No one enjoys long layovers on uncomfortable airport benches and being limited to pricey airport food. Well, get ready to start looking forward to layovers when travelling via Shanghai with Trip.com’s free Shanghai Express Tours.
There are 3 free tours – all in English – at different times of the day, so you can explore the city regardless of when your flight lands. Here’s all you need to know:
The Shanghai Express Tours are completely free, including transport to all the attractions and back to the airport, tickets to the attractions, and even e-sim cards with data. The only thing you’d have to pay for is any food or souvenirs you choose to buy at the attractions.
Each tour is 5-6 hours long, bringing you to some of Shanghai’s most iconic spots. Therefore, it is recommended for travellers with layovers of at least 8 hours at Shanghai Pudong Airport, so you won’t have to rush back for your connecting flight.
The next thing to be mindful of is whether your passport allows visa-free access, a visa waiver, or visa-on-arrival. This varies from country to country, so it’s best to check with China’s visa-free transit policies. Luckily, Singaporean passport holders have visa-free transit in Shanghai, so you can go on the tours worry-free.
Meet your tour guide at the Trip.com Group currency exchange counter.
Image credit: Trip.com
The tour only allows a maximum of 10pax/tour, and with registration being on a first-come-first-serve basis, you may want to scurry to their counter as soon as you land. Head over to the Trip.com Group currency exchange counter up to 1 hour before the stipulated tour start time, for registration. It is located outside Island A in the departure hall of Terminal 2.
You can keep your bags at the Shanghai Pudong Airport’s luggage storage till you’re back. Prices for the luggage storage range from ¥15 (~S$2.82) for smaller bags for 10 hours to ¥50 (~S$9.40) for oversized bags for 24 hours.
Image credit: @kay.doubleu92 via Instagram
For those who have never been to Shanghai before, the Shanghai Highlights Half-Day City Tour is a great way to see the city’s major attractions. This is a day tour from 9am-2pm for the early fliers.
Although all 3 tours take you to the iconic Yu Garden, this is the only tour that grants you access inside the ticketed area. Tickets usually cost ¥30/pax (~S$5.75) but with this tour, you’ll be whisked back into the Ming dynasty for free.
Thereafter, take a leisurely stroll at The Bund before returning to the airport.
The Bund.
Image credit: Trip.com
Catch the sunset along The Bund, Shanghai’s seaside walkway that’s filled with historic architecture, on the Strolling Under the Trees Citywalk Tour. This tour takes place from 4pm-10pm and is focused on Shanghai’s rich history.
Tour guides will guide you through the stories of how the city’s sights and structures came to be, accompanied by an evening glow as the sun sets.
Image credit: Harry Jing via Unsplash
For a deeper dive, the tour also goes to the old-town villas of Wukang Road, where you can spot the fusion of French and Chinese architectural influences in the buildings and cafes. Finally, head to the old town part of the Yu Garden to view temples and nosh on street food.
Image credit: Edward He via Unsplash
What better way to rest from a day of travelling than on a river cruise? The Huangpu River Cruise Sightseeing Night Tour lets you watch Shanghai transform into an illuminated landscape from a boat as the city lights turn on after dark.
This tour happens from 6pm-11pm and showcases the city in a brand new light with brightly lit skyscrapers like The Oriental Pearl Tower, as well as a now-illuminated Yu Garden.
It’s not often that you get to explore your layover city, beyond just the transit terminals. Now you can make the most of that idle time with Shanghai Express Tours by Trip.com Group. As the tours are free, you can even go on more than one should your layover be long enough for non-stop exploration.
Moreover, if the layover has piqued your interest in China, there’s so much more to explore there. From cute pandas in Chengdu to historical terracotta warriors at Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum site, the country offers experiences catering to various interests. And if you need some tips like how to make cashless payments, simply check out Trip.com’s China Travel Guide 2024.
This post was brought to you by Trip.com Group.
Cover image adapted from: @kay.doubleu92 via Instagram, Edward He via Unsplash
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