01
Overview
Everyone photographs the Bund, yet few ask why this city stands where it does. The answer lies in water: the ponds within the walled gardens of the Ming Dynasty, the commuter ferries crossing the Huangpu River, and the life in Zhujiajiao, where canals serve as streets. Spend the first four nights in Shanghai, with day-trips to the water towns; then move on to one night in Suzhou, followed by one in Hangzhou. On the seventh day, conclude your journey in Hangzhou, where the gardens and waterways along the way may well change the way you see water in your own city.
— LyrikTrip Travel Designer
Let us know your travel dates and party size, and we will tailor your itinerary to your interests in Suzhou and Hangzhou, incorporating inter-city transfers, sightseeing arrangements, and onward connections into the formal itinerary.
Why you'll love this trip
- Shanghai, Zhujiajiao, Suzhou and Hangzhou: seven days following the waterways of the Jiangnan region.
- From garden ponds to the Huangpu River ferry, to the waterways and lanes of Suzhou and Hangzhou.
- Take a public commuter ferry across the Huangpu River. Stand on the open deck among fellow commuters heading to work, for a fare that costs just as much as a bus ride: by the time you reach the other side, you’ve experienced city life, not a tourist view.
- As dusk settles, stand on the Bund with your guide by your side throughout: century-old stone bank buildings on one side, a skyline of towering skyscrapers on the other, with no one to distract you from practising your English.
- Step into a Ming dynasty garden within the old city walls, where a tranquil pool, an ornamental rockery, and a winding corridor offer a moment of serene reflection in one of the delta's most bustling cities.
- Glide through Zhujiajiao’s waterways in a hand-pulled boat, where stone steps dip into the water and narrow alleys wind down to the bridges, inviting you to pause and listen.
- Spend four consecutive nights in Shanghai, with a day trip to Zhujiajiao; then spend one night each in Suzhou and Hangzhou, concluding your journey in Hangzhou.
Things to do
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Heritage
Museum
Riverfront
City
City
Skyline
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Arrivals
Shanghai · Day 1 - Day 4
· Arrival in Shanghai
Arrive on land, and do nothing. The city can wait until tomorrow morning.
· Yu Garden, the museum, the Bund
Water inside a wall, then water as a border. Two versions of the same city, six hours apart.
· Plane trees, the ferry, the deck
The city at street level, at water level, and from the top. Find out which one tells you the most.
· Zhujiajiao
Take a traditional rowing boat through the water towns, then return to Shanghai in the evening for rest.
Private Car Hire
Suzhou · Day 5
· Travel from Shanghai to Suzhou
Step away from the Huangpu River and slow down in Suzhou.
Private Car Hire
Hangzhou · Day 6 - Day 7
· From Suzhou to Hangzhou
Journey from one Jiangnan city to another, settling in Hangzhou.
· End of itinerary in Hangzhou
Allow yourself a relaxed morning before departing according to your return schedule.
Departures
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Hotels
These are sample stays typically included in the itinerary. Final pricing depends on the hotel level selected.
Shanghai
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort)
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai: a luxurious garden hotel adjacent to Pudong Airport and Disneyland, offering a complimentary shuttle service to both.
Shanghai
Ruizhenmeili Hotel (Shanghai City Centre, The Bund)
Nestled along the Suzhou Creek on Beijing East Road, enjoy breathtaking views of the Shanghai Bund.
Shanghai
CitiGO Hotel Nanjing West Road, Jing'an Temple, Shanghai
CitiGO Hotel: A vibrant accommodation option located in the Jing’an Temple business district of Shanghai, just a three-minute walk from Line 14 of the metro.
Hangzhou
Four Seasons Hotel West Lake Hangzhou
Nestled in the far north-west corner of West Lake — along Lingyin Road — with lake views and mountain-facing gardens, this residence sits as quietly as it commands the view.
Suzhou
Suzhou Zhonghui Pullman Hotel
Situated in the financial hub of Xiangcheng District with excellent transport links, offering easy access to key commercial areas and tourist attractions across Suzhou.
Shanghai
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel
The Pullman Shanghai South Harbour, located in Dapuqiao and adjacent to Tianzifang, is just steps away from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.
Hangzhou
Hyatt Regency Hangzhou
Hangzhou Grand Hyatt Hotel, located on Hubin Road, frames the eastern shoreline of West Lake as a vista from every guest room.
Shanghai
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort)
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai: a luxurious garden hotel adjacent to Pudong Airport and Disneyland, offering a complimentary shuttle service to both.
Shanghai
Ruizhenmeili Hotel (Shanghai City Centre, The Bund)
Nestled along the Suzhou Creek on Beijing East Road, enjoy breathtaking views of the Shanghai Bund.
Shanghai
CitiGO Hotel Nanjing West Road, Jing'an Temple, Shanghai
CitiGO Hotel: A vibrant accommodation option located in the Jing’an Temple business district of Shanghai, just a three-minute walk from Line 14 of the metro.
