Activities

Day 1

Upon arrival in Shanghai, a guide and driver will be waiting to provide a welcome and transfer to the city and Banyan Tree hotel.

Note: Banyan Tree in China package includes one complimentary dinner, one complimentary 90-minute-session spa treatment (60 min massage + 30 minutes calm time), and one complimentary room upgrade to next room category. One benefit only can be applied for one hotel, and must be booked in advance (subject to availability at time of reservation). Example: one dinner in Banyan Tree Shanghai, one massage in Banyan Tree Lijiang and room upgrade in Banyan Tree Ringha. For an upgrade in vehicle, please consult us further.

Arrive into the Pudong District. Not long ago, this region was a mere marshland where only farmers and buffalo roamed. Today the district features one of the world’s most iconic skylines.

Converge in the nearby neighborhood of Lujiazui, the epicenter of some of Shanghai’s most famous buildings: the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and the never ending Shanghai World Financial Center (the tallest building in Shanghai). Admire amazing views from the latter inside the highest panoramic terrace in the world.

Next, discover the Bund, the city’s famous walkway, running along some of Puxi’s most historical buildings. The area dates back to the 1930s, reflecting Shanghai’s rich culture and European influence. Banyan Tree on the Bund is located on the northern part of the Bund and is facing Pudong’s Lujiazui financial district; an ideal location to admire the Shanghai night skyline.

Banyan Tree on the Bund dining options: Enjoy a dinner in either the Oceans, a cultured, fine-dining setting offering shucked oysters carefully paired with champagne and its signature innovative seafood platter… in Ming Yuan, where it’s possible to savor authentic Cantonese cuisine and global specialties... or the high-end Taihei, serving fresh, carefully prepared Japanese sashimi and sushi.

Finish the day at TOPS rooftop bar with a designer cocktail and spectacular views of the Pudong and Puxi skyline.

Night in Shanghai Banyan Tree

Day 2

Start day 2 of this Banyan Tree in China journey with an exploration of the famous Nanjing Road. Its colorful signs and crowds of locals and tourists correspond perfectly with the image of a modern, Asian capital. For those interested, feel free to stroll the neighboring streets animated by an uncountable number of restaurants and local food stalls.

After completing the Nanjing Road strolls, arrive at People’s Square, the former site of the Shanghai Racetrack and the cultural epicenter of the city. The Square with its benches, small lake, food stands, cafés and restaurants is perfectly organized for a full day visit of the various museums.

First visit the Urban Planning Exhibition Center. The photos and the current expositions on the third floor provide an excellent summary of the evolution of the city and its captivating history. On the fourth floor, there is a unique opportunity to admire and understand the arrangement of Shanghai with the museum’s immense model of the city. There is also a short documentary in the museum’s panoramic gallery, which forecasts the future of the grand city.

Continue the day with a visit to one of China’s best museums for Asian artifacts: the Shanghai Museum. The museum’s ancient Chinese bronze collection on the second floor is simply unrivaled. The museum also holds Qing Dynasty jade and furniture, Buddhist sculptures and other Chinese artifacts. The museum’s audio guide is highly recommended.

For art lovers, conclude the museum wanders with a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art (Moca).

Transfer back to the hotel.

Banyan Tree on the Bund optional activities:

Take advantage of the hotel’s array of fitness/wellness activities: indoor swimming pool, relaxation pools, low-impact Yoga, and state of the art fitness center.
Alternatively, relax in their five-elements-themed Spa, embracing the local culture and traditional Chinese healing philosophy. The Spa showcases a contemporary design which combines sleek lines with the use of traditional materials with natural detailing.
Recreate the Banyan Tree experience at home with an impressive collection of handicrafts, resort apparel and signature spa products.

Night in Shanghai Banyan Tree

Day 3

Begin the day with a visit to the historic French Concession, a symbol of the past privileges given to Western powers. Start out with a walk through Fuxing Park to check out the morning routines of the locals. After exploring the park, wander the surrounding roads, admiring the old colonial homes that have now been transformed into restaurants, bars, and different boutiques.

