Shanghai Layover Tour - Flexible to Explore Highlights of Shanghai

For your Shanghai Layover tour, you can exploring the Highlights of Shanghai according to your time. From Shanghai Old Town to Shanghai Pu Dong New Area, you will experience the perfect blend of the East and West in this “Paris of the East” by visiting traditional Chinese gardens, Taoist Temples, local snacks streets, modern skyscrapers, and exotic architecture.

First, you can head to Yu Garden (Yuyuan Garden, Closed on Mondays), the most celebrated classical Chinese garden hidden in the bustling downtown area 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). According to Chinese Fengshui, the zigzag causeway is designed to thwart spirits, who can only journey in straight lines. Known as the "First Teahouse on the Sea" (over 160 years old), the Huxin Pavilion is a perfect spot to enjoy a distant view of Shanghai's Lujiazui Skyline (陆家嘴三件套). In Yuyuan Garden, you can admire numerous architectures from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, as well as the collections of ancient calligraphy, paintings, and furniture. Yu Garden was built in 1559 (460 years ago) by Pan Yunduan (潘允端) 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. You can explore various beautifully crafted dragons hidden in the Yu Garden, count them, and learn more about the Chinese dragon totem from your guide. Don't forget to seek out the 21-meter-tall ginkgo tree that is said to have been planted by Pan Yunduan himself 400 years ago.

Or, you can either visit Shanghai City God Temple (城隍庙) located near Yu Garden. Chenghuangmiao (City God Temple) is a Taoist temple dedicated to the City God (Cheng Huang God). "Cheng城" refers to the city walls, while "Huang隍" refers to the dried-up moats. The City God is the protective deity of the city and is often a renowned hero or figure from local history. Strolling inside Chenghuangmiao, you will see a large abacus (算盘) that is quite intriguing. It bears the Chinese characters "not calculated by humans" (不由人算). Remember to ask your tour guide to explain the profound Chinese philosophy behind it. If you wish to meet your Mr. Right, make sure to visit the Temple of the Matchmaker (Yuelao Temple月老殿) and pay respects to the God of Love and Marriage (Chinese Cupid月老). If you desire wealth, visit the Temple of Wealth (财神殿) and pay homage to the God of Wealth (财神), Marshal Zhao Gongming (赵公明), who oversees fair trade and the distribution of wealth in the mortal realm. As a coastal city, Shanghai City God Temple also enshrines the Goddess Mazu (天后妈祖), who protects seafaring vessels.

However the phrase "go to Chenghuangmiao" used by Shanghai locals does not solely refer to the Taoist temple itself but rather encompasses the entire area of Yuyuan Bazaar. Yuyuan Bazaar (Chenghuangmiao Market) outside Yu Garden is a vibrant Shanghai Old Street where you can try Shanghai’s local snacks such as Xiaolongbao (Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant小笼包), Pan-Fried Pork Buns (Fried Dumplings生煎包), Soup Dumplings (灌汤包), and Won-ton Soup (上海馄饨). You can also buy some traditional Chinese handicrafts and artworks for souvenirs here.

Notes:
1. Please note that Yuyuan Garden is closed on Mondays. A visit to the Daoist City God Temple (located near Yuyuan Garden) is also wonderful. We are always flexible and want to ensure you with the best experience.
2. Please feel free to contact our travel consultant in advance to discuss and make arrangements, as many museums and sites require advance ticket bookings. Thank you for your understanding.

After lunch, you can take a hike from Nanjing Road to the Bund, which is less than a 2 km walk. Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street is the perfect place to experience century-old Chinese time-honored shops, such as Wuliangcai Optical (吴良材眼镜店), founded in 1806; Hope Brother's & Co (亨达利钟表店), established in 1874; Duoyunxuan (朵云轩), the most famous calligraphy and painting store in Shanghai, founded in 1900; and Wang Kai Photograph(王开照相馆), the largest deluxe photography studio in Shanghai since 1923. You can also visit Shanghai Shimao Festival City (上海世茂广场) and explore the first flagship LEGO store in Asia. If you're interested, you can experience the famous curved escalator at the New World Daimaru Department Store (新世纪大丸百货), explore the Huawei Global Flagship Store (华为旗舰店), enjoy afternoon tea on the rooftop terrace of Shanghai Edition Hotel (上海艾迪逊酒店) while overlooking the Bund, and marvel at the century-old Gothic architecture of the Peace Hotel (和平饭店), where Einstein and Chaplin once stayed. Nanjing Road is also a paradise for food lovers, so don't miss a visit to Shanghai's first food store and Shen Dacheng Dim Sum Shop.

Then, move to the Bund, 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 that are famed as the "Kitchen Three Piece Set" (陆家嘴三件套) by locals due to their shapes: a syringe (Jin Mao Tower, 421m), bottle opener (Shanghai World Financial Center, 493m), and eggbeater (Shanghai Tower, 546m), respectively. Known as “An Exhibition of International Buildings”, the Bund is a collection of 52 buildings representing various international architectural styles. Since 1844 (Qing Dynasty), foreign banks, trading companies, clubs, and newspapers have gathered here, showcasing the former glory of the "Wall Street of the Far East" (远东华尔街). 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 Bund tour, you can board a public ferry to cross the Huangpu River and take a walk to the highest building in China - the Shanghai Tower. It 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 above ground level. Here, you'll have the unparalleled opportunity to enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of modern Shanghai and also look down upon the Oriental Pearl TV Tower (a cultural landmark of Shanghai), Jin Mao Tower (a traditional Chinese pagoda-like structure with a modern style) and the Shanghai World Financial Center (the third tallest building in China and the fifth tallest in the world). From Shanghai Tower, you can also get a bird's eye view of the Bund and the Nanjing Road you had just visited before from another side of the Huangpu River.

Then, it is time to end your Shanghai Layover Tour. Your guide will escort you to your hotel. Or head to the airport/train station for your flight or high-speed train to your next destination.

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