China Tours from Shanghai
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10 best China tour packages from Shanghai
Compiled by
MelissaChina travel expert at TourRadar
- Explore China (8 destinations)
- Premium China
- Shanghai Loop: Shanghai, Beijing, Xi'an Chengdu & Beyond
- 5-Day Explore by Round-way Bullet Train from Shanghai to Yellow Mount, Xidi & Hongcun Village
- Shanghai & The Silk Road - 11 days
- Shanghai, Beijing & Beyond - 9 days
- Classical China and Chengdu
- Classical China end Xian
- Southern China Explore 12D to GZ: Shanghai to Zhangjiajie, Yangshuo and Guangzhou
- Solo-ish China
Explore China (8 destinations)
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Interesting stops. Always things to do.”
Elizabeth, traveled in April
The route connects 7 Chinese cities from Shanghai's historic Bund district by bullet trains. Visitors will see Yu Garden and reach Beijing's Mutianyu Great Wall section, using efficient public transport and staying in centrally located accommodations.
Duration 12 days Destinations Shanghai, Hangzhou, Xi'an, Beijing Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$5,075
Visit Shanghai's Yuyuan Gardens and historic Bund promenade before continuing through Huizhou, Yangshuo, Xi'an and Beijing. High-speed trains and domestic flights connect major UNESCO sites including the Terracotta Warriors and Great Wall at Huanghuacheng section.
Duration 12 days Destinations Shanghai, Huizhou, Yangshuo, Xi'an, Beijing Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Premium From $7,230
15% Off- NZ$6,146You save $1,084
Shanghai Loop: Shanghai, Beijing, Xi'an Chengdu & Beyond
13 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The people were amazing, and most of the tour guides were absolutely brilliant. The concept is really good as each tour guide is an expert in their area.”
Rozy, traveled in March
This 22-day grand circuit visits 8 major Chinese cities, starting and ending in Shanghai. Train connections link Guilin, Chengdu, Xi'an, and Beijing, utilizing overnight and bullet trains, with local transfers to the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors.
Duration 22 days Destinations Shanghai, Yangshuo, Guilin, Chengdu, Xi'an, Zhengzhou, Beijing, Hangzhou Age Range 18 to 55 year olds Operated in English, Chinese Operator The Dragon Trip From $3,509
20% Off- NZ$2,807You save $702
A quick escape from Shanghai via 3-hour bullet train leads to Huangshan city. UNESCO-listed Xidi Village showcases 1000-year-old Anhui architecture with local guesthouse stays. Return to Shanghai from Tunxi after viewing Mount Huangshan's peaks.
Duration 5 days Destinations Shanghai, Huangshan Age Range up to 85 year olds Operator Silk Road Trips From
20% Off- NZ$2,335
An 11-day loop from Shanghai's metropolis through Beijing, Luoyang, and Xi'an includes 2 domestic flights and high-speed rail travel. Key attractions include the Bund, Forbidden City, and Terracotta Warriors.
Duration 11 days Destinations Shanghai, Beijing, Luoyang, Xi'an Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From $6,845
30% Off- NZ$4,792You save $2,054
The 9-day route links 4 major Chinese cities, from Shanghai's modern heart to Beijing by air, then Luoyang by high-speed train, finishing in historic Xi'an. Private A/C vehicles provide transfers with 4-star accommodations throughout.
Duration 9 days Destinations Shanghai, Beijing, Luoyang, Xi'an Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From $4,985
30% Off- NZ$3,490You save $1,496
Take a Huangpu River ferry from Shanghai's Pudong district before covering 1,000+ km via high-speed rail. The 5-hour Shanghai-Luoyang train and 3-hour Xi'an-Chengdu connection efficiently link China's eastern metropolis to western treasures.
Duration 8 days Destinations Shanghai, Luoyang, Longmenzhen, Sanmexia, Xi'an, Chengdu Age Range up to 85 year olds Operator Europamundo From
30% Off- NZ$3,099
Cross Shanghai's Huangpu River by ferry from Pudong district before traveling 1,000 km by high-speed train to Luoyang. The route continues through Sanmexia to Xi'an, featuring Longmen's ancient Buddhist caves and Xi'an's Muslim Quarter.
Duration 6 days Destinations Shanghai, Luoyang, Longmenzhen, Sanmexia, Xi'an Age Range 3 to 85 year olds Operator Europamundo From
30% Off- NZ$2,112
The Bund riverfront and Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai precede a flight to Zhangjiajie. The route continues through Fenghuang Old Town and Mount Fanjing to Longji Rice Terraces. Li River cruising in Yangshuo leads to Guangzhou's Pearl River night cruise and Canton Tower views.
