Yuyuan Garden is a traditional Chinese park complete with beautiful pavilions, miniature lakes, bridges and rock formations. This small park is located in the heart of Shanghai’s old Chinese quarter and links to Yuyuan Market. Built in 1559, in the Suzhou style by a high official in honor of his father, the garden has maintained its classic beauty over the centuries.

The Pavilion of Spring in the northeast section of the park is famous for being the headquarters of the anti-imperialist “Little Sword Society”, who in 1853 led an uprising against Qing rule and occupied Shanghai for 17 months. Weapons, coins and other objects used by the society are now housed in an exhibition hall.

Traditional Tea Ceremony at
HuXingTing Tea House
As with Tai Chi, Calligraphy & Feng Shui, in China most traditional activities have a place, an order and a purpose. The ancient tradition of serving tea is no different. Such is its importance that on the day of ones wedding, it is customary to serve tea to all the senior members of the bride and bridegrooms family (in hierarchical order) as a mark of respect. A cycle that is not and should not be broken-up, it reflects the holistic concept of much of Chinese culture. With a number of young ladies who can perform and explain the history and purpose of the ceremony in English, this experience is one that should not be missed. As much as ‘Chi Fan’ (eating rice), it is a tradition that is very much at the center of the fabric of Chinese life and culture

Yuyuan Old Town Market
Found beside Yuyuan Garden is a bazaar of stores that sell sell a mish-mash of items including traditional Chinese arts and crafts and souvenirs, ornate chopsticks, Chinese medicine, walking sticks, fans, silk umbrellas, bamboo and rattan furniture, goldfish, pottery and much mush more.
Food is also a great temptation (for the adventurous) in the Old Town Market with local delicacies such as xiao long bao, pigeon egg dumplings and spicy cold noodles from the street stalls or numerous restaurants.

The Bund: A wide boulevard lined with impressive neo-classical buildings. The Bund is the classic image of Shanghai and the city’s main attraction. Sweeping along the western side of the Huangpu River, the majestic buildings date back to Shanghai’s grandest days. Many banks and financial companies built impressive offices here in the early 20th century when Shanghai was the financial capital of Asia. To Westerners, it was for years Shanghai’s Wall Street where fortunes were lost and made.

Huangpu River
Take ferry across the Huangpu River From the moment the vessel departs its specially designated wharf, panoramic views on both sides of the Huangpu River afford visitors a glimpse at over 100 years of worldwide architectural styles. The neo-classic elegance of the Bund landmarks parallel the river; the Bund throbs with crowds busily living their daily life. Two massive harp-like suspension bridges connect the old with the new. Multi-hued neon lights add a surrealistic element to the Pudong side of the river where modernistic skyscrapers astonish the eye; noted structures seem to resemble strings of pearl and soaring birds. The river itself, while connecting the mainland with the rest of the world, continues to flow dotted with freighters, sailing boats and an endless supply of seagulls – as if the romance and charm of the city has overwhelmed it all.

Jin Mao Tower is 420.5m high, with altogether 88 stories and total construction area of 290,000 square meters. It is a perfect combination between the Chinese Traditional Architecture Style and the advanced technologies of the world. The spacious, bright and magnificent lobby occupies the first and second floors. From 3F to 50F is large space of office block without column, with each story of 4 m high and 2.7 m net high. 51F and 52F are used for mechanic and electronic equipment. From 53F to 87F is the highest deluxe five -star hotel of the world --the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Shanghai.Especially in the middle hall with height of 152m and diameter of 27m, the 28 winding corridors, after being illuminated by neon lights, are colorful and attractive, which make you feel as if you were in a time-space tunnel. The Observation Deck on 88F has a construction space area of 1,520 square meters. It is the highest and biggest Observation Deck of China, breaking the Guineas Record of the Shanghai Great World. Adjacent to the tower is a skirt building of auxiliary facilities, shopping area and entertainment site for business office.

The People's Square is located in centre downtown Shanghai. Before liberation, it was a race course. Now, you will find here the Municipal City Hall, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Grand Theater, the underground shopping street etc. In the middle of the square is a 320-sq.m. round fountain and a landscaped lawn of 80,000 square meter's. On holidays and at weekends the square is crowded with people, enjoying the peaceful and pleasant scene on the square.

Shanghai Museum
Opened in 1994, the new Shanghai Museum houses a spectacular collection of Chinese relics. A wander through the exhibit reveals tastefully illuminated artifacts dating from the Neolithic Age to the Qing Dynasty and contemporary times. Bronze, ceramics, calligraphy, painting, sculpture, seal, jade, furniture, coins, and minority nationality art are displayed on multi-levels. An audio tour provides commentary on many of the items. The Shanghai Museum Shop offers quality replicas at reasonable prices.

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall - where people can get a vision of the city’s exciting future and to see the plans of the World Expo in Shanghai in 2010 and further developments up to 2020. This museum was opened in February 2000. Five floors detail the ambitious plans of Shanghai's urban planners. Visitors are provided with a glimpse of how Shanghai will look like in a couple of decades. The centerpiece on the third floor is a huge model of the city as it is now. Check out the map on the first half floor, where the districts scheduled to be cleared for new constructions and green areas are marked.

French Concession: When the Qing Dynasty was defeated in the Opium War, the Chinese empire was compelled to open many of its cities to the outside world. Shanghai was top of this list. As a result, many countries including Britain, the U.S. and France, demanded concessions in these cities where they could have total autonomy. In Shanghai, the French Concession is the most famous of these districts. Today, the area known in the city as the French Concession has become remarkably fashionable and charming. Long home to the city's radicals and the base of the Chinese Communist party, the district is still very outward looking and cosmopolitan in nature and style. There are some great shops and boutiques around here as well as two of the city's best art galleries.

