7-Day Shanghai to Helan Mountain Wine Tour

Upon arriving in Shanghai, a dedicated driver will pick you up. After checking in and taking a short rest, you can experience the modern urban landscape of this magical city and easily embark on a journey that combines urban sightseeing, wine culture, and humanities and arts.

After nightfall, head to the Bund to admire the dazzling nite views on both sides of the Huangpu River. On the opposite bank, the skyscrapers in Lujiazui are brilliantly lit, with landmarks like the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower complementing each other; the riverside European-style old buildings are resplendent, showcasing a century of Shanghai's charm. Stroll along the riverside promenade, experience the unique nite scenery of the Magic City, and create an unforgettable beginning to your trip to Shanghai.

The Bund's night view

Your Journey's Rewards:

Private car pickup, start a quality journey, and enjoy a century of Bund splendor.

Educational Focus:

Standing on the Bund and looking at Pudong, why do the two banks of the Huangpu River seem like two completely different worlds?

Takeaway:

This river is, in fact, a measure of time. On this side of the Bund, the international architecture complex is a history book written in stone, recording a century of events after Shanghai opened its port. It is the "living room of the past." On the other side, Lujiazui, with its cluster of skyscrapers piercing the skyline, symbolizes China's open door to the world, serving as the "window to the future." Standing by the riverbank and looking across, one can see a century at a glance. This is not a rupture, but a dialogue—between the classical and the modern, the East and the West, the sediment and the growth. On both banks of the same river, they shake hands and reconcile, together telling the story of a place called "Shanghai."

Thoughts Challenge:

When a city places a century of vicissitudes and future imaginations across the river from each other, which side should we stand on to enjoy the view?

In the early morning, head to Fuxing Park to experience the rare French garden style of Shanghai. Enjoy a moment of tranquil greenery in the bustling city. Every morning, locals dance to music, and if you're interested, you can join them. Then, ascend the Oriental Pearl Tower, and stand on the observation deck to overlook the entire city of Shanghai. You will see the city's texture and the Huangpu River Bay, experiencing the breathtaking view from the clouds. Afterward, head to the Jin Mao Tower Sky Garden Restaurant, where you can enjoy a gourmet lunch in a high-altitude environment resembling a forest garden, while admiring the city skyline.

Oriental Pearl Touwer

Stroll thru Yu Garden in the afternoon, explore the classical gardens of Jiangnan, and experience the elegance of Chinese-style corridors, pavilions, and towers. Dinner at Shujia Banquet, where you can enjoy a free Hanfu makeover while dining, with over 300 outfits to choose from! Here, you can wear traditional Chinese clothing while savoring Sichuan cuisine, enjoy performances of traditional Chinese dance, and immerse yourself in the fusion of ancient and modern Shanghai culture.

Yu Garden

Your Journey's Rewards:

Experience the tranquility of French gardens, overlook the panoramic view of Shanghai, savor the charm of Jiangnan gardens, and immerse yourself in the fusion of Hanfu and cuisine in the cosmopolitan style of Shanghai.

Educational Focus：

As a classical garden in Jiangnan, what unique landscaping wisdom does Yuyuan Garden possess?

Takeaway：

Yu Garden employs elements such as winding streams, covered corridors, pavilions, and towers to create a spatial effect of changing scenes with each step and a sense of grandeur in small spaces. It skillfully integrates natural landscapes with architecture, reflecting the artistry of Chinese garden design while embodying the subtle and elegant esthetics of the East. It is a typical representative of Jiangnan garden culture.

Thought Challenge：

How can we better inherit the beauty of classical gardens in modern life?

After breakfast, pack your bags and take a flight from Shanghai to Yinchuan. Bid farewell to the bustling metropolis and head to the Helan Mountain East Foothills wine region. This area is located in the golden latitude belt of 37°43′—39°23′, providing the best conditions for producing high-end quality wine grapes. Many Chinese wine companies are based here, and you can learn about and taste high-end wines with a unique Chinese flavor. After checking into the hotel, take a short rest to acclimate to the Northwest climate and altitude, preparing for the upcoming in-depth winery experience. But if you have ample time, you can also head to Lanshan Park, which is famous for its distinctive Roman column-style architecture and is an excellent spot to watch the sunset in Yinchuan.

Lanshan Park

Your Journey's Rewards:

Arriving at the southern part of the Great Wall, we begin our exploration of the local customs and culture. Climb to the top of Lan Mountain Park and quietly await the magnificent sunset over the vast desert river. Adjust your physical and mental rhythm, and prepare to immerse yourself in the golden wine region of the East.

Educational Focus:

Why is the eastern foot of Helan Mountain called the "Golden Zone"? What makes it so special?

Takeaway:

The "golden" aspect of this land lies in three seemingly contradictory relationships. First is the "drought and irrigation": with little annual rainfall, but the Yellow River water provides ample irrigation, allowing the grape roots to deeply penetrate the soil and absorb flavor. Next is "heat and cold": ample sunlight and high accumulated temperature during the growing season make the grapes rich in sugar; however, the sudden drop in temperature at nite locks in the acidity, creating an elegant structure of "sugar-acid balance." Finally, there are the "mountains and plains": the majestic Helan Mountains act as a barrier against cold currents and sandstorms, sheltering the thousands of acres of vineyards at their foothills. This irreplaceable combination is the power of terroir.

Thoughts Challenge:

When the scarcity of a piece of land is repeatedly emphasized, is the value of its terroir a natural endowment or a human attribution?

In the morning, visit Longyu Estate, the premium label under China's century-old wine brand Changyu. A benchmark for Chinese fine wine, the winery enjoys the golden terroir of the Eastern Foot of Helan Mountain. Its core Longyu series has won more than 100 international awards. Tour the standardized vineyards, underground cellars and production workshops. Under professional guidance, taste the winery's award-winning premium wines and experience Changyu's century-old craftsmanship and the unique charm of Eastern terroir.

