Chinese medicine recognized the connection between food and health many years before the first frozen yogurt drink went on sale in the West. It is now accepted wisdom in the West that food and health are related. Traditional Chinese medicine, however, has long recognized a relationship between food and overall well being, and specific foods will often be recommended as part of the treatment for certain disorders. In China food therapy is a practice in the belief of healing through the use of natural foods instead of, or in addition to medications. The best way to learn this philosophy and practice of Chinese medicine is to join us for a visit to the largest open air food market in Shanghai which has survived till today against the trend of air conditioned supermarkets. If you want to experience the sights and smells of a wet market which hasn't really changed much over the years this is a must visit site.
Here you will find fresh vegetables from local farms, homemade stinky tofu, live chickens, birds, eggs, live fishes, and an array of spices which gives Chinese food its distinctive taste. See whether you can spot any century eggs while walking around the market. Here you will also find fresh Chinese fruits, tea and kitchenware. You may get a feel of old Shanghai while walking through the narrow lanes listening to the vendors yelling out their bargains after the morning rush. This huge wet market is one of the few spots relatively untouched by tourists with a vast expanse of fresh produce. In the end of the tour, we will also walk into the hidden backstreets of the old town to learn about its interesting history and the way local lives.
Experience the Sichuan lifestyle on this unique late afternoon tour.
You will be picked up at 4 p.m. in your hotel lobby and head to Yu Garden. The garden covers a significant space and includes many pavilions, plants, rockery and other buildings of interest that will take you back to the time of the Ming Dynasty.
Then, enjoy a delicious local dinner while watching a Chinese face-changing show. For dinner, there are 2 options: hot pot or Sichuan cuisine. The performance style is known for its unique face changing act. You will see the actor change their facial makeup in seconds to show the different emotions of the character.
After dinner, try a Chuan-style ear cleaning and massage, a unique custom in the area. The technician will clean your ear and use special techniques to promote your health and well-being!
After the tour, get dropped off at your hotel.
Explore oases of greenery and architectural beauty located in chaotic Shanghai during this seven-hour, guided tour. Your tour guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel according to the starting time and drive you to Yu Garden, an enchanting sight that date back to the Ming dynasty.
Yu Garden, also known as Yuyuan Garden, is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape gardening and includes halls, springs and other buildings dating back to the Ming dynasty. If time allows, we will visit an antiques market after that.
Next, attend a traditional Chinese tea ceremony which includes tasting three different kinds of tea and then make your way to Shanghai French Concession, an area characterized by beautiful, tree-lined streets and weathered European architecture. Pass by the legendary mobster Big Eared Du’s house as well as Sun Yat-sen’s residence among other landmarks.
Dine in a famous restaurant and taste the best Beijing duck in the town before heading back to your accommodation.