Shanghai Tour SH1 - Jade Buddha Temple, the Bund, Yu Yuan Garden, Old French Concession Area, Pu Dong Area, People's Square and Museum

Jade Buddha Temple - click here to view picture
This is the most famous Buddhist temple in Shanghai, located in western part of the city. The Jade Buddha Temple houses the 6-foot tall seated Jade Buddha, carved from a single piece of white jade whose color is lustrously and spotlessly white. In 1882, a monk named Hui Gen left two of the five jade Buddha statues brought from Burma in Shanghai and built a temple there to house them. In 1918, the old temple was burned down and a new one was built in present site and named Jade Buddha Temple. The temple is famous for its jade Buddha statues which are pure white and elegant. The construction of pavilions and halls is built in the traditional style of the Song dynasty. It has four halls: Hall of the Heavenly Kings, Grand Hall, Reclining Buddha Hall and Jade Buddha Chamber.

The Bund - click here to view picture
The Bund is located in the section of riverfront along the Huangpu river which until the early 1800's was undeveloped. The British set up their consulate and other buildings there after the Opium War. In the early 1900's, the Bund sprouted up with buildings designed by architects from Britain, France, China, America, Russia, Japan, and others. The Bund is a record of history - displaying a collection of past architecture, many of these buildings were the best in Asia in their time. In the evening the neon lights brighten up the whole bund area making this stretch of the city the most visited in Shanghai - must see for visitor to the city.

Yu Yuan Garden - click here to view picture
The Yu Yuan is characteristic of the architectural style of the Ming dynasty. It is a private garden located in the southeast of Shanghai, with a history of more than 400 years. The Garden, reminiscent of those in Suzhou, features more than 30 halls and pavilions. It is divided into six parts, each separated by a white brick wall, the top of which forms an undulating gray dragon. Each part of the garden, although divided, has a balance and harmony creating a unity of expression.

Old French Concession Area
M. Montigny, the first Consul for France at Shanghai, entered into an agreement with Ling Taotai (Taotai being the title of the senior local Chinese official) on April 6th, 1849, for the establishment and government of a French Concession. In the beginning it appeared likely that the settlements would be run as one administrative unit. But the French finally decided to set up a separate municipal government. The French Consul had signed the 1854 Land Regulations, but they felt they were not bound by the regulations as they were never ratified by the French Government. So on May 13th, the Municipal Council of the Concession Francaise was formed. It differed from the English Municipal Council in that all its decisions were subject to the approval or veto of the French Consul. As most of the foreign trade of Shanghai was carried on through the British Settlement, the French Concession found it difficult to raise revenues, and depended largely on income derived from other sources.

Pu Dong Area - click here to view picture
Pudong New Area is part of the city of Shanghai. It is located on the eastern side of Huangpu River, which cuts through the city. On April 18, 1990, Chinese central government made the announcement to open up Pudong for development. This was seen as an opportunity to build Shanghai into one of the international economic, finance and trade centers and to regenerate the economy of the Yangtze River Delta and the whole Yangtze River Valley.

The opening-up and development of Pudong New Area is part of the national strategy for economic development. The architect of China's reform and opening-up Mr. Deng Xiaoping innitiated and promoted the undertaking himself. This is also a major strategic decision in carrying on the social and economic progress of China. The past ten years witnessed explosive economic growth in Pudong as well as an enormous change in the appearance of the city. Pudong New Area has become the landmark of Shanghai as one of the international economic centers in the 21st century.

People's Square - click here to view picture
The People's Square is located in centre downtown Shanghai. Before liberation, it was a race course. Now, you will find here the Municipal City Hall, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Grand Theater, the underground shopping street etc. In the middle of the square is a 320-sq.m. round fountain and a landscaped lawn of 80,000 sq.m. On holidays and at weekends the square is crowded with people, enjoying the peaceful and pleasant scene on the square.

Shanghai Museum
The world-renowed Shanghai Museum at the People's Square is in the possession of a collection of 123,000 cultural artifacts in 21 categories, the museum is especially famous for its treasures of bronzes, ceramics, paintings, and calligraphy. A vast collection of exhibits, world-class architecture, and high-tech facilities explain why the Shanghai Museum can attract visitors from all over the world.

Shanghai Tour SH2 - Grand View Garden and Zhou Zhuang Water Village

Grand View Garden - click here to view picture
Situated in western Shanghai about 90 km away, the Grand View Garden is a classical garden modeled on what was described in the novel book of Red-Chamber-Dream Garden. It consists of a dozen groups of scenic constructions such as Grand View Tower, Bamboo Lodge, Cheerful Red Court, Lush Grass Court, Paddy-Fragrance Cottage etc. Being either elegant, or simple, or secluded or exquisite - they fully embody the charm and mood portrayed in "Red-Chamber-Dream Garden " written by Xueqin Cao.

Zhou Zhuang Water Village - click here to view picture
Located in the outskirt of Shanghai about 100 km away, Zhou Zhuang is an ancient town of Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, where rivers and lakes are abound. This town is dominated by water, enclosed by 4 lakes and intersected by several rivers, the houses and streets are built on riverside. This is the Number 1 water-bound town in China famous for its waterways, Ming and Qing dwellings, and honest-to-goodness folkways. Boat racing, lantern shows and old granny's tea are part and parcel of local tradition. Although more than 900 years, its architectural style is still well preserved. Zhouzhuang is well known for its foot bridges and waterways, beautiful environment and historical architecture. More than 60 percent of the residential houses were built during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, consisting of nearly 100 classic courtyards and 60 carved brick foot bridges.