Shanghai Tunnels Underground Tour
3.8(615)google
Youth-FriendlyIndoorEerie & HauntedGuided Tour OnlyGuided TourEducationalHistory
Overview
The Shanghai Tunnels Underground Tour offers a chilling and educational journey beneath the historic cobblestone streets of Portland's Old Town Chinatown neighborhood. These subterranean passages, historically known as the Portland Underground, linked the basements of hotels and saloons directly to the Willamette River docks. Tour guides share compelling, dark historical accounts of 'shanghaiing'—the notorious practice of kidnapping men to labor as sailors on ships during the late 19th century. It provides an intense, gripping look into the city's gritty maritime past, labor struggles, and well-documented paranormal urban legends.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1.5 hours
Best TimeOperates underground year-round. Advance online booking is mandatory. Evening or nighttime history and ghost tours are highly recommended to get the most suspenseful atmosphere while exploring the dark, cool tunnels and historic ruins.
Getting ThereThe tour check-in meeting point is right in Old Town/Chinatown. Take the MAX Blue or Red Line to Skidmore Fountain station, or the Green or Yellow Line to Old Town/Chinatown station; both are less than a 3-minute walk away.
Travel Tips
- Subterranean Climate Rule: The historic underground tunnels are permanently damp, dim, and significantly colder than the surface. Bring a warm jacket or windbreaker regardless of hot surface temperatures.
- Footwear Warning: The 1-hour walking tour involves navigating steep historic wooden steps and rugged, uneven masonry floors. Closed-toe walking shoes or sturdy sneakers are absolute requirements; heels and sandals are banned.
- The subterranean corridors feature very low clearance and confined, closed-in spaces that can trigger claustrophobia. Weigh this carefully before booking or notify staff immediately if you feel disoriented.
Reviews
Positive
- Stepping into the damp, dark historic tunnels under Old Town to see the cells used for human trafficking offers an intense visual and emotional impact. Its core substance lives up to its grim fame.
- The entire tour is led by certified professional historians under tight crowd control. The experience is incredibly engaging and educational, detailing 19th-century Portland's maritime underworld.
- Located in the heart of Chinatown/Old Town, the transit convenience is stellar. Walking just a minute from the MAX light rail gets you to the staging point, and nearby signage is clear.
- Though a restricted underground bunker, safety safeguards are handled very well. Every guest receives a high-powered flashlight, and hazard stairs feature bright reflective tape and anti-slip plates.
Heads up
- The ticket value is a frequent topic of debate. As a strict premium tour, if you end up with a rigid guide, the short half-hour walking route can feel a bit overpriced for what it offers.
- Due to the historical nature of the ruins, ADA facilities are completely absent. The interior is filled with steep, slippery wooden ladders and tight brick cracks, blocking wheelchairs and strollers.
- Because the tunnels are fully sealed, the crowd density per tour group still feels high. The air inside is humid and stagnant, with a heavy musty smell that is tough on claustrophobic or sensitive guests.
- The surrounding Old Town neighborhood has complex safety issues after dark, with transients gathering outside. Street parking is hard to find, and nearby garages charge premium extortion rates.