Shanghai: Contrasts of Two Worlds in 6 Days Author's tour"

The spirit of old China and the French mood.

Imagine a city where the labyrinths of ancient Chinese alleys coexist with French quarters and skyscrapers that go into the clouds. Shanghai is the embodiment of contrasts. This tour is my personal introduction to the metropolis, which I have long wanted to see. And he exceeded all expectations.

I have compiled and traversed this route myself to collect for you the best facets of Shanghai: from masterpieces of landscape art to cutting-edge towers, from the quiet streets of Europe to the bustling markets of the old city.

Your six-day journey through Shanghai contrasts:

Day 1. The historic heart of Shanghai.

Arrival, check-in at the hotel.

Let’s start with a walk through the Yuyuan Garden, a masterpiece of garden and park art of the Ming era. Atmospheric pavilions, ponds with koi carp, dragon walls and Buddhist temples. Nearby is the famous market and Shanghai Old Street with a thousand small shops. We will end the day on the Waitan embankment overlooking the historic buildings of British banks and offices.

Day 2: The magic of Disneyland.

All day at Shanghai Disneyland, the only Disney park where classic magic meets Chinese culture. Attractions, parades and the castle, more than in other parks. A day when you can feel like a child again.

Day 3. French charm and art space.

Walking through the former French concession. Quiet streets, plane trees, old villas, cozy cafes and designer shops in historic buildings. Go to the only park in China, laid out in strict French regular style (as in Versailles). Walk down the street where diplomats and industrial magnates lived in old mansions. And the end of the day is Tianzifan, an authentic working quarter of the early XX century, turned into a maze of workshops, galleries and bars.

Day 4. Safari in the metropolis.

Shanghai Wild Animal Park is one of the largest natural areas in China. Two zones: a pedestrian zone (pandas, tigers, elephants) and a transport safari zone, where animals walk almost like in the wild. An unforgettable experience for all ages.

Day 5. From shopping streets to the sky.

Morning - walk along the main shopping street of Shanghai, where life is boiling. Then there is the Xintiandi quarter with restored shikumen houses (traditional stone gates) of the 1920s-30s. And then we move to the other bank of the Huangpu River and find ourselves at the foot of the famous Pudong Towers: Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower, World Financial Center and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Let’s go up to the observation room and see the city from a bird’s eye view.

Day 6, Shanghai Venice.

Just an hour away is Zhujiajiao, an ancient city on the water that is 1,700 years old. This is the “museum of canals and bridges” in the open air: two-storey houses with black tiles, ancient bridges and boats on narrow canals. There are no noisy highways, only the silence and atmosphere of ancient China.

Key features of the tour:

• Checked out: This is the fruit of my personal journey in Shanghai. I've compiled it myself and walked through it to show you how different this giant city can be: ancient China, European neighborhoods, futuristic towers and leisurely water channels.
• Freedom of movement: In Shanghai, it is most convenient to travel by metro (it is very developed and simple) and taxi. Would you like to take public transport? We organize individual excursions. We combine so as not to waste time and energy.
• The perfect framework for your ideas: The route is a great foundation to change.
• Would you like to go to the zoo? We will replace the day with a trip to Suzhou, the capital of classical Chinese gardens.
• You want more history? Add a visit to the Shanghai Museum.
• Need some leisurely shopping? Increase the time on the shopping street Nanjing Road or in the shopping centers of Pudong.

What do you get?

• Detailed plan with reference points for each day.
• My personal recommendations on the best coffee houses of the French concession, places with views and authentic food.
• Assistance in the selection and booking of the hotel.
• Maintenance during the entire trip.

Cost of the tour:

The final price is formed individually after consultation. The main factors: season, category of hotel, composition of the group, as well as your wishes to change the program.

Are you ready to walk through the streets of old and new Shanghai and see it with your own eyes? Write to me and we will go on this amazing journey!