Hangzhou
Four Seasons Hotel West Lake Hangzhou
Nestled in the far north-west corner of West Lake — along Lingyin Road — with lake views and mountain-facing gardens, this residence sits as quietly as it commands the view.
Suzhou
Suzhou Zhonghui Pullman Hotel
Situated in the financial hub of Xiangcheng District with excellent transport links, offering easy access to key commercial areas and tourist attractions across Suzhou.
Shanghai
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel
The Pullman Shanghai South Harbour, located in Dapuqiao and adjacent to Tianzifang, is just steps away from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.
Hangzhou
Hyatt Regency Hangzhou
Hangzhou Grand Hyatt Hotel, located on Hubin Road, frames the eastern shoreline of West Lake as a vista from every guest room.
Shanghai
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort)
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai: a luxurious garden hotel adjacent to Pudong Airport and Disneyland, offering a complimentary shuttle service to both.
Shanghai
Ruizhenmeili Hotel (Shanghai City Centre, The Bund)
Nestled along the Suzhou Creek on Beijing East Road, enjoy breathtaking views of the Shanghai Bund.
Shanghai
CitiGO Hotel Nanjing West Road, Jing'an Temple, Shanghai
CitiGO Hotel: A vibrant accommodation option located in the Jing’an Temple business district of Shanghai, just a three-minute walk from Line 14 of the metro.
Hangzhou
Four Seasons Hotel West Lake Hangzhou
Nestled in the far north-west corner of West Lake — along Lingyin Road — with lake views and mountain-facing gardens, this residence sits as quietly as it commands the view.
Suzhou
Suzhou Zhonghui Pullman Hotel
Situated in the financial hub of Xiangcheng District with excellent transport links, offering easy access to key commercial areas and tourist attractions across Suzhou.
Shanghai
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel
The Pullman Shanghai South Harbour, located in Dapuqiao and adjacent to Tianzifang, is just steps away from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.
Hangzhou
Hyatt Regency Hangzhou
Hangzhou Grand Hyatt Hotel, located on Hubin Road, frames the eastern shoreline of West Lake as a vista from every guest room.
Included / Excluded
What's Included
- Airport pickupPrivate air-conditioned vehicle and Shanghai airport pickup on day one, timed to your arrival
- HotelsThe 7-day itinerary includes 6 nights' accommodation: Shanghai for nights 1 to 4, Suzhou for night 5, and Hangzhou for night 6. Specific hotels and room types are subject to the written order.
- MealsThe Shanghai segment includes three hotel breakfasts on Days 2–4; breakfast arrangements at the Suzhou and Hangzhou hotels are subject to the written order.
- Private vehicleAir-conditioned private vehicle on day two and day three in Shanghai, and on day four to Zhujiajiao and back
- GuideLicensed English-speaking guide on days two, three and four, with the Bund evening accompanied from start to finish
- Admissions and experiencesYu Garden with the old city quarter · Shanghai Museum, admission and the timed reservation booked by us · the Bund and the Pudong skyline in the evening, guide accompanied, no admission charge · the former French Concession and Wukang Road on foot, no admission charge · the Huangpu River ferry, public commuter fare included · Shanghai Tower observation deck · Zhujiajiao, the hand-rowed boat fare, Kezhi Garden admission, and Fangsheng Bridge with the stone lanes
- AlsoTravel accident insurance
Not Included
- International flightsInternational return airfares to China are not included in the ground tour price.
- VisasIf your passport and itinerary require a Chinese visa, the visa fees and processing procedures will be at your own expense.
- DiningApart from the hotel breakfasts already listed, lunch and dinner are to be arranged and paid for by the guest; breakfast arrangements in Suzhou and Hangzhou are detailed in the written order.
- Transport within the park and venuesThe Huangpu River ferry and the traditional sculling boat in Zhujiajiao are included in the Shanghai segment; all other boat tickets or scenic-area transport are available for separate purchase or to be confirmed via the written itinerary.
- On-site spendingAny items purchased in the old town, museum shops, water town lanes, or on Wukang Road, along with any shipping, customs, or tax refund fees incurred as a result.
- PersonalGratuities, single room supplements or additional room differentials, personal expenses, and any other fees not specified in the table above
Special Notes
Please note the following arrangements before departure.
- Suzhou and Hangzhou — The seven-day itinerary is bookable, with Suzhou and Hangzhou visited sequentially after Shanghai, concluding in Hangzhou. Accommodation in both cities is included; sightseeing activities, guided tours, and entrance tickets are arranged according to your travel dates and the written itinerary.
- Inter-city transport — On day 5, travel from Shanghai to Suzhou, and on day 6, from Suzhou to Hangzhou. Transport methods, schedules, and cost inclusions are subject to the written itinerary.
- Shanghai Museum — Entry runs on a timed reservation and the booking system carries limited English support, so we book your slot. We check the museum's opening status against your own departure dates before taking your booking; if it is closed on your day two, day two and day three swap over and the museum runs on day three.
