Eat Like a Local Through Shanghai's French Concession





View all photos












Duration
3 hours 30 minutes
Ticket type
Mobile Only
Languages
English
Confirmation
Instant
Pickup
Pickup details available
Meeting point
Meeting point provided
Time zone
Asia/Shanghai
Why Travelers Love This
Overview
In 1936, half of Shanghai was controlled by foreign powers. For decades, its had a negative birth rate and millions of immigrants, meaning the inheritance of the true cuisine of old Shanghai is limited to select insiders. On this tour, you’ll try at least 10 dishes on a journey through the clandestine cuisine of old-Shanghai, hiding in plain sight in the French Concession.
What's Included
Included
Local English-speaking guide
Soda/Pop
All food at 4+ sit-down, safe to eat restaurants
Bottled water
Alcoholic Beverages
Small-group tour (2-12 people)
Vegetarian friendly (with advance notice)
Unlimited local beer, soda, and bottled water
Not included
Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
This tour starts at Exit 5 of Jiashan Road Subway Station Exit 5 in the heart of the French Concession. Please refer to your voucher for meeting location details.
End point
The tour ends a 10-minute walk from South Shaanxi Road Subway Station.
Pickup details
Itinerary
Stop 1
30 minutes
Stop 1
In 1936, half of Shanghai was controlled by foreign powers. For decades, its had a negative birth rate and millions of immigrants, meaning the inheritance of the true cuisine of old Shanghai is limited to select insiders. On this tour, you’ll try at least 10 dishes on a journey through the clandestine cuisine of old-Shanghai, hiding in plain sight in the French Concession.
Stop 2
30 minutes
Stop 2
Xiaolongbao (local for soup dumplings) are Shanghai’s most famous claim to fame, but do you know how to tell the good from the great? We’ll let you know at our favorite local dumpling joint that can compete with the touristy Michelin recommended restaurants.
Stop 3
30 minutes
Stop 3
Scallion noodles, dumplings with sesame sauce, local curry, and more! Don’t forget to check out the kitchen on your way in, the labor intensive pan-fried-bun making process has been selected as Local Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Stop 4
30 minutes
Stop 4
Two words: Pork Belly. Shanghai’s favorite dish takes an entire day to prepare, and for a good reason. Enjoy this plus other “only in Shanghai” dishes that celebrate quality ingredients with fresh preparation.
Stop 5
30 minutes
Stop 5
Driven by a passion for dessert and community spirit, the Shanghainese owner of this cozy shop caters to the local neighborhood, crafting fresh desserts without pre-made shortcuts. Fresh mango atop chilled sago cream with a dash of pomelo…we’re drooling already!
Stop 6
30 minutes
Stop 6
End the night with a locally made craft beer and enjoy the new modern feel Shanghai is known for around the world. The brewery is 10-minute walk away from South Shaanxi Road Subway Station.
Additional Info
Public Transportation Nearby
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants Must Sit On Laps
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Physical Easy
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Other
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Other
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Other
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Other
Please wear comfortable walking shoes
Other
Signup and advance payment are required
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Policy type
Standard
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Experience may be cancelled if minimum traveler count is not met.
Refund eligibility
100% refundable 1+ days before
Refund eligibility
0% refundable 0-1 days before
Review Summary
5.0
411 reviews
Collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Similar Experiences
ViatorShanghai
Small group: Day Tour to Suzhou from Shanghai with Suzhou Museum, Pingjiang Road
Explore China’s water town on this day trip from Shanghai. Suzhou has a rich history and some fantastic artistic attractions. This tour will take you around the Master-of-nets Garden, Suzhou Musuem and Pingjiang Road. This Garden is one of China's most famous gardens with a history of almost 900 years, while Pingjiang Road is a canal route lined with a great selection of shops and restaurants. 1. Take a full-day panoramic tour of China’s own Venice, the water towns 2. Separate driver ensures your guides full attention throughout the day 3. Small-group tour, with a maximum of 6 travelers 4. Hassle Free Lunch Provided
From USD 192
ViatorShanghai
Flexible Private Suzhou Day Trip from Shanghai by Bullet Train
This private flexible Suzhou day tour from Shanghai allows you to explore the remarkable sites in Suzhou with your own local expert guide, the winding canals, historical buildings, ancient pagodas and classic gardens. Choose to visit some of the UNESCO sites such as famous Humble administrator’s garden, Lingering Garden , Master of the Nets Garden from different dynasties as well as the local ancient canal streets or ancient city wall ,enjoy a delightful local lunch and get a great overview of the “Ancient Oriental Venice” and “Garden City” with your own guide. Private transportation and bullet train experience adds more convenience for the tour.
