East China Bullet Train Tour
This tour offers a chance to see the 3 most important cities of the Yangtze Delta: Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou. Connecting by bullet train, enjoy ancient and modern Shanghai, cruise on the romantic and heavenly West Lake, and stroll through ancient Chinese culture in Suzhou gardens and Tongli Watertown.
Suggested 5-Day Itinerary
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| 1-2 Shanghai |
Explore the Bund, Yu Gardens, and Shanghai Tower |
| 3 Hangzhou |
Visit West Lake and the tea plantations |
| 4 Suzhou |
Discover classical gardens and Tongli Water Town |
| 5 Return to Shanghai |
Conclude your tour with lasting memories. |
Tour 'Wow' Points
Take the bullet train to explore Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou.
Have a full view across the city of Shanghai from the highest building — the Shanghai Tower.
Enjoy a relaxing boat-trip on West Lake and visit the beautiful island there.
Appreciate the elaborate designs at classical Chinese gardens in Suzhou.
Visit Tongli Watertown, the Venice of the East; smaller than Venice, yet exquisite and with some unique attractions.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
|
|
Our guide Brenda made all the difference!
Our guide Brenda spoke fluent English. She was wonderful and very knowledgeable. Thanks to her explanations, we had a memorable two-day trip to Suzhou and Tongli water towns. more
Aug 2024, 365Rainbow
|
Great stop in Suzhou -- highly recommend!
Our guide, Brenda with China Highlights, really made our experience unforgettable even though we were only there for a short bit of time. Brenda was really knowledgeable and helpful in telling us where to find food nearby the hotel.She took us to the water town of Tongli, and shared so much of its history as well as the history of Suzhou. She also had great conversations with us -- topics ranging from the transformation of Suzhou to how the economy in China. more
Jul 2024, Passenger10230583941
|
Suzhou via Shanghai Day Trip
Ryan from #chinahighlights was my guide beginning in Shanghai when I landed the day before. He had a huge bouquet of flowers from China Highlights company for me when I arrived at the Shanghai airport. Next We went to Humble Administrators Garden which was already inundated with throngs of Chinese Tourists and visitors. It was a super lovely day so I don't blame them for visiting! I was wearing my own Han Fu dress so I felt very much at home because that's what the girls and women do, go to these places for photos! This garden despite all the people was super great. The features and layout including bonsai. Especially Azalea, we're stunning. Clean and neat. Worth your time anyway you cut it. Next was the smaller The Garden of The Master of Nets. Along the way Ryan explained some of the history and features of these places as we went along. Somehow both these gardens merged in my mind! I love Gardens, so I could go to these places daily! Finally, we drove to Tongli Old Town. Another places where girls and women dress up for outings and pictures. I wish I saw more men indulging! Lovely little town, I loved the layout and feeling like I had time travelled. The little boat cruise was jumping again with Chinese visitors and tourists. I really felt happy that they were out enjoying themselves after the recent past.... After the boat Ryan took me to Pingjuang Road, which is mostly a pedestrian street. He mentioned the Film Industry and showed me a monument and street tiles for all the movies that had been made there. A light lunch and walked back out of the area to the parking lot area where we began. A super lovely day with No Hassles! more
May 2023, JeanneC
|
Suggested Itinerary
Activities
Your private guide will be waiting for you at the airport arrivals hall or train station. An experienced driver with a comfortable vehicle (non-smoking) will be ready to escort you to your hotel. Your guide will help with your hotel check-in. Have a good rest to prepare for your trip the next day.
Optional evening ideas
If you still have surplus energy in the evening, you can stroll along Nanjing Road, Shanghai's most popular pedestrian street. Or walk along the Bund to get a feel for Shanghai's magnificent modern nightlife.
Night View of the BundQuick Facts
The Bund
- The oldest building on the Bund was built in 1846. It used to be the Richards Hotel, but is now the Astor House Hotel.
- There are 22 heritage buildings still on the Bund.
- Classic architectural styles on the Bund include Baroque, Gothic, and Romanesque.
Yu Gardens
- These used to be private gardens. They have over 400 years of history. For political reasons, their owner was almost killed by the emperor (see below).
- These were the most domineering private Chinese gardens, with five resident dragons. A dragon was symbolic of the emperor, and only emperors could use dragons as decoration.
Activities
You will have a Western breakfast at your hotel. Your private driver and guide will be waiting in the lobby after breakfast, prepared with drinks and map, ready to maximize your time.
Visit the archetypal traditional Chinese gardens, Yu Gardens, and appreciate their elaborate layout.
Get a feel for Shanghai's history by walking around the Former French Concession Precinct. Wander through the Bund to experience the combination of ancient and modern.
Have a bird's-eye view of the entire city of Shanghai, take the fastest elevator in the world, and stand on the highest building in Shanghai — the Shanghai Tower.
The BundQuick Facts
Meijiawu Tea Plantation
- This tea village is situated behind West Lake Park and is an important tea production base. Here you are in a beautiful natural environment. Just relax and enjoy the special tea culture. Taste the fragrant tea while appreciating the beautiful village scenery.
Activities
Your guide will accompany you to the train station in Shanghai. Sit back and enjoy a fast and comfortable bullet train journey. After an hour relaxing on the train, meet your Hangzhou guide at the train station.
Hangzhou is the birthplace of high-quality Chinese green tea –dragon-well tea. Visit Meijiawu Tea Plantation and learn the process for making tea.
Drive towards West Lake and pay a visit to Lingyin Temple, the most prosperous temple in Hangzhou. Then enjoy a relaxing boat ride on West Lake.
Meijiawu Tea Plantation The West LakeActivities
Take a bullet train from Hangzhou to Suzhou, and meet your Suzhou guide at the station.
Your first visit in Suzhou will be to Lingering Garden. This lovely little garden contains many exquisite designs. Look carefully on the ground, at the windows, and at the small gates. You will find many surprises!
Take a rickshaw and head into the narrow lanes of Suzhou's old town. Observe local life by the ancient canal, and explore a food market.
In the afternoon drive 40 minutes to the Tongli Water Town, enjoy the lovely stone bridges and ancient architecture.
Tongli Water TownOptional evening ideas
Night Tour of The Nets Master Garden
Visiting classical gardens by night is a totally different experience from during the day.
Follow the staff's guidance using lanterns, explore the quiet garden, and appreciate some traditional Chinese performances, including Kun Opera, traditional instruments, Pingtan (storytelling and ballad singing in the Suzhou dialect), and a tea ceremony.
Opening hours are 19:30-22:00, from late March to late November.
Activities
In the morning, your guide and driver will escort you to Suzhou train station, and you will take the bullet train back to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, from where you can easily return to downtown Shanghai.
Transportation Suggestion
If you need to go to Shanghai Pudong Airport, a shuttle bus is available from Hongqiao Railway Station. You could alternatively take the metro.
If you prefer a private transfer from Suzhou direct to Shanghai, please let us know.
Trip Notes
Customizing the Tour — According to Your Needs
This tour is very flexible. You can alter the itinerary, and extend or shorten it to suit your schedule.
For example, you can add activities in the first day, or remove some attractions.
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
A short stay (up to 6 days) in Shanghai and the surrounding cities is more convenient now as there is no need for a visa.
It's permissible to stay within the administrative areas of Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu Province, and Zhejiang Province for up to 144 hours. Contact us to know more.
Tour Price
Price includes: