Welcome to Old Town
The original city core and the sole part of Shànghǎi to pre-date the 1850s, the Old Town (南市) is a favourite with visitors hoping to glimpse ‘traditional’ China. Many of the older buildings have been replaced with modern apartment blocks, but there are still more temples here than in the rest of the city combined, and pockets are impregnated with atmosphere and shabby charm.
Top experiences in Old Town
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Old Town activities
Half-Day Morning Bike Tour of Shanghai Old Town
In just half a day on our vintage bicycles, you will discover the hidden gems of the city! Through narrow lanes in the peaceful Former French Concession, you get to discover beautiful villas from the 1920's and join the locals in their morning routine at Fuxing park. After tasting a delicious local breakfast and finding your inner peace in a Buddhist Temple, we ride through a very lively traditional open-air wet market. Your ride does not just stop there, we also take you to the most authentic portion of the Old Town, far from the crowds, to discover enchanting places and atmospheres, where you feel that times has stopped long ago. All in one and All inclusive, if you really want to immerse yourself and discover the diversity of this local culture, just hop on our vintage bicycles and follow us! USEFUL INFORMATION- English-speaking (for other languages, please contact us)- About 7 km ride, easy ride for all- From 8:45am to 1pm.- Up to 8 participants.- Departure and arrival at our Culture Shock Office in Xintiandi district- Minimum height is 1.50m. Tandem bikes are available for Private Tours with kids- Prices are all inclusive (warm drink during safety brief, snack food, temple entrance fee, a bottle of water, a foreign experienced guide, a helmet and single-gear vintage bike rental).- Optional premium insurance available.
Shanghai Old Town Private Walking Tour Including Yuyuan Garden
Step into the pages of history and discover the stories of Old Shanghai! Meet your private guide at a central location for your 2-hour walking tour of the old walled city called Nan Shi, or Old Town. At its center are the Yuyuan Garden, dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). Follow your guide through the exquisite imperial gardens — renowned for the classical landscape architecture — before walking to Chenghuangmiao, translated as Temple of the Town God. Here, you’ll learn about local tradition and the different gods of Chinese Taoist beliefs. Dating back to 1403, the temple's main courtyard is still active with worshippers and a central shrine offers solace from the bustle of the city.Finally, wander through Old Town’s lilong neighborhoods, where Western-style row houses and old Chinese courtyard homes line the narrow alleyways. These lanes, where laundry hangs from bamboo poles and neighbors share gossip, are rapidly disappearing along with an essential piece of Shanghai’s history. You’ll get a sense of traditional Chinese architecture and lifestyle as you meander past and view the first grand family's compound.At the end of your tour, learn about different types of local dumplings, with the opportunity to purchase some for a taste of delicious Chinese food.
Experience Ancient Shanghai Day Tour of Jade Buddha Temple and Shanghai Old Town
After meeting your guide in your hotel lobby, you will start your exciting full-day tour.First we will bring you to the Jade Buddha Temple, which was founded in 1882 under the reign of Emperor Guangxu during the Qing Dynasty with two jade Buddha statues that were imported into Shanghai from Burma by sea. Now there is also a marble reclining Buddha statue donated from Singapore. The temple is peaceful, and is a center of meditation. After visiting the Jade Temple, we will visit the Shanghai Confucian Temple, which is also known as Shanghai Wen Miao. This temple doesn’t only honor one of ancient China’s most important thinkers, but is also a refuge from the buzzing Old Town. There is a market located right outside the temple if you want to purchase some souvenirs to take home. After having a traditional Chinese cuisine lunch, you will enjoy a tea ceremony at the oldest tea house in Shanghai. If you think tea tasting is easy, just watch the intricate processes involved in making the tea – a process that differs for each type of tea. The last stop of this tour is the Yuyuan Garden, the city’s most famous example of the traditional gardens as historically kept by wealthy families in the Ming & Qing Dynasties. After exploring the Yuyuan Garden, spend time wandering through the markets and bazaars of Shanghai’s Old Town. This is the perfect opportunity to get souvenir shopping done while soaking up the atmosphere of old Shanghai. After this activity, the tour ends and we will bring you back to your hotel.
