--- title: "Riverside Jiangnan" description: "Others experience Jiangnan by day—this route gives you the water town's nights and early mornings." type: "tour" route_id: "jiangnan-after-dark-6d" total_days: 6 price: 1032 highlights: ["Shanghai", "Zhouzhuang", "Suzhou", "Wuzhen", "Hangzhou"] url: "https://www.lyriktrip.com/en-GB/tours/jiangnan-after-dark-6d" canonical_url: "https://www.lyriktrip.com/en-GB/tours/jiangnan-after-dark-6d" locale: "en-GB" alternates: {"en-US":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/tours/jiangnan-after-dark-6d","en-GB":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/en-GB/tours/jiangnan-after-dark-6d","zh-CN":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/zh-CN/tours/jiangnan-after-dark-6d","zh-TW":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/zh-TW/tours/jiangnan-after-dark-6d","de-DE":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/de-DE/tours/jiangnan-after-dark-6d","fr-FR":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/fr-FR/tours/jiangnan-after-dark-6d","es-ES":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/es-ES/tours/jiangnan-after-dark-6d","it-IT":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/it-IT/tours/jiangnan-after-dark-6d","x-default":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/tours/jiangnan-after-dark-6d"} --- # Riverside Jiangnan Other people's Jiangnan is by day—this route gives you the water town's night and early morning too. Other people's Jiangnan belongs to the day — this route gives you both the night and the early morning of the water towns. - Pick-up at Shanghai Pudong International Airport; return transfer to either Hangzhou Xiaoshan or Shanghai Pudong International Airport, subject to confirmed flight. ## Overview The layers of the Jiangnan region reveal themselves most distinctly once the day-trippers have departed. This route includes a night in Zhouzhuang and another in the West Gate area of Wuzhen, ensuring the water lanes are experienced both in the night and on the morning of the second day, before the crowds return. Shanghai offers the riverside skyline, Suzhou follows with its classical gardens and pingtan storytelling, and Hangzhou provides a finale of wetlands and West Lake. What you take away is not just a generic water town image, but the tangible differences between them. LyrikTrip Route Design Team This group tour departs with a minimum of 10 participants. Please note that hotel bookings, tour dates, and airport transfers are subject to written confirmation prior to payment. ## Summary - Route ID: jiangnan-after-dark-6d - Duration: 6 days / 5 nights - Starting price: $1,032 - Group size: 25 travelers - Status: active - Highlights: Shanghai, Zhouzhuang, Suzhou, Wuzhen, Hangzhou - Cover image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/d5IOoJX3.webp ## Hero tags - No shopping stops ## Highlight notes - Stay in Xizha | Leave both nightfall and dawn to Wuzhen Xizha. - Stay in Zhouzhuang | Primarily select town centre hotels; return on foot after the night tour. - VIP Theatre Experience｜'Songcheng Everlasting Love' VIP seats, with performance times confirmed according to tour schedule. - 10 Meals | Includes hotel breakfast and 10 formal meals throughout the journey. - International five-star | Four nights at global brands such as Sheraton and Pullman. - Fully guided tour only｜No shopping, no optional add-ons; all activities included in the itinerary. ## Selling points - 【Staying in Xizha】 At Wuzhen, stay inside the Xizha scenic area; stroll along the water lanes in the evening, and revisit the stone bridges and alleys the next morning. - 【Overnight in Zhouzhuang】 Primarily featuring a hotel in Zhouzhuang Town; return on foot after the night tour. Should the accommodation change, you will be informed before departure. - 【VIP Seating for Show】 VIP seats for the *Songcheng Eternal Love* performance are included in the itinerary; specific showtimes will be confirmed according to the tour date. - 【10 Set Meals】 Hotel breakfast and ten set meals are included in the itinerary, with lunch at Meijiawu Tea Village being one of the stops. - International five-star stays: four nights across global brands including Sheraton, Pullman and Sofitel, with two consecutive nights in Hangzhou to spare you the daily packing hassle. - [Pure Sightseeing Tour] No shopping or optional extras for the entire journey. All daily itineraries and ten meals are clearly included in the schedule. ## City highlights - Shanghai (1 days): Shanghai - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/4234545a9276.webp - Zhouzhuang (1 days): Zhouzhuang - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/2d6f5756b3b6.png - Suzhou (1 days): Suzhou - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/8bb3d5363732.png - Wuzhen (1 days): Wuzhen - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/4odW0kLY.webp - Hangzhou (2 days): Hangzhou - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/95608f425efb.png ## Experiences Spend 6 days travelling through Shanghai, Zhouzhuang, Suzhou, Wuzhen and Hangzhou, with two nights in a water town; main meals and admission tickets are all included. - Evening Cruise on the Huangpu River (Shanghai): The cruise glides between the Bund’s historic buildings and Pudong’s skyline, offering waterfront views of the lights on both shores after dark. - Subtitle: A voyage along the river, viewing the night scenery on both banks of Shanghai - Tags: River View - Host: Shanghai, Shanghai Lens — Skyline and riverfront culture - Access: Includes a standard evening cruise ticket; private deck or exclusive access is not guaranteed. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/4234545a9276.webp - Evening in Zhouzhuang (Zhouzhuang): Take the included ancient town boat cruise, then stroll through the old streets and waterways after dinner, when the crowds have thinned. - Subtitle: Return to the cobblestone alley after dinner - Tags: Water Town - Host: Suzhou, Suzhou Lens — Classical gardens and Jiangnan - Access: Includes standard admission, transfers and boat cruise; the ancient town remains open to other visitors. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/2d6f5756b3b6.png - Mountain Sugar River Cruise & Piping (Suzhou): Take a boat along the Shantang Canal, then enjoy a performance of Suzhou pingtan, accompanied by singing and string instruments. - Subtitle: Enjoy a Suzhou storytelling performance after the boat ride - Tags: Quyi (Chinese Clowns & Comedians) - Host: Suzhou, Suzhou Lens — Classical gardens and Jiangnan - Access: Includes tickets and public performances within the scheduled dates; private hire is not guaranteed. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/8bb3d5363732.png - Early Morning in Wuzhen West Gate (Wuzhen): After checking into the hotel within the scenic area, stroll through the Xizha waterways, stone bridges, and slate lanes on the morning of the following day. - Subtitle: Waterway moments before the crowds arrive - Tags: Water Town - Host: Wuzhen, Wuzhen Local Host — Water Town Alleys and Canal Life - Access: Take an early morning walk within the scenic area, which remains open to overnight guests. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/8db182da7b9c.png - Boat Ride through Xixi Wetland (Hangzhou): Cruise through parts of Xixi Wetland by boat, complemented by electric tourist shuttles to cover a wider area of the scenic district. - Subtitle: Slowly exploring Hangzhou's wetlands by water - Tags: Wetland - Host: Hangzhou, Hangzhou Lens — Lake beauty and future tech - Access: Includes regular cruise and electric cart; private boats are not guaranteed. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/67e3a27878f7.png - Songcheng Everlasting Love (Hangzhou): Watch the large-scale live stage performance; seat category is subject to the original itinerary and final confirmation. - Subtitle: Hangzhou Grand Nighttime Stage Show - Tags: Performance - Host: Hangzhou, Hangzhou Lens — Lake beauty and future tech - Access: Includes the seating class specified in the itinerary, subject to confirmation; the performance is a public session. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/f179c6f27b61.png - Lingyin Temple & Feilai Peak (Hangzhou): Walk from the Feilai Peak Buddhist stone carvings into the Lingyin Temple courtyard; the itinerary includes internal shuttle transport within the scenic area. - Subtitle: Stone Carvings and Temple Courtyards of West Hill, Hangzhou - Tags: Temple - Host: Hangzhou, Hangzhou Lens — Lake beauty and future tech - Access: Includes standard admission and transfers; entry to restricted areas is not guaranteed. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/7feac0a4f9a4.png - West Lake Boat Tour (Hangzhou): Board a sightseeing boat to cruise through selected waters of West Lake, then stroll through the Su Causeway and the Flower Port Fish-Viewing Pavilion. - Subtitle: Hangzhou's lakeshore from the water's surface - Tags: Lakes - Host: Hangzhou, Hangzhou Lens — Lake beauty and future tech - Access: Includes standard ferry tickets; private boats are not guaranteed. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/95608f425efb.png ### Capture banner - Label: Save this itinerary - Title: Save the full itinerary to your email - Subtitle: We will include the latest hotel recommendations, host experiences, and pacing suggestions. - Placeholder: Email address - CTA: Send itinerary - Sent label: Sent ## Itinerary ### Jiangnan Water Town - 6 days Water Town Culture #### Shanghai (1 days) - Subtitle: Shanghai - Recommendation: From the old town's lanes to the banks of the Huangpu River, this is the urban starting point of the Jiangnan waterways. - Transport: Car - Transport mode: car Upon arrival, visit Yu Garden and Nanjing Road in sequence, and save the Huangpu River night cruise for after the lights come on. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/4234545a9276.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/f9ec789a2073.png, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/79ab0d21522d.png, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/c566e79e41d0.png, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/6b98d0b018a6.png ##### Day 1: From the garden walls to the lights of the Shanghai riverfront - (transport) — Meet at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, then transfer to downtown Shanghai after pickup. - (sight) — Stroll through the old city streets and alleys surrounding Yu Garden. - (sight) — Evening visit to Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. - (sight) — Take an evening cruise to see the illuminated skylines of the Bund and Pudong. - (accommodation) — The specific hotel will be confirmed in writing with the tour date. #### Zhouzhuang (1 days) - Subtitle: Zhouzhuang - Recommendation: Stay in Zhouzhuang and continue to explore the ancient town by boat and at night after the daytime visitors have left. - Transport: Car - Transport mode: car Arrive in Shanghai in the afternoon, take a boat first, then leave the evening after dinner for the old town's streets and alleys. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/2d6f5756b3b6.png, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/cyLaR0RV.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/8ffe06f75f24.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/339e02c6c5d6.jpg ##### Day 2: Shanghai's Streets and Zhouzhuang by Night - (sight) — Visit the Sihang Warehouse, associated with the 1937 Battle of Shanghai. - (sight) — Take a walking tour of Wukang Road and Columbia Circle, observing modern and contemporary architecture and urban renewal. - (transport) — After lunch, take the group coach to Zhouzhuang. - (sight) — Board the included cruise, enjoy dinner, then return to the old town's lanes after nightfall. - (accommodation) — Stay near Zhouzhuang Ancient Town after the night tour. #### Suzhou (1 days) - Subtitle: Suzhou - Recommendation: Hanshan Temple, the Lingering Garden and Shantang River string together Suzhou's temples, gardens and storytelling arts. - Transport: Car - Transport mode: car Visit temples and gardens by day, then take a boat cruise along Shantang River in the evening and enjoy a live performance of Pingtan. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/8bb3d5363732.png, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/8x7tIAsz.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/17b0087f4a26.png, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/bf7d5dd4921c.png ##### Day 3: Suzhou Gardens, Quyi Opera & Wuzhen Water Lanes - (transport) — After breakfast, take a coach to Suzhou. - (sight) — Visit Hanshan Temple beside the ancient canal in the west of Suzhou. - (sight) — Pass through the halls, framed views, and rockery spaces of the Lingering Garden. - (sight) — Take a boat cruise along the Shantang River and enjoy a live performance of Suzhou Pingtan. - (transport) — Head to Wuzhen and check in at the Xizha Scenic Area, where dinner will be served. - (sight) — After dinner, take a stroll through Xizha at night; the ticket is already included. - (accommodation) — Stay inside Xizha Scenic Area for easy exploration the next morning. #### Wuzhen (1 days) - Subtitle: Wuzhen - Recommendation: Stay inside Xizha Scenic Area to experience both the night and morning of the water alleys. - Transport: Car - Transport mode: car After checking in, take a night cruise on the West Gate, and the next morning, walk along the waterfront lanes before the crowds arrive. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/4odW0kLY.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/c066246bdb9b.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/892a8a08a840.png, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/e3e888bd1862.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/8db182da7b9c.png ##### Day 4: Wuzhen at Dawn and Hangzhou Waterways - (sight) — Take advantage of staying within the scenic area to take a morning stroll along the Xizha waterways. - (transport) — Leave Wuzhen after lunch and drive to Hangzhou. - (sight) — Take a boat tour through part of Xixi Wetland and use the scenic area's electric shuttle. - (sight) — Watch the VIP seat performance of Songcheng Eternal Love, subject to the final confirmation of the show. - (accommodation) — Checking in to Hangzhou, the first of two consecutive nights. #### Hangzhou (2 days) - Subtitle: Hangzhou - Recommendation: Spend two nights connecting Xixi Wetland, Songcheng, Lingyin Temple, the tea villages, and West Lake. - Transport: Airport Transfers - Transport mode: car Arrive in Hangzhou via Xixi on the afternoon of the first day, and spend the second day exploring Lingyin Temple, Meijiawu, and West Lake in full. