All Shanghai Tours & Excursions in 2026

There are plenty of high-quality tours and experiences in Shanghai. According to previous travelers, here are the best tours to book right now:

• Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai

• Private Shanghai Full-Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights

• Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Private Day Tour

• Shanghai Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town and Boat Ride

• Eat Like A Local: Shanghai Night Food Tour

Guided tours in Shanghai are definitely worth it. With so much to see, from ancient water towns to modern skyscrapers, having a guide by your side can save time and add real value. Tours handle the logistics so you can focus on exploring, with options ranging from street food walks through the former French Concession to full-day private city tours, meaning there's something to suit most schedules and interests.

Per one customer who booked the Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai, "Happy I decided to do this food tour in spite of the rainy weather the day of the actual tour. Alex was a wonderful guide and had prepared a yummy circuit of food majorly in two areas. I loved the additions of the Chinese tea ceremony and fruit snack in between the highlights of fried scallion noodles, Cantonese duck, Shanghai fried dumplings, and Xiaolongbao soup buns. Highly recommend this tour!"

It depends on what you're looking for. Shanghai tours start at less than US$10 for group walking tours, while the most popular sightseeing and food tours typically cost US$75 to US$275 per person. Private full-day tours with transportation sit at the higher end of that range, and multi-day packages that include accommodation can run into the hundreds or thousands of dollars per person.

For an affordable introduction to the city, the Small-Group Shanghai's Old City Walking Exploration costs US$60 per person. It is a walking tour that takes in the city's historic alleyways and traditional architecture, though you'll be part of a small group and need to make your own way to the meeting point. For something more premium, the All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Best Shanghai w/ River Cruise is US$273 per person and covers a full day of sightseeing with a private guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, a restaurant lunch, and a Huangpu River cruise.

Shanghai tours cover a lot—from street food crawls and dumpling-making classes to evening cruises on the Huangpu River. You can cycle through the old town's alleyways, watch an acrobatics show, or explore the tree-lined streets of the former French Concession with a guide. Day trips to nearby water towns add gondola rides and canal-side strolls into the mix.

Consider an all-day or multi-day tour to pack in as many sights and activities as possible. The 2-Day Shanghai Highlight Tour Combo Package explores the city's top experiences across two days. You'll browse ancient artifacts at the Shanghai Museum, explore Yu Garden and haggle at the nearby bazaar, visit the Jade Buddha Temple, and head up Jin Mao Tower for skyline views, with walks along Nanjing Road and the Bund in between.

Plan 3-4 days to do Shanghai justice. That gives you time to walk the Bund, explore Yu Garden and the Old City, eat your way through the former French Concession, and cruise the Huangpu River at night. Add an extra day or two if you want to visit nearby water towns such as Zhujiajiao, or take a bullet-train day trip to Suzhou or Hangzhou.

According to travelers, these are the best attractions in Shanghai:

• Yu Garden (Yuyuan)

• Zhujiajiao

• The Bund (Waitan)

• Jade Buddha Temple (Yufo Si)

• Shanghai Tower

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Shanghai.

There are tons of great trips to take from Shanghai. According to traveler reviews, these are the best day trips to book right now:

• Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Private Day Tour

• Suzhou Private Day Trip from Shanghai with Bullet Train Option

• Private Suzhou Day Trip from Shanghai by Bullet Train with All-Inclusive Option

• Shanghai: Southern Great Wall Day Trip by Bullet Train

• Hangzhou Private Customized Day Trip from Shanghai by Bullet Train

View all of Viator's top Shanghai day trips.

You don't have to spend a fortune to have a great time in Shanghai. Here are some of the best Shanghai activities under US$10:

• Shanghai City Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st and Best Rated

• French Concession Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st & Best Rated

• Shanghai Evolution Free Walking Tour

• Photo Session on the Famous Shanghai Skyline

• French Concession Multicultural Walking Tour

Couples will find plenty of romantic tours in Shanghai. Here are some of the top activities to book now, according to previous travelers:

• Private Shanghai Full-Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights

• Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Private Day Tour

• Xitang Water Village Sunset Tour with Riverside Dining Experience from Shanghai

• Shanghai Authentic Dinner and Night River Cruise with Rooftop Bar Hopping Option

• Shanghai Night River Cruise and Light Tour with Yuyuan Bazaar

View all of Viator's top romantic tours in Shanghai.

There are tons of Shanghai activities that you can enjoy in the fresh air. Here are some of the top outdoor tours to book right now:

• Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai

• Private Shanghai Full-Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights

• Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Private Day Tour

• Shanghai Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town and Boat Ride

• Suzhou Private Day Trip from Shanghai with Bullet Train Option

View all of Viator's top outdoor activities in Shanghai.

According to travelers, these are the top museums and cultural attractions in Shanghai:

• Shanghai Museum (Shanghai Bowuguan)

• Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall (Shanghai Chengshi Guihua Zhanshi Guan)

• Shikumen Open House Museum (Wulixiang Shikumen Bowuguan)

• Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum (Shanghai Youtai Nanmin Jinianguan)

• Shanghai Science and Technology Museum (SSTM)

View all of Viator's museum tickets and passes in Shanghai.