is one of the leading tourist destinations in all of China. It is a city rich with history and was once the capital of China in the 12th Century. After a 3-hour drive, you will first cruise across the West Lake to view unforgettable scenery such as the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, the Bai Causeway and Solitary Hill. After a traditional Chinese lunch, you will visit Guo’s Villa, one of the best traditional private gardens in the city. Hangzhou is also famous for its Dragon Well tea and you can discover the history of Chinese tea and the traditional tea ceremony on a visit to the Meijiawu Tea Village. Before returning to Shanghai, you will enjoy a drive along the Qiantang River where you can view the Liuhe Pagoda, also known as the Six Harmonies Pagoda. On this tour, you can immerse yourself in the history of Shanghai with the assistance of your own personal guide.

Begin with a visit to the Yuyuan Garden, a classic creation of the Ming Dynasty, before exploring the old streets of Shanghai dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Immerse yourself in the Shanghai Museum of Ancient Chinese Art, where a collection of more than 120,000 precious and rare works dazzles visitors, making it the most remarkable cultural institution in the city. Before lunch, visit the famous Silk Museum. After sampling local cuisine at lunchtime, enter the hallowed Jade Buddha Temple and marvel at priceless jade statues from Burma. Next up, enjoy a tour of the famous Bund, also known as the International Architecture Exhibition. Pause at one of the world's best pearl stores on route to Xin Tian Di, a stylish nightlife district with many boutiques, pubs and restaurants. Please note that Yuyuan Garden is closed on Mondays, so you will visit Confucius Temple instead. You will still visit the surrounding area of Yuyuan Garden, such as Shanghai Old Street and the Nine-Zigzag Bridge. Shanghai Museum is also closed on Mondays, so you will visit Shikumen Wulixiang Museum instead.

Explore the local restaurant scene of Shanghai on a 3-hour food tasting tour of the city center. Start in the Xintiandi area to taste one of the best dumpling soups in the city. Then, go to the Yunnan Road to sit down at 3 different restaurants and a dessert shop. Marvel at the change in architecture as you move from the French Concession to the shikumen-style buildings that combine western and Chinese elements. Sample authentic dishes such as parched chicken, red-braised pork, scallion oil noodles, candied lotus rice and moon cakes. Try a cup of Longjing green tea or Fujian black tea and get a local insight into life in Shanghai.

Greet your English-speaking guide in central Shanghai, and set off on foot to explore the city’s evening food scene. Learn about how Shanghai attracts millions of migrants from all over China who bring their local culinary traditions and ingredients. Stroll through alleyways to find family-owned restaurants that offer the best dishes from their hometowns. Visit 4 seated food stops, plus the city’s best street food stall. Learn about the neighborhood's shocking history set amongst art deco era villas. Taste spicy rabbit head or roasted meats which are a feast for the eyes and the mouth. Start the night by sampling the world's oldest sandwich, a pork belly and freshly-baked pita combination that has been perfected by chefs in Xi'an for over 2,000 years. Taste southern China’s impressive roast meats and fried noodle dishes. Sample specialty seafood and bamboo dishes from the Shanghai’s surrounding region, paired with a Shanghainese dessert that was poached from the French. Get your taste buds tingling with Sichuan's famous mouth-numbing peppercorn, before finishing the tour with some of Shanghai's best soup dumplings. Wash it all down with locals beers and the spirits huangjiu, and baijiu.

In the morning, your private tour guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel lobby at 8:00am. After a 3-hour drive, you will arrive at the Lingshan Grand Buddha, which is the number one attraction in Wuxi. It stands 88 meters tall and is the tallest bronze Buddha in the world. You will develop a comprehensive understanding about Buddhism and you can admire the Nine Dragons Bathing Shakyamuni and Ode to Auspice in Brahma Palace. Visit the Five Mudra Mandala and touch the largest Buddha's hand, which is said to bring you good fortune and longevity. Then you will have a vegetarian buffet lunch in the temple. After the spiritual tour, it is time to relax your body and mind with breathtaking natural scenery. You will have a walk along the northern bank of Taihu Lake. Taihu Lake is another of Wuxi’s Icons and is the third largest freshwater lake in China. You will then return to your hotel after the walk.

An airport transfer is the first thing you need to consider when you visit a place. The transfer service allows you to be picked up from the airport when you arrive at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) or Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). Alternatively, you can get picked up from your downtown hotel and transferred to either airport.  The driver will provide a meet and greet service. On arrival, a name board will be waiting for you at the arrival hall of the airport, or at hotel lobby if you chose the departure transfer. You can enjoy a car, van or even coach trip, depending on your group size.