China Travel 2.0

Shanghai Highlight
Located on the coast of the East china Sea, 14 miles from the Yangtze River, it is the second largest city in China with a population of over 16 million people. Shanghai is a bustling city with a pronounced International flavor that continues from its heyday in the early 1900’s when it was one of the world’s great maritime crossroads and the Bund was the Wall Street of the East. A walk through Shanghai’s old neighborhoods reveals a fusion of early 20th century European architecture and old Chinese facades. The city divided by the HunagPu River is a window into the past and a view of the future a complete contrast within one city. It is an incredible combination of East and West in food, fashion, lifestyle, architecture and business.

Shanghai began as a tiny fishing village in the 10th century. By the middle of the 13th century a town was established. This developed into a flourishing port, as Shanghai became the largest export center in China, thriving on silk, tea and opium. In the 19th Century, foreigners came into Shanghai due to foreign trade after the Opium Wars. The British, Americans and French were ceded “concessions” as repatriation by the Chinese monarchy. Territorial zones without being under the Chinese laws. The world’s leading houses of finance; international entrepreneurs descended on the city, erecting grand palaces of plenty and creating communities resembling the great capitals of Europe. The city became known as “the Whore of the East”, “Paris of China” and “Pearl of the Orient” – subject to your point of view, with its mixture of gamblers, dandies, tycoons, pimps, missionaries, drug runners and adventurers. As a result of all the foreigners, Shanghai became greatly influenced by Western culture, but things changed dramatically after Communism took over.

The character of Shanghai underwent a major change after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. After the end of Shanghai’s subjugation by the Japanese, the Nationalist Chinese government was given control of the city. The foreigners no longer had control and after 1949, Shanghai was transformed by the Communist Chinese government. As the foreigners left, the businesses that were left behind were one by one taken over by the government. After losing ground during the Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976, Deng Xiao Peng’s open door policy started the road back for Shanghai to again become an international force in business, finance, shipping and fashion.

Since 1990 the central government has channeled many large-scale investments into Shanghai’s burgeoning economy. The changes have been quite staggering, particularly noticeable in the monumental modern building projects. The Formula One and forthcoming expo 2010 are indicative of the cities current international standing and importance.

Arrival and departure day service

Upon arrival in Shanghai Pu dong International Airport in the morning, our guide will meet you in the Arrival Hall with a welcome smile and a helping hand after the flight.

Arrival transfer: Shanghai Pu dong International Airport – Selected Hotel
Inclusive:
 Standard inclusions (air-conditioned coach, Licensed English speaking guide & local mineral water on the bus)
 Staff in the arrival hall to greet and assist arriving passengers
 Airport porterage (two bags per person)

2 days entrance to the World Expo

Sight visit in Shanghai – 1 day
1 Five Senses in a Day - Ancient Water Village, the Children’s Palace and Silk Factory

Sight: Located 50 kilometres from downtown Shanghai in Qingpu County is 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. Various river estuaries and ports meet in the town and streets stretch out along the riverbanks. 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. 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 on a sampan down the main canal is a must and takes you back in time as you enjoy beautiful water features, ancient arched stone bridges.

Taste & Smell: When entering Zhujiajiao, participants will be taken to a local teahouse where they will learn to make a ‘Zhong Zi’. This is a local glutinous rice with sweet meats and/or fruits wrapped in lotus leaf. These will be left to steam while they wander the streets. After the tour of the town, they will return to the teahouse and enjoy their Zhong Zi while partaking in a Tea Ceremony.

Then a little time to shop as guests wander along the market street back to the village entrance. With hundreds of small shop fronts selling local foods, arts and crafts, silk products and pearls.

A light lunch will be taken at the Tianma Golf & Country Club or lunchbox on the coach

Sound: After lunch a visit to the Children’s Palace where young musicians will display traditional Chinese instruments. They will show how the instruments are played and give a brief history of the instrument, it’s main purpose in the arts (i.e. Peking Opera) and an idea of the technical skills.

Children’s Palace: Many mansions from Shanghai’s opulent past have been given new life in recent years. One such building is the Kadoorie Mansion or Marble Hall which was the home of one of Shanghai’s wealthiest families before the Communist Party came to power. Following the Cultural Revolution Children’s Palaces were created all over China as schools for gifted children to study and practice the arts. These centers are unique educational and cultural center with outstanding international reputations of young people’s extracurricular education.

