Day 1 Itinerary
1. Afternoon: Arrive in Shanghai at noon, visit the [Shanghai Museum (East Branch)], check into the hotel after the visit, followed by a welcome dinner; [Shanghai Museum (East Branch)]
The Shanghai Museum (East Branch), designed with the concept of "Window of Shanghai," features a building with undulating waves, symbolizing the city's inclusive and diverse nature. It was fully open by the end of 2024, housing 20 exhibition halls showcasing precious artifacts including bronze, ceramics, and jade. With modern facilities and numerous interactive experiences, visitors can immerse themselves in the unique charm of the blend of history and modernity. (Closed on Tuesdays)
2. Evening: Welcome dinner at the hotel;
3. Recommended sightseeing spot for the day: "Window of Shanghai" inside the East Building of the Shanghai Museum;
Day 2 Itinerary
1. Morning: After breakfast, head to the [Shanghai Tower] in Lujiazui for a New Year's climb to enjoy panoramic views of Shanghai's magnificent cityscape; visit the [Wu Changshuo Memorial Hall], stroll along the [Lujiazui Riverside Promenade], and have lunch at the [Suiyuan Restaurant] to experience a menu inspired by Qing Dynasty literati cuisine.
[Shanghai Tower]
The Shanghai Tower is a landmark building in Shanghai, standing at a height of 632 meters with 127 floors. It is the tallest building in China and the second tallest in the world. Its exterior features a spiraling design, blending modern technology with traditional Chinese cultural elements. It boasts the world's fastest elevators and multiple observation decks, making it an ideal location to enjoy panoramic views of Shanghai.
[Wu Changshuo Memorial Hall]
The Wu Changshuo Memorial Hall features an antique architectural style, with a classic Shikumen (stone-gate house) exterior and a traditional Chinese three-courtyard layout. It perfectly recreates the atmosphere of the late Qing Dynasty, reflecting the style of Mr. Wu Changshuo, one of the "Four Masters of the Shanghai School," who resided here. It showcases a blend of Eastern and Western artistic and cultural influences, preserving and innovating Shanghai-style cultural resources while establishing a distinctive "Shanghai brand."
[Lujiazui Riverside Promenade]
The southern section of the riverside promenade offers refreshing river breezes and expansive views. Modern architectural art blends seamlessly with the fountain square, and a stone monument bearing the inscription "Riverside Avenue" marks the entrance. This area is home to numerous restaurants and provides the best vantage point for admiring the buildings on the Puxi side of the river, including the Bank of China Building and the Peace Hotel.
2. Afternoon: Visit the [Xinchang Shanghai-style Traditional Chinese Medicine Cultural Base], tour the Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum; participate in [making New Year's blessing sachets with traditional Chinese medicine]; and enjoy a [traditional Chinese medicine health-preserving meal] at the cultural base for dinner.
[Xinchang Shanghai-style Traditional Chinese Medicine Cultural Base]
The Xinchang Shanghai-style Traditional Chinese Medicine Cultural Base is a joint project between the Shanghai Municipal Traditional Chinese Medicine Archives and the Xinchang Town People's Government. Built around the protected historical building "Zhang Xiaoyi's Residence," the base features the "Shanghai-style Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum," showcasing a wealth of historical artifacts and documents related to traditional Chinese medicine, and also includes the "Mr. Opposite's Door" living space, offering various immersive experiences.
[Features and Highlights - Experience 1] Handcrafting New Year's Blessing Herbal Sachets
Learn about the history of sachets, discover the Pudong local fabric used in the materials, and understand the traditional Chinese medicinal herbs in the sachet formula and their medicinal value. Then, create your own sachet to bring blessings for the New Year.
3. Evening: Take a stroll through [Xinshang Ancient Town] and experience its rustic charm and leisurely pace of life;
[Xinchang Ancient Town]
Xinchang Ancient Town, formerly known as "Shisunli," is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient water towns in the Jiangnan region of Shanghai. It prospered due to the salt trade and is renowned as "Little Xinchang, rivaling Suzhou." Here, 150,000 square meters of ancient buildings and 1,200 meters of well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty stone embankments showcase the typical water town layout of "cross-shaped streets and well-shaped rivers," and it still retains its authentic, vibrant local life.
