Private Colonial Walking Tour: Shanghai French Concession
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 11 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Colonial Walking Tour: Shanghai French Concession worth booking?
Private Colonial Walking Tour: Shanghai French Concession is a 2-hour experience in Shanghai, China, from $66 per person. It scores 57 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 11 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 57 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (11)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $66 per person
Journey back in time to French colonial China on this interesting private walking tour through the Shanghai French Concession. Learn from your expert local guide how this area was once owned by the French and served as t
What you get
- Local English-speaking guide
- Private walking tour
About this experience
Journey back in time to French colonial China on this interesting private walking tour through the Shanghai French Concession. Learn from your expert local guide how this area was once owned by the French and served as the center of Catholicism in Shanghai. See sites like where the First Conference of the Communist Party took place and stroll through narrow alleys, passing quaint apartments, villas, parks and hidden spots that still hold much of their unique French character. This is a private tour just for you and your party.
What's included
Included
- Local English-speaking guide
- Private walking tour
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What you'll see and do
Xintiandi
Meet your guide at a predetermined location in Shanghai to begin your private walking tour through the Shanghai French Concession, a historical area that marks the period of French colonialism in the 19th and 20th centuries. With its quaint architecture and cobblestone paths, this area will make you feel as though you're strolling through Paris. Learn about the history of this area, which was owned by the French government and served as the center of Catholicism in Shanghai. Hear about the cultural, social and political transitions that took place here, and visit Xin Tian Di, the site of the First Conference of the Communist Party. Visit a beautiful French-style park and the former residence of Zhou Enlai, the first Premier of the People's Republic of China. As you stroll through streets filled with lovely apartments and villas from the early 1900s -- homes of both locals and many expatriates -- your guide will point out how this area retains its distinct French character. Veer off the main streets and venture along back alleys for a glimpse of small-town Shanghai life. Reach Shanghai's interesting SOHO area, where you will have the opportunity to rest and explore Tianzifang, an arts and crafts enclave full of designer stores, restaurants and coffee shops. Your tour will end here.
Birthplace of Chinese Communist Party
Meet your guide at a predetermined location in Shanghai to begin your private walking tour through the Shanghai French Concession, a historical area that marks the period of French colonialism in the 19th and 20th centuries. With its quaint architecture and cobblestone paths, this area will make you feel as though you're strolling through Paris. Learn about the history of this area, which was owned by the French government and served as the center of Catholicism in Shanghai. Hear about the cultural, social and political transitions that took place here, and visit Xin Tian Di, the site of the First Conference of the Communist Party. Visit a beautiful French-style park and the former residence of Zhou Enlai, the first Premier of the People's Republic of China. As you stroll through streets filled with lovely apartments and villas from the early 1900s -- homes of both locals and many expatriates -- your guide will point out how this area retains its distinct French character. Veer off the main streets and venture along back alleys for a glimpse of small-town Shanghai life. Reach Shanghai's interesting SOHO area, where you will have the opportunity to rest and explore Tianzifang, an arts and crafts enclave full of designer stores, restaurants and coffee shops. Your tour will end here.
Former French Concession
Meet your guide at a predetermined location in Shanghai to begin your private walking tour through the Shanghai French Concession, a historical area that marks the period of French colonialism in the 19th and 20th centuries. With its quaint architecture and cobblestone paths, this area will make you feel as though you're strolling through Paris. Learn about the history of this area, which was owned by the French government and served as the center of Catholicism in Shanghai. Hear about the cultural, social and political transitions that took place here, and visit Xin Tian Di, the site of the First Conference of the Communist Party. Visit a beautiful French-style park and the former residence of Zhou Enlai, the first Premier of the People's Republic of China. As you stroll through streets filled with lovely apartments and villas from the early 1900s -- homes of both locals and many expatriates -- your guide will point out how this area retains its distinct French character. Veer off the main streets and venture along back alleys for a glimpse of small-town Shanghai life. Reach Shanghai's interesting SOHO area, where you will have the opportunity to rest and explore Tianzifang, an arts and crafts enclave full of designer stores, restaurants and coffee shops. Your tour will end here.
Shanghai Pathways-Private One-day and Walking Tours
Meet your guide at a predetermined location in Shanghai to begin your private walking tour through the Shanghai French Concession, a historical area that marks the period of French colonialism in the 19th and 20th centuries. With its quaint architecture and cobblestone paths, this area will make you feel as though you're strolling through Paris. Learn about the history of this area, which was owned by the French government and served as the center of Catholicism in Shanghai. Hear about the cultural, social and political transitions that took place here, and visit Xin Tian Di, the site of the First Conference of the Communist Party. Visit a beautiful French-style park and the former residence of Zhou Enlai, the first Premier of the People's Republic of China. As you stroll through streets filled with lovely apartments and villas from the early 1900s -- homes of both locals and many expatriates -- your guide will point out how this area retains its distinct French character. Veer off the main streets and venture along back alleys for a glimpse of small-town Shanghai life. Reach Shanghai's interesting SOHO area, where you will have the opportunity to rest and explore Tianzifang, an arts and crafts enclave full of designer stores, restaurants and coffee shops. Your tour will end here.
