Shanghai 5-Day In-depth Arts Tour
Slow-Paced Shanghai: Classics + Artsy Districts + Water Towns
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
The Bund → Bund Source → Shanghai Tower
The Bund
The Bund is a waterfront area and a protected historical district in central Shanghai. The area centers on a section of Zhongshan Road (East Zhongshan No. 1 Road) within the former Shanghai International Settlement, along the west bank of the Huangpu River in the eastern part of Huangpu District. The riverside area faces the modern skyscrapers of Lujiazui in Pudong. The Bund usually refers to the buildings and docks on this section of the road, as well as some adjacent areas. This area has a significant European influence, and many buildings are styled in a way that is most similar to the architectural styles of European cities, especially Gothic, Baroque, Neoclassical, Romanesque, Art Deco, and Renaissance. In addition, some of Shanghai's top restaurants are also located there. From the 1860s to the 1930s, it was the wealthy and powerful center of foreign institutions in Shanghai, operating as a treaty port protected by law.
The Bund Source
The Bund Source is the origin of the Shanghai Bund and the source of modern urban civilization in Shanghai. Located at the confluence of the Suzhou River and the Huangpu River, it boasts 15 classic historical buildings, including the former British Consulate, The Peninsula Hotel, Yifeng Building, and Guanglu Building, and is an important part of the Bund historical and cultural district. It not only has rich historical sites, but also brings together diverse business formats such as fashion, art, culture, and dining, making it a unique landmark to experience the blend of Shanghai's history and modernity.
Shanghai Tower
Shanghai Tower is a 128-story, 632-meter (2,073 ft) megatall skyscraper in Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai. It is the tallest building in China and the third-tallest in the world. Since 2015, it has been the world's tallest and largest LEED Platinum-certified building. It boasts the world's fastest elevators, reaching a top speed of 20.5 meters per second (74 km/h; 46 mph). Designed by international design firm Gensler and owned by the Shanghai Municipal Government, the building is the tallest of the first three adjacent super-tall buildings in Pudong, the other two being the Jin Mao Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center. Its tiered design is intended to improve energy efficiency, providing nine separate zones for office, retail, and leisure use. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat has called it "one of the most sustainable tall buildings in the world."
2
Shanghai Museum → Yu Garden → Shanghai Old City God Temple
Shanghai Museum (People's Square)
The Shanghai Museum is a large museum of ancient Chinese art, located in People's Square, Huangpu District, Shanghai. It is renowned for its rich collection of ancient Chinese art treasures, including bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, furniture, jade, ancient coins, paintings, seals, sculptures, and ethnic crafts. The museum was founded in 1952 and rebuilt at its current location in 1996. The architectural design is unique, with a circular top and a square base, symbolizing the ancient Chinese cosmological concept of 'round sky and square earth'.
Yu Garden
Yu Garden or Yuyuan Garden is a vast Chinese garden located in the northeast of the Old City of Huangpu District, Shanghai, next to the City God Temple. It is adjacent to Yu Garden Tourist Mart, Huxinting Teahouse, and Yu Garden Shopping Mall. Yu Garden was built in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty by Pan Yunduan for his father Pan En to enjoy his old age. It was named "Yu Garden", meaning "Pleasing the Elderly". The garden has more than 40 attractions including pavilions, towers, rockeries, and ponds. It is now a national key cultural relics protection unit. One of the core attractions in the garden is the Jade Exquisite, a porous 3.3-meter-high, 5-ton Taihu stone.
Shanghai City God Temple
Shanghai City God Temple, officially named Shanghai City God Temple, is a Chinese folk religion and Taoist temple located in the old city of Shanghai. It is designed to commemorate the elevation of Shanghai to the status of a city, and enshrines three gods revered as the City Gods of Shanghai. The temple originated from the Jinshan God Temple in 1403 and reached its peak during the Daoguang period. In 1994, the temple resumed its temple functions and underwent a comprehensive restoration between 2005 and 2006. Today, the City God Temple, together with the nearby Yu Garden and surrounding streets, forms a large catering and retail pedestrian area.
3
Wukang Road → Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling → Xintiandi
Wukang Road
Wukang Road, formerly known as Route Ferguson, is a historically significant street in Xuhui District, Shanghai, located in the western part of the former French Concession. It is renowned for its unique historical architecture, sycamore trees, and rich cultural atmosphere, and was designated as one of Shanghai's landmarks, recognized as a 'Famous Chinese Historical and Cultural Street' in 2011. The street is lined with diverse architectural styles including Mediterranean, French Renaissance, English, and Art Deco, and was once home to many celebrities, such as the literary giant Ba Jin and Honorary President of the People's Republic of China, Soong Ching-ling. Today, it is dotted with cafes and boutiques, making it an excellent place to experience the old Shanghai style and feel the Shanghai culture. The tourist information center is located at 393A Wukang Road.
