Luoyang Departure: Shanghai Disneyland, the Bund and Zhujiajiao, 5 Days 4 Nights

Train or plane into Shanghai, bags at the hotel out near the park, which is the point of sleeping here tonight. Into the city by four and walk from Nanjing East Road to the Bund, the old buildings shoulder to shoulder, the green copper roof of the Peace Hotel on the corner. Around six the far bank lights up and the Pearl and the towers come out of the dusk one by one. Dinner is pork chop with rice cake.

Attraction introduction: The Bund runs along the west bank of the Huangpu from Waibaidu Bridge south to Yanan East Road, about 1.5 kilometres, lined with 52 buildings in as many styles, most from the early twentieth century. Across the water, the Lujiazui towers cluster together.

Tips: The promenade is packed at dusk and the front rail is full. Guests generally find walking from the northern end southward is quieter with a better angle across the river. In practice, get back early tonight, because tomorrow starts with a queue.

At the gate by half past seven and in when it opens at eight. Straight to Adventure Isle, where Soaring over the Horizon has the longest queue and half an hour early saves an hour later. Lunch in the park, then Tomorrowland for Tron, where the wind for those few seconds makes your eyes stream. The parade passes Mickey Avenue at half past three. At dusk, Zootopia and its new ride. Castle lit after dark, then the fireworks.

Attraction introduction: TRON Lightcycle Power Run is the fastest coaster in the park, ridden lying forward on a motorcycle-style seat. Soaring over the Horizon is a flight film on a dome screen with suspended seats. The Zootopia area opened at the end of 2023 and is the newest land.

Tips: Sealed food and bottled water are allowed in; glass bottles and selfie sticks are not. Guests generally find weekday crowds in November are half the summer level, and that the castle front fills forty minutes before the fireworks. In practice, take the lakeside side of the Gardens of Imagination and the exit is easier.

No need to be first through the gate; in by nine. The rides missed yesterday first, Pirates and the Winnie the Pooh adventure, both under twenty minutes. A stage show at noon, the theatre full of children. In the afternoon, Disneytown for the shops and two plush toys. Out by four and back to the city, where dinner is soup dumplings and pan-fried buns on Yunnan South Road, thin skinned and full of broth.

Attraction introduction: Pirates of the Caribbean, Battle for the Sunken Treasure is an indoor boat ride through a series of physical sets and projections, the sea battle staged on a huge screen. Disneytown sits west of the park, free to enter, with shops, restaurants and the Walt Disney Grand Theatre.

Tips: A two-day ticket must be used on consecutive days, so check the dates when booking. Guests generally find the park is busiest on the second afternoon, which makes it a good time for the shops outside. In practice, shop on day two so nothing is carried around all week.

Away at half past eight, an hour west to Zhujiajiao. In over the Fangsheng bridge, five arches across the Cao Gang river, the steps worn shiny, and at this hour only the morning exercisers are on it. Along North Street, plank-fronted shops with tied pork, smoked beans and rice dumplings. Lunch by the water: white fish, river shrimp, water bamboo. After lunch a small boat through the arches, the water loud under the hull.

Attraction introduction: Zhujiajiao in Qingpu is one of the best preserved water towns in Shanghai, where the Cao Gang and several tributaries meet and 36 old bridges link the lanes. The Fangsheng bridge dates from the Ming and is the largest five-arch stone bridge in the region, over seventy metres long.

Tips: The streets are free, while Kezhi Garden and the town god temple charge separately, and boats are priced per boat and can be shared. Guests generally find weekday mornings are a different place from weekends, with groups arriving after eleven. In practice, take the boat before eleven, while the water is still clear.

Morning at Yu Garden, in over the zigzag bridge, the tea house on the island already open and old men reading newspapers inside. The garden is small; the Yulinglong stone stands before the Yuhua hall, riddled with holes. Out through the bazaar for two boxes of pear syrup sweets. Lunch is crab roe dumplings with ginger vinegar. If the train is late, Wukang Road, where the plane trees turn in November, then Hongqiao station.

Attraction introduction: Yu Garden was built in the Jiajing period of the Ming for Pan Yunduan, a provincial official, and divides its space with rockery, ponds and halls. The Yulinglong stone is counted among the three famous garden stones of the lower Yangtze, with Ruiyun in Suzhou and Zhouyun in Hangzhou.

Tips: The garden charges admission and queues form in high season, thinnest at opening; the surrounding bazaar is free. Guests generally find the plane trees on Wukang and Yuqing roads are at their best in mid to late November. In practice, book a train after four so the morning still has room.