Shanghai...question about day trip to Zhujiajiao.
 

We will be in Shanghai in early March for a day as part of a cruise. We will dock at the terminal closest to town (it is a small ship).

We have been there before so our first plan, in some reasonable order, was to do some shopping for silk yard goods and maybe some "fake" antiques, maybe explore some of the French Consession and have a late lunch at M on the Bund.

I have already arranged for a car and English speaking driver to meet us at the dock and drive us around for the day (no guide).

I got the ships tours the other day and they are offering a 7 hour bus trip to Zhujiajiao which includes a lunch there and a visit to a "silk factory.

OK, I know the "water towns" are touristy but! I would love to see a water town, the canal pictures look so neat, but not on a "tour".

Is it possible (reasonable) for us to drive to Zhujiajiao as soon as we can leave the ship, probably 8:30, take a canal ride, enjoy some photo ops then head back to M on the Bund for a late-ish lunch. Then if we still have some time, I could try for a silk shop or two.

I think we should be able to do this since the two of us can move faster than a large bus tour. And we will both have the traffic to deal with.

Anyone have any suggestions on this day plan.

Thanks.

Perhaps a bit rushed but do-able. Is lunch at M on the Bund a must? If not, you can have an early lunch in Zhujiajiao, and then get back to the silk shops/french concession.

Thanks Shanghainese. I know you are right that it will be a bit rushed, but glad to know you think doable.

No, lunch at the "M" is not a must. It is just one of those things we would like to do.

My biggest problem is that we have to make reservations there.

I wonder what the odds are of just showing up at close to 2 and getting a table...?

I know there are probably many plces that would provide us with a nice meal...we just like the view there!

We have never dined there so don't know about dropping in without reservations, why don't you e-mail them and ask?

Thanks, we will send an email.

Anyone know about taking a canal boat ride. Where is the boarding place, anyone know. I can't find any town map on the internet.