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Overview
After the exhibition ends, we depart from Shanghai for a three-day tour of art spaces, Hangzhou's tech experience centre and the historic pharmacy, before returning to the streets and the Huangpu River in Shanghai. On day two, we travel to and from Hangzhou on high-speed rail. Both nights are spent in Shanghai, with the final day concluding with a transfer from Shanghai to the airport. On-site events at the People's Park matchmaking corner are subject to the dates of departure.
— LyrikTrip Travel Designer
Every LyrikTrip journey begins with a conversation. Tell us your preferred dates and return flight, and we will design your three-day itinerary accordingly. You will receive a first response within four hours and a clear price quotation within one working day. As the second day of your trip involves two fixed train journeys, we will lock in your outbound and latest possible return connections before any fees are charged.
Why you'll love this trip
- Departing from and returning to Shanghai, with a round trip to Hangzhou on the second day. Visits include Wukang Road, the Huangpu River ferry, the Wensan Future Technology Experience Centre, and Huqingyu Tang. An English-speaking guide is provided throughout.
- From the park matchmaker corners to AI-assisted consultations, I spent three days visiting Shanghai and Hangzhou.
- After the exhibition concludes, spend about two hours viewing a contemporary art exhibition at the Shanghai Art Space.
- On day two, travel to Hangzhou by high-speed rail, visiting the Wen San Future Technology Experience Center and Hu Qing Yu Tang before returning to Shanghai in the evening.
- Stay two nights in Shanghai with a day trip to Hangzhou, so you can travel between cities without the hassle of packing and unpacking.
- Cross the Huangpu River on the ferry used by locals for their daily commute, and take in city views from both banks from the deck.
Things to do
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Contemporary
Everyday Life
Transport As Experience
Future Tech
Contemporary
City Walk
CityContemporaryEveryday LifeTransport As ExperienceFuture TechContemporaryCity WalkCityContemporaryEveryday LifeTransport As ExperienceFuture TechContemporaryCity WalkCityItinerary
Arrivals
Shanghai · Day 1
· Exhibition Over: Immersing Yourself in Shanghai
Departing from the venue or hotel in the afternoon, visit local art spaces and People's Park, with the evening reserved for leisure.
Private Car
Hangzhou · Day 2
· Hangzhou Day Trip
Take the high-speed train to Hangzhou, visiting the Wensan Future Tech Experience Centre and Hu Qingyu Tang, before returning to Shanghai in the evening.
High-Speed Rail
Shanghai · Day 3
· Alleys and the Huangpu River
In the morning, explore the Wukang Road area, take a Huangpu River ferry, and then proceed to the airport after lunch.
Departures
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Hotels
These are sample stays typically included in the itinerary. Final pricing depends on the hotel level selected.
Shanghai
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort)
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai: a luxurious garden hotel adjacent to Pudong Airport and Disneyland, offering a complimentary shuttle service to both.
Shanghai
Mercure Shanghai Yu Garden on the Bund
Mercure Shanghai Yu Garden on the Bund is located in Huangpu District, adjacent to Yu Garden and the Bund, just steps away from Metro Lines 10 and 8.
Shanghai
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel
The Pullman Shanghai South Harbour, located in Dapuqiao and adjacent to Tianzifang, is just steps away from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.
Shanghai
Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean
Located in the Aegean Sea Shopping Park at the intersection of Zhongguo Road and Hongjing Road in the Golden Business District of Hongqiao Town, with direct access to Longbai Xincun Station on Metro Line 10.
Shanghai
The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong
Located on Nanyangjing Road in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, the hotel is approximately 2.5 kilometres from the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. It is a short walk from Exit 3 of Fangtian Road Station on Metro Line 9.
Shanghai
The Park Hotel Shanghai Bund Spa & Wellness Centre
Set on Beijing East Road, Shanghai Bund Puxuan Hotel & Spa distils the Shikumen scale of the Bund's northern stretch into a boutique spa hotel.
Shanghai
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort)
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai: a luxurious garden hotel adjacent to Pudong Airport and Disneyland, offering a complimentary shuttle service to both.
