Range of tours for expo guests is just the ticket

Shanghai's tourism authorities released 25 tour routes yesterday designed for the upcoming China International Import Expo, which will allow guests from home and abroad to savor the landscape, culture, history and glamour of the city.

The tours range in length from half a day to three days and incorporate both organized and independent travel, according to the Shanghai Tourism Administration.  

They include landmark, classic and unique tourist attractions in both Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta region.

One tour known as "classic old Shanghai" is designed for independent travelers. It includes the Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Great World and Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. Another route, "enchanted evening scene," recommends Xintiandi, site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Bund, Huangpu River evening tour and Fairmont Peace Hotel.

Among the 12 group tour routes are the "seek roots in Shanghai" which will take tourists to the Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park, the west Sheshan and Zuibaichi Park.  Another tour known as "Shanghai past, present and future" includes the Shanghai Great World, Huangpu River tour and Shanghai Tower. 

"These itineraries capture the essence of Shanghai tourism and represent the image of Shanghai," said Shen Chao, director of the administration's market management department. 

"They are short tours in terms of time, but they include the must-visit, must-shop and must-eat sites and food of the city, offering diversified options for tourists."

For first-time visitors, the Shanghai Tower, Huangpu River tour, and Shanghai Great World are recommended because they are representative of the city.

The Guangfulin cultural relics, Zhujiajiao watertown, and Nanxiang old street are suitable for travelers who have visited Shanghai before because they are able to experience the city's history and culture in an in-depth manner, said Shen. 

Some industrial tour routes themed on information and technology, and automobile manufacturing are also included.
In addition, there are five tours taking guests to elsewhere in the Yangtze River Delta. 

The "Jiangnan cuisines" will guide tourists to the Suzhou’s Yangcheng Lake known for its hairy crabs as well as Zhouzhuang ancient town. 

The Xitang ancient town, Wuzhen watertown, Suzhou and Hangzhou are also included in these trips.

A total of 30,000 bilingual pamphlets outlining the routes with detailed introduction on each tourist attraction and traffic information will be available at the National Exhibition and Convention Center, the venue of the expo, tourist service centers citywide, the Shanghai Tourist Bus Center, hotels and travel agencies. 

Tourists are able to apply these for tours online by scanning the QR code on the pamphlets. 

They can also apply at the Shanghai Tourist Bus Center, as well as some outlets of China Youth Travel Service Shanghai, Shanghai Jinjiang International Travel and Shanghai China Travel International.