Trips and tours to ShanghaiExplore China's biggest city on a group tour and discover the beauty of Shanghai.
When do you want to go?
2024
I'm flexible
Passengers
Adults (18+)
Children (0 - 17)
Visit Shanghai
Shanghai is a city where history meets the future with the former French concession and traditional Chinese buildings standing beside gleaming modern skyscrapers and neon lights. From the attractive Bund to the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai has plenty to keep your eyes occupied while the busy streets provide culinary delights and shopping opportunities to tempt the rest of your senses.
History meets modernity in Shanghai, explore ancient temples, traditional Chinese gardens and historic markets for a taste of traditional China. You can also explore museums, visit Shanghai Disney or travel to the top of Shanghai Tower for a panoramic view of the whole city. With so much to see and do a visit to Shanghai promises to be an unforgettable experience for any traveller.
Tours to Shanghai
Join us on a group tour and discover the very best of Shanghai. From the French style architecture at the Bund to the towering skyscrapers like Shanghai Tower. There is so much to explore in this bustling metropolitan city.
What to expect when visiting Shanghai
When visiting Shanghai, you can expect to experience a dynamic fusion of old and new, East and West. As China’s largest city and a global financial hub, Shanghai offers a vibrant and modern skyline dominated by futuristic skyscrapers like the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower, while still preserving its rich history in districts like the Bund and the French Concession, showcasing the city’s unique blend of European and Chinese influences. Shanghai is also a culinary paradise, offering a range of dining experiences from traditional street food to high-end international cuisine. Local specialties like soup dumplings (xiaolongbao) and hairy crabs are must-try dishes. Shopping is another major attraction, with options ranging from high-end malls along Nanjing Road to quirky, artisan boutiques in Tianzifang. Culturally, the city is home to world-class museums, such as the Shanghai Museum, which displays ancient Chinese art, and the China Art Museum. Additionally, Shanghai is known for its vibrant nightlife, offering everything from rooftop bars with views of the skyline to lively night markets and jazz clubs, particularly around the Xintiandi area.
While Shanghai is a bustling metropolis, it also offers serene escapes like Yuyuan Garden, an exquisite classical Chinese garden, or a short trip to nearby water towns like Zhujiajiao, where visitors can experience traditional Chinese village life. Expect a fast-paced, cosmopolitan atmosphere where modernity meets tradition, creating an unforgettable urban experience.
What to do in Shanghai
Yu Garden
Visiting Yu Garden is a tranquil oasis amidst the bustling city of Shanghai. Located in the Old City, this classical Chinese garden, built during the Ming Dynasty, is a beautifully preserved example of traditional Chinese landscape design. As you wander through its winding paths, you'll encounter elegant pavilions, intricately designed rockeries, peaceful koi ponds, and ancient trees, all carefully arranged to create a sense of harmony and balance. The garden's ornate bridges and detailed stone carvings offer a glimpse into China’s artistic heritage. Adjacent to the garden is the lively Yuyuan Bazaar, where visitors can shop for local crafts and enjoy authentic Shanghai Street food. Yu Garden provides a peaceful retreat and a window into the city’s rich history and culture.
The Bund
Stretching along the western bank of the Huangpu River, The Bund is renowned for its stunning juxtaposition of colonial-era architecture and the ultra-modern skyline of Pudong across the water. As you stroll along this iconic waterfront promenade, you'll encounter grand historic buildings, including the Shanghai Customs House and the Bank of China, each showcasing early 20th-century European styles. The view from The Bund, especially at night when the skyline is illuminated, provides a breath-taking panorama of Shanghai’s transformation from a historic port city to a global financial hub. This blend of old-world charm and contemporary vibrancy makes The Bund a must-visit destination, perfect for soaking in the city's unique atmosphere and capturing unforgettable photographs.
Shanghai Tower
Visiting the Shanghai Tower offers breath-taking views of Shanghai, where it stands as one of the tallest and most iconic skyscrapers in the world. Soaring to a height of 632 meters (2,073 feet), this architectural marvel provides stunning panoramic views of Shanghai from its observation decks, located on the 118th to 120th floors. The tower’s unique, twisting design not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also contributes to its sustainability and wind resistance. Inside, visitors can explore the high-speed elevators that whisk you up to the observation decks in just a matter of seconds, experience interactive exhibits about the city’s skyline and architecture, and enjoy a meal or a drink at the sky-high restaurant or bar. The Shanghai Tower embodies the city’s spirit of innovation and modernity, making it a must-visit destination for anyone wanting to grasp the scale and dynamism of Shanghai.
