Shanghai Travel Deals ： Moped Tours, Food Tours & Yoga Retreats

Explore Shanghai travel deals including a 3-day October Holiday yoga retreat, a 10-km moped adventure, a former French Concession walking tour, and a 4-hour local breakfast food tour with over eight dishes.

Tags:

• Shanghai
• Travel Deals
• Food Tours
• Yoga Retreat
• Walking Tours

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3-Day October Holiday Yoga

& Mindfulness Retreat

Oct 2–4

Image courtesy of Yoga for Life

This October Holiday, give yourself the gift of true reset.

Imagine waking up to fresh mountain air, moving your body with nourishing yoga, and finding stillness through meditation.

Let go of daily stress, reconnect with your inner self, and return home with a lighter heart and renewed clarity.

Share meaningful conversations with like-minded people, and be held by the healing power of community.

Step away from the noise of the city and immerse yourself in nature’s quiet wisdom.

For More Information, Click Here

Discover Old Shanghaion a Moped

Image courtesy of Eastbound & Beyond

Discover the hidden heart of Shanghai on an exhilarating moped adventure, zipping through a century of history from the Bund's backstreets to the vanishing Old Town and the elegant former French Concession.

This is not a standard tour—it's a 10-km ride into the soul of the city. Leave the tourist trails behind and experience the real, raw, and rapidly changing Shanghai from the seat of your own moped, all while savoring local bites and untold stories.

Highlights of this trip include...

Uncover the Secrets of Suzhou Creek—Cruise along revitalized riverbanks where old factories now house chic cafés and promenades. Discover hidden gems like a century-old post office and hear the stories of the city's industrial past.

Explore the Bund's 'Wall Street'—Venture behind the iconic skyline to Jiangxi Zhong Lu, once the financial powerhouse of 1920s Shanghai. Feel the retro vibe hidden beneath the skyscrapers and see the city's oldest church.

Witness the Vanishing Old Town—Step into where Shanghai began. Explore the ancient, narrow lanes of the Old Town, an area frozen in time that is now undergoing massive transformation. See it before it's gone forever.

Savor Legendary Street Food—Refuel at an eatery established in 1881, tasting authentic shengjian (crispy pork buns) and classic Chinese summer drinks, just as generations of locals have done.

Stroll Through a Parisian-Style Park—Relax in Fuxing Park, a green oasis that feels like a slice of Paris. Watch locals practice Tai Chi, play saxophone, and dance, offering a beautiful glimpse into daily life in the city.

Admire Colonial Era Architecture—Glide down the charming, tree-lined Nanchang Lu, marveling at the exquisite Art Deco buildings that define the elegant and romantic spirit of the former French Concession.

For More Information Click Here

Former French Concession

Walking Tour

Image courtesy of Eastbound & Beyond

Discover the elegant charm and hidden stories of Shanghai’s most romantic district on a guided walking tour through the former French Concession.

This intimate 3-hour journey is designed to immerse you in the area’s unique blend of European architecture, leafy lanes, and vibrant local life.

Wander from serene, Parisian-inspired parks to bustling artsy alleys, all while uncovering the fascinating history that shaped this iconic neighborhood.

Highlights of this trip include...

Stroll Through a Parisian-Style Park—People-watch in the beautiful Fuxing Park, where the grand fountain and sunken gardens transport you to France. Witness locals practicing Tai Chi, dancing, and playing music in this beloved green oasis.

Explore the Labyrinth of Tianzifang—Get lost in a maze of narrow, historic alleyways transformed into a vibrant arts district, where local life, craft studios, and boutique shops exist side-by-side.

Discover Hidden British Grandeur—Step into the secluded, lush grounds of the former Morris Estate (now Ruijin Hotel), a world away from the city's hustle, and hear tales of the super-rich family who once called it home.

Peek into Local Lane Life—Wander down a quiet longtang (lane) like Fuxing Lane, where the rhythm of everyday Shanghai continues—laundry hangs overhead, neighbors chat, and children play, offering an authentic glimpse into the city's heart.

Walk Literary Shaoxing Lu—Stroll down a quaint, tree-canopied street known as the city’s most literary lane, once home to publishing houses and bookstores that shaped China’s cultural scene.

Relax at a Charming Café—Enjoy a complimentary coffee or beverage at a local café, taking a moment to soak in the district's unmistakable ambiance and slow-paced joie de vivre.

For More Information Click Here

Shanghai Local Food Tour

Image courtesy of Eastbound & Beyond

Discover the authentic heart of Shanghai one bite at a time on a private breakfast tour through the city's culinary backstreets.

This immersive four-hour journey is designed to take you beyond the tourist trail, following the morning rhythm of local life to uncover the stories and flavors that make a Shanghai breakfast so special.

