Eastern Journeys

Shanghai

To visit Shanghai, China's vibrant and fast paced commercial capital, is an opportunity to see a City hurtling its way through the 21st century. Shanghai, known in its 1940's heyday as 'the Paris of the Orient' can easily claim it has regained its mantle as one of Asia's most dynamic and exciting cities. Relatively new, it doesn't have the sightseeing opportunities that Beijing offers; instead it's more a city that one experiences.

Shanghai is a great location for all of Incentive Travel Groups, Meetings and Conferences as well as being able to play host to some wonderful and entertaining Spouse Programmes.

Sightseeing Recommendations

	The Bund is Shanghai's most famous area and home to the wonderful old buildings of the banks and trading houses. It borders the Huang Pu River with modern Pudong on the other bank. The French Concession still has some wonderful colonial era buildings and is one of Shanghai's most attractive neighborhoods.
	The Yu Gardens, built in the 16th century are laid out in a traditional Ming dynasty style and is a delightful retreat amidst the hustle and bustle of the City. The Shanghai Museum is undoubtedly one of China's best and a must-see for anyone with an interest in Chinese history.

The Children's Palace offers a fascinating insight into local Shanghai and showcases kids at play and study.

Nearby Shanghai lies the city of Suzhou, made wealthy from its associations with China's silk industry and which today is known for its classical Chinese style Gardens built by the Mandarins as a way of displaying their wealth. Suzhou is an excellent excursion out of Shanghai and we normally recommend including the interesting water villages of either Tongli or Zhouzhuang. Lunch is served at Suzhou's Sheraton Hotel.

Team Building Activities
We are able to offer a number of exiting and very Chinese style team building events in Shanghai and those which we find work particularly well are:

Dragon Boat Racing - for those that don't mind getting wet this is not only an excellent form of exercise but a lesson in team work and it's also great fun! (Only operated in the Summer).

Treasure Hunt around Old Shanghai - in this atmospheric part of Old Shanghai we set various tasks for small groups and where guests must rely on their collective ingenuity so as to make it back to the finishing point (normally a local bar or restaurant).

Dumpling & Noodle Making - this is a hands on activity that takes place in small groups at local restaurants and which is not only fun but allows Guests to meet the local Shanghainese and share an experience that will be long remembered.

Tai Chi - an ancient art form to encourage the body's vital energy flows to be in alignment and a useful teaching tool to encourage balance and harmony.

Kite Flying - it may sound easy though we do have Guests build their own (with the assistance of local Masters) before getting the opportunity of launching them into the Shanghai skies.

Eastern Journeys also works with a Shanghai based company that specializes in unique team building events.

Other Activities
Shanghai has numerous other activities that are highly recommended and include sessions on Tea Tasting at the delightful Gu Yuan tea house, Introductions to Chinese Traditional Medicine, Calligraphy, Chinese Antiques and Art, visits to performances of the Chinese Opera, Chinese Acrobatics as well as some great shopping.

Visiting Shanghai
March to October is the best time of year to visit the city though Shanghai can be enjoyed year-round.

Hotels
Shanghai's hotels match the standards of the leading hotels elsewhere in Asia and we particularly recommend all of the Four Seasons, Grand Hyatt, Shangri-La, Ritz Carlton, St Regis and Sheraton and have excellent relationships and rates at each.

Venues
Eastern Journeys works with an extensive list of city venues and whether it's for a simple picnic lunch, sumptuous cocktail party, cutting edge fashion show or elaborate dinner we can come up with the space that is just suited to you and your Event.

These are just some of the Venues with which we work:

M on the Bund is without doubt one of China's best and most charming restaurants and is an absolute winner for all types of Events. The restaurant's terrace overlooks the Bund and is a perfect place for cocktails before dinner or for smaller Events.

Ashanti Dome is a former Russian Orthodox Church that is now a wonderful restaurant Venue serving European food with French undertones. A delightful evening is promised in a great atmosphere.

