Creating Lasting Family Memories Woven Through History's Echoes, Modern Vibrancy, and Nature's Gifts.
The Jung-Min Family's Tale of Two Cities: Shanghai & Hangzhou
Daily Highlights
Shanghai Arrival: A Historical Journey and the Dazzling Bund at Night.
Disneyland Magic and the Elegance of an Ancient Water Town: Shanghai’s Enchanting Nightlife.
Exploring Artistic Shanghai on Foot and the Romantic Misty West Lake of Hangzhou.
Tranquility in Hangzhou’s Ancient Temples and the Charm of its Old Streets.
Connecting with Nature and Discovering Artistic Skills.
Immersing in Tea Culture and a Fond Farewell.
The itinerary
- Crafted for Jung-Min family
- May 2, 2025 to May 7, 2025
The Journey
Hello everyone, I’m Chung-Min from South Korea. It’s a pleasure to participate in Oligotrip’s follow-up. I remember just last month, my family of six and Oligo’s Lunn spent a wonderfully romantic and enriching week together in Shanghai and Hangzhou. Even just the other day, my children were asking me when we could travel to China again.
Day 1: First Encounter with Shanghai – The Weight of History and the Brilliance of the Bund
The moment our plane landed at Shanghai Pudong Airport, I felt a little surge of excitement. This was my first time bringing my whole family to China, and I was both looking forward to it and a bit apprehensive. However, as soon as we exited the airport and saw Lunn holding a sign with our name, his warm and welcoming smile eased my worries significantly. His fluent Korean felt just like talking to one of our own, completely without any communication barriers, and the children quickly became comfortable with him.
Once in the car, Lunn meticulously explained our upcoming itinerary and even gave us a bilingual schedule and small gifts – this thoughtfulness warmed all of our hearts. We had chosen a hotel in the city center, and after a brief settling in and rest, we headed straight for Yu Garden. Wandering through the classical pavilions and towers, feeling the exquisite beauty of the Jiangnan gardens, it was as if we had traveled back to ancient China.
What impressed me most was visiting the former site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. Looking at those faded old photographs and historical materials, listening to Lunn’s steady narration, I felt like I could see the arduous efforts our ancestors made for national independence. My parents were particularly engrossed, occasionally whispering to each other, and the weight of that history deeply moved our entire family.
In the evening, Lunn took us to a restaurant with a view of the Huangpu River nightscape – Linjiangxian. Outside the window, the lights were dazzling, and the buildings on both sides of the Huangpu River shimmered with colorful lights, a breathtaking beauty. We savored delicious Huaiyang cuisine while admiring this enchanting night view, and the children excitedly pointed at the boats on the river. After dinner, we strolled along the Bund, the breeze from the river felt pleasant on our faces, and watching this modern metropolis showcase such a magnificent side at night filled me with even greater anticipation for the rest of our trip. Back at the hotel, Lunn even reminded the children to rest early to “recharge” for tomorrow’s Disneyland adventure.
Day 2: Childhood Joy and Water Town Tranquility, and Our Little Couple's Night in Shanghai
Today, our family split into two teams of “explorers.” Lunn took my wife, our two children, and me to Disneyland. As soon as we entered the park, the children completely let loose, their shouts and laughter filling the air. Watching them hug Mickey Mouse and ride all sorts of thrilling attractions, their pure joy was truly infectious. Lunn even helped us book Fast Passes in advance, which saved us a lot of queuing time and allowed us to experience more rides – the children were ecstatic.
Meanwhile, my parents, accompanied by Lunn’s assistant, went to the Zhujiajiao Water Town. When they returned to the hotel in the afternoon, they showed us photos on their phones – small bridges over flowing water, ancient and simple buildings, all filled with tranquility and serenity. They said that sitting on the traditional boat and watching the scenery on both banks felt particularly relaxing.
In the evening, we chose to dine at a Michelin restaurant, “Renheguan,” to taste authentic Shanghainese cuisine. The rich and savory flavors perfectly suited our palates, and everyone ate their fill. The children were exhausted from a day of fun and fell asleep early. My wife and I, guided by the “Shanghai Pub Crawl Map” that Lunn had thoughtfully prepared, began our exploration of Shanghai’s nightlife. We visited three uniquely styled craft breweries, sampling different flavors of craft beer and experiencing the city’s vibrant and romantic nighttime atmosphere – a rare moment of alone time for us during this family trip.
