5 Days Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou Tour by High-speed Train

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shanghai Arrival

   Upon your arrival at Shanghai Pudong/Hongqiao Airport, our local driver will pick you up from the exit gate and then transfer to the downtown hotel for checking-in. Free and easy on your arrangement for the rest of the day (no guide service today).

   Accommodation: Hotel in Shanghai

2. Day 2: Highlights of Shanghai City Tour
   Experience the Modern and Traditional Charm of Shanghai

   Start your Shanghai trip by meeting with your local guide at the hotel lobby. The Shanghai Museum is the first stop, where you will be led to visit four floors and appreciate various cultures including ancient bronze, sculpture, ceramics, calligraphy, painting, jade, furniture, and more.

   Then, we will transfer you to Yu Garden, boasting a history of more than 450 years. As one of the three famous gardens in Shanghai during the Ming Dynasty, Yuyuan Garden has the typical landscape of Jiangnan gardens - quiet, beautiful, and exquisite. This was originally a private garden, which was first opened to the public in 1961.

   The nearby Yuyuan Market is a popular place to find some traditional Chinese crafts and local delicacies.

   

   After lunch, continue your private Shanghai tour to visit the former French Concession, the largest and most prosperous concession among the four major French concessions in old China. This region was ruled by France for almost a century.

   Later, be guided to ascend the Shanghai World Financial Center. On the 100th floor (474 meters high), you will experience strolling along a 55-meter-long transparent corridor, admiring the spectacular skyline.

   Afterward, go to Nanjing Road, known as "the first commercial street in China", with a total length of 1,528 meters, from the Bund in the east to Xizang Middle Road in the west. This place gathers many well-known domestic and foreign brands, making it a shopping paradise. Also, you can appreciate rich historical buildings such as the Yong'an Department Store.

   The last stop is the Bund, one of the must-see attractions in Shanghai because of its historic significance and impressive view. Walk along the waterfront and admire the old colonial buildings.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Shanghai

   Optional night activity: Take a relaxing Huangpu River night cruise to enjoy the spectacular scenery on the bank.

   

3. Day 3: Shanghai to Suzhou Tour by High Speed Train
   Visit Classic Garden and No. 1 Silk Factory

   Today, you will take the morning high-speed train from Shanghai to Suzhou. Upon arrival, meet with the local tour guide, then start the full day tour in Suzhou.

   The first stop in Suzhou is Lingering Garden, one of the four most famous gardens in China, with a history of over 400 years. The garden is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracting numerous visitors every year. You can wander around the garden to appreciate the exquisite architectural art and soak up the elegant and relaxing atmosphere.

   

   In the afternoon, move on to the Shantang Ancient Street. It used to be an important trade and culture center during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and now is famous as “the miniature of old Suzhou and the window of Wu culture”. You can enjoy the ornate water-town style architecture, marvel at the bustling streets, and savor local snacks.

   Later, head to Tiger Hill, which combines beautiful natural scenery and centuries-old historical and cultural sites. Your knowledgeable tour guide will tell you some old stories about the place and show you around the scenic spots, such as Sword Pond, Yunyansi Pagoda, Broken-beam Hall, Zhenniang Tomb, and Yongcui Villa. Don't miss its scenery in autumn.

   The last stop in Suzhou is Suzhou No. 1 Silk Factory, where you could not only see how the silk is processed from the worm to the final product, but also learn some history and culture of silk in China.

   After the Suzhou tour is finished, transfer to the Suzhou downtown hotel for checking-in.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Suzhou

   

4. Day 4: Suzhou to Hangzhou Tour by High Speed Train
   Explore Buddhist Relics and Chinese Tea Culture

   After breakfast, your private driver will escort you to the railway station to take a 1.5-hour high-speed train from Suzhou to Hangzhou.

   Your Hangzhou tour guide will take you to visit the 1,700-year-old Lingyin Temple, one of the most significant Buddhist temples in China. Surrounded by spectacular limestone mountains and many old trees, the temple is very serene. You will follow your tour guide to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and explore the cultural relics. You may also spot squirrels jumping up and down in the trees.

   

   Next, you will go to Feilai Peak, which stands just in front of Lingyin Temple. The peak, composed of pure limestone, differs greatly from the surrounding mountains. You will be amazed at the grotesque stones scattered everywhere, feel the charm of Buddhist art, and appreciate the vivid stone statues.

   Meijiawu Tea Village, with a history of 600 years, is well known for producing high-quality Longjing tea. Here, you can see layers and layers of green tea trees all over the mountains, have the chance to taste authentic Longjing tea, and learn more about Chinese tea culture. In spring, visitors can even learn to pick up the tea leaves from the local villagers.

   At the end, we will transfer you to the Hangzhou downtown hotel for check-in.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Hangzhou

5. Day 5: Hangzhou Departure
   Enjoy a Leisure Boat Ride on West Lake

   The first stop of today's Hangzhou tour is West Lake. It is a symbol of the beautiful city of Hangzhou. The lake is famous throughout the country not only for its extraordinary landscape but also for the historical relics. Since ancient times, plenty of poets fell for its natural beauty and described its picturesque scenery in their poems. You can leisurely stroll around the lake while chatting with your tour guide.

   Optional: you can enjoy a leisure boat ride on West Lake (at your own expense).

   Next, you will go to the Leifeng Pagoda, standing on Sunset Hill south of the West Lake, which was originally built in the year of 975 during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. It collapsed in 1924 because of disrepair and was rebuilt in 2002. There is a moving love story concerning the pagoda between a white snake called Bai Suzhen and a man named Xu Xian.

   

   After lunch, you will be escorted to visit Hefang Street. It is an ancient street with a long history and a profound culture. Walking on the old cobbled street lined with stores selling local snacks, interesting handicrafts, tea leaves, etc., you can appreciate the buildings dating back hundreds of years, do people watching, and find some nice souvenirs to bring back home.

   The last stop is a fascinating place to learn something about traditional Chinese medicine. The Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Hu Qing Yu Tang) was built based on a 19th century Qing Dynasty building owned by a rich businessman, Hu Xueyan. And there is still a working traditional pharmacy inside. Here you can watch staff prepare various medicines and travel back in time to see the way that ancient Chinese people treated an illness.

   At the end of your 5-day eastern China tour to Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou, your guide and driver will escort you to the airport or train station for your departure.