This morning, you will visit the Shanghai Museum and embark on a breathtaking artistic journey to delve into the profound and extensive Chinese history. The architectural design of the Shanghai Museum resembles an ancient bronze cooking vessel called a “Ding,” with its circular roof and square base symbolizing the ancient philosophy of “the round sky and square earth.” The museum houses 120,000 artifacts, showcasing artistic treasures spanning 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. You will immerse yourself in the bronze and ceramic exhibition halls, admiring intricately crafted bronze masterpieces and exquisite ceramic treasures. Don’t miss the museum’s treasures – the Great Ke Ding, a bronze artifact over 3,000 years old, and the Bianzhong of Marquis Su of Jin, which bears witness to ancient ritual and music civilization.

Next, move to Yu Garden, a classical Jiangnan garden hidden in the bustling city, which is considered the crown jewel of Shanghai’s gardens. You can stroll leisurely among the pavilions and towers, admiring the exquisite wood carvings and brick engravings. The Yu Garden Bazaar outside is even more spectacular, where you can taste authentic local snacks and find traditional handicrafts and calligraphy and painting works.

In the afternoon, stroll along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, known as “China’s First Commercial Street.” Famous shops line both sides, with time-honored restaurants and trendy cafes complementing each other. Walk to the Bund, the top attraction in Shanghai, featuring 52 buildings in the “Exhibition of World Architecture.” Gothic spires and Baroque colonnades create an architectural symphony along the Huangpu River. Across the river, the skyline of Lujiazui’s skyscrapers outlines the magical city’s horizon against the clouds.

The finale today will be ascending Shanghai Tower, China’s tallest building. This 632-meter vertical city unfolds a panoramic view for you from 546 meters high on the 118th floor. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the Huangpu River winds like a jade belt, and the historic Bund and the futuristic Lujiazui are framed below, witnessing the city’s history and future intertwined.