5.0 / 5 (13 reviews)
From USD 198
ViatorShanghai
Timeless Suzhou Private Suzhou Trip from Shanghai or Suzhou
A full day packed with the best Suzhou has to offer: curated garden, spiritual temple, charming water alleys, leaning tower, bustling wet market, and more! The day will also be filled with unique activities: a boat ride through historic canals; rest your legs at a riverside tea house; and visit a temple to do fun activities - No shopping! No silk museums, no wallet drain. All expenses covered—except lunch. We’ll take you to a lively wet market to pick your own favorites - Discover a Suzhou’s finest garden, once the emperor's favorite - Enjoy tea at a riverside tea house and create latte art with tea - Visit a bustling local wet market to discover your favorite local food - Spot cats, burn incense and try fortune-telling in a spiritual temple - Ride a boat from a quiet neighborhood on a 4-km long river journey - Climb up the ancient city wall and get panoramic view of the old town and the modern skyline
5.0 / 5 (3 reviews)
From USD 189
ViatorShanghai
Seat in Coach Explore Suzhou One Day Tour of Gardens and Culture
By the side of Gusu City, enjoy a thousand years of elegance. Stroll in gardens listening to Pingtan, taste Biluochun in a rowing boat, and embrace the most poetic Jiangnan. Suzhou is famed for its exquisite classical gardens like the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Lingering Garden, showing the unique charm of Jiangnan gardens along with the charming water town scenery. With a history of over 2,500 years, Suzhou, the birthplace of Wu culture, has many historical sites like Tiger Hill and Hanshan Temple, boasting a rich cultural ambience. Traditional handicrafts such as Suzhou embroidery and Taohuawu woodblock New Year pictures are worth experiencing to feel the refinement and craftsmanship of Jiangnan culture.
From USD 198
ViatorShanghai
Suzhou Private Tour from Shanghai UNESCO Gardens and Waterways
What makes our Suzhou One-Day Private Tour a must-do? It’s simple! This journey brings you face-to-face with the poetic soul of classical China—where gardens become dreams, canals sing with history, and every stone tells a story. This immersive experience invites you to step into a living scroll of water towns and scholar gardens, celebrated for centuries as “heaven on earth.” We'll journey from intimate classical gardens to a monumental ancient pagoda, glide along the historic Grand Canal, and finally lose ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of a traditional water town street. This itinerary balances profound cultural depth with immersive experiences, all while ensuring a seamless and comfortable flow between locations. Each stop reveals why Suzhou is considered the pinnacle of Chinese aesthetic culture. Join our passionate guides as they share tales of poets, painters, and dreamers who shaped this garden city into a living masterpiece.
10 hours
From USD 268
ViatorShanghai
Private Suzhou and Tongli Water Town Day Tour from Shanghai
Fully immerse yourself the history of Suzhou, and maximize your time on a private full-day tour. Discover the beautiful Suzhou Water Town and Visit Lingering garden and Tiger Hill. Eat a delicious lunch, then stroll through the Pingjiang Road. Your guide provides personalized service and informs you on the significance of each of these iconic landmarks.
9 hours
From USD 339
Similar Attractions
ViatorYu Garden (Yuyuan)
4.9 (6888 reviews)
Available experiences
626
Free attractionThe Bund (Waitan)
4.9 (6971 reviews)
Available experiences
368
Free attractionShanghai Old City (Nanshi)
4.7 (1939 reviews)
Available experiences
290
ViatorJade Buddha Temple (Yufo Si)
4.8 (3053 reviews)
Available experiences
281
Free attractionZhujiajiao
4.9 (3384 reviews)
Available experiences
253
Free attractionNanjing Road (Nanjing Lu)
4.9 (3062 reviews)
Available experiences
250
From
From USD 75