Embrace the Serene Beauty of China
Shanghai offers a fascinating blend of old-world charm and futuristic innovation. Stroll along the iconic Bund, where historic buildings stand side-by-side with towering skyscrapers.
Hangzhou, on the other hand, is a city of tranquility and natural beauty. Experience the convenience of AI-powered living while exploring its picturesque landscapes. Discover the hidden gems of a less commercial water town, called Nanxun.
This 4-day itinerary is perfectly designed for travelers taking advantage of China's visa-free transit policy. Send us your inquiry to make the most of your visa-free transit with our expertly crafted tour.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Unravel Shanghai's Rise along the Bund.
Discover the secrets behind Shanghai's remarkable transformation through an in-depth exploration of the iconic Bund.


Enjoy a Tranquil Boat Ride.
Experience the authentic charm of Hangzhou with a tranquil boat ride. Then have an insightful visit to a traditional Chinese medicine museum.


Try Your Hand at the Age-old Art of Woodblock Printing.
Step back in time and rediscover the magic of Chinese woodblock printing. Design your own masterpiece with your name in Chinese calligraphy.


Participate in a Traditional Water Wedding Ceremony.
Witness the magic of a traditional water wedding performance, and if you're up for it, you can even join in as the groom!


Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

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Hangzhou is the best city and Leaf is the best Hangzhou guide
![]() This is our third times to Hangzhou and as usual we only want Leaf as our tour guide,because she is fun, caring, knows Hangzhou history very well, and can speak English fluently. For me Hangzhou is the best city in the world. Safe, comfortable tolive in, clean, no air pollution, and the people are nice more
Jan 2025, lena o
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Thank you Derek- best tour guide in Hangzhou
![]() Our trip in Hangzhou is an excellent and the most memorable one, largely due to our tour guide Derek. He is an enthusiasts person. Along the tour he explained very well and has a vast knowledge of the site history even China history. He is very attentive, professional and also very passionate with his job. So our trip in Hangzhou feel very easy, light and enjoyable. I think any guests who will be guided by him will be satisfied. He is excellent and perfect ..Thank you very much ... more
Dec 2024, Jacqueline S
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Truly magical experience, thank you Jill!
![]() The trip was so great ! Jill, our guide in Hangzhou was excellent ! A beautiful person inside-out, she took very good care of us and made our trip truly memorable. She took us everywhere and showed all the magical places of Hangzhou! We now look forward to coming back to Hangzhou! Thank you Jill, thank you China Highlights for taking such good care of us! more
Dec 2024, AT1325624
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Suggested Itinerary
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests and schedule.
Your private guide will be ready to meet and greet you at airport arrivals. A comfortable private car (non-smoking) with an experienced driver will transfer you directly to the downtown area.
Start your journey with the iconic Bund. Follow your local guide into historical buildings, touch the old items, and find some clues to Shanghai's colonial past and development history.
You will have a chance to try shengjian (pan-fried buns) in an unassuming Michelin-starred restaurant, which the tourist crowds never find.
Get a unique "ticket" from your guide, board a public ferry with the locals, and cross the Huangpu River to the Pudong area — the financial engine of Shanghai.
Take the fastest elevator in the world up Shanghai Tower. There you will be able to stand at the top of Shanghai.
In the morning, visit Yu Garden, which was built in the 16th century. It is like a peaceful oasis, hidden in the bustling metropolis. When walking in the garden, you will learn the meanings of its design and decoration.
Then, follow Shanghai's timeline to the 19th century for the former French Concession. A good proportion of Shanghai's colonial architecture has been carefully preserved there, and buildings even sport heritage plaques giving details of their history.
After lunch, take the bullet train to Hangzhou. Your Hangzhou local guide will meet you at Hangzhou East Train Station.
When you step off the train in Hangzhou, you will enter a smart city — AI-controlled traffic system, world-leading payment methods, new-era retail stores… Follow your guide to explore a new type of supermarket and find out how it can deliver goods into customers' hands in 30 minutes.
The best time to pick tea leaves is in the morning, so the first visit of the day is a tea village. Go with the tea farmers and learn to pick tea leaves. Have a break at a tea farmer's home, and discover the proper way to make tea.
Have lunch in a tea-themed restaurant and see how tea is a part of Hangzhou's daily dishes.
In the afternoon, walk by the beautiful West Lake, then take to the water on a rowing boat. Listen to the interesting stories behind the sights of the lake.
Later you will visit a hundred-year-old traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy. There you can see various medicinal materials and observe how TCM pharmacists make up a prescription. Try a cup of healthy herbal tea.
In the late afternoon, enjoy an afternoon tea in a roof garden beside West Lake. Appreciate the porcelain, tea, and scenery.
After breakfast at your hotel, prepare to interact with Chinese culture and have a relaxing boat ride in Nanxun Water Town!
Nanxun Water Town is the most original and unique of such towns. It is full of life and culture, and less commercial than other water towns.
Take a rowing boat to visit the former residence of Zhang Shiming, a super-rich man of the late Qing Dynasty (1644–1912).
There will be a wedding performance on the water, showing you how a traditional wedding is conducted in the water town. If you like, you can take part and play the bride/groom!
After the dreamy experiences in Nanxun Water Town, we'll drive you to Shanghai Pudong Airport (or a train station) and wave goodbye.
Tour Price
Price includes: