SHANGHAI

Step beyond the façades of the Bund and discover the stories hidden behind the famous riverfront. Admire grand old buildings while strolling historic streets, and catch a glimpse of local life as you wander into some tucked-away neighbourhoods. Listen to the stories of the influential figures and colourful characters, who helped shape Shanghai’s remarkable rise, and end with iconic skyline views.

· 2+ hours | approx. 3 km of walking | bottled water included.

· RMB 250 per person (based on 4 guests; minimum charge applies to smaller groups).

Head into the heart of the Former French Concession, where Chinese and foreign communities, rich and poor alike, lived side by side in a unique cultural melting pot. Wander through its earliest lanes, where bustling alleyways stood in striking contrast to grand mansions, and hear about the stories of the various people who once lived here and witnessed how the Shanghainese way of life evolved in this vibrant period.

· 2+ hours | approx. 3 km of walking | bottled water included.

· RMB 250 per person (based on 4 guests; minimum charge applies to smaller groups).

Stroll the tree-lined streets of the Former French Concession, and discover its hidden mansions, tranquil lanes, and lush gardens, as you follow in the footsteps of the pioneers and the gangsters of early 20th century Shanghai. Find out how they made, and lost, their fortunes, and finally, how the days of the foreign concessions ended as China embraced its Communist future.

· 2+ hours | approx. 3 km of walking | bottled water included.

· RMB 250 per person (based on 4 guests; minimum charge applies to smaller groups).

Unravel the unlikely history of Suzhou Creek’s most prominent apartment building, as you wander its corridors and staircases. Continue to Shanghai’s former grand slaughterhouse, an Art Deco and feng shui masterpiece, discover its fascinating inner workings before finishing at a remote Buddhist nunnery, once a seafaring folks’ favourite to pray for a safe maritime voyage.

· 3+ hours | approx. 2 km of walking | bottled water, entrance fees & public transport (metro & taxi) included.

· RMB 275 per person (based on 4 guests; minimum charge applies to smaller groups).

Explore the major sights as well as some lesser-known gems of the iconic Bund area. Gain a deeper understanding of the cultural blends and clashes that have defined Shanghai’s unique character and helped transform the city into the financial powerhouse it is today. Cross the Huangpu River to visit the 632m tall Shanghai Tower for panoramic views over the city. After, stroll the tree-lined streets of the former French Concession before you finish at one of Shanghai’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. 

· 6+ hours | 5+ km walking |  2+hrs total driving | lunch, entrance fees & public transport (ferry & taxi) included.

· From RMB 650 (6 or more guests) to 1,200 per person (2 guests).

Explore two distinctive canal towns near Shanghai, each shaped by a different relationship with tourism. Discover their imperial origins and revolutionary past, and see how local life and traditions have evolved amid the pressures of mass tourism. Look beyond the romantic image of the idyllic water town to consider what it takes to preserve a living heritage in a rapidly changing world.

· 7 hours | +- 5 km walking |  2+hrs total driving | lunch, entrance fees & private transport included.

· From RMB 550 (6 or more guests) to 1,200 per person (2 guests). 

Exclusive Edition! Replace the more commercialised canal town with a privately owned arts centre, normally closed to the public, dedicated to preserving traditional arts and handicrafts and housing an exceptional collection of Chinese antiques. Add  RMB 150 RMB per person.

Spend a day discovering Suzhou’s classical gardens, masterpieces of landscape design that have inspired poets, painters and scholars for centuries. Accompanied by a specialist guide, visit two celebrated gardens and a lesser-known gem, uncovering the symbolism of their pavilions, rockeries and carefully composed plantings. Explore the philosophical ideals and aesthetic traditions behind these UNESCO-listed treasures before returning to Shanghai in the late afternoon.

· 7 hours | +- 5 km walking |  +-2.5 hrs total driving | lunch, entrance fees & private transport included.

· From RMB 950 (6 or more guests) to 2,150 per person (2 guests). 

Already in Suzhou or arranging your own transport? Ask us about a reduced rate.