Shanghai Arts & Crafts Institute: Constructed in 1905, the garden building of No.79 Fenyang Road is a model of the architectural style of the later period of the Renaissance of France. The building was originally a residence of the director of the chamber of industry in French settlement. Following the victory of anti-Japanese war, it became the office of the United Nations' World Health Organization, and then the office of Sino-USSR Friendship Organization in 1954. It has been the location of Shanghai Industrial Arts Research Institute since 1960. The garden building is highly praised by both construction and cultural worlds as an excellent building of modern times. It is a landmark to be historically reserved by Shanghai Municipal Government.

Tai Kang Road: A piece in the puzzle for Shanghai. Formerly a warehouse and local shopping lane, it has been renovated, repaved and a number of small boutiques for clothing, furniture and artifacts have moved in. Only 15 minutes from downtown, it is a must see for the serious shopper.

Chinese Foot Reflexology: As the heart can be described as your body’s engine, so can your feet can be seen as the shock absorbers taking up to 15,000 steps every day and about 70,000miles in a lifetime. In the West, the protection of such a complex part of the body still lies very much in wearing the correct footwear, but in the East, the concept of holistic medicine means that much more attention is paid to the health of these ‘appendages’. The sole of the foot is seen to contain all the acupuncture points (reflex points) which are connected to every part of your body through 300 nerves, thus affecting the condition of the whole. The practice of foot reflexology is not only very relaxing but stimulates vital functions, eliminates toxins, improves blood circulation and soothes people of nervous dispositions. In short it improves the Yin and Yang, resulting in top-to-toe health and harmony for the recipient.

Chinese Cooking at Xu Hui Cooking School: The Xu Hui Cooking School is an institute for hospitality training in Shanghai. They have 300 graduates every year who become the core of the local staff and management in Shanghai’s hotel’s

1 Dim Sum, dumpling making & steaming

2 Dishes in the main kitchen where there are 10 Woks, so everyone gets a hand at the real thing. To speed the process up, some of the ingredients will have been pre-prepared.

There are about 1,500 million bicycles in the world of which about 600 million are in China. In fact there is evidence that China produced the first ‘bike’. A hand operated self walking bike built by Hung Luzhang during the reign of Emperor Kangxi (1662-1722). The famed “Wooden Horse” built by a Frenchman in 1790 and the first bike operated with a chain metal drive built in 1800 in Russia, came decades later. The guest may cycle from the former French Concession area to the Yu Garden, biking along the chessboard like small alleyways, checking out some Shikumen and Nongtang which are the traditional Shanghai residential quarters. The guests will have an opportunity to view the local Bird and Flower Market.

Art Scene Warehouse at Suzhou Creek: Art Scene Warehouse is a chic, minimalist 1800sqm space filled with avant-garde Chinese art by some of the most exciting contemporary artists from China. Formerly a garment factory, the warehouse underwent a complete renovation in 2003. The stark white walls and concrete floors of the warehouse make it one of the most visually enticing gallery spaces in the city. Apart from contemporary Chinese art, the gallery also features work by international contemporary artists in an effort to present a global stage for artworks and to promote an international dialogue between Chinese artists and those from the rest of the world.

The Gallery is situated in the Suzhou Creek “Artists’ Quarter” of the city. This part of Shanghai has been rapidly gaining national and international prominence as the “artistic” part of Shanghai, with many artists’ studios nearby, etc.

Suzhou Creek is becoming synonymous with Modern Chinese Art, much as Momarte has become famous for street painters in Paris or Greenwich Village in Manhattan. Over the past few years, the interest in Modern Chinese Art has boomed, as have the number of proponents of the craft. Suzhou Creek is an area where only the best survive. There is no hiding here. With more then 30 galleries spread out among Soviet Built factories that ceased to be used more than 30 years ago, it is truly a insightful and inspiring journey for both the art lover and those interested to see a totally unexpected side of Shanghai, and China.

Zhujiajiao is an ancient town that has existed on the bank of Dianshan Lake, at the foot of Dianshan Hill for over 1000 years. The town covers an area of 4.7 square kilometers in the shape of a fan filled with a landscape of lakes and hills. It is located 50 kilometers from downtown Shanghai in Qingpu County. Various river estuaries and ports meet in the town and its nine big streets stretch out along the river banks. More than one thousand Ming and Qing dynasty buildings still stand in differing states of repair and disrepair and 36 ancient stone bridge cross the canal that runs through the center of the town. Places of historical interest and scenic beauty surround you every step you take here.

Zhujiajiao’s fascinating scenes include the famous Dianshan Hill and Dianshan Lake. The lake covers a water surface of 62 square kilometers. In the town, Fangsheng Bridge, Ming-Qing Street, the Ma family Garden’s and the Town God's Temple are the most fascinating sights. A trip to Zhujiajiao takes you back in time as you enjoy beautiful water features, ancient arched stone bridges, dugout canoes, strange streets paved with stones and elegant gardens.

The Fabric Market is a place where you can buy all kinds of fabric. The market is full of small stalls, all selling fabric. Everything is available: normal wool, silk, leather, and cashmere. Most stores also offer to make clothes out of the fabric you buy. To show how good they are they hang some samples in front of the stalls. Everything can be tailor-made, from long winter-coats, to shirts, suits and dresses. The beautiful fabric and great designs make it difficult to resist. The prices are also very low and negotiable.