Shanghai and Hangzhou Spotlight Experiences
Connected by high-speed train, Shanghai and Hangzhou are now less than an hour apart. These two cities are prime examples of China's rapid rise in wealth and technology.
Our handpicked experiences will enable you to unlock the story of Shanghai's rise, hidden in the old and new buildings. You can wander the character-filled lilong lanes, hunt for authentic snacks, indulge in the city for a day without using cash, and try to find out the secret of Jack Ma's success (Alibaba's chairman is the richest man in China). More surprises are waiting for you to discover.
Shanghai in Progress Tour (3 hours)
Listen to the hidden stories of the Bund

Experience the local snacks and local life

Overlook the city from Shanghai Tower

Discover the story of Shanghai's rise to the skies…
Trace the clues starting from the Bund, wander through alleyways to get a glimpse of the locals' lives, sit down for a break and enjoy some delicious Shanghai snacks, try to fit on the public ferry among the crowds to cross the Huangpu River and ascend the highest building in Shanghai — Shanghai Tower.
Recommended tours:
Shanghai Local Food Hunt (3 hours)
Discover the authentic local snacks

Try Michelin-starred restaurant and street food

If you are tired of eating hotel breakfasts and want to try something new, you must try this tour!
To have a great start to your day, your local guide will take you into the alleyways where you can search for the most popular local snacks that are only served for a few hours each day. Get ready to eat like a local!
Former Jewish Settlement in Shanghai (4 hours)
Visit a Jewish ghetto to find the trace of the history

Witness the historical items in the exhibition

Listen to the stories of Jews in Shanghai

At the edge of old Shanghai, there is an area that witnessed the survival of the faith of tens of thousands of Jews. It is called "Hongkew Ghetto" by Jews.
Follow your local guide to discover the memories of elderly Jews. You will also see exhibitions of historic items, visit original buildings that stood during WWII, and learn stories about the area's history.
Shanghai Chic by Night (2 hours)
Enjoy Shanghai's "must see by night" sights

