Sitting at the mouth of the Yangtze River, this former fishing town has grown into China’s most populous and cosmopolitan city. An international metropolis, Shanghai, literally meaning "Atop the Sea," boasts historical influences from France, Japan, England, and the United States, and has held prominence in trade between the east and west since the 1842 Treaty of Nanking. In modern times the city has demonstrated its future promise as a leading global economic hub in hosting the 2010 World Expo. While in a city of both financial and cultural prestige, you will enjoy walking Shanghai’s charming old streets, as well as visits to the following cultural landmarks:City of God Temple
Like many of the current architectural relics of downtown Shanghai, the City of God Temple gained popularity during the Qing Dynasty, allowing a hub of shops and restaurants to open around it. This commerce complex, now altogether known as the City of God Temple of Shanghai, remains a wonderful place to explore the traditional town infrastructure as you wander through the narrow hutong streets. Apart from our provided tour, we encourage our scholars to do some bargain shopping down these narrow streets.
Like many of the current architectural relics of downtown Shanghai, the City of God Temple gained popularity during the Qing Dynasty, allowing a hub of shops and restaurants to open around it. This commerce complex, now altogether known as the City of God Temple of Shanghai, remains a wonderful place to explore the traditional town infrastructure as you wander through the narrow hutong streets. Apart from our provided tour, we encourage our scholars to do some bargain shopping down these narrow streets.
Nanjing Lu
New York’s Times Square meets San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharfs meets Florence along the Arno River. There’s really no way to describe this extremely popular strip of street that, on a nice night, is literally spilling out of every direction with people. Nanjing Lu is Shanghai’s widest walking street, which terminates at the famous the Huangpu River. Perhaps just as telling of the Shanghainese culture as the main strip, the smaller walking streets that branch off of Nanjing Lu contain hundreds of small restaurants and shops where locals (or the more adventurous traveler) can put their feet up. China Your Way scholars get a genuine taste of the new and old Shanghai at Nanjing Lu!
New York’s Times Square meets San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharfs meets Florence along the Arno River. There’s really no way to describe this extremely popular strip of street that, on a nice night, is literally spilling out of every direction with people. Nanjing Lu is Shanghai’s widest walking street, which terminates at the famous the Huangpu River. Perhaps just as telling of the Shanghainese culture as the main strip, the smaller walking streets that branch off of Nanjing Lu contain hundreds of small restaurants and shops where locals (or the more adventurous traveler) can put their feet up. China Your Way scholars get a genuine taste of the new and old Shanghai at Nanjing Lu!Zhouzhuang
Referred to by many as the Venice of the East, Zhouzhuang is a comfortable yet exciting step back in time to a China that only exists in a few remote places. A floating city engulfed by water, Zhouzhuang is that postcard-perfect small town that carries the history of Jiangsu province on its elegant shoulders. Scholars enjoy a guided tour across the many historic bridges and throughout the Shen House, a Ming Dynasty estate of over 100 rooms. (Don’t worry! Our scholars don’t tour through all 100 rooms!) The trip ends with a relaxing gondola ride paddling through the narrow waterways. We also encourage our scholars to pick up some local snacks at the many snack shops sprinkled throughout the town.
Referred to by many as the Venice of the East, Zhouzhuang is a comfortable yet exciting step back in time to a China that only exists in a few remote places. A floating city engulfed by water, Zhouzhuang is that postcard-perfect small town that carries the history of Jiangsu province on its elegant shoulders. Scholars enjoy a guided tour across the many historic bridges and throughout the Shen House, a Ming Dynasty estate of over 100 rooms. (Don’t worry! Our scholars don’t tour through all 100 rooms!) The trip ends with a relaxing gondola ride paddling through the narrow waterways. We also encourage our scholars to pick up some local snacks at the many snack shops sprinkled throughout the town. 