Shanghai Highlights Private Day Trip with Zhujiajiao Water Town
Tour Overview
Experience Shanghai from the tranquil canals of Zhujiajiao Water Town to the futuristic skyline of Pudong.
Wander through ancient streets and traditional Jiangnan architecture, then return to the city to explore the rockeries and pavilions of Yu Garden. Continue to the Bund for views of Shanghai’s historic waterfront buildings before rising high above the city at the Shanghai Tower observation deck. This tour provides you with a compact introduction to both old and modern Shanghai.
Travel destination: Shanghai
Suitable for: First-time visitors to Shanghai, history lovers
Tour type: Private
Highlights of This Tour
Take a hand-rowed boat through Zhujiajiao’s waterways, passing white-walled residences, ancient bridges and riverside streets from a classic Jiangnan perspective.
Step from Shanghai’s historic heart at the Bund to the futuristic Pudong skyline, then ride up Shanghai Tower for sweeping views across the city and Huangpu River.
Experience how traditional Chinese garden design creates changing views within a compact space when you explore Yu Garden’s rockeries, pavilions, ponds and winding paths.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Shanghai City Highlights with Zhujiajiao Water TownWater Town, Classical Garden & Skyline Views
Meet your guide and driver in the hotel lobby and take a private vehicle to Zhujiajiao Water Town, about 1–1.5 hours away.
As one of the well-preserved Jiangnan-style water towns in Shanghai, Zhujiajiao features crisscrossing rivers, ancient bridges, Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings and riverside streets.
Cross the iconic Fangsheng Bridge for a bird’s-eye view of the town, stroll along the North Street to taste local delicacies, or take a hand-rowed boat ride to see the traditional residences featuring white walls, black tiles and wooden lattice windows on both banks (optional).
Waterway lined with traditional residence in Zhujiajiao Water Town Return to downtown Shanghai and visit Yu Garden (closed on Mondays), a classical Chinese garden built about 400 years ago. Walk through the paths, pavilions, rockeries and ponds to appreciate the garden layout. Zigzag Bridge, Great Rockery and Jade Rock are notable landmarks.
Note: If your visit falls on a Monday, Jade Buddha Temple will be arranged instead. There you can visit the Buddhist halls and see the jade statue of Sakyamuni and two reclining Buddhas.
Continue to the Bund to admire the 52 historic European-style buildings. Across the Huangpu River, you can see the Lujiazui skyline including Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, Jin Mao Tower, and Oriental Pearl TV Tower.
Stunning night view of historic European-style buildings at the Bund Then take one of the world’s fastest elevators and go up to Shanghai Tower’s observation deck in about 55 seconds for a fresh new perspective. At 546 meters, it is one of China’s highest viewing platforms, offering sweeping views of the whole city.
After the tour, your guide and driver will take you back to your hotel.
Tour Price Per Person
The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel. Please contact us for a specific price.