Continue on to Xintiandi, an entirely renovated area that is considered one of the liveliest parts of the city. End the walk at Tianzifang, a maze of animated alleyways full of restaurants, boutiques, and small art galleries similar to those found in Xintiandi, but much more authentic.

The end of the walk will reach the Old Town, which today has mostly been rebuilt, but which still retains some of its old lilongs (which are like the hutongs found in Beijing). The Old Town is also home to the famous Yu Yuan Gardens, a superb example of the art of Chinese garden landscaping, which is particularly common in this region. The site is extremely popular during the weekend, so the visit will generally coincide with the later hours of the Garden, when most visitors have already left.

Optional: Meet a Chinese gardener who will talk about the art and notably about penjing (bonsai) trees

Wrap up the day with a visit to the local bazaar, where both visitors and locals come to haggle. This provides the perfect chance to buy some souvenirs before leaving the city. Alternatively, take a rest at the Huxinting tea house, which is located at the centre of the lake opposite the Yu Yuan Park, and is one of the most famous in China.

Night in Shanghai Banyan Tree

Day 4

Start the day with a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple, the most well-known temple in the city. Its famous jade statue was one of 5 such examples brought back from Burma by a monk from Putuoshan.

Finish the day with a visit to M50: Shanghai’s contemporary art scene. Similar to Beijing’s famous 798 District, the M50 (located at No. 50 Moganshan Street in the north of the city) is one of the strongholds of the Chinese art scene. In the same manner as Beijing, the complex is located in abandoned industrial buildings that form a part of the charm and aesthetics of the place.

Optional: Discover Shanghai by sidecar! Hop in our Chinese sidecar and get lost in the maze of the old town, the frenzy of vertical construction, and art-deco-rich heritage. The journey will not always remain in the sidecar; the tour offers some time to walk and soak in the beautiful views of the city. The sidecar guide will be a local expatriate who has been living in China for at least 3 years

Continue with a transfer to the train station for a bullet train with the guide to Hangzhou (around 50 minutes).

Welcome to Hangzhou, the ancient capital of the Southern Song dynasty (1127 – 1279) and the current provincial capital of Zhejiang province. Discover the city’s beautiful West Lake (a recent UNESCO World Heritage addition) and learn why Marco Polo once described Hangzhou as a heaven on earth.

Transfer with guide to the Banyan Tree Hangzhou, located within the Xixi National Wetland Park (one of the most unique Banyan Tree in China locations.) Surrounded by lakes and flowing water, the hotel features Jiangnan style architecture combined with modern comforts (15 to 20 minutes away from Hangzhou city center.)

Banyan Tree Hangzhou dining options: Enjoy local and international selections as well as sumptuous buffets amid the vibrant ambience of the Water Light Court. Dining options range between the indoor banquet hall, tranquil al fresco terrace, and private room dining options. Alternatively, savour authentic Hangzhou and Cantonese delights at the award winning Bai Yun, overlooking the pond and pagoda.

Night in Hangzhou Banyan Tree

Second class tickets are included in the fare. Second class features soft berths, four berths per cabin. For those interested in reserving the entire cabin or changing to a different class, please consult us directly. (Tickets and class depend on availability and are subject to change)

Day 5

After breakfast, head by car to the West Lake and enjoy a peaceful bike ride. The lake’s curved bridges lead to small islands, where the charmingly romantic Qu Yuan gardens are located.

The voyage continues into the hills near the lake, where beautiful tea-leaf fields cover the region like an enormous green carpet.

Continue (by car) a little further west to the mystical Lingyin Temple, one of the best known Buddhist temples in the entire country. The temple was founded in the 4th century by an Indian monk named Huili, whose ashes are stored today in one of the temple’s small pagodas. A pleasantly green walk through the temple will display statues of key figures in the introduction of Buddhism to China.

Banyan Tree Hangzhou optional activities:

Half day tour in the Xixi wetlands. The Xixi National Wetland Park offers a unique retreat with a diverse offering of ecology, culture, and entertainment. This half day tour covers nature, history, culture, and religion, all in one.
Enjoy the health club in a spacious and inspiring setting with variety of options: yoga, aerobic, pilates, stretching and step lessons, in-door swimming pool, adjoining steam and sauna rooms for both men and women
Experience the award winning Asian-inspired spa therapies by professionally trained therapists

Night in Hangzhou Banyan Tree

Day 6

Begin the morning with a visit to the Hu Qingyu Tang Museum of Chinese Medicine, located in the 19th century Hu Qingyu pharmacy. Chinese medicine is a fundamental and fascinating part of Chinese culture and this visit divulges a great deal of this ancient practice.

