Shanghai
Plan Shanghai with Haqqi Tours: day tours, private airport transfers, attraction tickets and packages, run by our own team and confirmed on WhatsApp in Arabic or English.
Step out of your hotel in Shanghai at dawn and walk to the Bund before the city fully wakes. Along the river promenade, retirees practise tai chi in slow unison, kite flyers tug at the breeze, and across the Huangpu the towers of Lujiazui rise from the morning haze like a vision of the future: the pink spheres of the Oriental Pearl, the twisting silhouette of the Shanghai Tower. Behind you, the granite banks and customs houses of the 1920s glow in the first light.
Nothing matches those filters yet. Widen your search or message us on WhatsApp.
Shanghai Day Tours
View all
Shanghai Attraction Tickets
View all
Shanghai Airport Transfers
View all
Shanghai Flight Tickets
View all
Shanghai Train Tickets
View all
Shanghai at first sight
Shanghai was a modest cotton and fishing town until the nineteenth century turned it into a treaty port, then the trading capital of Asia. Today it is China's financial engine and its most cosmopolitan city, where lane houses, Buddhist temples and classical gardens survive among glittering skyscrapers, and where past and future are only one metro stop apart.
Why include Shanghai in your itinerary?
- The most dramatic skyline face-off in Asia. Nowhere else can you stroll past a mile of Art Deco and neoclassical banks on the Bund while gazing across the river at the supertall towers of Lujiazui, glittering after dark in a sea of light.
- A capital of Chinese flavour. Shanghai gave the world soup-filled xiaolongbao and crisp-bottomed shengjianbao, perfected glossy red-braised pork and scallion-oil noodles, and celebrates hairy crab season every autumn, making it one of China's most rewarding cities for food lovers.
- The gateway to the Yangtze delta's gardens and water towns. Within an hour or so by high-speed train or car lie the classical gardens of Suzhou, the poetic West Lake of Hangzhou and canal villages such as Zhujiajiao, all easy day trips from Shanghai.
Signature experiences in Shanghai
The Bund and the Lujiazui Skyline
Walk the Bund's riverside promenade past the clock tower of the Customs House and the stately former banks of the 1920s, then cross beneath the river to Lujiazui. Rising more than six hundred metres, the Shanghai Tower holds one of the world's highest observation decks, with the whole city spread like a map below. We issue attraction tickets for the observation deck and the evening Huangpu River cruise, and our guided day tours tie both banks together with the story of old and new Shanghai.
Xiaolongbao, Tea Houses and Old Shanghai Flavours
Shanghai's soul is served in bamboo steamers. Learn to nibble the top of a xiaolongbao and sip its hot broth, then try crisp shengjianbao, scallion-oil noodles and sweet red-braised pork. In the old city, take green tea in the mid-lake teahouse reached by a zigzag bridge built, legend says, to keep evil spirits away. Our guided day tours include tastings at local favourites, and in autumn our team can steer you to the city's beloved hairy crab season.
The Former French Concession
Under canopies of plane trees, the Former French Concession is the Shanghai to wander slowly. Art Deco apartments, garden villas and shikumen stone-gate lane houses line Wukang Road and Fuxing Road, while Tianzifang hides craft studios in narrow alleys and the restored lanes of Xintiandi hold cafés and boutiques. Our guided day tours reveal the architecture and stories behind each façade, and a private car with driver arranged by our team links the quarter with the rest of the city.
Suzhou Gardens and Zhujiajiao Water Town
Barely half an hour away by high-speed train, Suzhou guards some of China's finest classical gardens, UNESCO-listed masterpieces such as the Humble Administrator's Garden, where rockeries, pavilions and lotus ponds frame every view. Closer still, the canal town of Zhujiajiao offers arched stone bridges, Ming and Qing dynasty houses and wooden boats gliding past riverside teahouses. Our guided day tours cover both, we issue the train tickets for Suzhou or Hangzhou, and our team can arrange a private car with driver.
Yu Garden and the Old City
In the heart of the old walled city, Yu Garden was laid out in the sixteenth century by a Ming dynasty official: a maze of rockeries, carp ponds, carved dragon walls and moon gates. Around it, the City God Temple bazaar bustles beneath flying eaves with snack stalls and craft shops, glowing with lanterns during the Lantern Festival. We issue attraction tickets for the garden, and our guided day tours arrive early, before the crowds fill its winding corridors.
Neighbourhoods and quarters to know in Shanghai
The Bund and People's Square
The historic heart around the Bund, East Nanjing Road and People's Square is the classic base for first-time visitors to Shanghai. Grand heritage hotels face the river, the Shanghai Museum and Yu Garden are close, and metro lines radiate in every direction. It is busy, very safe and spectacular at night, though the crowds on Nanjing Road can be intense on public holidays.
Former French Concession
Leafy and residential, the Former French Concession is Shanghai's most romantic quarter, with boutique hotels in restored villas, independent cafés, design shops and quiet lanes perfect for wandering. Evenings are calm and the streets feel very safe. It suits couples, returning visitors and anyone who prefers neighbourhood life to grand avenues, while still being only minutes from the centre by metro.
