Shanghai Night Tour: Street Food & River Cruise

Good evening! Welcome to this Shanghai night tour to savor a vibrant street food scene in the bustling market, take in the full-on old-town charm, and marvel at the glitzy city skyline illuminated by neon lights after dusk.

► Duration: 5 hours (approx.)
► Start Time: 16:00. Flexible scheduling is available. Discuss custom times with your travel consultant in advance.
► Walking Distance: 2.5 km (1.6 mi)

At the agreed time, your guide will meet you at your hotel to take a taxi or ride the metro like a local to the Yuyuan Bazaar just outside the classic Yu Garden. Together with the adjacent historic City God Temple, the area forms the vibrant hub of Shanghai Old Town, where you can taste various street foods and capture the incredible traditional Chinese vibe.  

Upon arrival, follow your guide into the old streets, and you’ll be greeted by a dazzling array of gilded archways and traditional Chinese architecture with ornately carved beams. Crowds throng the bustling market, which is redolent with the aroma of local snacks mingling with the sweet scents of sugar paintings and dragon's beard candy, exuding a vibrant, down-to-earth charm. Those towering, antique-style buildings house modernly lit pastry shops and souvenir stores, each sign gleaming brightly. The streets are filled with sounds of vendors and bargaining. 

★ Special Inclusion: Savor 4-5 Local Snacks

In the bazaar, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Don’t restrict yourself just to the famous, long-standing restaurants, as some of the best street food is found at the popular stalls with lines wrapped around the corner. We’ve specially included 4-5 snacks for you. Some must-try dishes include soup dumplings, pan-fried buns, scallion oil noodles, pork rib rice cakes, crabapple cake, and crab shell pastry. 

► Recommended Local Food for Your Reference: 
You can savor the freshly-made hot steaming dumplings in Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant. When they are served, you can just gently bite into one, and the fresh and savory juice instantly bursts out, tickling your taste buds. Be careful of the hot soup, and the small tip is: lift it gently, move it slowly, open a small hole first, drink the soup, and eat it! The pan-fried buns feature thicker skins, a flavorful meat filling, and a crispy golden bottom. The pork rib rice cake is mainly composed of the incredibly hot fried pork cutlets, several pieces of thinly sliced rice cake, and a serving of sweet bean sauce. The irresistible aroma will make you eager to try, with golden color and crispy texture greatly enhancing your appetite. Also, don’t miss the round golden crab shell pastry in Lv Bo Lang, a time-honored Shanghai pastry shop. Its flaky sesame outer crust just looks like a crab shell, hence its name. Others like scallion pancakes, stinky tofu, and osmanthus cakes are also worth trying.As darkness falls, the Old Town reveals an even more alluring night vista. When brushing shoulders with bustling crowds, look upon the ancient architecture, and you’ll see lights contour the upturned eaves and lattice-work windows, as if you are stepping into a magical world through a thousand years. If you happen to visit during Chinese New Year from late January to early March, when a grand Yuyuan Lantern Festival is held, and the old streets are decked out with colorful lanterns, you'll encounter some giant mythical creature lanterns, creating warm glows and providing a dramatic contrast to the distant modern skyscrapers. In addition, capture amazing performances by street artists, such as folk music, shadow puppetry, and sugar painting.

► Visit Tips: 
1. The Old Town area is very crowded, so please keep your belongings safe! 
2. Wear comfortable shoes to explore sights and enjoy the food.

Afterward, extend your exploration to Middle Fangbang Road, dubbed the No. 1 Street of Shanghai Old Town, once home to the city's earliest banks, gold and silver shops, taverns, teahouses, theaters, and trading companies. However, the once glorious business gradually declined, leaving only some of the original street patterns, wooden facades, latticed windows, and gable walls from the 19th-century late Qing Dynasty. Compared to the bustling Yuyuan Bazaar, it offers a serene stroll to glimpse local people’s daily lives. When you wander out of the street and turn to Fengjing Road, a modern world unfurls, where you can gaze at the city’s futuristic skyline. If your visit falls on Saturday or Sunday, a weekend market offering freshly made wontons, airy souffle cakes, Taiwanese flame-grilled beef cubes, as well as various fruits and snacks awaits!

Then, walk a few minutes to the Bund, a permanent city landmark. Arrive there during the blue hours, and capture the movie-like cityscape under the deep blue sky. The city’s stunning skyline is generally illuminated between 6:00 and 7:00 PM in different seasons. As soon as the clock of the Customs Houses strikes, the Bund will be bathed in a dazzling golden light, and the buildings on both sides of the river will illuminate one by one. Don't miss this magical moment. The 52 European-style classical buildings, referred to as the "World Architecture Expo," will surely arouse nostalgia for 20th-century Shanghai, while across the river lies a glittering world of Shanghai's modernization: the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai Tower, and Shanghai World Financial Center.To better enjoy the sprawling cityscape, your guide will escort you to board a 1-hour Huangpu River cruise. When the ship slowly cruises along the river, enjoy 360° panoramic views of both banks! The international architecture of the west bank and the skyscrapers of the east bank unfold before you – it's absolutely breathtaking! Please note the wind is strong on the river, and even in summer, it can get a bit chilly on the deck at night. It's recommended to bring a light jacket, and in winter, wear a scarf.

After the cruise, your Shanghai night tour concludes. Your guide will escort you back to your hotel by taxi. If you want to further explore the Bund by yourself, or hop in the hip restaurants and trendy bars nearby, you can part ways with your guide and finally go back on your own.