6-day Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou Tour

This 6-day trip to Shanghai and its surroundings is exciting. The entire itinerary not only covers the bustle of the city, but also delves into the natural beauty and deep culture of the Jiangnan water towns. Explore the cityscape, indulge in Suzhou gardens,savor the history of Hangzhou, and appreciate the tenderness of the water town. This trip is not only a geographic leap, but also a deep cultural experience. The blend of ancient and modern, water town charm, let you indulge in it, leaving unforgettable memories.

Day 1: Arrive in Shanghai

  • Shanghai Arrival

  • 4+ stars Hotel

  • None


Welcome to Shanghai, the city of prosperity. A metropolis that never sleeps, a city that has always been fascinating, nostalgic and modern, oriental and western at the same time.

Our professional tour guide will meet you at the airport arrival and transfer you to your hotel for rest.

The rest of the day is free time. If you want to wander around, you can find a tour guide and your guide will give you some good suggestions.

Day 1: Arrive in Shanghai

Day 2: Shanghai

  • Yuyuan Garden--Shanghai World Financial Center--Nanjing Road--the Bund

  • 4+ star hotels

  • Breakfast


After breakfast, we will head to Yuyuan Garden. It has a typical Jiangnan garden style, reflecting the artistic style of the southern gardens of the Ming and Qing dynasties, which is "quiet and beautiful, delicate and exquisite". The nearby Yuyuan Bazaar is a great place to sample local cuisine and explore traditional Chinese handicrafts.

Next, we will drive to the Shanghai World Financial Center, known as the "Eye of Shanghai", which is 474 meters high. From its 100th floor, you will have a panoramic view of Shanghai's modernity and feel the city's prosperity and vitality.

In the afternoon, we will take you on a stroll along Nanjing Road, a shopping paradise that is not only perfect for shopping but also for experiencing the modern atmosphere of Shanghai. 

Afterwards, we'll head to the Bund, a former cargo transportation route that has been transformed into a bustling trade area. Here you will witness a perfect blend of Chinese and Western cultures while taking in the breathtaking skyline of Shanghai.

Idea for Evening Activities

Take a night cruise on the Huangpu River and enjoy the beauty of the city at night (about 50 minutes).

Day 2: Shanghai

Day 3: Shanghai-Hangzhou

  • Shanghai--Hangzhou--West Lake--Lingyin Temple

  • 4+stars Hotel

  • Breakfast


After breakfast, you will take an early morning high-speed train to Hangzhou, which is often referred to as "Heaven on Earth" because of its picturesque scenery.

The West Lake is a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its tranquility and beauty. It is surrounded by scenic hills and dotted with temples, pagodas, and gardens. Your tour of the West Lake will begin with a leisurely 45-minute cruise during which you can enjoy serene views of the lake, ancient pagodas, and lush gardens.

We will continue to visit the neighboring Lingyin Temple, which is one of the oldest and most famous Buddhist temples in China. The temple houses a large collection of Buddhist scriptures, statues, and artifacts.

Recommended Activities

1. We will take you to the lakeside of the West Lake where an amazing musical fountain show awaits you at no extra cost.
2. You will have the opportunity to watch “Lasting Memories of Hangzhou”. This show is planned by the famous director Zhang Yimou and will be staged in the enchanting night scenery of the West Lake. The show usually starts at 7:00 p.m. and requires an additional fee.

Day 3: Shanghai-Hangzhou

Day 4: Hangzhou-Suzhou

  • Hangzhou--Suzhou--Shantang Ancient Street--Humble Administrator's Garden

  • 4+ stars Hotel

  • Breakfast


After breakfast, you will take the high-speed train to Suzhou.

First, you take a stroll to Shantang Ancient Street, it was once a bustling commercial district during the Ming and Qing dynasties and still retains its antique architectural charm today. Lined with numerous shops, the street offers a variety of Suzhou specialties, including local snacks and handicrafts. Here, you can savor delicacies like Ma Bing Gan Sheng Yuan and Jiangnan Crab Shell Pastries, experiencing the authentic flavors of Suzhou. Additionally, Shantang Ancient Street is home to several ancient stone bridges and traditional buildings, making it a perfect spot for capturing vintage-style photos. 


In the afternoon, you will embark on a journey to explore Humble Administrator's Garden, located on Northeast Street in Suzhou's Gusu District, is one of China's Four Great Classical Gardens. Known for its exquisite layout and elegant style, the garden features winding waterways, lush greenery, and a strong Jiangnan water-town ambiance. Key attractions within the garden include Yuanxiang Hall, Xiaofei Hong, and Liuting Pavilion, each offering a picturesque and poetic landscape. The garden also houses the Suzhou Garden Museum, where visitors can learn more about the history and culture of Suzhou's classical gardens.

