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Overview
Everyone photographs the Bund, but few ask why this city was built where it stands. The answer is in the water: the ponds within the Ming-dynasty garden walls, the commuter ferries crossing the Huangpu River, and the canals that serve as streets in Zhujiajiao. Spend the first four nights in Shanghai with a day trip to a water town; then head to Suzhou for one night, followed by a night in Hangzhou. Your seventh day ends in Hangzhou, and the gardens and waterways along the way may change how you see the water in your own city.
— LyrikTrip Travel Designer
Please share your travel dates and group size. We'll tailor your itinerary based on your interests in Suzhou and Hangzhou, and include details on intercity transport, sightseeing plans, and return connections in the finalized schedule.
Why you'll love this trip
- Shanghai, Zhujiajiao, Suzhou, and Hangzhou—a seven-day journey along the waterways of the Jiangnan.
- From garden ponds to Huangpu River ferries, then to the canals and alleys of Suzhou and Hangzhou.
- Cross the Huangpu River on the public commuter ferry. Standing on the open deck alongside people heading to work for the price of a single bus fare, you'll experience the city's daily life, not just its tourist sights, by the time you reach the opposite shore.
- At dusk, stand with your guide on the Bund, side by side from start to finish: century-old stone bank buildings on one side, a skyline of towering skyscrapers on the other, and no one to interrupt your English practice.
- Step into a Ming-dynasty garden within the old city walls. With its tranquil pool of water, artificial rockery, and winding corridors, even this one of the delta's most bustling cities offers a sanctuary to quiet your mind and listen to your own thoughts.
- Drift through the waterways of Zhujiajiao aboard a hand-pushed boat, where stone steps lead straight into the water and narrow lanes wind to the bridgeheads, inviting you to pause and linger in quiet conversation.
- Four consecutive nights in Shanghai with a day trip to Zhujiajiao; followed by one night each in Suzhou and Hangzhou, ending the itinerary in Hangzhou.
Things to do
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Heritage
Museum
Riverfront
City
City
Skyline
WaterHeritageMuseumRiverfrontCityCitySkylineWaterHeritageMuseumRiverfrontCityCitySkylineWaterItinerary
Arrivals
Shanghai · Day 1 - Day 4
· Arrival in Shanghai
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 punt boat through the water towns, then return to Shanghai to rest in the evening.
包车
Suzhou · Day 5
· From Shanghai to Suzhou
Step away from the Huangpu River and slow your pace in Suzhou.
包车
Hangzhou · Day 6 - Day 7
· Journey from Suzhou to Hangzhou
From one Jiangnan city to another, settle in Hangzhou.
· End your journey in Hangzhou
Enjoy a leisurely 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 Area)
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai: A luxurious garden hotel near Pudong Airport and Disneyland, offering complimentary shuttle service to both destinations.
Shanghai
Ruizhen Meili Hotel (Shanghai City Center, The Bund)
Located on Beijing East Road, just steps from the Suzhou Creek, with breathtaking views of Shanghai's iconic Bund skyline.
Shanghai
CitiGO Hotel Shanghai Jing'an Temple Nanjing West Road
CitiGO欢阁酒店: Located in Shanghai's bustling Jing'an Temple commercial district, this vibrant hotel offers convenient accommodations just a three-minute walk from Line 14 subway station.
Hangzhou
Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake
Nestled in the northwest corner of West Lake along Lingyin Road, the residence embraces the lake, while its garden overlooks the mountains.
Suzhou
Pullman Suzhou Zhonghui Hotel
Located in the financial district of Xiangcheng District with convenient transportation, providing easy access to Suzhou's major shopping centers and tourist attractions.
Shanghai
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang, located in the South Huangpi Bridge area near the French Concession, is just steps from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.
Hangzhou
Grand Hyatt Hangzhou
Located on Hubin Road, the Hangzhou Hyatt Hotel transforms the eastern lakefront of West Lake into a captivating view from every room.
Shanghai
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort Area)
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai: A luxurious garden hotel near Pudong Airport and Disneyland, offering complimentary shuttle service to both destinations.
Shanghai
Ruizhen Meili Hotel (Shanghai City Center, The Bund)
Located on Beijing East Road, just steps from the Suzhou Creek, with breathtaking views of Shanghai's iconic Bund skyline.
Shanghai
CitiGO Hotel Shanghai Jing'an Temple Nanjing West Road
CitiGO欢阁酒店: Located in Shanghai's bustling Jing'an Temple commercial district, this vibrant hotel offers convenient accommodations just a three-minute walk from Line 14 subway station.
Hangzhou
Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake
Nestled in the northwest corner of West Lake along Lingyin Road, the residence embraces the lake, while its garden overlooks the mountains.
