Shanghai Private Tour:Former French Concession, Jewish Refugees Museum&Yu Garden

Your tour guide will meet you at your hotel at 09:00 a.m.. Then, we will move to the Bund.

The Bund is a famous waterfront on the west bank of Huangpu River and regarded as the symbol of Shanghai. Here, the charm of Shanghai as a bustling metropolis combining the century-old history and flourishing future is fully presented, making the Bund Shanghai a must-see attraction. We will see the 26 various buildings of different architectural styles at the Bund. Such as Peace Hotel, Shanghai Customs House and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank.

Secondly, your guide will take you to Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum which is a museum commemorating the Jewish refugees who lived in Shanghai during World War II after fleeing Europe to escape the Holocaust. The museum features documents, photographs, films and personal items documenting the lives of some of the more than 20,000 Jewish residents of the Restricted Sector for Stateless Refugees, better known as the Shanghai Ghetto, during the Japanese occupation of Shanghai.

See important sites from that era including the Jewish Refugees Museum (formerly Ohel Moishe Synagogue), Huoshan Park and Xiahai Temple. Learn from your informative guide about the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, hear about modern day life in the historic neighborhood and meet local residents on this fascinating tour.

1933 Old Millfun, or 1933 Laochangfang in Chinese, or simply 1933, was originally a slaughterhouse, built in the year 1933 at the intersection of Hongkou Port and Shajing Port, not far from the Bund. Nowadays, it has been transformed into a cluster of creative art precincts and has become the center of Shanghai’s fashion, design, shopping and entertainment. Dramas and fashion shows are often given here.

Then, we will see many scenic spots around people's square, such as the new Municipal Government Mansion, Shanghai Grand Theater.

Have lunch nearby before moving on to the next stop.

One of Shanghai’s most charming areas, the former French Concession is known for its tree-lined streets and interesting mix of Chinese and Western architectural styles. Popular with locals, expats and visitors, the area is home to a number of top attractions, as well as hip cafés, restaurants, bars, clubs, boutiques, galleries and museums.

We can approach to appreciate the SHIKUMEN style old houses and the relaxing atmosphere of Xintiandi

Xintiandi is a tourist attraction that preserves the historical and cultural features of Shanghai and integrates Chinese and western culture. Xintiandi is divided into northern and southern parts. The south is dominated by modern architecture. The north is dominated by Shikumen old buildings. Composed of Shikumen and modern architectural style, now it has become a hot and fashionable pedestrian street in the center of the city. Actually, it stands for the popular and leisurely life style of this city's new generation. The outdoor cafés, bars and romantic restaurants can be seen everywhere. It was once the site of the first congress of the Communist Party, but is now lined with shopping and entertainment places.

It is an old shikumen house built in the 1920s that has been preserved and renovated. The museum was built according to the model of one household in the 1920s. There are seven main exhibition rooms, namely, the guest room, the study room, the old people's room, the master room, the daughter room, the pavilion room and the oven room. The story of a shikumen family runs through the whole visit. It not only shows the unique shikumen architectural culture of Shanghai, but also reproduces the living space and lifestyle of Shanghai people in those days.

Then, we will transfer to Yuyuan Old Street and experience the original Shanghai atmosphere,visit classical garden and traditional Chinese medicine stores.

Shanghai Old Street, historically called Miaoqian Dajie, is an old business street that has a combination of tourist attractions, shops, entertainment and cultural exhibits. It owes its special social attractions and rich commercial background to the fact that the earliest bank, gold shop, jeweler's store, wine shop and tea house of the city were all to be found here. Visiting the old alleys of Shanghai is a great way to discover the traditional culture of this city and experience the real life of the Shanghainese.

Later, you will be shown around Yu Garden which was first built in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty by Pan Yunduan as a comfort for his father, the minister Pan En, in his old age. Pan Yunduan began the project after failing one of the imperial exams, but his appointment as governor of Sichuan postponed construction for nearly twenty years until 1577. 

Yu Garden is small in size, but it contains all elements that a classical Chinese garden should have. The pavilions, halls, rockeries, ponds and cloisters all have unique characteristics. The garden has six areas, each with its own style.