Shanghai Jewish Ghetto & Bund: Private Tour with Pickup

Stories of Shanghai’s Jewish quarter, riverside walks, and art-deco echoes

You’ll walk through Shanghai’s Jewish Ghetto with a local guide, hear personal stories at the Refugees Museum, wander lively backstreets near Huoshan Park, and end up gazing over the Bund’s skyline. Expect small moments—like shared laughter or quiet reflection—that linger long after your tour ends.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup within downtown Shanghai, entry tickets to all main sites including the Jewish Refugees Museum, private transport by Uber or minivan depending on group size, plus a knowledgeable English-speaking local guide who shares both history and small everyday details along each stop.

Traveler reviews

4.97★★★★★★★★★★

76 verified traveler reviews

Ratings come from travelers who booked this exact experience. We never edit or filter them.

Read all the reviews ›

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Jewish Ghetto and Shanghai Bund

• Pick up at Shanghai hotel
• Visit Jewish Refugees Museum
• Stop at old Jewish park and JDC center
• Explore historic stone gate houses
• Walk local back streets
• Visit Peace Hotel at the Bund
• Stroll along the Bund riverside
• Tour concludes at the Bund

The Experience

“This street used to sound like Yiddish in the mornings,” our guide Li said as we stepped out of the car in Hongkou. I think he meant it literally — you could almost feel something different in the air. The pavement was still a bit wet from last night’s rain, and you could smell steamed buns from a nearby stall mixing with something sweet I couldn’t place. We started at the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, which is actually inside the old Ohel Moishe Synagogue. There were faded letters behind glass and black-and-white photos of families who’d come here with almost nothing. I didn’t expect to get choked up reading one postcard — but there it was.

Li pointed out how narrow Huoshan Park is (“Not really a park unless you’re a refugee or a child,” he joked), but it felt peaceful anyway. Old men played chess under plane trees; someone was selling candied hawthorn on a stick. Walking through those back lanes, past stone gate houses where thousands once squeezed together, I tried to imagine what daily life must have been like — all those languages, all that hope and fear packed into these blocks. Sometimes Li would pause and greet someone in Shanghainese or Mandarin; people nodded back without much fuss.

The tour finished at the Bund — which is just as busy as you’d expect — but Li insisted we duck into the Peace Hotel for a minute. The place smells faintly of polish and old wood; it’s got this art-deco thing going on that makes you want to slow down and look up. He told us about the Sassoon family (I’d heard their name before but never realized how much they shaped this part of Shanghai). Outside, neon signs flickered even though it was barely afternoon. The river looked grey and restless. I still think about that view sometimes when things are noisy at home.

Top questions

How long is the private tour of Shanghai’s Jewish Ghetto & Bund?

The tour lasts about 3 hours from pickup to finish.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included if your hotel is located in downtown Shanghai.

Which sites are visited during this private tour?

You’ll visit the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum (Ohel Moishe Synagogue), Huoshan Park, local backstreets in Hongkou District, and The Bund including Peace Hotel.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible for this tour.

Can children join this private day trip?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; infants may ride in a stroller or sit on an adult’s lap.

Are entrance fees included in the price?

Yes, entry fees to sites like the Jewish Ghettos are included.

What kind of transport is used during the tour?

A premium Uber car for 1-4 guests or an air-conditioned minivan for larger groups will be provided.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts with pickup at your downtown hotel and ends at The Bund; your guide can help you return or suggest places to explore further.