Explore Shanghai & Hangzhou
A. SHANGHAI
Shanghai, Hu for short, is a renowned international metropolis drawing more and more attention from all over the world. Situated on the estuary of Yangtze River, it serves as the most influential economic, financial, international trade, and cultural center in East China. Also it is a popular travel destination for visitors to sense the pulsating development of the country. Discover these 10 experiences in Shanghai:
1. HUANGPU RIVER
Huangpu River, also known as Huangxiepu or Chunshen River, is a landmark of Shanghai, separating the city into two parts, Pudong and Puxi. With a total length of 113 km (70 mi) and a width of 300-770 m (984-2,526 ft), the river runs through over 10 districts in the city. It is regarded as the Mother River of Shanghai, serving multiple functions including drinking water, shipping, drainage, fishery and tourism. A river cruise is highly recommended.
2. JADE BUDHA TEMPLE
The Jade Buddha Temple is a Buddhist temple. As with many modern Chinese Buddhist temples, the current temple draws from both the Pure Land and Chan traditions of Mahayana Buddhism. It was founded in 1882 with two jade Buddha statues imported to Shanghai from Myanmar by sea.
3. NANJING ROAD
China's premier shopping street, the 5.5-km-long (3.4-mile-long) Nanjing Road, starts at the Bund in the east and ends in the west at the junction of Jing'an Temple and West Yan'an Street. Today it is a must-see metropolitan destination attracting thousands of fashion-seeking shoppers from all over the world.
4. ORIENTAL PEARL TOWER
Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower is located in Pudong Park in Lujiazui, Pudong New Area, Shanghai. Surrounded by the Yangpu Bridge in the northeast and the Nanpu Bridge in the southwest, it creates a picture of 'twin dragons playing with pearls’. This 468 meters (1,536 feet) high tower is the world's sixth and China's second tallest TV and radio tower. However, even more alluring than its height is the unique architectural design that makes Oriental Pearl Tower one of the most attractive places anywhere.
5. SHANGHAI MUSEUM
Located in People's Square, Huangpu District, the center of Shanghai, Shanghai Museum is a large museum of ancient Chinese art. Its style and presentation surround visitors with artifacts demonstrating ancient wisdom and philosophy. The exterior design of the round dome and the square base symbolizes the ancient idea of a round heaven and a square land. The museum is divided into eleven galleries and three exhibition halls. The eleven galleries cover most of the major categories of Chinese art: Ancient Bronze, Ancient Ceramics, Paintings, Calligraphy, Ancient Sculpture, Ancient Jade, Coins, Ming and Qing Furniture, Seals, and Minority Nationalities.
6. SHANGHAI TOWER
Shanghai Tower is in Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone of Pudong, with Shanghai World Financial Center to the east and Jin Mao Tower to the north. The tower ranks as China's tallest building. For tourists, a Shanghai Tower visit would not be complete without a visit to the 'Top of Shanghai Observatory', which is the world's highest indoor observation deck. From this height, one can enjoy a unique panoramic view of the Huangpu River, the Bund on the west, and several other skyscrapers like the Jin Mao Tower and the World Financial Center on the east bank.
7. THE BUND
The Bund, also called Waitan, is a famous waterfront on the west bank of Huangpu River and regarded as the symbol of Shanghai. Here, the charm of Shanghai as a bustling metropolis combining the century-old history and flourishing future is fully presented, making the Bund Shanghai a must-see attraction. The most classic route to explore the Bund is either to wander from the north end to the south or the contrary way. Along the way, you will see the most famous and attractive sight in the Bund, namely 26 colonial-era buildings of different western architectural styles, which give the Bund Shanghai China the fame as a 'museum of international architecture’.
8. TIANZIFANG ART STREET
Little known to Shanghai old timers, Tianzifang has transformed itself from legacy residential architectures and factories into an artsy area housing bars, cafes, crafts shops, design studios, galleries and boutiques. It is ardently supported by crowds of yuppies, trend setters, designers and expatriates.
9. YU GARDEN
Yu Garden, aka Yuyuan Garden, Yu Yuan in Chinese, is a classical garden ranking among the must-see attractions in Huangpu District, Shanghai. It dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and was owned by a government officer named Pan Yunduan. Yu in Chinese means pleasing and satisfying, and this garden was specially built for Pan's parents as a place for them to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age.
