TripAdvisor Reviews

Shanghai was the final destination on the small group tour I joined with Travel China Guide back in September this year. The itinerary indicated that the tour in Shanghai was set for one day; yet, I was eager to discover all that this vibrant and developed city, one of the largest in the country, had to offer.



On the first day of the tour ( the next morning as the tour arrived Shanghai at night ), however, the typhoon Bebinca, which hadn't been seen in the past 75 yeas, unexpectedly made landfall in Shanghai. Despite the impending severe weather, the sky was moderately breezy. Our knowledgeable tour guide, Martin, was able to guide the tour strolling on the historic Bund waterfronts promenade where most of the colonial-era buildings lining up along the Huangpu River. We also visited the classical Yu Garden, known for its architecture reflecting the former rich rank, and explored the former French Concession - Tianzifang, where the old ancient Shanghai contrasts with modern establishments just across the street like Starbucks, Peet's and various trendy shops.



Based on the itinerary, we were supposed to visit the Shanghai Museum and enjoy a river tour on the Huangpu Rive to view the towering skyscrapers in Pudong across the Bund. However, the activities were called off due to increasingly heavy rain and strong winds. Unexpectedly, Martin announced to everyone that we would receive a small partial refund for the cancelled activities. I was truly impressed and appreciated for this policy implemented by Travel China Guide, and I commended Martin for following through with the agenda.



For most of the tour members, it was a brief day in Shanghai as they prepared to head home, but for me, it marked the beginning of a solo adventure since I had planned to extend my stay in the city for few more days after the tour.



Indeed, Shanghai is a lively metropolis, one of the largest and most populated cities in the country. It is a city blended with Eastern and Western cultures, with traditional temples nestled among modern skyscrapers. Jing'an Temple, while not a major tourist spot in some tour itinerary, is easily accessible via the Metro and exemplifies this blend. I just want to emphasize how easy it is to navigate the city by local transportation like a local. Also, I was remarkably impressed that I went from Shanghai to Suzhou in just 30 minutes by bullet train; this quick travel was made possible by the high-speed rail introduced about two decades ago.



The Shanghai city's modernization over the past decades is clearly reflected from its growing skyscrapers. Across the Bund in Pudong, is the IFC building which is conveniently located near major attractions like the Shanghai Tower, Jinmao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center and the iconic Oriental Pearl TV Tower, all are easily accessible via Metro or the hop-on-off double-decker buses. At night, this is the place showcases the panoramic view of the vibrant lights illuminating from the various skyscrapers.



As a newcomer to this lively city, I felt thrilled with each location I explored. It's a safe city with police presence almost everywhere. Thanks to my phone's travel plan, I navigated like I was at home, using apps for translation and maps. While cash is accepted, mobile wallets like WeChat and Alipay are much more convenient.



In summary, you'll find some historical sites that have become quite commercialized in this bustling metropolis, yet their historical charm still can be seen. If you enjoy exploring at your own pace, Shanghai should definitely be on your travel list . Alternatively, if you prefer a guided experience, Travel China Guide comes highly recommended. Less

I only had 24 hours to spend in the amazing city of Shanghai and luckily for me and my friends, Ms. Sophie Lee was our tour guide. We had a full and exciting day exploring the new museum, Financial District, Yu gardens, French quarter, The Bund, the river cruise to see the ever expanding g skyline and skyscrapers in this futuristic city.



We also had time for lunch at an excellent Chinese restaurant chosen by the tour company. We concluded the day with a tour in the historic bazaar area and a walk along Nanjing Road in the evening in amazing autumn weather back to our hotel on the People's Square before leaving to the airport.



The whole day was made more enjoyable and informative by the energy, historical storytelling and good sense of humour of Ms. Sophie Lee. Her experience, enthusiasm for the city and its future as well as the care and exceptional service she provided to her tour clients (myself and 2 friends) definitely came through and was very well received and appreciated.



I'm already thinking about my next trip to see this amazing city and hopefully stay for a few days to be able to explore more of the city and visit the neighbouring towns.



I highly recommend Ms Sophie Lee to anyone who is this thinking of visiting Shanghai whether it's your first time or not as she will definitely be able to suggest and help you explore more gems of Shanghai Less