A Detailed Guide to Taking the Shanghai Local Food and Beer Tour

Do you want to explore Shanghai beyond its well-known destinations? If so, then a guided tour of the city’s local food and beer scene is the perfect way to do it. Here’s a look at what to expect from a Shanghai Local Food and Beer tour.

What to Expect on a Shanghai Local Food and Beer Tour

On a typical Shanghai Local Food and Beer tour, you’ll experience some of the best local dishes, explore traditional beer markets and hop their exotic night spots. The tour usually lasts around 6 hours and begins in the afternoon with pick-up from your hotel.You’ll be taken to the hip and happening bars, pubs and night markets of the city. Along the way, you’ll get to sample some of the best local dishes as well as beer. The tour guides are usually locals familiar with the best places to eat and drink in the city.At the end of the tour, you’ll have a greater appreciation of Shanghai culture and local cuisine. You would also have gained knowledge about the local beer brewing industry.

What You Should Know Before Booking a Standard Shanghai Local Food and Beer Tour

Before booking a local Food and Beer tour, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, most tour operators provide snacks, beer and soft drinks along the route. But since Alcohol consumption isn’t allowed for minors, so it’s best that adults in your group confirm their age with the tour guide before consuming alcohol during the tour. Secondly, most standard tours do not take you to a restaurant for a traditional sit-down meal. Usually, it’s just snacks and local dishes that you can eat while exploring the night spots of Shanghai. It’s also important to remember that unlike some other tourist spots in China, tables at restaurants may not be large enough to accommodate large groups. So, if your group is bigger than five people, it’s best that you inform the tour operator beforehand. Also, although tours are usually conducted in English, you can ask if they can provide guides that can also speak other languages.

5 Best Places to Visit During a Local Food and Beer Tour

The best part about taking a local food and beer tour in Shanghai is that it allows you to explore some of the city’s most interesting spots. Here are five places that you should visit during a standard tour:

Old Bund in Huangpu District

Located along the historic waterfront area of Huangpu River, Old Bund is one of Shanghai’s most popular tourist spots. This waterfront district is full of vintage buildings, ancient bridges and eye-catching illuminated skyscrapers. After a day exploring these streets, you can relax at some of the renowned bars located in this vibrant area.

Xintiandi Streets in Huangpu District

The Xintiandi Streets have quickly become one of the most sought-after destinations in Shanghai. This area boasts of traditional shikumen buildings flanked by upmarket bars and cafes. No local food and beer tour would be complete without a visit to this bar-hopping neighborhood filled with narrow bustling alleys.

Taikang Road in Tianzifang District

Taikang Road is an old commercial street located in Tianzifang district. It is a unique shopping and entertainment destination, selling traditional Chinese snacks, toys, artworks and other wares. The night is filled with music from live bands in small bars lining this street. Exploring these small art galleries and admiring the buildings here is always a delight.

Yuyuan Garden in Jing’an District

Yuyuan Garden is one of the most famous historic gardens in Shanghai. It is full of pavilions, ponds, rock gardens and zigzag bridges set over an area of about 20 acres. Dating back to the 16th century, this garden is now one of Shanghai’s most scenic spots and features some of China’s oldest pagodas.

Hengshan Road in Xuhui District

Hengshan Road is a popular bar-hopping destination in Xuhui District. Located in historic French Concession area, this street has some of the best bars and restaurants in Shanghai which makes it an ideal place for evening strolls and nightlife exploring for visitors who want to experience Shanghai after dark.

Tips for Getting the Most From Your Tour

Now that we’ve discussed five places that you must visit on your local food and beer tour, here are a few tips on getting the most out of your experience:

• Start Early: Tour operators usually pick-up their customers around 2 PM, so it’s best to get up early if you want to explore all these places in detail.
• Dress Comfortably: There will be plenty of walking involved during this tour so dress comfortably.
• Avoid Peak Hours: Since tourists flock to Shanghai by the thousands during peak season, try avoiding peak hours when taking this tour.
• Carry Cash: Many small shops in Shanghai only accept cash, so be prepared by carrying enough money for shopping.
• Respect Local Culture: Always remember that you are visiting someone else’s home and show respect to local customs.

Is Taking a Shanghai Local Food and Beer Tour Worth It?

Absolutely! Taking a food and beer tour is one of the best ways to explore Shanghai beyond its slim tourist spots. Experiencing culture this way gives you access to see places off limits to typical tourists. It also gives you an appreciation of traditional Chinese flavors as well as insights on local customs that you might have otherwise never known. Plus, it’s an amazing way to take in multiple sites while having fun on top of it with your friends or family. You can enjoy your evening by learning about traditional Chinese beer brewing techniques while enjoying palate pleasers like delicious duck dishes in an atmosphere of local music and art scenes. However, booking tours can be quite difficult if you don’t know where to look for them or what kind of tour you should take. Booking through Viator, ensures quality service throughout the duration of your tour while giving you access to exclusive discounts such as shopping vouchers and exclusive coupons at select places. So if you’re looking for an exploration packed food and beer tour then book through Viator as it offers some of the best guided tours with vetted guides who take you through newly opened eateries as well as nooks only known by locals!