Now is the perfect season to head out and immerse yourself in Shanghai's mesmerizing landscape and extensive history. So, why not take the family or visiting friends out for a tour? Whether you're a dweller or passer by, cyclist or walker, there's something waiting to unravel before every pair of wide-opened eyes with one of the following Shanghai tours.
Historic Shanghai's Public and Private Tours
This CNN-applauded organization gives families an authentic taste of the city’s rich heritage, by showing how old Shanghainese live. Public tours are conducted by area (for example, the former French Concession) or by theme (for example, Old Chinese City, Revolutionary Shanghai or Jewish Shanghai), while customized private tours are also available. So, let the kids run around alleyways with chickens, while you ponder China's rapidly changing landscape with a local shifu.
Availability: Public tours available once a month. Private tours available on request.
Suitable age: All
Maximum capacity: 30
Cost: RMB75 members, RMB125 non-members (child 6-12 years old); RMB150 members, RMB250 non-members (child over 12 and adults); Private tour price varies.
Contact: historic-shanghai.com/events/; info@historic-shanghai.com
Lost Plate's ‘Old Shanghai Breakfast’
This walking food tour takes families to five locations (four eateries and one pharmacy) around the historic Zhoushan Lu-Tangshan Lu neighborhood in Hongkou. Iconic Shanghai eats including shengjianbao (fried dumplings), congyoubing (scallion pancakes) and zifangao (fried rice cakes) are on the list, as well as off the ‘eaten’ track items like vegetarian babao noodles. There’s also a complimentary shot of herbal liquor served by a local TCM vendor for adults to try. Lost Plate also has a child-friendly evening tour featuring a different set of dishes. Refer to their website for more information.
Availability: Daily, 9am-11am
Suitable age: 4+
Maximum capacity: 10
Meeting point: Exit 1, Tilanqiao Subway Station. 提篮桥站 1 号口 .
Cost: RMB150 (children 4-15 years old); RMB300 (adult);
Contact: lostplate.com/shanghai-food-tours;156 9210 9030; info@lostplate.com;
Untour's ‘Hands On Dumpling Delights’
An evidently more 'hands on' version of food tours for families, this dumpling-themed tour is a street food tasting session and cooking class moulded into one. Based in the former French Concession area, families will fill their bellies with a variety of dumplings including guotie and xiaolongbao, before learning to make Cantonese har kow from scratch. Beer, soft drinks and water are included in the price.
Availability: Every Tuesday and Saturday, 10am-1pm
Suitable age: 6+
Maximum capacity: 9
Meeting point: Exit 2, Jiashan Lu Station 嘉善路站 2 号口 .
Cost: RMB300 (children 6-12 years old); RMB580 (adults)
Contact: Book via 247tickets.com
Culture Shock's‘Morning Discovery’
Want to see Shanghai with the wind in your hair? Culture Shock's family-friendly bike tour boasts a charming itinerary combining sightseeing century-old Art Deco buildings, visiting farmers' markets and practicing tai chi with Shanghai’s senior citizens. Bikes come in smaller sizes and there’s also the option to saddle up toddlers on baby seats, so this is truly a tour for the whole family to enjoy together. Just make sure to put in a request for those well in advance.
Availability: Daily, 8.45am-1pm
Suitable age: 6+
Maximum capacity: 8
Meeting point: Andaz Hotel Xintiandi, 88 Songshan Lu, by Xing'an Lu, 新天地安达仕酒店 , 嵩山路 88 号 , 近兴安路 .
Cost: RMB450 (group join-in); RMB550 (private); children under 12 years half price
Contact: culture-shock-tours.com
Tour of Jewish Shanghai
The brainchild of historian and documentarist Dvir Bar-Gal, this tour takes families to the high streets and back streets of Shanghai from The Bund to the historic Hongkou area. Led by Dvir himself, this four-hour journey is packed with anecdotes, visual evidence and most importantly, rich historical context. You’ll be peering beyond the Art Deco facades and crumbling lilong walls, to learn about the key events and unsung heroes that defined Jewish lives here in Shanghai. Just make sure to pack some snacks to stay energized throughout the tour.
Availability: By appointment, tours conducted between 9.30am-2pm
Suitable age: 12+
Maximum capacity: Flexible
Meeting point: Entrance of the Fairmont Peace Hotel, No. 20 Nanjing Dong Lu, by Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu. 南京东路 20 号和平饭店门口，近中山东一路 .
Cost: RMB450; RMB350 (students); Private tour prices vary
Contact: shanghai-jews.com; shanghaijews@hotmail.com; 1300 214 6702
Urban Adventures'‘Streets of Shanghai’
This comprehensive walking tour takes visitors through bucket-list landmarks on the Puxi side of town. Highlights include a whirl through People’s Square (including the marriage market on weekends), The Bund and a bite of shengjianbao at Yang’s Dumplings en-route. The four-hour journey can be tiring, so be sure to ask the guide for breaks between sites.
Availability: Daily, 2.30pm-6.30pm
Suitable age: 6+
Maximum capacity:12
Meeting point: Exit 3, Shanghai Natural History Museum Station 上海自然博物馆站 3 号口
Cost: USD82 (children and adults)
Contact: urbanadventures.com/Shanghai-tour-streets-of-shanghai; 1822 1082 194; info@shanghaiurbanadventures.com
