Shanghai Private Guided Tour – Half Day or Full Day Sightseeing

4.9 (53 reviews) 4–8 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

53 reviews

4.9

Yu Garden — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Shanghai Private Guided Tour – Half Day or Full Day Sightseeing, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Enjoy a 4- or 8-hour private tour with a professional tour guide and a private vehicle to "can't miss" highlights of Shanghai. Experience the contrasts of Tall and Short, Old and New, East and West in this dynamic city. Follow your friendly guide to see The Bund, French Concession, Yu Garden, Old Town, plus Pudong Financial District, Jade Buddha Temple, People's Square, Nanjing Road, all included. In addition, you have a chance to try local Chinese tea in a local tea house for free. The pickup place for this tour can be either your hotel or Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal.

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At a glance

Duration: 4–8 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: Shanghai Driver Guide

Ages: Infants (0–2 years) · Children (3–12 years) · Adults (13–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off
Included: Bottled water
Included: Entrance fees: Yu Garden and Jade Buddha Temple entrance fee included
Included: Port pickup and drop-off
Included: Professional English speaking guide
Included: Parking Fees
Included: Transport by private vehicle

Not included

Not included: Food and drinks
Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

The Bund

one hour

Meet your knowledgeable guide at your hotel lobby. Then drive to the Bund, Shanghai’s picturesque waterfront, well known as the International Architecture Exhibition for its spectacular soaring skyline. From here, enjoy sweeping views of both sides of the Huangpu River.
Yu Garden

1 h 20 min Admission included

Continue to visit the intricately designed Yu Yuan Garden and the ancient Shanghai Old Street. Yu Garden is a classical Jiangnan-style private garden dating back to the Ming Dynasty. You will admire delicate rockeries, winding corridors, elegant ponds, exquisite pavilions, and intricate traditional carvings throughout the scenic area. Adjacent to it lies lively Yuyuan Bazaar with ancient-style buildings, various local snacks, traditional handicraft shops and picturesque archways. It is a perfect spot to appreciate ancient Chinese gardening art, experience authentic Shanghai folk culture, and take plenty of stunning cultural photos. Afterward, take a break in a local Chinese tea house where you can experience the Chinese tea ceremony and try local loose tea.
Pudong New Area

one hour Admission not included

Followed by the Pudong Business and Financial District, where you can see all the main skyscrapers of the city, such as Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and Jinmao Tower.

If you book the full-day tour, you will visit the observation deck of the Shanghai Tower. From there, you can overlook the entire city and enjoy panoramic views of both sides of the Huangpu River. The admission ticket is at your own expense.
Former French Concession

40 min

Followed you drive guide and step into the former French Concession Xintiandi, which features renovated traditional Shikumen stone-gate houses blended with trendy modern commercial spaces, full of artistic atmosphere and great photo spots. You may wander distinctive alleys, boutique stores, and stylish cafes. The Half-day tour will end here. You can stay here for lunch or go back to your hotel.

For guests on our full-day tour, this is an ideal lunch stop with a wide selection of authentic local Chinese and Western-style restaurants. You can enjoy genuine Shanghainese and classic Chinese cuisine here before continuing your city exploration.
Jade Buddha Temple

40 min Admission included

After lunch, you will visit the Jade Buddha Temple. Located in downtown Shanghai, Jade Buddha Temple is a well-known Buddhist sanctuary built in the early 20th century. On this stop, you will admire traditional Chinese temple architecture with yellow walls and upturned eaves. Its highlights include a famous seated jade Buddha carved from a whole piece of jade and a reclining jade Buddha statue. You can smell sandalwood incense, appreciate solemn Buddhist halls and ancient religious relics, enjoying a peaceful break from the busy city while learning about local Buddhist culture.
People's Square (Renmin Guang Chang)

40 min Admission included

People’s Square is the geographic center of Shanghai, surrounded by eye-catching landmark buildings perfect for photography. You can snap photos of the uniquely shaped Shanghai Museum, elegant Shanghai Grand Theatre, and stylish Urban Planning Exhibition Center. Next to the square is People’s Park, a peaceful green space for walking. Its most famous highlight is the weekend matchmaking corner, where parents post information to seek partners for their children. It presents a distinctive local folk custom, allowing you to experience genuine daily Shanghai life alongside splendid architectural views.
Nanjing Lu (Nanjing Road)

40 min

As Shanghai’s most famous commercial pedestrian street, Nanjing Road stretches from People’s Square to the Bund, lined with century-old department stores, trendy brand boutiques, dazzling neon signs and classic historic buildings. You can wander bustling walkways, admire unique colonial-style facades ideal for photos, taste local snacks and shop for souvenirs. Walking eastward leads straight to the Huangpu River waterfront, offering convenient access to spectacular Bund river views that blend rich history, lively commerce, and iconic urban scenery.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

PuJing,WeiTingHOTEL(ShangHai jingan Distrct Wuning Road Station)
Aijia Aparthotel
James Joyce Coffetel Shanghai Railway Station
Shanghai Elong Hotel
Shanghai Lichen Ruixuan International Hotel
Home Inn Shanghai Xujiahui
JI HOTEL (Shanghai Haibei Bund Danyang Road Metro Hotel)
Park Inn by Radisson Shanghai Jing'an Daning International
Lumeijia Tianhong Hotel
Jia Qi Hotel (Shanghai the Bund Nanjing East Road shop)
Haig Court
H.Z.M Hotel ((Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Lujiabang Metro Station Store)

and 2,099 more pickup points

You will be picked up by your guide with a sign of your name from your hotel lobby or Cruise Terminal.

Using your ticket

Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, you must contact the local service provider to verify your exact pickup time.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Please wear comfortable walking shoes
Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time upon booking

Options

Full-Day Tour

Duration: 8 hours

Pickup included
Afternoon Half-day Tour

Afternoon Tour: Entrance fees, private English speaking driver guide and comfortable transfer service are inclusive. Your Tour departure time is at 2pm.

Pickup included
Morning Half-day Tour

Morning Tour: Entrance fees, private English speaking driver guide and comfortable transfer service are inclusive. Your Tour departure time is at 9am.

Pickup included