4. Recommended attractions for the day
Shanghai Tower 118th-floor observation deck, Hongfu Bridge and First Floor Tea Garden in Xinshang Ancient Town (filming location of the movie "Lust, Caution");
Day 3 Itinerary
1. Morning: Experience a [Baduanjin qigong class] in the early morning; drive to the intersection of Huaihai West Road and Huashan Road, and enjoy a [shared bicycle ride] through the [Hengfu Historical and Cultural Area], visiting landmarks such as [Wukang Building] and [Pushkin Small Garden]; lunch is at your own expense;
[Features and Highlights - Experience 2] Practicing Baduanjin qigong
Baduanjin qigong is a traditional Chinese health and fitness exercise that originated during the Northern Song Dynasty and has been practiced for over 800 years. Through eight continuous movements, it regulates qi and blood, strengthens the body, and incorporates the principles of traditional Chinese medicine meridian theory and health preservation wisdom. Visitors can learn and practice Baduanjin qigong under the guidance of a professional instructor, stretching their muscles and bones and harmonizing their qi and blood through simple movements, starting their day with renewed vitality.
[Features and Highlights - Experience 3] Shared Bicycle Riding
Under the guidance of a professional tour guide, embark on a unique city tour using shared bicycles, and visit historical protected buildings such as Wukang Building, Liangyou Apartment, Baiyang's Former Residence, Zhang Leping's Former Residence, and Ke Ling's Former Residence, all while enjoying the warm winter sunshine.
[Hengfu Historical and Cultural Zone]
As a historical and cultural conservation area, the Hengfu Historical and Cultural Zone blends Chinese and Western styles and boasts a rich architectural heritage. It is now a prominent urban cultural landmark, attracting visitors to experience the unique charm of a neighborhood where historical ambiance and modern life intertwine.
2. Afternoon: Travel by car to the old city area to experience [Republic of China Era Style Photoshoot]; visit [Yu Garden], stroll along [Chenghuang Temple Commercial Street] and participate in a workshop to [Make Handcrafting Traditional Lacquer Fans]; dinner is at your own expense, and we recommend trying Shanghai's specialty snacks such as Nanxiang steamed buns and pan-fried buns.
[Features and Highlights - Experience 4] Republic of China Era Style Photoshoot
Dress in traditional Qipao or Zhongshan suit from the Republic of China era, complete with period-appropriate makeup and styling, and have a professional photographer capture stunning images in authentic locations, creating lasting memories of old Shanghai.
[Yu Garden]
Yu Garden is a famous classical garden in Shanghai, built in the Ming Dynasty during the reign of Emperor Jiajing, and has a history of over 450 years. The garden features pavilions, towers, artificial hills, and ponds, all meticulously arranged, reflecting the artistic style of Southern Chinese gardens during the Ming and Qing dynasties – "serene, elegant, and exquisitely delicate." It is considered the "crown jewel of gardens in Southeast China," embodying the philosophical idea that garden design, though man-made, appears as if created by nature itself.
[Chenghuang Temple Commercial Street]
Chenghuang Temple Commercial Street is one of Shanghai's most representative commercial districts, located on Fangbang Middle Road in Huangpu District, adjacent to Yu Garden. It is home to numerous time-honored shops and specialty food stalls, making it a great place to sample Shanghai delicacies such as xiaolongbao (steamed dumplings) and shengjian (pan-fried buns). The street features a quaint architectural style, and together with the nearby Huxin Pavilion and Nine-Turn Bridge, it forms a unique "old city" landscape.
[Features and Highlights - Experience 5] Handcrafting Traditional Lacquer Fans
At the "Liyun Pavilion" fan shop in Yuyuan Old Street, you can handcraft your own lacquer fan, creating a unique souvenir of your trip.
3. Evening: Stroll through [Xintiandi], admiring the blend of old and new architectural styles in the Shikumen (stone-gate) houses with their red brick arches and exposed brick walls, experiencing Shanghai's urban renewal and cultural heritage, and enjoying the local bar scene;
[Xintiandi]
Xintiandi is an urban landmark that blends the historical charm of Shikumen architecture with modern fashion. The 30,000-square-meter Shikumen building complex has been renovated, retaining its traditional blue brick and red tile exterior while transforming the interiors into international art galleries, trendy shops, themed restaurants, and bars. It innovatively imbues old buildings with commercial vitality, becoming a must-visit destination for both domestic and international tourists to experience Shanghai's unique culture and the fusion of old and new.
