From Beijing to Bangkok featuring overnight stays in Shanghai; Hong Kong; Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok calling on Xiamen, China and Halong Bay/hong Gai, Vietnam with 6 days at sea from $12,999

NOTE: You may choose this exclusive shore event, credit toward a customized Virtuoso on-shore event, credit toward a Virtuoso Discovery pre/post hotel stay or shipboard credit. Ask us for complete option details.

Exclusive Shore Event: Shanghai | City Highlights Tour & Lunch

Shanghai as a whole encompasses a huge area, but the city center is a relatively small district situated by the Huangpu River in what is called Puxi (west of the river).  One boundary of the city center is Shanghai's waterfront boulevard also known as the Bund.  Wai Tai (The Bund) combines the best aspects of the city's pre-1949 era and its future-oriented focus. In the early 1920s, the Bund became the city's foreign street: Americans and Europeans built banks, trading houses, clubs, consulates, and hotels in styles from neoclassical to Art Deco. The municipal government has renovated the old buildings.

We begin our morning with a first- hand look at the Shanghai of old with a walk through the city's old Chinese quarter to the lovely Yu Yuan garden, a 16th century Ming Dynasty private garden and residence.  Despite Shanghai's crowded streets and teeming masses, the garden remains an oasis of tranquility.  Its deceptive size, laid out with many corners and breezeways to give one the illusion of size, houses in exquisite harmony the essential elements of a Chinese garden pavilions, water, vegetation, rock formations, and bridges. The Old Town refers to the original Chinese city that flourished in the Ming dynasty. The architecture of the area has been restored to the original Ming period style.

Next, we will visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Museum.  This new landmark memorizes the past, records the present and previews the future.  The 20,000 square meter exhibition hall contains the remarkable past of this great city and focuses on the unbelievable changes the open-door policies have caused.

We will then enjoy a lunch of local cuisine at Jade Garden Restaurant, a popular Shanghai eatery that has captured the hearts of many with its high-class décor and delectable dishes.

After lunch we will take a short drive around the French Concession district, one of the original European settlement areas, to view the many fine examples of 19th and early 20th century architecture gracing the streets and alleys before returning to the ship.

Approximate Length: Seven hours.

Suggested Attire: Casual wear with comfortable shoes. Moderate walking.