Jiangnan Classic: Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuzhen & Hangzhou

Travel from Shanghai through the classical gardens of Suzhou and the water town of Wuzhen to West Lake in Hangzhou on a one-way route.

The most classic Jiangnan route for first-time visitors. Spend two and a half days in Shanghai before heading south. Visit the classical gardens in Suzhou, stay overnight in Wuzhen to experience its night views and quiet mornings, and explore West Lake, Lingyin Temple, and Longjing in Hangzhou before departing. High-speed trains are the main transport, though a private transfer is needed from Suzhou to Wuzhen. The stay in Hangzhou is compact; Tongli and Zhouzhuang are excluded, but you can add an extra day in Hangzhou if time permits.

April and October offer the best weather; book tickets in advance during public holidays.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival in Shanghai & The Bund Night View

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

Take Metro Line 2 from Hongqiao to East Nanjing Road (approx. 40 minutes). Drop off your luggage and walk to the Bund, then take a river cruise in the evening.

Stay: Nanjing Road · The Bund

Day 2 · Yu Garden & Lujiazui

Shanghai（Yu Garden & City God Temple、Oriental Pearl Tower / Lujiazui、Shanghai Tower Top of Shanghai Observatory、Museum of Art Pudong）

Walk to Yu Garden in the morning, take the Dongjin Line Ferry to Pudong, explore Lujiazui on foot in the afternoon, and return by metro in the evening.

Yu Garden is closed on Mondays (except public holidays); plan your schedule accordingly.

Stay: Nanjing Road · The Bund

Day 3 · Wukang Road to Suzhou

Shanghai（Wukang Road / Hengfu Historic Area） → Suzhou（Pingjiang Road）

Explore Wukang Road by metro in the morning. In the afternoon, take a high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao or Shanghai Railway Station to Suzhou (approx. 30 minutes), then transfer to the metro.

You can store your luggage at your hotel in the morning or bring it to the railway station storage.

Stay: Guanqian Street / Pingjiang Road

Day 4 · Suzhou Gardens & Shantang Street

Suzhou（Humble Administrator's Garden、Suzhou Museum、Lion Grove Garden、Shantang Street）

Walk to the Humble Administrator's Garden, Suzhou Museum, and Lion Grove in the Old Town. Take a taxi to Shantang Street in the evening (approx. 15 minutes).

The Humble Administrator's Garden requires booking, and Suzhou Museum is free but requires reservation (closed on Mondays, except public holidays).

Stay: Guanqian Street / Pingjiang Road

Day 5 · Master of the Nets Garden to Wuzhen

Suzhou（Master of the Nets Garden） → Jiaxing（Wuzhen West Scenic Zone (Xizha)）

Take a taxi to the Master of the Nets Garden in the morning. After lunch, take a private transfer to Wuzhen (approx. 1.5 hours) and check into the Xizhat (West Scenic Zone) area in the evening.

Staying inside Xizhat allows you to enjoy the night views; book rooms well in advance during holidays.

Stay: Inside Wuzhen Xizha Scenic Area

Day 6 · Dongzha to Hangzhou West Lake

Jiaxing（Wuzhen East Scenic Zone (Dongzha)） → Central Hangzhou（Broken Bridge & Bai Causeway、Three Pools Mirroring the Moon、Hefang Street & Southern Song Imperial Street）

Explore Dongzha (East Scenic Zone) in the morning. Take Bus K282 to Tongxiang Station (approx. 40 minutes), then a high-speed train to Hangzhou East (approx. 20 minutes), and transfer by metro to Hubin.

Bus schedules can vary; verify times on the official Wuzhen website or at the station.

Stay: Hubin / Longxiang Bridge

Day 7 · Lingyin Temple & Longjing to Departure

Central Hangzhou（Lingyin Temple & Feilai Feng、Longjing Village）

Take a taxi or bus to Lingyin Temple early in the morning, visit Longjing Village in the afternoon, and then take a taxi to Hangzhou East Railway Station (approx. 1 hour).

Lingyin Temple is very crowded on weekends, so arrive early. Allow plenty of buffer time for afternoon train departures.