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/95608f425efb.png, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/67e3a27878f7.png, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/7feac0a4f9a4.png, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/iaR0bamU.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/af404827d295.png ##### Day 5: Temples, Tea Terraces and West Lake - (sight) — Visit the Feilai Peak stone carvings and Lingyin Temple grounds, including scenic-area shuttle service and incense ticket. - (dining) — Enjoy lunch and taste local tea in Meijiawu Tea Village. - (sight) — Cruise part of West Lake, then stroll along Su Causeway and enjoy the 'Viewing Fish at Flower Harbour'. - (accommodation) — Accommodation for the second night in Hangzhou. ##### Day 6: Hefang Street and Return Journey - (sight) — In the morning, take a walking tour of the historic commercial street Hefang Street. - (note) — A short buffer period is kept before airport transfer. - (transport) — Transfer to Shanghai Pudong Airport or Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport upon confirmed flight. ## Daily plan ### Day 1 — From the garden walls to the lights of Shanghai's riverfront Arrive in Shanghai and explore the old town, then enjoy a night cruise along the Huangpu River. - Arrival in Shanghai: Meet at Shanghai Pudong International Airport and transfer to the city centre. Subsequent sightseeing will be arranged based on your actual arrival time. - Yuyuan Garden & Nanjing Road: Stroll through the old-city lanes around Yuyuan Garden, then take a walk down the Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. - Huangpu River Night Cruise: In the evening, take a boat ride to view the illuminated buildings of the Bund and the Pudong skyline from the water. - Accommodation: Shanghai's iconic hotels; specific property as per the itinerary confirmation. - Dining: Meals on arrival are scheduled based on your flight and confirmed itinerary. ### Day 2 — Shanghai Alleys and Zhouzhuang by Night In the morning, explore Shanghai's modern and contemporary districts; in the afternoon, take a boat to Zhouzhuang; and in the evening, stroll along the waterways. - The Fourth Bunker and Neighbourhood: Visit the Sihang Warehouse, then walk along Wukang Road and to Shangsheng New Studio to see Shanghai's architecture from different eras. - To Zhouzhuang: After lunch, take the group coach to Zhouzhuang. On arrival, board a boat to explore the ancient town. - Evening Water Lane: After dinner, stroll along Zhouzhuang’s old streets and water lanes, then return to the hotel. - Accommodation: Our preferred accommodation is an international brand hotel in Shengze, with the specific property subject to confirmation on your travel itinerary. - Dining: Includes hotel breakfast; the ten meals provided throughout the itinerary are main meals, with the exact meal arrangements subject to the confirmed itinerary. ### Day 3 — Suzhou Gardens, Traditional Arts & Wuzhen Water Alleys During the day, explore the temples, gardens and the Shantang River; as night falls, arrive at Wuzhen West Gate. - From Zhouzhuang to Suzhou: After breakfast, we drive to Suzhou and begin the tour at Hanshan Temple, set beside the ancient city canal on the city's west side. - Humble Administrator's Garden and Shantang River: Wander through the halls, rocks, and framed views of the Lingering Garden, then take a boat ride down the Shantang River to enjoy a Suzhou Pingtan performance. - Head to Wuzhen: After exploring Suzhou, transfer by coach to Wuzhen, where you will check in and enjoy dinner within the Xizha Scenic Area. - West Zha Night Cruise: After dinner, stroll past the stone bridges and waterside alleyways of West Gate, staying within the scenic area. - Accommodation: A guesthouse within the West栅 area of Wuzhen; the specific hotel is subject to the travel confirmation document. - Dining: Includes hotel breakfast; dinner in Wuzhen is subject to confirmed itinerary arrangements. ### Day 4 — Wuzhen Morning and Hangzhou Water Route Stroll along the canals of Xizha in the morning, then head to Hangzhou by car. - Xizha Morning Tour: Departing from your accommodation within the scenic area, follow the waterways past stone bridges and riverside homes. - Travel to Hangzhou and Xixi Wetland: After lunch, transfer to Hangzhou. Enjoy a boat tour through select waterways in Xixi Wetland, followed by a