Shanghai by the Experts
Whether you only have a few hours, or a few days in a city, hands down the best way to discover the true character of a city is with a small group or private tour. Here’s our our pick of the experts in Shanghai.
Offering over 12 different types of tour in Shanghai, along with customisable and/or private options Context Travel provides docent-led guides for ‘the intellectually curious traveller’. Jaunts are by foot or car, with topics covering the city’s rich heritage, architecture and food – try the ‘Historic Shanghai Walking Tour’ or fascinating ‘French Concession Tour’ as introductions to the city.
Originating in Beijing, Bespoke Travel Company’s half-day tour experiences are led by Shanghai personalities, historians and insider experts. There’s a slew of options available from ‘Old City Secrets’, which explores the hidden courtyards and quaint laneways to ‘Shanghai Art Deco’ and the ‘Bespoke Cocktail Experience’ aka a super fun, glamorous bar-hop.
Offering highly curated tours by local hosts, smart outfit Imperial Tours has a range of options available, including food, cultural and off-the-beaten track offerings. You can customise the trip to your specific requirements and there’s also a handy virtual concierge for help on the go.
A go-to for gourmands, Untour for Foodies offers six mouth-watering tours, designed to appeal to anyone who wants to savour the city. It’s hard to pick just one but the ‘Beer n Bites’ caper marries local craft beer and street food with a stroll through the French Concession.
For something a little bit different, hop into a sidecar and whizz around the city with Shanghai Insiders. Your moped driver will scoot you through both modern and traditional Shanghai, down lesser-known alleyways and past splendid Art Deco villas; tours last one, two or four hours. Toot-toot!
Context Travel / various tour start points / booking hotline +1 800 691 6036 / tours available daily /contexttravel.com
Bespoke Travel Company / various tour start points / booking hotline +86 151 0167 9082 / tours available daily / bespoketravelcompany.com
Imperial Tours / various tour start points / +86 10 8440 7162 / tours available daily / imperialtours.net
Untour for Foodies / 1008 Huaihai Middle Rd / +86 137 0172 9642 / tours available daily /untourfoodtours.com