Suzhou
Pullman Suzhou Zhonghui Hotel
Located in the financial district of Xiangcheng District with convenient transportation, providing easy access to Suzhou's major shopping centers and tourist attractions.
Shanghai
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang, located in the South Huangpi Bridge area near the French Concession, is just steps from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.
Hangzhou
Grand Hyatt Hangzhou
Located on Hubin Road, the Hangzhou Hyatt Hotel transforms the eastern lakefront of West Lake into a captivating view from every room.
Shanghai
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort Area)
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai: A luxurious garden hotel near Pudong Airport and Disneyland, offering complimentary shuttle service to both destinations.
Shanghai
Ruizhen Meili Hotel (Shanghai City Center, The Bund)
Located on Beijing East Road, just steps from the Suzhou Creek, with breathtaking views of Shanghai's iconic Bund skyline.
Shanghai
CitiGO Hotel Shanghai Jing'an Temple Nanjing West Road
CitiGO欢阁酒店: Located in Shanghai's bustling Jing'an Temple commercial district, this vibrant hotel offers convenient accommodations just a three-minute walk from Line 14 subway station.
Hangzhou
Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake
Nestled in the northwest corner of West Lake along Lingyin Road, the residence embraces the lake, while its garden overlooks the mountains.
Suzhou
Pullman Suzhou Zhonghui Hotel
Located in the financial district of Xiangcheng District with convenient transportation, providing easy access to Suzhou's major shopping centers and tourist attractions.
Shanghai
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang, located in the South Huangpi Bridge area near the French Concession, is just steps from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.
Hangzhou
Grand Hyatt Hangzhou
Located on Hubin Road, the Hangzhou Hyatt Hotel transforms the eastern lakefront of West Lake into a captivating view from every room.
Included / Excluded
What's Included
- Airport pickupShanghai airport pickup on day one, private air-conditioned vehicle, set against your arrival time
- HotelsThe 7-day itinerary includes 6 nights of accommodation: Shanghai for nights 1–4, Suzhou for night 5, and Hangzhou for night 6. Specific hotels and room types are subject to the written order.
- MealsThe Shanghai itinerary includes three hotel breakfasts on Days 2 through 4; breakfast arrangements for the Suzhou and Hangzhou hotels are subject to the written booking confirmation.
- 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 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 round-trip airfare to and from China is not included in the ground itinerary price.
- VisasIf your passport and itinerary require a Chinese visa, visa fees and application procedures are at your own expense.
- MealsIn addition to the hotel breakfasts already listed, lunch and dinner are at the guests' discretion and expense; breakfast arrangements in Suzhou and Hangzhou are detailed in the written itinerary.
- Transportation within the park and facilitiesThe listed Huangpu River ferry and Zhujiajiao punting boats are included in the Shanghai segment; other boat tickets or scenic-area transport, if not included, are confirmed in writing via the itinerary.
- On-site consumptionAny items purchased at the Old Town, museum shops, water town alleys, or Wukang Road shops, as well as any associated shipping, customs, or tax-refund fees
- PersonalTips, single room supplements or additional room charges, personal expenses, and any fees not listed in the table above
Special Notes
Please review the following arrangements before departure.
- Suzhou and Hangzhou — The seven-day itinerary is bookable, departing from Shanghai to Suzhou and then Hangzhou, where the tour concludes. Accommodation at both destinations is included; sightseeing activities, guides, and admission tickets are arranged according to your travel dates and the written itinerary.
- Inter-city transport — Day 5 departs Shanghai for Suzhou, and Day 6 continues from Suzhou to Hangzhou. Transportation methods, schedules, and the scope of included costs 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 October 1 and October 7. 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 your written order for confirmation deadlines, modification policies, 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 your length?
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 carries no touring, so you do not need to land a day early. Airport pickup and that night's hotel are in the price
- Ports
- Arrival in Shanghai and departure from Hangzhou. Please arrange your outbound travel from Hangzhou based on your flight or train schedule.
- Language
- The Shanghai segment of the tour is accompanied by an English-speaking guide; the escort arrangements for Suzhou and Hangzhou are subject to the written itinerary provided.
- 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 verified individually based on passport, travel dates, and full itinerary; if a visa is required, please arrange it in advance.
- Payment
- Seven-day itineraries are available for booking, starting with just one guest. Terms for payment, changes, and refunds are governed by the written order.
- Flexibility
- Walking distances adapt to your pace throughout, and the two Shanghai touring days can swap over if a venue's opening day requires it
Your Private Concierge
Jenessa
Private China Route Concierge
“A bilingual planning desk for tailor-made China journeys.”
Our China team tunes pacing, hotels and local hosts around each route style.
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 traveler 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 traveler.
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 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.
