How to Plan a Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou Tour?

Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou have a moderate climate and four distinctive seasons. The winter is not too cold, while the summer is not too hot. The weather is comfortable all year round.

Best Time to Visit Shanghai

Shanghai is suitable to be visited at any time as you like. And months from March to May (spring) and the late September to November are considered to be the best time with the most comfortable weather & climate to visit it. Check more about Shanghai Weather & Best time to Visit >>

Best Time to Visit Hangzhou

The West Lake of Hangzhou shows its different kinds of beauty in different seasons. Therefore, it welcomes visitors to visit it at any season and month. Spring and autumn are the top picks. Check more about Hangzhou Weather & Best time to Visit >>

Best Time to Visit Suzhou

It is good to visit elegant Suzhou gardens all year around. And months from April to October, especially April and May in spring and September and October in autumn, are the best time with the most enjoyable weather. Check more about Suzhou Weather & Best time to Visit >>

Many people are familiar with Shanghai, the Bund, Oriental Pearl Tower, Yu Garden, the City God Temple, Nanjing Road, etc. are very popular among tourists. As the most famous backyards of Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou may be a little bit unfamiliar for you. The two cities are popular for their traditional elite culture and exquisite attractions. In Suzhou, Zhouzhuang Water Town, Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lingering Garden, Lion Grove Garden, etc. are definitely must-go places for you. As for Huangzhou, West Lake, Linyin Temple, Dragon Well Village and Leifeng Pagoda should always be on your visit list. If you want to know more about the highlights and activities in Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou, please check Things to Do in Shanghai, Things to Do in Suzhou and Things to Do in Hangzhou.

Visitors usually spend 5 days or so for a Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou tour, including 2 days in Shanghai, 1 day in Suzhou and 2 days in Hangzhou. During the 5 days, you can explore all the highlights of these three popular tourist destinations, like the Bund, Yu Garden & Shanghai World Financial Center in Shanghai, Humble Administrator's Garden, Tiger Hill, Pingjiang Road in Suzhou, and the West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Longjing Tea Plantation in Hangzhou.

If your time allows, you are also suggested to spend 1~2 days more in each city to make an in-depth visit.

- Classic 2 Days Shanghai Tour

D1: Firstly, visit the traditional Chinese garden art at Yu Garden, and join the crowds of Yuyuan Bazaar. Next, go for some leisure walking at the prosperous Nanjing Road and the Bund. Lastly, climb the one high building in Shanghai (like SWFC, Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl…) to have a panoramic view of Shanghai.

D2: In the morning, go to appreciate some national precious relics in Shanghai Museum and visit Tianzifang to admire the traditional residential block. Then, enjoy a leisurely walk in the peaceful Former French Concession.

☛ 2 Days Classic Shanghai City Tour

What to Do for More Days in Shanghai

1. Have a day tour to visit a water town – Zhujiajiao or Fengjing

After your Shanghai City exploration, we suggest you extend to one surrounding water towns where you can admire the old flavor by seeing the canal views and ancient structures.

☛ 3 Days Shanghai Highlights Tour Water Town Visit

2. Plan a day's happy adventure at Shanghai Disney Land

If you want to immerse yourself in the happiness of a fairytale world, spend 1 day enjoying the various activities and wonderful shows in Disney Land. Besides, you can also visit Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park, Shanghai Wild Animal Park, Smurf Land Theme Park, etc.

☛ 4 Days Shanghai Magic Tour with Disneyland Park (Family Friendly)

Brief Suzhou Day Tour

Start your trip with a visit to one or two most classical Suzhou gardens - Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden or Master of the Nets Garden, then move to the famous Suzhou Museum to find out how the architectural master f Mr. I.M.Pei merged the traditional Chinese architectural design with the future. Lastly, go to explore the Tiger Hill, a popular spot featuring beautiful landscapes. As for the night activities, you can go for a relaxing walking on the Pingjiang Road, or take a night cruise on the Grand Canal.

1 Day Suzhou City Highlights Tour

In-depth 2 Days Suzhou Tour

Visiting a water town is one of the MUST things to do in Suzhou. Don't have to go very far within 30km, you are able to explore two of most outstanding water towns in China – Tongli and Zhou Zhuang. Zhou Zhuang, called “Venice of the East”, is the No.1 water town in China, noted for its profound cultural back, the well preserved ancient residential houses and the elegant watery views. The charming old town can be explored on foot or via a boat tour on the canals. Tongli is another an-aged but very well preserved water township with a history of more than 1,000 years, giving visitors a good idea of what Suzhou must have been like in its heyday. Usually, you can spend a half or a full day visiting one of these two water towns. Besides, you can also explore silk culture and even take part in making silk culture in Tiahuxue Sericulture Cultural Park.

☛ 2 Days Suzhou Culture Tour with Silk Discovery Experience

☛ 2 Days Suzhou Essence Tour with Water Town

2 Days Hangzhou Essence Tour

D1: After early arrival at Hangzhou, firstly spend about 2~3 hours touring West Lake (boating, walking, cycling), then go to explore nearby Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak. Next, go to a Dragon Well Plantation Village to experience Chinese tea culture. Lastly, leave Hangzhou by high speed train.

