I just turned 60 this year and have never taken a group tour in my life, but I've always wanted to visit Shanghai and see it for myself. When I was younger, I was entirely focused on work and family, with no time for long trips. Now that I've finally retired and my children have started their own families, I began worrying that I'm too old—my legs aren't what they used to be, I walk slowly, and I get tired easily. I was afraid traveling would be a burden on my family.
With constant encouragement from my son and my husband, I finally worked up the courage and decided not to wait any longer. My family carefully picked out a premium small-group Shanghai tour designed especially for seniors, meant to help older travelers like us fulfill our Shanghai dreams.
Shanghai private custom tour was a great experience
No travel guides needed, just sit back and relax the whole way
Our generation of seniors isn't familiar with smartphones. We can't look up complicated routes, make reservations, or read subway transfer maps, let alone plan a detailed itinerary days in advance. In the past, when my spouse and I went out, we'd either spend ages asking for directions or take wrong turns. By the end of the day, our backs would ache and we wouldn't enjoy ourselves at all.
This group tour was completely different. From the moment we met up, the guide had everything perfectly arranged. Which attractions to visit each day, where to go first, where to go next, where to rest, and where to eat—it was all planned in advance. All we had to do was follow the guide, walking slowly and taking it all in, without worrying about a thing. That stress-free feeling was truly wonderful.
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Hear stories of old Shanghai you won't find in any travel guide
People our age don't like rushing through spots just to snap photos and check them off a list. We prefer hearing the history and stories behind the sights. In plain, easy-to-understand language, our guide told us the origins of every old building and the past of every old street. Which celebrities once stayed at the Peace Hotel, why the Customs House bell has been ringing for nearly a century, and what history lies behind the old foreign trading houses.
These vivid, fascinating stories of old Shanghai are things you'd never find watching TV at home or reading travel guides. Listening while we strolled, the once lifeless buildings seemed to suddenly come alive—the more we walked, the more charming it felt; the more we listened, the more captivated we became.
Experience old Shanghai on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street
Our guide really understood how older travelers like to move around, so he specifically arranged for us to visit Nanjing Road in the morning to avoid the crowds. At that hour, most tour groups hadn't arrived yet, there were few tourists on the street, and the road was wide and clean—no squeezing through crowds or pushing our way forward. We could stroll slowly and take everything in peacefully.
The guide stayed right by our side the whole time, reminding us to watch out at intersections and be careful of passing e-bikes and crowds, keeping us well protected throughout. For us older folks, feeling safe, secure, and comfortable matters more than anything else.
Many visitors to Nanjing Road crowd onto the busiest main street, where it's noisy, stuffy, and hard to even walk. Our guide didn't drag us into that chaos. Instead, he led us into the quiet little alleys just off the main street, where you can find authentic old Shanghai architecture and peaceful lanes.
We could take our time looking at the old buildings and soaking in the flavor of old Shanghai. The photos came out clean and beautiful, with no crowds getting in the way. This kind of quiet, off-the-beaten-path route is exactly what suits us seniors for a leisurely stroll.
When we reached the old department stores on Nanjing Road, like Wing On and Sincere, our guide stopped to tell us the stories behind these century-old buildings. He explained that decades ago, they were the trendiest, most bustling spots in Shanghai, and the favorite hangouts for the city's socialites and wealthy elite.
Listening to the guide, we felt as if we had traveled back to old Shanghai decades ago. The buildings before us were no longer just structures, but vessels filled with history and stories—the more you looked, the more character they revealed.
Halfway through the walk, our guide took us into Shendacheng, a time-honored brand in Shanghai. He said the pastries here have the authentic taste of old Shanghai—soft, chewy, not too sweet, affordable, and especially suitable for seniors. A Tiaotou Gao pastry costs ¥4 and a Qingtuan sticky rice ball is ¥8. In a big city like Shanghai, these prices are incredibly reasonable. Our guide also reminded us to just try a little to tide us over rather than buying too much, so we could travel light and keep exploring. He really thought of everything.
Photo spot for the Oriental Pearl Tower at Carlowitz & Co.
