Shanghai Layover Guide: Making the Most of Your Stopover

Attraction stop (1h)

Disappearing Shanghai - Ghost City We will first visit a part of the Old City close to destruction and emptied of its inhabitants. Our Tour Leader will introduce there the history of Shanghai and this part of the city and show you many interesting details.

Attraction stop (30 mins)

We will then visit a lively neighborhood called Longmencun which featured typical Shanghainese architecture and local life. Our Tour Leader will introduce you to the "Shikumen" houses, Shanghai's typical housing, and tell you how architecture can tell us a lot about the history of the city.

Attraction stop (30 mins)

We will enjoy an authentic Shanghainese snack in a typical restaurant. Please let us know if you have any special requirements regarding food.

Attraction stop (1h)

We will end our exploration in the neighborhood around the Confucius Temple (actually closed and under renovations, no visit inside). Our Tour Leader will show you the most beautiful house in the neighborhood, and explain to you all the secrets hidden behind each detail. We will then walk to our ending point at Laoximen metro station.

Attraction stop (30 mins)

The Suzhou River, also known as Suzhou Creek, is a significant river in Shanghai, China. Historically, it served as an important transportation route and was once heavily polluted due to industrialization. In recent decades, extensive cleanup efforts have revitalized the river, making it a scenic area with parks, walking paths, and cultural attractions. It now symbolizes Shanghai's transformation and commitment to urban sustainability.

Attraction stop (20 mins)

Opened in 1924, it was once the largest post office in Asia and the heart of China's international communications. Its grand, classical design—with the iconic clock tower and majestic sculptures—was meant to show the world the power and reliability of the modern postal service. It's still a working post office with a beautiful public hall. Inside, you'll find a stunning grand hall that still operates today, and a museum that showcases everything from ancient courier systems to vintage mail trucks.It perfectly symbolizes old Shanghai: a meeting point of East and West, tradition and breathtaking modernity.

Attraction stop (15 mins)

Huangpu Park is a place of fascinating contradictions, holding multiple layers of Shanghai's history within its border. It is a monument to cultural exclusion and leisure, and a key to understanding the visionary planning that saved the Bund from becoming a mere dockyard and made it the iconic symbol of Shanghai.

Attraction stop (30 mins)

The Bund—Shanghai's most iconic landmark and an open-air museum of architecture. This magnificent mile-long waterfront promenade showcases a stunning collection of 52 grand buildings from the 1920s and 30s, once housing the world's greatest banks, trading houses, and clubs. This is why it was known as the "Wall Street of the East." It's the perfect symbol of Shanghai itself: a city forever looking forward, but built upon a rich and powerful history.

Attraction stop (1h)

Shanghai's skyline is so charming, especially at night, it is even more spectacular. As a native Shanghainese, I can meet you at North Bund and help you take beautiful photos at several very beautiful locations. The photo styles can be seen in the pictures on this page. Take photos until you are satisfied. After the photo shoot, all photos or videos can be given to you.