10. ZHUJIAJIAO WATER TOWN
Located in Qingpu District of Shanghai, Zhujiajiao Water Town, aka Zhujiajiao Water Village, is well-known throughout the country, with a history of more than 1,700 years. Covering an area of 47 square kilometers (11,614 acres), the little fan-shaped town, being regarded as Shanghai's Venice, glimmers like a bright pearl in the landscape of lakes and mountains. Endowed with another elegant name - 'Pearl Stream' - the Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town is the best-preserved among the four ancient towns in Shanghai. Unique old bridges across bubbling streams, small rivers shaded by willow trees, and houses with courtyards attached all transport people who have been living amidst the bustle and hustle of the modern big city to a brand-new world full of antiquity, leisure and tranquillity.
SLEEP AT AMARA SIGNATURE SHANGHAI
Located in Shanghai's Putuo District, bordering the main Jing'An business and shopping belt, Amara Signature Shanghai is a luxurious hotel with 343 rooms and suites that blends the city's rich heritage with modern amenities and impeccable service.
SLEEP AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL SHANGHAI AT PUDONG
Centrally located in Pudong Lujiazhui business district in the newly-built 55-story 21st Century Tower – locally known as the “jewel box” - Four Seasons Hotel Pudong, Shanghai rises above the urban melee with art-filled interiors that are inspired by Shanghai’s Golden Age during the 1920s and 30s Art Deco period.
SLEEP AT GRAND KEMPINSKI HOTEL SHANGHAI
Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai, situated in the heart of Shanghai’s financial district Lujiazui. Offering stunning views of the city’s glittering skyline, the hotel is perfectly located for both leisure and business visitors. Guests can choose from a range of luxury rooms and suites to suit their requirements and the hotel also provides four gourmet restaurants and three bars with incredible views of the city.
SLEEP AT HILTON SHANGHAI HONGXIAO
Situated in the heart of Hongqiao business district, the three-tower Hilton Shanghai Hongqiao is close to metro lines and within walking distance of entertainment venues. Relax in the spacious guest rooms and enjoy the wide range of facilities including the spa.
EAT AT SHÀNG-JÍ
Discreet and sophisticated, an elegant Cantonese restaurant – with just 22 seats in the main hall and five private-dining rooms – creates the perfect setting for romantic meals and intimate conversations over authentic cuisine and plates of dim sum.
EAT AT SUNTIME CENTURY
Embark on a bold exploration of flavours in the fine Cantonese restaurant, Suntime Century. Relax in the lavish private rooms and allow the food to delight your senses with wonderful textures, tastes and aroma.
EAT AT ULTRAVIOLET BY PAUL PAIRET
Conceived by Paul Pairet since 1996 and opened in 2012, Ultraviolet is the first restaurant of its kind uniting food with multi-sensorial technology in order to create a fully immersive dining experience.
PLAY AT SHANGHAI PATHWAYS
If you want unique & authentic tours to see the real Shanghai, come join Shanghai Pathways! They take you behind the scenes of a destination to reveal it's hidden gems and appreciate the Chinese culture.
PLAY AT SUNNY TOURS
Sunny Tours is committed to provide the best travel services in China, every plan they make, every action they take is driven by customers' satisfaction! With over a decade of experience in the travel industry, they are there to help you to discover their wonderful cities at your pace and your style!
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B. HANGZHOU (ONE HOUR BY BULLET TRAIN FROM SHANGHAI)
Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang Province and the local political, economic and cultural center. As the southern terminus of the Grand Canal, the city is located on the lower reaches of the Qiantang River in southeast China, a superior position in the Yangtze Delta and only 112 mi (180 km) from Shanghai. Discover these amazing experiences ib Hangzhou:
1. LINGYIN TEMPLE
Lingyin Temple is one of the most famous and oldest Buddhist temples in China. About 1,700 years’ history made the ancient temple a treasury of exquisite cultural relics in different dynasties. For example, the plaque of the hall was written by Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) and in the Great Buddha’s Hall stands the largest wooden statue of Buddha Sakyamuni.
2. MEIJIAWU TEA PLANTATION
Meijiawu Tea Plantation, also named Meijiawu Tea Cultural Village, is one of the producing areas of Longjing Tea. The village is surrounded by green mountains and far away from the noisy urban area. Tasting the best Longjing Tea, wandering around lush tea trees and enjoying the fragrance of tea leaves could be one of the top things to do in Hangzhou. What’s more, if come in spring, you can even have a chance to experience the process of tea picking and tea making. However, remember to avoid the Qingming Festival travel peak in early April and you’ll enjoy a better leisure time.
