Shanghai Guided Royal Banquet Photo (Incl) with Massage Opt

Royal dining, history, and photos in three hours. This Shanghai experience gives you a time-travel feel with a live English guide and a tight lineup of rites, music, dance, and tea in a small group setting in Jing’an. You can also add traditional costume and makeup, then optionally end with a Chinese medicine style massage.

I love how the guide Bonnie (or Xi, depending on your group) explains what you’re seeing so you know what each rite is for. I also love that the included photo services aim to make your costume shots look good, with help like added lighting. The tradeoff: the royal dining meal is an optional upgrade, so the $20 reservation fee can grow fast if you add everything.

Quick take

• A guide-led format with explanations during the program, not just a headset and good luck.
• A full performance sequence with Musical Rite instruments like guzheng, pipa, bamboo flute, and Chinese drum.
• Royal dining with options including vegan or special diets.
• Costume and makeup add a big photo payoff with many dynasty-style choices.
• Optional meridian massage to reset your body after the show.
• VIP front-line seats are available if you want closer views for photos.

Where the Royal Banquet Starts in Jing’an

The meeting point is at No. 1485 Beijing West Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai. It’s a practical choice because you’re not bouncing around the city. You show up, check in with the team, and the guide helps you get oriented fast.

This one is built around a small group, limited to 10 participants. That matters, because it keeps the guide’s explanations audible and lets the photo services work without turning into a photo assembly line. It is also wheelchair accessible, so the setup is designed to handle different mobility needs.

One more detail worth noting: you should make your reservation early, at least 2 days ahead, but the guidance suggests 15+ days to secure the spot. With optional upgrades like VIP seating and massage, earlier booking gives you more room to plan the whole evening, not just the basics.

The 3-Hour Flow: Sacrificial Rite to Tea Ritual

This experience runs for about 3 hours, with check-in and optional costume prep usually before the main dining starts. The program includes a scripted run of performances, and the guide’s job is to connect the steps into a story.

Here’s the sequence you can expect:

• Sacrificial Rite: The Prime Minister of Chunshen’s Sacrificial Rite for the Five Cereals. It sets the “court” atmosphere right away.
• Welcome Rite: A grand reception that signals guests are about to enter ceremonial time.
• Musical Rite: Traditional Chinese instruments, including guzheng (Chinese zither), pipa, bamboo flute, and Chinese drum.
• Dance Rite: Movement and choreography that build on the music and set the mood for dinner.
• Tea Ritual: You’ll experience Chinese tea making and taste the subtle flavors in a calm, ceremonial break.
• Celebratory Rite: Imperial court dance, including ladies with floral hairpins.

A key practical point: the guide’s explanations help you follow what’s happening between dishes and performances. That can be the difference between watching a show and actually understanding why the show is structured this way.

Also, the experience includes skip-the-ticket-line style entry. Even if the venue isn’t huge, it saves you time and keeps you on schedule for the costume and tea moments.

The Royal Dining Menu: What You Get at the Table

The royal dining is optional and is paid separately from your reservation commission fee. If you want the full “imperial feast” experience, budget for the dining add-on. For adults, it is listed at 950 CNY (about 113 EUR / 133 USD), and there is a VIP seat front line option at 1150 CNY.

Why does this matter? Because the $20 commission fee does not automatically mean you have the complete meal included. What you do get with your reservation is the guided access and photo services, plus the cultural program context. The meal upgrade is what turns it into the full dinner banquet.

If you do add dining, the menu is a multi-course setup served during the show:

• Starter: Royal pastry and royal court cold dish
• Main courses: Ham and tofu soup, Crispy black pepper beef, Braised Dongpo pork, Crab with pickled radish and bean noodles, West Lake vegetable with cod and meatball, and chicken soup noodle with winter bamboo and bean sprout
• Drink: Tea plus Chinese fruit wine (3 degree)
• Dessert: Red jujube yogurt

And yes, there is a vegan and special diet option. That’s a big plus if you’re used to traveling with food restrictions. You should coordinate dietary needs in advance via WhatsApp after booking, especially if you want a clear plan for what can be prepared.

Costume and Makeup: The Fastest Way to Level Up Photos

Costume and makeup are optional add-ons, priced at 100 CNY each. If you want the photos to look like something you’d see in a period drama, this is where you get the biggest visual return for the money.

You’ll work with a professional costume and makeup team. The program says there are hundreds of options across different dynasties, so you can choose a look that fits your style rather than being assigned a single outfit. Guides often help you sort through choices quickly so you can get to the performance and not lose time.

Practical advice for photos: wear something that’s easy to adjust for hair and makeup. Even if you aren’t selecting a super complicated costume, the time you spend getting dressed is part of the experience. One helpful detail from the on-the-ground experience with the team is that they may provide capes so you can take photos outside without freezing if you step out between moments.

If you are photo-focused, consider also selecting VIP front-line seats for the banquet add-on. The front-line option costs more, but it can make it easier to get clean shots during performances.

Optional Chinese Meridian Massage: Relaxation With a Traditional Angle

After the banquet, there is an optional traditional Chinese medicine massage. This is a common add-on for people who want the cultural experience and then want their body to stop buzzing.

