Best Tours and Day Trips in Shanghai

Get to know the essence of avant-garde China in Shanghai through its highlights tours. Enjoy the best things to do in Shanghai, such as the serenity of the Tea Ceremony or the delight to the senses of Xintiandi's gastronomic offerings. These tours will not only enrich your itinerary, but also facilitate the flow of your itinerary, which is essential, especially when language barriers persist.

In this article, you will find detailed information on prices, duration, as well as advantages and disadvantages of the best tours available. With this information, you will be able to plan a truly enjoyable Shanghai holiday, choosing the itinerary that best suits your preferences.

In this type of tour designed for small groups, you are immersed in an experience that feels familiar, in the style of an afternoon tea with friends. Discover the history of tea in China and its westward expansion in the 19th century. This is a half-day adventure of flavours and culture in the pearl of Asia.

With your guide, you'll taste tea varieties such as yellow, pu-erh, oolong, jasmine, green and black tea from Fujian in the birthplace of tea, and sample some of the traditional sweets such as mooncakes and Cantonese desserts.

You'll learn about cup sizes and water temperatures specific to each variety, while strolling along Huaihai Road or Xintiandi, where the best afternoon tea experiences in Shanghai take place.

Interesting details

• Price: from €71 per person.
• Duration: 3-4 hours.
• What you should know: this type of tour is family-friendly and suitable for all ages. This experience can also be combined with tai chi exercises.
• What the tour may include: participation in the tea ceremony. Professional guide service. Tasting of traditional desserts among pastry shops and restaurants.
• Pros: To enjoy the experience, these tours are offered in small groups.
• Cons: Transport service is usually not included.

Embark on an exciting culinary adventure in Shanghai, where the eclectic Asian food scene is waiting to win you over. Often lasting half a day, this type of tour takes you to delight your palate with more than a dozen traditional dishes ranging from noodles to a delicate selection of desserts in one of the world's finest food cities.

Savour dumpling soups in Xintiandi and explore the diversity of terraces and pastry shops on Huaihai Street. Marvel at the architectural fusion of the French Concession and shikumen buildings, while sampling authentic local cuisine among dishes such as red-hot pork, Tangyuan, glutinous rice dumplings, scallion oil noodles, Chinese dumplings, lotus rice confit and moon cakes.

All while cleansing your palate at each stop with a cup of Longjing green tea or Fujian black tea. Schedule in the morning, afternoon or evening, at any time there is an option to enjoy this culinary experience. Discover the authenticity of Shanghai through its food scene - get ready for a culinary journey that will stimulate all your senses!

Interesting details

• Price: from €69 per person.
• Duration: 3-4 hours.
• What you should know: the variety of dishes offered throughout the tour is enough to cover a full breakfast, lunch or dinner. This type of experience is also available by bike.
• What the tour may include: Gastronomic expert service. Variety of tastings with more than a dozen sweet and savoury dishes. Drinks. Craft beer.
• Pros: groups tend to be small, ideal for sharing with family or friends.
• Cons: Transport service is not included.

Visit the Tilanqiao Quarter, where China took in more than 20,000 Jews during World War II. This area around Huoshan Park was transformed into Shanghai's Jewish Quarter, better known as Shanghai' s Jewish ghetto. Here you will discover the city from a different perspective.

You will visit highlights such as the Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum, located on the grounds of the former Ohel Moishe Synagogue. Here you will see various documents, photographs, films and personal items documenting the lives of some of the survivors of the war.

On the other hand, this type of tour is usually organised as half-day private tours, and although it features fixed points of interest such as a visit to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, the evocative Huoshan Park with its memorial, and the Sacred Sihai Temple or 'temple of the fish man', it is also flexible and can be adjusted to suit groups.