Continue with a transfer to the airport for the departing flight to Lijiang.

Welcome to Lijiang! This UNESCO city is a labyrinth of traditional redwood and brick houses topped with grey slate roofs, surrounded by canals, stone bridges, and cobbled streets; a true paradise at the heart of Naxi culture. Originally coming from Tibet over 2000 years ago, the Naxi first lived as nomads in Sichuan before settling in Yunnan. There are around 300,000 Naxi People living in China, found mostly in Yunnan and Sichuan. The Naxi are most notable for their expertise in canal building, which, among many other things, assures each home has running water.

Transfer with the guide to Banyan Tree Lijiang, located 40 minutes away from Lijiang airport and 15 minutes from the historical town of Lijiang.

Banyan Tree Lijiang dining options:
-Savour epicurean cuisine beneath the traditional Naxi-style Moonlight Pagoda. (Advanced booking required)

-Indulge in gourmet creations while being treated like the emperors of yore in the Imperial Feast experience.

-For Cantonese cuisine, choose the Baiyun restaurant, sitting serenely by a koi pond. The open concept Chinese banquet setting lets you dine in an atmosphere of old-world elegance.

-For international cuisine try Mingyue, the best of Western and Asian cuisine at this indoor and outdoor café.

-For those who would prefer to stay inside, in-villa dining is always a relaxing option.

Night in Lijiang Banyan Tree

Day 7

Begin the morning with a transfer to the Old Town of Lijiang alongside the guide and driver for a half day walking tour that you will be spent entirely on foot. As the walk sometimes runs along slippery cobbled streets, we recommend wearing sturdy shoes.

For an entirely unique experience in Lijiang, wake up early and enjoy the tranquil morning streets. Afterwards, continue with a visit (across the labyrinth of alleyways) to “Lion Hill,” which offers fantastic views over the village below. At the top, there will be a chance for a quick coffee break on the terrace to relax after the ascent.

Continue next with a visit to the Mu Palace, which is named after the Chinese Empire warlords who ruled from this magnificent residence in this region during the Mongol Dynasty (13th century). The palace is a vivid example of Ming and Qing architecture, based on the same style of architecture as the Forbidden City in Beijing.

Following the visit to the palace we will head to the edge of the old town where the local market takes place- offering a feel for the ‘real’ Lijiang, where locals dress in traditional clothing selling teas, vegetables, fruits and daily tools.

Spend the afternoon at leisure enjoying the Banyan Trees optional activities:

Baisha adventure bike tour (approximately 3 hours): heading into the heart of two famous UNESCO ancient towns, Shuhe old town and Baisha village. Stroll through the village with its numerous enchanting sights, visit a traditional farmer’s yard, and get the insider’s word on local farming practices.
Test the Banyan Tree’s award-winning spa and a host of other facilities, including a gym and sauna.
Enjoy a game of tennis in the outdoor tennis court in the nice cool weather during late spring or summer in Lijiang.

Overnight in Lijiang Banyan Tree

Day 8

Start the day with a trip to Jade Dragon Mountain, which stands majestically to the north of the city. The mountain, also called Satseto in the Naxi language, takes its name from the God of War in the Dongba religion. The number of visitors to the site is rather high and so we will instead visit an area less well-known called the Yak Prairie. The view from here over the glacier is equally as stunning as from the more popular destinations.

En route back to Lijiang, stop at the Baisha village, the former capital of Naxi kingdom and the birthplace of "Tusi," chief of the Mu clan. In the town there are many ancient sites built during the Ming Dynasty, including Dabaoji Palace (housing the Baisha Frescoes), Liuli Temple, and Wenchang Palace.

Transfer to Lashi Lake, a 30-minute drive from LIjiang Old Town. Also known as the National Wetland Park, this site sits at an elevation of 2500 meters. There will be a chance here to ride a horse along the historic Tea Horse Trail; a steep, weathered path lined with dense forest, lakes, and waterfalls, a serene temple as well as local Naxi farming villages.

