East China Five Cities High-Speed Rail Loop

Starting and ending in Shanghai, travel by high-speed rail through Suzhou, Wuxi, Nanjing, and Hangzhou to see the best of Jiangnan.

The 'Five Cities of East China' is the most popular route for first-time and international visitors. Spend two nights in Shanghai, connect through Suzhou and Wuxi, spend two nights in Nanjing, two nights in Hangzhou, and return to Shanghai. The route is a seamless loop with intercity high-speed rail journeys all under 1.5 hours. The only downside is that you only see the highlights of each city, which can feel a bit rushed; you can skip Wuxi for a more relaxed pace. Ideal for first-time visitors to East China.

The Humble Administrator's Garden, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, and Nanjing Museum require advance reservations. Plan around Monday closures.

Day by day

Day 1 · The Bund Nightscape & Nanjing Road

Shanghai（Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street、The Bund、Huangpu River Cruise）

Take the metro or Maglev from the airport to the city center (about 1 hour). Walk along Nanjing Road to the Bund in the evening.

Stay: Nanjing Road · The Bund

Day 2 · Yu Garden to Wukang Road

Shanghai（Yu Garden & City God Temple、Shanghai Museum、Tianzifang、Wukang Road / Hengfu Historic Area）

Connect the Old Town, People's Square, and the Former French Concession using the metro (about 3 to 4 rides throughout the day).

Stay: Nanjing Road · The Bund

Day 3 · Suzhou Gardens & Historic Streets

Suzhou（Humble Administrator's Garden、Pingjiang Road、Shantang Street）

Take the high-speed rail from Hongqiao to Suzhou (about 30 minutes). Take the metro to the ancient city to explore the gardens and streets on foot.

Tickets for the Humble Administrator's Garden must be reserved online in advance.

Stay: Guanqian Street / Pingjiang Road

Day 4 · Lingering Garden & Yuantouzhu to Nanjing

Suzhou（Lingering Garden） → Wuxi Urban Area（Yuantouzhu (Turtle Head Isle)）

Visit Lingering Garden in the morning. Take the high-speed rail (about 20 minutes) to Wuxi to visit Yuantouzhu. In the evening, take the high-speed rail (about 1 hour) to Nanjing.

Stay: Confucius Temple / Laomendong

Day 5 · Zhongshan & Qinhuai Night Cruise

Central Nanjing（Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum、Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum、Confucius Temple & Qinhuai River）

Take the metro to Muxuyuan, explore the scenic area on foot and by sightseeing car, and return to Fuzimiao in the evening.

The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum requires real-name reservation and is usually closed on Mondays.

Stay: Confucius Temple / Laomendong

Day 6 · High-Speed Rail to Hangzhou & West Lake

Central Hangzhou（Broken Bridge & Bai Causeway、Su Causeway）

Take the high-speed rail from Nanjing South to Hangzhou East (about 1.5 hours), then take the metro to Hubin and explore on foot.

Stay: Hubin / Longxiang Bridge

Day 7 · Lingyin, Longjing & Hefang Street

Central Hangzhou（Lingyin Temple & Feilai Feng、Longjing Village、Hefang Street & Southern Song Imperial Street）

Take a bus or taxi for about 40 minutes to Lingyin Temple, continue to Longjing Village, and return to Hefang Street in the evening.