4 or 6 Hours Private Customized Shanghai Historical Tour

Discover Shanghai’s soul with a private, flexible historical tour. Explore The Bund, Old Town, and more with expert guides. Customize your adventure today.

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • The Bund - Following the Opium War in 1843, Shanghai, once a tranquil fishing village, was compelled to open as a global trade port. This marked the beginning of a new era in Shanghai’s history, starting with the Bund. The 52 grand buildings along the Bund narrate the city’s historical highs and lows.

Your knowledgeable guide will reveal the fascinating stories behind these buildings.

  • Fairmont Peace Hotel - Originally known as the “Cathay Hotel” or “Sassoon House,” this building was constructed by Jewish tycoon Sir Victor Sassoon.

Your guide will take you through the building, showcasing the gallery and the hidden museum. You’ll uncover the tycoon’s stories through rare photos and artifacts.

  • Custom House, Shanghai - Known as the Customs House, this building is heavily influenced by English architecture. For instance, the giant clock atop the building is a replica of London’s Big Ben.

Robert Hart, an Englishman, became the chief officer of the Chinese Customs House. Your guide will share the story of this notable Englishman and his contributions to Shanghai’s development.

  • Pudong Development Bank (Fazhan Yinhang) - Formerly the HSBC Bank, this was the HSBC headquarters in the Far East during the early 20th century. The mosaic ceiling is stunningly beautiful. Your guide will reveal a long-held secret about the ceiling. (Accessible on working days.)
  • Shanghai Association - Originally the Shanghai Club, this exclusive British club was established in 1910 and included the city’s most influential men. Today, it is the Waldorf Hotel. Your guide will point out the 100-year-old “Long Bar,” reputed to be the longest bar in the world, still operating every afternoon from 4 pm.

The century-old Long Bar, known as the longest bar in the world, continues to operate every afternoon from 4 pm.

  • Huangpu River Cruise - Optional. This is a highlight of Shanghai, offering guests a stunning view of both riverbanks.

We recommend asking your guide to check the tide schedule, as it can affect the boat timetable.

  • Old Town (Nanshi) - Optional. This area features the Yu Garden and City God Temple within a traditional market setting. You’ll feel transported to ancient China, surrounded by traditional buildings. Here, you can shop for various Chinese souvenirs such as tea, silk, chopsticks, pearls, jade, brushes, inks, paintings, and more.
  • Shanghai Tower - Optional. If the sky is clear, it’s wonderful to get a bird’s-eye view of Shanghai at night from one of several high towers: Shanghai Tower, Financial Tower, Pearl Tower, or Jinmao Tower.
  • Shanghai - Food Tasting Break. Optional. Let your guide know what type of food you’d like to try. Whether it’s street food or a local restaurant, your guide will have a long list of culinary options to satisfy your cravings. (Food tasting is at guests’ own expense.)
  • Shanghai - After a flexible city tour, guests can choose any sightseeing spot to conclude their visit in Shanghai.

For guests with airport layovers, Baoyang Rd cruise port, or Disneyland hotels in the outskirts of Shanghai, we offer pick-up and drop-off options.

What's Included
  • Professional guide
  • Driver with air-conditioned vehicle for 6-hour outskirt guests according to option
  • Exclusive Private tour
What's Not Included
  • Tips - encouraged.
Additional Information

The Bund is the most famous sightseeing site in Shanghai, known as “Gallery of World Architecture”. Do you know why…

The Bund was also the important financial district known as “Eastern Wall Street”, “Paradise of Adventurer”. Why…

Most people stop, take pictures & walk away, unknowingly missing the soulful stories of Shanghai.

Our expert guide, walking slowly, explaining all the interesting stories behind the grand buildings on Bund.

Our tours are 100% flexible. At the end of the Bund tour, feel free to discuss options with your experienced guide, or any of the local foods you want to taste… of course, time permitted.

Options: Old Town, River cruise, Shanghai Towers, Confucian Temple, Jade Buddha Temple, the French Concession, or any other places.

We also offer options for markets featuring special items you may wish to purchase as souvenir. Just ask your experienced guide to meet your satisfaction.

4-Hr tour for guests in central Shanghai;
6-Hr tour for guests at outskirt SH.

  • Instant Confirmation
  • Excellent English speaking tour guide
  • Comfortable walking shoes.
  • Dress code is smart casual
Location
Fairmont Peace Hotel
南京东路
Fairmont Peace Hotel (He Ping Fan Dian) 和平饭店,in the lobby center, under the Golden Octagonal pavilion, our guide will hold your name sight waiting for you at meeting time.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(1 Rating)
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Justinhe2016
Jan 16, 2020
Lots of fun in Shanghai thanks to Shanghai Lily Tours - No doubt in my mind that by having a professional tour guide to show us around SH, showing us a mix of SH landmarks, with detailed explanations of how each left its mark on China, Shanghai and the world. Without Linda, our guide, we will never know so much of interesting stories of Bund buildings. While at the same time Linda exposes us to everyday life in SH by way of Old Town and the exquisite street food available all across SH.
Review provided by Tripadvisor