Shanghai: Private Full Day Tour & Jade Buddha Temple

A Shanghai local points you toward the temple, then the garden, then lunch

You get hotel pickup, a private guide who speaks your language, and a full-day route through Shanghai's main landmarks: Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden, Tianzifang, and the French Concession. The all-inclusive package adds lunch and entrance fees, so you're not stopping to pay or figure out where to eat. The guide customizes the pace and order to what interests you, and the private car means no waiting for public transport or negotiating taxis between stops.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Yu Garden1h 10m · entry included
2. Jade Buddha Temple1h · entry included
3. French Concession50m

Explore Shanghai's historic and modern sites

• Visit Yu Garden
• Tour Jade Buddha Temple halls
• Explore Shikumen architectures
• Walk through Xintiandi and French Concession

The experience

Your guide meets you at your downtown Shanghai hotel in the morning, and within minutes you're moving through the city with someone who knows which streets matter and which ones just look busy. The private car means you're not negotiating taxis or waiting for a bus that may or may not show up. You're moving on a schedule that fits your pace, not the city's. The Jade Buddha Temple comes first, and you walk through the Heavenly King Hall, the Grand Hall, the Guanyin Hall, past the Hall of the Reclining Buddha, and into the Jade Buddha Hall itself. Your guide explains what you're seeing without the noise of a group around you, and you can ask about the details that actually interest you instead of listening to facts aimed at twenty people.

After the temple, Yuyuan Garden is the kind of place that rewards wandering: Ming Dynasty architecture, water, stone bridges, pavilions that frame the view differently depending on where you stand. The garden fills up as the morning goes on, so being there early with a private guide means you're not fighting crowds for a photo or a quiet corner. Then Tianzifang, which is less a single attraction and more a neighborhood of narrow lanes, artist studios, and small shops tucked into old shikumen buildings. It's the kind of place where you can actually stop and look instead of being swept along, and your guide can point out which cafes are worth ducking into or which alleys lead somewhere interesting.

The French Concession comes next: Xintiandi especially, where the old shikumen architecture in the North Block sits alongside the modern buildings of the South Block. It's a walking area, pedestrian-only, and the contrast between the restored colonial-era buildings and the contemporary shops and restaurants is sharp enough that you feel the city's layers without anyone having to explain it. If you've booked the all-inclusive option, lunch happens here, and the guide can take you somewhere that actually fits what you want to eat rather than wherever the standard tour route leads. The entrance fees to Yuyuan are covered, so you're not stopping at a ticket window, and the whole day moves without the small delays that add up when you're figuring things out alone.

By afternoon you're back at your hotel, having seen the old Shanghai and the new Shanghai in the same day, with a driver who knew the route and a guide who answered your questions instead of delivering a script. The private format means the itinerary can shift if something catches your interest. If you want longer at the temple or to skip something entirely, that's how the day goes. It's the kind of orientation that works for first-time visitors because you're not trying to memorize facts. You're just moving through the city with someone who lives there.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver.
• private guide for the full day.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in downtown Shanghai.
• customizable itinerary covering Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden, Tianzifang, and French Concession.
• entrance fee to Yuyuan Garden (all-inclusive package only).
• lunch at a local restaurant (all-inclusive package only).

Options for this experience

2 options

Private guide and car serviceGuide in English · 14 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 15:30A knowledgeable local guide, a private driver, and a private car are included; lunch and entrance fees are at your own expense. Pickup is included.

Private all-inclusive tourGuide in English · 14 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 15:30Private all-inclusive tour: a skilled local guide, a private driver and car, a tasty lunch, and entrance fees to Yu Garden and Jade Buddha Temple are included. Pickup is included.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day14 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 15:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 to 79 years) · Senior (80 and older) · Youth (7 to 13 years) · Child (3 to 6 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TraveltoHan

Is this one for you?Book this if you're visiting Shanghai for the first time and want to see the main landmarks without arranging transport, entry tickets, or a restaurant yourself. The private guide handles the language, the route, and the timing, so you just move through the city and ask questions.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 13 years); Child (3 to 6 years); Infant (under 3).

How long is the full day tour?

The tour runs a full day, typically 8–10 hours depending on how long you spend at each stop and where your hotel is located.

What's included in the all-inclusive package?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, private guide, private air-conditioned vehicle, entrance fee to Yuyuan Garden, and lunch at a local restaurant.

Can the itinerary be changed?

Yes. The tour is fully customizable. Your guide can adjust the order of stops, how long you spend at each place, or skip attractions if you prefer to focus on others.

Do I need to book entrance fees separately?

Only if you book the "Private Guide & Car" option. The all-inclusive package includes Yuyuan Garden entry. Other attractions may have small fees not listed.

What if my hotel isn't in downtown Shanghai?

An arrangement can be made to meet you near the downtown area instead of your hotel.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

Advise any specific dietary requirements when you book, and the guide can arrange lunch accordingly.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes, it operates in all weather. Dress appropriately for the season and conditions.