Xingmu Handicraft Tianzifang
Meet your guide at a predetermined location in Shanghai to begin your private walking tour through the Shanghai French Concession, a historical area that marks the period of French colonialism in the 19th and 20th centuries. With its quaint architecture and cobblestone paths, this area will make you feel as though you're strolling through Paris. Learn about the history of this area, which was owned by the French government and served as the center of Catholicism in Shanghai. Hear about the cultural, social and political transitions that took place here, and visit Xin Tian Di, the site of the First Conference of the Communist Party. Visit a beautiful French-style park and the former residence of Zhou Enlai, the first Premier of the People's Republic of China. As you stroll through streets filled with lovely apartments and villas from the early 1900s -- homes of both locals and many expatriates -- your guide will point out how this area retains its distinct French character. Veer off the main streets and venture along back alleys for a glimpse of small-town Shanghai life. Reach Shanghai's interesting SOHO area, where you will have the opportunity to rest and explore Tianzifang, an arts and crafts enclave full of designer stores, restaurants and coffee shops. Your tour will end here.
ShangHai XinTianDi NanLi
Meet your guide at a predetermined location in Shanghai to begin your private walking tour through the Shanghai French Concession, a historical area that marks the period of French colonialism in the 19th and 20th centuries. With its quaint architecture and cobblestone paths, this area will make you feel as though you're strolling through Paris. Learn about the history of this area, which was owned by the French government and served as the center of Catholicism in Shanghai. Hear about the cultural, social and political transitions that took place here, and visit Xin Tian Di, the site of the First Conference of the Communist Party. Visit a beautiful French-style park and the former residence of Zhou Enlai, the first Premier of the People's Republic of China. As you stroll through streets filled with lovely apartments and villas from the early 1900s -- homes of both locals and many expatriates -- your guide will point out how this area retains its distinct French character. Veer off the main streets and venture along back alleys for a glimpse of small-town Shanghai life. Reach Shanghai's interesting SOHO area, where you will have the opportunity to rest and explore Tianzifang, an arts and crafts enclave full of designer stores, restaurants and coffee shops. Your tour will end here.
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Shanghai
Outside of the "EXIT" site of the 1st National Congress of the Communist Party of China Museum, Please kindly contact Shanghai Pathways to confirm and get the meeting point picture in advance. The email address is listed on your voucher.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Options you can book
Morning Departure
10am tour departure
Afternoon Departure
2pm tour departure
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- zh-TW, en, zh-CN
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Shanghai Pathways
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Meeting point is subject to change. Please confirm with your tour operator at least 24 hours prior to departure time
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 11 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
11 verified traveler reviews for Private Colonial Walking Tour: Shanghai French Concession. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Tour to the French Concession in Shanghai
We had a fantastic time visiting the French Concession in large part, because our guide, Zara was so informative and friendly. We really sharpened up on our history of Modern China and Shanghai and Zara gave us this education in a way such that we will probably remember what we learned for a long time. My wife and I do a lot of traveling and we frequently engage the services of guides. Visiting Shanghai French Concession, we looked for a very good guide and indeed we found one with Zara.
via Viator
It's a good tour for getting an...
<p>It's a good tour for getting an overview of the French Concession. There is also a history lesson on the birth of the communist party as we started with the tour of the museum of the first conference of the communist party. Zoe was knowledgeable about the French Concession and the history of Shanghai. Being a born and bred Shanghainese, it's interesting getting her perspective on Shanghai, its history and people. If it wasn't for my poor legs, I could have walked on for another few hours, wandering through the beautiful French Concession and listening to Zoe's account of the area in its hey day.</p>
via Viator
Mary our guide was excellent. The...
<p>Mary our guide was excellent. The tour was interesting and relaxing up until we reached Tianzifang. The crowds were unbelievable and you could only follow the person in front of you. Unfortunately we picked the wrong weekend to visit as it was the May Day holidays in Shanghai. Make sure you check to make sure there are no public holidays when you visit.</p>
via Viator
The tour was very interesting...
<p>The tour was very interesting, well-paced, and we were pleasantly surprised to see how beautiful the French concession area is. Our tour guide, Zoe, was very patient in explaining details and facts about Shanghai history, and we learned a lot that day.</p>
via Viator
This was an excellent tour and...
<p>This was an excellent tour and provided the detail I was looking for.<br/> Our tour leader was knowledgeable and she was able to explain clearly .<br/> I recommend this tour to those who seek a detailed tour of the Former French Concession. You will not find better.</p>
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $66 to $246
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 57
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Colonial Walking Tour: Shanghai French Concession: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Shanghai.
How much does Private Colonial Walking Tour: Shanghai French Concession cost?
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Prices start at $66 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Shanghai usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Colonial Walking Tour: Shanghai French Concession take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Shanghai is not rushed.
Is Private Colonial Walking Tour: Shanghai French Concession worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 57 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 11 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Shanghai, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Colonial Walking Tour: Shanghai French Concession?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Colonial Walking Tour: Shanghai French Concession suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Colonial Walking Tour: Shanghai French Concession?
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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Shanghai can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Shanghai and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Colonial Walking Tour: Shanghai French Concession start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Shanghai within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Shanghai?
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On Outty we rank every Shanghai experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Private Shanghai Full Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights, Suzhou Private Day Trip from Shanghai with Bullet Train Option, 4-Hour Flexible Private Shanghai City Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Shanghai?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Shanghai?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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