Shanghai: Top Five Must-See Downtown Highlights Private Day Tour

Duration6h - 8h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesChinese, English

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Experience the best of Shanghai in one seamless 8-hour private day tour, covering the city’s 5 unmissable downtown highlights that no visitor should miss: Yu Garden & Bazaar, Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Tower, French Concession and The Bund. We offer two flexible package options to suit your preferences, and the entire itinerary is fully customizable—let your private guide tailor the day to match your interests, ensuring you get the most out of your time in Shanghai. With a dedicated English-speaking guide and private driver at your service from start to finish, you’ll enjoy a stress-free, personalized exploration of Shanghai’s most iconic spots, from classical gardens to modern skyscrapers, and historic neighborhoods to world-famous waterfronts.

Options

Option 1: Guide+Transfer

Option 1: Guide+Transfer: This option includes an English-speaking guide, a private car; you will pay for all attraction tickets and lunch
Pickup included

Option 2: All Inclusive Tour

Option 2: All Inclusive Tour: This option includes an English-speaking guide, a private car, all attraction tickets and lunch, tour is about 8 hours.
Pickup included

What's included

Private vehicle
Entrance fee + Lunch if you choose option 2
English speaking tour guide

Gratuites
Accommodation
Entrance fee + Lunch if you choose option 1

What to expect

Shanghai
Pass by

We offer two exclusive package options for this private day tour to fit your travel needs, with a private English-speaking guide and driver at your service for both choices.
Option 1 (Basic): Includes private English-speaking guide and private transfer service only; you pay for attraction tickets and meals on-site at your own expense.
Option 2 (All-Inclusive): Covers private English-speaking guide, private transfer service, all entrance tickets to the five highlights, and a authentic local lunch featuring Shanghai’s world-famous xiaolongbao (steamed soup dumplings).
Yu Garden
1h · Admission ticket not included

Your private tour starts with our guide and driver picking you up directly from your downtown Shanghai hotel, kicking off your seamless and personalized sightseeing experience of the city’s most iconic spots. All five stops are Shanghai’s unmissable downtown highlights, and the entire itinerary is fully customizable—you can discuss with your guide to add other attractions or adjust the visiting order according to your preferences.
1. Yu Garden & Yuyuan Bazaar
Yu Garden is Shanghai’s most renowned classical Chinese garden, boasting exquisite rockeries, winding corridors, tranquil ponds and traditional pavilions that embody the beauty of Jiangnan garden art. Follow your guide to wander the garden’s delicate scenery and learn about its time-honored cultural stories; then explore the adjacent Yuyuan Bazaar, a lively traditional market lined with small shops and local vendors, where you can browse unique souvenirs, handcrafted artworks, folk crafts and classic Shanghai packaged snacks.
Jade Buddha Temple
1h · Admission ticket not included

One of Shanghai’s most famous Buddhist temples, the Jade Buddha Temple is a serene haven of Buddhist culture in the bustling city, with grand and elegant traditional Chinese temple architecture and a peaceful spiritual atmosphere. Your guide will walk you through the temple’s main halls and sacred spaces, and you’ll admire the two precious jade Buddha statues (a seated one and a reclining one) imported from Burma—treasures of the temple—while learning about the temple’s Buddhist heritage and historical background from your guide’s detailed explanations.
Shanghai Tower
1h · Admission ticket not included

3. Shanghai Tower
As China’s tallest building and the world’s second-highest skyscraper, Shanghai Tower is a modern architectural marvel of the city, featuring a stunning spiral design and panoramic observation decks with unobstructed views. Follow your guide to the tower’s high-level observation area to take in a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of Shanghai’s urban skyline, spanning the Huangpu River, the Bund and the entire Lujiazui financial district.
Former French Concession
1h

4. French Concession
The French Concession is Shanghai’s most charming urban neighborhood, filled with tree-lined streets, vintage French-style villas, cozy cafes and boutique shops, blending French romanticism with local Shanghai style. Stroll along the district’s quiet lanes with your guide, soak up the unique nostalgic and leisurely atmosphere, and discover the area’s historical stories and hidden local gems.
The Bund
30m

5. The Bund
A world-famous waterfront promenade and the symbol of Shanghai’s modern history, the Bund is lined with magnificent historic buildings of various Western architectural styles—known as the "World Architecture Expo". Your guide will lead you along the Huangpu River waterfront, introduce the history and architectural features of these iconic buildings, and let you enjoy the stunning view of Lujiazui’s modern skyline across the river.
At the end of the tour, our guide and driver will drop you back to your downtown hotel for your convenience. Alternatively, you can choose to stay at the Bund to wander freely and enjoy its spectacular evening view if you wish.

Meeting and pickup

Pickup details

Your tour guide will pick you up from the lobby of your Shanghai hotel by holding your name sign

Additional information

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Yuyuan Garden is not open on monday, you can choose to visit Shanghai Zoo instead

Cancellation policy

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