Shanghai has witnessed the most striking development of the country in the past seven decades. In this bustling international city, East meets West, tradition and modernity coexist in every corner.
For most first-time visitors, 2–4 days is an ideal amount of time to explore the historic Bund and futuristic Lujiazui on opposite sides of the Huangpu River, bustling Nanjing Road, historic Shikumen neighborhoods, Yuyuan Garden, and the nearby Zhujiajiao Water Town.
If you travel with kids, China Xian Tour can also arrange the theme parks and some new experiences like VR and XR experiences, immersive light shows, and robot shows.
Get ready to be wowed by Shanghai’s vibrant contrasting cultures when you take a Shanghai tour with us.
These are our top-rated private Shanghai tours including visits to the most classic attractions. More than simply taking you to the must-see sights, we are dedicated to creating your in-depth local culture and life experience, and interaction with local people.
City + Water Town2 DaysIn two days, see Shanghai's contrasts — the Bund and Shanghai Tower, the tree-lined streets of the French Concession, and a slow afternoon in Zhujiajiao Water Town.
City + West Lake5 DaysSpend five days bridging old and new China — from Shanghai's Bund and skyline to Hangzhou's West Lake and tea fields, with robot dining, AI labs, and self-driving rides woven in.
City + Lake + Mountain7 DaysJourney through booming Shanghai, scenic Hangzhou's West Lake, and magnificent Yellow Mountain with bullet train connections over seven unforgettable days.
Jiangnan + Water Towns6 DaysThis six-day trip to Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou will allow you to experience the most beautiful scenery in eastern China. In the bustling metropolis of Shanghai, enjoy the towering city skyline...
Modern + Tech2 DaysIn two days, trace Shanghai's growth from a classic Jiangnan garden and the 632-meter Shanghai Tower to Xintiandi's creative scene and China's high-speed maglev train.
Heritage + Modern6 DaysA 6-day private tour of Beijing and Shanghai covering the Forbidden City, Great Wall, Summer Palace, and old hutongs, then shifting to the Bund, Yu Garden, and Pudong skyline.
East China9 DaysDiscover the refined beauty of eastern China, from Shanghai's futuristic skyline to the classical gardens of Suzhou and Hangzhou's legendary West Lake, crowned by Huangshan's granite peaks.
City + Disney4 DaysSpend a full magical day at Shanghai Disneyland Park alongside visits to the Bund, Yuyuan Garden, and the fascinating Shanghai Natural History Museum on this family-friendly tour.
We designed the Shanghai day tours of different themes for people with limited time in the city. Upon your interests, you can follow a local expert guide to explore the city highlights, surrounding ancient towns or experience its vibrant nightlife and modern innovations.
Shanghai Essentials 1 DayRise 546 meters to the top of Shanghai Tower for a bird’s-eye view of the city, then descend into the atmospheric lanes of the Old City, French Concession and Bund—where every street corner tells a story of old and new Shanghai.
Ancient Water Town Escape1 DayDrift through Zhujiajiao's thousand-year-old canals on a hand-rowed boat, then return to the city to lose yourself in Yu Garden's classical rockeries and pavilions before rising 546 meters above Shanghai's glittering skyline at Shanghai Tower.
Shanghai After Dark1 DayStep into a classical Jiangnan garden at dusk, then watch Shanghai shed its daytime calm for neon brilliance as you drift between the Bund’s historic façades and Lujiazui’s glowing towers on a Huangpu River night cruise.
Future Shanghai + Smart Tech2 DaysIn two days, trace Shanghai's growth from a classic Jiangnan garden and the 632-meter Shanghai Tower to Xintiandi's creative scene and China's high-speed maglev train.
Street Food + Tang-Style Feast1 DayStart on tree-lined Jiashan Road for local snacks, then step into a Tang palace for a Hanfu-served lunch with music and dance. Continue through Yu Garden, Nanjing Road and the Bund, ending with rooftop coffee overlooking old colonial facades and the Pudong skyline.
XR + Drone Tech Experience1 DayExperience cutting-edge tech with VR adventures and drone coffee delivery, explore the classical Yu Garden, and admire Shanghai’s iconic skyline on the Bund and Nanjing Road.
Join some of our hand-picked experiences in Shanghai to discover the city beyond its iconic attractions. These experiences will help you create more memorable moments in Shanghai.
Shanghai Night CruiseWatch Shanghai change character after dark, from golden heritage facades to glowing skyscrapers, on a guide-led evening built around your mood. Pick the historic waterfront route or the futuristic Lujiazui route for one seamless night out.