Day 4: Hangzhou-Suzhou

Day 5: Suzhou-Shanghai

  • Suzhou Museum-Tongli Water Town-Shanghai

  • 4+ stars Hotel

  • Breakfast


After breakfast, you will visit the Suzhou Museum. It showcases the city's cultural legacy through its impressive collection of artifacts and exhibits, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of Suzhou's artistic achievements.

In the afternoon, you will arrive in Tongli Water Town, which is a Jiangnan water town with a history of more than 1,000 years. Pretty and unsophisticated Tongli water town boasts fertile paddy fields rich resources and outstanding natives, thus crowned as"Small Oriental Venice". In addition to these sights, the food in Tongli is also very worth trying, such as salted duck eggs, sugar taro, etc.

In the evening, you will take the high-speed train and speed towards the Shanghai.

Day 5: Suzhou-Shanghai

Day 6: Shanghai Departure

  • Jade Buddha Temple--Tianzifang--Transfer to airport

  • 4+ star hotels

  • Breakfast


After breakfast at the hotel, you will visit the Jade Buddha Temple, one of the top ten attractions in Shanghai, is located in the bustling city center but seek peace and quiet in a bustling neighborhood. which houses the world's largest collection of Jade Buddhas as well as numerous religious artifacts, ancient statues and Buddhist scriptures. 

Then you will go to the Tianzifang which is touristic arts and crafts place that has developed from a traditional residential area.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight or train to your next destination or home. We hope you have a wonderful memory of your visit to Shanghai and look forward to seeing you again.

Day 6: Shanghai Departure

Why Choose Intoexplore

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Every itinerary is designed with comfort and authenticity in mind. We skip the tourist traps and shopping stops to let you truly enjoy the culture, scenery, and stories behind each destination—worry-free and meaningful.
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We tailor each journey to your schedule, interests, and budget. Whether you're a solo traveler, couple, or group, we work closely with you to design a personalized travel experience that fits your style and needs.
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With experienced local guides, licensed vehicles, and carefully selected hotels, we ensure safety, quality, and comfort throughout your trip. Our on-the-ground team is always ready to support your journey at every step.

China Travel Customer Reviews & Experiences

At Into Explore, we pride ourselves on creating unforgettable journeys across China. Don't just take our word for it—read what our customers have to say! Here, you can explore firsthand accounts from travelers who have experienced the beauty, culture, and adventures of China with us.

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IntoExplore
Excellent
Charnay Tung
March 11,2025
This agency offers good services and always help me with any errors during booking. Thanks for taking good care of my team during our trip at Shanghai.
Lucía Fernández
Nov. 20,2024
Special thanks to my guide, Sofia. It's really hard for me to find a Spanish tour guide. She is professional and I have a good understanding about the China culture under her guide. During the Xi'an trip, I was shocked by the strong atmosphere of culture. I hope I can go next time, really love it.
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Tripadvisor
Excellent
John J
Mar 2025 Family
4.8 of 5 bubbles
An amazing experience with Into Explore, their services are absolutely brilliant
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Into Explore for providing the Johnston Family with an amazing experience in China, it really was a brilliant service with a very personal touch by Vicky/Tiana and their team of guides and drivers.
Our whole journey through China exceeded our expectations due to the fact that Into Explore made everything so easy and if issues arose, they were rectified in an extremely timely manner.
Their services is highly recommended and they are very flexible with their clients trip design. Design your vacation and they will work with you to ensure your personal needs are fully taken care off and supported by their office staff at all times.
Once again, our experience with Into Explore was a brilliant one and a very special thanks to Vicky.
Swandi T
Mar 2025 Family
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Amaging Exploring Shenzen
Shenzen is wonderful city since arrive all imigration was very helpful and smiling,entering city has lot of park with so many tree. I got good travel agent who serve me well (IntoExplore),I like to explore food, city view hang out in seaworld area. People are welcome and helpful.
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Trustpilot
Excellent
Robert Gex
Apr 15,2025
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Independent travel by train in China…
Independent travel by train in China can be daunting ordeal. We decided to use Intoexplore for booking the trip and are very happy we did. It almost felt like Norman was a family member guiding us through how to use Alipay for payments in China to where to find the ticket office in the train station to convert digital tickets to paper. He was always available (sometimes at 6 am!) to answer any question and solve any problems that arose .. I would strongly recommend him to anyone who is thinking about independent travel to China .
Seaid
February 06,2025
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Excellent experience in Great Wall
as a first-time traveler in beijing, I`m so many thanks to Norman for arranging a well-planned trip to great wall and also the kind driver and guide. My first experience to China was perfect. thanks a lot!!!

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