Touch: Last stop is the Silk Factory. At the Silk Store there will be a demonstration and explanation on the processes behind its manufacture and how silk is made, used and graded. The guests will be shown an array of different quality of silks and get to feel and touch them as a way of defining the quality of the product.

There will then be a little time to get some shopping in…Not sure where it comes into the 5 senses, but it is always popular. This makes for a complete experience, in all senses of the word.

2. Xin Chang Village – cycling around Xin Chang Village and lunch in the local family or packed lunch box

Located in a suburb of Shanghai city, Xin Chang Village is an ancient water town well-known throughout the country, with a history of more than 1700 years. Covering an area of 47 square kilometers, the little narrow town was famous for his former salt industry in the landscape of lakes and mountains.

This little town is one of the best-preserved among the four ancient towns in Shanghai. Unique old bridges across bubbling streams, small rivers shaded by willow trees, and houses with courtyards attached all transport people who have been living amidst the bustle and hustle of the modern big city to a brand-new world full of antiquity, leisure and tranquility.

3. Old China in Shanghai

China’s modern metropolis, that had it’s birth as a “major center” when the foreign powers were in their ascendancy and imperial China in its decline. But its history, first as a water village and later as major coastal town and port is still evident in this city, dominated by skyscrapers, overhead expressways and remnants of the Concession era. Today will be an introduction to “Ancient China in Modern Shanghai”.

Shanghai Confucian Temple. Built in 1855 on the site of the Zitong Clan Temple, and most recently restored to celebrate the 2,550th birthday of Confucius in 1999. This temple honoring China’s Great Sage is a quiet refuge from the crowded streets of the Old Town nearby. The narrow winding lane that leads to it from Henan Lu on the east gives a picture of urban life in Shanghai that is fast disappearing. The entrance opens on the courtyard of the newly renovated Dacheng Hall. Other significant features include Zunjin Tower, the former library, Mingling Pavilion, a former lecture hall, and a goldfish pool with a large “Tai Hu” rock. The oldest remaining structure is Kuixing Ge.

Tea Ceremony: Before entering Yu Yuan, the group will stop for a Tea Ceremony in the Oldest Tea House in Shanghai. 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 as it reflects the holistic concept of much of Chinese culture. It is a tradition very much at the center of the fabric of Chinese life and culture.

In Shanghai’s ‘Old Town’ district are the Yu Yuan (Gardens), the cities most famous example of the traditional garden’s kept by wealthy families in the Ming & Qing Dynasties. This traditional Garden is a masterpiece of beautiful pavilions, miniature lakes, bridges and rock formations. So much so that during it’s construction, the emperor Wan Li of the Ming Dynasty, personally visited the site to ensure that the Garden did not better his own. Built in 1559, in the Suzhou style by a high official in honor of his father, the garden has maintained its classic beauty over 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 the Qing dynasty rulers and occupied Shanghai for 17 months. Weapons, coins and other objects used by the society are now housed in an exhibition hall.

After investigating the Garden’s spend time wandering through the markets and bazaar’s of Shanghai’s Old Town. A great opportunity to get souvenir shopping done while soaking in the atmosphere of old Shanghai.

Lunch at old Lv Bo Lang in old Town

Package for individual group of 20 persons : Rmb11507.00 per person(according to the real itinerary, there will be some tiny changes)

Inclusion:

1. 3 nights stay at 5 star hotel (Proposal The Westin Bund, Shanghai) – Deluxe room (double with daily buffet breakfast and service charge
2. Private car and private local English-speaking guide for arrival and departure services
3. 2 days entrance to the World Expo （maximum of 2 times）
4. 1 day sight visit with lunch (including 2 glasses of soft drinks and local mineral water)
5. Administation fee for the sight visit
6. Private car and private local English-speaking guide accompany with visit
7. Gratitude for local guide and local driver
8. One full day disposal for coach and guide

Exclusion:
1. Internationa airfare
2. Chinese Visa
3. Incidentals at the hotel
4. Additional beverage not included in the package

Notes:
1. All the above rates are net to you and include service charges and government taxes
2. All the above rates valid till March 31, 2010 and will subject to changes from hotel and Shanghai local Government
3. All the above rates are stated in Rmb and payment by USD/Euro also accepted with current bank daily exchange rate.

Contact us and send your special requirements.

Tags: Expo 2010, Expo 2010 Shanghai China, Shanghai expo, shanghai travel, world expo