The 7 Best French Concession Tours in Shanghai

1.Eat Like a Local Through Shanghai’s French Concession

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 353 reviews · from $75Our pick

Spend three and a half hours eating Shanghai classics across the French Concession, from soup dumplings and scallion noodles to pork belly and mango dessert. Your English-speaking guide, such as Max, Emma, Sam, Cloris, or Cora, leads a small group of up to 12 people through local sit-down eateries before a craft beer finish.

“Such a fun tour! You walk around 3 different restaurants in the French Concession eating different local dishes. Then finish with the most yummy mango dessert followed by local beer. Emma, our guide was so bubbly and chatted away about architecture, food, Shanghai life that it was like being out with a friend. Highly recommend the tour.”

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2.Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai’s French Concession

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 260 reviews · from $89

Meet your local guide at Huangpi Nan Road at 8:30 p.m. for a three-hour walk through Xintiandi, Zhaozhou Road, and People’s Square. Expect noodles, potstickers, dumplings, barbecue, vegetables, dessert, beer, and local history. Guides such as TJ, Jade, Helen, Serena, and Jamie have led this experience.

“The guide was very friendly. It was clear he put a lot of effort in planning this tour and choosing the restaurants.”

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3.Shanghai Breakfast Walking Tour of Former French Concession

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 139 reviews · from $77

Meet your guide at 9am near Xintiandi for a filling walk through Shanghai’s Former French Concession. You’ll try pot stickers, noodles, tea, curry beef soup, and other local favorites at small neighborhood eateries. Guides including Jim, Jade, Jian, and Yu add food and city history. The group is limited to 15 people.

“I did the Shanghai food tour with Jim and it was awesome. He’s super friendly and knows a ton about the city’s history. The quick museum stop in the French Concession was a cool surprise, and every restaurant he took us to was a hidden gem with amazing food. Highly recommend this tour if you want to see the real Shanghai.”

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4.Private Walking Tour in the Former French Concession

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 67 reviews · from $95

Spend three to three and a half hours walking Shanghai’s Former French Concession with an English-speaking guide. See Art Deco buildings, hidden residential lanes, Fuxing Park, St. Nicholas Church, and the former home of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen. Morning and afternoon departures are available, with hotel pickup and entrance fees included. Guides such as Penny, Maggie, Kelly, and Lily are praised for lively historical storytelling.

“Kelly was our first contact regarding the tour. She was very patient, quickly responding to my queries and helped with my booking. Lily, our tour guide, was incredibly knowledgable about the history of Shanghai and the area we visited. The tour was well paced and provided a lot of interesting stories and information but not overwhelming as we walked past important historical landmarks. Highly recommended.”

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5.Private Yu Garden, The Bund, French Concession, Pudong Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · from $120

Spend about four hours seeing Shanghai’s essential sights with a private guide such as Tom, Vicky, Alice, or Jaime. Visit Yu Garden and Old Shanghai, sample loose-leaf tea in a local tea house, walk the Bund and French Concession, and view Pudong’s skyscrapers. Hotel and cruise-port pickup are available.

“My guide Tom Zhang proved to be an excellent guide. With fluent English and a great knowledge it was a most enjoyable trip.”

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6.French Concession Walking Tour with Real Local

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $34Best value

Join local Shanghainese guide Bill for a 2.5-hour walk through Shanghai’s French Concession. You’ll see tree-lined avenues, old neighborhoods, the Former French Club, Jinjiang Hotel, Communist history sites, Sinan Mansions, and Xintiandi. Expect thoughtful history, local stories, and practical city tips.

“Really interesting and fun! Bill is local and has a great sense of humour - it’s great hearing about Shanghai from him. The content and places are engaging and Bill was happy and open to questions from everyone!”

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7.Evening Food & Drink Tour in Former French Concession

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $121

Meet Angela outside Exit 1 at Dapuqiao Station for a 3.5-hour walk through Shanghai’s Former French Concession. You’ll eat local favorites, visit small neighborhood bars, and enjoy one drink at each stop. With a maximum of four people, the evening feels personal and easy to tailor to your pace.

“Despite cold and wet weather our guide Angela made us discover very intimate local places where we spent a wonderful time together as she is very knowledgeable on food, history and many other topics. We highly recommend this tour with Angela”

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