Discover Shanghai - Your unique and practical guide in Shanghai
Introducing my New Shanghai Trip Planning Service:
Are you considering a trip to Shanghai but feeling overwhelmed by the planning process?
Are you travelling to China on a business trip and have only a few days to look around?
Would you like to experience Shanghai from a different perspective and avoid tourist traps and other typical tourist tours?
Do you find most of the Shanghai travel information online is outdated?
Look no further than my new Shanghai trip planning service, designed to simplify your travel experience and help you make the most of your time in this diverse and fascinating city. With a focus on practicality, efficiency and local perspective, I am here to be your trusted partner in uniquely navigating Shanghai. As the city has so much to offer but so little information is available and updated for non-Chinese visitors, I am here to help, research, plan, and deliver your unique travel plan.
Before planning your trip
You can submit an enquiry form. After I receive your information, we can set up a 30-minute WhatsApp call, and I will listen to your requirements, needs, budget and expectations and answer any questions you may have (which normally a tour agency or tours you found on trip advisor/viator don’t offer for individual travelers)
Trip Planning
Based on your requirements and arrival/departure times, I would give suggestions for your itinerary and area to see with visual references. I would also give you a list of restaurants/attractions based on your dietary requirements and budget, from the local snack shop to Michelin-starred restaurants I have been to. With my 13 years of knowledge and experience living in this city, I can effectively plan your special trip.
Every traveller is different, so I offer customized itineraries tailored to your specific needs and interests. I know the legitimate Chinese massage places: westerner-friendly or budget-friendly blind massage, communal bathhouses, and ancient water towns worth visiting. Want to see cars? Want to see electronic markets? Want to see a stunning acrobatic show? Want to have an authentic tea experience? Want to taste a variety of Xiaolongbao? Want to visit new museums? Go Karting? Best brunch in town? A special meal with tacky entertainment? Live music? Birthday celebration idea? Team building? Farm to Table experience? Kids-friendly attractions? You name it, and I will become your Shanghai Radar to scan and put the right spots on the itinerary for you and your travelling party.
I can also help you pre-book tickets, pre-pay a deposit, and make reservations to secure your desired experiences.
Say Goodbye to Cookie-Cutter tours and Say Hello to Shanghai experience that is uniquely yours.
Whether you are interested in historical sites, culinary experiences or outdoor adventures, I will work with you to create a personalized itinerary that aligns with your travel style and interests. I research and deliver information such as opening hours, ticket prices, how to buy them, and secret spots beyond your imagination.
Single point of contact, stress-free and streamlined planning process
To take care of your trip planning - Let me know your preference, budget, number of travelers, interests (sports, history, food, art, relaxation, photography, museums), and trip purpose. I will do my best to find them for you, be it looking for them on Chinese social media, getting the latest menu in pdf from restaurants, travel photographers, private transportation, finding how much things cost etc. All in one tailor-made document just for you and your travel partners/party.
Fee Transparency
Based on the effort and time I spent on planning, my fee proposal is straightforward, usually 5 working hours for $125 only. I don’t take kickbacks, commissions, or mark-ups from vendors. What you are paying me is the actual information, the information of the prices that “what you see is what you pay directly to the business.” There is no hidden cost or surprises along the way, my service is always at your best interest. These experiences are based on my personal experiences and things I have done, tasted, tried, and enjoyed. I would also give you honest feedback and recommendations. For example, if the hotel you booked is a neighbourhood further away from the attractions, I suggest you book other more convenient locations with the same quality, better deals, and much better locations.
My Flexibility, Your choice
With the travel plan, you can explore on your own or have my company be your translator and share local insights from my unique perspective during the trip. I assure you that I AM NOT JUST ANOTHER TOUR GUIDE to tell you who built this building, who lived there, and all the boring specifications you can find online. I am your travel planner and guide and be able to relate to your culture, even humor, as no other typical local tour guide can, and tell you the authentic stories of the city over the changes I experienced and witnessed, including the World Expo era (2009-2012) The Economic blooming era (2012-2019), The Pandemic era (2020-2023) , the present and beyond.
Insider Tips and Local Recommendations
With the wealth of knowledge that I accumulated as an avid traveler and a dweller for over 13 years in this city and my language ability, I am eager to share tips before and during your visit and local insights to enhance your travel experience. From the best time to visit attractions to the hidden gems off the beaten path alleyway, I provide you with the information you need to make the most of your time in Shanghai.
With my guidance, you can spend your trip with Shanghai's BEST navigator, confidently explore the city, and immerse yourself in local culture.
Perks
You will not be scammed; you will avoid all the tourist traps, you will avoid crowds, and you will find secretive locations that most tourists and local tour guides wouldn’t know existed. For the next 365 days, as a member of Fotografiska Shanghai, I also offer 1 free single entry to solo travellers who hire me to accompany them to Fotografriska Shanghai, worth ¥120 ($17) . This special place on Suzhou Creek is a venue that belongs to an international photo-loving community and creative lovers, a contemporary visual art museum that rotates exhibition shows every 2-3 months.
Genuine Testimonials from visitors who hired Genie for your reference
“I came across with post looking for a private guide in Shanghai. Based on this thread I took a chance and hired Chinese for the day. I would just like to confirm that Genie Yip is indeed a real person in Shanghai. She coordinated a day of sightseeing for my colleague and I while on a business trip in Shanghai. Highly recommend her if you are relocating, needing help coordinating activities in the city or want someone to show you the locals perspective of the city. She did not disappoint and made a truly memorable day!”
“Genie, thank you so much for a fantastic tour this past weekend. You are the best. No one could have provided the ingishts you provided on things like the French concession and all the other places you took us that no one would have known about except a very experienced guide like you”
“I highly recommend Genie for her expertise in navigating, understanding, and truly appreciating Shanghai and the surrounding areas. She’s a complete rockstar when it comes to providing a unique, tailored experience that you will enjoy. She’s got great insights, she articulates everything very well, she’s insightful about who she’s with and what they want to see, and she has special knowledge about places to visit for great pictures, times to do things and even help with getting the best gifts to take back. She makes a huge difference in your ability to enjoy your time there”
“We had a wonderful trip. Thank you so much for your help organizing it! It was intense but beautiful and inspiring, and we all came home inspired and happy ( and a bit exhausted 😉). Thank you!!!!”
“I can thoroughly recommend Genie as a consummate professional in all that she does. What you lay out for her services will pay you back 10 fold as you will be able to tailor your visit to exactly what you want; and maybe follow some of her recommendations. Money well spent, and actually you will save in the long run. Even if you were not considering a tour guide, hiring Genie will make yoir vist so much more productive than you could ever plan.”