6-Day Guangzhou Shanghai Tour

• Arrive in Guangzhou and transfer to the hotel - Pearl River Night Cruise (self-paid program)
• 4+stars Hotel
• None

As the plane slowly lands, you will officially set foot in Guangzhou, the charming capital of the South. Our shuttle service will arrive at the airport on time and welcome you with warm smiles and professional attitudes, ensuring that the first stop on the journey to feel at home with comfort and convenience.

After arriving at the hotel and taking a rest, if time permits, we recommend you to experience the unmissable Pearl River Night Cruise (self-paid program). As the night falls and the lights come on, you will take a cruise on the Pearl River, where the bright lights on both sides of the river and the shimmering water reflect each other, showing the prosperity and beauty of Guangzhou to the fullest. Along the way, you will pass by the Canton Tower, Haixinsha, Zhujiang New Town and other landmarks, feeling the city's modern flavor and the blend of history and culture.

• Chen Clan Ancestral Hall - Temple of the Six Banyan Trees - Yuexiu Park - Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall - Beijing Road
• 4+ stars Hotel
• Breakfast/Lunch

After breakfast, our journey begins at the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall. This Qing Dynasty ancestral temple complex, which is a masterpiece of Lingnan architectural art, is famous for its exquisite wood carvings, stone carvings, brick carvings, colorful paintings and pottery sculptures. Stepping into it is like traveling back to the ancient times. Every piece of brick and stone and every wood carving tells a story of history, allowing you to savor the deep heritage of Lingnan culture and the exquisite skills of traditional craftsmanship.

Afterwards, it is a short walk to the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. This thousand-year-old temple, built in the Southern Dynasty, was named after Su Dongpo's inscription “Six Banyan”. The colorful Six Banyan Temple inside the temple is a perfect contrast to the surrounding ancient trees, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and peace. Here, you can calmly listen to the bells of the thousand-year-old temple and feel the rare tranquility and transcendence.

In the afternoon, go to Yuexiu Park, which is the largest comprehensive park in Guangzhou and a good place for citizens to relax and have fun. Stroll along the boulevard, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy an oasis in the city. If time permits, climb up to Zhenhai Tower for a great view of the whole Guangzhou city, taking in the bustle of the city and the serenity of nature.

In the evening, we will head to the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, a solemn building that not only commemorates Dr. Sun Yat-sen, but is also an important historical and cultural landmark in Guangzhou. Afterwards, walk to Beijing Road, one of the busiest commercial streets in Guangzhou and the birthplace of history and culture. Walking along the street, the stores on both sides of the street will make you feel the prosperity of the modern city; at the same time, the historical relics such as the ruins of the South Vietnam Watergate and the ruins of the thousand-year old road on Beijing Road will make you appreciate the long history and culture of Guangzhou.

• Canton Tower - Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King - Shamian Island
• 4+ stars Hotel
• Breakfast/Lunch

After breakfast, our journey takes us to the Canton Tower. This second tallest TV tower in the world is not only the landmark of Guangzhou, but also the best place to see the night view of Yangcheng. Taking the high-speed elevator straight to the top sightseeing floor of the tower, you can have a 360-degree view of the whole Guangzhou city without any dead angle. When the sunshine sprinkles the earth, the cityscape of Guangzhou becomes more charming, with the Pearl River New City and the architectural complex around the Canton Tower as far as the eye can see.

Afterwards, we head to the Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King. This museum not only displays the history, culture and archaeological discoveries of the Nan Yue Kingdom, but also makes history “come alive” through high-tech means, allowing you to more intuitively understand the historical changes of Guangzhou and even the Lingnan region.

In the afternoon, we will go to Shamian Island, which is a unique place in Guangzhou. The island is covered with green trees and European-style buildings, as if you were in a foreign country. Here, you can leisurely stroll along the island's paths and admire the buildings that have survived the weather, or take a break at one of the island's cafes or restaurants to enjoy a quiet and cozy time.

• Fly to Shanghai - Free time for shopping (Nanjing East Road, Xintiandi, or Huaihai Road)
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast/Lunch

After a morning flight to Shanghai, check into your hotel and embrace the city’s electric energy! Spend the afternoon indulging in retail therapy at Nanjing East Road—a 5.5-km shopping paradise blending heritage arcades (e.g., Shanghai No. 1 Department Store) and luxury flagships. For a trendier vibe, head to Xintiandi, where restored Shikumen houses host high-end boutiques and alfresco cafés. Alternatively, wander Huaihai Road for avant-garde fashion and local designers. 

• Yu Garden - Nanjing Road - The Bund - Oriental Pearl Tower
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast/Lunch

Start your day at Yu Garden, a Ming Dynasty oasis at Yu Garden, a 400-year-old garden renowned for its "rockery masterpiece," Yuhu Hall, and the Exquisite Jade Rock—one of China’s three legendary rocks. Wander through nine pavilion areas linked by winding corridors, past koi ponds dotted with lotus flowers, and beneath ancient ginkgo trees. Don’t miss the Zigzag Bridge, designed to confuse evil spirits, or the Inner Garden, where bamboo groves frame a tranquil tea house. Next, stroll Nanjing Road—China’s premier shopping street—to marvel at Art Deco facades and neon-lit malls. 

Walk The Bund’s colonial-era buildings (think 1920s Art Deco), then snap that iconic skyline photo (Pudong’s futuristic towers vs. historic banks). Finish at Oriental Pearl Tower. Ascend to the 263m Sightseeing Floor for 360° vistas of Shanghai’s sprawl. For thrill-seekers, the Transparent Observatory (259m) offers a heart-stopping view through glass floors. End with sunset cocktails at the Rotating Restaurant (267m), where the city lights twinkle like stars below.

• Qibao Ancient Town - Jade Buddha Temple - Tianzifang - Fuxing Park
• No Hotel
• Breakfast/Lunch

Begin in Qibao Ancient Town at this 1,000-year-old water town, where narrow lanes bridge canals lined with wooden houses. Visit Qian Dengtang (a 19th-century pharmacy) and Puji Temple, then snack on ci fan tuan (sticky rice rolls) and niangao (sweet glutinous rice cakes) from street vendors.. Next, visit Jade Buddha Temple. A serene oasis in the urban chaos, this temple houses two jade Buddha statues—one seated (1.9m) and one reclining (3.4m). Admire the intricate carvings of the Mahavira Hall and light incense for luck in the Hall of Heavenly Kings.

After lunch, lose yourself in Tianzifang, a labyrinth of Shikumen lanes, now repurposed into art galleries, boutiques, and cafés. Shop for handmade leather goods at Littleneck, sip latte art at Arabica Coffee, or visit Zhu Miao Miao’s Studio for custom calligraphy. Finish at Fuxing Park, where locals dance the waltz, play mahjong, and strut with caged songbirds. Pose by the Marx & Engels Statue or join a game of xiangqi (Chinese chess) under centenarian plane trees. As you depart, reflect on Shanghai’s blend of old-world charm and cutting-edge modernity—a city that never sleeps, but always inspires.

Pro Tips for Shanghai Leg:

Timing: Visit Yu Garden early (8 AM) to avoid crowds; Tianzifang is liveliest post-3 PM.

Dress Code: Jade Buddha Temple requires modest attire (cover shoulders/knees).