Details of interest

• Price: from €121 per person.
• Duration: 2-4 hours.
• What you need to know: this is a walking tour of the Jewish Ghetto.
• What the tour may include: professional guide service. Entrance to all mentioned sites.
• Pros: the tour offers an immersion into the Jewish culture that survived in the infinite Asian giant.
• Cons: This tour does not usually include shuttle service.

Get ready for a day full of history, culture and breathtaking views as you explore China's largest city. A regular itinerary usually starts at the enchanting Yu Yuan Garden, translated as the 'Garden of Happiness'.

This oasis has its origins in 1559, and as well as serving as a space for relaxation, features an exquisite exhibition of paintings, calligraphy and sculptures. The route continues through ancient streets to a Chinese tea house for a tea ceremony. This is the traditional essence of Shanghai and you will be surrounded by the cha chong, or tea mascots.

With your senses awakened, move on to the bustling People's Square, where the City Hall and its majestic buildings await. By lunchtime, it's usually close to Tianzifang and Xintiandi, the French Concession filled with bohemian cafes and restaurants that place it among the world's renowned gastronomic epicentres. This is the perfect place for lunch.

The afternoon is devoted to the Pudong Business and Financial Centre, home to the capital's finest skyscrapers. From the Shanghai Tower to the Jinmao Tower, you will be immersed in a futuristic cityscape. Finally, a 19th century architectural treasure that will leave you speechless: the Temple of the Jade Buddha.

Interesting details

• Price: from 180 € per person.
• Duration: from 4 hours onwards.
• What you should know: this tour is offered in different modalities. You can choose between 4, 6 and 8 hours. It is also possible to follow the itinerary of the guides or indicate your points of interest before the tour. These are very flexible experiences!
• What the tour may include: transport service to and from the accommodation. Lunch. Dinner.
• Pros: Shanghai being a city of contrasts, with centuries of history, sights are the order of the day. With this type of sightseeing tour you can visit the renowned sites by following the regular route, or get closer to those that particularly catch your eye by choosing flexible tours.
• Cons: Entrance fees to the sights are often not included.

Are you short on time in the city and want to see the iconic sights along with the best show in one night? When you buy your tickets for the acrobatic show you can combine the activities. It's a complete plan with the best of Chinese culture in the country's largest city.

Learn about the history of Shanghai as a guide takes you to Xin Tian Di. Stroll through the French Concession, where the old French court comes alive with clubs, restaurants and boutiques. Marvel around the Bund waterfront promenade. Discover the heart of the city at People's Square, home to Shanghai City Hall. And to top off the experience, attend the amazing Shanghai Circus World show - a unique adventure that combines history, technology, acrobatics and full entertainment!

Interesting details

• Price: from €46 per person.
• Duration: from 2-4 hours.
• What you should know: this type of tour is usually fully guided so you won't waste any time, in fact, it's quite common to take it during flights with a stopover in Shanghai due to the convenience it offers.
• What the tour may include: Shuttle service to and from your accommodation. Tickets to the stunt show. Professional guide service.
• Pros: Ideal night tour for a quick glimpse of Shanghai.
• Cons: Meals and drinks are usually not included.

This tour takes you on a stroll through the most booming entertainment areas in recent years. On the one hand, you stroll through Xintiandi and after seeing the buildings of shikumen architecture, you take part in one of Shanghai's boat cruises along the Huangpu River and then end up on the Bund.

Visit the Xintiandi and its stone-fronted houses that blend Eastern and Western styles. The place is famous among other things for being the former headquarters of the Chinese Communist Party and for being the favourite place to taste the authentic Xiao long bao, the Chinese dumpling soup. History around every corner!

Then it's time for a cruise on the Huangpu River. As you cruise along, you will be able to see many of the buildings of the European colonial area.

This "Wall Street of the East" is home to one of the 10 tallest buildings in the world, the Shanghai World Financial Center, the view from the boat is simply spectacular. You will also see the Jin Mao Tower in Pudong, the former Customs House and the Bank of Hong Kong and Shanghai, all illuminated, creating a landscape that exudes elegance and modernity.

