Private Walking Tour in the Former French Concession in Shanghai
Shanghai, China

Private Walking Tour in the Former French Concession

Outty Ranking 80 5.0 · 72 traveler reviews2 hoursFrom $49

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

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Age 12 and under

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Outty Ranking

80/100

Exceptional. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 72 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Private Walking Tour in the Former French Concession worth booking?

Private Walking Tour in the Former French Concession is a 2-hour experience in Shanghai, China, from $49 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional, based on a 5/5 rating across 72 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
80 / 100
Rating
5/5 (72)
Duration
2 hours
From
$49 per person

The former French Concession is always the highlight of a visit to Shanghai. It also becomes the city's hottest and hippest neighborhood, where trendy bars and clubs multiply like mushrooms after a rainstorm. The area st

What you get

  • Hotel pickup
  • Transportation to attraction
  • Excellent English-speaking guide
  • Entrance Tickets

About this experience

The former French Concession is always the highlight of a visit to Shanghai. It also becomes the city's hottest and hippest neighborhood, where trendy bars and clubs multiply like mushrooms after a rainstorm. The area still holds something of the alluring mix of scrappy Shanghainese street life, shopworn European colonial charm, Art Deco edifices, hidden brick courtyards and film noir intrigue that have, along with the proud stone edifices of the bund and the twisting alleys of Shanghai's Old city, long defined Shanghai in the Western popular imagination. Shanghai's idiosyncratic push-pull between new and old, development and preservation, takes a special form in the French Concession, making it an absolutely unique urban experience.

What's included

Included

  • Hotel pickup
  • Transportation to attraction
  • Excellent English-speaking guide
  • Entrance Tickets

Not included

  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel drop-off

Where it starts and ends

Hotel pickup

Pickup is included for all travelers.

Options you can book

  • Afternoon Tour

    Private walking tour. Your tour departure time is 1:00 in the Afternoon Pickup included

  • Morning Tour

    Private walking tour. Your tour departure time is 9:00 in the morning Pickup included

Before you book

Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Languages
cmn, en
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Every day
Group size
Up to 10 travelers per booking
Operated by
Shanghai Melody Tours

Know before you go

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Please wear comfortable shoes
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • A maximum of 10 people per booking
  • Please indicate morning tour or afternoon tour in special requirement area upon booking

Photos

French ConcessionCathay MansionFormer French ConcessionXintiandiShanghai Food TourShanghai Tea Cutlure

What travelers are saying

Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 72 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

Knowledge and storytelling

7 mentions

Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

The guide

5 mentions

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

Photo opportunities

2 mentions

The views and photo stops come up again and again.

Traveler reviews

72 verified traveler reviews for Private Walking Tour in the Former French Concession. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

5 star
70
4 star
2
3 star
0
2 star
0
1 star
0
Sort
Kate E · July 2026

Perfect start to our China visit

Our tour with Penny was the first thing we did after arriving in China and it was the perfect start to our Shanghai adventure. Penny was lovely company, a superb storyteller and there wasn’t a question she couldn’t answer! The perfect guide for a 12 year old and her history-buff mother. Thank you Penny - we loved our morning with you!

via Tripadvisor

ennuu · May 2026

This is a must do

I know quite a bit about the former French Concession and Penny’s tour is a really good introduction. She includes both famous important sites as well as some special almost private ones. Highly recommended.

via Tripadvisor

Nicholas_W · May 2026

A great way to learn about the French Concession

Penny certainly knows her what she is talking about. This is a very good introduction to the old French Concession. She covers both some of the famous landmarks and also some of the hidden stuff.

via Viator

Ray_H · May 2026

Penny did an amazing job...

Penny did an amazing job with my tour of this beautiful, unique east-meets-west area of Shanghai. As a curious traveler, I especially appreciated Penny's skills as a teacher. I enjoyed understanding the architectural history of the buildings, and how much Chinese history from the past 200 years ties into the area.

via Viator

Justin_C · February 2026

Amazing French Concession Tour with Ms. Penny!!

Booked this tour solo (did not have the afternoon tea) with my lovely tour guide Ms. Penny. A very knowledgable lady that gave me some fascinating historical tidbits during our walk around the quarter. Something that was not apart of tour which they accomodated was a french costume photoshoot I brought along for my research and reenactment project which Ms. Penny did an amazing jon helping take the photos. Overall I highly recommend her as well as the tour for any curious travellers wanting to learn about the french procession! Transportation was also provided from my hotel to there and Ms. Penny was kind enough to show me some super useful metro tips for getting to Yu Garden after the tour was over.

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
$49 to $166
Hotel pickup
Included for all travelers
Booked in 30 days
25
Verdict
Exceptional

Why this scores 80

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

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)97
Review evidence (18% weight)75
Booking momentum (14% weight)70
Value for money (12% weight)37
Listing quality (10% weight)98
Local standing (8% weight)68
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

Private Walking Tour in the Former French Concession: questions travelers ask

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

How much does Private Walking Tour in the Former French Concession cost?

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Prices start at $49 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 Walking Tour in the Former 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 Walking Tour in the Former French Concession worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 72 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 Walking Tour in the Former 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 Walking Tour in the Former 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 Walking Tour in the Former French Concession?

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Around 25 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 Walking Tour in the Former 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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