Shanghai
Mercure Shanghai Yu Garden on the Bund
Mercure Shanghai Yu Garden on the Bund is located in Huangpu District, adjacent to Yu Garden and the Bund, just steps away from Metro Lines 10 and 8.
Shanghai
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel
The Pullman Shanghai South Harbour, located in Dapuqiao and adjacent to Tianzifang, is just steps away from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.
Shanghai
Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean
Located in the Aegean Sea Shopping Park at the intersection of Zhongguo Road and Hongjing Road in the Golden Business District of Hongqiao Town, with direct access to Longbai Xincun Station on Metro Line 10.
Shanghai
The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong
Located on Nanyangjing Road in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, the hotel is approximately 2.5 kilometres from the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. It is a short walk from Exit 3 of Fangtian Road Station on Metro Line 9.
Shanghai
The Park Hotel Shanghai Bund Spa & Wellness Centre
Set on Beijing East Road, Shanghai Bund Puxuan Hotel & Spa distils the Shikumen scale of the Bund's northern stretch into a boutique spa hotel.
Shanghai
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort)
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai: a luxurious garden hotel adjacent to Pudong Airport and Disneyland, offering a complimentary shuttle service to both.
Shanghai
Mercure Shanghai Yu Garden on the Bund
Mercure Shanghai Yu Garden on the Bund is located in Huangpu District, adjacent to Yu Garden and the Bund, just steps away from Metro Lines 10 and 8.
Shanghai
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel
The Pullman Shanghai South Harbour, located in Dapuqiao and adjacent to Tianzifang, is just steps away from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.
Shanghai
Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean
Located in the Aegean Sea Shopping Park at the intersection of Zhongguo Road and Hongjing Road in the Golden Business District of Hongqiao Town, with direct access to Longbai Xincun Station on Metro Line 10.
Shanghai
The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong
Located on Nanyangjing Road in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, the hotel is approximately 2.5 kilometres from the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. It is a short walk from Exit 3 of Fangtian Road Station on Metro Line 9.
Shanghai
The Park Hotel Shanghai Bund Spa & Wellness Centre
Set on Beijing East Road, Shanghai Bund Puxuan Hotel & Spa distils the Shikumen scale of the Bund's northern stretch into a boutique spa hotel.
Included / Excluded
What's Included
- Private vehicleAir-conditioned private vehicle for all listed touring on all three days: pickup at your venue or hotel on day one, station transfers in both cities and the local car in Hangzhou on day two, airport drop-off on day three
- Inter-city railBoth high-speed rail legs on day two, Shanghai to Hangzhou in the morning and back the same evening; your quote states the class booked for your order
- GuideLicensed English-speaking guide on all three days, including the Hangzhou day
- Day one, ShanghaiShanghai art spaces, approx. 2 hours; specific venues to be confirmed in writing. The area of People's Park where the matchmaking corner is located, approx. 1 hour; on-site activities depend on the date.
- Day two, HangzhouWensan Future Technology Experience Centre, approx. 120 minutes; Hu Qing Yu Tang AI-assisted consultation, approx. 20 minutes, included in the quote
- Day three, ShanghaiFormer French Concession and Wukang Road walk, about 120 minutes; Huangpu River ferry crossing, about 30 minutes
- InsuranceTravel accident insurance
Not Included
- FlightsReturn flight, plus accommodation, transfers, and itinerary arrangements prior to Day 1
- HotelThe two nights' accommodation during the itinerary are not included in the quote; if we arrange the booking on your behalf, a separate quote will be provided.
- MealsMeals are not included for any of the three days; lunch and dinner can be recommended and booked on your behalf by your guide, at your own expense. Hotel accommodation and breakfast are not included in this quote.
- Optional add-onsQuoted separately when you choose them; nothing optional is added by default
- PersonalVisas, gratuities and personal spending
Special Notes
A few things on this route follow your fair calendar rather than ours. Here they are, told straight.
- Start day — Day one is the day after your closing session, and there is no arrival day. If your sessions run a day longer than planned, day one moves with them.
