Lisa Zhu Expat Services

"Let me show you a unique Shanghai."

Shanghai China

+86 139 1839 8254

Lisa Zhu was born in Shanghai and spent her childhood with her grandparents, just like most of the kids in China. She lived ten minutes walking distance from both the Bund and People’s Square – the heart of Shanghai. She grew up speaking Shanghainese and exploring her dynamic city streets.

At the age of 7, she moved to the "Spring City" of China – KunMing in YunNan province – to be with her parents who lived there because of her father's work. Suburban life couldn’t replace her love of Shanghai and she was determined to move back. In 2001 she finally got her chance, returning to Shanghai to study Business English at college. She worked part-time at a McDonald’s on NanJing Pedestrian Street, practicing her English skills with Western customers. She gave her first tour to actors of the opera Les Miserables!

As her business developed, she worked for expat families as a Mandarin tutor, language assistant and consultant on life in China. She was also a homeschooling teacher for expat children.

Over the past ten years, Lisa has worked with expat families from all around the world. She has helped people with diverse tasks, from language training to holiday travel, shopping tours to cooking lessons, helping with kids' homework to assisting with party plans, to finding and training Ayis and drivers. 

It is not just her language skill that makes Lisa a great facilitator but also her strong awareness of Western culture. Her unique tours let visitors and residents experience an authentic Shanghai. 

Tours of Shanghai & Surrounding Areas

I have a number of standard tours I can offer around Shanghai. They vary from a few hours to overnight stays in nearby towns. Please check with me for more tour destinations that are not listed below.

I can also work with you to tailor in-depth tours of Chinese Culture. Click here for more details

 

The French Concession

The European part of Shanghai  

The European part of Shanghai

 

A very authentic tour that will show you the current and past life of local Shanghai people. We start with watching the morning activities at the last remaining French style park in Shanghai. We take the back alleys to visit the local "wet market", bakery, noodle factory, tea shop in the neighborhood....And come hungry if you are adventurous with food! 

YuGarden and Bund

YuGarden

YuGarden

One can not visit shanghai and miss the most iconic view of the city! Lisa will tell you the rich history of the British financial center, one of China's most famous gardens as well as a previous residence of a prestigious governor. Lisa doesn't just take you there, she will help you understand what you are seeing.  "Why it's named YuGarden?" "What do all these symbols mean in Chinese culture?"..... Lisa has the answers!  

Water towns

water town Zhu Jia Jiao  

water town Zhu Jia Jiao

 

There are a few water towns around Shanghai which make an easy day or half day trip. This is a great way to get out of the city and see the countryside of Shanghai. Zhu jia jiao is the closest one to Shanghai has everything you need as the "Venice of the East".  You will enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of Chinese gondolas, canals running through ancient bridges and peaceful tea houses.

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HangZhou

HangZhou, one of the most beautiful cities in China; West Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in China; LongJin tea, one of the most famous tea in China. Within an hour bullet train ride or 1.5hrs drive from Shanghai, you will be able to enjoy boat ride on West Lake, watching golden fish fishes chasing each other between Lily flowers, Chinese pagoda in sunset, and taste LongJin tea --- Chinese emperor's special tea, listen to the White Snake Legend about this lake....

 

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SuZhou

There is an old saying in Chinese, "There's paradise in heaven and here there are SuZhou, Hangzhou!" You can visit these most famous and beautiful gardens in China in this paradise as well! You can see how silk is made by visiting the local silk factory as well! There are many more things to explore in this ancient city of China......