Private Shanghai Gangster Tour in Shanghai
Shanghai, China

Private Shanghai Gangster Tour

Outty Ranking 85 4.9 · 272 traveler reviews2 hoursFrom $47

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September 2026

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Age 12 and under

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Outty Ranking

85/100

Exceptional. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 272 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Private Shanghai Gangster Tour worth booking?

Private Shanghai Gangster Tour is a 2-hour experience in Shanghai, China, from $47 per person. It scores 85 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 272 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
85 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (272)
Duration
2 hours
From
$47 per person

Take a tour through Shanghai with a colonial gangster and learn about the crime lords who once ruled the city like kings. From “Big Eared” Du with his lucky monkey heads to “Pockmarked” Huang and his police car drug dist

What you get

  • All activities mentioned in the tour description
  • Private walking tour with native English speaking professional guide

About this experience

Take a tour through Shanghai with a colonial gangster and learn about the crime lords who once ruled the city like kings. From “Big Eared” Du with his lucky monkey heads to “Pockmarked” Huang and his police car drug distribution, Newman Tours lets you get to know some of the early 20th century’s most powerful gangsters, and find out why you wouldn’t want to cross them.

What's included

Included

  • All activities mentioned in the tour description
  • Private walking tour with native English speaking professional guide

Not included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Gratuities

What you'll see and do

  1. Shanghai

    See where one of the richest opium dealers in Shanghai once lived and discover how he avoided jail time when he got caught.

    Pass by without stopping

  2. Shanghai

    Visit the luxurious mansion presented to Shanghai’s most powerful Chinese criminal mastermind, “Big Eared” Du, and find out why he was treated with such reverence.

    15 minutes here

  3. Shanghai

    See where the Chinese customs officer once lived, and discover why he was such a thorn in the side of “Big Eared” Du.

    Pass by without stopping

  4. Shanghai

    Visit the mansion that was built by a Dutch con-man who got away with daylight robbery and learn about the nasty fate of the opportunist that later took over the house.

    Pass by without stopping

  5. Shanghai

    See where the White Russians used to live and work, and find out why they outnumbered the French three to one in 1930s Shanghai.

    Pass by without stopping

Where it starts and ends

Meeting point

Shanghai

The Standard Meeting Point for Public, Private & Select Gangster Tours is outside exit 3 of Changshu Road Metro Station (lines 7 & 1) near the junction between Huaihai Road and Huating Road 常熟路地铁站3号出口, 在淮海路靠近华亭路.

Hotel pickup

No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

Ends at

The Standard Meeting Point for Public, Private & Select Gangster Tours is outside exit 3 of Changshu Road Metro Station (lines 7 & 1) near the junction between Huaihai Road and Huating Road 常熟路地铁站3号出口, 在淮海路靠近华亭路.

Options you can book

  • 2.5-hour VIP Experience

    Exclusive additional content: Guests will have exclusive access to a set of colonial costumes and will get to see the old Russian Jewish Gentlemen's Club . VIP: VIP Tours are led by Newman Tours’ most experienced guides, can start at any time you want and feature exclusive content. Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

  • Private Gangster Tour

    Take a tour through Shanghai with a colonial gangster and learn about the crime lords who once ruled the city. (Total duration: 2 hours)

Before you book

Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Languages
en
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Every day
Group size
Up to 15 travelers per booking
Operated by
Newman Tours

Know before you go

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Private Tours require a minimum of 3 adult guests (or the financial equivalent).
  • Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
  • Tour prices are not inclusive of Tax invoices which if required cost 15% of the total cost of the tour

Photos

Private Shanghai Gangster Tour in Shanghai, photo 2

What travelers are saying

Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 272 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

Knowledge and storytelling

8 mentions

Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

The guide

3 mentions

Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

Small groups

3 mentions

The group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.

Food and drink

2 mentions

The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

Traveler reviews

272 verified traveler reviews for Private Shanghai Gangster Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

5 star
251
4 star
18
3 star
1
2 star
1
1 star
1
Sort
lukemL9903ZZ · January 2020

Interesting, knowledgeable and fun tour by George!

I was lucky enough to take the Past, Present and Future tour with George and Clay followed by the Gangster Tour the following day with George. It was a great experience. George is very knowledgable on the history of Shanghai. Furthermore, on the gangster tour, he brought a gangster attitude, props and games for us to further enjoy the tour. I would highly recommend taking either of the tours! One suggestion might be instead of stopping for coffee perhaps allow time to stop at a traditional snack shop or restaurant. Other than that great job Newman Tour and give George a bonus!

via Tripadvisor

LeslieMacleod · November 2019

Just Brilliant!!!

5 star tour !!!! Brilliant and informative - a must for Shanghai - couldn’t have asked for a better day

via Tripadvisor

kkkooo2 · June 2019

Great experience!

I joined a private tour of French concession. Though I live in Shanghai, it was very new to me and knowing the history was very exciting. Next time I walk around the area, I absolutely remember the story. After the tour, you can also enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine in this nice area. David was like a history teacher. He had wealth of knowledge and an entertainer. Thank you, David(大工)!

via Tripadvisor

crisanta · June 2019

Like the coolest history teacher you've ever had taking you thru the best of the French Concession

David & Clay, 2 young Americans in Shanghai who just happened to be history and China studies majors respectively; gave my daughter and me a 2 hr private tour of the French Concession. Don't think we expected a private tour for that price but that's what we got! We also only paid for a 2 hour tour but we went into overtime, thanks to my endless photography but our guides never rushed us. In the end, we got to see the ballroom and grounds of the former French athletic club, strolled down back alleys of the French concession, and heard priceless anecdotes about Mao's workout regimen and the Shanghai Russian mob. Even got a sneak preview of the gangster rap. Priceless!

via Tripadvisor

cduffie · May 2019

Great tour and a cool way to see the French Concession.

We took the gangster tour and had a great time. Daniel was knowledgeable and made it really fun. The weather was nice and walked through the former french concession, checking out all the cool architecture and learning about the crazy story behind how many of the buildings were built. It was only two hours and is a great way to spend some time on a nice day.

via Tripadvisor

Good to know

Duration
2 hours
Free cancellation
Up to 24h before
Minimum age to book
5+
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Every day
Price range
$47 to $180
Hotel pickup
No pickup, meet at start point
Booked in 30 days
95
Verdict
Exceptional

Why this scores 85

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)92
Review evidence (18% weight)98
Booking momentum (14% weight)98
Value for money (12% weight)40
Listing quality (10% weight)79
Local standing (8% weight)59
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

Private Shanghai Gangster Tour: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Shanghai.

How much does Private Shanghai Gangster Tour cost?

+

Prices start at $47 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 Shanghai Gangster Tour 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 Shanghai Gangster Tour worth it?

+

It holds an Outty Ranking of 85 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 272 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 Shanghai Gangster Tour?

+

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 Shanghai Gangster Tour suitable for kids and families?

+

The operator sets a minimum age of 5. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 2-hour running time when deciding.

How far in advance should I book Private Shanghai Gangster Tour?

+

Around 95 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?

+

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 Shanghai Gangster Tour 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?

+

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?

+

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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