- People's Park — On-site activities at the matchmaking corner are subject to the departure date. Confirmation of availability will be made prior to booking; should adjustments be required, any alternative arrangements and quotations will be subject to written confirmation.
- Day-two trains — This corridor is busy during the fair. Your outbound service and your latest return service are both locked before your order is taken, and both are written into your confirmation.
- The art space — The specific venues to be visited will be confirmed in writing before you make the final payment.
- Departures — This route is built around the November fair, so departures follow that window. Tell us your fair dates first and we build the three days off the back of them.
- Confirmation and changes — Your quote states in writing the confirmation deadline for your order and the change and refund conditions for your dates. No order is taken without them in writing.
Is Three Days Your Length?
Only two days?
Only two days?
Each day stands on its own, so we cut days, not contents: tell us your flight home and we build backward from it.
Good to Know
- Group
- Private, just your party. From 1 guest. No fixed maximum party size.
- Start
- Day one starts at your venue or hotel the day after your closing session; there is no arrival day.
- Origin and Destination Cities
- Starts and ends in Shanghai; airport drop-off included on the last day
- Hotels
- Quotation does not include accommodation for two nights; for booking on your behalf, a separate quote can be provided.
- Rail
- Day 2 only: High-speed rail round trip between Shanghai and Hangzhou, approximately one hour each way, included in the quote
- Visas
- This itinerary begins in Shanghai. Before payment, we will verify that your entry date and exhibition dates fall within the permitted stay period for these three days.
- Language
- English-speaking licensed guide throughout
- Payment
- A 10% deposit (minimum $399) secures your dates; the balance is due 14 days before departure
- Flexibility
- Days stand alone and the start day follows your fair; the confirmation deadline and the change and refund terms for your dates are listed in writing with your quote
- Evenings
- Nothing is scheduled after dinner on any of the three days
Your Private Concierge Service
Jenny
China Private Travel Route Consultant
“A concierge desk offering bilingual planning services for bespoke China journeys”
Our China team carefully tailors the pace of the itinerary, hotel arrangements, and local reception services to suit the style of each route.
20+
Years
300+
Trips Designed
24/7
On-Trip Care
Step 01
Tell us what excites you
Not your dates and budget — your curiosity. Where have you always wanted to go? What do you want to feel? We start there.
24h
First concept delivered
Step 02
We design it around you
Your specialist builds the itinerary from scratch — routes, hosts, hotels, and experiences you won't find anywhere else.
100%
Private, never off-the-shelf
Step 03
Lock it in with 30%
When the plan feels right, a 30% deposit holds your trip. Balance due 30 days before departure.
30%
Deposit to confirm
Step 04
Travel. We handle the rest.
Your Trip Pack arrives before you fly. On the road, your concierge is one message away — for the expected and everything you didn't plan for.
24/7
Support throughout your journey
Cancellation terms agreed in writing
English-speaking concierge
Secure payment via Stripe
Guest Reviews
4.9 / 5 · from 523 verified reviews
E
Emily Carter
🇺🇸 Seattle, USA
Perfect for couples
“My partner and I had an amazing time in China. Everything was arranged for us — transfers, hotels, guides. No stress at all.”
May 2026
C
Claire Brooks
🇬🇧 London, UK
Great for families
“Traveled with my two kids and had zero issues. The team made sure the pace wasn't too rushed and included things the kids would enjoy. Communication was easy throughout. Will definitely use them again for our next Asia trip.”
Apr 2026
L
Laura Bennett
🇨🇦 Toronto, Canada
Alisa made the whole experience easy
“Alisa was our point of contact throughout and she was brilliant — patient, knowledgeable, and always quick to reply. The trip itself was wonderful. Beijing and Guilin were highlights.”
Mar 2026
M
Mark Henderson
🇺🇸 Denver, USA
Good service, minor hiccup but sorted quickly
“Really good service. There was a small mix-up with one of our restaurant bookings but it got sorted quickly. The rest of the trip was seamless.”
Feb 2026
R
Rebecca Miller
🇺🇸 Boston, USA
Really listened to what we wanted
“Really helpful team. They listened to what we wanted and delivered. Beijing and Xi'an were incredible.”
Jan 2026
China Ready
We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western traveller needs to know before arriving.
