China · TOURS IN SHANGHAI

The 15 Best Shanghai Tours & Day Trips

119 tours  ·  from $9 a head

Shanghai rewards an evening and a good guide more than an early start. These 15 cover the Bund and the French Concession on foot, the river after dark, the food lanes, and the canal towns an hour upriver.

Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai - Meeting at Huangpi Nan Road and entering Xintiandi
Chinese Food Tours, Food, Food & Drink, Food Tours in Shanghai, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Shanghai

Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai

1.Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,382 reviews · from $79Our pick

Join Shanghai Foodie for a three-hour walking tour through Xintiandi, the Former French Concession, and People's Square. Guides such as Jade, Kurt, TJ, Jim, and Wang Jian lead small groups to local restaurants for soup dumplings, noodles, pork, duck, tea, and dessert. Morning, lunch, evening, and late-night departures are available.

“Great food and a behind-the-scenes look at the food that the city is known for. Plenty of good samplings from Friendly local vendors. Jim, our guide, was very attentive.”

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Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Private Day Tour - The Bund puts Shanghai’s past and present together
Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Shanghai, Water Town Tours, Water Town Tours in Shanghai

Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Private Day Tour

2.Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Private Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,016 reviews · from $246

Spend about eight hours with a private guide and driver, combining Zhujiajiao’s canals and local lunch with Shanghai’s Yuyuan Garden, Bund, and Shanghai Tower. Guides such as Snow, Caroline, Xin, and Jane are praised for clear English, local food advice, photos, and flexible pacing. Hotel pickup, admission, lunch, and private transport are included.

“Really good tour! Our guide, Snow, was excellent! She was knowledgeable, patient and accommodated our interests. We had a very good Shanghainese lunch. The whole day was really awesome!”

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Private Shanghai Full Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights - The French Concession and its local park
City Highlights Tours, City Highlights Tours in Shanghai, Full-Day, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Shanghai

Private Shanghai Full Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights

3.Private Shanghai Full Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 995 reviews · from $115

Spend 7 to 8 hours seeing Shanghai’s strongest contrasts, from Yu Garden and the Old Town bazaar to the Bund and Pudong skyscrapers. Your private guide can reshape the day around your interests, help order lunch, and explain local customs. Choose a guide-only, car, or all-inclusive package, with guides such as Annie, Sammy, and Fei Fei often praised for warm, clear English.

“My day with Sammy was just awesome! We really had a great time and Sammy showed me a lot of beautiful sights in Shanghai. I enjoyed it very much. I learned a lot about the City and its history.”

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Shanghai: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket and Optional Attractions - The blue route crosses into Pudong
Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours in Shanghai

Shanghai: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket and Optional Attractions

4.Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket and Optional Attractions

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 692 reviews · 1 day · from $12Best value

Use a 24 or 48-hour double-decker bus pass to cover Shanghai’s red, blue, and green sightseeing routes. Hear commentary in eight languages, hop off near the Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Jing’an Temple, and Pudong towers, and add selected attraction tickets such as the Huangpu River Cruise, Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai Tower, or Bund tunnel.

“Red Line trip was amazing. Green & Blue line buses frequency is less. Itz better if u have an App to track the buses.”

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Shanghai Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town and Boat Ride - The private ride from Shanghai
Cruises & Boat Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Shanghai, Water Town Tours, Water Town Tours in Shanghai

Shanghai Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town and Boat Ride

5.Shanghai Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town and Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 661 reviews · from $148

Leave Shanghai by private air-conditioned vehicle for Zhujiajiao, a 1,700-year-old water town. Your guide, often Kalvin, Snow, Caroline, or Xin, leads you through old streets, markets, gardens, historic bridges, and canals before returning you to your hotel. Choose a morning or afternoon departure, and add lunch or early dinner.

“Snow provided a comprehensive tour of Zhujiajiao. She was punctual and accommodating and friendly to my family. Appreciative!”

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Eat Like A Local: Shanghai Night Food Tour - The restaurants are the real attraction
Chinese Food Tours, Evening Experiences, Food, Food & Drink, Food Tours in Shanghai, Local Life & Hidden Corners, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Shanghai

Eat Like A Local: Shanghai Night Food Tour

6.Eat Like A Local: Shanghai Night Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 616 reviews · from $90

Meet your guide at 6 pm for a three-hour food walk through Changning and Jing’an. Visit family-run restaurants, sample dishes from across China, taste beer, yellow wine, and spirits, and finish near Jiangsu Road with xiaolongbao tips and restaurant recommendations. Groups are capped at 12.