Our guide brought us to Carlowitz & Co. and told us this building was funded by Germans in 1898. Over 120 years later, it remains the largest and grandest German trading house in the Far East from that era. My spouse and I looked up at the old building, its red brick walls rustic and solid, clearly showing its age. We couldn't help but marvel—seeing such an old building with our own eyes made the trip truly worthwhile.
Arched doorway photo spot
Our guide led us to the arched arcade on the first floor, pointed ahead and said, "Look here—this is Shanghai's most unique photo spot." We looked in that direction, and through the century-old red brick archway, the modern Oriental Pearl Tower in the distance was perfectly framed right in the middle.
There were very few tourists here and it was quiet—no fighting for a good angle or waiting in line for photos. Our guide patiently stayed with us, letting us take as long as we wanted and as many shots as we liked, even showing us exactly how to stand and pose for better pictures. My husband and I took several photos together here. The background was clean and the shots turned out great. When we got home and showed our family, everyone complimented them.
The understated luxury of the Peace Hotel, a landmark of The Bund
When you visit The Bund, the most striking and memorable sight is the Peace Hotel. Our guide told us it's the most famous and iconic historic building on The Bund. Originally called Sassoon House, it was completed in 1929 and is now nearly a century old. Its dark green pyramid-shaped copper roof is its most distinctive feature—you can recognize it from far away at a glance.
With the hit TV series Blossoms Shanghai, many people come specifically to check in at the Peace Hotel. We're not celebrity chasers, but we still wanted to see this historic hotel that has witnessed a century of Shanghai's ups and downs. Standing below and looking up at the grand building, we were truly thrilled.
Our guide told us the Peace Hotel is an Art Deco building with solid granite exterior walls. The facade lines are bold and clean, without flashy or complicated decorations, yet they exude understated luxury everywhere. The doors, windows, and cornices feature exquisite craftsmanship. Nearly a century later, the building remains stately and impressive, making it easy to imagine how bustling this place once was.
My husband and I wanted to take a photo together in front of the Peace Hotel as a souvenir. Our guide immediately offered to take our phone, patiently helping us find the best angle, avoiding the crowds and framing the shot perfectly. He took photo after photo until we nodded and said, "That's perfect," and only then did he stop with a smile.
The photos came out straight, clear, and beautiful—the most precious souvenir of our trip. Back home, we placed the photo on our table. Every time we look at it, we remember this warm and relaxing trip to Shanghai.
Visiting the Century-Old Customs House Clock Tower
Pointing to the towering Customs House before us, our guide explained that it was completed in 1927—nearly a hundred years ago—and is one of the most central and iconic buildings on The Bund, known as "the beating heart of time on The Bund." For nearly a century, this building has stood by the river, witnessing Shanghai's changes and development.
What impressed us most was the giant clock on the roof. Our guide said it's one of the largest and most advanced mechanical clocks in Asia. For nearly a century, rain or shine, it has chimed right on time. The deep, resonant sound carries across all of The Bund—a melody etched into the heart of every Shanghai local.
We stood at the base of the building just as the bells began to ring: "Dong—dong—dong." The sound was steady and powerful, filling us with a sense of calm. My husband and I exchanged a smile. Hearing this century-old chime with our own ears was truly an unforgettable experience.
Our guide made sure we stayed until dusk, when the lights gradually illuminated the Customs House. Warm golden light traced the building's outline, the bells chimed right on schedule again, and a gentle river breeze blew past. The scene before us was both majestic and tender. In that moment, I was deeply moved—this trip to Shanghai was absolutely worth it.
The HSBC Building is the most luxurious bank in Shanghai
Our guide led us to the HSBC Building and proudly told us it was completed in 1923. Back then, foreigners praised it as "the most luxurious bank building from the Suez Canal to the Bering Strait," and locals called it the "Number One Building in the Far East." It was the symbol of The Bund's financial center and represented Shanghai's most glorious banking era.
Our guide focused on the massive mural inside the building's dome. He explained that it depicts eight major ports around the world—grand in scale and brilliant in color, a priceless treasure in architectural history. Since visitors can't freely enter the interior, he described it to us in vivid, easy-to-understand detail. We gasped in amazement, our eyes truly opened.
