Shanghai Tour - Just Shanghai
Apr 16th, 2007, 05:19 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Shanghai Tour - Just Shanghai
I am looking into a trip to Shanghai in November. I want to spend the entire time in Shanghai, or at least that is my current plan. Like to stay put when I travel and see one place really well.
Any suggestions for a company that can arrange an upscale trip? Do not want to go the "tour bus" route with 60 other people. Also, tend to like to go to places off the beaten path as well.
Any suggestions for a company that can arrange an upscale trip? Do not want to go the "tour bus" route with 60 other people. Also, tend to like to go to places off the beaten path as well.
Apr 16th, 2007, 02:23 PM
#2
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,854
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How long a trip are you planning? You don't need more than 2-3 days to see cosmopolitan Shanghai really well, of course there are many interesting cities and towns nearby about 1-2 hours by private car. Don't you want to see historical Beijing with thousands of years of history?
Apr 17th, 2007, 04:37 AM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, I guess I should add Beijing to my itinerary. I just don't want to be on a bus or in a car the entire trip. When we travel we like to savor the city. Spent 5 days in Prague and it wasn't enough. Spent a week in Paris and it wasn't enough.
Apr 17th, 2007, 08:05 AM
#5
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,854
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
sega61: I understand. 1st, you need to let us know how many days you can spend in China, not counting the 3 days flight time forth and back. Then you can decide on both Shanghai & Beijing, or just B (I agree with pat, despite my screen name) or just S.
You can spend time savoring the cities but keep in mind half of the sights have to be reached by a car ride. If you want to go off the beaten path (give us an example of your interests), B & S are not the ideal locations to do that. Let us know more about your preferences and I'll find someone to arrange an upscale, custom trip for you. Do you have a budget in mind?
You can spend time savoring the cities but keep in mind half of the sights have to be reached by a car ride. If you want to go off the beaten path (give us an example of your interests), B & S are not the ideal locations to do that. Let us know more about your preferences and I'll find someone to arrange an upscale, custom trip for you. Do you have a budget in mind?
Apr 17th, 2007, 03:00 PM
#6
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Unlike most, I actually prefer Shanghai over Beijing. That said, if you have not been to either, I'd recommend at least a few days in each city.
Shanghai is quite manageable on your own though a few tips can make your visit easier.
If you have 5 days:
1. Get a city map and familiarize yourself with the various districts. Upon arrival, ask your hotel for a street map. Shanghai is growing so much that maps can be outdated. Plus the visitor map from the hotel will be in both Chinese and English which will help if you get lost and need to ask for directions.
2. Allocate 1-2 days for the major tourist areas - The Bund, Nanjing and Huahai Rds, Yuyuan Garden, Pudong, museums and parks, etc...
3. Set aside another day to walk around charming residential districts like Luwan (French Concession) or Hongkou (Jewish ghetto) that offer boutiques, galleries, cafes and interesting local sights.
4. You can arrange 1-day trips to nearby villages such as Suzhou, Hangzhou or Zhouzhuang at your hotel or via local tour operators Panda Tours or Jinjiang Tours. If you'd rather not join a bus tour, then hire a private car and driver for the day.
5. Be sure to take "taxi cards" with the name and address of your hotel with you. Most hotels have preprinted cards with major sights listed so you just show the driver where you want to go. If you get lost, go to the nearest hotel and they will help you. Also, the subway is clean, fast, cheap and reliable if you want to use it.
If you really want to arrange an upscale trip, there are several companies that will design a custom tour. Two that come to mind are:
- Asia Transpacific Journeys
- Artisans of Leisure
Shanghai is quite manageable on your own though a few tips can make your visit easier.
If you have 5 days:
1. Get a city map and familiarize yourself with the various districts. Upon arrival, ask your hotel for a street map. Shanghai is growing so much that maps can be outdated. Plus the visitor map from the hotel will be in both Chinese and English which will help if you get lost and need to ask for directions.
2. Allocate 1-2 days for the major tourist areas - The Bund, Nanjing and Huahai Rds, Yuyuan Garden, Pudong, museums and parks, etc...
3. Set aside another day to walk around charming residential districts like Luwan (French Concession) or Hongkou (Jewish ghetto) that offer boutiques, galleries, cafes and interesting local sights.
4. You can arrange 1-day trips to nearby villages such as Suzhou, Hangzhou or Zhouzhuang at your hotel or via local tour operators Panda Tours or Jinjiang Tours. If you'd rather not join a bus tour, then hire a private car and driver for the day.
5. Be sure to take "taxi cards" with the name and address of your hotel with you. Most hotels have preprinted cards with major sights listed so you just show the driver where you want to go. If you get lost, go to the nearest hotel and they will help you. Also, the subway is clean, fast, cheap and reliable if you want to use it.
