"Discover Shanghai" Tourism Guide Competition Offers Insider Tips For Visitors

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- The professional-category finals of the inaugural "Discover Shanghai" Tourism Guide Super Competition concluded earlier this month, drawing widespread attention from both industry observers and the public.

Organised by the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, the contest received 640 entries through district-level recommendations, with 150 guides shortlisted for the finals.

According to a statement, each finalist delivered a five-minute on-site presentation, introducing their guide, explaining the creative process, and outlining practical applications.

Following online voting and expert panel evaluation, 50 winners were selected across first, second, and third prizes, alongside 50 special-category awardees.

Many winning guides are already being developed into tourism products, allowing residents and visitors to explore Shanghai using the guides during the Spring Festival.

Industry observers described the competition as a key platform for professional tourism content creators to showcase innovation and expertise while highlighting the city’s rich cultural and tourism resources.

As standout entries in the professional-category competition, the shortlisted finalists creatively connect Shanghai's urban spaces and neighbourhoods, presenting a layered view of the city that highlights both its cosmopolitan character and everyday life.

Frontline tourism professionals—drawn from travel agencies, hotels, museums, and cultural institutions—have become the primary drivers of content creation, presenting the city through an experience-driven, professional lens.

The guides also highlight Spring Festival-themed routes featuring zodiac lantern fairs, traditional pastry-making, and historic neighbourhood explorations. Personalised travel themes, including women-orientated itineraries, pet-friendly tours, and suburban cycling routes, reflect growing demand for niche and customised travel experiences.

As the competition continues, the guides are expected to further enhance Shanghai’s tourism image ahead of the Spring Festival peak, serving as practical references for both domestic and international visitors.

-- BERNAMA