I lived in the spectacular city of Shanghai for 6 years… so it’s like my home away from home, and I have so many special places I’d love to share with you! Amazing shopping, stunning rooftop bars, chic restaurants as well as down-to-earth (and delicious) local eating, fascinating walks around the most beautiful parts of “Old Shanghai” (the history is extraordinary), and the modern out-of-this-world architecture of Pudong. Also, plenty of free time to relax, maybe indulge in a spa treatment or two, or just sit outside on a sunny Shanghai terrace with a glass of wine!
I have also added several days in Chengdu, “the” place in Sichuan province to see the extraordinary Giant Pandas, a bucket list experience you will never forget. This historic city also has a culture all of its own to discover and explore in our spare time… and do a fun Sichuan cuisine cooking class!
There is so much more to see in China, of course… if you would like me to help you plan additional travel, I can; but this is a little taste of two of the most beautiful and fascinating cities, packed with little gems that I discovered while living there!
Contact me at info@toujoursfrance.com.au
DAY ONE
ARRIVE SHANGHAI
This evening you will arrive in Shanghai on your flight from Australia (there are several choices of airlines – we can help you with planning/booking airfares).
A private transfer will take you to your hotel in beautiful Xintiandi in central Shanghai, where I will meet you and help you settle in. Xintiandi is an area of beautifully restored traditional stone houses and laneways, now housing charming shops, bars, restaurants and cafes. This is where we lived during our time in Shanghai and it is a fantastic area. Here on your free evenings, you have a wide choice of dining establishments, and you will love strolling around this beautiful location. See below information about the choice of hotels in Xintiandi!
DAY TWO
SHANGHAI – THE FAMOUS BUND!
For over a century the stunning waterfront landmark The Bund has been one of the most recognizable architectural symbols and pride of Shanghai. This morning our two-hour Bund tour introduces you to the amazing businessmen and architects that built the world’s most famous embankment. The architecture is magnificent! Take a stroll along this famous promenade and learn how a swampy marshland was turned into one of the most important trading hubs in the modern world. See the interiors of some of the Bund’s most stunning architectural masterpieces including the HSBC Bank, Peace Hotel and the Shanghai Club. I’ll tell you all the great stories from the Colonial era, from Victor Sassoon’s Cathay Hotel with its celebrity guests and wild fancy dress parties to the Bank of China and its famous case of daylight robbery, the Bund provides a glimpse of Shanghai’s extraordinary colonial past.
We’ll lunch at a gorgeous terrace restaurant with spectacular views along the Bund, and then this afternoon acquaint ourselves around the area we’re staying in – and for those of you who would like to have some clothes tailored while in Shanghai, we can visit the South Bund Fabric Market which has some excellent tailors and beautiful fabrics. (B, L)
DAY THREE
SHANGHAI – THE EXQUISITE FORMER FRENCH CONCESSION
One of my favourite starts to the day in Shanghai is a stroll around gorgeous Fuxing Park, a short walk from your hotel and a landmark of the French settlers who laid it out in 1909. This is a wonderful insight into modern Chinese life where locals start their day with dancing, tai chi, singing, kite flying, group discussion and mah-jong. We’ll eat at a local café with an outdoor terrace, for lunch.
This afternoon we discover the adjoining area, called “The Former French Concession”, its name harking back to the days of the Trading Concessions, visit the old French Club and some beautiful old “lilongs” or laneways that were a vital element of old Shanghai and remain so today. This is my favourite part of Shanghai and there are so many hidden gems to discover! This evening we will return to the Bund for drinks at the colonial “Long Bar” in what was the old British Club (now the Waldorf Astoria), and dinner at a restaurant overlooking a spectacular view of Pudong. (B, L, D)
DAY FOUR
PUDONG – THE AMAZING WORLD OF MODERN SHANGHAI
Today we’ll cross the river to Pudong where we’ll got to the very top of the Shanghai Tower. The Tower is an amazing insight into modern day China. It is the 2nd tallest building in the world and is one of the “greenest” buildings in the world – it operates like a small city. The views over Shanghai are extraordinary. This is the hub of the most modern part of Shanghai.
This afternoon while still on the Pudong side, Sue will take you to her favourite vendors at the famous “Science & Tech” market – don’t let the name fool you! Here you can buy everything from pearls and semi-precious stone jewellery to cashmere, shoes, designer bags and every electrical item under the sun. You may need to buy an extra suitcase to get it all home! (B)
DAY FIVE
SHANGHAI – COLONIALISM AND COMMUNISM
Today we’ll explore further into the French Concession with a walk through some of the beautiful tree lined streets full of colonial era mansions, and I suggest lunch at one of my favourite local restaurants with a terrace overlooking a little park. As we walk, you’ll discover a treasure trove of street food vendors and little shops that sell everything from jewellery to vintage clothes and designer bags… but also some history; the changes and influence that the CPC contributed to this part of Shanghai.
