6 Days Shanghai Yellow Mountain Tour with Water Town Visit

Day 1 Shanghai Arrival

Airport / Train Station / Port Pick-Up

Ni Hao! Welcome to Shanghai - China's dazzling Magic City, where futuristic skylines meet timeless charm in a metropolis that never slows down!

Upon arrival, you will be met by a local tour guide at the arrival hall of the airport/train station/port and escorted to check in your hotel in downtown by a private comfortable vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to relax. If you want to explore nearby, feel free to get some practical suggestions from your tour guide.

Optional Activity - Attend an entertaining Acrobatic Show, including breathtaking “balls of death” acts, chair balancing, hula hoops, juggling of benches, walking in the air, and other breathtaking performances.

Arrival Ideas: At present, there are many international and many domestic flights to and from Shanghai. Also, you can arrive in Shanghai city by taking a high speed train from Beijing (4.5-6hrs), Xian (6-8hrs), Hangzhou (1hrs), Suzhou (30mins), Huangshan (2.5-4hrs), and so on.

• Feel the Highest Speed of 431 km/h of Shanghai Maglev Train
• Acrobatic Show Performed in Shanghai Circus World

Day 2 Shanghai (B, L)

Shanghai Museum - Yu Garden - Shanghai Tower - Nanjing Road - The Bund

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel to start your Shanghai exploration. Your will firstly visit Lujiazui and ride one of the world's fastest elevators to the 118th-floor observation deck (at 546 meters / 1,791 feet) of the Shanghai Tower - the tallest building in China and the third tallest in the world, standing at 632 meters (2,073 feet). From this incredible height, you'll enjoy a jaw-dropping 360° panoramic view of Shanghai's dynamic skyline, including the modern Pudong area, the historic Bund, and the winding Huangpu River. Then, drive to the Shanghai Museum East, which collected many international-standard exhibits of bronzes, paintings, calligraphy, sculpture, ceramics, jade from more than 5,000 years ago to the Qing dynasty. An Audio Explanation Device will be prepared for you to help you learn about the history and facts about the relics in the museum easily.

In the afternoon, you will take an interesting visit to Yu Garden, a shining star among all the ancient Chinese gardens in Jiangnan. This garden fully embodies the traditional design of Chinese architecture with jagged pavilions with elegant decorations, glittering pools with roving fish, and pine trees sprouting to the sky, all designed to refresh your mood and spirit. Adjacent to the garden is the Yuyuan Bazaar where you can savor tasteful local snacks and explore elaborate traditional Chinese handicrafts and art works. Then, head to Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s premier shopping street, ideal for a leisurely stroll and a taste of the city’s modern atmosphere. Lastly, you will walk to the Bund, the No.1 attraction in Shanghai and the best viewing deck for the skyline of Lujiazui across the Huangpu River, a cluster of futuristic skyscrapers including Shanghai Tower, Jinmao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and Oriental Pearl Tower rising from what was once a fishing village. The view captures Shanghai's extraordinary transformation from a treaty port to a global financial hub and innovation powerhouse. Lined with 52 historic European-style buildings, the Bund is also often hailed as an open-air museum of world architecture. Take a pleasant stroll along the promenade, enjoying both the grandeur of the past and the futuristic skyline.

Optional Activity - Take a relaxing Huangpu River night cruise to see the city’s most significant edifices and streets sparkling under the atmospheric cover of darkness (about 50 minutes).

• The View of Lujiazui from the Bund
• A Jaw-dropping Panorama of Shanghai from Shanghai Tower
• Our Guests visited Yu Garden and Bazaar in 2017

Day 3 Zhujiajiao Water Town - Huangshan (B, L)

Zhujiajiao Water Town - Transfer to Huangshan via High-Speed Train

After breakfast, an hour’s drive will take you away from the city’s hustle and bustle and you’ll visit Zhujiajiao Ancient Town which is known as the “Venice of Shanghai”.  

Zhujiajiao has a history of 1,700 years and is a well-preserved waterside ancient town. You’ll stroll along Hundred-year-old North Street, take some awesome pictures on the Fangsheng Bridge, have a panoramic view of Zhujiao by climbing up to Yuanjin Buddhist Temple, enjoy some leisure time on the traditionally decorated boat, cruise along the canals and see the old residences, shops and bridges which are filled with classic architectural style in Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 AD - 1911 AD).

After the water town tour, you’ll be transferred to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to catch a high speed G train which takes about 3 hours to get to Huanshan North Railway Station. Upon arrival at Huangshan North Railway Station, our local guide and driver will meet you and escort you to your hotel. 

• Zhujiajiao Water Town, Picture Shot by Our Guest Chona from Philippines

Day 4 Mt. Huangshan (B)

Yungu Cable Way - Begin-to-believe Peak - Dispelling Cloud Pavilion - Bright Summit - Flying-over Rock

Walking Distance: about 7~9 km/5~6 hrs at leisure pace

Today after breakfast, our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel, then drive about 80 kilometers (1.5 hours) to the foot of Mount Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful mountains in China. Your memorable Huangshan trip starts!

