3-Day Shanghai to Suzhou Trip
This tour of Shanghai and the surrounding ancient towns will give you an in-depth experience of the classical and modern beauty of Shanghai. Yu Garden, the Oriental Pearl Tower, Nanjing Road and the Bund reveal the unique charm of Shanghai. Enjoy religious art and urban style at Jade Buddha Temple and Tianzifang. Xitang and Tongli Ancient Towns will enchant you with the beauty of the Jiangnan water towns. The Suzhou Museum adds to the cultural flavour.
Book this Tour
Shanghai-Xitang Ancient Town-Suzhou
Included with every escorted tour
Day 1: Shanghai
Yuyuan Garden–Oriental Pearl Tower–Nanjing Road–the Bund
4+ star hotels
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 Oriental Pearl Tower, a glittering icon on Shanghai’s skyline. It rises 468 meters along the Huangpu River. Its unique design—clusters of gleaming spheres connected by columns—earns it the nickname “Pearls of the East.” You can ascend to observation decks for sweeping views of the Bund’s historic architecture and Pudong’s modern skyscrapers.
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
Day 2: Shanghai-Jiaxing
Jade Buddha Temple–Tianzifang–Transfer to Xitang Ancient Town
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 take a high speed train arrive in Jiashan. Then you’ll go to Xitang Ancient Town, where you’ll stay tonight. After arriving at Xitang Ancient Town, you can choose to walk or take a local rowing boat to explore the town. Walking can give you a deeper understanding of the architectural style and history and culture of the ancient town, while rowing boat can bring you to realize the unique charm of Jiangnan water town.
Day 3: Suzhou
Humble Administrator’s Garden-Pingjiang Road-Suzhou Departure
Breakfast
In the morning, we will go to the Humble Administrator’s Garden, which is regarded as one of the “Four Famous Gardens of China” and is a masterpiece of Suzhou’s gardens. The rocks, ponds, waterfalls, streams and other elements in the garden blend with each other to form a beautiful ink scroll. Here, you can enjoy the ancient pavilions, winding streams and paths, lush green vegetation, and skillful carvings!
We will then proceed to Pingjiang Road. This is a well-preserved historical district with old houses, teahouses, handicraft shops and a variety of snack stalls along the river. You can walk into a teahouse and enjoy a pot of Biluochun. Or you can browse through the shops full of ancient charm and pick up a few favourite handicrafts as souvenirs.
At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to the station for your train to your next destination or back to Shanghai. We hope you have a wonderful memory of this tour and look forward to seeing you again.
