Day Tours & Guides in Shanghai

You can't turn a corner in Shanghai these days without tripping over tour companies or a guide desperate for your patronage. Never accept unsolicited offers of tours—these are common around popular sights, but lead to scams most of the time.

Although it's true that sightseeing tours often pack a lot in, think carefully before signing up for one, because most Shanghai tours are vastly more expensive than visiting the same sights alone, even if you hire your own car and driver. Well, you're paying for the guide, you say. True, but years of censorship and a limited education system means that guides often aren't as clued in on places as, say, your guidebook (though they tell charming stories packed with interesting "facts"). Many companies see you as a handy cash cow to be milked all day long—they make substantial cuts at the inevitable shopping stop-offs (mostly rip-offs), restaurant visits, and through tips, normally not a part of Chinese culture.

Independent sightseeing in Shanghai may seem a daunting prospect, but with a little research it's actually fairly straightforward. Downtown areas like the Bund, the Old French Concession, and Nanshi are easy to reach and you can see them at your own pace, and you can make out-of-town trips by hiring a car and driver, or taking an air-conditioned bus. If you do decide to go on an organized tour, shop around. The forums on Fodors.com are a great place to see what companies fellow travelers have used recently, how much they paid, and what they thought of them.

The state-run agencies, China Travel Service (CTS) and China International Travel Service (CITS), are usually reliable, though their prices aren't always the cheapest around. At CITS you can arrange private or group tours. China Highlights has a range of Shanghai group-tour packages, some of which include hotels. The shorter tours are reasonably priced (for a tour, that is).

Recommended Tours/Guides

China Highlights (China:. 773/283-1999. www.chinahighlights.com). China International Travel Service (Shanghai:. 021/6289-8899 or 6289-4510. www.scits.com.) China Travel Service (Shanghai:. 021/6247-8888. www.chinatravelservice.com).