Shanghai Layover Tour: Maglev Train & the Bund

★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (15 reviews)

Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/44

Duration4h–5h

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · ZH +1

PickupAt your hotel

Race downtown on the maglev, then wander where Shanghai's past meets its skyline.

A 4-hour guided tour from Shanghai airport that pairs a round-trip maglev train ride with stops at the Bund, Yu Garden, and a wet market, plus food tastings and a guide who meets you at arrivals and returns you to the station in time for your flight. You choose between shared taxis and metro or an upgraded private Buick with driver; the maglev ticket and guide are included either way.

4h–5h

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Shanghai highlights in 4 hours

Pick up from airport
Ride Maglev train to downtown
View Nanpu Bridge from bus or walk
Walk along the Bund waterfront
Visit Yuyuan Garden and Old City alleys
Explore wet market aisles
Taste local food at nearby stalls
Return to Maglev station
Ride Maglev train back to airport

The Experience

The maglev leaves the airport and reaches downtown in 8 minutes, traveling at speeds up to 300 km/h—the ride itself is the first landmark. Your guide meets you at arrivals and stays with you through the day, handling the logistics so you move between stops without arranging transport or timing it yourself. The round-trip maglev ticket is included, and you pick your ground transport at checkout: shared taxis and metro, or a private Buick 7-seater with a dedicated driver if you want more comfort after a long flight.

The Bund is a waterfront stretch of neoclassical and art deco buildings that once housed Shanghai's trading houses, now lined with restaurants and shops. You walk at your own pace along the Huangpu River, with the Pudong skyline across the water—the Nanpu Bridge, one of the world's longest cable-stayed structures, frames the view. From there, the tour moves to Yu Garden, a classical Chinese garden built in 1559, and the narrow "Nong Tang" alleyways nearby, where traditional courtyard houses and small eateries show daily life as it was centuries ago.

The wet market is where the sensory shift happens: narrow aisles packed with fresh produce, seafood, and meats, vendors calling out prices, locals haggling and shopping. Your guide navigates you through it and stops at nearby food stalls for authentic Shanghai bites—noodles, dumplings, stir-fries—plus bottled water. The whole day is built around the maglev schedule, so everything fits inside 4 hours and you're back at the station in time for your flight.

What’s included

Airport pickup and maglev round-trip ticket.
private guide service in English or Chinese.
ground transport via shared taxi and metro or private Buick 7-seater with driver (your choice at checkout).
food tastings at wet market stalls and nearby eateries.
bottled water.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by iTour Shanghai

Is this one for you?Book the Buick option if you're landing tired and want a comfortable seat between stops instead of navigating shared transit after a long flight. The shared taxi and metro option works if you travel light and don't mind moving quickly—either way, the maglev and guide handle the hard parts, so a layover that could have been a layover becomes a real glimpse of Shanghai.