Experience a private convertible jeep ride

Cheers with sparkling wine

It is a 2-hour evening tour of bustling Shanghai in a private convertible jeep showing how the city changes at night, and showing it in style, with a glass of champagne while cruising around. We will cover the Former French Quarter, the Bund, and the Old Town in just two hours, making stops for photos and anecdotes along the way.
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Shanghai's Best
My husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary by exploring China ; and first in our bucket list was Shanghai and Beijing.We booked this trip via China Highlights, and we had a tour guide , named Ryan, who made our trip memorable by not only sending us to Shanghai's best spots but most of all his rich knowledge on all these places. One of the best part is that he communicates very well, fluent in English, made us understand China's culture, its stories behind those buildings and sceneries. No doubt will recommend this travel site to our friends, "High Five" to China Highlights and again kudos to our tour Guide, RYAN, see you again !! moreMar 2023, Jocelyn So G
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Experience Tour in Shanghai
Tour guides under this agency are very well experienced, and questions are always answered in great detail. Definitely will recommend to anyone who would like to go on a flexible tour with guidance. moreMar 2023, David A
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Experience Tour in Shanghai
This trip has been an eye-opener for myself and my mum, and the flexibility enabled us to fully explore the city during my free time. To running enthusiasts like me, Shanghai is a very nice place to clock your runs. There are many visits to places of interests, but the plans are not hectic. The hotel being arranged is very close to the Shanghai Bund and you can have a very nice view even when resting. moreMar 2023, David A
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Roger Li has been AMAZING....
Roger Li has been AMAZING and deserves to win this advisor competition! He answers e-mails promptly, addresses my concerns, and guides me through the process. He has organized tours for me and my husband for both China and Taiwan, and we are excited to go! I have been thoroughly satisfied with his work in every way. moreMar 2023, Brian Lewis
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Chinese lantern festival and Sophie Lee. Actually March 2018 not Feb 2022
When we were there, one of the highlights was the Chinese Lantern Festival in Old Shanghai, which is both colourful and has an excellent festivalatmosphere. She bought us a Chinese desert item that was small sweet sticky balls that were very good. moreJan 2023, Dave H
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Fun couple days in fantastic Shanghai!
Our family trip to China ended with a couple of days in historical Shanghai. We loved seeing and visiting the historic centers, traveling up the Shanghai Tower, eating delicious dumplings, and visiting the best Chinatown we have ever experienced. Our guide, Quing Quing, and driver Ken were fantastic, informative, professional and fun. Quing Quing even took us to experience the marriage market where Chinese parents try to help their children find potential mates after we expressed that it would be an interesting thing to see. Quing Quing, her American name is Clair, is an excellent and vivacious tour guide. Ask for her when you book with China Highlights you will be in good hands. --Inspire819460 moreDec 2019, Inspire819460
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Awesome Shanghai tour with Mary
With other two friends I have visited Shanghai in October 2018 and our tour guide was Mary, who has been wonderful with us.She had the smart idea to adapt the schedule of our planned tours in order to visit the city centre with few crowds, even if we were visiting Shanghai right during the Chinese national holidays. Besides the city centre with the panoramic towers, we visited the old French district, the Bund, the old city with the market and Tonglizhen, a water village just outside of Shanghai. Mary gave us also very nice suggestions about restaurants and hotels with panoramic terrace to visit in the evenings during our free time. In the end Mary was so kind to give us some Chinese salty pastries as lunch for our long train journey back to Beijing. Totally recommended!!! ---Vittorio C, Germany moreNov 2019, Vittorio C
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Lovely girl Candy
We have been in China 2 weeks and our last day was spent in Shanghai! Our guide Candy Shao was the best...Candy was so helpful in planning the highlights of the city and what we absolutely needed to see and do on our last day. Her English was great and she was young and fun...seemed more like we were hanging out with a friend. Candy also took some great photos of us to capture our experience! I would definitely recommend Candy and China Highlights to all my friends! --Vody, USA moreNov 2019, Vody
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West Lake Scenery and Relaxing Experiences (3½ hours)
Relax in a rowing boat on West Lake

Enjoy an afternoon Tea of Hangzhou style

As the ancient "back garden of Shanghai", Hangzhou is filled with relaxing charm. The best way to enjoy this city is to follow the locals.
Taking a rowing boat is the most authentic way to enjoy West Lake's beauty. Explore a century-old Chinese pharmacy, learn how to make Chinese medicine and try some Chinese medicine snacks. Then settle down to a fine afternoon tea of Hangzhou style.
Recommended tours:
Discover Alibaba and Cutting-Edge China in Hangzhou
Listen to the stories of Jack Ma and Alibaba

Experience a mobile payment

Have a new retail experiences

Paying with your face, riding a QR code bike, stores without a sales clerk, ambulances getting a green light all the way... these are daily life in Hangzhou.
Journey with us and have your eyes opened by interesting stories about Jack Ma, the richest man in China, and how his company Alibaba changed Hangzhou.
Recommended tours:
Tea Village and Culture Experience (3 hours)
Pick tea leaves with a tea farmer

Learn the art of tea-tasting

Enjoy tea dishes at China's top tea plantation.

Meijiawu Tea Village is the place of origin of the best tea in China — West Lake Dragon Well tea. A local tea farmer will welcome you with traditional tea-pickers' bamboo baskets and hats and accompany you to the tea plantation.
You will first learn to choose appropriate tea leaves and pick them in the right way. After tea-picking, the tea farmer will show you the process of stir-drying tea. This process dehydrates the leaves and helps preserve their beautiful green color. Then learn the proper way to make a cup of tea.
After saying goodbye to the tea village, we'll drive to a local restaurant hiding in the tea plantation to enjoy some tea cuisine.
Recommended tours:
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