My Top Travel Priority: Expedition through Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Zhangjiajie, Guilin & Shanghai
Beijing - Xi'an - Chengdu - Zhangjiajie - Guilin - Shanghai
Read More
Private Shanghai Travel
Walk the historic Bund, look across the Huangpu River to Shanghai's futuristic skyline, and discover the gardens, lanes, flavors and everyday stories behind China's most cosmopolitan city.
Why choose Shanghai?
Shanghai blends China’s past and future—from the historic Bund and futuristic Lujiazui skyline to Yu Garden, Shikumen neighborhoods and lively local markets.
Allow 2–3 full days to see the highlights and explore at a relaxed pace. Add a day trip to Zhujiajiao, Suzhou, Hangzhou or another Jiangnan water town.
With two major airports and excellent high-speed rail connections, Shanghai is an ideal gateway to Beijing, Xi’an, Huangshan, Zhangjiajie, Guilin and Yangtze River cruises.
All our Shanghai tours are private and customizable, including an English-speaking guide, private vehicle and experienced driver. Share your dates and interests, and receive a personalized itinerary within 24 hours.
Private Shanghai tours
Begin with Shanghai's essential landmarks, explore the city through architecture, food, art or family experiences, or slow down for local neighborhoods and a nearby water town.
Popular combinations
Shanghai is the natural gateway to the Yangtze River Delta and one of the easiest cities to connect with the rest of China. Continue by high-speed train to classical gardens, lakes and water towns, fly to celebrated landscapes, or link Shanghai with China's great historic capitals.
Connect two of China's most influential cities by high-speed train. Shanghai reveals the country's global, commercial and architectural energy, while Beijing offers imperial landmarks, historic hutongs and the Great Wall.
Across China
Shanghai is one of the best gateways for a first journey through China. Its international flight connections, two major airports and extensive high-speed railway network make it easy to combine the Bund and Shanghai skyline with Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, the Yangtze River, Tibet and the Silk Road.
No China tour packages match these filters. Try another duration, destination or theme.
Find your fit
Use these route types as a starting point, then personalize the details with your travel consultant.
| Route type | Best for | Recommended time | Core experiences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Shanghai | First-time visitors | 2–3 days | The Bund, Yu Garden, Lujiazui skyline, museum and local neighborhoods |
| Shanghai & Water Town | Culture and photography | 3–4 days | Shanghai highlights plus Zhujiajiao, Wuzhen or Zhouzhuang |
| Shanghai, Suzhou & Hangzhou | Jiangnan scenery and culture | 5–7 days | Skyline, classical gardens, canals, West Lake and tea culture |
| Shanghai & Huangshan | City and nature | 5–6 days | Shanghai landmarks, Yellow Mountain and Huizhou heritage |
| Shanghai, Xi'an & Beijing | First China journeys | 8–10 days | The Bund, Terracotta Warriors, Forbidden City and Great Wall |
| Shanghai & Yangtze Cruise | Relaxed multi-destination travel | 7–10 days | Shanghai city sights, Three Gorges scenery and cruise experience |
Shanghai travel guides
Practical information to help you choose the right itinerary, travel season, accommodation area, nearby side trip and transport plan.
Hi Samantha, thank you for your message and the gifts we received in Chengdu. We’re having a great time. It’s stress free travelling for me as I don’t have to make decisions or answer questions...
Hi Phoebe, thank you so much I have had a fabulous time and enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you so much for the gift as well it was much appreciated. Warm regards.
Dear Wing Zeng, thanks again for all the work. You can find my answers to the questions in the mail below. (1) We are very satisfied with the reaction speed and the information we received...
We joined China Discovery again, as it’s more convenient to go with a guide rather than long drive by ourselves. Thank you to our travel consultant Wonder, she is very helpful and responsive.
The Tour was for the three of us : self, wife and daughter. We asked for a guide and a dedicated transport for each location visited. Places visited are Guilin, Chengdu, Xi'an, Beijing and Shanghai...
Our experience with China Discovery was absolutely spectacular. From start to finish, the organization was flawless, allowing us to truly enjoy every single place we visited. The hotels were incredible...
We had a fantastic trip to Zhangjiajie. Our itinerary was put together by China Discovery and covered all of the sites and locations we wanted to see. We had fantastic service from Wonder Wang who took care of all of the details...