When is the bet time to visit Shanghai?
The best time to visit Shanghai is during the spring and autumn. During these seasons, the weather is generally pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). In spring, you'll experience blooming flowers and green parks, which add a touch of beauty to the city's already vibrant atmosphere. Autumn offers crisp air and clear skies, perfect for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Both seasons avoid the extremes of Shanghai’s hot, humid summers and cold winters, making it comfortable for exploring the city's many attractions, from the Bund to the French Concession and beyond.
Conclusion
Embarking on a guided tour of Shanghai offers an enriching journey through one of the world’s most vibrant and rapidly evolving cities. From the awe-inspiring heights of the Shanghai Tower to the historical charm of the Bund and the cultural treasures of the French Concession, Shanghai provides a captivating blend of modernity and tradition. A guided tour allows you to seamlessly navigate the city's diverse attractions, uncover hidden gems, and gain insights into its dynamic history and culture. Whether you're marvelling at cutting-edge architecture, savouring local delicacies, or exploring bustling markets and serene gardens, Shanghai's unique energy and charm ensure that your visit will be both memorable and exhilarating.
Frequently asked questions
What currency is used in Shanghai?
The official currency in Shanghai is the Chinese Yuan (CNY), also known as the Renminbi (RMB). It’s best to have some local currency on hand, though credit and debit cards are widely accepted in most places.
What are some must-see attractions in Shanghai?
Key attractions include the Bund, for its historic architecture and river views. Shanghai Tower, with its panoramic views of the city. Yu Garden, classical Chinese garden offering a tranquil escape and Nanjing Road, for shopping and bustling city life.
What should I try to eat in Shanghai?
Shanghai is known for its unique cuisine. Must-try dishes include, xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), shengjianbao (pan-fried buns), shanghai-style braised pork (hong shao rou) and freshwater crab.
China travel guides
Highlights of China
Our top picks of things to see and do in China!
The Great Wall
Stretching for more than 20,000km from the Yellow Sea in the eats to the Gobi Desert in the west, the Great Wall of China is known around the world and is a major factor in many people's decision to visit China. Dating back more than 2,300 years, the UNESCO-listed wall measures 7 metres in width and 6-14 metres in height with over 25,000 battlements snaking a path along precarious mountain ridges and thick forests.
See pandas in Chengdu
Known for being absolutely adorable, Great Pandas are endemic to china making it the perfect place to see them in their natural habitat. Watch them as they play, sleep and wander around their conservation sites and learn all about China's effort to increase the panda population to stop these beautiful bears from going extinct.
The Terracotta army in Xi'an
In 1976 three farmers near the city of Xi'an were digging a well and in doing so discovered one of China's greatest treasures - Emperor Qin's 7000-strong terracotta army. Believed to have been made 2200 years ago these life-size warriors stand in military formation in excavated pits under the cover of a modern protective hanger. Made of local clay, no two faces are alike – each is said to be an individual portrait.
Beijing
Capital of the People’s Republic, Beijing is China’s political, economic and cultural centre. With a chequered history, Beijing was established in 1045 BC and for 800 years served as the capital of several dynasties. At first glance Beijing can appear as nothing more than a modern cosmopolitan city with soaring skyscrapers, sprawls of apartment blocks and a crisscross of freeways. But hidden amid the concrete and glass one can still find remnants of the city’s past and evidence of traditional Chinese culture still practised today.
Shanghai
Buzzing with energy and activity from its gleaming sky scrapers all the way to its charming Old Town, the mega city of Shanghai epitomises China’s meteoric rise to global power status. Everywhere you look, there is something to do, see or buy, and you're unlikely to ever find yourself having a dull moment during your stay.
Guilin
Renowned for it’s striking, if bizarre scenery - vast areas of karst limestone outcrops that rise up from flat rice paddy fields, and beautiful pagodas, Guilin is often the subject of Chinese painting. On our tours that travel to Guilin, we will visit the enormous and dazzlingly beautiful Reed Flute Caves. The city is filled with a delicious fragrance of Sweet Osmanthus trees and indeed this is the meaning of the name Guilin - "forest of Sweet Osmanthus".
