The Perfect Shanghai, Suzhou & Hangzhou Itinerary (5–7 Days)

This is the route we sketch most often for first-time visitors to East China. Use it as a starting point and adjust the days to your pace.

Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou form a triangle no more than an hour apart by bullet train. Together they show both faces of East China: the ultra-modern Modu and the classical Jiangnan of gardens and canals.

How many days do you need?

• 5 days: 2 Shanghai · 1 Suzhou · 2 Hangzhou — compact but complete.
• 6–7 days: add a night in a water town (Wuzhen or Xitang) and a slower pace.
• 8+ days: add Wuxi and Nanjing.

The best order

Start in Shanghai (where most international flights land), go to Suzhou, then travel through the water-town country to Hangzhou. From Hangzhou you can fly home directly or take the train back to Shanghai Pudong. This avoids backtracking and saves a travel day.

Sample 6-day route

1. Arrive Shanghai, evening on the Bund
2. Shanghai: Yu Garden, French Concession, Shanghai Tower
3. Train to Suzhou: gardens and Pingjiang Road
4. Car to a water town, then on to Hangzhou
5. Hangzhou: West Lake and Longjing tea village
6. Depart

Our Hu Shang Jiangnan group tour follows a similar route — adding Wuxi, Wuzhen and Puyuan, from US$299 — or we can tailor a private version to your dates and interests.

Private tour or on your own?

East China is safe and well connected, so independent travel is possible. A private guide saves time in queues, unlocks places without English signage and takes care of payments, tickets and transfers — especially valuable on a first trip or with children and seniors.