4 Days Shanghai Nanjing Highlight Tour by High-Speed Train

Nihao! Welcome to Shanghai, China’s most internationalized and vibrant city! Shanghai's long-term fusion of Eastern and Western cultures has contributed to Shanghai's unique culture. Upon your arrival at the airport in Shanghai, you will be  escorted the well-selected hotel in downtown Shanghai. The rest of the day is free on your own so you can have a good rest for the jet lag or explore by yourself around your hotel.

Shanghai Arrival Ideas:

Travelers can go to Shanghai easily by air or high speed train. There are two airports - Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport operating numerous international and domestic airlines. Travelers can go to Shanghai by air from most cities in China, like Beijing, Xian, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Guilin, Kunming, Lijiang, Lhasa, and more. In addition, travelers can take high speed train to Shanghai from Beijing (4.5-6 hours), Xian (6-7.5 hours), Huangshan (2.5-3 hours), Guangzhou (7-8.5 hours), Suzhou (0.5 hour), Hangzhou (about 45 mins), Wuhan (3.5-4.5 hours), etc.

Today, you will have full day to experience the perfect blend of East and West in the "Paris of the East." Explore brilliant museums, classical gardens, futuristic skyscrapers, and stunning architecture - all in one vibrant city.

First, head to Pudong and the Lujiazui financial district, home to a trio of iconic skyscrapers. The Shanghai Tower, China’s tallest and the world’s second-tallest building at 632 meters (2,073 ft), soars with a dramatic 120-degree twist from base to peak. Ride the world’s fastest elevators (64 km/h) to the "Top of Shanghai Observatory" on the 118th floor, 546 meters above ground. Enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of the city, with the Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center below.

Later, visit the Shanghai Museum (East), one of the world’s finest museums of ancient Chinese art. Its sleek, modern design is inspired by the traditional Chinese jade bi disc. Inside, explore galleries of bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, paintings, jade, furniture, coins, and sculptures. Don’t miss iconic treasures like the Da Ke Ding, a 3,000-year-old bronze vessel, displayed with the Zi Long Ding and Marquis of Jin Bells - a rare highlight of the Bronze Gallery. Also, see the legendary Sword of King Goujian of Yue, a masterpiece of ancient craftsmanship.

Next, visit Yu Garden, Shanghai’s most famous classical garden, hidden in the heart of the city. Stroll through elegant pavilions, rockeries, and lotus ponds, and admire exquisite carvings and traditional architecture. Outside, Yuyuan Bazaar offers local snacks, souvenirs, and handcrafted art.

In the afternoon, walk along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, lined with global brands, cafes, and historic buildings. End at the Bund, Shanghai’s top must-see landmark. Known as the "Exhibition of International Architecture," it features 52 grand buildings in Gothic, Baroque, and Art Deco styles. From here, enjoy a stunning view of the Pudong skyline across the Huangpu River.

Travel Notes:

1. Yu Garden is closed on Mondays. In this case, we may visit the City God Temple, or French Concession
2. Shanghai Museum (East) is closed on Tuesdays. You will visit Shanghai Museum (People’s Square)on that day. If access to the People’s Square location is unavailable, we will arrange an alternative city attraction.

In the morning, you will be transferred to Shanghai train station for your high-speed train to Nanjing (2 hours).

Upon your arrival in Nanjing Train Station, you will be met for your train station pick-up and transfer to your hotel. After checking in and settling down, you will begin your exploration of this historic city.

Your first stop is the Zhonghua Gate & Ming Dynasty City Wall, the largest and best-preserved gate fortress of the Ming Dynasty. It is the world's largest existing Wengcheng (an outer defensive enclosure or barbican) and features three inner courtyards, four arched gates, and 27 vaulted tunnels (soldier-hiding holes) designed to shelter thousands of soldiers and store provisions. From the top of the wall, you can enjoy sweeping views of the Qinhuai River and the historic southern part of the city, experiencing the depth of Nanjing’s Six Dynasties heritage.

Visit the Confucius Temple – Qinhuai Scenic Area, the historic and cultural center of Nanjing. The area is built around the Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao), one of China’s earliest temples honoring Confucius and a symbol of traditional learning and ceremony. Nearby, explore the Jiangnan Examination Hall (Imperial Examination Museum), once the largest imperial examination center in ancient China, where countless scholars competed for civil service titles.

Walk through charming riverside streets lined with lanterns, traditional architecture, and local snacks, then enjoy scenic views along the Qinhuai River, known as the “Mother River of Nanjing.”

Optional Activity: After nightfall, you may take a Qinhuai River Boat Cruise (at your own expense). Gliding past illuminated pavilions, bridges, and ancient riverside buildings, this experience offers the most iconic night view of Nanjing.

After breakfast, you will drive to the Zhongshan Scenic Area to begin a day of exploring Nanjing’s most iconic landmarks.

First, visit the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the resting place of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of the Republic of China. This immense, solemn site is a masterpiece of architecture, blending traditional Chinese and Western styles. You will enter through the grand Archway of Universal Love, then walk up the ceremonial staircase of 392 steps, representing Dr. Sun’s lifelong journey and national ideals. At the top stands the solemn memorial hall, housing a marble statue of Dr. Sun and offering panoramic views over the forested mountain and Nanjing city.

After that, you will proceed to the nearby Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the tomb of the Hongwu Emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it holds immense historical weight. Your experience will include walking the famous Sacred Way, an impressive avenue lined with pairs of massive stone animals and military figures, which gracefully winds through the landscape, setting the imperial standard for tomb construction for centuries.

In the afternoon, head back to the city to visit the Presidential Palace. This complex served as the official headquarters of the Republic of China government and has a layered history spanning over 600 years, from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the Nationalist government. You will tour the blend of classical Chinese gardens and Western-style offices, feeling the weight of the many pivotal moments in modern Chinese history that unfolded within its walls.

After the tour, you will be transferred to the train station for your departure. (We recommend booking a train departing after 4:00 PM.)

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia!