Shanghai, Suzhou & Hangzhou: 6-Day Itinerary
By the China for Travelers editorial team · Published 2026-06-06 · Updated 2026-06-06 · 6 days · Shanghai · Suzhou · Hangzhou
Our editorial team is based in Chongqing and has not been on the ground in Shanghai, Suzhou or Hangzhou in 2026. This plan draws on aggregated 2024–2026 r/travelchina trip reports, official attraction information and published itineraries. All high-speed-rail times and prices are pulled live from our 12306-sampled rail dataset, not estimated.
Day by day
Arrive Shanghai, the Bund
- Transfer in from PVG/SHA; set up Alipay / WeChat Pay + eSIM
- Evening: the Bund waterfront for the Pudong skyline at night
Getting around · Amap-verified
- MaglevLongyang Road → Central Shanghai≈25 minFrom PVG, the Maglev covers 30 km in ≈8 min, then a metro hop into the centre
- CarAirport (PVG / SHA) → Central Shanghai45m–1h10mPrivate transfer — easiest with luggage after a long-haul flightBook a private airport transfer →
Book this day
Yu Garden, French Concession, Pudong
- Yu Garden + bazaar early (go before it fills), then the Bund by daylight
- Cross to Pudong for the observation decks if clear
- Evening in the former French Concession (Wukang Road, Tianzifang) for dinner
Getting around · Amap-verified
- WalkThe Bund → Yu Garden≈20 min1.5 km through the Old City — easily walkable, no metro needed
Book this day
HSR to Suzhou — classical gardens
- Short high-speed train Shanghai → Suzhou (well under an hour)
- The Humble Administrator's Garden and a second classical garden (Lingering Garden or the Master-of-Nets Garden)
- Evening: Pingjiang Road canal lanes
Getting around · Amap-verified
- MetroSuzhou North Railway Station → Old town (Pingjiang Road)≈30 minMetro into the historic centre — the gardens cluster around the old town
Suzhou canals, HSR to Hangzhou, West Lake
- Morning: Tongli or the Suzhou canals before the crowds
- Midday high-speed train Suzhou → Hangzhou
- Evening: a first walk along West Lake at dusk
Getting around · Amap-verified
- MetroHangzhou East Railway Station → West Lake area≈30 minMetro Line 1 + a short hop toward the lake
Book this day
West Lake + Lingyin Temple
- A full West Lake morning — causeways, boats, the classic ten-views spots
- Afternoon: Lingyin Temple and the Feilai Feng grottoes
- Optional: a Longjing tea-village visit in the hills behind the lake
Getting around · Amap-verified
- CarWest Lake → Lingyin Temple≈25 min≈9 km west of the lake; bus or taxi — the metro does not reach the temple directly
Book this day
Hangzhou → Shanghai, depart
- Morning high-speed train Hangzhou → Shanghai (under an hour) for the flight home
- Or fly direct from Hangzhou (HGH) if your routing suits it
Getting around · Amap-verified
- CarCentral Shanghai → Pudong Airport (PVG)45m–1h10mDoor-to-door private transfer with luggage for the departureBook a private airport transfer →
FAQ
- Is Suzhou or Hangzhou better as a day trip from Shanghai?
- Both deserve an overnight, not just a day trip — but if you must choose, Suzhou for classical gardens and canals (and it's the closer, faster hop), Hangzhou for West Lake's scenery and Lingyin Temple. This 6-day loop does both with one night each rather than rushing them as day trips.
- How long are the train hops between Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou?
- All short. Shanghai–Suzhou and Shanghai–Hangzhou high-speed trains are both well under an hour, with very frequent departures; Suzhou–Hangzhou is a short hop too (sometimes via a Shanghai Hongqiao change). Each leg's rail card shows the live duration, price and frequency from our 12306-sampled dataset.
- Do I need to book the Suzhou gardens in advance?
- Yes for the Humble Administrator's Garden in peak season — it caps daily entries and sells timed slots. The smaller gardens are easier walk-ups. Book ahead with your passport, the same as any timed-entry sight in China.
- How much does this Jiangnan 6-day loop cost?
- Roughly US$110–180 per person per day excluding international flights. The three rail hops are short and cheap; hotels and garden/temple tickets are the main spend. See our China trip-cost guide for a full breakdown by travel style.
Adapt this plan
Method. Inter-city rail figures (duration, price, trains/day) are pulled live from our 12306-sampled rail dataset and link to the full route page — they are not estimated or duplicated here. The within-day “getting around” times — airport runs, the Great Wall / Terracotta Army / Panda Base day trips, and the marked walking legs — are derived from Amap (高德地图) routing sampled in May 2026 and baked in at build time. The day-by-day editorial plan’s sourcing is disclosed in the note above the fold. Tour inventory, ticket prices and opening policies change — verify specifics before you commit. Last reviewed 2026-06-06.