Our guide said that to truly understand The Bund, you have to learn the history of these old banks and trading houses. Each imposing building is a physical testament to a century of Shanghai's financial history. They aren't just beautiful buildings—they are Shanghai's history and its pride. After the tour, we looked at The Bund with completely different eyes, truly understanding its significance.
Introduction to Shanghai New World Daimaru
Our guide took us to New World Daimaru and smiled as he showed us what he called "a work of art in architecture"—the only spiral escalator in China. He said it cost ¥12 million to build back then, spiraling from the 1st floor all the way up to the 6th like a coiling dragon. It looks incredibly cool and intricate.
My spouse and I were a bit worried at first—the spiral escalator looked cool, but would it be unstable or scary? To our surprise, once we stepped on, it ran very smoothly and slowly, with no jolts or frights. Even as seniors, we felt completely safe. As we slowly rose, the view opened up, making it a novel and fun experience.
Daimaru was clean, bright, and well air-conditioned, with plenty of seating in the rest areas so you could sit down whenever you got tired. The restrooms were spotless and the facilities were excellent, especially senior-friendly. Our guide let us take a good break here to drink some water and catch our breath before continuing the tour.
Tasting authentic old Shanghai flavors at Weixiangzhai
Locals line up here every day — the cheapest "Michelin" meal around
After a morning of sightseeing, we were starving. Instead of taking us to an overpriced tourist-trap restaurant, our guide led us to Weixiangzhai, tucked away on Fuzhou Road. He told us it's an 80-year-old heritage brand where Shanghai locals line up daily, and that most tourists never hear about it. Skipping it, he said, means you haven't really experienced Shanghai.
Sesame noodles for just ¥14 — incredible value
The house specialty is sesame noodles, only ¥14 a bowl — honest pricing and generous portions. The noodles are soft, with every strand coated in rich, fragrant sesame sauce. Smooth and flavorful, they're perfect for older diners: not hard, not greasy, and easy to digest.
My husband doesn't usually care for noodles, but he polished off this entire bowl, praising it between bites: "So fragrant, so delicious!"
The restaurant is simple and spotless, with transparent, fair prices. No fancy packaging, no hidden charges — just the genuine, unpretentious flavors of old Shanghai. For seniors like us, eating safely, affordably, and comfortably matters more than anything else.
Checking in at Shanghai's historic architecture
Walking along the riverfront at The Bund, our guide pointed to the row of buildings and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the famous historic architecture complex. There are 52 century-old buildings here, showcasing architectural styles from all over the world. That's why it's called the Exhibition of World Architecture. It's the face of Shanghai, the pride of China, and one of the city's most popular photo spots."
The guide walked us through building by building, taking his time to explain each one. This one was a bank, that one a trading house, another a hotel, and yet another an office building. He clearly explained the construction year, architectural style, and history of every single building. We listened as if hearing stories, getting more fascinated with each one and enjoying the stroll even more.
My spouse and I are older and walk slowly, but the guide stayed by our side the entire time, always watching our steps. Whenever there was a small bump, slope, or step, he gently offered us a hand and reminded us to take it slow and be careful. With such attentive care throughout the trip, we felt completely safe and never worried about tripping or bumping into anything.
A perfect finale with the night view of The Bund, Shanghai
Our guide made a point of having us wait for the blue hour around sunset, saying it was the most beautiful and magical time of day at The Bund. The sky still held a faint blue as the building lights came on one by one. Daylight and lamplight blended softly, draping all of The Bund in a gentle golden glow like a painting. We walked along the quiet, flat, uncrowded riverside promenade. Strolling slowly, taking it all in, feeling the soft river breeze and watching the brilliant lights, we felt peaceful and content. A lifelong dream of Shanghai came true in that moment.
My first group tour at 60 — the most unforgettable trip of my life
When the full-day itinerary ended, my spouse and I weren't tired, thirsty, cold, or inconvenienced in the slightest. We were gently looked after and carefully cared for the entire time. This was my first group tour in 60 years, and also the most relaxing, comfortable, and unforgettable trip of my life. After returning home, I shared our guide's contact info with friends who want to travel, and they all said they never imagined a group tour could be this comfortable.