Shanghai Cultural Tours & Trip Packages

Shanghai Cultural Tours & Trips

118 Shanghai trips. Tours from 59 tour companies. 206 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

103 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Cultural
China Odyssey
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Great Wall of China, Guilin, Shanghai, Suzhou, The Forbidden City, Xian, Yangshuo

Highlights

  • Explore Beijing, Shanghai and Xian
  • Visit Tian'anmen Square, the largest public plaza in the world
  • Discover “Great wall of China”
  • Visit thousands of life-sized terracotta warriors
  • Explore beautiful town Yangshuo

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"Very well organized trip. Great accommodation, very pleasant & knowledgeable guides, very comfortable bus in New Zealand and our driver Linda was the best."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
China Trip - Amazing Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Great Wall of China, Shanghai, Terra Cotta Warriors, The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Xian

Highlights

  • Must-see sights in China -the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors
  • Cruise on the Huangpu River to take in the impressive skylinesof Shanghai
  • Visit Mt. Huangshan, one of the most scenic mountains in China
  • Walk into a local Chinese family, interact & dine with the hosts in their home

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, Local Immersion & Homestays, Photography

What travelers are saying

"TCGT is a company you need for an “all inclusive” trip in China. Emily arranged for us a perfect tailored itinerary based on our preferences. Hotel, transports and guides were professional, gentle and fluent English-speaking. We thank TCGT for such wonderful and perfect vacation in China and we highlight its services to everyone."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Private Guided China Delights
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Beijing, Guilin, Shanghai, The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Xian

Highlights

  • Must-see sights in China - Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Army
  • Walk into a local Chinese family, interact & dine with the hosts in their home
  • Try biking on the Ming Dynasty City Wall of Xi'an, or tour by electric car
  • Cruise on the Huangpu River to take in the impressive skylines of Shanghai

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"TCGT is a company you need for an “all inclusive” trip in China. Emily arranged for us a perfect tailored itinerary based on our preferences. Hotel, transports and guides were professional, gentle and fluent English-speaking. We thank TCGT for such wonderful and perfect vacation in China and we highlight its services to everyone."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Tibet Odyssey
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Great Wall of China, Lhasa, Potala Palace, Shanghai, Terra Cotta Warriors, The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Xian

Highlights

  • Must-see sights in China -the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors
  • Full insight visits of the sacred Potala Palace and pure land of Tibet
  • View the soaring city skylines and feel the pulse of modern Shanghai
  • Walk into a local Chinese family, interact & dine with the hosts in their home

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, Local Immersion & Homestays, Photography

What travelers are saying

"TCGT is a company you need for an “all inclusive” trip in China. Emily arranged for us a perfect tailored itinerary based on our preferences. Hotel, transports and guides were professional, gentle and fluent English-speaking. We thank TCGT for such wonderful and perfect vacation in China and we highlight its services to everyone."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Highlights of Japan & China
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
2.9/5 Average
100 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Great Wall of China, Hakone, Kunming, Kyoto, Meiji Shrine, Osaka, Shanghai, Tokyo

Highlights

  • Stand in awe atop the Great Wall of China
  • Hand-feed monkeys while overlooking Kyoto
  • Meditate with Buddhist monks in the Mount Koya Monastery
  • Try freshly made sushi and traditional sake
  • Walk across the world’s busiest crosswalk at Shibuya, the Times Square of Tokyo
Show more

Themes

Cultural, Education / Learning, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Traveling with Ef is easy and provides life-changing trips and opportunities."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Golden Triangle & Yangtze
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Chongqing, Great Wall of China, Shanghai, Terra Cotta Warriors, The Forbidden City, Xian, Yichang

Highlights

  • Must-see sights in China - the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors
  • Unwind with a Yangtze River cruise tour & see the Three Gorges
  • Take in the impressive skylines of Shanghai as you walk along the Bund
  • Walk into a local Chinese family, interact & dine with the hosts in their home

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"TCGT is a company you need for an “all inclusive” trip in China. Emily arranged for us a perfect tailored itinerary based on our preferences. Hotel, transports and guides were professional, gentle and fluent English-speaking. We thank TCGT for such wonderful and perfect vacation in China and we highlight its services to everyone."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More

Unlock Community Benefits

Travel better together

  • Save favorite trips and itineraries
  • Get insider insights
  • Receive personalized recommendations
  • ... and much more
Join community
Best of China
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Great Wall of China, Shanghai, Terra Cotta Warriors, The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Xian

Highlights

  • Must-see sights in China - the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors
  • Cruise on the Huangpu River to take in the impressive skylines of Shanghai
  • Walk into a local Chinese family, interact & dine with the hosts in their home
  • Enjoy a la carte meals, Kung Fu Show, Tang Dynasty Music and Dance performance

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"TCGT is a company you need for an “all inclusive” trip in China. Emily arranged for us a perfect tailored itinerary based on our preferences. Hotel, transports and guides were professional, gentle and fluent English-speaking. We thank TCGT for such wonderful and perfect vacation in China and we highlight its services to everyone."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Impression China
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Great Wall of China, Shanghai, Terra Cotta Warriors, The Forbidden City, Xian

Highlights

  • Must-see sights - the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Army, Giant Pandas
  • See the giant pandas up close in the Panda Breeding and Research Center
  • Soften and scent your body from head to toe on Yangtze River cruise
  • Walk into a local Chinese family, interact & dine with the hosts in their home

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"TCGT is a company you need for an “all inclusive” trip in China. Emily arranged for us a perfect tailored itinerary based on our preferences. Hotel, transports and guides were professional, gentle and fluent English-speaking. We thank TCGT for such wonderful and perfect vacation in China and we highlight its services to everyone."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip
103 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Cultural

Shanghai Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
206  Reviews
See all Shanghai tour reviews
Excellent
85
Great
23
Average
1
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

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...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

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...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

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...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

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 ...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

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...

Write a Review

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.

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 118 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.

Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!