Shanghai M50 Art Walking Tour: Private Gallery Access

Nearly 100 artists have turned abandoned warehouses into Shanghai's most active contemporary art scene.

A private 2-hour walking tour of M50 (50 Moganshan Road) in Shanghai, where you explore galleries, studios and graffiti installations with a live English-speaking guide and meet working artists discussing contemporary Chinese art. The tour covers the renovated warehouse complex next to Suzhou Creek, visiting established galleries like Eastlink and BizArt, and includes introduction to community artists. It's private to your party only.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Shanghai's M50 Art District

• Join private contemporary art tour
• Visit 50 Moganshan Road art district
• Tour galleries and artist studios
• Admire graffiti, paintings, sculptures
• Visit Eastlink and BizArt galleries
• Meet local contemporary artists

The experience

You've got a free afternoon in Shanghai and want to skip the tourist crowds. M50 is the city's premier contemporary art district: a maze of galleries and studios housed in a series of converted warehouse buildings next to Suzhou Creek. Nearly 100 artists have set up residences here, turning what was once a rundown industrial site into a working creative hub. Your guide meets you at the complex and walks you through the space for 2 hours, pointing out works by artists like Zhou Tiehai (known for satirical takes on modern art) and Liu Dao (whose interactive installations explore technology's effects). You'll see graffiti, photography, paintings, sculptures and furniture: the kind of avant-garde work you won't find in a traditional museum.

The tour takes you into established galleries like Eastlink, which houses some of the city's most controversial exhibitions, and BizArt, a non-profit foundation supporting young artists. As you move through the complex, the contrast between the shabby warehouse exteriors and the polished modern art inside is part of the experience itself. What sets this apart is the human element: your guide introduces you to a few of the artists working in the studios, so you hear directly about the major styles and trends shaping contemporary Chinese art rather than reading wall text.

Because this is a private tour, the pace and focus are yours. The guide is knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and the whole experience is wheelchair accessible. Public transportation options are nearby if you need them.

What’s included

• A live English-speaking guide leading the private walking tour.
• access to galleries and studios throughout the M50 complex.
• introduction to working artists in the community.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDepartures at 10:00 and 14:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Shanghai Pathways

Is this one for you?This works best if you want to explore Shanghai's art scene without joining a group. The private format means your guide can adjust the pace and spend time on the artists or galleries that interest you most, and you'll have direct access to conversations with the creators themselves rather than viewing their work from a distance.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 3): free.

What kind of art will I see on the M50 tour?

M50 features contemporary works including graffiti, photography, paintings, sculptures and furniture by Shanghai's working artists. You'll encounter avant-garde pieces like Zhou Tiehai's satirical treatments of modern art and Liu Dao's interactive installations focused on technology's effects, rather than classical or historical art.

Can I actually meet the artists at M50?

Yes. Your guide introduces you to a few of the community's artists during the tour, so you can discuss their work and learn about the major styles and trends in contemporary Chinese art directly from them.

How long does the M50 walking tour take?

The tour runs for 2 hours and covers the large complex of galleries and studios housed in converted warehouse buildings next to Suzhou Creek.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not an art expert?

Yes. The description notes that art experts and novices alike enjoy this tour. Your guide explains the work and context, so you don't need prior knowledge to understand what you're seeing.

Which galleries will we visit?

You'll visit established galleries like Eastlink, which houses controversial exhibitions, and BizArt, a non-profit foundation promoting young artists' work. The tour also takes you through the broader complex of workshops and studios in the area.