3. QINHEFANG ANCIENT STREET
Strolling in Qinghefang Street is one of the free things to do in Hangzhou. The stores along the street are all rebuilt from old buildings. As the most prosperous street of the city, here gather all kinds of local snacks, famous restaurants as well as various tea houses. Stopping by the Ancient Street to taste some local snacks and purchase some local specialties as souvenirs is one of the fun things to do in Hangzhou. In addition, some special museums are worth visiting. The Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huqingyutang, used to be one of the most famous pharmacies in China. You can know more about Chinese herbology there. Zhu Bingren Bronze Art Museum is a good place to appreciate special bronze handicrafts, bronze casting sculptures and bronze architecture.
4. SIX HARMONIES PAGODA
Liuhe Pagoda, literally Six Harmonies Pagoda, is a multi-story Chinese pagoda in southern Hangzhou. It is located at the foot of Yuelun Hill, facing the Qiantang River. It was originally constructed in 970 by the Wuyue Kingdom, destroyed in 1121, and reconstructed fully by 1165, during the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279).
5. WEST LAKE
The West Lake was named a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 2011 and described reflecting "an idealized fusion between human and nature". Especially the Ten Scenes of West Lake such as Dawn on the Su Causeway in Spring, Wine-making Yard and Lotus Pool in Summer, Moon over the Peaceful Lake in Autumn, Remnant Snow on the Bridge in Winter are essence of the Lake. Boating on the Lake, the trees on the bank flutter with wind and you can immerse yourself in the natural landscape to enjoy your leisure, which could the best thing to do in Hangzhou.
SLEEP AT CONRAD HANGZHOU
Conrad Hangzhou enjoys a true sense of place, outside and inside. Styled by a renowned Dutch architectural firm, the hotel design represents Hangzhou's tidal bore - a natural wonder of quickly rising tides occurring once a year. Indoors, the Hong Kong-based firm AB Concept has concentrated on stone and wood elements, giving the hotel a clean and modern feel.
SLEEP AT CONRAD HANGZHOU TONGLU (100 KM FROM HANGZHOU)
Overlooking Tianxi Lake, find minimalist villas nestled among the hills of Tonglu. There is a free resort shuttle, transportation to and from the Tonglu High-Speed Train Station, and a concierge who helps plan your perfect itinerary. The spa and salon, indoor pool, seasonal outdoor infinity pool, and five dining options complete your fantastic stay.
SLEEP AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL HANGZHOU AT WEST LAKE
As the ancient saying goes, “In the universe, there is heaven; on earth, there is Hangzhou.” Set along the banks of the fabled West Lake, this hotel is a tranquil enclave woven with ponds, courtyards surrounding picturesque Chinese gardens, willow trees and mist-covered lagoons. Wake to views of mountain peaks, ancient temples rising from the greenery or the very waters that have enchanted poets, explorers and emperors for centuries.
SLEEP AT KEMPINSKI HOTEL HANGZHOU
Inspired by the journeys of the Grand Canal and richness of tea, Kempinski Hotel Hangzhou presents an exclusive lifestyle destination defined by signature restaurants, exceptional spaces, designs and gastronomic craftsmanship. The hotel is centrally located in a large shopping, residential and office complex along the Grand Canal and next to numerous historical blocks, museums and the Gongchen Bridge.
EAT AT JIN SHA
With nearly 20 years of culinary experience, Chef Wang is a culinary mogul of Zhejiang and Shanghainese cuisine. Under his leadership, Jin Sha has become the only restaurant in Hangzhou to be awarded the prestigious four-star award by Forbes Travel Guide for four consecutive years.
EAT AT LI' AN
Li'An serves traditional Chinese food in a contemporary style and where the Chinese details are being interpreted in an elegant and modern way. Hangzhounese cuisine, supplemented by signature dishes from different areas in China. Located on Level 50, Li'An is the highest restaurant in Hangzhou.
EAT AT ZI CHEN
Opulent in its surroundings, the Zi Chen Chinese Restaurant combines modern facilities with intricate design that exudes warmth and luxury. Authentic Hangzhou cuisine and Cantonese seasonal favourites are served in a setting that evokes the grandeur of their Chinese heritage. The chefs present elegantly prepared dishes under the guidance and inspiration of Executive Chef Xiao.
PLAY AT MOREFUNASIA HANGZHOU TOURS
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BEST TIME TO VISIT: The best time to visit Shanghai is from October to November. This short autumn season boasts comfortable temperatures and lacks the crowds and rain showers of summer – the peak tourism season. Winter travelers can encounter chilly weather, making urban exploration less enjoyable.
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