Shanghai, China

Pearl of the East TV Tower

“Pearl of the East” is one of the outstanding modern landmarks of the city, a symbol of China’s rapid development. Construction of the Tower was completely finished in 1994. The height of the “Oriental Pearl”-468 meters-makes it one of the highest structures in Asia, although it still falls short of the Ostankino TV Tower “Pearl.” The Tower consists of 15 spheres of different sizes at various levels-large and small “pearls.” Bathed in shimmering light at night, the tower has become a favorite spectacle for Shanghai residents and visitors alike. Inside the TV Tower there are observation decks with a glass floor (at heights of 263 m and 360 m) that can accommodate up to 1600 visitors at the same time; comfortable lounges; a restaurant, shops, and more. The view from here is extraordinary.

Ancient City of Chibao

This is one of the oldest and most well-known districts in Shanghai. There is absolutely nothing Western here-there is even no trace of Europe. It is only China, and nothing but China! This “ancient city” is also called “China’s Venice,” because the district is cut through by channels of two rivers that run directly through it. Canals, bridges, junks-everything creates the unique charm of an ancient city. Qibao is truly an ancient street, and they have tried to preserve its distinctive character here: old wells, a riverside promenade, and picturesque bridges, ancient structures and buildings, narrow alleys, and huge, shady trees. Here you can still find traditional cuisine, ancient customs, real Chinese architecture, and art. Every evening in the Old City, thousands of lanterns light up and a sense of a fairy tale is created.

Jade Buddha Temple

The Jade Buddha Temple got its name thanks to two sculptural images of Shakyamuni Buddha brought from Burma. The temple was founded in 1882-this is when the first statue was brought to China. The Jade Buddha Temple can be seen from afar-its walls are painted a bright yellow, and the roof with its cornices is crowned with statues. The main hall of the temple-the Hall of the Jade Buddha-features at its center a two-meter-tall statue made of white jade and adorned with precious stones. The statue depicts the Buddha at the moment of contemplation. A smaller figure symbolizes the Buddha at the moment of nirvana. Also of undeniable interest are the Hall of Heavenly Lords, the Hall of the Great Sage, the halls for contemplating inner life, and the halls for reading sutras.

Aquarium

The largest Asian oceanarium is located in Shanghai. Its total area exceeds 20 thousand square meters, and the maximum length of the tunnel is 168 meters (which is a world record). The Shanghai oceanarium is divided into nine themed zones - China, South America, Australia, Africa, Southeast Asia, Cold Waters, Polar Waters, Sea and Coast, and the Deep-Sea Ocean Zone. In total, the oceanarium features over ten thousand inhabitants of the aquatic world 450 different species. In addition to sharks, electric eels, sea turtles and jellyfish, there are penguins, alligators and seals. For adrenaline seekers, there is also the opportunity to dive with sharks.

Yuyuan Garden

This garden is located in the southern part of Shanghai’s old districts. Without exaggeration, it is one of the most famous parks in the world and one of the most scenic corners of China. No wonder that in 1982 the government of the People’s Republic of China included the Yu Yuan Garden in the list of major cultural monuments protected by the state. The garden is divided into 6 parts, each distinct from the others. Every nook has its own characteristic natural and architectural features. The most colorful areas that capture the spirit of medieval China include the “Hall of Ten Thousand Flowers,” the promenade gallery, the study/reading room, and the Yu Hua hall. By the way, in the halls and galleries of the Yu Yuan Garden you can see the best and most rare examples of Chinese traditional medieval painting and calligraphy, antique furniture, and porcelain tableware.

French Quarter

This is not just a district-it's a real Shanghai landmark. Lovers of walking will get a lot of pleasure from staying in this kind of French town within a Chinese metropolis. This district is called that for a reason: in the early 20th century, it was indeed occupied by the French concession. Today, the French Quarter is considered the area around Huaihailu Street and the Jinjiang Hotel. Along both sides of the streets of this town, century-old plane trees-planted by the French-stand in the shade. Today, the old villas and houses of this district have been renovated and now house shops, restaurants, and simply residential cottages. If you’re tired of the noise of the metropolis and the sight of skyscrapers, here you can relax and step back into the past.

Shanghai Zoo

The Shanghai Zoo is home to about 6,000 animals of more than 620 species of rare wild animals. Among these animals, there are many “Chinese” animals: pandas, golden monkeys, peacocks, and South China tigers. Many visitors come to see the pandas. Interestingly, pandas eat up to 23 kilograms of bamboo per day, so their weight can reach 125 kilograms. The zoo in Shanghai- it’s not cages; it’s a whole park, planted with about 600 types of plants: palms, shrubs, and trees. There are well-maintained lawns covering an area of 100,000 square meters. On the zoo grounds there is a “Swan Lake” with three islands, where numerous migratory birds constantly fly in. You can explore the park on foot or on an electric tram.

Shanghai Excursion

During the excursion, you will see the Old City and the Garden of Joy - a secluded island of classic Chinese architecture and landscape design in the middle of the metropolis, the Temples of the Jade Buddha and Benevolence and Peace and Tranquility (the largest Buddhist temples in Shanghai), the City God Temple, take a stroll through the French Concession, visit the Shikumen House Museum, walk along the main shopping street Nanjing Road and the Bund Waterfront, and see the breathtaking skyscraper district of Lujiazui. At the end of the tour - a visit to the observation deck of the World Financial Center (height - 474 meters).

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can review them after booking the cruise in your “Customer Account”.