Tai Yuan Villa is an old French style villa nestled in beautiful gardens and offers a delightful 'Old Shanghai' atmosphere for a special dinner.

Xintiandi is a gentrified part of Central Shanghai and is now home to a fabulous collection of Bars and Restaurants. T8 and Va Benne are restaurants which are especially good.

The Theatre at the Yu Gardens is a more traditional location that lends itself very well to themed dinners. This is a primarily outdoor venue.

The lobby of the Shanghai Museum is an excellent Venue for formal Dinners.

Face Restaurant, an old favourite, offers a glamorous bar and atmospheric restaurant serving Thai or Indian food.

Huang Pu River Cruise - dinner can be served on yachts as guests sail along Shanghai's famed River taking in the city's night view.

MeiLong Zhen and LuBoLang are traditional Shanghainese restaurants where local banquets can be organized. Shanghai food is some of China's best and these restaurants are perfect locations for sampling local delicacies.

The Peace Hotel for its Art Decor atmosphere and famous Jazz band, is always a sure hit. The hotel has various sized function rooms and a roof terrace.

At most venues we are able to provide entertainment ranging from the most classical of art forms such as Chinese Opera and Chinese music ensembles through to Opera Singers, Acrobatics and Lion Dances. More modern entertainment can also be easily organized.

We can also arrange various alternative musical and entertainment options so as to fit with the theme of the Event. Our favorite theme in Shanghai is 'Old Shanghai', representing the romantic 1920's and 1930's hey days of the city's Film and Jazz era. We also work with various local and regional production companies for more elaborate events.

Need more ideas, just let us know!

Sample Programme

Day 1	Arrival & Afternoon	On arrival at Shanghai Airport, Guests will be met by our Representatives and escorted by deluxe coach, with a police escort, to your chosen Hotel. Welcome Lion Dance on arrival at Hotel, followed by lunch. The afternoon's programme will be determined by flight arrival times, though a welcoming introduction of Tai Chi is suggested, to help beat any jet lag!
	Evening	Welcome Cocktail Party and Dinner at the spectacular 'M on the Bund' Restaurant from where there are stunning night-time views of Shanghai.

Day 2	Morning	Transfer to the water town of Zhouzhuang for a fascinating glimpse of old China before continuing to Suzhou to visit the Silk Museum and one of Suzhou's famous classical Chinese gardens. Lunch will be served BBQ or buffet style at Suzhou's delightful Sheraton Hotel.
	Evening	River cruise along Shanghai's Huang Pu River with cocktails and Dinner aboard a privately chartered cruiser. After the cruise our Guide will be available to those interested to showcase Shanghai's vibrant nightlife at the Xintiandi area.

Day 3	Morning	A guided visit around Shanghai is organized including the Bund, the Yu Gardens, the French Concession and the interesting Children's Palace.
	Lunch	Traditional Shanghainese cuisine at Meilongzhen or LuBoLang Restaurant.
	Afternoon	Shopping trip, including Shanghai's famed Nanjing Road and local markets. Optional cultural activities such as tea tasting at the traditional Gu Yuan Tea House, an introduction to Chinese medicine, art or antiques can be arranged with local experts.
	Evening	Dinner at one of Shanghai's excellent City venues - perhaps the lovely Tai Yuan Villa for a glamorous 'Old Shanghai' themed dinner with the accompaniment of the Peace Hotel's famed Jazz band.

Day 4	Morning	Deluxe coach transfer to Shanghai airport, with police escort. Journey's End.

Eastern Journeys also offers Itineraries that combine Shanghai with Beijing, Xian, Guilin and The Yangtze.

Eastern Journeys recognizes that every Event is unique and we would be delighted to talk through your specific requirements, whether in terms of proposed duration, hotel accommodation, itinerary sightseeing or team building inclusions, meal arrangements, entertainment and industry focused meetings.