Shanghai Highlights Day Tour: Museum, Yu Garden, The Bund & River Cruise

Your private guide and driver will meet you at your hotel around 09:00 to begin your Shanghai city tour. The first stop is the Shanghai Museum, a world-class institution covering 40,000 square meters. With 12 themed galleries and more than 120,000 artifacts—including bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, jade, and ancient paintings—it offers an extraordinary window into China’s history. Among its most treasured collections is the Da Ke Ding, a bronze ritual vessel from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, whose inscriptions reveal stories of etiquette, land systems, and society from 3,000 years ago.

Next, visit the Yu Garden, a 400-year-old masterpiece of classical Jiangnan design. Once a private garden owned by a Ming Dynasty official, it features elegant halls, serene ponds, dramatic rockeries, and lush plants arranged in perfect harmony. The architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties is beautifully preserved and well worth close appreciation.

After exploring the garden, stroll into the lively Yuyuan Bazaar, a blend of history, culture, and modern-day vibrance. Here you may enjoy lunch at your own expense—your guide will be happy to recommend local specialties. Don’t miss the famous Soup Dumplings (Xiaolongbao) known for their thin skins and delicious, piping-hot broth.

In the afternoon, head to the iconic Bund, a 1.5-kilometer waterfront promenade showcasing Shanghai’s past and present. To the west, 52 historic buildings in Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical styles line the street; to the east, the skyline of futuristic Pudong rises above the Huangpu River, including landmarks such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and Jinmao Tower.

Then enjoy a one-hour Huangpu River Cruise, offering an unbeatable perspective of both the Bund’s historic charm and Pudong’s modern skyline—perfect for photography and relaxing sightseeing.

The final stop is Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s most famous shopping street, where you can experience the city’s vibrant urban atmosphere.

Your one-day Shanghai tour concludes here, and your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel. We hope you’ve had a wonderful and memorable day exploring this dynamic city.