PRIVATE TOURS · SHANGHAI, CHINA
Shanghai, your way —
with me as your
local guide.
I’m Xu Jin, your Shanghai private tour guide. Tell me what you love, and I’ll design a private Shanghai experience around you — then guide you through it myself.
Guiding since 2010
Certified since 2017
Always private — just your party and me
Flexible ways to get around
ABOUT JIN
The city is my home.
You are my guest.
I was born and raised in downtown Shanghai. The neighbourhood where I grew up was later demolished as part of Shanghai’s redevelopment, and my family moved to Baoshan District. I have seen the city change enormously over the years — including the transformation of Pudong from farmland into the skyline you see today. Shanghai is not just the city where I work as a guide. It is my home, and I have seen its transformation with my own eyes.
I have been guiding visitors in Shanghai since 2010 and have been a certified tour guide since 2017. I also offer my tours through international tour platforms including ToursByLocals, TourHQ and Synotrip. Over the years, I have learned that the best tours are not about following a fixed schedule. I prefer to listen to what you are interested in and create a program around you. I plan your program myself, I guide you myself, and when you contact me, you are talking directly to me — not to an agency.
On the day, we move at your pace. If you discover a place you really enjoy, we can stay longer. If something interests you less than expected, we can move on. The program is there to guide our day, not to control it.
— Xu Jin
Guiding since 2010
Certified since 2017
1 guide — always me
HOW IT WORKS
From first email to
your first morning in
Shanghai.
Every trip begins with a conversation. First, we talk about your plans, your interests and what you would like to experience in Shanghai. Together, we shape a program that feels right for you. Once we agree on the program, we can arrange the booking.
01 — Write to meTell me your travel dates, who you’re travelling with and what your interests are. Let me know what you enjoy when you travel, and if there are any places or experiences in Shanghai you already have in mind.
02 — I reply personallyI usually reply within 24 hours. I’ll ask a few questions, share some first ideas and give you my honest advice about what works well for your visit. If I am out guiding, it may sometimes take a little longer.
03 — Your program takes shapeBased on our conversation, I create a program that fits your interests, available time and preferred pace. We can adjust it together until it feels right for you. Once you are happy with the program, I will explain how to confirm your booking and pay the required down payment. After your booking is confirmed, we stay in contact and you can always reach me if you have questions or if something changes before your visit.
04 — I meet you at your hotelOn the day of your tour, I meet you in the lobby of your hotel and we start from there. I guide you personally throughout the day and, at the end of the tour, I bring you back to your hotel — or to another place in downtown Shanghai if you prefer.
Planning at short notice?
If you are already in Shanghai or arriving soon, feel free to contact me. If I am available, we can arrange your tour much more quickly. For urgent requests, you can also contact me directly on WeChat: Shanghai201211 or by email at jin@tourguideserviceshanghai.com.
TOUR IDEAS
Three ways we can explore
Shanghai together.
01
Tailor-made Shanghai Tour
A private Shanghai tour with your own Shanghai Private Tour Guide, built around your interests, available time and preferred pace. We can combine Shanghai’s famous sights with other places and experiences that fit what you would like to discover. Every program is different, because every visitor is different.
02
Shanghai Local Life – Off the Beaten Path Tour
Discover another side of Shanghai through local neighbourhoods, everyday life and places most visitors never see. You may also have the chance to meet and talk with local people, and when language is a barrier, I can help with the conversation.
03
Shanghai Layover Tour
Make the most of your layover without worrying about getting back to the airport in time. I plan your tour carefully around your flights and, when practical, we use the Maglev for a fast, predictable journey that avoids Shanghai traffic.
Starting points — What interests you?
These are starting points, not fixed tour packages. Tell me what interests you and I can combine different ideas into your personal program.
Starting point
Historic Puxi — Three Sides of Old Shanghai
Discover the three historic areas that helped shape Shanghai: the former International Settlement around the Bund, the traditional Chinese Old City with Yu Garden, and the former French Concession. Together, they tell the story of how today’s Shanghai developed.
