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Shanghai Culture & history

Our most recommended Shanghai Culture & history

Shanghai: Yu Garden and City God Temple Private Walking Tour

1. Shanghai: Yu Garden and City God Temple Private Walking Tour

Get an insider's perspective of the changing scene of Shanghai on a 3-hour guided walking tour that discovers old city sights as well as delicious street food. The tour begins with a visit to Yuyuan Garden, one of the finest private gardens in China, known for its classic landscape architecture. Wander down lively streets filled with local residents, sometimes still dressed in their pajamas. See tiny family-owned shops where you can rummage for bargain items. Then you'll visit the City God Temple, where local residents go to pray for good fortune and peace. The popularity of the temple led to many businesses being set up in the area, turning the surrounding streets into a busy traditional marketplace. Your guide can also take you on a stroll along the Yu Garden Old Street and to learn about the porcelain art, wooden crafts, and jewelry crafts in the bazaar. If you want to buy some souvenirs, feel free to ask your guide to bargain the best price for you.  Take the optional snack option so you will have a chance to try some Shanghai street food. Taste the famous Soup Dumplings (Xiaolongbao) and learn from the local guide about the flavor and consistency of the broth, the quality of the meat filling, and the texture of the dumplings' skin.

Shanghai: Private and Personalized Guided Tour

2. Shanghai: Private and Personalized Guided Tour

Book a private tour for 4 or 8 hours and inform the local partner of your preferences so that you can be assigned a like-minded guide to take you around the city. With complete flexibility, follow this itinerary or create your own for a unique Shanghai experience. After meeting your guide at your downtown location, start this 8-hour private tour at the Yu Yuan Garden. Explore the Shanghai Old Street before taking a break in an ancient Chinese tea house. Following tea, head to the People Square to see the City Hall and its surrounding buildings. Stroll along the Xintiandi in the charming former French Concession before enjoying lunch on your own. In the afternoon, marvel at the sacred 19th-century Jade Buddha Temple. Then, head to Bund, which is Shanghai's picturesque waterfront. Admire its soaring skyline and views of the Huangpu River. The last stop is the Pudong Business and Financial Center where all of the main skyscrapers are located. See the tallest building, Shanghai Tower, as well as the Shanghai World Finacial Center, and Jinmao Tower before being helped transfer back to your hotel or chosen downtown location.

Shanghai: Private Tour of the Shanghai Museum

3. Shanghai: Private Tour of the Shanghai Museum

Explore one of the best museums in Shanghai on a 3-hour guided tour of the Shanghai Museum. Learn about the ancient stories of Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans while taking in the stunning atmosphere.  Meet your guide and enter the museum before exploring the long history of China with thousands of masterpieces of ancient Chinese artworks. Some were even made 3000 years ago.  Witness the creativeness of the ancient Chinese and find all different shapes of wine cups here, whether shaped like a dog or a human being.  See the ceramics, calligraphy, bronze objects, and many other elements together with your guide. Whether you are an archaeology and history fan, or not, you can have a lot of fun on this tour.

Shanghai: Xintiandi, CCP Museum and French Concession Tour

4. Shanghai: Xintiandi, CCP Museum and French Concession Tour

After meeting your guide at the meeting point or being picked up from your hotel, start this private tour that explores the most important sites in Shanghai. The first stop will be Tianzifang, a cozy neighborhood housing some of Shanghai's most interesting and creative businesses. Your guide will then walk you to the Former French Concession, also known as the FFC, and bring you to the Shanghai Associated House Common Pleas. Listen to the interesting stories about how the UK, US and France ran their courts in Shanghai. Next, head to the Sinan Mansions, an area where only Western villas were allowed to be built. Visit the former residence of general Zhou Enlai, housed in a beautiful French-style building, which was also used as the Shanghai Office of the Delegates of the Communist Party of China. Then marvel at Dr Sun Yat-Sen’s former residence, where most of the elements remain untouched. Learn about how he influenced the revolution in China and how he is still one of the most renowned figures in Chinese society.  Finally, visit the Xintiandi, where the CCP was formed. Visit the site of the first National Congress of the CCP to learn how they came into power in China. Your tour will conclude here. You can get advice from your local guide about eateries or bars in the surrounding area.

Shanghai: 4-Hour Nightlife Adventure & Tasting Bike Tour

5. Shanghai: 4-Hour Nightlife Adventure & Tasting Bike Tour

When the night falls, Shanghai is even dreamier with all the lights intertwining with the moon and the stars. The spectacular skyline in Pudong is well worth a look, with the Shanghai World Financial Center, the Shanghai Tower sitting in the clouds, the spaceship-like pink Oriental Pearl Tower and the video projections on the Aurora Plaza. Meanwhile, on the other side of the Huangpu River, you can view a lot of antique and graceful buildings along the Bund. See pointed Gothic roofs, arches from ancient Greece, Baroque columns, and Spanish balconies, displaying the rich flavor of foreign lands, so unique and majestic. During the tour, you also have a chance to visit the world's most famous jazz bar. From there, cycle to one of the biggest night flea-markets. Then head to Xintiandi and discover its colorful nightlife, wine, cuisines and bands intermingled with western and eastern flavors. You will also bike to a well-known street selling barbecue food. Here you have a chance to taste traditional street food and snacks. Finally, head back to the starting point. 

Frequently asked questions about Shanghai

What top attractions are a must-see in Shanghai?

What are the best day trips and excursions from Shanghai?

The best day trips and excursions from Shanghai are:

Zhujiajiao

What are the most popular museums and exhibitions in Shanghai?

Other Sightseeing Options in Shanghai

Want to discover all there is to do in Shanghai? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Shanghai

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 272 reviews

I had one of the best sightseeing tours. I left all the planning to Tom and he came up trumps. During these Covid times he had planned ahead to ensure we could enter all the attractions I wanted to see. He was knowledgeable, relaxed and easy to talk to. I look forward to my next trip to Shanghai when I will book Tom again. I will also recommend him to friends and colleagues who visit Shanghai too.

Tom was an amazing tour guide who was flexible and wonderfully knowledgeable. He communicates so well both before and during the tour I learned so much from him about the local history and even the plans for the city in the future. Would definitely recommend you book his tour! (I travel extensively and he is one of the best most knowledgeable guides I’ve ever had!)

Tom was an amazing guide and he incredibly informative!