Duration 12 days Destinations Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, Yangshuo, Guangzhou Age Range up to 85 year olds Operator Silk Road Trips From
30% Off- NZ$5,839
A culinary adventure begins with Shanghai's cooking class and local breakfast spots, connecting 6 cities by bullet train. The route includes Yangzhou's UNESCO Slender West Lake, Xi'an's Terracotta Warriors, and Luoyang's ancient town, concluding in Beijing, covering 2,000 kilometers across eastern China.
Duration 11 days Destinations Shanghai, Yangzhou, Xi'an, Luoyang, Jinshanling, Beijing Age Range 18 to 90 year olds Operator G Adventures From $3,939
30% Off- NZ$2,757You save $1,182
What people love about China Tours from Shanghai
Had a fantastic time in China with Intrepid! A wonderful and surprising country, with a lot to do and see, and especially a lot to eat! I only had two critiques of the itinerary as provided by Intrepid, of which one now appears to be resolved - when I travelled in Oct 2024, there was 3 days travelling to the central of the country (Lanzhou and Xiahe) which I did not think was worth the efforts or time to get there. They appear to have removed this section for future trips and I can understand why. The only other minor complaint I have is that we do not spend enough time in Xi'an! Probably my favorite city and I would have loved an additional free day there, but alas. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this trip to anyone - please book ASAP!
Explore China (8 destinations)
This was one of the best experiences of my life! It was amazing to see the diversity of cities in Eastern China. One of my favorite memories was being able to kayak on the li river in YangShuo. I also loved being amble to talk to and sometimes serve the local people. I would do all of it again in a minute
Shanghai Loop: Shanghai, Beijing, Xi'an Chengdu & Beyond
- China Highlights
It was an excellent trip. Luckily as well the weather was on our side; always blue sky, even in Beijing (no smog at all). Our Tour Guide (Jing) was also excellent. Her english was very good, her attitude always positive and upbeat, and she was open to answer all sorts of questions. All the trip was very well planned; we encountered no delays at all. This trip is highly recommended.
What our customers ask about China Tours from Shanghai
What destinations are commonly combined with Shanghai on multi-day tours?
Most organized tours link Shanghai with nearby cities that showcase different sides of China. Suzhou 2 hours away lets visitors experience classical Chinese gardens while Hangzhou (1 hour by bullet train) centers on the serene West Lake area. Xian reached in 5 hours by rail adds historical depth with sites like the Terracotta Warriors. Accommodations typically include international chains like the Crowne Plaza in Xian and regional hotels such as the Silk Road Hotel group. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "It was amazing to see the diversity of cities in Eastern China."
What's the typical duration of tours starting from Shanghai?
Most Shanghai-based tours run between 7-15 days with 10-12 days being standard. The Explore China tour covers the route to Beijing over 12 days while the China Shanghai Chengdu and Yangtze Cruise packs key sights into 7 days. Longer options like the Southern China Explorer take 12 days to reach Hong Kong via Zhangjiajie. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The 12-day duration was perfect to see all the highlights without feeling rushed."
What are the must-see attractions during the first two days in Shanghai?
The first 48 hours in Shanghai focus on key sites that define the city. Visitors explore the colonial-era Bund waterfront Yu Garden with its adjoining bazaar and the tree-lined French Concession. Tours also head to Pudong to see Shanghai Tower and modern landmarks. Many itineraries include stops at the Jade Buddha Temple and local tea ceremonies. As confirmed by a TourRadar traveler: "Starting in Shanghai was amazing - we saw the contrast between old and new China visiting both the historic Yu Garden and modern Pudong area on our first full day."
What kind of accommodation can I expect for tours starting in Shanghai?
Tour accommodations center on 4-star hotels in Shanghai's main districts. Common choices include the Pullman Shanghai Jing'an in the French Concession and the Novotel Shanghai Atlantis near The Bund. Hotels are selected based on proximity to metro stops and major sights. As one TourRadar traveler shared: "The Novotel Shanghai Atlantis was perfectly located with amazing views of the Pudong skyline and walking distance to the Bund."
What's the best time of year to start a tour from Shanghai?
Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) provide the most comfortable conditions for Shanghai tours with mild temperatures and lower rainfall. Summer brings heat and humidity while winter temperatures drop but crowds thin out. A TourRadar traveler recommended: "We started our tour in October and had perfect weather for exploring Shanghai's outdoor attractions like Yu Garden and the Bund."
What's included in typical meal arrangements for tours starting in Shanghai?
Tour packages usually cover hotel breakfasts and selected lunches featuring local dishes like xiaolongbao soup dumplings and regional Shanghainese specialties. G Adventures includes a welcome dinner with cooking instruction while Intrepid provides 9 breakfasts and 2 dinners. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The food experiences starting in Shanghai were incredible - learning to make dumplings on our first night really set the tone for the trip."