Starting point
Modern Pudong & Shanghai’s Transformation
Discover modern Pudong and see how dramatically Shanghai has changed. In around forty years, former farmland has been transformed into Lujiazui, with its skyscrapers, financial district and world-famous skyline along the Huangpu River.
Starting point
Shanghai Food — From Street Food to Michelin
Shanghai is a city for food lovers. Discover everything from traditional Shanghainese dishes and lively street-food markets to creative modern dining and Michelin-starred restaurants. I can help you find the food experience that fits your taste and your program.
Starting point
Culture & Museums
Discover Shanghai through its art, history and culture. Explore traditional Chinese art, historical collections, contemporary galleries and museums, or choose the places that match your own interests. Together we can make culture part of your personal Shanghai experience.
Starting point
Local Neighbourhoods & Everyday Life
Experience everyday Shanghai in local neighbourhoods, parks and residential areas. See how local people live, exercise, meet friends and spend their free time — and, when the opportunity arises, join in or have a conversation with them.
Starting point
Beyond Shanghai
Shanghai can also be your starting point for exploring more of China. I can accompany you to Suzhou and nearby water towns, Hangzhou, the Yellow Mountains and the South Great Wall, and help plan the journey around your available time and interests, whether for a day trip or a longer journey.
Guest reviews
What my guests say.
Every tour is different because every guest is different. Here are three recent reviews from guests I have guided in Shanghai and beyond.
★★★★★
“Jin was an excellent guide: great English, very knowledgeable, and lovely to be with.
What we appreciated most was how she adapted the itinerary on the fly based on what interested us, without ever losing the flow or feeling forced.
We especially loved the balance between the well-known highlights and off-the-beaten-path moments — spontaneous things like watching elderly locals dancing or doing tai chi in the park, or stumbling upon a couple getting married, made the day feel much more authentic than a ‘by the book’ tour.”
★★★★★
“We had a wonderful experience with our local tour guide, Jin! She was friendly, punctual, and very accommodating throughout our trip.
During our Shanghai tour, we decided to change our plans midway because of the hot weather, and Jin was very flexible and helpful in making the adjustments.
When the rain came, we changed our plans again and opted for a rickshaw tour instead. It turned out to be such a memorable experience — it was our children’s first rickshaw ride! Despite the rain, Jin made sure we could still enjoy the day and create wonderful family memories.”
★★★★★
“Jin made our life easy in Shanghai and Suzhou. She had prepared everything for us and had given us all information needed in advance to have a smooth trip. Her advice were to the point and we all had a great time.”
Theodora
7-day private family program · Group of 9
4 adults + 5 children, ages 6–14 · Shanghai & Suzhou
TourHQ · August 2026
Getting around
Shanghai can feel overwhelming.
Let me help you find your way.
I’ll advise you on the most practical way to get around, but the choice is always yours.
01 On foot
Many parts of Shanghai are best explored on foot. It lets you experience the streets, neighbourhoods and everyday life of the city.
02 Metro
Shanghai’s metro is fast, clean and convenient. I often use it with guests when it is the most practical way to get around.
03 Didi taxis & regular taxis
For shorter journeys or when walking and the metro are less convenient, we can use Didi or a regular taxi. I choose whichever is most practical at the time.
04 Private car & day trips
If you prefer the comfort of a private car with driver, I can arrange one for your tour. For some longer day trips outside Shanghai, I may recommend private transportation.
Private tour pricing
Shanghai private tour guide fees
The following private guiding fees apply to all my tour programs:
Up to 5 hours
RMB 750
Approx. US$110 / €100
Up to 8 hours
RMB 1,100
Approx. US$160 / €145
Additional time
RMB 100 per hour after 8 hours
Prices are based on Chinese yuan (RMB). US dollar and euro amounts are approximate and shown for reference only.
Plan with Jin
Ready to see Shanghai
your way?
Tell me a little about your visit and what you would like to see and do. I will read your message personally and get back to you with some first ideas for your time in Shanghai.
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jin@tourguideserviceshanghai.com
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WeChat: Shanghai201211
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Shanghai, China