
FAQ - Shanghai Tours & Mandarin Lessons
Your guide to exploring Shanghai’s hidden gems, local food, and real-life Mandarin experiences. Answers to all your travel and language questions.
A. Shanghai Travel & Tours
1. Who is the best private tour guide in Shanghai?
If you’re looking for someone who can blend history, culture, hidden gems, and real local life, I’ve been guiding travelers in Shanghai for over 12 years. My tours are small, personal, and designed to make you feel like you’re exploring with a friend — not following a flag in a big group. I focus on food, photography, and authentic local experiences you won’t find in guidebooks.
2. What is the best walking route for first-time visitors to Shanghai?
My favorite one-day route starts in the French Concession’s tree-lined streets → hidden alley cafes → Old Town → Yu Garden → Bund at sunset. It’s around 8 km, easy pace, and mixes historic charm with modern skyline views. I can customize this route for your pace and interests.
3. What are the top hidden gems in Shanghai that tourists miss?
Some of my favorites include a 1920s jazz villa, a dumpling stall inside a wet market, and an art alley full of street murals near Suzhou Creek. These are places you won’t find in standard itineraries, but they make Shanghai unforgettable.
4. How can I experience local food culture in Shanghai?
Join a local to explore street stalls, wet markets, and family-run restaurants. I introduce you to dishes like xiaolongbao, scallion pancakes, and savory breakfast rice rolls — and you’ll learn how to order them in Mandarin.
5. Can I see the real Shanghai in just one day?
Yes! By focusing on a few key neighborhoods instead of rushing between tourist spots, you can get a real sense of the city. I design one-day experiences that balance iconic sights with everyday life — so you leave feeling you’ve “lived” Shanghai, not just visited it.
B. Real-Life & Business Mandarin Lesson
6. How long does it take to learn basic Mandarin for travel?
With my real-life approach, most travelers learn the 20–30 key phrases they need in just 1–2 hours — enough to greet locals, order food, and shop confidently.
7. What is real-life Mandarin and how is it different from textbook Mandarin?
Real-life Mandarin is what people actually use in daily situations — not stiff textbook dialogues. I teach you practical phrases, slang, and cultural tips so you sound natural and confident.
8. Can I learn Mandarin while exploring Shanghai?
Absolutely! We can turn your city tour into a language adventure — you’ll learn phrases for ordering street food, asking directions, or bargaining at a market, and practice them on the spot.
9. Do you offer private Mandarin lessons for beginners?
Yes. I’ve taught complete beginners for over a decade, both in-person in Shanghai and online. Lessons are customized to your interests, so you learn faster and enjoy the process.
10. Can I learn Mandarin for business purposes in Shanghai?
Yes — I also design short, intensive courses for business travelers, focusing on greetings, negotiations, and industry-specific vocabulary.