Private Shanghai Gangster Tour
Description
Take a tour through Shanghai with a colonial gangster and learn about the crime lords who once ruled the city like kings. From “Big Eared” Du with his lucky monkey heads to “Pockmarked” Huang and his police car drug distribution, Newman Tours lets you get to know some of the early 20th century’s most powerful gangsters, and find out why you wouldn’t want to cross them.
Tour Options
Itinerary
See where one of the richest opium dealers in Shanghai once lived and discover how he avoided jail time when he got caught.
Visit the luxurious mansion presented to Shanghai’s most powerful Chinese criminal mastermind, “Big Eared” Du, and find out why he was treated with such reverence.
See where the Chinese customs officer once lived, and discover why he was such a thorn in the side of “Big Eared” Du.
Visit the mansion that was built by a Dutch con-man who got away with daylight robbery and learn about the nasty fate of the opportunist that later took over the house.
See where the White Russians used to live and work, and find out why they outnumbered the French three to one in 1930s Shanghai.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Private Tours require a minimum of 3 adult guests (or the financial equivalent).
- Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
- Tour prices are not inclusive of Tax invoices which if required cost 15% of the total cost of the tour
Reviews(272)
I was lucky enough to take the Past, Present and Future tour with George and Clay followed by the Gangster Tour the following day with George. It was a great experience. George is very knowledgable on the history of Shanghai. Furthermore, on the gangster tour, he brought a gangster attitude, props and games for us to further enjoy the tour. I would highly recommend taking either of the tours! One suggestion might be instead of stopping for coffee perhaps allow time to stop at a traditional snack shop or restaurant. Other than that great job Newman Tour and give George a bonus!
5 star tour !!!! Brilliant and informative - a must for Shanghai - couldn’t have asked for a better day
I joined a private tour of French concession. Though I live in Shanghai, it was very new to me and knowing the history was very exciting. Next time I walk around the area, I absolutely remember the story. After the tour, you can also enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine in this nice area. David was like a history teacher. He had wealth of knowledge and an entertainer. Thank you, David（大工）!
David & Clay, 2 young Americans in Shanghai who just happened to be history and China studies majors respectively; gave my daughter and me a 2 hr private tour of the French Concession. Don't think we expected a private tour for that price but that's what we got! We also only paid for a 2 hour tour but we went into overtime, thanks to my endless photography but our guides never rushed us. In the end, we got to see the ballroom and grounds of the former French athletic club, strolled down back alleys of the French concession, and heard priceless anecdotes about Mao's workout regimen and the Shanghai Russian mob. Even got a sneak preview of the gangster rap. Priceless!
We took the gangster tour and had a great time. Daniel was knowledgeable and made it really fun. The weather was nice and walked through the former french concession, checking out all the cool architecture and learning about the crazy story behind how many of the buildings were built. It was only two hours and is a great way to spend some time on a nice day.
What could be better than an afternoon stroll around the beautiful French Concession neighborhood of Shanghai? Well, that would be our guide, in character in the 1930's, recruiting us to join the Green Gang, run by local gangster, "Big Ears" Du. We learned how to pickpocket. How to cheat at cards. And I think we may have even developed a beginners opium addiction (okay, it was candy, but still). It was a lot of fun and very entertaining -- a memorable experience and one we would recommend highly.
The entertaining, detailed tour of the French concession was the highlight of my trip to Shanghai. Lot's of historic details, great visualising and entertaining interaction made the tour worth to remember.
David was our guide for this tour, and he was really great! Not only was his British accent better than mine, but he had so much passion and enthusiasm for the history of Shanghai, and knowledge about China. It was great running into another American since we could ask him all sorts of questions on his perspective of living abroad. I was also super pleased with his knowledge of strong female characters living in Shanghai and his energy was boundless and infectious!
Luke led me and two new expat friends on a private Gangster Tour through part of the old French Concession. From the beginning to the end he enthralled us with stories of times gone by that will stay with us as we roam the area over the next years here in Shanghai. As a westerner living in China, it is important that as you walk the streets of Shanghai you know some of the stories of times gone by. The good, the bad, the ugly. It transforms Shanghai and your feeling towards the city completely. I highly recommend this experience for visitors, and even more so for people making their home in the city. Thanks to Newman Tours and Luke for making our experience unforgettable.
As we walked through the downtown area Daniel showed us historical households, hotels, monuments and areas of town. He was very enthusiastic, knowledgeable and he is a talented story teller! I loved it so much, I signed up for another tour!