ride on the scenic area's electric shuttle. - Romance of Song Dynasty: Watch the 'Songcheng Thousand-Year Romance' performance from the VIP seats, with the specific showtime confirmed according to the group tour schedule. - Accommodation: Hangzhou international brand hotel, two-night stay; specific hotel subject to the itinerary confirmation. - Dining: Includes hotel breakfast; main meals are part of the ten included in the entire itinerary, with specific dining schedules subject to the confirmed itinerary. ### Day 5 — Temples, Tea Plantations & West Lake Walk from Feilai Peak Rock Carvings to Chacun, then devote the afternoon to the West Lake. - Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak: Visit the Flying Peak rock carvings and the Lingyin Temple grounds; scenic area shuttle services and incense flower vouchers are included. - Meijiawu Tea Village: Lunch at the tea village, a tasting of local teas, and a stroll along village paths past the tea fields. - West Lake Boat Tour: Take a boat tour through a section of West Lake, then disembark and walk along Su Causeway to Huagang Fish Pond. - Accommodation: International brand hotel in Hangzhou, second night. - Dining: Hotel breakfast included; lunch in Meijiawu is subject to the itinerary, and other meals are based on the confirmed schedule. ### Day 6 — Hefang Street and Return Journey Dedicate the final morning to Hangzhou, then transfer to the airport for your confirmed flight. - Hefang Street: Walk along Hangzhou's historic commercial street; adjust the duration of your stop based on the early return flight time. - Airport Transfer: Transfer to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport or Shanghai Pudong Airport on the confirmed outbound flight; the itinerary concludes here. - Accommodation: Return on the same day; accommodation not included. - Dining: Hotel breakfast included; other meals on the return day are subject to itinerary confirmation. ## Hotels ### Sheraton Shanghai Pudong Riverside Hotel - City: Shanghai - Description: Located at the junction of the Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone and the Jinqiao area, this luxury business hotel is close to the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/exF56rPy.png - Labels: NEW, Feature Stay ### Pullman Zhouzhuang Water Moon Hotel - City: Kunshan - Description: An elegant Pullman resort adjacent to Zhouzhuang Ancient Town, offering lake views and landscaped gardens, with refined guest rooms. - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/2951d06d29c5.png - Labels: NEW, Feature Stay ### Tong'an Inn, Wuzhen - City: Wuzhen - Description: A traditional waterside inn located in the Xizha Scenic Area of Wuzhen, nestled along the canal in a tranquil setting. Drift off to sleep to the gentle lapping of oars and shimmering lights, and experience the authentic charm of riverside living. - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/b09c624380bc.png - Labels: NEW, Feature Stay ### Wuzhen Zhaoming Study Inn - Description: The hotel's interior design draws inspiration from the ancient Zhaoming Academy in Wuzhen, situated in the central-northern section of the West Scenic Area. Its aesthetic seamlessly integrates the cultural heritage of a classic Jiangnan water town. - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/4ZNETzwz.webp ### Wuzhen Water Lane Inn - City: Wuzhen - Description: A boutique inn in the Xizha Scenic Area of Wuzhen, built along the water lanes, with grey bricks and black tiles exuding the elegance of Jiangnan. The guest rooms face the water, and you can open the window to see the river and bridges. - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/3f3453e3920a.png ### Sofitel Hangzhou Yingguan - City: Hangzhou - Description: Strategically located in the heart of "Wanshi Centre", adjacent to the Riverside Central Business District and close to Hangzhou's emerging business hub, Qianjiang Century City. - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/bVXETQkj.png - Labels: NEW, Feature Stay ### Hotel Indigo Hangzhou Shangcheng - City: Hangzhou - Description: Nestled within the enchanting West Lake scenic area, this property adjoins the ruins of the Southern Song imperial city, faces south toward the Qiantang River, and embraces the Bagua Tian landscape within its grounds. - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/fmBaTErL.webp ### Crowne Plaza Hangzhou Qiantang - City: Hangzhou - Description: The hotel is situated in the core area of the Jinsha Lake CBD in Qiantang District, Hangzhou. - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/30v3WE0O.png ### Sheraton Shanghai Waigaoqiao Hotel - City: Shanghai - Description: A five-star Sheraton hotel in the Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, offering river views