Shanghai Night Tour by Bike
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Culture Shock ToursWhat a better way to experience the “City That Never Sleeps” than hopping on one of our vintage Forever bicycles and explore a whole New World after dark. Follow our foreign expert Tour Leader on a multi-theme bike ride from the narrow streets of the Old Town all the way to the dazzling lights of the Bund. Like a local, you cycle around the famous landmark Yu Garden, learn about Ghost Wedding rituals, visit a Traditional Chinese Medicine pharmacy and get to learn more about the "Paris of the East". On the way, you also tickle your tastebuds with some delicious street food in order to immerse yourself deeper into local life. One evening with us and you can explore the many faces of Shanghai that make this city so unique.USEFUL INFORMATION- English-speaking (for other languages, please contact us)- About 9 km ride.- From 18:15pm to 21:30pm- Up to 8 participants- Departure and arrival at Culture Shock Office in Xintiandi district (89 Danshui road (House N13), near Xing'an Lu / 上海市黄浦区淡水路89弄13号1楼)- Minimum height is 1.50m.- Prices are all inclusive (Snack food, a bottle of water, a foreign experienced guide, a helmet and bike rental with all lights)- Optional premium insurance availableDuration: 3 hours
Peking Duck Dining Experience with Shanghai City Private Night Tour
Meet your friendly personal guide at your central Shanghai hotel at 6:30pm, and travel by private, comfortable vehicle to the Peking Duck restaurant to enjoy a famous, Beijing-style roast duck feast. Take your seat and place the crispy, sliced duck meat, scallion, cucumber, and sweet bean sauce on the top of the Chinese pancake. Then, roll up the pancake and enjoy! Your dinner includes a soda, beer, or tea, with additional drinks available at your own expense. After your delightful dinner, follow your guide on a walk around the Old Town area of the Yu Garden Bazaar. Take in the local markets and buildings bathed in twinkling gold lights, and cross the lucky ‘Nine Zigzag' bridge, as your guide shares insight into local culture and history. If time allows, sample some tea at the Huxingting Tea House, and then continue to The Bund area. Stroll along the riverside to enjoy the stunning views of the historical and modern buildings along the east and west banks of the Huangpu River, all fully illuminated. Admire The Bund’s colonial-era buildings as well as the Jinmao Tower, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai Tower, and the other skyscrapers of the Pudong Lujiazui Financial area. Afterward, transfer back to your hotel where your memorable Shanghai night tour concludes.
Private Customized Classic Shanghai Shore Excursion Tour
As th private shore excursion, the schedule, duration, and activities are entirely up to you. However, the most popular itinerary begins with a pickup at Shanghai cruise terminal and starts with a visit to the city’s former French Concession. Here, stop at Fuxing Park, where the French-style gardens pay homage to the park’s colonial beginnings,in the morning, the park offers a fantastic introduction to traditional Shanghai life as locals gather here to enjoy activities such as calligraphy, singing, and even ballroom dancing. Feel free to join in a dance if you wish! Then, let your guide lead you through the French Concession, once the center of colonial life, and now the hottest and hippest neighborhood in Shanghai. Hop back in your private vehicle and drive on to People’s Square, known as the heart of Shanghai. Besides being a great place to observe locals going about their daily life, the square is home to the famous Marriage Market during weekends, when local parents come to find a boyfriend or girlfriend for their single children. If it's raining, you may wish to enjoy the alternative of either a visit to the world-class Shanghai Museum, with its fantastic selection of historic artefacts or the fascinating Shanghai Urban Planning Museum . For lunch, stop at a local restaurant to enjoy classic Shanghainese cuisine. Enjoy xiaolongbao soup dumplings, Shanghai-style noodles, or meat, fish,and vegetable dishes, washed down with plenty of tea. Next, see more local life as you explore Shanghai's Old Town area. Wander through its narrow alleyways and colorful markets, and if you wish, shop for tea, antiques, Chinese seals, souvenirs, or even everyday items like clothes and chopsticks. No visit to Shanghai would be complete without a stroll along The Bund or the Riverside Promenade (Binjiang Da Dao) that locals describe as a free museum of architecture for the varied styles on display. As you enjoy the splendid views of the colonial-era architecture and the dramatic contemporary skyline across the River Huangpu, your guide will explain Shanghai’s international history. Since this is 8-hour fully customized tour, if time permits ,please also feel free to discuss with guide if you are interested to visit any other places in the followings: Huangpu River CruiseJade Buddha TempleTianzifang or M50 Art GalleriesMaglev Train rideMuseums such as Urban planning museum, Shanghai museum, Jewish museum or Shanghai propaganda art poster center Your tour finishes with a transfer back to your cruise ship or to the central Shanghai. Important reminder : In order to get off the ship you need the transit visa , you are responsible to get the visa for your own and if not you will not be able to get off the ship and take the tour.