Shanghai Offbeat Charms and Qibao Tour
See real Shanghai and its quirks while discovering unique perspectives of city's heritage and daily life as well as some bizarre scenes along with a nearby Qibao ancient town.
- Private tour
- 8 Hours
- Starts ~9:00 AM, flexible
- English-speaking guide
Overview
- Qibao Ancient Town and Old Street with local delicacies,
- People's Park with Marriage Market (weekends), and street dancing
- Authentic dumpling lunch, a local specialty
- Bird and Flower Market
- Propaganda Museum
Your day with us
A typical day. It's your private tour, so we can change stops, timing and pace.
Start
Your guide meets you at your hotel or starting point, typically at 9:00 AM.
Qibao Ancient Town
A local saying: if you want to see decades of Shanghai, you should go to visit Pudong area; If you want to know a thousand years of history of Shanghai, you’d better visit QiBao Ancient Town. Here you'll explore Qibao Old Street, see historic archways, alleys and buildings as well as sample a wide variety of local, famous dishes.
About Qibao Ancient Town
Marriage Market (People's Park)
The Shanghai Marriage Market in Chinese is literally "People's Park blind date corner"). Parents of unmarried children (and perhaps some unmarried people themselves) come together at People's Park every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. to share information on their children and seek the perfect spouse.
About Marriage Market (People's Park)
Authentic Dumpling Lunch
A traditional meal often starts with xiaolongbao, which are delicate steamed dumplings filled with juicy pork (or a mix of pork and crab) and rich, savory broth. These are typically served in a bamboo basket, fresh from the steamer. Each dumpling has a thin, semi-translucent wrapper that houses the flavorful filling and hot soup inside.
About Authentic Dumpling Lunch
Bird and Flower Market
The Xizang Nan Lu Flower and Bird Market is a weird mix of birds, insects, small animals and of course, flowers. It consists of about a city block and rows of stalls and vendors, each with a unique offering. Note that all animal lovers will not be happy with the conditions.
About Bird and Flower Market
Propaganda Art Poster Museum
This odd little museum was started by Mr. Yang Pei Ming as a hobby in 1995. Today it exhibits posters from the Maoist period of communist China, especially from the Cultural Revolution period. The museum is located in the basement and is only two rooms,but houses a rich collection of rare posters.
About Propaganda Art Poster MuseumEnd
Your guide drops you back at your starting point, with time for other interests along the way if you want it.
The full day, in detail
- First, you'll head to Qibao Ancient Town. A local saying: If you want to see decades of Shanghai, you should go to visit Pudong area; If you want to see hundreds years of Shanghai, you should go to visit The Bund; If you want to know a thousand years of history of Shanghai, you’d better visit QiBao Antient Town. Here you'll also explore Qibao Old Street and select from a wide variety of local, famous dishes for lunch. You'll continue after lunch to explore the historic streets and alleys of this old town.
- Then, you'll head to People's Park or Fuxing Park based on your tour date since our goal is to show a unique side of Shanghai culture and daily life. On weekends, you'll visit the famous marriage-matching market in People's Park, where parents and grandparents come to pair off their unwed children or during the week you might see citizens exercising, square dancing, or even singing opera. You can even join them if you like. Weekdays you'll visit Fuxing Park with its lively people, exercise, playing games. The park is also called French Park.
- From here it's a short walk to the bizarre Shanghai Bird and Insect market where you'll see a wide range of exotic birds and Chinese insects. It is an ideal place allow you to feel locals daily life and space! The walnut core, the crickets, the cats, the turtles, and the different weird food for those insects, and so many different types of beautiful flowers, it is just right for visit to have some special tour experience.
- The Propaganda Museum is next where you'll explore part of China's history during the 1950's through the 1980's. This is the only one of its kind in China, and this shows part of China's recent hidden history.
- After the tour is complete, your guide will accompany you back to your hotel.
What's included
Included
- Awesome, experienced guide
- Amazing Qibao delicacies and unique Shanghai sites
- Authentic local lunch
- Entrance fees
- Transportation w/optional car and driver (see below for details)
- Guide picks you up and drop you off at starting location
Add to your tour
Optional extras. Tell us when you book, or add them later.
Acrobatic Show
Price on request
Details
This tour includes the option for a fantastic acrobatic show in the evening after your tour. This is the best show in China with a spectacular environment and features sophisticated athletic performers! A must see activity if you have time. Show starts 19:30 and ends at 21:00. Price shown here is for medium seats.
HuangPu River Cruise
Price on request
Details
Another option after your tour is to take an amazing river cruise on the HuangPu River. The perfect end to a great tour to see the spectacular views of Shanghai's skyline from both the East and West sides. Tours start every hour during the day and every 15 minutes in the evening and lasts for 1 hour. VIP seats allow you an upper view in front of the boat for guaranteed 360 degree views.
Photos
Meet our guides
Professional local guides who love sharing authentic China. Every one of us follows a code of conduct that puts you first: your interests, your pace, and no touristy shopping stops.
Meet the teamQuestions guests ask
Can we customize the tour?
Yes. Sites, start time, pickup location: just tell us what you'd like.
What if our plans change?
Cancel any time up to one day before your tour.
Will you take us shopping?
Only if you want to. Our guides follow a code of conduct: no touristy shopping stops.
Can children come?
Of course. Children aged 4 to 10 are $50 each.