Private Tour: Yuyuan Garden, Chenghuangmiao Temple and Taobao City Market

Begin your tour at Yuyuan Garden, built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). Enjoy a respite from bustling city life as you stroll through the garden, admiring the pavilions, ponds and dragon-lined walls. Yuyuan Garden translates to the ‘Garden of Contentment’ in English, and you will experience tranquility as you explore this 400-year-old classical Chinese garden. Inside of Yuyuan Garden, you will see Huxinting Teahouse, the oldest tea house in Shanghai.

Visit the Jade Buddha Temple to see the intricately carved jade Buddhas and ancient paintings. The temple was built in the architectural style of the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), characterized by symmetrical halls and courtyards, upturned eaves, and clay-tiled roofs. Enjoy lunch at a local Chinese restaurant.

Next, stop by the Chenghuangmiao Temple – the ‘Temple of the Town Deity.’ Back in ancient China, every city had its own temple to worship its local deity, who was believed to protect the townspeople. Today, the temple’s main courtyard is filled with local people worshiping the statues of a local military hero and the town god.

Finish your day shopping for mementos, vintage trinkets and gifts at Taobao City Market. Keep your eyes out for revolution-era porcelain statues, Chinese dishes, vases and old cameras. With 125 stalls to browse, the market offers a not-to-be-missed experience.