Private Evening Shanghai Tour: VIP River Cruise and City Lights

Glide past century-old buildings and neon-lit streets from your VIP river seat

A private 3-hour evening tour of Shanghai starting at 7 PM from your hotel, with a walk through Old Shanghai Town, a VIP-class Huangpu River cruise, stops in Pudong's business district and the French Concession at Xin Tian Di, and a private driver-guide in English. The dinner option includes Shanghai soup dumplings and local specialties. Both options come with hotel pickup, bottled water and all transport.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Yu Garden40m
2. Pudong30m
3. Xintiandi30m

Evening tour of Shanghai highlights

• Pick up from hotel lobby
• Walk in Old Shanghai Town
• Take VIP evening cruise on Huangpu River
• Visit Pudong Lujiazui Commercial Area
• Explore former French Concession at Xin Tian Di

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel lobby at 7 PM and heads straight to Old Shanghai Town. A short walk takes you past the Nine-Zigzag Bridge and the surrounding 100-year-old buildings: the point where you start seeing the contrast between the old stone architecture and what's rising on the other side of the Huangpu River. Weather permitting, that contrast is what frames the whole evening.

After the walk, you board the VIP-class river cruise. The Huangpu is where Shanghai's two eras sit across from each other: the Bund side holds the colonial-era buildings (the Peace Hotel with its pyramid roof lit in green, the Customs House with its clock tower), while Pudong's skyline answers with the Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower and the Bottle Opener building. From the VIP deck, you see both at once as the boat moves downriver.

Once you're back on land, the tour moves to Pudong's Lujiazui commercial district, the newly developed area that rose since 1990. The scale of what got built in two decades is the kind of thing that lands differently when you're standing in it. From there, you head to Xin Tian Di in the former French Concession: old stone-gate architecture next to renovated nightlife, boutiques, pubs and restaurants. You can spend time on your own here or head back to your hotel with your guide. If you chose the dinner option, the Shanghai soup dumplings and local dishes happen during this part of the evening.

What’s included

• Private hotel pickup and drop-off.
• private vehicle and driver-guide in English.
• VIP-class Huangpu River cruise seat.
• bottled water.
• Shanghai soup dumplings and local dishes if you choose the dinner option.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private Evening TourGuide in English · 18:30 and 19:00Pickup is included

Dinner included on the evening tourGuide in English · 18:00 and 18:30Evening tour with dinner, and pickup is included

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 18:00, 18:30 and 19:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 to 85 years) · Child (3 to 11 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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Shanghai Driver Guide

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a private vehicle and guide for the evening, or add the dinner option to eat Shanghai soup dumplings and local specialties during the tour rather than separately.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Nine-Zigzag Bridge in Old Shanghai Town?

The Nine-Zigzag Bridge is a famous landmark in Old Shanghai Town, a short walk from where your tour begins. It's part of the historic district that shows the older architectural style of Shanghai before the modern towers went up.

Can I see both the old Bund buildings and Pudong's modern skyline on the river cruise?

Yes. The VIP-class Huangpu River cruise is designed so you see the colonial-era buildings on the Bund side (including the Peace Hotel and Customs House), while Pudong's modern towers like the Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower light up on the opposite bank as you cruise.

What's included if I don't add the dinner option?

The Private Evening Tour includes the 3-hour route, hotel pickup and drop-off, the VIP river cruise, a private vehicle, bottled water and a private driver-guide in English. If you skip dinner, you still visit all four stops but don't eat during the tour.

How much time do I spend at Xin Tian Di?

The tour ends at Xin Tian Di in the French Concession, where you can spend time on your own exploring the boutiques, pubs and restaurants, or return to your hotel with your guide. The exact amount of time is flexible depending on your preference.

Does the tour operate if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in all weather conditions, so it runs rain or shine. Dress appropriately for the evening temperature and any rain, and you'll still see the city lights and take the river cruise as planned.