and spacious rooms, close to the Yangtze estuary and Pudong transport hub. - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/klXsKlth.webp ### Wyndham Shanghai Pudong Hotel - City: Shanghai - Description: This five-star Wyndham hotel in Chuansha, Pudong, is adjacent to Shanghai Disneyland and the Wild Animal Park, with comfortable rooms and family-friendly facilities. - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/lVhvZUpT.webp ## Included / Excluded ### What's Included - Accommodation: 4 nights at an international five-star hotel and 1 night at a guesthouse within the West Scenic Area of Wuzhen - Meals: Hotel breakfast and 10 arranged meals - Tour Guide and Vehicle: Full tour with Chinese-speaking local guide and group transport - Admission ticket: Includes Yu Garden, Huangpu River cruise, Zhouzhuang admission with shuttle boat, Hanshan Temple, Lingering Garden, Shantang Street boat ride with Pingtan performance, Wuzhen Xizha, Xixi Wetland electric cart and boat tour, Songcheng VIP seating, and Lingyin Temple with Feilai Peak shuttle plus West Lake cruise ### Not Included - Round-trip transport: Flights between Taiwan and Mainland China - Personal expenses: Beverages, tips, laundry, and personal purchases not listed in the itinerary ### Special Notes The itinerary is subject to group formation, flight availability, and venue availability. - Group formation conditions: A minimum of 10 guests is required for this tour to operate. Departure is not guaranteed until written confirmation is received. - Scheduled items: Songcheng seats and final airport transfers are subject to reconfirmation based on the confirmed departure date and flight. ## Is Six Days Your Length? Need other days? ### 6 days To keep two nights in a waterside town and a full day in Hangzhou, you need 6 days so that the itinerary doesn't have to be compressed. ## Good to Know - Group Type: Group departure, minimum 10 people - Language: Chinese-speaking guide - Start and end cities: Arrive in Shanghai; depart from Shanghai or Hangzhou on your confirmed flight ## Your Private Concierge Service - Name: Jenny - Title: China Private Travel Route Consultant - Tagline: A concierge desk offering bilingual planning services for bespoke China journeys - Bio: Our China team carefully tailors the pace of the itinerary, hotel arrangements, and local reception services to suit the style of each route. - Avatar image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/4g5K6CDX.webp ### Stats - 20+ Years - 300+ Trips designed - 24/7 On-trip care ### The Conversation Every LyrikTrip journey begins with a conversation. Tell us your dates and who's coming — and if this length isn't right for you, we'll say so and shape a shorter arc. First reply within four hours; a clear price for your dates within one business day. - CTA: Start the conversation ### Step 01: Tell us what excites you Not your dates and budget — your curiosity. Where have you always wanted to go? What do you want to feel? We start there. - 24h: First concept delivered ### Step 02: We design it around you Your specialist builds the itinerary from scratch — routes, hosts, hotels, and experiences you won't find anywhere else. - 100%: Private, never off-the-shelf ### Step 03: Lock it in with 30% When the plan feels right, a 30% deposit holds your trip. Balance due 30 days before departure. - 30%: Deposit to confirm ### Step 04: Travel. We handle the rest. Your Trip Pack arrives before you fly. On the road, your concierge is one message away — for the expected and everything you didn't plan for. - 24/7: Support throughout your journey - Cancellation terms agreed in writing - English-speaking concierge - Secure payment via Stripe - CTA: Talk to Us ## Guest Reviews - Overall rating: 4.9 - Total reviews: 523 - Count label: from 523 verified reviews 4.9 / 5 ### Platforms - google: 4.9 (312 reviews) - tripadvisor: 5.0 (211 reviews) - Filter tabs: All, Google, TripAdvisor - Emily Carter (🇺🇸 Seattle, USA · 5★ · May 2026 · google): Perfect for couples - My partner and I had an amazing time in China. Everything was arranged for us — transfers, hotels, guides. No stress at all. - Claire Brooks (🇬🇧 London, UK · 5★ · Apr 2026 · tripadvisor): Great for families - Traveled with my two kids and had zero issues. The team made sure the pace wasn't too rushed and included things the kids would enjoy. Communication was easy throughout. Will definitely use them again for our next Asia trip. - Laura Bennett (🇨🇦 Toronto, Canada · 5★ · Mar 2026 · google): Alisa made the whole experience easy - Alisa was our point of contact throughout and she was brilliant — patient, knowledgeable, and always quick to reply. The trip itself was wonderful. Beijing and Guilin were highlights. - Mark Henderson (🇺🇸 Denver, USA · 4★ · Feb 2026 · tripadvisor): Good service, minor hiccup but sorted quickly - Really good service. There was a small mix-up with one of our restaurant bookings but it got sorted quickly. The rest of the trip was seamless. - Rebecca Miller (🇺🇸 Boston, USA · 5★ · Jan 2026 · google): Really listened to what we wanted - Really helpful team. They listened to what we wanted and delivered. Beijing and Xi'an were incredible. ## China Ready We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western traveller needs to know before arriving. ### VPN & Internet Access - Badge: Do this before you fly - What's blocked: Google, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and most Western news sites are inaccessible in China without a VPN. - Download before you leave: It's nearly impossible to download a VPN once inside China. Install and test at home. Recommended: Astrill (most reliable), Mullvad, ExpressVPN — subscribe to at least two in case one stops working. - Hotel Wi-Fi tip: Some hotels block VPN connections on their Wi-Fi. Use your phone's mobile data as a hotspot if the VPN drops. - Good news: WhatsApp works perfectly through a VPN, so your messaging stays unchanged. Apple iMessage and Signal also work. ### Paying in China - Badge: Your concierge sets this up on Day 1 - China is cashless: Alipay and WeChat Pay are used for almost everything — restaurants, taxis, markets, tickets. Cash is rarely accepted in cities. - International cards now work: Foreign Visa/Mastercard can now link directly to Alipay (set up in minutes, $5,000 single transaction limit). Your concierge walks you through the setup on your first morning. - Carry some cash: We recommend ¥500–800 RMB in cash for the rare vendor that won't accept digital payment, and for small towns. - Booking this trip: Your deposit and balance are charged via Stripe — the same trusted platform used by Airbnb and Booking.com. USD billing, no surprise conversion fees. ### Visa & Entry - Badge: We handle the paperwork - Do you need a visa?: Most US, UK, EU, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand passport holders need a tourist (L) visa for stays over 10 days. We provide a visa invitation letter with every booking — it significantly speeds up approval. - 240-hour visa-free transit: Citizens of 55+ countries (including USA, UK, most of EU, AUS, NZ, Canada) can enter China visa-free for up to 10 days if transiting through eligible ports. This covers our 12-day itinerary only if you have a confirmed onward flight. - Processing time: Apply 4–6 weeks before departure. Standard processing: 4–7 business days. Express (3 days) and same-day options available at most Chinese consulates. - What we provide: Visa invitation letter, hotel confirmation for all nights, suggested itinerary document — everything the consulate needs, formatted correctly. ### Safety & Practical Tips - Badge: Our responsibility, always - Is China safe?: China consistently ranks among the safest countries for foreign tourists. Violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. Cities have extensive CCTV coverage and a visible police presence. - Emergency numbers: Police: 110. Ambulance: 120. Your concierge is your first call for any non-emergency situation — she has local contacts for every city on the itinerary. - Health & medications: Bring a full supply of any prescription medication. International pharmacies exist in major cities but may not carry your brand. Travel insurance is required — we can recommend policies that cover China specifically. - Language: English fluency outside hotels and tourist sites is limited. Your guides all speak English. We provide a printed pocket card with essential Chinese phrases and emergency contacts for every traveller. ## Before You Book Everything worth knowing before you book. ### I've never heard of LyrikTrip. How do I know you're not a scam? Every credential is independently verifiable — you don't have to take our word. Trip design, contracting, payment and support are handled by LyrikTrip, a Hong Kong-registered company you can look up in the Hong Kong Companies Registry's online search. On the mainland we operate through our own licensed travel agency (Nanjing Langke International Travel Service, license L-JS-101018); ground execution is handled by a licensed agency under Tuniu, a US-listed group (Nanjing Tuniu International Travel Service, license L-JS-CJ00107), running its own ground operations with no subcontracting. Enter either license number on the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's National Tourism Supervision Service Platform to verify. Payments are charged by card via Stripe into a corporate account — no private transfers — and card purchases carry a bank chargeback mechanism. Before departure you sign a formal contract with the itinerary, restaurants