Shanghai Acrobatics Show & Nightlife Tour (Group)

Combining contortions, lion dancing, bowl and plate spinning, fire breathing and various unicycle and kung-fu tricks, Chinese acrobatics is a wildly entertaining art form dating back to the Eastern Han Dynasty. Witness an amazing performance by one of Shanghai’s leading acrobatic troupes, followed by an evening tour of The Bund’s glamorous European-style facades, the French Concession’s Art Deco elegance and Xintiandi’s chic renovated shikumen dining, shopping and entertainment zone.

 

6:30-7:30 p.m. Depart from hotel

7:30-9:00 p.m. Chinese Acrobatics Show

Chinese Acrobats are world-renowned for their skills and ability to entertain. Watch these trained professionals engage in amazing stunts like contortionism, tight-rope walking, extreme kung fu, plate balancing and fire breathing.

One of Shanghai’s most recognizable destinations, the Bund is known for its impressive collection of foreign concession-era Art Deco and neoclassical architecture featuring a unique combination of Western and Chinese characteristics. The Bund also affords an excellent view across the Huangpu River of Pudong’s towering skyline, creating a stunning contrast between past and present faces of Shanghai.

Enjoy a stroll through one of Shanghai’s most notorious and architecturally unique neighborhoods, theFrench Concession. Made famous during the Nationalist era of 1920s and ’30s, the concession’s winding streets, villa residences and Deco facades continue to intrigue. Afterward, proceed toXintiandi, a trendy land, lined with bars, restaurants and world-class shops and boutiques, housed in renovated traditional Shanghai-style lane houses (shikumen) featuring a unique blend of European and Chinese design.

10:00-11:00 p.m. Return to hotel

Shanghai East Meets West Day Tour (Group)

Explore Shanghai’s famed mix of Eastern and Western influences, from the elegant European-style facades of the Bund and the villas and Art Deco gems of the French Concession, to the ancient Chinese heart of the city atYu Gardens, the relic-packed Shanghai Museum and the legendary Jade Buddha Temple. You’ll finish at Xintiandi, where renovated traditionalshikumen “stone gate” houses are now home to the city’s top shops and restaurants. An exciting exploration of the contrasts that make Shanghai a truly global metropolis!

9:00 a.m. One of China’s most famous gardens, Yu Garden is known for its exquisite beauty and magnificent pavilions, rock gardens and classical landscaping. In 1997 Yu Yuan was recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site in honor of its 400-plus years of history.

Shanghai’s Old City is a charming district of narrow lanes, traditional temples, busy shops selling antiques and curios, local restaurants and, in a recently refurbished section, impressive recreations of traditional Chinese architecture.

One of Shanghai’s most recognizable destinations, the Bund is known for its European-style concession-era Art Deco and neoclassical facades. Combining Western and Chinese characteristics, the Bund also affords an excellent view across the Huangpu River of Pudong’s towering skyline for a stunning contrast between past and present faces of Shanghai.

Housing some 120,000 precious relics, including bronzes, pottery, paintings and calligraphy, theShanghai Museum is a treasure house of ancient Chinese art. The museum is designed to resemble a large bronze mirror from the Han Dynasty (206-220 BC) when viewed from above and an ancient bronze cooking vessel called a ding from ground level.

12:00 a.m.  Lunch

From embroidered goods to porcelain wares, the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum houses some of the cities most interesting crafted products. Located in a French Concession mansion, the museum offers visitors a closer look inside Shanghai’s traditional arts.

In 1882, a temple was built to house two jade Buddha statues which had been brought to China by a Burmese monk. The temple was destroyed during the revolution that overthrew the Qing Dynasty, but fortunately, the jade Buddha statues were saved. In 1928 the Jade Buddha Temple was rebuilt in its current location.

Enjoy a stroll through one of Shanghai’s best known and architecturally unique neighborhoods, theFrench Concession. Made famous during the Jazz Age and Nationalist era of 1920s and ’30s, the concession’s winding streets, villa residences and Art Deco facades continue to intrigue. Afterward, its on to trendy Xintiandi.

Zhouzhuang Water Village Half-Day Tour (Group)

Escape from the big city to the classic water town of Zhouzhuang, just a short distance from Shanghai. Romantic Ming and Qing Dynasty-era willow-lined canals, stone bridges and ancient buildings await. Whether walking Zhouzhuang’s cobblestone-paved lanes or drifting along in a traditional boat propelled by a local gondolier, Zhouzhuang opens a fascinating window onto China’s rich history.

 

1:00-2:00 p.m. Depart from hotel

3:30 p.m. Arrival Zhouzhuang Water Village

Over 900 years old, Zhouzhuang is home to some of China’s best-preserved water village architecture from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Zhouzhuang’s willow-lined waterways, traditional boats and ancient stone arch bridges offer a simple beauty virtually unchanged over hundreds of years.

You’ll have the opportunity to tour Zhouzhuang’s waterways in a boat propelled by a local boatman as the scenery drifts past as well as walk its narrow ancient streets and bridges, where the townspeople go about their business vending traditional crafts, snacks and delicacies.

6:30-7:00 p.m. Return to hotel

Zhujiajiao Water Town Half-Day Tour (Group)

Not far from downtown Shanghai you’ll find Zhujiajiao, a charming Yangzi River water town founded over 1,700 years ago. Famous for tranquil willow-lined canals, traditional-style homes and temples, and ancient stone bridges like the famed Fangsheng Bridge. You’ll tour Zhujiajiao by boat and foot, then stop by a local silk mill to observe traditional silk-making techniques (great souvenir shopping, too).

 

1:00-2:00 p.m. Depart from hotel

3:00 p.m. Arrival Zhujiajiao Water Village

Located about 16 miles west of Shanghai’s downtown, Zhujiajiao is a historical water village, lined with small canals, rivers and a number of Ming and Qing dynasty bridges, including the famed Fangsheng Bridge.

8:00-9:00 p.m. Return to hotel