AI + Robot InnovationThis fully private itinerary chains five curated stops—Unitree Experience Center, a Republican-era lane stroll, an AI/art immersion space, an autonomous taxi transfer, and the renovated Shanghai Science and Technology Museum.
Traditional Chinese MedicineStep inside one of Shanghai’s most respected TCM hospitals for a real clinical introduction to Chinese wellness — learn the theory, try two hands-on activities from Tai Chi to acupressure, and experience two one-on-one consultations.
Shanghai by BikeExplore Shanghai in a different way by cycling through the city streets and riverside greenways. Choose one of the two routes: bike along the Huangpu River and see Shanghai’s modern skyline, or explore the old town’s streets and alleys—with garden villas, Shikumen buildings, and local life.
Tang-Style Dinner ExperienceA private evening experience at Shanghai Shuyanfu: enjoy a creative Sichuan banquet with seasonal dishes while watching a 100-minute live show of traditional dance, sword performance, and ceremonial music in a lantern-lit red-brick setting.
Shanghai’s extensive transportation network makes it well connected to nearby Suzhou, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Huangshan, and many ancient water towns. The following tours allow you to extend your Shanghai trip to explore more destinations in eastern China.
Suzhou Gardens + Ancient CanalsGlide through Suzhou’s ancient canals on a hand-rowed water taxi, wander the Tang-era Shantang Street, lose yourself in the rockeries of Lingering Garden and Tiger Hill, then head to Dongshan’s tea hills and Luxiang’s quiet Ming-Qing lanes before returning to Shanghai by high-speed rail.
Jiangnan + Mountains + FairylandJourney from Shanghai's vibrant skyline through Hangzhou's West Lake, Wuzhen's water alleys, Huangshan's granite peaks, to Jingdezhen's kilns and Wangxian Valley.
Wangxian Valley + HuangshanThis 7-day private tour blends China’s modern metropolis, a serene Jiangnan water town, the fairytale nightscape of Wangxian Valley, and the iconic peaks of Huangshan with a night atop the mountain.
Modern Shanghai + Imperial NanjingExplore Shanghai's futuristic skyline from Shanghai Tower and historic Bund, then ride a high-speed train to Nanjing's royal mausoleums and ancient city walls.
Imperial China + JiangnanTravel from Beijing's Forbidden City to the mist-shrouded peaks of Huangshan, West Lake's poetry, Suzhou's gardens, and Shanghai's glittering skyline.
Jiangnan Cities + Water TownsAn easy-paced 8-day private journey through Shanghai, Hangzhou, Wuzhen, and Suzhou blends big-city skyline views with Jiangnan’s lakes, tea culture, water towns, and classical gardens. Enjoy West Lake cruising, hands-on Longjing tea picking, an overnight stay inside Wuzhen Xizha, and a canal boat ride with live Pingtan in Suzhou.
Modern + Classic GardensDiscover Shanghai’s futuristic skyline, historic neighborhoods and cultural treasures, then escape to Suzhou for the timeless beauty of Zhouzhuang Water Town and Lingering Garden.
Culture + Water Towns + GardensAn 8-day tour of Shanghai, Shaoxing, Hangzhou and Wuxi exploring West Lake cruises, Luxun's hometown, Nianhua Bay and Suzhou gardens.
Starting your China tour from Shanghai is a smart choice thanks to its dense international routes and extensive high-speed rail and domestic flight networks.
China's Past + Future9 DaysExplore China's Golden Triangle visiting Shanghai, Xi'an, and Beijing to discover the Forbidden City, Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, and the Bund over nine days.
Karst + History10 DaysA 10-day private tour through Shanghai, Guilin, Xi'an, and Beijing combining modern elegance, karst landscapes, ancient warriors, and imperial grandeur seamlessly.
Avatar + Karst12 DaysExperience China's greatest hits: Shanghai's skyline, Zhangjiajie's pillars, Guilin's rivers, and Beijing's Great Wall over twelve days.
Golden Triangle + Cruise12 DaysDepart Shanghai for a Yangtze River cruise through the Three Gorges, then fly to Xi'an and Beijing to explore Terracotta Warriors, Forbidden City, and the Great Wall.
Gardens + Tea2 DaysGlide through Suzhou’s ancient canals on a hand-rowed water taxi, wander the Tang-era Shantang Street, lose yourself in the rockeries of Lingering Garden and Tiger Hill, then head to Dongshan’s tea hills and Luxiang’s quiet Ming-Qing lanes before returning to Shanghai by high-speed rail.
