If your Asia-loving clients are looking for a new adventure, Jackie Knell suggests a trip to China, and starting or ending it in the Shanghai region. Having just returned from a seven-day fam trip to the area, Wendy Wu Tour’s Global Head of Customer Experience says it’s the ideal destination to promote now, with the current visa waiver policy giving clients an extra incentive to travel to China.

Jackie joined an exclusive fam organised by Juneyao Air and Manchester Airport, and she recommends Shanghai as a must-visit for a wide range of clients, including couples, solo and luxury travellers. She praises China as a top option for clients who have already visited other destinations in south-east Asia – such as Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia – who are looking for a new experience.

"China is such an amazing destination, with so much to offer. This was my first trip, and Shanghai has me hooked, and wanting to explore more!" she explains.

“I think Race Across The World [the BBC series which featured Shanghai in its fifth series in 2025,] helped people see that Shanghai and all of China have so much to offer. And Shanghai really ticks the box for everybody, with great food and shopping, so much to see and incredible culture to experience.”

Shanghai is the start or end point for many of Wendy Wu Tours' 32 itineraries in China, with clients often heading off to explore by bullet train. “Shanghai is an amazing city, it’s so clean. Travel by rail is so easy and efficient in China, and the speed of getting around is incredible,” Jackie adds.

Travelling with Juneyao Air 

Chinese carrier Juneyao Air launched its first UK service from Manchester Airport in July 2024. The direct route to China’s financial capital of Shanghai takes 10.5 hours and operates three days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. This is increasing to five days a week from this July, with the addition of Saturday and Sunday departures. 

Jackie acknowledges that while some agents may not have booked their passengers with Juneyao Air before, they can be assured of an excellent service. “People may be apprehensive if they’ve not travelled with a Chinese carrier, but they are absolutely excellent. I was very impressed.”

Jackie flew in business class on both journeys, and has high praise for the onboard dining, explaining: “I had a pork belly dish on the way out, and it was the best I’ve ever had. There were also lots of Chinese choices which were really nice. They also had an excellent cocktail menu, which you don’t get with many airlines.”

Business class boasts fully-flat seats which Jackie rates as “superb”, and she enjoyed watching British and international films on the entertainment system, playing the built-in games and using the onboard WiFi.

Some of the fam trip group travelled in economy class on the return leg, and had high praise for the cabin. Jackie explains: “They all said it was really good, with very comfortable seats, and they were able to get a good amount of sleep. We all agreed the crew were immaculate. They were very attentive, really professional, really polite. I wouldn’t have any hesitation in selling Juneyao Air as an airline.”

On the trip the group were joined by representatives from Juneyao Air, and visited the airline’s head office in Shanghai. Jackie explains: “They really do want to work closely with the trade, and they are incredibly helpful. I think agents will have a really positive experience working with them.”

With more than 70 aircraft, Juneyao Air offers a host of onward flights through its two hubs at Shanghai, including impressive domestic connectivity across China. It also has the bonus of being a Star Alliance Connecting Partner, meaning seamless connections with other carriers.

Flying from Manchester Airport 

As Jackie is based in the south it was also her first time flying from Manchester Airport. “I was absolutely bowled over by it, and it makes many other airports look old fashioned,” she says.

“The airport is so modern, with a great variety of coffee shops and restaurants. The check-in was super easy, with no queues at any of the security areas, and a great choice in Duty Free.”

Top hotels in Shanghai 

The group stayed in The Langham, Shanghai Xintiandi; Kimpton Suzhou Bamboo Grove; Andaz Nanjing Hexi hotel; and the Kimpton Qiantan Shanghai hotel.

“Other five-star hotels can learn a lot from these,” Jackie explains. “From the room set-up, to how every little detail had been thought through. They had Dyson-style hairdryers and clothes steamers in rooms, excellent coffee machines, and everything was beautifully done.

“The Langham was my favourite – it has a beautiful lounge, a nice swimming pool and bar facilities and a gym. And each evening there was some form of live entertainment in the lounge area.”

A treat for foodies 

Recalling the culinary highlights of the trip, Jackie laughs. “We ate a huge amount! It was all authentic Chinese food from that particular area of the Shanghai region. So we enjoyed lots of really lovely fish, with fresh crab, razor clams, scallops and prawns, which was all really fabulous. And in restaurants we’d be served dish after dish. It was very different to the Chinese food we get at home, because it was all authentic local dishes, and there is such incredible variety.”

Exploring the Shanghai region

The seven-day itinerary included many of the region’s must-visit sites, and one of Jackie’s highlights was a walking tour of Zhujiajiao water town on the outskirts of Shanghai, where archaeological findings date back 5,000 years.

“It was so beautiful to walk through there,” Jackie explains. “There are so many authentic Chinese food places and little shops too. It’s a great place for foodies to visit as you can experience so many different types of food.”

She also enjoyed the Jinling Menghua Palace Banquet experience in the historic Laomendong area of Nanjing, watching opera and dance performances while wearing traditional dress. “It was a really lovely experience, and one I’d definitely recommend,” Jackie adds.

The group also visited the Confucius Temple Qinhuai Scenic Area to admire the the Qinhuai River, which is one of Nanjing’s top attractions, with quaint riverboats, footbridges and historic Chinese architecture flanking its banks. They learnt about the Wu Culture at the ancient Wuxi City, and visited Taihu Lake, which is one of China's five major freshwater lakes.

They also spent time at Shanghai Disney Resort, took in the highlights of Suzhou City, with its museum and elegant architecture, and enjoyed a night tour of Wangshi Garden with cultural heritage performances. 

Now is the time to visit 

In February, China's foreign ministry confirmed that UK nationals will be able to travel to China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business and VFR travel. The policy will initially run until the end of 2026, and Wendy Wu Tours attributes an increase in its bookings within eight weeks of departure to the new rules. 

Jackie encourages agents to use the policy to promote trips to China with Juneyao Air, explaining: “Previously, a client could never go to China at the last-minute, outside of six-to-eight weeks, because they would have to get the visa, which cost a few hundred pounds. But now people can book last minute trips, so now really is the time to get those trips booked in.”