Tour operator

1. Beijing Hikers

Great Wall and countryside hikingChaoyang (meeting points)

A Beijing hiking company running since 2001, leading scheduled group hikes on unrestored Great Wall sections and in the hills and villages around the city.

View details — Beijing Hikers

Tour operator

2. Huangpu River Cruise from Shiliupu

River sightseeing cruiseSouth Bund, Huangpu

Sightseeing boats from Shiliupu that sail north past the Bund and Lujiazui to Yangpu Bridge and back, by day or after dark when both banks are lit.

View details — Huangpu River Cruise from Shiliupu

Tour operator

3. UnTour Food Tours Shanghai

Food tourJiangsu Road

Small-group evening food tours of Shanghai's neighbourhood eateries, with 15 or more tastings at seated stops and drinks included, run by UnTour since 2010.

View details — UnTour Food Tours Shanghai

Tour operator

4. Wild Great Wall Adventures

Great Wall hiking and camping toursChaoyang

A Beijing tour company founded in 2011 that runs guided day hikes, multi-day treks and camping trips on wild and restored sections of the Great Wall.

View details — Wild Great Wall Adventures

Tour operator

5. Beijing Postcards

History walking toursDashilar, Xicheng

A Beijing history company founded in 2005 that runs hutong walks and talks from its public history space in Dashilar, drawing on its collection of old maps and photographs.

View details — Beijing Postcards

Tour operator

6. Suzhou Creek Tourism cruises

Creek sightseeing cruiseSuzhou Creek

Small-boat cruises along Suzhou Creek between the Bund and the western parks, passing century-old bridges, warehouses and the Sihang Warehouse memorial.

View details — Suzhou Creek Tourism cruises

Tour operator

7. Historic Shanghai walking tours

History walking toursCitywide

Long-running history walks covering the Bund, the Old City, the former French Concession, Art Deco Shanghai and the Jewish refugee quarter.

View details — Historic Shanghai walking tours

Tour operator

8. The Hutong

Cooking classes and culinary toursBeixinqiao, Dongcheng

A cultural centre in a Dongcheng courtyard house running Chinese cooking classes, tea tastings, a Maliandao tea market tour and culinary and day tours.

View details — The Hutong

Tour operator

9. Lost Plate Food Tours Beijing

Hutong food toursShichahai, Xicheng

Small-group hutong food tours run by Lost Plate, whose China operations are managed from Beijing, with evening, breakfast and Great Wall day options.

View details — Lost Plate Food Tours Beijing

Tour operator

10. WildChina

Private and small-group toursHongkou

A China travel company with a Shanghai office that runs small-group and private tours, including a guided walk through the former French Concession.

View details — WildChina