Shanghai's Old City: Guided 3-Hour Walking Tour through An Endangered Historical Maze
5.0
53 Ratings
Small South Gate
Embark on a 3-hour walking tour of Shanghai's Old City before it disappears. Explore historical villas, traditional houses, and hidden details that reveal the city's rich history and culture.
Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Old Town (Nanshi) - Disappearing Shanghai - Ghost City
    We will first visit a part of the Old City close to destruction and emptied of its inhabitants. Our Tour Leader will introduce there the history of Shanghai and this part of the city and show you many interesting details.
  • Longmen Cun (South Gate) - We will then visit a lively neighborhood called Longmencun which featured typical Shanghainese architecture and local life. Our Tour Leader will introduce you to the “Shikumen” houses, Shanghai’s typical housing, and tell you how architecture can tell us a lot about the history of the city.
  • Laoximen - We will enjoy an authentic Shanghainese snack in a typical restaurant. Please let us know if you have any special requirements regarding food.
  • Laoximen - We will end our exploration in the neighborhood around the Confucius Temple (actually closed and under renovations, no visit inside). Our Tour Leader will show you the most beautiful house in the neighborhood, and explain to you all the secrets hidden behind each detail. We will then walk to our ending point at Laoximen metro station.
What's Included
  • Gift Bag
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Variety of snacks
What's Not Included
  • Other personal expenses
Additional Information

Unfortunately, a big part of the Old City will disappear soon… Let’s enjoy our last chances to discover its secrets before destruction, and see what is still there.

Follow our Tour Leader for a 3-hour walk in this big maze under destruction. We will first visit a part close to destruction and emptied of its inhabitants, and then a second part still inhabited and more lively. Discover old villas, traditional Shanghainese houses, hidden details showing us the history of Shanghai… Learn new secrets about this part of the city: architecture, history, beliefs, religion, urbanization… You will learn things even Shanghainese people don’t know!

Location
Small South Gate
Starting point: Xiaonanmen Metro Station Exit 2 (小南门地铁站2号口)
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(53 Ratings)
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Ellats647gj
Feb 14, 2024
Mission: doing all Clarisse’s city walks - I’ve done three walks with Clarisse so far and I’m going to do a lot more because it’s a superb way to get to know the city, explore it, know about its history and curiosities. Clarisse is an extremely competent, thoughtful and funny pro, with her charisma and knowledge you will learn a lot about the city in a pleasant and lively way.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
541alliel
Nov 16, 2023
Exceptional Arcade Walking Tours Never Disappoint! - Arcade Historic Tours - Hongkou Walk. We've been on numerous walks with Arcade and their walking tours never disappoint! Expert guide, Clarisse, always has so many anecdotes and fun details to share during these walks as we discover different areas of the inner city of Shanghai. It always amazes us how much knowledge she has of places and the people who once inhabited them. I think they should come out with a guidebook of Arcade walks! A little bonus ending to this great tour was a lovely visit to a shop, akin to the cavern of Alibaba, filled with trinkets and treasures from Shanghai's past. Clarisse introduced us to the shop-owner who is a passionate collector of antique relics from turn of the century Shanghai. We enjoyed a delightful visit browsing his shop and exchanging with him. Such moments and personal encounters always make Arcade tours extra special and stand apart from other walking tours in this city! We highly recommend any of their walking tours, mysterious hunts or Cluedo-style games!
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Ohdontaskwhy
Aug 18, 2023
Fun and interesting tour to learn about the disappearing old city - Amazing tour with a great and caring guide! I would recommend it to everyone coming to visit Shanghai, because it's a chance to have a glimpse of everyday life, better understand the city and those who live here, and learn some funny and cool facts along the way. Also, you would never go to the places you go during this tour alone, they are not so obvious at all :) Seriously, don't miss this opportunity to explore the hidden treasures of Shanghai.
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Nicolasbi2529fc
Dec 21, 2022
Greeeeaaaatt experience - I am afraid you will think it is a fake review when you are reading my review but let’s me try to give you my feedback. If you like cultural visit, it is the best you can do in shanghai so far. I have been leaving here for almost 20 years and we did several visits with Clarisse. And you don’t need to be a history geek to enjoy! I did the Suzhou creek (very good), the old city (also good but I think the old city does not exist anymore..), tintin (also great!),…
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Z2427nkjonathanr
Dec 20, 2022
It takes a good guide to show you the authentic Shanghai - Clarisse is a very nice and professional guide and she's always thoroughly prepared for her tours. You can tell she has done a lot of research on her topics as well. She has lived in Shanghai for many years and knows her city better than most Shanghainese. She offers city tours that can be tailored for every customer's need and she delivers them in French, English and Chinese. You can easily tell her job is her passion and every tour is a discovery. Tour themes vary a lot and groups are small which makes it an even nicer experience.
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Fchambraud
Dec 18, 2022
walk in French concession - Great insight into old Shanghai, and the French concession in particular. A fun way to (re)discover the old city!! Clarisse made it as interesting as enjoyable,
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Hanhan_lee
Dec 2, 2022
Explore Shanghai with Clarisse - I really enjoyed Clarisse guided tour. She is very knowledgeable and adds fun into the experience. I would recommend this to anyone who is curious to find out more about Shanghai, its past and present.
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Audebio
Nov 12, 2022
Great Shanghai and China stories with an amazing guide! - Clarisse is the best guide in town! I strongly recommend to do any of her tours (or all her tours if you can). She knows all behind the scenes stories, takes you to places that you would have never gone to and is as passioning as she's passioned about China and Shanghai. If you're a new comer to Shanghai or have been living here for a while, it is a must to join her tours!
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Sharon
Oct 16, 2022
Take the tour before it disappears! - Such a fantastic walking tour, full of life, history, behind the scenes information...Clarisse is a person who clearly loves what she does! She has great passion for the history of this beautiful city, and it shows! We were a small group of 5 people so it was easy to get around, stop at places, ask questions, listen. I learned much more in 2.5 hours than I have in 5 years of living here! It is a crime that these areas of Shanghai are quickly being demolished, to make way for even MORE high-rise apartments & malls. Take this tour while you can and let Clarisse take you back in time to appreciate the REAL Shanghai before it completely disappears...
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Philippe
Oct 16, 2022
Shanghai behind the scene… be ready to be surprised. - After few days in Shanghai you will be looking for out of the track visits and Clarisse is the one to help you. Actually it works also after years here or a full of shopping ! She is truly passionate about Shanghai and its secrets. She well knows the out of ordinary places that will make your stay more unforgettable and discover some of the best stories behind the history of this amazing city. A must in Shanghai and good value for money.
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