Wonder from China Discovery was recommended to us by a good friend. My husband and I have been very happy with Wonder’s arrangement for each of the 4 -5 private tours we have been with China Discovery...
I have used China Discovery twice, and both experiences were excellent. The first trip was in late December 2023, when we visited Yichang, Chongqing, and Guangzhou. The second was in March 2026, when we traveled to Xi'an and Nanjing...
We had an 18 days guided tour with China discovery and it was amazing. From fenghuang ancient city to Zhangjiajie for the wonderful scenery. Then went to Chengdu and Leshan where we saw the cutest and funniest pandas, and the giant Buddha was phenomenal.
We went on a 7days 6nights tour Guilin/Yangshou. Tour guide Kenny is such a wonderful and knowledgeable guide. Strongly recommended to travel with China Discovery.
I just finished a 10 day trip with China Discovery. It was amazing from start to finish. Jack our travel adviser provided guidance on the best route beforehand and all the tour guides were awesome.
Plan Shanghai with confidence
Useful answers for selecting a Shanghai tour package and preparing for a smooth journey.
Most first-time visitors need 2 to 3 full days. Two days are enough for the Bund, Yu Garden, the Lujiazui skyline and selected cultural sights. A third day allows time for a museum, an architecture or food walk, and a more relaxed look at local neighborhoods. Add another day for Zhujiajiao, Suzhou or a different Jiangnan water town. Compare our 2-day | 3-day | 4-day | 5-day | 6-day | 7-day | 8-day Shanghai itinerary ideas.
Start with the Bund for Shanghai's historic waterfront and views across the Huangpu River. Visit Yu Garden and the surrounding old-city area, cross to Lujiazui for the modern skyline, and add a museum or a walk through the former concession streets for greater cultural context. A Huangpu River cruise is especially atmospheric in the evening. Check more about 15 Epic Places to Visit in Shanghai.
Shanghai has an extensive metro network, and many central neighborhoods are rewarding to explore on foot. However, the city is large and attractions are spread across several districts. A private vehicle is useful when combining distant sights, traveling with children or seniors, carrying luggage, or making a day trip outside the urban center. Your guide also helps with entrances, local navigation and cultural interpretation.
Spring and autumn generally offer the most comfortable conditions for walking and city sightseeing. Summer is hot and humid, with a rainy period that often occurs around June, while winter is cooler and can feel damp. Shanghai is a year-round destination, and indoor museums, dining, shopping and cultural experiences make it easy to adapt the itinerary to the weather. Check Best Time to Visit Shanghai.
The Bund and People's Square are convenient for major landmarks and first-time sightseeing. The Wukang Road area suits travelers who prefer tree-lined streets, cafes and neighborhood walks. Lujiazui is a good choice for skyline views and modern hotels, while Hongqiao can be practical for travelers using Hongqiao Airport or Hongqiao Railway Station. Check Where to Stay in Shanghai.
Yes. Zhujiajiao is one of the easiest water-town trips from central Shanghai. Suzhou and Hangzhou are also conveniently connected by high-speed train and are better with at least one full day; many travelers stay overnight for a more relaxed experience. Wuzhen, Tongli and Zhouzhuang offer different combinations of canals, historic residences and evening atmosphere.
Some museums, observation decks and popular attractions use timed entry or advance reservation, especially on weekends and public holidays. Opening days and reservation procedures can change. When admission is included in your private tour, our local team will confirm the current requirements and assist with the necessary arrangements.
A private Shanghai tour normally includes an English-speaking guide, private vehicle and driver, sightseeing arrangements and the transfers listed in the itinerary. Hotels, entrance tickets and meals can be included according to the service level you choose. Your consultant will clearly list all inclusions and exclusions in the quotation.
Eligible travelers transiting to a third country or region may be able to stay in China for up to 240 hours without a visa. Nationality, entry port, onward destination, ticket and permitted-area requirements apply. Because entry policies can change, confirm your eligibility with China's National Immigration Administration or the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate before booking transportation.
Yes. Shanghai has extensive international air links, two major airports and convenient high-speed trains to cities across eastern China and beyond. It is an efficient gateway for routes through Suzhou, Hangzhou and Huangshan, and it connects easily with Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, Zhangjiajie and Yangtze River cruise itineraries.
Private & fully customizable
Tell us your dates, pace and interests — a dedicated travel consultant will reply within 24 hours with a tailor-made itinerary and quote.
Start Planning My Trip