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown by Longyu Estate

In the afternoon, visit Helan Qingxue Vineyard and have a face-to-face conversation with Zhang Jing, co-founder and chief winemaker. The Jia Bei Lan 2009, produced under her leadership, was the first Chinese wine to win Decanter award, marking Chinese wine's debut on the world stage.The vineyard makes high-quality wine in small batches, and its wines have won many awards around the world. Visitors can taste the classic Jia Bei Lan series on the spot and learn about the growth of China's fine wine industry.

The vineyard

Note: This experience requires a one-month advance reservation. If you are interested, please contact us to arrange the schedule.

In the evening, head to Manpu Town to watch the grand immersive epic show The Helan Mountain Festival. Seen from the perspectives of the Sun God and the Ibex Spirit, the performance combines a 360° rotating stage, holographic projections and advanced sound, light and electric technology. It links Helan Mountain rock paintings, Western Xia civilization, Silk Road culture and wine terroir, presenting an epic story of the millennia-old coexistence of humanity and nature at the foot of Helan Mountain, and offering a stunning audio-visual experience.

Your Journey's Rewards:

Savor fine Chinese wines, witness their global glory. Meet master winemakers, learn the craft behind gold medals. Enjoy an epic show, feel Helan Mountain's timeless culture.

Educational Focus:

Why did Helan Qingxue Vineyard Jia Bei Lan 2009 win the Decanter award and make the world start to take Chinese wine seriously?

Takeaway:

The soul of a wine is deeply rooted in the land. The creation of Jia Bei Lan 2009 was no accident, but the fruit of years of devotion to the terroir of the Eastern Foot of Helan Mountain. A winemaker acts as a translator, turning sunlight, soil and climate into the unique flavors in the glass. This award proves China's extraordinary terroir for world-class wine, and the determination and skill of Chinese winemakers. It is a key that opened the world's eyes to Chinese wine, letting Eastern regions be seen and respected.

Thoughts Challenge:

When world standards meet Eastern customs, who defines the "good" of Chinese wine?

In the morning, we go to Shiyuan Vineyard, a Chinese-style garden winery that was built from an old mine. As a national 4A-level tourist attraction, it exudes elegant oriental charm. The winery upholds ecological winemaking and organic cultivation. Its acclaimed wines, including Soul of the Mountain and Son of the Mountain, have won many international awards such as the Berlin Wine Trophy and Decanter. Stroll through the Chinese-style courtyard with gray bricks and black tiles, the underground cellar and the organic vineyards. Taste the winery's award-winning wines and appreciate the ecological miracle of turning an abandoned mine into an elegant winery, as well as the unique aesthetics of Chinese winemaking.

Tasting wine in the wine cellar

In the afternoon, the Western Xia Imperial Tombs—known as the "Eastern Pyramids"—are waiting for you to explore. Visit the tomb ruins and the Western Xia Museum, and you will understand the history and mysterious civilization of the Western Xia Dynasty. Then go to the Western Xia Imperial Tombs Wine Tasting Experience Center, where ancient Western Xia culture blends with the wine culture of the Eastern Foot of Helan Mountain. Taste local wines and discover the historical link between the Western Xia and wine. In the solemn atmosphere of the thousand-year-old royal mausoleum, an immersive experience of history and fine wine awaits you.

Western Xia Imperial Tombs

Western Xia Museum

Your Journey's Rewards:

Experience the ecological transformation from mine to winery, taste award-winning organic wine, explore Western Xia civilization, and understand the harmony between terroir and history.

Educational Focus：

What real value did the ecological changes at Shiyuan Vineyard bring?

Takeaway：

An abandoned mine has been ecologically restored into a Chinese-style garden winery. It has repaired the land, achieved organic farming and high-quality winemaking, and become a 4A-level tourist attraction integrating culture and tourism. It proves that ecological restoration and industrial development can go hand in hand, protecting nature while creating fine wine and cultural value.

Thought Challenge：

How can more places follow the example of Shiyuan Vineyard and achieve a win-win for ecology and industry?

In the morning, visit Xige Estate, a modern premium winery with world-class production lines and strict winemaking standards. Its Yuge Series and N Series have won dozens of international awards such as IWC and Decanter. Yuge Single Vineyard Cabernet Gernischt is ranked among China's Top 100 Wines. Tour the automated winemaking workshop, bottling line and cellars, taste its award-winning wines, and experience the charm of Helan Mountain wines blended with modern technology and traditional craftsmanship.

Tasting wine at the Xige Estate

In the afternoon, visit the Qingtongxia Yellow River Tourist Area. Take a cruise on the Yellow River and enjoy the magnificent scenery of the mother river. Then visit the 108 Pagodas, the largest existing Lama-style pagoda group in China, to explore the profound Xixia Buddhist culture and enjoy the beautiful view of Helan Mountain and the Yellow River. Return to Yinchuan after the tour, ending the journey featuring wine tasting, history and natural scenery.

Your Journey's Rewards:

Watch modern winemaking, taste award-winning wines, understand terroir, and experience the strength and charm of China's fine wines.

Educational Focus：

How does modern winemaking improve wine quality?

Takeaway：

Temperature, fermentation time and hygiene can be precisely controlled by modern winemaking technology. This keeps wine quality stable and maintains the natural aromas and flavors of grapes. Standardized production lines fully show the terroir steadily and help Chinese wines win many international prizes.

Thought Challenge：

Does a great wine depend more on craftsmanship or terroir?

On the last day of your trip, our guide and driver will take you to the airport based on your flight schedule after you pack your bags. We hope this wine tasting tour helps you better understand how China's wine industry has developed!