Jing'an
Centred on the golden roofs of Jing'an Temple, framed by gleaming towers, Jing'an combines international hotels, the luxury shopping of West Nanjing Road and some of the city's best restaurants. Metro connections are excellent, the area is safe at all hours and both the Bund and the French Concession are a short ride away, making it ideal for business travellers and shoppers.
Lujiazui, Pudong
Across the Huangpu, Lujiazui is the skyscraper Shanghai of postcards, with luxury hotels whose high floors look straight at the Bund, the Shanghai Tower and a pleasant riverside promenade. It is spacious, safe and convenient for Pudong airport, though quieter at street level in the evening. Families and travellers who want unbeatable skyline views love staying here.
How long to stay in Shanghai and how to pair it
Recommended stay
Three to four nights is ideal for Shanghai: one day for the Bund, Lujiazui and the river cruise, one for Yu Garden, the Shanghai Museum and the French Concession, and one for a day trip to Suzhou, Hangzhou or a water town. A fifth night lets you slow down with Zhujiajiao, tea houses and unhurried wandering.
How to pair it
Shanghai anchors the classic China loop. On a 7-day trip, pair three or four days here with Beijing, linked by high-speed train in roughly four and a half to six hours, for the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Over 10 days, add Suzhou and Hangzhou as overnight stops. For 14 days, fly south to Guangzhou for Cantonese cuisine and the Pearl River Delta. We issue the train and flight tickets and arrange private transfers in every city.
Best time to visit Shanghai and the rhythm of the day
Best months
The best months for Shanghai are April to May and late September to November, when days are mild, skies clearer and the plane trees of the French Concession glow green or gold. Summers are hot and humid, with the plum rains of June and occasional typhoons later. Winter is chilly and damp but uncrowded. Avoid the first week of October and Chinese New Year, when domestic travel peaks.
The daily rhythm
Shanghai wakes early: tai chi and kite flying on the Bund, steaming breakfast buns on every corner. Mornings suit gardens and museums before the crowds gather, followed by a long lunch in a dumpling house. Afternoons are for wandering lane houses and cafés in the French Concession. As darkness falls the skyline ignites, and evenings belong to river cruises, tower views and late dinners.
On-the-ground logistics in Shanghai
Arrival
Most international flights land at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, around forty-five to sixty minutes by car from the Bund and People's Square. Hongqiao Airport, beside the Hongqiao high-speed railway station, is closer to the centre and handles many domestic and regional flights. Our private airport transfers meet you in arrivals and take you directly to your hotel, with no need to explain addresses in Chinese.
Getting around
Shanghai's metro is vast, clean, affordable and signposted in English, reaching almost every sight, while the riverside promenades and the French Concession are a pleasure on foot. Ride-hailing apps and licensed taxis are plentiful, though drivers rarely speak English, so carry your hotel's address in Chinese. For day trips and smooth sightseeing, a private car with driver arranged by our team is ideal.
Local etiquette tip
Shanghai's crucial local habit is digital: daily life runs on mobile payments, and many small shops and food stalls prefer a phone scan to cash or foreign cards. Set up a mobile wallet linked to your international card before you arrive and carry some cash as a backup. Tipping is not customary, and offering cards or gifts with both hands shows respect.
Must-do things in Shanghai
- Walk the Bund at sunrise and again after dark when the skyline lights up.
- Ride up to the observation deck of the Shanghai Tower for a bird's-eye view.
- Bite into soup-filled xiaolongbao at a busy local dumpling house.
- Explore the rockeries, carp ponds and dragon walls of the Ming dynasty Yu Garden.
- Cruise the Huangpu River at night between the Bund and Lujiazui.
- Wander the plane-tree avenues and lane houses of the Former French Concession.
- Admire ancient bronzes, ceramics and calligraphy in the Shanghai Museum.
- Take the high-speed train to Suzhou's UNESCO-listed classical gardens.
- Drift by wooden boat along the canals of Zhujiajiao water town.
- Visit the golden-roofed Jing'an Temple, framed by gleaming skyscrapers.
Do’s and don’ts in Shanghai
Do
- Carry your passport, as it is needed for train tickets, many attractions and hotel check-in.
- Set up a mobile payment wallet linked to your international card before arriving.
- Save your hotel's name and address in Chinese characters to show taxi drivers.
- Book observation decks and river cruises ahead for weekends and public holidays.
- Try street breakfasts such as shengjianbao, scallion pancakes and warm soy milk.
Don’t
- Don't travel during the first week of October or Chinese New Year if you can avoid it.
- Don't stand chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice; it recalls funeral offerings.
- Don't follow friendly strangers inviting you to tea ceremonies or art shows near Nanjing Road.
- Don't feel obliged to tip; it is not customary and can cause confusion.
- Don't rely on foreign cards alone; many small vendors prefer mobile payments or cash.
