Private 3-Hour Tour: The Bund and Shanghai Tower

See Shanghai's skyline and colonial heart without planning the route yourself

This private 3-hour walking tour of Shanghai covers The Bund and Shanghai Tower with a dedicated English-speaking guide who meets you at your hotel. You'll walk the riverside promenade, ride the ferry across the Huangpu River, and explore colonial-era landmarks including the Fairmont Peace Hotel and HSBC building. Hotel pickup and entrance fees are included. The tour operates at your own pace.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Shanghai Tower2h · entry included
2. The Bund45m

Explore Shanghai Tower and The Bund

• Meet guide in hotel lobby
• Transfer to Shanghai Tower
• Admire views from Shanghai Tower
• Walk along Riverside promenade
• Take ferry or car to The Bund
• View Shanghai skyline from The Bund
• Stroll past Fairmont Peace Hotel and HSBC building
• See Bund Bull and learn colonial history
• Visit Garden Bridge and Suzhou Creek
• Return to hotel with guide

The experience

Your guide meets you at your hotel lobby and takes you first to Shanghai Tower, the world's second-tallest building designed by American firm Gensler. You'll admire the views from the tower and walk the riverside promenade before heading toward The Bund. The route depends on timing: if it's before 6pm, you cross the Huangpu River by ferry. Otherwise, you travel by car. Either way, you reach The Bund's waterfront where the guide walks you through the colonial-era landmarks (the Fairmont Peace Hotel, HSBC building, and the Bund Bull sculpture) each with its own story tied to Shanghai's history.

The ferry crossing (when available) is the centerpiece of the middle section. From the water, you see the skyline shift as you move between the modern towers and the older colonial architecture. The guide points out where Suzhou Creek and the Huangpu River meet at Garden Bridge, a spot that has appeared in films like "Empire of the Sun" and "Romance in the Rain." The whole experience stays unhurried. You're walking at your own pace, not racing between stops.

At the end, your guide transfers you back to your hotel. Wear comfortable shoes. The tour involves steady walking and standing. Taxi fare within the 2nd Ring Road is covered, though if your hotel sits outside that zone, you'll pay the difference. The group is yours alone: no other travelers join.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transfer.
• entrance fees to Shanghai Tower and The Bund attractions.
• private English-speaking guide for the full 3 hours.
• ferry ride across the Huangpu River (when available before 6pm).
• taxi fare within the 2nd Ring Road.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day25 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 19:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Sunflower Tours China

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Shanghai without a car and want to see the main landmarks in one morning or afternoon. Your guide handles the route and timing, and the ferry crossing (when it runs) is arranged. You just show up at your hotel ready to walk.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What exactly is Shanghai Tower and what will I see there?

Shanghai Tower is the world's second-tallest building, designed by American architectural firm Gensler. You'll visit the tower and walk the riverside promenade to take in views of the city skyline.

Do I actually ride the ferry, or is it just an option?

The ferry crosses the Huangpu River between Shanghai Tower and The Bund, but only if the tour runs before 6pm when the ferry closes. If your tour is later, you'll travel by car instead.

What colonial landmarks will I see at The Bund?

At The Bund you'll walk past the Fairmont Peace Hotel, the HSBC building, and the Bund Bull sculpture while your guide explains their colonial-era significance and Shanghai's history during that period.

Will my hotel pickup be included if I'm staying outside the city center?

Your guide meets you at your hotel lobby and returns you there at the end. Taxi fare within the 2nd Ring Road is included. If your hotel is outside that zone, you pay the difference for the extra distance.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

You'll walk steadily through The Bund and the riverside areas at your own pace. Wear comfortable shoes and have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or during pregnancy.