Private Half-Day Tour: Amazing Highlights of Old Shanghai

typically your hotel lobby, at your desired time. The start time is flexible, but note that itinerary will change if you desired to start your tour after 2:00PM since the Confucius Temple and Yuyuan Garden will close at 4:00. After your guide meets you, your 3 1/2 Amazing Highlights of Old Shanghai tour begins as you take a taxi or public transportation to the first stop. First, you will visit Yuyuan Garden, a famous classical garden in southern China which is over 400 years old built in Ming Dynasty, the area around the garden has been the downtown of the city for several hundred years. Walking around this area will also introduce you to traditional Chinese shops and homes. If you need some souvenirs, nearby you also find unique items such as pearls, jade, tea and silk as well as inexpensive Chinese ornamental items.

You'll see traditional homes that are over 100 years old including seeing homes that are boarded up and marked for destruction as Shanghai races to modernity. This is a must see unique area in this modern city! You can even talk to the locals with your tour guide as translator and peer inside homes. Along your walk we'll stop for delicious soup dumplings a favorite delicacy of both locals and foreigners. They overflow with juices as you bite into the specially seasoned filling of meats and vegetables.

It was built in 1291 and the only place to pay respects to Confucius in the city. Here you'll enjoy a relaxing Confucian Tea ceremony where you'll sample a variety of local tea flavors and learn the many benefits of various teas. Note that if your tour starts after 2:00, instead of visiting the Confucius Temple, you will visit the Bund Area where we will enjoy 100-year old architecture and enjoy exciting views of both east and west Shanghai while taking a cruise down the Huangpu Rivers. This area was controlled by the British during the concessions period. After your 3 1/2 hour tour, your guide will be send back to your hotel or somewhere in the city center you prefer.