2-Day Shanghai Modern Experience Tour: Historic Streets & Futuristic Skyline
Tour Overview
Explore both sides of Shanghai in just two days — classical gardens, historic waterfront architecture and old neighborhoods on one side, futuristic skyscrapers, creative districts and modern urban life on the other.
Trace Shanghai’s past at Yu Garden and the Bund, cross the Huangpu River by local ferry and rise to the 118th-floor observation deck of Shanghai Tower for a completely different view of the city. Along the way, discover how Shanghai grew into the metropolis you see today at the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center.
Experience a more contemporary side of the city by watching coffee being roasted at Starbucks Reserve Roastery, walking through the Shikumen lanes of Xintiandi, seeing how smart retail works in everyday life and exploring galleries and studios inside the converted factories of M50 Art District.
If timing allows, try a Shanghai Maglev ride for one last taste of the city’s speed and technology.
Travel Destination: Shanghai
Suitable for: First-time visitors to Shanghai, travelers interested in China’s modern lifestyle
Tour type: Private
Tour at A Glance
|
Day
|
What to See & Do
|
|
1
|
Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, Yu Garden, Yuyuan Bazaar, Huangpu River ferry, Shanghai Tower observation deck, the Bund
|
|
2
|
Starbucks Reserve Roastery, Xintiandi Shikumen architecture, New-Retail Supermarket, M50 Art District, optional Shanghai Maglev Train ride
|
Highlights of This Tour
Experience immersive technologies like AR, VR, and 5D at the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, and see how Shanghai transformed from a riverside town into a global metropolis.
Step inside the Starbucks Reserve Roastery, watch coffee being roasted and brewed, explore its dramatic copper cask and enjoy Shanghai’s modern café culture in one of the city’s landmark lifestyle spaces.
Cross the Huangpu River by local ferry, then rise to the 118th floor of Shanghai Tower, enjoying two completely different perspectives of the Bund and Pudong skyline.
Discover Shanghai’s creative and futuristic side at M50 Art District and a New Retail Supermarket, from independent galleries in converted factories to automated delivery systems and smart checkout technology.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Shanghai’s Past and Iconic SkylineDiscover Shanghai’s Past and Admire its Spectacular Skyline
This morning, meet your guide and driver in the hotel lobby and start your day at the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center. Through interactive displays, models, and multimedia, you will know how the city grew from a small riverside county into a major global metropolis.
Step away from the bustling city and wander through Yu Garden. Immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of this Chinese garden with pavilions, winding paths, ponds and rockeries.
Lush Yu Garden features pavilions and rockerie Outside the garden is the lively Yuyuan Bazaar, where you can admire old-style buildings, pick up souvenirs and try local snacks such as xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) and wontons.
Afterward, cross the Huangpu River by ferry, just as locals do. From the water, you'll get a great view of the historic Bund giving way to Pudong's modern skyline.
Rising 632 meters, Shanghai Tower is China's tallest building. Ride the high-speed elevator up to the 118th-floor observation deck for sweeping views over the city and surrounding skyscrapers.
End your tour with a stroll along the Bund. Take in panoramic views of Lujiazui skyline across the river and the 52 Western-style historic buildings lining the riverside promenade — a striking blend of old and new.
Western-style architecture on the Bund at night - Day 2: Modern Shanghai & Creative CultureExperience Shanghai’s Modern Lifestyle Through Coffee, Creative Art and High-Speed Maglev Train
Spend your morning at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Shanghai. Marvel at the 8-meter-high copper cask used to store the coffee beans and watch the coffee being roasted, brewed, and prepared right in front of you. You can also enjoy a freshly made coffee.
Enjoy a cup of coffee in Starbucks Reserve Roastery Continue to Xintiandi. Take a leisurely walk through this lively neighborhood and discover how well-preserved Shikumen houses blend with stylish cafés, restaurants, boutiques and art galleries.
For lunch, visit a New Retail Supermarket, a smart retail hub where you can browse fresh local ingredients, grab a casual bite and watch automated conveyor belts carry orders overhead. You can even try the facial recognition checkout, a small but fascinating glimpse of how technology fits into daily life in Shanghai.
Head into M50 Art District, a creative hub converted from a former industrial complex. Walk through its old factory buildings to see galleries, independent studios, cafes and various free exhibitions.
Shikumen houses blend with stylish stores in Xintiandi If time permits, end the day with a Shanghai Maglev Train ride, one of the world’s fastest commercial trains. It covers the 30 km between Longyang Road Station and Pudong Airport in just 8 minutes, giving you a thrilling taste of modern China's high-speed transport.
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.
Accommodation For This 2-Day Shanghai Tour
For your China private tour, the choice is in your hands: you can select luxury 5-star hotels for unparalleled comfort, cozy 4-star accommodations, or value-for-money 3-star options.
All our partner hotels are handpicked for their prime locations, conveniently situated near bustling commercial areas. Every room is equipped with standard amenities like air conditioning, hot water, 24-hour showers, reliable Wi-Fi, and windows for natural light.
In some hotels, there are English-speaking staff who are committed to providing attentive service. Should you have any special requests, feel free to ask - they are always ready to assist.
