Shanghai tour: Old & New Highlights with flexible itinerary

Build your day around Shanghai's landmarks, not a fixed schedule.

A private full-day tour of Shanghai with hotel pickup and drop-off, professional guide and driver included. You pick which attractions to visit (the Bund, Yu Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Tower or others), and your guide adjusts the itinerary to fit your interests and the time you have. The tour runs roughly eight hours, with flexible start time based on your hotel location and preferences.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Yu Garden1h
2. Jade Buddha Temple40m · entry included
3. Shanghai Tower40m

Explore Shanghai Old and New Highlights

• Hotel pick up by guide and driver
• Visit waterfront avenue and Bund area
• Explore Yu Garden and shopping area
• Tour Jade Buddha Temple after lunch
• Visit Shanghai Tower or Jinmao Tower
• Return to hotel or downtown restaurant

The experience

What makes this tour different is that you're not locked into a set route. Your guide arrives at your hotel at a time that works for you, then you decide what to see. The Bund is a popular first stop. You can watch locals exercising at dawn, walk the waterfront, take a night river cruise, or ride the Sightseeing Tunnel under the Huangpu River. Yu Garden, a classical garden in the heart of the city, closes at 4 PM and stays shut on Mondays, so your guide will help you time it right and navigate the surrounding market where you can bargain for souvenirs. The Jade Buddha Temple comes after lunch (your own expense) and holds an exquisite Burmese jade Buddha statue. Your guide explains the religious history as you move through the chambers. Shanghai Tower, China's tallest building, has a high-speed elevator that climbs at 18 meters per second. Tickets are bought on the spot, and your guide helps with that, or you can skip it and visit Jinmao Tower instead.

The vehicle is private and air-conditioned, with just your group inside. Your guide speaks English or Chinese and knows how to compress the major sights into the time you have. If you only want three stops instead of five, that's the tour you get. Bottled water is included. At the end of the day, the driver takes you back to your hotel, or to a restaurant downtown if you'd rather eat out before heading back.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• private professional guide speaking English or Chinese.
• experienced driver and private air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Child (under 5)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

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 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Leo's Guide & Driver Service

Is this one for you?This tour suits travelers who want to see Shanghai's major landmarks but don't want to follow a rigid schedule. Because it's private, your guide customizes the stops and pace to your interests. If you're fascinated by temples, you spend more time there. If you want to shop, the market at Yu Garden is built in. You decide the start time and which attractions matter most, so the eight hours work for you instead of the other way around.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 5).

Can I start the tour at a time that suits my schedule?

Yes. Pickup time is flexible based on your situation, so you choose when the guide arrives at your hotel. Pickups outside central Shanghai (from the airport, cruise terminals, railway station, Disney Area or other outlying zones) incur extra fees.

What is Yu Garden and when can I visit it?

Yu Garden is a classical garden ranking among Shanghai's must-see attractions, located in a shopping district where you can buy crafts, foods and jewels. It closes at 4 PM daily and is closed all day Monday, so your guide will time your visit to fit the schedule.

Do I have to visit Shanghai Tower, or can I choose something else?

Shanghai Tower is optional. If you'd rather not visit it, Jinmao Tower is a good alternative, or your guide can take you to other attractions based on your interests. Tickets for Shanghai Tower are purchased on the spot with your guide's help.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is at your own expense. After you eat, the tour continues to the Jade Buddha Temple and other stops you've chosen.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If poor weather forces a cancellation, you'll be offered a different date or a full refund.