Details of interest

• Price: from €50 per person.
• Duration: from 2-3 hours.
• What you should know: this tour usually takes place at night to appreciate the illuminated buildings while listening to the guides' commentary. Often this type of tour ends at Bund, where the terraces, bars and restaurants offer a vibrant atmosphere.
• What the tour may include: Shuttle service from the hotel. Huangpu River cruise. Professional guide service.
• Pros: It's a perfect tour for a quick glimpse of Shanghai in its modern area, plus the plan is perfect for enjoying a few drinks to end the day.
• Cons: Entrance fees to sites of interest are not usually included.

Immerse yourself in the delicious maelstrom of flavours with Shanghai's street food tour. The city's bustling food scene comes alive as you explore the streets - either on foot or by bike - and sample over a dozen local snacks and dishes from egg pancakes, dumplings and dumplings to steaming soup, following a typical itinerary.

This tour combines the history and culture of Shanghai and often spans from downtown to the French Concession, Xintiandi, Taikang Road, the Old Town and The Bund, giving you a quick but comprehensive look at Shanghai's highlights.

From Xintiandi to the vibrant markets of Old Town, along the way you'll sample authentic local food as the locals do as you sample a variety of dishes, including Forbes' five recommended street foods on this exciting half-day tour - get ready for a culinary immersion that will leave your taste buds craving more!

Details of interest

• Price: from €65 per person.
• Duration: from 3-4 hours.
• What you need to know: if you choose the cycling option, you'll be reassured to know that the route is suitable for both experienced and novice cyclists.
• What the tour may include: professional guide service. Bottled water. Choice of more than a dozen snacks and desserts. Bike and helmet rental (if this option is chosen).
• Pros: this tour is often organised with small groups. It is flexible, you can choose between a walking or cycling tour. Offers a quick tour through the heart of the city.
• Cons: Transport to the hotel is not usually included.

This tour takes you around Xintiandi, the Old City and the French Concession through its most precious liquors: craft beer and rice liquor in one of the 15 best brewing cities in the world. There will be at least 3 breweries. By the end you will have enjoyed at least 6-8 glasses of this beverage.

With your local guide, start the evening at one of the area's outstanding gastropubs such as the Brewer, where you will taste local beers ranging from wheat to stout. Next, explore the Old City, where you stop by to sample the famous dumplings at a traditional restaurant. Later, try rice wine at a traditional liquor store.

Afterwards, try the multi-award winning Boxing Cat Brewery, pilsners, lagers, stouts or Sucker Punch's award-winning dry hopped pale ale. Finally, visit the breweries around Fuxing Park, the atmosphere is lively and the beers are excellent. It will be a night of flavours and discoveries in vibrant Shanghai.

Details of interest

• Price: from €75 per person.
• Duration: 3-4 hours.
• What you need to know: this type of experience combines a sightseeing tour of the Xintiandi area with beer and other local spirits tasting at the French Concession. The breweries chosen vary according to the tour operator.
• What the tour may include: Approximately 6-8 glasses of beer. Artisanal rice wine tasting. Soft drinks. Shuttle service to and from accommodation. Snacks. Professional guide service.
• Pros: allows you to get to know the local liquor culture with an expert. The atmosphere is usually festive.
• Cons: This is an 18+ only tour.

• Language: Most tours and excursions are offered in Chinese or English only. Before booking a tour, be sure to check the language.
• Transport: it's common to find tours that don't include transfers, but don't worry, public transport in Shanghai is efficient. Shanghai's metro is easy to use and connects the main points of interest. Also consider ride-sharing options for shorter distances such as DiDi Taxi which is considered the Chinese Uber.
• The strong flavours: Chinese cuisine is delicious, however, while spicy touches and insects are common elements in the vibrant street food scene, go for it for an authentic experience! Just be mindful of your stomach, especially if you are sensitive to these ingredients.