Sightseeing Tours

Sightseeing Tours

Getting around Shanghai independently is the best way to see the city, and an increasing number of travelers are doing just that. Organized tours are often rushed and on again and off again in style, which is a shame as Shanghai really is a great city to walk around. English is increasingly spoken, especially in tourist-frequented areas and restaurants. If you get lost, there's often a friendly local nearby to help you out. All the same, here are some day tour options that might help you get your bearings on that stressful first afternoon.

Boat Tours

A boat tour on the Huangpu River affords a great view of the Pudong skyline and the Bund, but after that it's mostly ports and cranes.

Huangpu River Cruises launches several small boats for one-hour daytime cruises as well as its unmistakable dragon boat for two-night cruises. The company also runs a 3 1/2-hour trip up and down the Huangpu River between the Bund and Wusong, the point where the Huangpu meets the Yangzi River. You'll see barges, bridges, and factories, but not much scenery. All tours depart from the Bund at 239 Zhongshan Dong Lu. You can purchase all tickets at the dock or through CITS; prices range Y35 to Y90. 239 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu (the Bund), Huangpu. 021/6374-4461

Shanghai Oriental Leisure Company runs 40-minute boat tours along the Bund from the Pearl Tower's cruise dock in Pudong. Daytime cruises cost Y40, nighttime Y50. Follow the brown signs from the Pearl Tower to the dock. Oriental Pearl Cruise Dock, 1 Shiji Dadao, Pudong. 021/5879-1888 Ext. 80435

Shanghai Scenery Co., Ltd. This company owns three boats that run one-hour tours along the Huangpu River starting from Yangzijiang Doc. Day tours cost Y45 and at night, Y68. 108 Huangpu Rd., Huangpu. 021/6356-1932. www.shanghaiscenery.com

Bus Tours

Grayline Tours has escorted half- and full-day coach tours of Shanghai as well as one-day trips to Suzhou, Hangzhou, and other nearby waterside towns. Prices range from Y289 to Y1,323. 2 Hengshan Lu, Xuhui. 135/1216-9650

Jinjiang Tours runs a full-day bus tour of Shanghai that includes the French Concession, People's Square, Jade Buddha Temple, Yu Garden, the Bund, and Pudong. Tickets cost Y250 and include lunch. Small groups can arrange for a tour by car with an English-speaking guide. 161 Chang Le Lu, Luwan. 021/6415-1188

The Shanghai Sightseeing Bus Center has more than 50 routes, including 10 tour routes that make a circuit of Shanghai's main tourist attractions. There are also one-stop itineraries and weekend overnight trips to sights in Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces. One-day trips range from Y30 to Y200; overnight trips cost as much as Y400. You can buy tickets up to a week in advance. The main ticket office and station, beneath Staircase No. 5 at Shanghai Stadium, has plenty of English signage to help you through the ticketing process. No. 5 Staircase, Gate 12, Shanghai Stadium, 666 Tianyaoqiao Lu, Xuhui. 021/6426-5555

Heritage Tours

Shanghai Jews. This half-day tour is available daily and takes a minimum of four visitors to the sites related to Shanghai's Jewish history. Costs vary depending on the number of people in the group;Y320 for groups of over 12 and Y400 for groups less than 12. 021/6283-9235. www.shanghai-jews.com