“Li was a fabulous guide! The places we went to eat were all delicious! Lil’s knowledge of the food and history was excellent. A definite must do tour when in Shanghai!”

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Huangpu Night Cruise: Cozy Vibe & Modern Shanghai Glow - Choosing the right departure time
Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Huangpu River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in Shanghai

Huangpu Night Cruise: Cozy Vibe & Modern Shanghai Glow

7.Huangpu Night Cruise: Cozy Vibe & Modern Shanghai Glow

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 520 reviews · 1 day · from $21

Cruise the Huangpu River for about 45 minutes, with the historic Bund on one side and Lujiazui’s towers on the other. Choose a daytime or evening departure, then collect your paper ticket at the pier with your passport and 8-digit code. Indoor, semi-open, and open-air areas are available, though the best seats may cost extra.

“It was a beautiful journey down the river to see the sights of the river. I recommend paying the additional 100CNY on board to get seating and a better view.”

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Shanghai: Zhujiajiao Private Tour w/ Boat Ride & Garden - The drive from Shanghai takes about an hour
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Shanghai: Zhujiajiao Private Tour w/ Boat Ride & Garden

8.Zhujiajiao Private Tour w/ Boat Ride & Garden

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 460 reviews · 5 hours · from $139

Travel from Shanghai by private car to Zhujiajiao, a thousand-year-old water town. Walk across its historic bridge, browse stone-paved markets, visit Qing-era Kezhi Garden, and ride a private boat through the canals. Guides such as Michael, Cassie, Robert, Lea, Annie, and Sunny are praised for clear English, local insight, patience, and help with food, photos, and translation.

“Everything was tremendous and cannot fault a thing. Michael our guide was brilliant and so knowledgeable. The pick up and transportation was also tremendous and so much better than expected. Well done all and thank you for a great experience.”

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Suzhou and Zhouzhuang Water Village Day Trip from Shanghai - The Master-of-Nets Garden in about one hour
1-Day Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Shanghai

Suzhou and Zhouzhuang Water Village Day Trip from Shanghai

9.Suzhou and Zhouzhuang Water Village Day Trip from Shanghai

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 426 reviews · from $135

Travel from Shanghai to Suzhou and Zhouzhuang with an English-speaking guide such as Tom, Elena, Frank, or Aleena. Visit the Master-of-Nets Garden, Panmen Gate, a silk museum, and Zhouzhuang’s canals. The $135 shared tour includes transport, lunch, entrance fees, a gondola ride, and city-center hotel transfers.

“It was great to get away from the glass and steel towers of Shanghai and see the real beauty of Chinese gardens. The highlight was the water village, despite being busy it still felt peaceful and unspoiled.”

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Shanghai Tower: Observation Deck Admission Ticket - The 118th and 119th floors
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Shanghai Tower: Observation Deck Admission Ticket

10.Shanghai Tower: Observation Deck Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 373 reviews · 1 day · from $47

Visit Shanghai Tower’s Top of Shanghai observation deck on floors 118 and 119, with optional access to floors 125 and 126 and the musical light show. PANDA144 handles the booking, but you must send your passport name and number in advance. Choose daylight for river views or evening for glowing city lights.

“We went in the evening and had amazing views of the city lights at night time.”

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Suzhou Private Day Trip from Shanghai with Bullet Train Option - Starting from your Shanghai hotel
1-Day Tours, Bullet Train Day Trips, Bullet Train Day Trips in Shanghai, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours in Shanghai, Train Experiences

Suzhou Private Day Trip from Shanghai with Bullet Train Option

11.Suzhou Private Day Trip from Shanghai with Bullet Train Option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 366 reviews · from $193

Travel from Shanghai to Suzhou with a private guide such as Annie, Roy, Melinda, or Sammi. Choose a private car, bullet train, or both, then see Humble Administrator’s Garden, Pingjiang Road, Tiger Hill, and Shantang Street. Add lunch, garden admission, and a canal boat for a more complete day.

“We have a great guide, Annie. She is knowledgeable. We learnt a lot from her, especially the meaning behind the beautiful Chinese language and China history.”

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Eat Like a Local Through Shanghai's French Concession - Soup dumplings at Huijin Shopping Mall
Food, French Concession Tours, Local Life & Hidden Corners, Tour Reviews, Tours in Shanghai

Eat Like a Local Through Shanghai’s French Concession

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

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

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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Private Full-Day Tour: Incredible Shanghai Highlights - Starting high in Pudong
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Private Full-Day Tour: Incredible Shanghai Highlights

13.Private Full-Day Tour: Incredible Shanghai Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 352 reviews · from $109

Spend about eight hours with a private guide exploring Shanghai’s old streets and modern towers. Choose Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl, or World Financial Center, then visit the Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Confucius Temple, Yuyuan bazaar, and Former French Concession. Guides such as Peggy, Apple, Troy, and Nora are available by request, subject to availability.

“It was an amazing experience. Service was excellent. Peggy is an amazing guide. Well spoken, friendly and very approachable. Made us feel like family. Looked after our dietary and prayer times. Well mannered and highly recommended. Thank you for an amazing experience. Jaz from Syd Australia.”

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Best of Shanghai Day Tour, including Jade Buddha Temple & Bund & Yuyuan Garden - Jade Buddha Temple and the quieter side of Shanghai
Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Shanghai, Yu Garden & the Bund Tours

Best of Shanghai Day Tour, including Jade Buddha Temple & Bund & Yuyuan Garden

14.Best of Shanghai Day Tour, including Jade Buddha Temple & Bund & Yuyuan Garden

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 338 reviews · from $79

This eight-hour Shanghai tour covers the Shanghai Museum, People’s Square, Jade Buddha Temple, the Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Yuyuan Old Street, the former French Concession, and Xintiandi. Your English-speaking guide, often Tom, Elena, or Michael, provides local context while a vehicle handles the city’s busy streets. Lunch, entrance fees, and central hotel transfers are included.

“This was a very good day tour to get familiar with the major tourist sights of Shanghai. Our guide, Tom, was very organized and knowledgeable and I would be remiss if I did not compliment our driver as well (the traffic is crazy).”

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From Shanghai: Private Zhujiajiao Tour with Boat Ride - The private car ride from central Shanghai
Cruises & Boat Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Shanghai, Water Town Tours, Water Town Tours in Shanghai

From Shanghai: Private Zhujiajiao Tour with Boat Ride

15.Private Zhujiajiao Tour with Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 334 reviews · 5 hours · from $171

Travel from your central Shanghai hotel to Zhujiajiao in a private air-conditioned vehicle, then walk old lanes, visit bridges and gardens, sample local food, and take a canal boat. English-speaking guides such as Snow, Kalvin, Caroline, and Jenny explain the town’s past and daily life. Lunch is included with selected options.

“Our guide Snow was excellent. She was very knowledgeable, friendly and exceptionally helpful and patient as my husband required some additional assistance. I can highly recommend her.”

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New in Tours in Shanghai

★ 5.0Immerse in Suzhou & Tongli: Private Day TripFrom $26010 reviews
★ 5.0Wuzhen Private Full-Day Tour from ShanghaiFrom $2084 reviews
★ 4.5Half-Day Zhujiajiao Water Town Wonders Small Group TourFrom $12010 reviews
★ 4.7Half-Day Zhujiajiao Water Town Wonders Private TourFrom $19014 reviews
★ 4.5Hangzhou Private Day Trip by Bullet Train from ShanghaiFrom $3085 reviews
★ 4.6Hangzhou Private Day Trip by Bullet TrainFrom $30015 reviews
★ 5.0French Concession Walking Tour with Real LocalFrom $3440 reviews
★ 5.0Flexible Layover Tour: Experience Shanghai on Your ScheduleFrom $18227 reviews
★ 5.0Explore Shanghai’s Old Town & Suzhou River by BikeFrom $593 reviews
★ 5.0Evening Food & Drink Tour in Former French ConcessionFrom $1213 reviews
★ 5.08-Hour Guided Tour of Old and New City HighlightsFrom $15513 reviews
★ 5.0Discover Suzhou & Zhouzhuang: Private Day TripFrom $26012 reviews
★ 5.0Delve into Wuzhen Water Town: Private Tour from ShanghaiFrom $2646 reviews
★ 5.0All Inclusive Shanghai City Tour : Old and New HighlightsFrom $22344 reviews
★ 5.0Amazing Shanghai Night Lights:River Cruise &Private TransferFrom $1268 reviews

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