Gather at Exit 4 of Laoximen Metro Station (Line 8 / Line 10). Meet your professional English-speaking guide and start the full-day old-town exploration. Laoximen Metro Station sits right on the historic western boundary of Shanghai’s walled old city, offering convenient metro access to city-wall relics, ancient alley networks and subsequent heritage sites.

Slow-paced walking or shared-bike ride along the route of the demolished Ming-Dynasty city wall. Visit Dajing Ge, the only preserved brick fragment of the old city wall, and trace the locations of the ten historic city gates. Wander narrow historic lilong lanes, listening to stories of coastal pirate defence, city-gate evolution and the wall’s demolition in 1912. The Shanghai city wall was constructed in 1553 to fend off coastal pirate raids — stretching 4.5 kilometers, it featured black brick outer walls, embrasures and a connected moat. Six original land gates were expanded to ten before full demolition in 1912; only the wall section at Dajing Ge survives today, and the surrounding residential lanes retain the authentic pre-modern urban fabric of old Shanghai.

Independent lunch at your own expense. Multiple local restaurants and traditional street-snack outlets are available within walking distance in the old-town bazaar area.

Guided visit to the Shanghai Confucian Temple complex. Explore ancient courtyards, old lecture halls, memorial shrines and small garden spaces, and learn about traditional Chinese scholar culture, imperial examination history and the temple’s turbulent past. Wen Miao is Shanghai’s major Confucian temple compound — for centuries it served as the local official shrine and education centre. Peaceful courtyards, old stone steles and ancient trees create a quiet contrast against the busy downtown streets nearby.

Guided sightseeing inside Chenxiang Pavilion, the well-known Buddhist bhikkuni temple. Visit the stone archway, Heavenly King Hall, Main Hall and Agarwood Guanyin Hall, and learn about the temple’s Ming-Dynasty origin and its precious agarwood Guanyin sculpture. Chenxiang Pavilion, also known as Ciyun Temple, is one of the key national-level Buddhist sites in Shanghai. Founded in the late Ming dynasty, it remains an active nunnery — the elegant Jiangnan-style compound preserves fine ancient architecture and religious art, offering a peaceful retreat adjacent to the busy bazaar area.

Explore the Taoist City God Temple, then enjoy extended free time within the large surrounding bazaar complex. Wander antique-style pedestrian streets, browse handicraft shops and souvenir stalls, taste local Shanghai snacks, admire red-lantern-decorated traditional architecture and take photos. City God Temple is Shanghai’s most famous Taoist temple dedicated to local city-god deities, and the adjacent bazaar forms the commercial heart of old Shanghai — restored in classic Jiangnan architectural style, this pedestrian zone combines religious atmosphere, folk commerce and rich local food culture.

The guided tour formally ends at City God Temple Bazaar. You may stay for further self-exploration or take the metro or a taxi back to your accommodation. The tour concludes in the lively historic core of old Shanghai, where ancient religious heritage meets bustling modern street commerce.