Soong Ching Ling Memorial Residence, Shanghai
The Soong Ching Ling Memorial Residence is located at 1843 Middle Huaihai Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai. It was the residence of Soong Ching Ling, Honorary President of the People's Republic of China, during her lifetime in Shanghai. The residence is a Western-style pseudo-three-story garden villa with red tiles and white walls, where she lived for 15 years. After Soong Ching Ling passed away in Beijing in 1981, this place was converted into the Soong Ching Ling Memorial Residence in Shanghai, which was opened to the public in 1988 to showcase Soong Ching Ling's life and her outstanding contributions to the Chinese revolution and construction. The museum displays a large number of precious cultural relics, photographs, and documents. The living room, dining room, bedroom, and other rooms are arranged as they were during Soong Ching Ling's lifetime, allowing people to feel her simple and noble lifestyle. The residence also has an exhibition on Soong Ching Ling's life, which comprehensively introduces her glorious life. The entire residence is surrounded by lush trees and beautiful gardens, creating a quiet environment. It is an important place to learn about Soong Ching Ling and commemorate the great person's demeanor.
Xintiandi, Shanghai
Xintiandi, Shanghai is an urban tourist attraction with Shanghai's historical and cultural features, blending Chinese and Western elements. Based on Shanghai's unique Shikumen architectural district, it has been transformed into a leisure pedestrian street integrating dining, commerce, entertainment, and culture. It brings together many international fashion brands, theme restaurants, bars, cinemas, and art galleries, making it an ideal place to experience the combination of Shanghai's urban fashion and historical charm.
4
M50 Creative Park → Tianzifang → China Art Museum
Shanghai M50 Creative Park
M50 Creative Park (50 Moganshan Road) is a contemporary art district in Shanghai, bringing together more than 100 artist studios, all of which are open to the public. Often compared to New York's SoHo district and Beijing's 798 Art District, it has become a popular cultural attraction for tourists from home and abroad. M50 Creative Park was formerly the Chunming Wool Mill, initiated in 2000 by artist Xue Song. Its low rents for abandoned industrial spaces attracted artists such as Ding Yi, Qu Fengguo, and Wang Xingwei. Today, the park's old factories and warehouses have been transformed into art galleries, artist studios, design agencies, and other visual arts and cultural enterprises of varying sizes. The land and buildings are still owned by the Shenda Group, a state-owned textile group that has ceased production.
Tianzifang, Shanghai
Tianzifang is a tourist art and craft area developed from a renovated traditional residential area in the Shanghai French Concession. It is now home to boutiques, bars and restaurants. The area consists of a maze of alleys off Taikang Road, known for its small craft shops, cafes, trendy art studios and narrow alleys. It has become a popular tourist destination in Shanghai and a model of Shikumen architectural preservation. It is sometimes compared to Xintiandi, although most of the houses in the latter have been demolished and rebuilt, rather than renovated.
China Art Museum
The China Art Museum, also known as the Shanghai Art Museum, is a municipal art museum in Shanghai. It is a non-profit institution funded by the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism. The museum is located in the former China Pavilion of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. It houses a collection of approximately 14,000 artworks, mainly modern Chinese art. Permanent exhibitions include "The Moon over the Sea - The Source of Modern and Contemporary Chinese Art", tracing the development of modern and contemporary Chinese art; "Special Exhibition Hall of Famous Artists", showcasing the works of seven famous modern Chinese artists; and artworks showcasing the historical and cultural development of Shanghai. In addition, there is the exhibition "Splendid China - Chinese Art in the New Century in Progress", exhibiting artworks of the 21st century.
5
Zhujiajiao Ancient Town Full-Day Tour
Zhujiajiao Ancient Town Tourist Area, Shanghai
Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, located in Qingpu District, Shanghai, is an ancient water town with a history of over 1700 years. Here, you'll find small bridges over flowing water and ancient buildings standing in rows. Archaeological discoveries can be traced back 5000 years. The ancient town has 36 stone bridges and numerous rivers, preserving a large number of historical buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, such as residences, shops, banks, and post offices, showcasing the unique Jiangnan water town style. It is an ideal place to experience the water town culture and history of suburban Shanghai.
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