The China Route
Jiangnan Water Towns: Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou in 7 Days: Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou
Silk, stone and skyscrapers

Jiangnan Water Towns: Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou in 7 Days

Updated · By Carl

7 days Easy 3 cities Spring Balanced

Trip facts

Duration
7 days
Difficulty
Easy
Pace
Balanced
Best season
Spring
Budget
Mid-range
Cities on this route
3 cities

A week exploring Shanghai's modernity, Suzhou's classical gardens and Hangzhou's West Lake by high-speed rail.

Overview

Who it is for

This route suits first-time visitors to eastern China who want classical gardens, water town canals and a major international city in one week. Families and couples traveling in spring or autumn will find the pace comfortable with only two hotel changes and no flights. You spend three nights in Shanghai, two in Suzhou and two in Hangzhou, giving each city enough time without feeling rushed.

How the route flows

You fly into Shanghai Pudong and spend the first two full days walking the Bund, French Concession and Old City. On day four you take a 25-minute train north to Suzhou, visit the classical gardens and make a day trip to a water town. Day six moves you southwest to Hangzhou for West Lake and tea villages before a final return to Shanghai for your departure flight. The route follows the old Grand Canal corridor so every train leg is under 90 minutes.

Getting around

High-speed rail connects all three cities on the Shanghai-Kunming line. Shanghai Hongqiao station to Suzhou takes 25 minutes and costs 39.50 yuan second class. Suzhou to Hangzhou East takes 1 hour 20 minutes and costs 74.50 yuan. Within each city you use metro and shared bikes, Shanghai has 20 metro lines, Suzhou has 4 and Hangzhou has 10. Day trips to water towns and tea villages use local buses that depart from central bus stations every 30 to 60 minutes.

Route highlights

  • ◆Walking the Bund at sunrise and exploring the 1930s art deco buildings along Nanjing Road East in Shanghai.
  • ◆The Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou, the largest classical garden in the city at 52,000 square metres with entry at 90 yuan in peak season.
  • ◆A morning boat ride on West Lake in Hangzhou, circling the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon island for 55 yuan including landing access.
  • ◆The water town of Tongli, 20 kilometres from Suzhou city, with 49 stone bridges across 15 small canals and entry at 100 yuan.
  • ◆Longjing tea terraces above Hangzhou where you walk between tea bushes and visit a cooperative that sells fresh spring harvest for 200 yuan per 100 grams.

Day by day

  1. 1
    Day 1 · Shanghai

    Arrive in Shanghai

    Land at Pudong International Airport and take metro Line 2 direct to People's Square in central Huangpu District, journey time 50 minutes for 7 yuan. Check into your hotel near East Nanjing Road station and walk 15 minutes east to the Bund to see the waterfront at sunset. The promenade stretches 1.5 kilometres along the Huangpu River with 52 buildings in Gothic, Baroque and art deco styles lit after dark.

    Stay: 3 nights in Huangpu District near East Nanjing Road station, Lines 2 and 10.
  2. 2
    Day 2 · Shanghai

    The Bund and French Concession

    Walk the Bund northbound at sunrise before 7am when it is empty, then cross the river on the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel for 50 yuan return to see Lujiazui's three towers. Return and walk west along East Nanjing Road pedestrian street for 1.2 kilometres to People's Square. After lunch take metro Line 1 south to South Shaanxi Road station and explore the French Concession tree-lined streets between Fuxing Road and Huaihai Road, covering Tianzifang market lanes and Xintiandi's Shikumen houses converted to cafes. Dinner at Jesse Restaurant on Tianping Road serves Shanghainese classics, braised pork belly for 58 yuan and stir-fried river shrimp for 88 yuan.

    Stay: Huangpu District near East Nanjing Road station, Lines 2 and 10.
  3. 3
    Day 3 · Shanghai

    Yu Garden and Old City

    Take metro Line 10 to Yuyuan Garden station and enter Yu Garden when it opens at 8.30am, entry 40 yuan in winter or 50 yuan April to June. The Ming Dynasty garden covers 2 hectares with rockeries, pavilions and koi ponds. Exit north into the Old City bazaar alleys for soup dumplings at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant, 32 yuan for a bamboo basket of 16. Walk west to the City God Temple, free entry, then take Line 10 back to People's Square and visit the Shanghai Museum for pre-Qin bronzes and Song ceramics, free entry with passport. Evening options include a Huangpu River cruise from Shiliupu Wharf for 120 yuan or acrobatics at Shanghai Circus World, 180 yuan for rear seats.

    Stay: Huangpu District near East Nanjing Road station, Lines 2 and 10.
  4. 4
    Day 4 · Suzhou

    Train to Suzhou and Garden Walk

    Check out and take metro Line 2 west to Hongqiao Railway Station, 25 minutes. Board a morning G-train to Suzhou Railway Station, 25 minutes, second class 39.50 yuan. Exit Suzhou station and take metro Line 2 or 4 to Beisita station and walk 10 minutes north to the Humble Administrator's Garden, entry 90 yuan April to May and September to October. The garden covers 52,000 square metres with lotus ponds, bamboo groves and zigzag corridors, allow two hours. Walk 500 metres west to the Suzhou Museum designed by I.M. Pei, free entry with passport. Afternoon visit to Pingjiang Road historic quarter, a 1.6-kilometre canal lane with teahouses and silk shops. Stay near Leqiao metro station on Line 1 in Gusu District.

