Explore the gardens, waterways and tea traditions around Shanghai on this seven-day circular journey. Begin with skyline views, a Huangpu River cruise and walks through the Old Town, then slow down among Zhouzhuang’s canals and stone bridges. Suzhou brings the Lingering Garden, Panmen Gate and Huqiu Hill. In Hangzhou, cruise West Lake and visit Lingyin Temple, Feilai Peak and Longjing Tea Village before returning to Shanghai, linking city life with historic gardens and lakeside scenery.
What makes this route special
View Shanghai from the Oriental Pearl Tower and take a daytime Huangpu River cruise.
Walk the Bund and Nanjing Road and visit Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Old Town.
Explore Zhouzhuang's Twin Bridges, Zhang Mansion and Shen Mansion.
Explore Suzhou's Lingering Garden and Panmen Gate, with an optional visit to Huqiu Hill if the rail schedule allows.
Take a West Lake cruise and visit Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak.
Visit Longjing Tea Village before returning to Shanghai.
Your day-by-day itinerary
Arrive in Shanghai
Meet your driver at Shanghai airport and transfer to Shanghai Zhenping Holiday Inn Express. The rest of the day is free to check in, rest and adjust to the time difference. No sightseeing or guide service is planned on arrival day. Three nights with breakfast are allocated to the first Shanghai stay, giving you time to settle before exploring the city and nearby water towns. Share your flight details when enquiring so the pickup time and meeting point can be arranged.
- Transport
- Airport pickup and hotel transfer by driver.
- Guide
- Driver pickup only.
- Accommodation
- Shanghai Zhenping Holiday Inn Express; first night of three with breakfast.
Shanghai Skyline and Huangpu River
Visit the Oriental Pearl Tower’s main observation deck and glass platform, then explore the Shanghai History Museum. In the afternoon, take a daytime cruise along the Huangpu River before walking the Bund and Nanjing Road. From the boat, see the historic waterfront and the towers of Lujiazui from a different perspective. An English-speaking guide accompanies the day. Return to Shanghai Zhenping Holiday Inn Express for the second night with breakfast.
- Transport
- Private city transport and daytime Huangpu River cruise.
- Guide
- English-speaking tour guide.
- Accommodation
- Shanghai Zhenping Holiday Inn Express; second night with breakfast.
Yuyuan Garden, Old Town and Xintiandi
Explore Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Old Town in the morning, then continue to Xintiandi and Jade Buddha Temple. The garden’s pavilions and winding paths give way to old-town lanes and the stone-gate architecture of the former French Concession. At the temple, enjoy a quieter visit among the courtyards and halls. Return to Shanghai Zhenping Holiday Inn Express for the third night. This day blends historic neighborhoods, religious heritage and the modern character of the city.
- Transport
- Private transport for the trip.
- Guide
- Guide arrangement for this city day will be confirmed.
- Accommodation
- Shanghai Zhenping Holiday Inn Express; third night with breakfast.
Zhouzhuang Water Town and Suzhou
Travel from Shanghai to Zhouzhuang and walk among the town’s canals, stone bridges and historic homes. The route includes the Twin Bridge, Zhang Mansion and Shen Mansion, each offering a different perspective on the town’s former domestic and commercial life. Continue to Suzhou in the evening and stay at Suzhou Changjiang Holiday Inn Express for one night with breakfast. The transfer links two water-town destinations, so the exact travel and visit schedule will be set for your date.
- Transport
- Private transfer from Shanghai through Zhouzhuang to Suzhou.
- Guide
- Guide arrangement for the water-town visit will be confirmed.
- Accommodation
- Suzhou Changjiang Holiday Inn Express; one night with breakfast.
Suzhou Gardens and Transfer to Hangzhou
Visit Suzhou’s Lingering Garden, Panmen Gate and Huqiu Hill before continuing to Hangzhou. In the garden, look for framed views, rockeries and carefully arranged courtyards. Panmen recalls the city’s historic defenses, while Huqiu’s pagoda stands above the surrounding landscape. Check in at Hangzhou Zhongzhi Hejing Hotel for one night with breakfast. The transport mode and timing to Hangzhou will be confirmed with your trip arrangements. The day includes several historic sites and walking through garden and temple grounds.