D2: Go for a walk on the ancient Hefang Street to experience local history and culture, and then enjoy a magical cruise on Beijing Hangzhou Grand Canal and have an interesting cultural visit to Qiaoxi Conservation Area to explore China Museum of Knives, Scissors & Swords, etc.

☛ 2 Days Hangzhou Essence Tour

In-depth 3 Days Hangzhou Tour (More Popular)

Take a side trip to one of the most beautiful water towns in China - Wuzhen, which is only 80km away from Hangzhou city.

☛ 3 Days Best Hangzhou Tour with Wuzhen Water Town

Best Shanhgai Hangzhou Tours

☛ 5 Days Essence of Shanghai & Hangzhou Tour

☛ 5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour

As a global financial center and a transport hub, Shanghai provides numerous international & domestic flights and high speed trains every day, and thus it is definitely your best choice to start and end your trip. Landing at Hangzhou first and then traveling to Shanghai & Suzhou is also good alternative option, because Hangzhou can also be reached by frequent flights and trains.

The distance between any two of Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou is not very far, so there is no flight flying among them. You can take a high speed train, normal train, intercity bus or car to travel.

High Speed Trains are the best choices to travel between Shanghai and Hangzhou, which needs 1.5~2 hours or so. If you have plans to visit the nearby water towns in Shanghai and Hangzhou, private cars will then be better.

Driving from Shanghai to Suzhou or Suzhou to Shanghai in direct is more convenient than the bullet trains and buses. It takes about 1.5 hours by car.

Taking a high speed train is the most chosen option to travel between Suzhou and Hangzhou. The train ride takes about 1.5 hours.

You can get to know the detailed transportation information at Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou Transportation >>

Warm tip: if you go with us China Discovery, we will select the best travel means for you according to your itinerary and interests. You can just indulge in your vacation in China and enjoy your happy time with your friends and family.

For a Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou tour, visitors spend at least one night in each of cities.

Where to Stay in Shanghai?

Being a megacity, Shanghai boasts lots of great stays for you to choose. And you can find a nice stay at anywhere of the city. Best places to stay in Shanghai include Lujiazui, the People's square area, Jing'an Temple area, Xujiahui Area, Xintiandi Area, etc.

Check more about Where to Stay in Shanghai >>

Where to Stay in Suzhou?

Suzhou downtown is the best place to stay in Suzhou. If you are going to nearby water towns like Zhouzhuang and Tongli, it is also a good choice to spend a night there.

Check more about Where to Stay in Suzhou >>

Where to Stay in Hangzhou?

Best hotels in Hangzhou are mostly gathering around the West Lake Scenic Area. Hotels near Wuling Square, the most prosperous business district in Hangzhou, are also good. Other best places to stay in Hangzhou include Four-eyed Well and Manjuelong Village, Baileqiao Village near Lingyin Temple, Wushan Square, etc.

Check more about Where to Stay in Hangzhou >>

Extended Destinations for Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou Tour

If time permits, we suggest you visit more places for Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou tour. The most popular extended destinations are Tongli Water Town and Mt. Huangshan. The two places are both easy to reach and definitely worth your time. Tongli Water Town is an age-old but very well preserved water township with a history of more than 1,000 years. While Mt. Huangshan, one of the most beautiful mountains in China, is famed for its “Four Wonders” – beautifully-shaped pine trees, fantastic rock peaks, sea of clouds and hot springs. To include Tongli and Mt. Huangshan in your Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou Tour, you need at least 9 days for this tour.

☛ 9 Days East China Nature Tour

☛ 9 Days East China & Mt. Huang Tour by Speed Train

If you prefer other destinations, please feel free to contact us, our Travel Consultant will customize a satisfactory tour for you.

Since 2012, we have helped numerous customers visit Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou and surroundings. With our fully-inclusive private tour packages, all of our customers enjoyed their trips to the exquisite gardens, peaceful watertowns, informative silk factory or museum, old Suzhou streets, etc. Some of them kindly shared their precious photos and stories about their journey, just get inspired now.

"We were lucky for being able to watch Chinese dancers at the Lingering Garden at the time of visit…" - shared by Nguyen (Check her The Pursuit of Natural Beauty with the Beloved one - 14 Days Beautiful China Exploring Tour>)

"Suzhou was the real treat at the end of the trip! Everything about Suzhou was perfect…" - shared by Elizabeth from Britain (Check her Long-lasting Memory brought by First Trip to China - 16 Days well-Organized and Wonderful First Visit to China>

Besides the wonderful travel stories, many customers who visited Suzhou with China Discovery also send us their first-hand feedbacks about their trip, feel free to read the Suzhou Reviews and learn what they say about their experience. If you want to start your Suzhou tour now, don't hesitate to contact us.