8D7N Shanghai Trip

19/4/19 - 27/4/19

It is a trip right after I finished my degree course (yes, no more uni, no more classes after this, this made me feel a little gloomy).

I'm really excited as it is a full member overseas family trip, like finally! 💗 However, this trip is different from our usual trip, it is the first time we are joining a group tour trip. We decided to join a group tour is because China has a lot of beautiful places and cities to visit. Hence, it would be a wise choice for us to follow a group tour. We were fortunate to have a small group which is only a total of 13 people. All of them are really friendly and kind, making the trip a memorable one.

Travelling areas: Shanghai 上海 - Suzhou 苏州 - Wuxi 无锡 - Hangzhou 杭州 - Jiande 建德 - Shaoxing 绍兴 - Haining 海宁 - Shanghai 上海

Watch the video below and enjoy!

Some photos to share: Shanghai 

Shanghai Chenghuang Temple Market

MUST TRY in Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant! (南翔馒头店)

Suzhou 

Suzhou Ancient City Wall 苏州城墙

Couple's Retreat Garden 耦园

Some must try food in Shantang Street!

It is a famous green bean drink found in Shantang Street, but my family and I do not like it as it is not the usual green bean dessert we drink. It is made of mint water, green bean, glutinous rice, raisin and candied dates.

阿婆绿豆汤 (山塘街店)

Wuxi

Jiangnan Ancient Canal 江南古运河 

YUM YUMM boba tea from Yi Dian Dian milk tea shop (一点点).

Popular tourist spot: Three Kingdoms City. It would be great if you have more time to spend here because it is a huge place and every part of them is really scenic!

Live battlefield performance.

Lihu Park 蠡湖

Hangzhou

West Lake 西湖 

Hupao Spring//Hupao Park - famous for its sweet mellow water (some said it is best to make Longjing Tea). 

Meijia Wu Village: famous production for its Longjing Tea in Hangzhou City. 

Hangzhou Grand Theatre - THE EXTERIOR IS REALLY AMAZING!!!

Hangzhou International Conference Center

Qianjiang New Town Light Show - Be prepared to be mesmerized by the beautiful lights on the building! Remember to check the showtime so you won't miss it.

Jiande 

A visit to Jiangnan Ice Cave which is negative 8 degree Celsius. (genius me wearing short dress but guess what? I AM ABLE TO ENDURE THE COLD! All thanks to my Europe trip that had trained me to a stronger person HAHAHA) 

The photo on the right is where we climbed all the stairs for its glass bridge/skywalks. However, it was really disappointing as it was just a small part of glass. (will definitely visit Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge one day!) 

Shaoxing

Tusita Temple or also known as Dou Shuai Tian Gong. (I wasn't feeling well on that day so imagine still climbing up the stairs.. it felt like I am rolling down anytime soon)

Haining

Can you see the dark purple fruit on the most right? They look like grapes but they are actually Jaboticaba (中文名：嘉宝果 / 珍宝果 / 树葡萄). They also taste like grapes but sweeter. The distinct difference is Jaboticaba fruits grow on tree while grapes grow on vines. Worth a try.

Haining is known to have good tide everyday and Guanchao Shengdi Park is the best place to watch the tides and the waves. Sadly, we weren't able to catch a glimpse of it.

Haning China Leather City (海宁中国皮革城)!!! This place is a must visit if you are looking for cheap and quality leather items, from bags to shoes to belts to anything you name it (they have many blocks, so beware of your purse/wallet, they will become empty without you realising!).  

So yeah, we girls bought quite a few leather handbags that we really like it. Most of them had a really high opening price, but don't be shy to bargain with them, you may end up only paying half of the "opening price" and take away your quality item!

Shanghai

Xintiandi - a beautiful, busy district where you can go for shopping, entertainment and leisure. 

Nanjing Road is the main shopping street of Shanghai, China. It would be definitely one of the world's busiest shopping streets! You can find the world largest Starbucks here too (what a waste that we do not have the time to visit there). 

Do visit their M&M store!

Attractive interior they have here! 

Qinhuangdao Road Pier - This place was packed with people, be it the locals or foreigner tourists. (check out my video to find out more!)

Huangpu River Cruise - The local literally RAN into the cruise to get the best spot to enjoy the view. Let me remind you that this cruise can fit more than 200 tourists or more!

Cruise time: 10:00am - 9:30pm daily

Duration: 1 hour - 2 hours 30 minutes (depends on which cruise or route you choose)

Enjoying the night lights on both sides of the river, though it was foggy that day. Not to mention, super duper windy and cold! We almost freeze to death.

The iconic Oriental Pearl TV Tower.

Qibao Ancient Town//Qibao Old Street - another busy district with uncountable delicious delicacies. 

I have turned into a fans of China's Xiaolongbao! This is from 七宝龙袍蟹黄汤包总店 (apologies for not knowing its English name, it is a corner shop next to Gong Cha).

(Bought the Gongcha from the shop on the most right) 

The Bund (Waitan), with its colonial buildings and skyscraper views on both sides.

Beautiful memories created. 

Met this fashionable little boy, he definitely stole the limelight of the street at that moment!

Here, I would like to write a few opinions of mine towards joining a group tour.

Pros of group tour:
- Affordable price (You may get to stay in 5 star hotels too, for example we did stay in Pullman hotel)
- Making new friends
- TRAVEL WITHOUT USING A BRAIN (as everything is fully planned)

Cons of group tour:
- Going to places you do not want to
- Waiting for others
- May meet unfavorable tour guide (there was one our guide who force us to buy stuffs we don't want too)

All in all, it was an unforgettable visit to China, will be back for more cities! 

See you!