From sizzling street-side stalls to century-old restaurants, you’ll taste your way from the bustling Nanjing Road to the iconic Bund.

Highlights of this trip include...

Feast at Five Time-Honored Eateries—Indulge in a progressive breakfast banquet featuring over eight iconic dishes, from crab roe soup dumplings and crispy shengjian buns to scallion pancakes and a historic stewed milk dessert. There's enough delicious food to last you until dinner!

Trace History on Nanjing Road & People’s Square—Stroll from the site of China’s first department store into the green oasis of People’s Park, uncovering tales of its past as a racetrack and its present-day life, including the unique weekend marriage market.

Savor a Century-Old Breakfast—Taste your way through history at restaurants established in 1875 and 1851, enjoying a made-to-order egg pancake, traditional rice sweets, and creamy milk dessert from brands that have defined Shanghai's culinary scene for generations.

Capture the Perfect Pudong Skyline—Escape the crowds and be guided to a secluded bridge over Suzhou Creek for a stunning, lesser-known photo opportunity of the iconic Pudong skyline, while learning the waterway's role in Shanghai's growth.

Decode the Bund’s Hidden Stories—Conclude your walk at the legendary Bund, where you’ll move beyond the facade to hear the untold stories of the grand buildings and the pivotal moment in Chinese history they witnessed.

Enjoy a Unique Souvenir & Premier Comfort—Receive a special gift to remember your journey and travel between districts in premier taxis, ensuring a comfortable and seamless experience between walking segments.

For More Information Click Here

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Violin Cabin Rules ： Chengdu to Singapore Flight Sparks Debate

Violinists flying Chengdu to Singapore were told cases must be checked in, even when offering to buy a seat. Learn airline rules, advance approval, and cabin options for instruments.

Tags:

• Chengdu
• Violin Cabin Rules
• Airline Baggage Policy
• Musician Travel
• Seat-Occupying Baggage

Source: OT-Team(G), 扬子晚报

On September 15, a social media post shared an unpleasant travel experience involving two violinists who flew from Chengdu to Singapore with their instruments.

When collecting their boarding passes, the musicians were reportedly told that their violin cases could not be brought into the cabin. Even when they offered to purchase an additional seat for the violins, they were not allowed to do so and were told the instruments had to be checked in.

So how are professional musicians supposed to fly with their violins? And how common is it for violinists to board a plane holding their instruments without their protective cases?

Reporters spoke with the airline, professional musicians and industry insiders to find out.

• Orchestra Members Say It Is Not an Isolated Case

Reporters first asked the airline about its rules for transporting musical instruments.

The airline's customer service staff said that checking in a violin carries certain risks. Passengers who want to bring a violin into the cabin need to provide the dimensions of the case in advance.

A common full-size rectangular violin case measures around 80 cm × 27 cm × 17 cm. The customer service representative said a case of this size exceeds the airline's standard carry-on baggage dimensions, but passengers can purchase a separate seat for the instrument. However, seat-occupying baggage must be arranged through customer service in advance.

The airline said musical instruments that meet its requirements for non-checked baggage can be brought into the cabin and kept under the passenger's care. Instruments that are to be checked in must also be declared and approved in advance. Instruments exceeding the standard checked-baggage dimensions, such as pianos and harps, cannot be transported as baggage.

For delicate and valuable instruments that are unsuitable for checked baggage, passengers can apply in advance and pay the relevant fees to have them carried in the cabin as seat-occupying baggage. The instrument remains under the passenger's care, while the weight and dimensions of the instrument and its packaging are subject to specific requirements.

In both cases, however, the airline requires passengers to make arrangements in advance.

And the experience of boarding a plane with an unprotected violin is apparently not unique.

A member of a symphony orchestra in Jiangsu told reporters that the group had encountered a similar situation.

“I’ve heard of several cases where violin cases were not allowed into the cabin and had to be checked. Our orchestra has experienced something similar,” the musician recalled.

Earlier this year, the orchestra flew from Nanjing to Shenzhen for a performance. Members of its string section were told that their violin cases could not be carried into the cabin as hand luggage.

“In the end, everyone had to board the plane holding a completely unprotected violin,” the musician said. “To be safe, we wrapped the instruments in clothes and scarves because we were worried they might get knocked.”

A similar dispute occurred in June involving the Manila Symphony Orchestra and Pacific Airlines. Nine orchestra members were stopped by ground staff at the boarding gate because their violin cases exceeded the airline's permitted cabin-baggage dimensions.

The cases were eventually checked in free of charge, while the musicians had to carry their unprotected violins into the cabin. The orchestra criticized the experience as extremely uncomfortable and even humiliating.

