5-Day Shanghai & Water Towns Itinerary
Easy5 Days / 4 Nights

5-Day Shanghai & Water Towns Itinerary

Shanghai's urban energy plus ancient canal towns — perfect for a short trip

ShanghaiZhujiajiaoSuzhou

Overview

Short on time? This 5-day trip gives you the best of Shanghai plus the ancient water towns that once supplied the imperial court. Experience Shanghai's split personality — colonial Bund and futuristic Pudong — then escape to Suzhou's classical gardens and Zhujiajiao's 1,700-year-old canals.

At a Glance

Duration5 days / 4 nights
Group TypePrivate (1-10 travelers)
Difficulty LevelEasy
Best SeasonYear-round (best: March-May, September-November)
Cities VisitedShanghai, Zhujiajiao, Suzhou
RegionsEast China

Top Sights & Experiences

The Bund

Shanghai's iconic waterfront — colonial-era buildings facing the futuristic Pudong skyline across the Huangpu River.

Explore The Bund
Yu Garden

A classical Chinese garden in the heart of old Shanghai — pavilions, rockeries, and koi ponds dating to the Ming Dynasty.

Explore Yu Garden
Zhujiajiao water town — Venice of Shanghai
Suzhou classical gardens (UNESCO)
Tongli water town boat ride
Silk factory visit in Suzhou

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Shanghai

Airport pickup. Evening: Bund waterfront walk.

Overnight: Shanghai hotel

Day 2Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Shanghai City Tour

Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, French Concession, Xintiandi. Evening: Huangpu River cruise.

Overnight: Shanghai hotel

Day 3Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Zhujiajiao Water Town

Half-day trip to Zhujiajiao — 1,700-year-old canal town with 36 stone bridges. Afternoon: return to Shanghai, free time.

Overnight: Shanghai hotel

Day 4Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Suzhou Day Trip

High-speed train to Suzhou (30 min). Visit Humble Administrator's Garden, Tiger Hill, Pingjiang Road. Silk factory. Return to Shanghai.

Overnight: Shanghai hotel

Day 5Meals: Breakfast

Departure

Free morning. Transfer to airport.

What's Included & Excluded

Included

  • 4 nights 4-star hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Private English-speaking guide
  • Private driver and air-conditioned vehicle
  • All entrance tickets
  • High-speed train Shanghai-Suzhou
  • Airport transfers
  • 24/7 English-speaking support line

Not Included

  • International flights
  • China tourist visa fee
  • Travel insurance
  • Lunches and dinners not specified
  • Personal expenses and gratuities
#short trip#city#water towns#gardens

Learn More About These Destinations

Reference Price

$1199/ person

Based on double occupancy

Single supplement: +$300

Duration5 days / 4 nights
Group TypePrivate (1-10 travelers)
DifficultyEasy
Best SeasonYear-round (best: March-May, September-November)
Request This ItineraryCustomize This Trip

Free quote within 24 hours · No deposit required

Licensed inbound tour operator (L-GD-103241)
English-speaking local guides
24/7 on-trip support

You Might Also Like