2 Days Shanghai Highlights Tour with the Bund, Skylines & City Walk Experience

On this day, you will explore the enchanting world of traditional Chinese-style gardens, towering modern skyscrapers, and exotic architectural marvels that grace the picturesque banks of the Huangpu River.

Your first stop is have an in-depth visit in Old Town at Yu Garden, the most celebrated classical Chinese garden hidden in the bustling downtown area of Shanghai, where you can appreciate the beauty of a Jiangnan water town! It was a private garden of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) with a history of over 460 years, built in 1559 by Pan Yunduan for his father to enjoy his retired life. You will see the winding paths and changing scenery, the plants and ponds, the brick carvings, stone carvings, clay sculptures, and wood carvings in the garden, all designed with great craftsmanship. According to research, the garden designer of both Yu Garden and Daguanyuan Garden (the famous garden described in the "Dream of the Red Chamber", one of the Four Great Classical Novels of China) is likely to be the same person - Zhang Nanyang (张南阳), a garden master from the late Ming dynasty and a native of Shanghai. On the way to Yu Garden, you will pass by the iconic Jiuqu Bridge (九曲桥Nine-Bend Bridge/Zigzag Causeway) and the Huxin Pavilion (湖心亭Mid-lake Pavilion, built in the Qing Dynasty, 1616-1912), which is a perfect spot to enjoy a distant view of Shanghai's Lujiazui Skylines. As you enter Yu Garden, you can explore various beautifully crafted dragons hidden in the buildings, count them, and learn more about the Chinese dragon totem from your guide. In Yu Garden, you can admire numerous architectures from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, as well as the collections of ancient calligraphy, paintings, and furniture. Don't forget to seek out the 21-meter-tall ginkgo tree that is said to have been planted by Pan Yunduan himself.

After that, take a public ferry like a local to cross the Huangpu River and slowly travel from old Shanghai to Shanghai's Pudong New Area. Pudong serves as a stark contrast to the historical and architectural style you'd find in areas like Shanghai's Old Town and the Bund. It's a testament to China's rapid economic development and a symbol of modern China, complete with towering skyscrapers, international companies, and an advanced infrastructure. One of the most eye-catching features in Pudong is the trio of towering skyscrapers in the Lujiazui financial district - Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center and Jin Mao Tower. Here, you will ascend the highest building in Shanghai - the Shanghai Tower, reaching up to 632 meters, which features a dramatic 120-degree twist from its base to its peak. Take the world's fastest lifts (traveling at 64km/h) to the "Top of Shanghai Observatory" located on the 118th floor, 546 meters (about 1,791 feet) above ground level. Have the unparalleled opportunity to enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the city and also look down upon the Jin Mao Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center.

City Walk from Nanjing Road to the Bund:

After that, you can take stroll at Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street which is one of the iconic attractions of Shanghai, known as the "Number One Commercial Street in China". It serves as a window to Shanghai's openness to the world and a paradise for shoppers from both domestic and international locations. Nanjing Road is the perfect place to experience century-old Chinese time-honored shops. Walking from Nanjing Road East to the Bund, you will have the feeling of traveling back to the 1930s and 1940s. As the Top 1 Place to Visit on the Shanghai Bucket List, the Bund is the best spot to view the Oriental Pearl TV Tower (a symbol of Shanghai) and the three skyscrapers of Lujiazui. Located on the bank of the Huangpu River and renowned as “An Exhibition of International Buildings”, the Bund is a collection of 52 buildings representing various international architectural styles.

You can hike in the core section of the Bund which stretches about 1.5 km from Waibaidu Bridge (外白渡桥) in the north to Jinling East Road (金陵东路) in the south, along Zhongshan East First Road (中山东一路), with Peace Hotel (near Nanjing East Road) in the middle. Starting from Nanjing East Road, you can begin your exploration by enjoying a cup of coffee on the Most Beautiful Balcony of Shanghai (上海最美露台) at the Somekh Building (沙美大楼) and catching a glimpse of the Peninsula Shanghai Hotel (上海半岛酒店) and Bund Source 33 (外滩源33) along the picturesque pathway of Yuanmingyuan Road (圆明园路). You will visit the Zhapu Road Bridge (乍浦路桥) to capture the "Shanghai Version of Seine River Scenery"(上海版塞纳河风光), followed by Waibaidu Bridge (外白渡桥Garden Bridge of Shanghai), where you can admire the Russian Consulate building (俄罗斯领事馆green roof) that combines Baroque and German Renaissance styles. At Huangpu Park (黄埔公园), established in 1886, you can pay tribute to the Monument to the People's Heroes (人民英雄纪念塔) and discover more about the history of the Bund. After passing the Peace Hotel, you won't miss the iconic Clock Tower at the Shanghai Customs House (江海关大楼), the HSBC Building (汇丰银行), the Golden Bull Plaza (金牛广场sculpture of a golden bull), and the Gutzlaff Signal Tower (外滩天文台), all of which are classic attractions of the Bund.

