5 Days Shanghai and Nanjing Essence Tour by High-speed Train

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shanghai Arrival

   Welcome to join this well-designed 5 days Shanghai and Nanjing tour! After arrival in Shanghai, your private driver will escort you to the hotel for check-in. For the rest of the day, you can familiarize yourself with this 'magic city' on your own.

   If you are interested, China Xian Tour can provide you with some optional activities to enrich your experience today - watch a ERA acrobatic performance which display dangerous acts of chair balancing and walking in the air and others.

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   4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
2. Day 2: Shanghai City Exploration
   Experience Blend of Modern Skyline, Classical Gardens and Historic Waterfront

   After breakfast, meet your tour guide. First, experience the world's fastest elevator that takes you to the 118th floor observation deck of the Shanghai Tower, China's tallest building. Enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Lujiazui skyline and meandering Huangpu River.

   Drive to Shanghai Museum East to admire the exhibits of bronze, ceramics, calligraphy, paintings and jade as well as the knowledge related to some of the famous items. Among them, the Da Ke Ding with its 290-character inscription recording the history of the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 - 771 BC) is the most precious exhibit in this museum.

   

   Next go to visit Yuyuan Garden which has existed since its construction 450 years ago. The garden serves as an excellent location to observe the classical garden design which characterizes the Jiangnan area. The garden contains pavilions, rockeries, ponds and covered bridges together with spring magnolia, crabapple flowers, summer lotus and autumn fragrant osmanthus flowers. Yuyuan Market nearby provides local snacks and charming souvenirs.

   The first commercial street of Shanghai which is Nanjing Road runs from this point. The road has many famous brand stores and casual coffee shops. The Bund section of the street leads to 52 historical buildings which display European architectural style with modern skyscrapers that include Shanghai World Financial Center and Oriental Pearl Tower which rise across the Huangpu River.

   If you're interested, you might consider enjoying a night cruise along the Huangpu River (optional, with an additional fee). Standing on the deck, take close-up photos of the brightly-lit towering buildings, ancient buildings on one side and modern financial district on the other - a magical blend!

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
3. Day 3: Shanghai to Nanjing by High-speed Train
   Wander a Tranquil Ancient Water Town

   After driving for about an hour, you will arrive at Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, known as "Venice of Shanghai" with a history of 1700 years.

   Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, stroll along the historical alleys to the Fangsheng Bridge - the largest five-arch stone bridge in Shanghai - which is a landmark attraction here. You have options: pay for riverside location to experience tea and local sugar lotus root or choose to take a rowing boat (optional) which allows you to explore the water lanes while viewing ancient residences and stores that display blue tiles and white walls from the Ming and Qing dynasties that line the canal.

   In the afternoon, be accompanied by your tour guide to take the high-speed train to Nanjing. Two hours later, the local driver will pick you up and send you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the time is yours at leisure as you wish.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Nanjing
4. Day 4: Nanjing Essence
   Trace China’s Revolutionary and Imperial Past

   Mr. Sun Yat-sen was the primary leader of the Chinese revolution. Today, you will be taken to the Mausoleum of Sun Yat-sen on the southern slope of Purple Mountain. Climbing 392 steps will lead you to the visiting site. These steps carry profound significance because they represent the total population of China at that time which numbered 392 million people. The steps are a challenge because they require effort to ascend but you’ll discover beautiful blue glazed tiles buildings and scenic natural views throughout the journey. Observe the white marble statue of Sun Yat-sen which stands in the tomb chamber that contains his remains.

   The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is the tomb of Zhu Yuanzhang near Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. Zhu Yuanzhang established the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The mausoleum was first constructed in 1381 and took many years to complete. It is one of the largest and best-preserved imperial tombs in China. All subsequent tombs were built following the layout and style of Ming Xiaoling. The Sacred Way is the highlight, with six types of stone animals - lion, Xiezhi (a legendary beast in ancient times), camel, elephant, kylin and horse - lined up along the way as well as stone carvings of officials of different ranks.

   

   After visiting the mausoleums, head to Confucius Temple. The Confucius Temple which exists today as the fourth most important Confucius temple in China was originally constructed during the Song Dynasty in 1034 and has since undergone multiple restorations. The ancient Chinese educational system together with its Confucianism-based relationship rules will be explained to you.

   Qinhuai River adjacent to the Confucius Temple is a great place to experience the local lifestyle. This river appears in many poems. Strolling along the river, you can enjoy the entire area illuminated by colorful lights. If you are interested, take a beautifully decorated boat on this river (optional). After the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel to have a good rest.

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   4-Star Hotel in Nanjing
5. Day 5: Nanjing Departure
   Discover Political Heritage, Ancient City Walls, Peaceful Lakeside Scenery

   After breakfast, begin the last day of your 5 days tour at the Presidential Palace, the largest and most intact architectural complex among the remaining modern Chinese buildings. Important events throughout Chinese history have either occurred in this location or have developed through ties to this site. The courtyard contains multiple historical periods: Jiangnan gardens from the Qing Dynasty, the Western architectural remains of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Palace and the Republic of China gate towers from 1912 to 1949.

   

   Next is the Nanjing City Wall which was built by the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty in the mid-to-late 14th century. The existing section is 25 kilometers long. Zhonghua Gate Fortress is the largest barbican with 27 caves of fighters garrison. During your visit, your guide will explain more about the construction behind it.

   The final stop is Xuanwu Lake, west of the City Wall and east of Purple Mountain. It is the "heart" of Nanjing's urban water system. As the largest urban park in the Jiangnan region, its history dates back to the pre-Qin period. It was a royal garden during Nanjing as the ancient capital of six dynasties. The lake is surrounded by five islands, each with a different flower theme including cherry blossoms, autumn chrysanthemums, rhododendrons and lotus flowers. The scenery varies throughout the four seasons. This scenic area offers boat rides on the lake (optional). If you are interested, you can pay on the spot and your tour guide will help you purchase the tickets.

   

   This 5-day Shanghai Nanjing tour comes to an end here. Your guide and driver will send you to the airport / train station for your departure. Hope you have a great time time China Xian Tour!

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