- The Bund evening — guide accompanied start to finish. Street approaches there work on visitors in their first nights in the city, so we never sell that evening as something you do alone.
- Zhujiajiao — a half day out of Shanghai and back, in the same vehicle, with no change of hotel and no suitcase to move for it. The hand-rowed boat is open to the sky: in December, bring a warm layer and gloves for the morning on the water.
- National holiday week — no departures between 1 October and 7 October. Yu Garden, the Bund and Zhujiajiao all run at peak crowd levels that week, and the plan does not read well in a crowd.
- Confirmation and changes — Please refer to the written order you received for confirmation deadlines, changes, and refund terms.
- Hotels — named in your written confirmation; "or similar" always means the same class and a comparable location, never a quiet downgrade.
Is Seven Days Your Length?
Is seven days your length?
Is seven days the right length for you?
Tell us your dates and who is coming: we will shape the length around you.
Good to Know
- Group
- Private, just your party. From 1 guest. No fixed maximum party size.
- Arrival
- Day one is the arrival day and includes no touring, so you do not need to arrive a day early. Airport pickup and that night's hotel are included in the price.
- Ports
- Arrive in Shanghai and depart from Hangzhou; please arrange your outbound transport to Hangzhou in accordance with your return flight or train from Hangzhou.
- Language
- The Shanghai portion of the tour includes an English-speaking guide; the accompanying arrangements for Suzhou and Hangzhou are subject to the written itinerary.
- Season
- This page is written for departures from October to December 2026. Autumn here is clear and mild; December is cold and damp, and the outdoor items, the ferry deck and the canal boat, want a warm layer.
- Visa window
- Entry policies are checked individually based on passport, travel dates, and full itinerary; if a visa is required, please apply in advance.
- Payment
- The 7-day itinerary is available for booking, with a minimum of one guest. Payment, change, and refund terms are subject to the written order.
- Flexibility
- Walking distances adapt to your pace throughout, and the two Shanghai touring days can be swapped if a venue's opening day requires it.
Your Private Concierge Service
Jenny
China Private Travel Route Consultant
“A concierge desk offering bilingual planning services for bespoke China journeys”
Our China team carefully tailors the pace of the itinerary, hotel arrangements, and local reception services to suit the style of each route.
20+
Years
300+
Trips Designed
24/7
On-Trip Care
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
Guest Reviews
4.9 / 5 · from 523 verified reviews
E
Emily Carter
🇺🇸 Seattle, USA
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.”
May 2026
C
Claire Brooks
🇬🇧 London, UK
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.”
Apr 2026
L
Laura Bennett
🇨🇦 Toronto, Canada
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.”
Mar 2026
M
Mark Henderson
🇺🇸 Denver, USA
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.”
Feb 2026
R
Rebecca Miller
🇺🇸 Boston, USA
Really listened to what we wanted
“Really helpful team. They listened to what we wanted and delivered. Beijing and Xi'an were incredible.”
Jan 2026
China Ready
We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western traveller needs to know before arriving.
Do this before you fly
VPN & Internet Access
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.
Your concierge sets this up on Day 1
Paying in China
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.
We handle the paperwork
Visa & Entry
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.
Our responsibility, always
Safety & Practical Tips
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.
Four days are settled and three are not. The Shanghai and Zhujiajiao days have contracted suppliers, named admissions and a price. The Suzhou and Hangzhou days are designed but the ground handling there is not yet placed, so we will not price them and will not describe experiences we cannot yet deliver. You lose nothing by asking: we tell you in writing which version you are being quoted, and the four-day plan stands complete on its own.
Most of our guests do not. These passports currently enter China visa-free for up to 30 days: British · French · German · Dutch · Belgian · Italian · Spanish · Portuguese · Greek · Nordic · Central European · Irish · Canadian · Australian · New Zealand. US passports do need a Chinese tourist or business visa for this route, and the fee and appointment are your own; a 10-year multiple-entry visa works. We check your entry permission against your dates before you pay anything.
Yes, and it is deliberate. The cruise shows you the skyline you already saw from the Bund, from further away, with a commentary. The ferry costs about the same as a bus fare, runs all day, and puts you on an open deck among people going to work, with the barges and container tugs that are the whole reason this city exists passing close by. If you also want the cruise, we will book it separately and tell you the fare.
We book the timed slot for you rather than leaving it to you, because the museum's own reservation system carries limited English support. We cannot guarantee any single date: slots are released on the museum's own schedule and popular days go. If your day two cannot be booked, we tell you before you pay and name the replacement in writing, and the two Shanghai touring days can swap over so the museum runs on day three instead.
On purpose. Shanghai is the wrong city in which to prepay set menus: the range runs from a bowl of noodles under a plane tree to a dining room with a view of the river, and tastes diverge by the second day. Breakfast is included at the hotel each morning; for the rest, your guide recommends and books around what you actually feel like eating, and you pay for it there.