Do this before you fly
VPN & Internet Access
What's blocked
Google, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and most Western news sites are inaccessible in China without a VPN.
Download before you leave
It's nearly impossible to download a VPN once inside China. Install and test at home. Recommended: Astrill (most reliable), Mullvad, ExpressVPN — subscribe to at least two in case one stops working.
Hotel Wi-Fi tip
Some hotels block VPN connections on their Wi-Fi. Use your phone's mobile data as a hotspot if the VPN drops.
Good news
WhatsApp works perfectly through a VPN, so your messaging stays unchanged. Apple iMessage and Signal also work.
Your concierge sets this up on Day 1
Paying in China
China is cashless
Alipay and WeChat Pay are used for almost everything — restaurants, taxis, markets, tickets. Cash is rarely accepted in cities.
International cards now work
Foreign Visa/Mastercard can now link directly to Alipay (set up in minutes, $5,000 single transaction limit). Your concierge walks you through the setup on your first morning.
Carry some cash
We recommend ¥500–800 RMB in cash for the rare vendor that won't accept digital payment, and for small towns.
Booking this trip
Your deposit and balance are charged via Stripe — the same trusted platform used by Airbnb and Booking.com. USD billing, no surprise conversion fees.
We handle the paperwork
Visa & Entry
Do you need a visa?
Most US, UK, EU, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand passport holders need a tourist (L) visa for stays over 10 days. We provide a visa invitation letter with every booking — it significantly speeds up approval.
240-hour visa-free transit
Citizens of 55+ countries (including USA, UK, most of EU, AUS, NZ, Canada) can enter China visa-free for up to 10 days if transiting through eligible ports. This covers our 12-day itinerary only if you have a confirmed onward flight.
Processing time
Apply 4–6 weeks before departure. Standard processing: 4–7 business days. Express (3 days) and same-day options available at most Chinese consulates.
What we provide
Visa invitation letter, hotel confirmation for all nights, suggested itinerary document — everything the consulate needs, formatted correctly.
Our responsibility, always
Safety & Practical Tips
Is China safe?
China consistently ranks among the safest countries for foreign tourists. Violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. Cities have extensive CCTV coverage and a visible police presence.
Emergency numbers
Police: 110. Ambulance: 120. Your concierge is your first call for any non-emergency situation — she has local contacts for every city on the itinerary.
Health & medications
Bring a full supply of any prescription medication. International pharmacies exist in major cities but may not carry your brand. Travel insurance is required — we can recommend policies that cover China specifically.
Language
English fluency outside hotels and tourist sites is limited. Your guides all speak English. We provide a printed pocket card with essential Chinese phrases and emergency contacts for every traveller.
Before You Book
Everything worth knowing before you book.
Correct, and intentionally so. You have spent a week looking at that skyline through office glass and from the car. This plan spends its three days on the parts of the city your week did not show you: a park, a walking neighbourhood, a commuter ferry and one hour of rail to Hangzhou.
Really: about an hour of running time each way, with your guide in the seat beside you and a car at both ends. We lock your outbound service and your latest return service before we take your order, so the day has margin built into it rather than added on the platform. Day two has no evening commitment on the other end, so a late train costs you nothing but a later dinner.
No, it is by design. You already have a room at your fair rate, and it is usually better value than anything we would rebook you into for two nights. So the plan never moves you: same bed for three nights, no packing. If you would rather hand the two nights to us, say so and we will quote them separately, with the hotel named in writing.
Yes. Every scheduled day ends before dinner, including the Hangzhou day, and your guide books dinner only if you want it. Nothing on this route runs at night.
Usually yes, and we check before you pay. The UK, most of Europe and Canada enter visa-free for days; so do Australia and New Zealand. We confirm that your entry date, your fair days and these three days all fit inside that window. The current policy runs to December 31, 2026. If you hold a Chinese visa, business or tourist, these days simply count within your permitted stay. If you entered visa-free under the 10-day transit policy, your whole stay must fit that window and your onward flight must leave for a third country or region: we verify both from your tickets before we take the order, and if it does not fit we say so instead of selling.