- Transport
- Local sightseeing transport; Suzhou–Hangzhou mode and timing not specified.
- Guide
- Guide arrangement for the Suzhou visit will be confirmed.
- Accommodation
- Hangzhou Zhongzhi Hejing Hotel; one night with breakfast.
West Lake, Lingyin Temple and Longjing Tea
Cruise on West Lake, then visit Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak before continuing to Longjing Tea Village. Lake views, temple courtyards, cliffside carvings and tea-growing traditions make this a varied day in Hangzhou. After the visits, travel back to Shanghai and check in at Shanghai Zhenping Holiday Inn Express for the final night with breakfast. The intercity transfer method and timing will be arranged for your date. Expect walking around the lake, temple grounds and village paths.
- Transport
- West Lake cruise and transfer from Hangzhou to Shanghai; the intercity mode and timing are not specified.
- Guide
- Guide arrangement for the Hangzhou visit will be confirmed.
- Accommodation
- Shanghai Zhenping Holiday Inn Express; one night with breakfast.
Depart from Shanghai
A driver will transfer you to the Shanghai airport for departure. No sightseeing or guide service is planned today. The airport and pickup time will be confirmed around your flight details, so share your departure information when finalizing the trip. Breakfast is planned with the hotel stay, though an early flight may leave before service begins. This is the end of the seven-day route through Shanghai, Zhouzhuang, Suzhou and Hangzhou.
- Transport
- Driver airport drop-off; airport and pickup time to be confirmed.
- Guide
- Driver airport transfer only.
- Accommodation
- No overnight accommodation; departure day.
What your proposal covers
- Private group transport and the planned river cruises.
- Six breakfasts.
- Entrance fees for the planned attractions.
- English-speaking guiding on five days; arrival and departure transfers are driver-only.
- Six nights in twin-share rooms at Shanghai Zhenping Holiday Inn Express, Suzhou Changjiang Holiday Inn Express and Hangzhou Zhongzhi Hejing Hotel.
- Lunches and dinners.
- International flights.
- Personal expenses.
Payment & cancellation
| Payment due | Share of trip price |
|---|---|
| On trip confirmation | 30% deposit |
| One month before the trip | 70% balance |
| Time before arrival | Cancellation fee |
|---|---|
| More than 45 days | Only costs incurred for flights, cruises and other exceptional services. |
| 45–30 days | 25% |
| 29–16 days | 50% |
| 15–7 days | 80% |
| Less than 7 days | 100% |
| Percentage fees are based on the total trip price. | |
Questions and answers
VISAS
For the latest information on visa procedures, processing times and requirements, please kindly refer to website https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/
INSURANCE
We will arrange essential insurance coverage for your trip to Mainland China. Meanwhile, we strongly recommend you purchase separate comprehensive travel insurance to cover trip cancellation, medical expenses, luggage loss, repatriation and other associated additional costs. As a minimum requirement, the insurance policy must include medical coverage, which including medical evacuation and repatriation. For this part, you are free to select your preferred insurance provider.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
If you are traveling during a Chinese public holiday, please note that while tourist attractions remain open, they may be crowded with domestic visitors. Festivities often span several days, during which some businesses may close, and coach, air, and train services could be impacted. The major Golden Week holidays occur annually around 1 to 5 May and 1 to 7 October.
ACCOMMODATION
Your accommodation is chosen for its convenience, comfort, or character. Hotels are generally of a four-star standard in major cities. Please note, there is no international classification system, so facilities and quality may differ from those in your home country.
LUGGAGE
Each traveller is permitted a maximum of two pieces of luggage: one suitcase with a maximum weight of 20kg and one piece of hand luggage with a maximum weight of 5kg. This requirement applies to domestic trains and flights. We recommend packing only what you can carry independently, as you will be responsible for handling your luggage on and off trains or air-checked. Please note: If your luggage exceed the limits, kindly inform your travel designer in advance, and we will arrange a suitable vehicle for you.
TRAVEL MONEY IN CHINA
We recommend having access to multiple sources of money while traveling. A combination of payment methods, including mobile payment apps, cash, and cards, will offer the most security and flexibility. Mobile payment apps like WeChat and Alipay are often more widely accepted than international cards or cash in China. You will need an internet connection when in China to use the apps.