If you really want to arrange an upscale trip, there are several companies that will design a custom tour. Two that come to mind are:
- Asia Transpacific Journeys
- Artisans of Leisure
Apr 17th, 2007, 05:45 PM
#7
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Again, it will help as the others have requested, to know more of your preferences and interests.
Beijing is like Washington DC as Shanghai is like New York, with a few hundred/thousand years of added history. You are talking about two totally different metropolitan areas.
Beijing has a lot of historical sites. Shanghai is much more dynamic in spirit and the historical sites are more out of town, like Suzhou.
Shanghainese has lived in both cities and speaks both dialects. She will be your best guide - and for free here! How better can it get?
Beijing is like Washington DC as Shanghai is like New York, with a few hundred/thousand years of added history. You are talking about two totally different metropolitan areas.
Beijing has a lot of historical sites. Shanghai is much more dynamic in spirit and the historical sites are more out of town, like Suzhou.
Shanghainese has lived in both cities and speaks both dialects. She will be your best guide - and for free here! How better can it get?
Apr 18th, 2007, 05:18 AM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I want to be gone for no more than 2 weeks including travel time from the US. Will most likely fly out of Wasington, DC.
Since I am not familiar with either city it is difficult to know what to do. Not a huge museum person unless it is filled with Roman and Greek artifacts.
Since I am not familiar with either city it is difficult to know what to do. Not a huge museum person unless it is filled with Roman and Greek artifacts.
Apr 18th, 2007, 09:11 AM
#9
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,854
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ET: I am so flattered by your comments.
sega61: With 10-11 days you can do 5 each in Beijing and Shanghai. Get yourself familiar with both cities by starting with Fodor's! Click on Destinations/Asia/City/Best in 3-5 days. I like Lia's recommendation too. Next read the TRs (travel reports) on this forum, other websites or get books at the libary. You won't come across Roman or Greek artifacts in China, but the chinese museum artifacts in the 2 cities can rival any european ones. The Beijing Palace Museum is in the huge, former imperial palace, I could spend days there but that's me.
To arrange an upscale, custom tour, please contact Janet at info@jc-travel. She can help with flights, hotels,itinerary, private tour guides and car drivers.
sega61: With 10-11 days you can do 5 each in Beijing and Shanghai. Get yourself familiar with both cities by starting with Fodor's! Click on Destinations/Asia/City/Best in 3-5 days. I like Lia's recommendation too. Next read the TRs (travel reports) on this forum, other websites or get books at the libary. You won't come across Roman or Greek artifacts in China, but the chinese museum artifacts in the 2 cities can rival any european ones. The Beijing Palace Museum is in the huge, former imperial palace, I could spend days there but that's me.
To arrange an upscale, custom tour, please contact Janet at info@jc-travel. She can help with flights, hotels,itinerary, private tour guides and car drivers.
Apr 18th, 2007, 10:20 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with Shanghainese that if you wanted to spend an extended amount of time in just one city, Beijing is probably your best bet. I've also lived in both cities and have hosted family and friends visiting from abroad. The overwhelming consensus was that while they are both great cities, Beijing was more interesting and fun for the traveler.
However there are a few questions you can consider that may help you decide.
+Do you prefer historical over modern? Although some streets in Shanghai have a great colonial architecture, Beijing, while modernizing very quickly, has much more in the way of historical sites to offer.
+Do you enjoy sipping cocktails in a modern setting while overlooking a beautiful skyline? Shanghai is you choice here hands down. Beijing is more of a cultural experience in that there are more opportunities to mix it up with the locals.
+Shanghai is a more pedestrian oriented city than Beijing. Beijing is laid out more by centers of interest. But once you get to each location, there's a lot exploring you can do on foot (examples Houhai, Forbidden City area, Chaoyang business area)
It is still best to go to both, if you can. Just plan to spend more time in Beijing.
Hope this helps. Enjoy!
However there are a few questions you can consider that may help you decide.
+Do you prefer historical over modern? Although some streets in Shanghai have a great colonial architecture, Beijing, while modernizing very quickly, has much more in the way of historical sites to offer.
+Do you enjoy sipping cocktails in a modern setting while overlooking a beautiful skyline? Shanghai is you choice here hands down. Beijing is more of a cultural experience in that there are more opportunities to mix it up with the locals.
+Shanghai is a more pedestrian oriented city than Beijing. Beijing is laid out more by centers of interest. But once you get to each location, there's a lot exploring you can do on foot (examples Houhai, Forbidden City area, Chaoyang business area)
It is still best to go to both, if you can. Just plan to spend more time in Beijing.
Hope this helps. Enjoy!
Apr 19th, 2007, 07:24 AM
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think I could easily plan 5 days in each city.
I was just kidding about the Greek and Roman artifacts.
Will get some books on China. And will explore the postings on this site. This gives me a start.
Many thanks!
I was just kidding about the Greek and Roman artifacts.
Will get some books on China. And will explore the postings on this site. This gives me a start.
Many thanks!
