4-Hour Private Tour of Pudong: China Art Palace & Shanghai Tower

See Shanghai's skyline from the 118th floor, then walk through centuries of art in one afternoon.

A 4-hour private guided tour of Pudong in Shanghai takes you through the China Art Palace Museum's 27 galleries—including masterpieces from the British Museum, Rijksmuseum and Maisons de Victor Hugo—then up Shanghai Tower's observation deck for a 360-degree view of the city. Hotel pickup in downtown Shanghai, entrance fees, and local transportation are included; your guide speaks English, German or Chinese.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Pudong's Art and Skyline

• Meet guide at Shanghai hotel
• Visit China Art Palace Museum
• View art exhibitions and halls
• Walk skybridge in Lujiazui
• See modern architecture towers
• Take elevator to Shanghai Tower observation deck
• Enjoy panoramic Shanghai views
• Return to hotel or downtown area

The Experience

Your guide meets you at your downtown Shanghai hotel and drives you to the former 2010 World Expo site in Pudong, where the China Art Palace Museum now stands in the striking red architecture of the original China Pavilion. Inside, 27 halls and galleries hold paintings, sculptures, prints and works of neo-socialist realism alongside pieces borrowed from major European collections. The most popular exhibition, "River Scene During Qingming Festival," shows the daily life and street scenes of the ancient Song Dynasty in vivid detail—your guide walks you through what you're seeing and the history behind it.

From there, you head to Lujiazui, the financial district, and walk among the cluster of modern towers—Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai World Financial Tower, Jinmao Tower and Shanghai Tower itself. The super-fast elevator (18 meters per second) takes you to the observation deck on the 118th floor of the world's second-tallest building, where you stand in a 360-degree panoramic view of Shanghai. If you prefer, you can substitute Shanghai Tower for one of the other observation decks based on what appeals to you. Your guide then returns you to your hotel or another downtown location of your choice.

For groups of one to four people, you travel in a local premium car; groups larger than four get a private air-conditioned minivan. The tour operates in all weather, so dress for the conditions. If your hotel is outside downtown Shanghai—in areas like Jiading, Songjiang, Qingpu, Jinqiao or Chuansha—your guide will arrange a meeting point in the downtown area instead.

What’s included

• Private guide in your choice of English, German or Chinese.
• hotel pickup in downtown Shanghai (or downtown meeting point if your hotel is outside the central area).
• entrance fees to both the China Art Palace Museum and Shanghai Tower observation deck.
• local transportation in a premium car for groups of 1–4 people or a private air-conditioned minivan for larger groups.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sunny Private Tours

Is this one for you?Book the morning departure if you want to start fresh and have the rest of the day free after the tour ends; the afternoon departure works better if you prefer a later start or have other plans in the morning. Either way, the fixed itinerary and included transport mean the day holds together without you arranging pickups, tickets or navigation.

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Top questions

What's inside the China Art Palace Museum that makes it worth the visit?

The China Art Palace holds 27 halls of paintings, sculptures, prints and neo-socialist realist works, plus masterpieces on loan from the British Museum in London, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Maisons de Victor Hugo in Paris. The "River Scene During Qingming Festival" exhibition is the most popular, showing the prosperous street life and daily routines of ancient Song Dynasty China.

How high up does Shanghai Tower's observation deck go?

Shanghai Tower's observation deck sits on the 118th floor of the building, which is the world's second-tallest. The elevator reaches it in seconds at 18 meters per second, and from there you get a full 360-degree view of the city.

Do I have to visit Shanghai Tower, or can I choose a different observation deck?

Shanghai Tower is the standard stop, but you can substitute it for the observation deck at Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jinmao Tower or Shanghai World Financial Tower based on your own preference—just let your guide know.

Is hotel pickup included, and does it work for all Shanghai hotels?

Hotel pickup is included for hotels in downtown Shanghai. If your hotel is in the outskirts—Jiading, Songjiang, Qingpu, Jinqiao or Chuansha in Pudong—your guide will arrange a meeting point in the downtown area instead and give you directions.

What language does the guide speak?

Your guide speaks English, German or Chinese, depending on which option you book.

Should I book the morning or afternoon departure?

Both departures cover the same route and sites. Choose the morning if you prefer to start early and have the afternoon free; choose the afternoon if you'd rather sleep in or have other plans in the morning.