4. Recommended sightseeing spots for the day:
Wukang Building, Pushkin Statue (filming location for the TV series "Blossoms Shanghai"), Yu Garden's Nine-Turn Bridge and Huxin Pavilion; Xintiandi Shikumen New Year decorations;
Day 4 Itinerary
1. Morning: Experience a [Baduanjin qigong class] in the early morning; visit the [Shanghai History Museum], and see the ["Angelica Sinensis in Spring on the Huangpu River" special exhibition], learning how traditional Chinese medicine has taken root in Shanghai, blending Eastern and Western influences, being passed down for thousands of years, and integrating into the lifestyle of modern city dwellers; enjoy a vegetarian lunch at [Gongdelin Restaurant].
[The "Angelica Sinensis and the Spring of Huangpu River" Special Exhibition]
The "Angelica Sinensis and the Spring of Huangpu River" special exhibition is being held in the East Building of the Shanghai History Museum. Featuring nearly 300 pieces (sets) of cultural relics and documents from 16 cultural and museum institutions and 13 collectors, it tells the story of traditional Chinese medicine in Shanghai, guiding visitors to experience the unique charm of Shanghai-style traditional Chinese medicine in an immersive way. Visitors can explore the exhibition across different historical periods, take advantage of health-related consumer benefits, and unlock valuable information about winter health supplements.
2. Afternoon: Stroll along [Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street], passing by the Suzhou River and Waibaidu Bridge, and arrive at [The Bund], where you can admire the classic historical buildings known as the "Exhibition of World Architecture"; dinner is at your own expense;
[Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street]
Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street is Shanghai's most bustling commercial street, stretching from Tibet Middle Road in the west to the Bund in the east, with a total length of approximately 1.5 kilometers. It is renowned as "China's First Commercial Street.". It is home to numerous international brand flagship stores and century-old businesses, making it a popular landmark for shopping, dining, and sightseeing. The pedestrian street features a distinctive 4.2-meter-wide "golden strip," along with well-equipped public facilities and leisure plazas, making it an iconic symbol of Shanghai.
[The Bund]
Located on the banks of the Huangpu River in Shanghai, the Bund stretches for 1.5 kilometers and is one of Shanghai's most iconic cultural landmarks. On its western side stand 52 buildings of diverse architectural styles, forming a "world architecture exhibition," encompassing Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque, and other styles. These buildings bear witness to Shanghai's prosperous history as the "financial center of the Far East" in modern times. Today, it has become a renowned landscape blending historical and modern features, and together with the skyscrapers of Lujiazui across the river, it forms Shanghai's unique city skyline.
3. Evening: Take a cruise on the Huangpu River and admire the magnificent, glittering scenery of both banks under the night sky;
[Huangpu River Cruise]
The Huangpu River cruise, a round trip from Shiliupu Wharf to Yangpu Bridge, takes approximately one hour. Enjoy stunning views of the buildings on both banks, including the Bund's collection of historic buildings on the Puxi side, and iconic landmarks in Lujiazui on the Pudong side, such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and Shanghai Tower, as well as the International Cruise Terminal.
4. Recommended sightseeing spots for the day:
Cai Tongde Pharmacy and Tong Hanchun Pharmacy on Nanjing Road, trendy cafes on the left bank of the Suzhou River, Waibaidu Bridge, Peace Hotel (filming location for the TV series "Blossoms Shanghai"), Bund 22 (formerly the HSBC Building), etc.
Day 5 Itinerary
1. Morning/Afternoon: After breakfast, check out of the hotel. Around 10:00 AM, drive to [EKA Tianwu] to participate in the New Year market and experience the festive atmosphere; Lunch is at your own expense, and we recommend trying creative fusion cuisine, which is healthy and delicious. You can also experience the rich Shanghai-style coffee culture; After the tour, you will be transferred to the airport.
[EKA Tianwu]
EKA Tianwu, a winner of the 2023 Top 100 Public Cultural Spaces Award, embodies Exploration, Knowledge, and Aesthetics. It is a vibrant urban aesthetic sanctuary that explores the unknown and fosters innovation and transformation. Here, you can listen to the stories behind the artisans, discover art pieces imbued with urban spirit, and uncover previously unseen "unknown elements."
2. Recommended attractions for the day:
The former 1962 shipyard building, the Golden Arches landmark, the New Year's market, the Yichi Garden (One Foot Garden) internet-famous cafe, etc.