After the tour, be transferred back to your hotel.

After breakfast, you will have a delightful exploration of Shanghai's elegant garden mansions, Longtang, and Shikumen architectures. There are two city walking routes for you to choose from. One is in the French Concession area, well-known as the "Paris of the Orient" for its refined and graceful allure. The other route takes you through Xintiandi and Tianzifang Area.

Option City Walk Route A: French Concession Walking Tour (3 hours)

Itinerary: Wukang Road - Xuhui Old House Art Center - Wukang Mansion - Madam Song’s Former Residence - Little White House

Walking Theme: The tree-lined streets of the French Concession house a delightful collection of magnificent residential early-20th-century villa architecture, much of which has been well preserved. The old Western-style houses were mainly built in the first half of the 20th century, incorporating various styles from France, England, Germany, Spain, and more. The apartments also feature different styles such as Baroque, Gothic, Art Deco, and modernism.

Your memorable and pleasant walk starts from Wukang Road, which boasts 14 excellent historical buildings. Visit the Xuhui Old House Art Center, a modern-style building constructed in the 1930s, where you can explore the West Bank Architecture Exhibition. Marvel at Wukang Mansion, a creation of the acclaimed architect Ladislaus HUDEC from Curry & Co. This exquisite edifice, built in 1924, introduced the concept of exterior corridors to Shanghai, showcasing both innovation and timeless beauty. After that, continue walking to Madam Song’s Former Residence, a two-story Western-style villa where a great woman of the 20th century once lived. Later, proceed to the Little White House in the Baroque style, now transformed into the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum. Admire the wonderful exhibits, ranging from jade to ivory to inkstones and beyond.

Option City Walk Route B: Shanghai Longtang Walking Tour (4 hours)

Itinerary: Zhang Yuan Shikumen House Complex - Jinan Villa Complex - enjoy a subway ride to Xintiandi's "Wulixiang" Shikumen Museum - Taikang Road Tianzifang Old Residential House Complex

Walking Theme: Even though Shanghai is characterized by its high-rise and uniform residential blocks, at ground level, the city showcases its charm with low-rise Longtang and Shikumen architecture. Shanghai's Shikumen architecture is a unique fusion of Eastern and Western styles, combining elements of Chinese courtyard houses and English terraced housing. Typical Shikumen houses consist of two to three stories, featuring an impressive stone-gate frame topped with a decorated lintel enclosing two robust wooden doors, often black, adorned with bronze handles.

Your walk begins at Zhang Yuan Shikumen House Complex, established in 1882. It is the largest and most comprehensive collection of mid-to-late-period Shikumen architecture in Shanghai, showcasing its diverse architectural styles. From Zhangyuan, continue walking to Jing’an Villa, the largest modern lane housing complex in Shanghai, representing a microcosm of traditional Shanghai residential architecture.

Next, enjoy a subway ride to Xintiandi and visit the Shikumen Open House Museum, which offers a glimpse into the Shikumen lifestyle of middle-class families in Shanghai during the 1920s and 1930s. The museum consists of a front and back section, with two floors and a total of eight rooms, including a "courtyard," "pavilion room," "kitchen," and more. Rather than feeling like a museum, it provides the cozy ambiance of an old Shanghai home.

The final stop is Tianzifang, a genuine Shanghai-style lane exuding a bourgeois atmosphere. Here, you'll discover narrow alleyways, cozy bars, cafes, rooftop restaurants, artist studios, and various creative boutiques. Tianzifang encapsulates the essence of old Shanghai, with its traditional shops offering vintage pocket watches, qipao dresses, paper fans, snowflake cream, and more. It is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the unique charm of life in the alleyways of old Shanghai.

Then, it is time to conclude your 2-day Shanghai tour. Your guide will accompany you to the airport or train station for your flight or high-speed train to your next destination. Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your Shanghai tour. We are always dedicated to serving you and look forward to welcoming you again for your future trips in China/Asia.