To save energy and time, you will directly transfer by park bus from the mountain foot to Yungu Temple to take a cableway to the upper beautiful sightseeing area of Huangshan Mountain – North Sea Scenic Area which is famous for marvelous precipitous peaks, beautiful giant pine trees and far-reaching vision. Walk to lofty Begin-to-Believe Peak (1668m) to stretch your eyesight over cloud seas to far distances, and then hike about one hour to Dispelling Cloud Pavilion to look down the Dreamland - West Sea Grand Canyon. Walk down along the stone steps to the deeper area of the canyon while enjoying the Avatar-like rising rock peaks, unfathomable cliffs, bizarre stones and tenacious pine trees. You'll enjoy a 2-hour hike from Dispelling Cloud Pavilion to the First Ring, then return to the starting point.For beginners, children, or senior travelers, the route can be shortened flexibly based on your fitness level and comfort.

If time and energy allow, you can spend about one hour to explore the Sky Sea Scenic Area where you can enjoy the sunset from the second highest peak - Bright Summit (1840m), visit the incredible Flying-over Rock, then go to your hotel on the mountain and have a good rest.

Please Note: 1) You will spend one night on the mountain, so please pack a small overnight bag, and your large suitcase will be stored at the hotel in the city. 2) You will be climbing many stone steps so pack lightly and wear comfortable hiking shoes. 3) Your guide will tailor the hiking route based on your fitness level and pace—please communicate any concerns beforehand. 4) The West Sea Grand Canyon is closed annually from December to late March due to heavy snowfall and hazardous icy conditions.

• Jack and Emily from UK visited West Sea Grand Canyon, Yellow Mountain in October 2019
• Anjali from USA visited Yellow Mountain Huangshan in January 2019
• Robert from USA enjoyed the sea of clouds on Yellow Mountain in June 2019

Day 5 Mt. Huangshan - Shanghai (B)

Yellow Mountain Sunrise - Hongcun - Transfer to Shanghai via High-Speed Train

Get up early (usually around 5am to 6am) to enjoy the magnificent sunrise from Huangshan. We suggest you watch the sunrise from the Refreshing Terrance which is only a few minutes’ walking from Beihai Hotel. In good-weather days, you can see clearly the golden light of the sun piercing the mists, and rocky peaks rising above the frothy, ever-changing sea of white clouds. After the sunrise, get back to your hotel for breakfast. Continue on your wonderful sightseeing on the Yellow Mountain to see the famous Dawn Pavilion, Stone Monkey Watching the Sea on the Lion Peak (1690m). Then walk along the wood path to the cable station to take a cable car to exit the mountain. Your driver is ready at the mountain foot to transfer you to visit Hongcun, the best examples of ancient Huizhou-style architecture, which is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites with Xidi Village.

Hongcun was originally established during Song Dynasty (960-1276). It is praised as the most beautiful village in China, known as the "ancient village in the Chinese painting". As the home to the local successful officials or merchants, Hongcun Village's layout was designed very well, acting up to both China's Geomantic Omen and actual natural environment. All houses, halls and yards are very exquisite and grandiose, and retain most of the original features. Moon Lake, the crescent-like pond surrounded by several grand dwellings, and Southern Lake in front of the village are the best locations to take photos. Famous Oscar-winner film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was filmed in Hongcun.

After the sightseeing, it’s time for departure. Your tour guide and driver will escort you to catch your high speed train back to Shanghai.

• Our Client Jenny's group from Vietnam enjoyed sunrise on Yellow Mountain in November, 2020
• Stone Monkey Watching the Sea (on Lion Peak)
• Mr. and Mrs. Gorges from Australia visited Hongcun Village in June 2019

Day 6 Shanghai Departure (B)

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center - Tianzifang - Flight / Train off Shanghai

Have you wondered why Shanghai developed into a modern, vibrant and cosmopolitan city from what was originally a shabby fishing village? This morning’s tour to Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center will answer that question fully while also giving you an overview of the City’s ambitious plans for future. The Center is a fashionably designed modern museum, themed with "City, Citizens, Environment and Development". Different usages of photography, models and interactive multimedia displays make your visit enjoyable and entertaining. The best features are the old rare photos of landmarks, such as the Bund, Nanjing Road, Yu Garden, during the international settlement, and the large scale model showing the detailed layout of Shanghai.

Next, you will be transferred to Tianzifang which is touristic arts and crafts enclave that has developed from a renovated traditional residential area. It is the typical tourist attraction to appreciate the preservation of local Shikumen architecture. In this place full of rich flavor of life, you can leisurely stroll along the clean old alleys to watch the daily life of local Shanghai people, savor a cup of drink at the open-air café, and find some interesting things in the novel shops to feel the international feature mixed with real Shanghai culture.

In the afternoon, your guide will escort you to the airport for your flight to next destination or home.

• Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center with Visitors
• Spend Leisure Time at the Mazy Lanes of Tianzifang