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Shanghai Tours & Trips
33 Shanghai trips. Tours from 26 tour companies. 206 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.
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Shanghai Reviews & Ratings
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Impressive and full of variety whilst still feeling welcoming & friendly
This trip ticks all the boxes to immerse yourself in Chinese culture and history. Seeing the Terracotta army in all its glory was a lifelong ambition and didn’t di...
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So much included
This was my first trip outside of Europe, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to step outside their travel comfort-zone and immerse themselves in a completely d...
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Hints and tips
This is not a restful trip. It is full on from the start but it gave us everything we wanted to see in China and our guide Kris made it very easy for us. She had a...
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A great way to see all the great things in China
Have low expectations and be positive was the motto of our guide. My own expectations were exceeded! We got to see so many great things Pandas! I booked this trip ...
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A great trip, who have interest and energy
Kris was an excellent guide with detailed knowledge on the Nation and people of China. Answered questions with a easily to understand words. There is little rest s...
Shanghai Tour Selection Trips
- Shanghai is usually a single stop on an extended tour of China, and it usually falls at the start or the end of the tour. If you want a tour exclusively of Shanghai, you may want to consider booking a private tour of just the city, or pick a tour which ends in the city so you can spend a couple of extra days there on your own.
- Tours in Shanghai are primarily cultural and historical, and one way to capitalize on this experience is to go on a tour with a homestay or cultural immersion element to it.
- Because of the language barrier, may solo travellers prefer to travel to China (and even it’s big cities) with a tour. It is easy to compare solo traveler friendly tours here on Stride.
Additional details
Best Time to Visit Shanghai
One generally touted piece of advice when traveling to Shanghai is to visit in the autumn. Temperatures are still comfortably warm between September and October (with highs on average 81F in September and a still pleasant 72F in October), and you will be avoiding the high prices and crowds of the summer.
The spring weather is also a good option, temperatures are in April around 65F, and May 74F. Shanghai tour packages at this time of year are also the best time to catch the city’s gorgeous cherry and peach blossoms.
The best time to visit certain tourist attractions can also vary. If you are a multi day tour of the city, your tour guide will likely make sure that certain attractions are experienced during the week. For example, the gorgeous and historic water town of Zhujiajiao is usually quite crowded with tourists during the weekend, so it’s recommended that you visit during the week.
What to wear in Shanghai
If you do decide to travel during Shanghai’s winter, bring a good jacket and warm clothing. Otherwise, you can feel free to dress as you might at home, though perhaps a bit more formally -- much of Shanghai dresses in Western fashions, and is very trendy.
You are expected to wear more formal clothing when eating out to dinner at night, and you may be looked down upon if you wear anything too revealing.
Also, it is important to note that Chinese clothing sizes are smaller than typical Western ones -- so if you need to replace an article of clothing, buy a couple of sizes up!
If you are a man, do not wear any green hat! In China, this is associated with being a cheat or adulterer, due to how linguistically similar the words sound in Chinese.
Is air pollution a problem in Shanghai?
Although air pollution is a more well known problem in Beijing, it is also a problem (on a lesser scale) in Shanghai. For this reason, you will still see many Chinese wearing face masks. It is not necessary for you to wear these since you are only spending a short portion of time in the city. If you are very asthmatic, it is recommended you avoid intense, outdoor exercise.
Shanghai Travel Tips
- Despite the very modern appearance of Shanghai, you will soon find that most bathroom are still squat-toilets. Bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
- You will have to purchase a step down converter and travel adapter plug -- most Western devices aren’t designed for the shape and voltage of Chinese plugs.
- Don’t drink the tap water, although it is safe to brush your teeth with.
- In Shanghai, taxi drivers prefer to be given coins over small bills anyday.
- If you are dining outside of tourist areas, you may have to ask for rice immediately. The Chinese consider rice a cheap way to get full at the end of your meal, so asking for mifan mashang (rice immediately) is your best way to get some.
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On Travelstride you can find 33 trips to Shanghai and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.