SHNAGHAI
Where Old Shanghai Meets the New
Historic lanes, tree-lined streets, glittering skylines and everyday life tucked between them. Shanghai is a city best discovered one neighborhood at a time.
WHY SHANGHAI
A city of contrasts, best explored slowly.
Shanghai may be known for its skyline, but its real character often appears at street level. Walk from grand historic buildings to quiet residential lanes, stop at a neighborhood café or noodle shop, and watch old and new Shanghai unfold side by side.
3-4 DAYS
Ideal stay
MAR–MAY · SEP–NOV
Best time to visit
CITY · ARCHITECTURE
Best for
The Shanghai Classics
See the Bund, cross the Huangpu River and take in one of China’s most iconic skylines — the perfect introduction to the city.
Walk the Neighborhoods
Leave the main sights behind for a while and wander through tree-lined streets, old villas, tiny shops and residential lanes.
Eat like a local
Start with xiaolongbao, noodles or shengjian, then explore everything from neighborhood restaurants to modern Shanghai dining.
Shanghai After Dark
Watch the city change after sunset — from riverside lights and rooftop views to lively streets, bars and late-night food.
START WITH AN IDEA
Four Days in Shanghai
A relaxed four-day journey through Shanghai’s iconic sights, historic neighborhoods, local food and everyday city life.
DAY 1 · First Impressions of Shanghai
Arrival → Hotel Check-in → The Bund → Huangpu River → Pudong Skyline
Arrive in Shanghai and settle into your hotel before heading to the Bund for your first look at the city. Walk along the historic waterfront, admire the contrast between the Bund’s century-old architecture and Pudong’s futuristic skyline, and stay until the city begins to glow after dark.
DAY 2 · Old Shanghai & Local Neighborhoods
Former French Concession → Wukang Road → Wukang Mansion → Local Lunch → Anfu Road → Fuxing Park
Spend the day discovering Shanghai on foot. Wander beneath the plane trees of the former French Concession, explore historic villas and quiet side streets around Wukang Road, stop for a local lunch, and continue through some of the city’s most characterful neighborhoods.
DAY 3 · A Day in Zhujiajiao Water Town
Shanghai → Zhujiajiao Ancient Town → Canals & Old Streets → Local Lunch → Boat Ride → Return to Shanghai
Leave the city behind for a slower day in Zhujiajiao, an ancient water town on the outskirts of Shanghai. Wander through narrow lanes, cross old stone bridges and follow canals lined with traditional houses, small shops and local restaurants.
Stop for a relaxed local lunch and, if you like, see the town from the water on a traditional boat. Return to central Shanghai in the late afternoon or early evening.
DAY 4 · Old Shanghai Meets Future China
Yu Garden → Old City → Local Lunch → China Tech Experience → Lujiazui
Begin the day in one of Shanghai’s most traditional corners. Explore Yu Garden and the surrounding old city, wandering between classical architecture, lively streets and local food before stopping for lunch.
In the afternoon, step into a completely different side of Shanghai and experience how technology is becoming part of everyday life in China. Depending on what’s available during your visit, this could include autonomous vehicles, service robots, drone delivery, smart retail or other emerging technologies.
Finish the day in Lujiazui, surrounded by Shanghai’s futuristic skyline — a fitting end to a journey that moves from the city’s past to its present and future.
CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY
Where to Go After Shanghai
Shanghai can be a destination on its own — or the perfect starting point for exploring the Yangtze River Delta.
SUZHOU
SUZHOU
Gardens, Canals & Jiangnan Life
Just a short high-speed train ride from Shanghai, Suzhou feels like stepping into a different rhythm of life. The city is best known for its classical gardens, where carefully framed windows, rockeries, ponds and pavilions turn small spaces into miniature landscapes.
But Suzhou is more than its famous gardens. Walk beside quiet canals, cross old stone bridges and wander into residential lanes where local life continues behind whitewashed walls. Spend time in a teahouse, try a bowl of Suzhou-style noodles, or simply slow down and watch the city unfold along the water.
For travelers coming from Shanghai, Suzhou offers a beautiful contrast — less about skylines and speed, and more about details, history and the gentle rhythm of Jiangnan life.
1-2 DAYS
Ideal stay
Gardens · Culture · Canals · Slow Travel
Best for
JINGDEZHEN
Porcelain, Craft & Creative China
Known as China’s porcelain capital, Jingdezhen has been making ceramics for more than a thousand years. But this is not simply a city about looking at beautiful porcelain in museums — here, ceramics are still very much part of everyday life.
Visit historic kiln sites and old ceramic factories, wander through workshops where artists and craftspeople are still shaping and firing pieces by hand, and spend time exploring local markets filled with everything from traditional porcelain to playful contemporary designs.
In recent years, a new generation of artists, designers and young makers has brought fresh energy to the city. Old industrial spaces have become studios, cafés, galleries and creative communities, making Jingdezhen feel like an interesting meeting point between traditional Chinese craftsmanship and contemporary creativity.
And if you’d rather make something than simply look at it, you can slow down for a hands-on pottery experience — shaping clay, painting your own piece and taking home something made during your journey.
2-3 DAYS
Ideal stay
Art · Craft · Ceramics · Local Culture
Best for
JINGDEZHEN
HUANGSHAN
HUANGSHAN
Mountains, Villages & Ancient China
Huangshan takes you much further away from the feeling of a modern Chinese city. Here, the landscape is dominated by dramatic granite peaks, twisted pine trees, deep valleys and clouds drifting between the mountains — scenery that has inspired Chinese painters and poets for centuries.
Spend a day or two exploring the mountain, choosing anything from scenic viewpoints and cable cars to longer hiking routes. Early mornings and changing weather can completely transform the landscape, with peaks appearing and disappearing through the mist.
But the journey doesn’t have to end on the mountain. The surrounding Huizhou countryside is dotted with centuries-old villages, traditional houses, ancestral halls and narrow lanes. Places such as Hongcun and other smaller villages offer another way to experience the region — quieter, slower and closely connected to local history.
3-5 DAYS
Ideal stay
Mountains · Hiking · Photography · Ancient Villages
Best for
WHAT WE CAN ARRANGE FOR YOU
AS MUCH — OR AS LITTLE — AS YOU NEED.
Private Car & Driver
From airport transfers to full-day private transportation and multi-city journeys, we can arrange reliable private vehicles and drivers based on your group size and itinerary.
Private Guides
Explore with experienced local guides. English- and Spanish-speaking guides can be arranged, with other languages available upon request.
Airport VIP Service
Make your arrival or departure easier with VIP airport assistance, including meet-and-assist services and support through airport procedures where available.
Tailor-Made Itinerary Planning
Tell us where you want to go—or simply what you love. We can connect destinations, transportation, experiences and free time into a journey designed around you.
Restaurant Reservations
From local neighborhood restaurants to fine dining and special-occasion meals, we can recommend and reserve restaurants that fit your tastes and itinerary.
High-Speed Rail VIP & Station Assistance
We can help arrange high-speed rail tickets, VIP station services where available, and private transfers between your hotel and the railway station.
Tickets & Experiences
We can arrange attraction tickets and selected local experiences, from cultural activities and food experiences to outdoor adventures.
Hotels & Special Stays
We can recommend and arrange hotels, boutique stays and characterful local accommodation based on your budget and travel style.
On-Trip Support
Plans sometimes change. If you need help during your journey, we can assist with arrangements, communication and unexpected changes along the way.