Excursion Highlights of shanghai with chinese lunch tour at Shanghai

The fabled city of Shanghai is China's major port and the largest city in all of Asia. This comprehensive, full-day excursion takes you to Shanghai's most popular and intriguing sites.

The Bund

Depart the pier and travel by coach to the Bund, one of the symbols of Shanghai. The Bund shows off Shanghai's outstanding foreign buildings, most of which were erected before 1937. To the Europeans, the Bund was Shanghai's answer to Wall Street. In the 1930s, the string of buildings hosted the city's financial and commercial centres, and the world's greatest banks and trading empires established a base here.

New Economic Zone

Continue the drive to the New Economic Zone in the Pudong New Area. Prior to 1990, the Pudong New Area was farmland and rice paddies. Today, it is an urban experiment that is expected to become Asia's financial, economic and commercial centre. Next, proceed to the third tallest building of China, the Shanghai World Financial Centre (SWFC), which was completed in 2008. Marvel at this 1,600-foot (492-meter)-high new landmark of Shanghai and take a picture.

Shanghai World Finanical Center (SWFC)

Your next stop foresees a visit to Shanghai World Finanical Center (SWFC). Located in the Pudong District of Shanghai, advancing China’s most rapidly developing city, the Shanghai World Financial Center is a center for information as well as financial services. Here information and finance, the two great currents shaping the 21st century world converge and generate a powerful magnetism.

Soaring 474 meters above the ground, the 100th floor observation deck provides a spectacular view of downtown Shanghai and the Huang Pu River below. Equipped with three transparent glass-floor walkways, the Sky Walk 100 is the an exciting venue for fashion shows and celebrations, with the magnificent view of Shanghai.

Lunch at Wangxingkong Banquet Hall or similar

Continue your experience of Chinese culture during lunch in a private room at Wangxingkong (Gaze to Milky Way) Banquet Hall. Located on the top floor of the Shanghai Grand Theater, the venue is known for serving local delectables.

Shanghai Old Town & Yu Yuan Gardens

Continuing on, discover Shanghai's Old Town and wander among its maze of narrow alleys and cobblestone lanes. As locals bustle about their daily activities, experience one of China's most famous dumpling cookeries and admire the area's remarkable architecture. From here, proceed to the 16th-century Yu Yuan Garden. This cultivated oasis captures the essence of the landscape art and architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It has also served as the inspiration for the famous willow-pattern chinaware. High walls adorned with huge, stone dragons shelter teahouses, pavilions, rockeries and carp ponds. Make your way back to the coach by way of a small lake, which is spanned by a picturesque zigzag bridge.

Jade Buddha Temple

Next head northwest to Jade Buddha Temple, founded in 1881. Its rare statues of Buddha, each carved from a single piece of white Burmese jade, are of special interest. Depending on the schedule of resident monks, you may be able to peek inside one of the temples to witness a prayer session.

All too soon, bid farewell to Shanghai and return to the ship.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Bund, Pudong New Economic Zone, Old Town, Yu Yuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, Lunch at Wangxingkong Banquet Hall or similar.

Note

Please note: This tour requires an extensive amount of walking for a distance of about 2.5 miles (four kilometres) and climbing of approximately 150 narrow steps. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. Casual clothing and comfortable walking shoes are suggested; there are no clothing restrictions to enter the temple. Photography is allowed in most areas of the temple but is not permitted inside the area where the Jade Buddha is located.