Another high-profile case occurred last November, when violinist Carolin Widmann was traveling from Helsinki to Frankfurt on Lufthansa with a 1782 Guadagnini violin.

The antique instrument, valued at more than $1 million, was not allowed into the cabin in its case. Widmann was forced to hold the unprotected violin throughout the flight, reportedly anxious about the possibility of damage to the valuable instrument.

Following the controversy, Lufthansa changed its rules to allow cases for small instruments such as violins and violas to be brought into the cabin.

• Industry Insider: More Flexibility Is Needed

Cheng Pengyang, general manager of Nanjing Dayang Culture, said he considered it unreasonable for an airline to prohibit a violin case from entering the cabin while also refusing to allow a passenger to purchase a seat for the instrument at the airport.

“I think this is very inappropriate. It shows a lack of respect for musicians and also reflects shortcomings in the service philosophy,” Cheng said.

Based on his years of working with well-known violinists and their teams from overseas, Cheng said cases in which violins are not allowed into the cabin are relatively uncommon.

“A violin is the musician’s life. They simply cannot accept having their instrument checked as baggage,” he said. “Having to fly while holding an unprotected violin is unreasonable. Turbulence could cause the instrument to collide with something around it, while changes in humidity could also affect and potentially damage the instrument.”

He also questioned why passengers would not be allowed to purchase a seat for the instrument when its case cannot be carried as standard cabin baggage.

In most situations, Cheng said, violins can be carried into the cabin either as hand luggage or as seat-occupying baggage.

“Whether the violin and its case can be brought onto the plane may also depend on the airline and the staff members involved. Different airlines have different rules, and those rules may also be enforced differently,” he said.

Cheng suggested that even when a violin case does not qualify as standard carry-on baggage, airlines should consider coordinating with passengers to place the instrument on an available seat when possible.

“Letting the musician purchase a seat for the violin would still be much better than having them hold an unprotected violin throughout the entire flight,” he said.

China Livestreams in Restaurants ： Your Face Broadcast Without Consent

A Beijing investigation found restaurants, food stalls and tourist sites livestreaming customers and tourists without warnings or consent. A lawyer says this may infringe portrait rights.

Tags:

• China Livestreaming
• Beijing Restaurants
• Portrait Rights
• Tourist Privacy
• Customer Consent

Eating Out in China? You May Be Livestreamed Without Knowing It

You sit down for a meal, wait at a food stall or queue outside a tourist attraction in China. Somewhere nearby, a phone may be broadcasting your face—and even your conversations—to thousands of viewers.

A recent investigation in Beijing found businesses using customers and tourists as backgrounds for commercial livestreams, often without visible warnings or their knowledge.

The Host Stays Off Camera. The Customers Don’t.

At one restaurant, a presenter stood quietly beside a phone mounted on a tall tripod, promoting discounted meal packages without appearing on camera.

The lens instead pointed directly at customers entering, leaving and eating inside. Reporters found no sign telling diners that a livestream was in progress.

At another shop selling cooked meats, a phone above the counter captured customers’ faces and conversations as they ordered food. The shop reportedly streamed almost every day, sometimes attracting more than 1,000 viewers.

One customer appeared shocked after being told she had just been broadcast online.

“Of course I mind,” she said. “If the shop had told me beforehand, I definitely wouldn’t have agreed.”

Tourists and Children Are Being Filmed Too

The same practice was found at tourist attractions.

One travel seller livestreamed a busy pedestrian street while promoting Beijing tour packages. The presenter stayed outside the frame while passing tourists became the main visual content.

Another livestream filmed people queueing to enter Universal Beijing Resort. More than 30,000 viewers watched as the faces of adults and children appeared clearly on screen.

When one presenter was asked why the camera showed tourists instead of the host, the answer was blunt:

“Why film me? That wouldn’t get any traffic.”

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Being in Public Does Not Mean Giving Permission

A Chinese lawyer interviewed by Beijing Daily said that being inside a restaurant, tourist attraction or other public venue does not mean a person has agreed to have their identifiable image broadcast for commercial promotion.

If a business clearly shows customers’ faces without informing them or obtaining consent, its livestream may infringe their portrait rights—the legal right to control certain uses of one’s identifiable image.

Businesses should instead film their food, products or surroundings. If customers may enter the frame, they should display a clear livestream notice and limit the filming area.

China’s official guidelines for online presenters also require livestreamers to respect individuals’ privacy and portrait rights.

So next time you notice a phone on a tripod facing the dining area, it may not be recording a short promotional video. You could already be live.

Would you mind appearing in a restaurant’s livestream?

Source: 北京日报

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