Modern + Ancient7 DaysExplore Shanghai's Bund, Yuyuan Garden, and Nanjing Road before taking an overnight train to Xi'an for the Terracotta Warriors, City Wall, and Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Valleys + Mountains2 DaysTravel from Shanghai by high-speed train to Shangrao for a 2-day private tour featuring Wangxian Valley's cliffside dwellings and glowing night views, Huangling Village, and Sixiyan Village in Wuyuan.
Pandas + Emei7 DaysExplore Shanghai's iconic Bund and classical Yuyuan Garden, then journey to Chengdu to meet giant pandas and ascend Mt. Emei for the spectacular sea of clouds.
Every review below comes from a traveler who booked and completed a China tour with us.
Shanghai is a diverse and dynamic city and it is known for the following aspects:
Modern skyline: the skyscraper cluster in Lujiazui is the most iconic image of Shanghai. International architecture: the classic western architectural complex on the Bund are in various styles, which forms a strong contrast with the skyline across the river.
A culture of diversity and integration: After integrating various cultures, the unique and inclusive Shanghai culture has formed. Here, you will appreciate both the most cutting-edge fashion art and the profound local tradition.
1 to 4 days Shanghai trips are all frequently chosen durations for visitors, and the exact length will depend on your available time and interests.
1 day: Layover travelers with limited time can focus on the main highlights. Popular combinations for a Shanghai City Day Tour include the Bund + Yuyuan Garden + Nanjing Road, and Yuyuan Garden + Nanjing Road + Xintiandi + Shanghai Old Street.
2 days: Visit more top landmarks of the city with a leisure pace.
3 days: Consider extending your Shanghai trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town. Or, enjoy a more in-depth exploration with visits to Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, etc. Shanghai Acrobatic Show and Huangpu River night cruise are great options to spice up your nighttime.
4 or more days: Ideal to add a Disney day adventure to your classic Shanghai itinerary, or extend your Shanghai tour to Nanjing, Suzhou, Huangshan, Hangzhou, which are all in about 1-2 hours’high-speed train ride away.
The Bund, Lujiazui, Yuyuan Garden, City God Temple, Tianzifang, Nanjing Road, Shanghai Xintiandi are all top attractions in Shanghai.
Of course. It is recommended to live in a hotel with characteristic Shikumen architecture to feel the charm of old Shanghai. Or travel back to the childhood in Shanghai Disneyland. If you are fond of art, stroll along the Xuhui West Bank, the new artistic landmark in Shanghai. The art galleries here will feast your eyes. Besides, there are also excellent performances, such as the ERA2 – Spirit of Shanghai in Shanghai Circus World. It combines acrobatics and modern stage technology.
You can choose from the following four areas according to your preferences and budget: The Bund/East Nanjing Road/Lujiazui: very close to the major attractions but has a higher price. Jing’an Temple/Middle Huaihai Road/Xintiandi: gather plenty of trendy stores, restaurants and bars, convenient transportation. Former French Concession/Zhongshan Park: artistic and petty bourgeois sentiment, quiet environment People’s Square: transportation hub, cost-effective and various kinds of hotels.
Shanghai cuisine has a sweet taste, and most foreigners prefer it. The unmissable dishes are stewed pork with brown sauce, braised minced eel, and sautéed shelled prawns. As for snacks, Xiaolongbao, pan-fried pork bun and fried glutinous rice roll are must-try.
It depends on your nationality. If you are from the countries applicable to the Shanghai visa-free policies, then it is not needed. Otherwise, you need to apply for it in advance.
Shanghai is visitor-friendly all year round, and the warm spring months (March to May) and cool autumn months (October to November) are considered the best time for a Shanghai tour for the pleasant weather and more frequent sunny days in these periods.
The high-speed train network is extremely developed with Shanghai as the center. You are able to reach several hot tourist cities in 1 – 2 hours.
Suzhou (about 0.5 hours): renowned as “Oriental Venice” and famous for exquisitely designed classic gardens and the Grand Canal.
Hangzhou (about 1 hour): Visit the beautiful West Lake and a tea mountain.
Nanjing (about 1–2 hours): An ancient capital with a rich history.
The most recommended is to take a Huangpu River cruise to appreciate the lights on both banks. It is also an enjoyment to have a drink in a sky bar in the Bund or Lujiazui, meanwhile overlooking the dazzling night views. You can also experience the abundant nightlife in Xintiandi or Hengshan Road. Both quiet bars and lively nightclubs can be found here. For art lovers, there are always various famous symphony performances and dramas in Shanghai.
Send us a quick inquiry
A TripAdvisor award-winning China travel agency organizing diverse private and mini-group China tours. We offer in-depth experience, free cancellation, flexible & safe trips.
(+86)18792910029
(08:00-21:00 Beijing Time)
