7 days Fantastic Shanghai Huangshan tour

Upon your arrival at Shanghai's airport, you will be greeted by your local guide and transported to hotel. After checking in have a good rest and explore nearby on your own.

This day is going to be busy, there is so much to see in Shanghai and this day helps to highlight the top attractions, that every Shanghai visitor wants to see. So get ready to start your day with a visit to Yuyuan Gardens (a.k.a. Yu Garden). Stroll through the garden, which is considered an architectural miracle of the south Yangtze River. Be astounded by its delicacy, spectacular design and over 500-year-old ancient history. 

Next to Yu Garden is equally a famous Yuyuan Market, but very different. Since ancient time, this has been a flourishing place. Today it is filled with domestic and international visitors; and a great place to taste local snacks or buy some Shanghai specialties. Your next stop is Shanghai Urban Planning Hall, which you will easily reach after a 10 minute, in your private car.

The Shanghai Urban Planning Hall is located in a dedicated building and upon reaching the 5th floor, you will how grand Shanghai truly is. Be blown away with a model of the city which takes up the entire floor! Showing the countless Shanghai skyscrapers and the miraculous changes that have taken place over the past 100 years and beyond.

Lunch, or perhaps your pockets are still stuffed with snacks from Yuyuan Market; or ready to experiment with some more of Shanghai's delicious cuisine. Afterward, cross the Huangpu River and drive to the Shanghai Tower. Ascend to the observation deck where you will have a bird's-eye view of the whole city.

A 20 minutes drive traveling under the Huangpu River will take you to the busiest street in China -- Nanjing Road. Shop for some famous Shanghai old brands or perhaps some international brands. As you walk along Nanjing Road you will explore a street full of fame and culture full of French influence. If you prefer you can stray from the shopping and walk along the Bund, A signature feature of Shanghai and offering an amazing river view on the Huangpu River.

An evening in Shanghai is full of choices, watch a Shanghai Acrobatic or Chinese Kungfu show.  Perhaps one of the many 5 star restaurants, some local bars or a Huangpu River Cruise. No matter the choice your local guide will ensure to arrange all the details for you. When the night is done, head back to your hotel.

This morning, a private car, driver and guide will help you to check in for the high-speed train to Huangshan. You will spend about 2.5-3 hours on the train. Upon arrival at Huangshan North Railway Station, met by your local guide and transfer to visit Tunxi. Compared to Shanghai, Tunxi will feel like a tiny place, with a population of 1.5 million. For the rest of the day, ramble about Tunxi's old streets or visit Hu Kaiwen Ink Factory. Hu Kaiwen is known for manufacturing the highest quality ink for the emperor and artists all over the world since 1782. Relax the night here in Tunxi - Huangshan City.

In the morning, ascend up to the base of Mount Huangshan, the road is a bit windy and depending on the number of cars it may take 1 hour to safely reach the cable car base station. No matter, the scenery is breath taking out every window. 

Travel up the eastern slope in the Yungu cable car to the Huangshan's summit. Huangshan is known for the fresh air and pine trees that fill it's unique summit landscape. The natural scenery is extremely diverse offering a great environment for hiking, photography or a peaceful place to catch up on one travel journal.

Relax about the sea of clouds and spend a whole day explore and enjoy these breath-taking scenery. Sleep at Beihai Hotel located on the summit and just next to a perfect vantage point for the morning sunrise.

Rise up early to see an unparalleled sunrise. From the Bright Summit Peak, the second-highest peak on Huangshan, at 1,840 m. (6,037 ft.) watch as the sun penetrates through the sea of clouds. Many travelers have described the experience as being within paradise, if only for the smallest of time. After wandering around the mystical summit and seeing other vantage points such as Cloud-dispelling Pavilion and Flying-over Peak,  return to Beihai Hotel for a late breakfast. After starting your descent down.  

Once you reach the bottom start an hour's drive to ​Hongcun Ancient Village famous for being one of the best ancient villages in China. With over 150 residences dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasty, enjoy the ancient architecture and carvings. The combination of ancient white wall, a quiet river and tranquil atmosphere will make you feel part of a famous Chinese ink-and-wash painting. Just walking through this village is like being a piece of living art.

After that, transfer to Huangshan North Railway Station to catch the 2.5-3 hours' high-speed train back to Shanghai. Overnight at Shanghai.

In the morning, drive to Zhouzhuang, which will take an hour. You will spend a whole day exploring this beautiful water town. Maco Polo came to Zhouzhuang and described it as Venice of the east; with its crisscrossing canals. Travel by small boat  around the whole town. 

Observe the stone bridges that date back to the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasty. The most famous among them, is Double Bridge and perhaps the reason this treasure city is now a tourism attraction. Only after Chinese Painter Chen Yifei displayed his "Memory of Hometown" masterpiece in New York in 1984 did Zhouzhuang Water Town gain in popularity. Other well reserved ancient architecture include the Hall of Shen and Hall of Zheng. Drive back in the evening to Shanghai

After breakfast, your local guide and driver will help to see you off to either Pudong Airport or Hongqiao airport. If you need help with train tickets or planning travel to other cities, WindhorseTour is your experts in waiting.