    Travel: High-speed train Shanghai to Suzhou, 25 minutes, second class 39.50 yuan.
    Stay: 2 nights in Gusu District near Leqiao station, Line 1.
  5. 5
    Day 5 · Suzhou

    Water Town Day Trip

    Take metro Line 4 to Suzhou North Railway Station and walk to the adjacent bus terminal. Board a direct bus to Tongli water town, departures every 30 minutes from 7am, 8 yuan, journey time 40 minutes. Tongli has 49 stone arch bridges over 15 small canals with Ming and Qing courtyard houses, entry 100 yuan includes all interior halls and the Retreat and Reflection Garden. Walk the flagstone alleys between Taiping and Changqing bridges, have lunch at a canal-side noodle shop for 25 yuan per bowl. Return bus to Suzhou by 4pm, then take metro Line 1 to Lindun Road station and walk to the Lingering Garden, entry 55 yuan, open until 5.30pm. The garden has a 670-metre covered walkway connecting four scenic zones with Taihu rockery and ancient trees.

    Stay: Gusu District near Leqiao station, Line 1.
  6. 6
    Day 6 · Hangzhou

    Train to Hangzhou and West Lake

    Check out and take metro Line 2 south to Suzhou Railway Station. Board a G-train to Hangzhou East Railway Station, 1 hour 20 minutes, second class 74.50 yuan. Take Hangzhou metro Line 1 or 4 west to Longxiangqiao station and check into a hotel near West Lake. Walk to the lake shore and rent a city bike from a docking station, 2 yuan per hour via Alipay. Cycle south along Nanshan Road for 3 kilometres to Leifeng Pagoda, entry 40 yuan, climb five floors for lake views. Continue west to Jingci Temple and Huagang Park with red carp ponds, free entry. Return north along Bai Causeway, a 1-kilometre willow-lined path crossing the lake. Dinner at Grandma's Home on Pinghai Road serves West Lake vinegar fish for 98 yuan and Dongpo pork for 68 yuan.

    Travel: High-speed train Suzhou to Hangzhou, 1 hour 20 minutes, second class 74.50 yuan.
    Stay: 2 nights in Shangcheng District near Longxiangqiao station, Lines 1 and 7.
  7. 7
    Day 7 · Hangzhou

    Longjing Tea Village and Departure

    Take bus 27 from Huanglong Sports Center 8 kilometres west into the Longjing tea terraces, 3 yuan, journey time 40 minutes. Walk between tea bushes on stone paths and visit the Longjing Tea Museum for free. Buy spring-harvest Longjing tea direct from a family cooperative for 200 to 600 yuan per 100 grams depending on grade. Return bus to the city and take metro Line 1 east to West Lake Cultural Square, then Line 1 continues to Xianghu station where you transfer to a direct airport bus to Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, 20 yuan, 50 minutes. Alternatively return to Shanghai Hongqiao by G-train, 1 hour, second class 73 yuan, and fly from Pudong if your international departure is there.

Cities on this route

Shanghai
Best in spring 3 to 4 days

Shanghai

Explore
Suzhou
Best in spring 2 to 3 days

Suzhou

Explore
Hangzhou
Best in spring 3 to 4 days

Hangzhou

Explore

Frequently asked questions

How much are high-speed trains between these cities?
Shanghai to Suzhou takes 25 minutes and costs 39.50 yuan second class. Suzhou to Hangzhou takes 1 hour 20 minutes and costs 74.50 yuan second class. Book tickets on trip.com or 12306.cn up to 15 days before departure.
Do I need to book Suzhou gardens in advance?
No advance booking is required for the Humble Administrator's Garden or Lingering Garden, but arrive before 10am on weekends in spring and autumn to avoid tour groups. Entry is cash or Alipay at the gate.
Which Shanghai district should I stay in?
Stay in Huangpu District near People's Square or East Nanjing Road metro stations on Lines 1, 2 and 8 for quick access to the Bund, Yu Garden and French Concession. Budget guesthouses start at 180 yuan per night.
Can I do a water town day trip from Shanghai or Suzhou?
Yes, Tongli and Zhouzhuang are both 90 minutes by bus from Suzhou North bus station with departures every 30 minutes from 7am. From Shanghai, take metro Line 11 to Anting and transfer to a direct bus to Zhujiajiao, 15 yuan one way.
How long do I need at West Lake in Hangzhou?
A full day covers the lakeside temples, causeways and boat ride. Rent a city bike for 2 yuan per hour at any of the 3,700 docking stations around the lake perimeter using Alipay. The lake circuit is 15 kilometres.