Private Tour
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
This half-day tour is perfect for travelers with limited time to get a quick, but comprehensive view of Shanghai's history, culture, tastes and sounds.
The major attractions in this tour include: The Yuyuan Garden, historic backstreets of Old Shanghai, Confucius Temple local dumpling tasting and much more, as well you'll enjoy the special Confucian's tea ceremony. All in just 3 and 1/2 hours!
This tour uses the metro and taxis, and comes with an optional private car and driver. Please select when booking.
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Dress comfortably and for the season
Please wear comfortable shoes
If you choose a departure time after 2:00PM, note the change in itinerary (but equally awesome tour!
To secure your Yuyuan Garden Ticket and bypass queues, please provide your full name along with your passport number.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Personal tour guide services
Confucian Tea Ceremony
Optional Private Car w/driver (select when booking)
Guide will meet you at your centrally located hotel and return.
Metro fees from hotel to first site and return
Authentic soup dumplings
Personal expenses
Gratuities
Yu Garden (Yuyuan)
Your tour guide will meet you at your desired starting point in the city center, typically your hotel lobby, at your desired time. The start time is flexible, but note that itinerary will change if you desired to start your tour after 2:00PM since the Confucius Temple and Yuyuan Garden will close at 4:00. After your guide meets you, your 3 1/2 Amazing Highlights of Old Shanghai tour begins as you take a taxi or public transportation to the first stop. First, you will visit Yuyuan Garden, a famous classical garden in southern China which is over 400 years old built in Ming Dynasty, the area around the garden has been the downtown of the city for several hundred years. Walking around this area will also introduce you to traditional Chinese shops and homes. If you need some souvenirs, nearby you also find unique items such as pearls, jade, tea and silk as well as inexpensive Chinese ornamental items.
Old Town (Nanshi)
From here you'll take a short walk to the historic district of Old Shanghai. You'll see traditional homes that are over 100 years old including seeing homes that are boarded up and marked for destruction as Shanghai races to modernity. This is a must see unique area in this modern city! You can even talk to the locals with your tour guide as translator and peer inside homes. Along your walk we'll stop for delicious soup dumplings a favorite delicacy of both locals and foreigners. They overflow with juices as you bite into the specially seasoned filling of meats and vegetables.
Private Half-Day Tour: Expert guide service, all entrance fees, dumplings and tea ceremony are inclusive with transportation by metro and taxis
Pickup included
Private car and driver: Includes a modern vehicle with AC and ample room along with experienced driver in addition to your guide.
Pickup included
41 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Tobias T,
Jun 5, 2025
- Viator
A nice and relaxed tour of Yu Garden and Old Shanghai! Our guide was super cool, relaxed and humorous. We greatly enjoyed hanging out with her and seeing these fantastic spots while at the same time learning about the history and culture. Thank you!
Phillip H,
Apr 4, 2025
- Viator
After spending 2 full days in Shanghai, we almost canceled this tour. Our guide Alice was quick to adapt the tour to show us parts of Shanghai that we haven’t seen. We went to the Art district, a Jade store/museum, a shopping mall, the largest Starbucks and Shanghai Tianzifang (a quaint shopping district) and the 1000 tree street. She took us for lunch at a popular dim sum restaurant and back home again. Alice was so accommodating and had a charming personality. I would highly recommend this tour company because of our guide and her willingness to adapt to a new situation.
Jessica A,
Nov 9, 2023
- Viator
We had a great tour of Old Shanghai with Grace who was warm and knowledgeable. She took us to see the Gods, had a tea ceremony and a lovely vegetarian dim sum lunch! We highly recommend!
Operated by Jennys China Tours