Day 3: Relaxing in an Artistic Ambiance, Feeling the Poetic West Lake in the Misty Rain
This morning, we came to the area near Wukang Road, where the architectural style was very distinctive and full of artistic flair. We found a café, ordered coffee and desserts, and leisurely enjoyed them while taking in the surroundings. The children were also very curious about the uniquely shaped buildings, constantly asking questions.
In the afternoon, we took the high-speed train to Hangzhou, and unexpectedly, it started to drizzle. Lunn smiled and said that the rainy West Lake had a unique charm. Indeed, as we strolled along the Su Causeway, the fine rain was like silk, gently falling on our faces, and the distant mountains were shrouded in a thin mist, like a Chinese ink wash painting, full of poetic beauty. Lunn also told us the legend of the White Snake and Xu Xian, adding a romantic touch to this beautiful scenery.
In the evening, our hotel had private hot springs, which was simply the best way for us travelers to relax. Our family each soaked in the warm spring water, washing away the fatigue of the day, and there was a sense of peaceful connection between us.
Day 4: Finding Serenity in Ancient Temples, Experiencing Life in Lively Old Streets
This morning, we visited Lingyin Temple. The scent of incense and the melodious sound of the bells in the temple made us feel a sense of inner peace. My parents very sincerely prayed to Buddha, while the children were full of curiosity about the magnificent golden Buddha statues, and Lunn patiently explained Buddhist stories to them.
In the afternoon, we came to Hangzhou’s old streets – Qinghefang and Wuliuxiang. Here, there was none of the hustle and bustle of a modern city, but rather the everyday life of the locals. We wandered through the ancient streets, looking at the dazzling array of small goods and tasting local specialties like scallion pancake roll and stinky tofu. Although the taste was a bit unique, it was a very interesting experience. Lunn would also occasionally stop to tell us about Hangzhou’s history and culture, giving us a deeper understanding of the city.
Day 5: Rediscovering Childhood Joy at the Zoo, Creating a Unique Memory with Our Own Hands
This morning, we took the children to the Hangzhou Safari Park. Seeing the animals that they usually only saw on TV, the children were incredibly excited, loudly calling out the names of various animals. Lunn was like a knowledgeable teacher, explaining the animals’ habits in vivid language and satisfying their curiosity.
In the afternoon, my wife and I continued to play with the children at the zoo, while my parents, accompanied by Lunn, experienced the traditional Chinese art of seal carving. They chose their favorite patterns and fonts and personally carved their own seals. Watching their focused expressions, I could feel how special this experience was for them, and it also left a unique souvenir of this trip.
Day 6: Feeling the Gifts of Nature in a Tea Garden, Bidding Farewell with Lingering Affection
Today was our last day in China, and we came to a tea garden in Longwu, Hangzhou. The lush green tea bushes stretched across the hillside, and the air was filled with the fresh fragrance of tea. We followed the local tea farmers to learn how to pick tea leaves, and even the children learned quite well. The most interesting part was experiencing the tea-frying process, watching the fresh leaves slowly dry in the wok, releasing an enticing aroma – it felt very novel. Finally, we tasted the Longjing tea that we had personally helped to make, and its flavor was particularly pure and fragrant.
The afternoon was free time, and we each bought some small souvenirs to take back to South Korea for our relatives and friends. In the evening, Lunn arrived early at the hotel to wait for us, helped us with our luggage, and took us to the airport. At the airport, he shook hands with each of us to say goodbye, and his sincerity and enthusiasm made us feel very warm. Although it was only a short week, this trip to Shanghai and Hangzhou left our whole family with wonderful memories. Thank you to Oligotrip and Lunn for their meticulous arrangements and care, allowing us to experience a China trip full of romance and surprises. We will definitely come again if we have the chance!
Trip crafted by
Lunn ｜ In-destination Navigator in Hangzhou
Tips for other travelers
For family trips like ours, thoughtful itinerary planning that takes into account the diverse interests and energy levels of all ages is key. We really appreciated how oligo catered to everyone by arranging personalized activities based on their individual interests, making sure everyone enjoyed themselves to the fullest.
For families traveling with seniors and kids, the convenience of a private car charter is invaluable, saving considerable travel time and effort and ensuring a much more comfortable experience.
If you’re interested in Korean history, the former sites of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai and Zhejiang are well worth visiting. They offer a direct and insightful understanding of that historical period.