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Things to do in Shanghai

Our most recommended things to do in Shanghai

Shanghai: 8-Hour Private City Tour

1. Shanghai: 8-Hour Private City Tour

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. Drive to Pudong Business and Financial Center where all of the main skyscrapers are located. See the tallest building, Shanghai Tower, as well as the Bottle Opener and Jinmao Tower before being transferred back to your hotel or chosen downtown location.

Shanghai: Yu Garden and City God Temple Private Walking Tour

2. 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: 3-Hour Local Food Tasting Tour

3. Shanghai: 3-Hour Local Food Tasting Tour

Explore the local restaurant scene of Shanghai on a 3-hour food tasting tour of the city center. Start in the Xintiandi area to taste one of the best dumpling soups in the city. Then, go to the Huaihai Road to sit down at 3 different restaurants and a dessert shop. Marvel at the change in architecture as you move from the French Concession to the shikumen-style buildings that combine western and Chinese elements. Sample authentic dishes such as parched chicken, red-braised pork, scallion oil noodles, candied lotus rice and moon cakes. Try a cup of Longjing green tea or Fujian black tea and get a local insight into life in Shanghai.

Shanghai: Guided Bicycle Tour

4. Shanghai: Guided Bicycle Tour

Pedal your way to a new perspective in Shanghai. Explore the Shikumen architectural style that blends design characteristics of eastern and western cultures reflecting — the history of this great Chinese metropolis. Ride through Shanghai's narrow alleyways surrounded by stone houses and buildings on both sides, and catch a glimpse of the unique local lifestyle. Cycle along the picturesque Lu Xun Park and continue towards Yu Garden, an extensive Chinese garden located beside the City God Temple. Make stops at bustling street food stalls and antique stores along your journey, and listen to fascinating stories behind the building and sites you pass from your local guide.

Shanghai: Private and Personalized Guided Tour

5. 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 Seven Treasure Town & Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour

6. Shanghai Seven Treasure Town & Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour

In the morning at 8:30 AM, our driver, and guide will pick you up at your Shanghai downtown hotel. The guide will contact you to reconfirm the pickup time again one day ahead of your travel date. Drive to Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, a water town with a history that can be traced back to the Three Kingdoms Period and best known for its bridges, old streets, and gardens built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. See the Fangsheng Bridge, Baoguo Temple, Town God's Temple, and Zhuxi Garden. Enjoy the option to take a boat ride along the river and appreciate the special view of this old water town. After lunch, head to Seven Treasure Town, located in the Shanghai suburbs. Built in Ming and Qing dynasties, this old town had been a local famous market place for trading goods like cloth, yarn, and vegetables. Learn about the town's rich commercial history and experience the cultural atmosphere. Transfer back to your downtown Shanghai hotel at around 5 PM.

Shanghai: Full Day Classic Bike Tour With an Authentic Lunch

7. Shanghai: Full Day Classic Bike Tour With an Authentic Lunch

Explore the diversity of culture, history, customs, and local lifestyle in Shanghai on this fantastic, one-of-a-kind full-day biking and food tasting adventure. You will appreciate, understand and enjoy Shanghai in a different way after this revealing experience. Your expert guide will lead you along the diverse heritage buildings in the Former French Concession area, then through a Shikumen of Nongtang communities before stopping to refuel with an authentic local lunch. Visit one of the most popular history blocks, an art gallery, Tianzifang, a local and western blended lifestyle hub with a bar, an outdoor cafe, boutique shops, a studio, and antique shops.  Then discover the pedestrian lanes of the Xintiandi area, well-known for its fashion. Ride past the colonial architecture of the Bund, and pedal to Shanghai Old Street, the People's Square, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Grand Theater and Nanjing Road. During the tour, your guide will share informative commentary and interesting stories.

Shanghai: Private Tour of the Shanghai Museum

8. 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.

China (with VPN), Hong Kong and Macau: eSIM Data Plan

9. China (with VPN), Hong Kong and Macau: eSIM Data Plan

Enjoy a high-speed data pack to stay connected with your friends and family on WhatsApp and seamlessly check up on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter throughout your trip to China. Access all these Apps and websites without being restricted by the Chinese firewall or using a VPN, providing you with connectivity if you are going to China, Hong Kong, or Macau. This data plan comes with an eSIM and you don’t have to switch SIM Cards between your devices anymore. Simply scan the eSIM profile then follow the simple steps of installation and you can get connected to the Internet once you arrive. The eSIM data service is only supported on eSIM enabled devices. Please check if your devices have eSIM functions before you place the orders. All iPhone model launched beyond iPhone XS can support eSIM. For Android, if you are unsure, please check with the guideline photo for eligibility. If you can not connect to the internet after install this eSIM, please follow the Self Help Troubleshooting Guide in your GYG voucher. APN (Access Point Name): ctm-mobile Local operator info: China - China Unicom Hong Kong: csl Macau: CTM

Shanghai: Xintiandi, CCP Museum and French Concession Tour

10. 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.

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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

4.5 / 5

based on 918 reviews

What a great afternoon experience with my guide! Given the covid influence, I wasn't sure whether tours still exist or not. It turned out to be one of my favorite day since moved to this city last year. A perfect balance between tea& dessert and walking through old concession neigbourhood. Different from my western taste, it surprised me a lot about locals' flavor. Highly recommend if you're into culture, food and local life.

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!)

The food tour was an absolute hit! We were taken across the city and got to know local restaurants with great food! Our guide Ming planned the tour optimally and tailored it perfectly to us, thank you very much...! we would book it again in a heartbeat! Value for money is excellent!

Tom was an amazing guide and he incredibly informative!