2.5 days Shanghai tour (also available for Cruise Passengers on Oceania cruise)
Unlike general touristy Shanghai tours, these tours are going into more depth of local culture and history, utilizing local experts in addition to general guide
Day 1.
This morning, your guide will meet you at pier or hotel and we arrange a tour with a private historian and writer Patrick Cranley, an engaging Local Historian and Writer who specializes in the history of foreign communities who helped make this cosmopolitan city what it is today.
Focusing on the area around The Bund and the French Concession, the city’s rich and very colourful history will be brought to life.
After lunch, spend time in the trendy Xintiandi District with new bars and boutiques opening and maintaining the style of the traditional Shikumen houses. Afterwards, enjoy an afternoon visit to the fascinating Urban Planning Centre which has a number of interesting displays which exhibit the rapid development of Shanghai. Patrick Cranley’s introduction this morning services as a precursor to the future of China that you see here. Afterwards, you will return to the ship or hotel for the afternoon at your leisure.
Day 2.
This morning, your guide will meet you at the gangway exit of your cruise ship and we can arrange for our locally based Israeli expert to relive the fascinating history of the part of Shanghai in which the many Jewish Immigrants made their home.
Dvir Bargal, our Jewish expert, is a long time resident of Shanghai, and a celebrated journalist and documentary filmmaker. His past professional works include documentaries depicting places as far ranging as the Silk Road to the coastline of Israel. In addition, Dvir also regularly submits articles to both international and China-based lifestyle magazines including Masa Archer, Globes, City Weekend, That’s Shanghai, Voyage, Oriental Art and Traveler. Dvir is originally a native of Israel and received his degree at Tel Aviv University.
Dvir will explain the reasons Jews arrived, the notable events during their stay and the continuing influence they still have today with the tour passing by a number of notable buildings with connection to Jewish History in Shanghai.
After lunch, you will visit the beautiful Yu Gardens and have time to explore the popular Dong Tai Lu Antiques Market to seek your own treasures. Afterwards, return to the ship for the evening at leisure.
Day 3.
This morning, your guide will meet you at the gangway exit of your cruise ship and you will have a half-day visit to the attractive, traditional water village of ZhuJiaJiao where you will have the opportunity to see a former trading village that rose to glory as a result of the Grand Canal system which exported China’s wares overseas. We include a gentle boat ride on the canal and a simple lunch in town before returning back to Shanghai for the remainder of the day at leisure.