Shanghai: Real Talk – Skip the Rushed Tour Groups.
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You absolutely don't need a group tour in Shanghai. The city center is perfect for a leisurely stroll and taking things slow.
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I had to join a group tour because I was doing a big circuit of East China. I then found out that group tours in the Jiangnan region aren't a great experience – too many sights, not enough time at each, and it's exhausting. We had to visit three or four places every day.
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Cities with convenient transportation don't require group tours. Next time, try independent travel. A city walk in the Wutong District is really nice; when you get tired, you can just grab a coffee by the roadside.
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I'll definitely make a trip on my own in the future to see it properly.
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Shanghai actually has a lot of great food from Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan provinces. You might not be aware.
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That's not quite it. When you come to Jiangnan, you naturally want to try the local cuisine. Besides, with a group tour, even if I wanted Sichuan food, there'd be no time. The days are so rushed; sometimes, lunch has to last us until the next morning.
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High-speed trains from Shanghai to nearby cities are frequent and fast. Don't do a group tour next time; Jiangnan is truly worth taking your time to experience properly.
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If I come to Jiangnan again, it'll definitely be independent travel. This group tour was just a whirlwind, and with the Spring Festival crowds and queues, I couldn't really see anything properly.
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Shanghai has nearly twenty subway lines, so you can easily get around by metro. Don't rely on these tour groups in the future; they're a total rip-off.
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The 'no-shopping' tours aren't a rip-off, but they're incredibly tiring. Sometimes, lunch has to last you until the next morning because there's no time for dinner. Shanghai is indeed very convenient; I'll definitely come back for an independent trip to experience it properly.
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I was thinking of joining a group tour in Shanghai too, but after seeing your share, I've decided against it. I also prefer stronger flavors, so the food at tourist spots wouldn't suit me.
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The entire East China region is best for independent travel, where you can take your time to walk and see things. It's really hard to experience the charm of Jiangnan's water towns on a group tour. Even though they're quite commercialized now, they're still worth a visit.
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I really wouldn't recommend a group tour for Shanghai.
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It's probably true that big cities aren't suitable for group tours. I made a mistake this time.
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Shanghai has excellent public transport, so you can easily explore on your own. Plus, there are plenty of options to suit any budget, whether you want to save or splurge.
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I joined a group tour during Spring Festival because I wanted to visit more places. Next time I want to explore East China, I'll definitely go on my own.
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You're welcome to visit again next time!