Massage options and prices (all listed as add-ons):

• Traditional Meridian Massage (60 mins): 250 CNY
• Chinese Meridian Massage with oil (60 mins): 300 CNY
• Traditional foot massage (60 mins): 230 CNY
• Combined body and foot massage (120 mins): 450 CNY
• Cupping (10 mins): listed as an option too

The massage is described as working with meridians to ease muscles and mind, leaving you refreshed. If you’re the type who gets travel stress in your shoulders, the meridian options usually make more sense than doing nothing after a long evening.

A practical planning note: if you skip the massage add-on, you can get an earlier finish. That can help if you want to get back to your hotel and recharge before a late night in Shanghai.

Price and Value: The $20 Fee vs. the Full Banquet

Let’s talk money plainly.

Your booking price is listed as $20 per person, and what it includes is essentially the reservation commission fee of 150 CNY. That commission is what blocks your spot and gives you access to the guided experience, including a personal guide (English) and photo services.

What is not included in the commission fee:

• Royal dining meal (950 CNY adult, 1150 CNY VIP front line)
• Costume experience (100 CNY)
• Traditional makeup (100 CNY)
• Massage options (several different prices)

So is it good value? It can be, but it depends on what you want.

• If you mainly want the cultural program plus guidance and photos, the commission fee can feel like a smart way to avoid confusion and language hassles.
• If you want the full “royal banquet” dinner experience with the multi-course menu, you’ll need to add the dining package, and the total spend increases quickly.

My rule of thumb: decide which of the three add-ons you truly care about, dining, costume, and massage. People often add all three, but if you’re trying to keep the budget controlled, you can get a lot of value from picking just one “big upgrade” and letting the guide handle the rest.

Also, you can message the operator on WhatsApp after booking if you want VIP seats and the massage or if you have special diet needs. Doing that early avoids last-minute scrambling.

Who This Is Best For (and Who Should Skip It)

This works especially well if:

• You want an English-speaking guide to explain the rites, music, and tea ritual as they happen.
• You like structured cultural experiences where you can follow a clear sequence, rather than wandering.
• You care about photos and want help, not just a “good luck, take your own.”
• You enjoy traditional performance arts and want to see multiple elements in one sitting, including tea making and court dance.

It is also a decent option if you are traveling with food considerations, because the dining add-on allows vegan or special diets.

It may not be the best fit if:

• You’re traveling with children under 3 years, since the activity is not suitable for that age group.
• You hate paying extra for core components. The reservation price is real, but the royal meal and extras are add-ons.

If you are celebrating something, you should ask. Some groups have been supported with birthday touches coordinated by the restaurant team, including small surprises and gifts. Not guaranteed, but the fact that it has happened before is a good sign that the guides can advocate for you when you request it.

The People Factor: Bonnie and Xi Make It Easier

The reviews you’ll read around this experience keep pointing to the same theme: the guide makes the night feel personal and manageable. Two names come up a lot: Bonnie and Xi.

If your guide is Bonnie, you may get extra help with communication and pacing, plus careful photo support. One detail that stands out is that some guides bring extra lighting gear to improve costume photo results. That’s not magic, it is just smart travel technique, and it makes a visible difference at night.

If your guide is Xi, the style described is equally practical, including help like translation support and making sure you have a ride lined up after the experience. Some groups also mention that costume hair and makeup moves quickly and professionally, so you don’t lose the timing for dinner and performances.

Even if you don’t choose costume or massage, the guide’s job is still valuable. They help you interpret what you’re seeing, and they help you avoid the awkward moments of trying to ask the wrong question with the wrong words.

Should You Book This Shanghai Royal Banquet Photo Experience?

Book it if you want a guided evening with a clear program, photos included, and the option to turn it into a full royal banquet with costume, makeup, and massage. This is a strong choice when you want traditional performances plus practical help, so you spend less energy figuring out what’s going on.

Skip it or scale it back if you only want one or two parts of the experience and hate add-on pricing. The base commission is only the start. The real cost comes from the dining upgrade, and then costume, makeup, and massage can stack on top.

My final advice is simple: pick your priorities before you arrive. If the multi-course dinner matters, budget for the dining add-on. If your top priority is photos, add costume and makeup. If you want to feel good afterward, pick a massage option. Then let your English guide handle the flow, and you’ll get the best version of this experience.

FAQ

What does the $20 price include?

The $20 is the reservation commission fee that blocks your spot. It includes an English-speaking personal guide to explain and arrange everything, plus photo services.

Is the royal dining meal included in the reservation fee?

No. Royal dining is listed as an optional add-on, priced separately on the day. Adult pricing is 950 CNY, and VIP front-line seating is 1150 CNY.

What time does the dining start?

Dining begins at 12:10 for lunch or 19:00 for dinner. You can arrive earlier for costume and makeup.

Can I add traditional costume, makeup, or massage?

Yes. Traditional clothing experience is 100 CNY and traditional makeup is 100 CNY. Massage options start at 230 CNY for a 60-minute foot massage and go up to a combined 120-minute body and foot massage at 450 CNY. Cupping is also offered as an add-on.

Is there an English guide?

Yes. The live tour guide is listed as English.

How large is the group?

It is a small group limited to 10 participants. The experience is also wheelchair accessible.

How far in advance should I reserve?

The guidance says to reserve at least 2 days ahead, and it strongly suggests 15+ days to help ensure availability.