This evening we’ll discover the true cuisine of Shanghai, tasting at least 10 delicious dishes at little local establishments, on a fantastic “foodie” walking tour through the old streets and laneways. (B, D)
DAY SIX
WUZHEN – A STUNNING TRADITIONAL WATER TOWN
Magnificent Wuzhen, a 1300-year-old water town on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, is one of China’s top ten historical & cultural towns. The ancient Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal flows through the town, and since its foundation in 872 A.D., Wuzhen has never changed its name, location, waterways, or way of life. Traditional buildings remain intact today after hundreds of years; and they house cafes, beautiful china shops, clothing and homeware shops and small museums. Wuzhen is a 2-hour drive from Shanghai, but well worth the effort, especially at dusk when the buildings light up and create an extraordinary panorama that you will never forget. It’s exquisite. (B)
DAY SEVEN
Today we fly to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, home of spicy cuisine and the Giant Pandas! Seeing these amazing creatures in a beautiful natural environment is a bucket list item and an experience you will never forget. At this time of year, there are many cubs at “toddler” age – and they are the most adorable babies you’ll ever see!
This evening we’ll take a walk though Kuanzhai Alley, which consists of three historic paralleled alleys from the Qing dynasty. Ancient style buildings, local Chengdu life, delicious Sichuan snacks and exquisite Sichuan handicrafts make it one of the most interesting areas to explore in Chengdu.
Near the Alley, we’ll attend a performance of the Sichuan Opera which includes acrobats, shadow puppeteers and the famous “face changing” show as well as the musical performance. It’s really fun and entertaining and you can even get a massage on site if you feel like it! (B)
DAY EIGHT
Today one of the highlights of our tour with a visit to the wonderful Giant Panda Breeding & Research Base in Chengdu, which conducts captive breeding programmes and scientific research in a beautiful park environment. This base single-handedly worked to remove the Panda from the Endangered Species list and has an exceptional number of cubs born every year. It’s the most wonderful experience to see the babies and yearlings playing and being coddled by their carers!
This afternoon we’ll visit the historic Wenshu Monastery, followed by a local market visit and a fantastic cooking class for dinner. For the cooking class, we can split the group into two—one group can learn how to make local dishes like Mapo Tofu and Huiguorou, while the other group can try their hand at making baozi or dumplings. It’s a really fun and engaging experience! (B, L, D)
DAY NINE
Today we will fly back to Chengdu and enjoy a final evening in Shanghai – or some flights depart in the evening if you wish to fly straight back to Australia. (B)
DAY TEN
If your flight does not return until later today, we can take a stroll through People’s Park, where the famous “Marriage Market” takes place on a Sunday! Over the years this has become a tradition where parents gather to show off the credentials of their single children in the hope of finding them a suitable marriage partner – not always to the delight of the children, who these days prefer to use dating apps to find a partner for themselves! There’s a lovely restaurant at the heart of the park overlooking the lake, where we can enjoy lunch. (B)
SHANGHAI PORTION (7 nights):
From approximately $3485 Australian dollars per person twin share (please ask for single supplement) – DEPENDANT ON NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE TOUR
This includes accommodation each day including breakfast, all walking tours, five lunches and dinners as per itinerary (including “Foodie” walking tour). Please note this price is approximate and will be based on final numbers.
THE CHENGDU PORTION OF THE TRIP IS PRICED SEPARATELY AND IN US DOLLARS (AS WE USE A LOCAL OPERATOR FOR THIS PORTION OF THE TRIP), SO IF YOU WISH TO JUST DO THE SHANGHAI PORTION OF THE TRIP, YOU CAN DO SO.
CHENGDU PORTION INCLUDES:
Airfares Shanghai – Chengdu – Shanghai (Economy class)
All accommodation including breakfast each day
All transfers
Sichuan Opera tickets
Entry to the Panda Research & Breeding Base
Lunch & Cooking Class (includes dinner)
$1990 US Dollars per person twin share (please ask for single supplememt rate)
AIRFARES FROM AUSTRALIA AND RETURN ARE NOT INCLUDED AS THESE WILL DEPEND ON WHICH AIRLINE AND CLASS YOU CHOOSE TO FLY.
In Shanghai, we’ll be staying in the beautiful area known as “Xintiandi”, full of beautifully restored traditional stone houses and laneways, now housing charming shops, bars, restaurants and cafes.
In this area there are two excellent hotels, the Langham and the Andaz. These hotels are right across the road from each other, so you can choose which one you’d like to stay in. They are both 5 star hotels but the Langham is a little more luxurious. Both are beautiful hotels!
See the LANGHAM
See the ANDAZ
In Chengdu, we’ll be staying at the Grand Hyatt which is in a fantastic location in downtown Chengdu! See the GRAND HYATT CHENGDU