and hotels spelled out in writing. ### Will I be taken to shopping stops? Are there on-the-spot surcharges? No shopping and no optional add-ons for the entire trip — this is written into the itinerary. Ten attraction tickets, ten main meals and five nights of accommodation are all included in the price; the itinerary lists what you do each day, hour by hour, with no shopping stop anywhere. The only thing not included is the cross-strait flights (see Q7). ### Are the hotels truly five-star, or just "quasi five-star"? Will any be quietly swapped? All four nights are international brands, and here's the list: Sheraton Shanghai Pudong Riverside, Pullman Zhouzhuang, and in Hangzhou a choice of Sofitel Hangzhou / Hotel Indigo Hangzhou Shangcheng / Crowne Plaza Hangzhou Qiantang (one per city from the list). You can look these up online yourself. The backup hotels are the same tier — no quiet substitution. The one thing to flag up front is the Zhouzhuang night: the primary option, Pullman Zhouzhuang, is right in town; if it's fully booked and we move to an equivalent hotel in downtown Suzhou, the tier is the same but the "staying in town" part is gone. If that happens we'll tell you in advance, never on-site. ### Is the "inn" in Wuzhen a private homestay? No, it's not a private homestay. Tong'an Inn, Zhaoming Library and Shuixiang Yizhan are all run officially by Wuzhen Tourism inside the Xizha scenic zone. Staying inside the zone is genuinely different: unlimited face-scan entry/exit, free shuttle buses and free luggage transfer — after the daytime crowds disperse, Xizha belongs to overnight guests. ### Will Wuzhen and Zhouzhuang be crowded? This route only departs Sunday or Saturday, precisely so Wuzhen lands on Tuesday or Wednesday — weekend Xizha is very different from weekdays, and we already dodge that in the scheduling. On top of that, staying inside Xizha lets you roam at night until 9pm and head out at 6:30am, two windows before day-trippers arrive. ### How many people will I share the group with? Capped at twenty-five, and the seats are never full: ten to nineteen travellers get a 33-seater, twenty to twenty-five get a 38-seater, with empty seats the whole way. Want no group at all? Add NT$10,800 per person when travelling with four or more to upgrade to a private charter (for 4–8 people). ### Does the price include flights? How do we meet once in Shanghai? Cross-strait flights are not included — this is a land-joining tour: you book your own flights, and we can help suggest options (e.g. China Airlines CI501, departing Taoyuan 08:40, arriving Pudong 10:50). After landing there's a pickup point at Pudong Terminal 1 with a private transfer into the city; from then on, all six days have vehicle and guide. The return airport drop-off is also in the itinerary. ### Do I need Alipay during the tour? What about mobile internet? For the six days on tour you basically don't need any mainland payment app: tickets, transport, accommodation and ten main meals are already covered, and a guide accompanies you throughout. If you want to buy something on your own, you can use cash, and the guide will help. For mobile data or roaming, we suggest arranging a SIM or roaming plan in Taiwan before departure — our support team can advise. ### How does this differ from the NT$20,000-plus Jiangnan tours I see online? It differs on three things you can check one by one: one, staying inside the Xizha scenic zone in Wuzhen (standard tours visit for two hours in daytime and stay outside town); two, staying in Zhouzhuang town and strolling back to the hotel after the night tour; three, ten main meals fully included and every restaurant named, with lunch budgeted at RMB 100 and dinner averaging RMB 144. If these three don't matter to you, the NT$20,000-plus tier is a reasonable choice — we also have an entry tour at NT$9,600 to try first. ### Is it suitable for elderly family? Are there discounts? Yes, with two things made clear up front. Itinerary: two of the six days are longer (day three until 9pm, day five until 7:30pm), the other four are relaxed, and both Hangzhou nights are in the same hotel so there's no repacking; the itinerary is broken down hour by hour so you can review it first. Discounts: ticket reductions are refunded on-site in cash — over 70 refunds up to RMB 122, aged 60–69 refunds RMB 44, and a first-issue Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents (issue number 01) refunds RMB 102, verified on the spot with documents and settled at the actual refund amount. ### How do I pay? What if I want to cancel? Payment is by card via Stripe, charged in full at booking, with a formal contract signed. The cancellation policy is in writing: 20% loss at 31 days or more before departure, 50% at 8–30 days, and 70% within 7 days.