Transfer back to the hotel.

Overnight in Lijiang Banyan Tree

Day 9

Begin this morning with a transfer by car to Zhongdian (in Shangri La), the mythical paradise of Tibetan Buddhists and imaginary world described by James Hilton.

En route, stop at the Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the world. With staggering variations in altitude (nearly 4000m), this gorge separates the Jinsha River from the jagged mountains of Northern Yunnan; the area that has become a playground for trekkers keen on defying this unforgiving terrain. Lunch in the gorge.

Note: for those interested in a trek along the gorge, please consult us directly.

Transfer to the Banyan Tree Ringha (another famous Banyan Tree in China.) Located in the heart of Shangri-la, the hotel sits in a remote paradise hidden in a Tibetan valley, 40km away from Zhongdian old town and airport. Perched 3,200 meters above sea level and surrounded by snow capped mountains, the hotel offers alluring conditions for those seeking a truly unique travel experience in a frontier destination.

Afternoon at leisure to enjoy Banyan Tree Ringha optional activities:

Mushroom hunting trek: a guided trek through quiet pine forests. Learn all about the various mushrooms in the area and how to tell if they are edible or not.
Ski tour! Hit the slopes of the Himalayas. Drive north along the Yunnan Tibet road, passing the Napha Flood Plains (home of the rare black-necked crane) located 25km from Banyan Tree Ringha. This open air ski resort offers a natural alpine environment with three different slopes: 250 meters, 1600 meters, and 1370 meters. Lunch is provided at Hala village.
Enjoy the natural surroundings or on-site facilities: rejuvenate tired muscles with a session of yoga or explore the library for a book.

Overnight in Shangri La Banyan Tree

Day 10

After breakfast we will head to Zhongdian old town area (around 1 hour drive from Banyan Tree) with a visit to the impressive Songzanlin monastery, located 7km from Zhongdian old town. One of the region’s most important monasteries, admire the glittering golden roofs of the monastery at sunset (if weather permitting) and soak in the countless prayer flags waving in the wind. The monastery is surrounded by scenes of local life around Lamuyancuo Lake, with some 600 monks calling the region home.

Continue to the small pottery village of Nixi, stopping off at the house of a Tibetan family to try “tsampa”, a mixture of yak’s butter, tea and flour. Take this opportunity to savour the Tibetan speciality in a traditional small Tibetan house.

Optional: Embark on a bike tour of the lake to enjoy the site in all its glory (additional charge.) For those interested, please contact us directly.

In the afternoon, visit a small school located in the old town for a course on the art of Thangka. Many teachers here come directly from Lhasa to teach the unique artform that is directly related to Buddhism and meditation.

Stroll through the old town, a small maze of cobbled streets lined with wooden houses, followed by a visit to the Baijisi temple, which offers a beautiful view of the city.

For those who are interested, participate in the daily spectacle of local and foreign dancers who try out their dance steps on the old town’s main square. Participants usually dance in a circle to the rhythm of traditional and modern music, a unique show particularly appreciated by the locals.

Transfer back to hotel.

Banyan Tree Ringha dining options:

-Settle down by the banks of the Shudugang River for a hearty four-course dinner as the melody of gurgling waters and wind on reed pipes work up an appetite with the Highland Romance dining experience.

-Hotpots and steamboats are some of the culinary delights of Yunnan province: the Chang Sa Bar & Restaurant is a wonderful place to sample both.

-Llamo Restaurant sets the stage for dining in a congenial atmosphere with a variety of Chinese and Western set meals for breakfast and dinner, in the Tibetan language "llamo" refers to a communal place where friends, family and neighbors gather to enjoy opera, plays, festivals and good food together.

Overnight in Shangri La Banyan Tree

Day 11

Pay a visit to the neighboring 700-year-old Ringha Temple. Partially destroyed during the Cultural Revolution and recently rebuilt, it is considered one of the first Buddhist temples in Yunnan Province.

Wrap up the Banyan Tree in China journey after the temple visit with a transfer (provided) to the airport for the departing flight.