Private Half Day Old Shanghai

Shanghai's Old City is a bustling with narrow alleys with shops selling antiques and jewelry, as well as centuries-old City God Temple, a restored complex with an ornate entrance gate and prayer halls. Noodle houses sit alongside tiny eateries serving soup dumplings and traditional sweets like sesame-seed candy. Yu Garden, with classical pavilions, rock gardens and arched bridges, dates to the 16th century.

Travel in climate-controlled comfort with your local and knowledgeable English-speaking guide from the pier area and visit the Yuyuan Garden Bazaar. See classic buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties as you walk among the bustling areas such as the zigzag bridge and pavilion.

Take part in a memorable tea ceremony and taste the various teas at an old tea house. China is widely known as the hometown of tea, with a tea history of 4000 years. The tea ceremony originates in China, though, flourished in Japan. Therefore, when people think of a tea ceremony, they may first think of the Japanese ceremony. Both Japanese tea ceremony and Chinese tea ceremony conform with the wisdom of oriental philosophy. Furthermore, the Chinese tea ceremony reflects the central idea of Taoism, Confucian and Buddhism; which is, the peace.

Take a break and make your way to a local restaurant, for the taste of delicious and traditional Shanghai food for lunch.

Continue your day and visit the Jade Buddha Temple, a sacred 19th-century structure built during the Qing Dynasty and see the two elegant Jade Buddha statues. Marvel at the majestic architecture of the temple and listen as your guide explains the captivating history of the construction. The Jade Buddha Temple is a Buddhist temple and as with many modern Chinese Buddhist temples, the current temple draws from both the Pure Land and Chan traditions of Mahayana Buddhism. It was founded in 1882 with two jade Buddha statues imported to Shanghai from Myanmar by sea.

Finish your tour by reaching the Jade center to learn the difference between jadeite and nephrite and how the jade is closely linked with Chinese culture. Chinese jade refers to the jade mined or carved in China from the Neolithic onward. It is the primary hard stone of Chinese sculpture and although deep and bright green jadeite is better known in Europe, for most of China's history, jade has come in a variety of colors and white "mutton-fat" nephrite was the most highly praised and prized. Most Chinese jade today is extracted from the northwestern province of Xinjiang. If something catches your eye, this is the perfect opportunity to purchase a beautiful souvenir of your day in Shanghai.

To end your day, you will travel back to the pier area and your ship allowing for more exploration on your own.

Please Note: A tourist visa is required to debark in China. Cruise lines do not usually provide this visa, therefore, you will need to obtain one prior to your cruise.