Shanghai at a glance
Plan Shanghai with Haqqi Tours
Every option is confirmed by our team on WhatsApp before you pay, and delivered by our own people or by trusted local partners we work with in every city. Because we send travellers from all over the world, our partners give us special rates and priority, so you always receive the best. Prices are per person unless marked per vehicle.
About Haqqi Tours: About us Contact us Legal NoticePrivacy PolicyCookies & Marketing PreferencesTerms & ConditionsBooking, Payment & Refunds
More services in Shanghai
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask most about Shanghai.
Where should first-time visitors stay in Shanghai?
First-time visitors to Shanghai do best near the Bund and People's Square, where river views, the Shanghai Museum and Yu Garden are close and metro lines go everywhere. The Former French Concession suits couples and returning visitors, while Jing'an and Lujiazui offer polished international hotels. Our team can recommend the right area and arrange your private transfer.
Can Shanghai be done as a day trip, or does it need an overnight stay?
Shanghai needs at least one overnight stay. The city is vast, and its finest moments, from the illuminated Bund to dawn tai chi along the river, happen at the edges of the day. If you are coming from Suzhou or Hangzhou we issue fast train tickets, but three or four nights reward you far more.
What is the dress code and etiquette in Shanghai?
Shanghai is stylish and relaxed, and smart-casual clothing fits everywhere. At Jing'an Temple and other Buddhist sites, cover shoulders and knees, speak softly and ask before photographing monks or altars. Queue patiently, avoid loud phone calls on the metro and offer business cards with both hands. Tipping is not expected in restaurants or taxis.
Is Shanghai tourist friendly?
Very. Shanghai is China's most international city, with English signage on the metro, at major sights and in large hotels, and a long tradition of welcoming foreign visitors. Mobile payments and the language gap take a little preparation, which is where our guided day tours, private transfers and WhatsApp support make everything simple.
Is it safe to travel to Shanghai now?
Shanghai is widely regarded as one of the safest large cities in the world, with low street crime and well-policed public spaces. Watch for pickpockets in crowds and decline tea-house invitations from strangers. Before departure, check your own government's official travel advice, follow local guidance and keep our WhatsApp line handy throughout your stay.
What are the must-do things in Shanghai?
Walk the Bund by day and night, ride up the Shanghai Tower, cruise the Huangpu, eat xiaolongbao, explore Yu Garden and the Shanghai Museum, and wander the French Concession. Add a day trip to Suzhou's gardens or a water town. We issue the attraction and train tickets and run guided day tours covering all of these.
How many days do you need in Shanghai?
Three to four days is ideal for a first visit to Shanghai: two days for the Bund, Lujiazui, Yu Garden, the museums and the French Concession, plus one or two for Suzhou, Hangzhou or Zhujiajiao. Five days lets you slow down and truly savour the city's food and tea culture.
What can I book in Shanghai with Haqqi Tours?
Day tours, attraction tickets, private airport transfers, flight tickets and train tickets, including Private Shanghai Zoo & Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour, Shanghai French Concession Local Food Tasting Walking Tour and Private Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour with Boat Ride Shanghai. Each has its own page, and the WhatsApp desk combines any of them into one plan with one written price.
How do I get from the airport to my hotel in Shanghai?
Shanghai Pudong (PVG) is about 45 km east of the centre with Terminals 1 and 2 and a satellite; Hongqiao (SHA) is about 15 km west beside the high-speed rail station. Our private transfer meets you at arrivals with a name board, tracks your flight and takes you door to door at a fixed price for the whole vehicle; the transfer pages list every route.
Is there public transport from the airport to Shanghai?
The Maglev reaches Longyang Road from Pudong Airport in 8 minutes and the metro continues from there; Hongqiao has Metro Lines 2 and 10. Each ends with a transfer and a walk with luggage, so a car from the terminal is the calm option, and Disneyland or a Hongqiao-to-Pudong hotel is a long drive either way. With luggage, a family or a late flight, the private car is the simpler choice.
Which tours are available in Shanghai?
Among them: Private Shanghai Zoo & Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour, Shanghai French Concession Local Food Tasting Walking Tour, Private Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour with Boat Ride Shanghai, Shanghai Yu Garden, Old Street, the Bund & Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour and Private Southern Great Wall Day Trip from Shanghai by Bullet Train. Each page says whether the day is private or small-group, what it includes and how long it lasts.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Both exist, and each tour page says which. A private tour has a vehicle and guide for your party alone; the desk can make most group tours private on request.
How do I book?
Fill in the form on any page or message us on WhatsApp with the date, the number of travellers and the hotel. A member of our team confirms the price and the details in writing within minutes.
Are the prices fixed?
Yes - every price is agreed in writing on WhatsApp before you travel and does not change on the day.
Do the drivers and guides speak Arabic or English?
It depends on the city and the day, so we do not promise a particular language; tell us your preference and we do our best. The WhatsApp desk always works in Arabic and English.
Can I change or cancel a booking in Shanghai?
Yes, in the same WhatsApp conversation. The terms depend on the product and on how close to the date the change comes; the desk states them before you pay.