This private 2-day tour from Shanghai by bullet train is perfect for travelers with a 2-day or 3-day weekend. Explore the beautiful cities of Suzhou and Hangzhou, immersing yourself in their stunning scenery, historical landmarks, and rich cultural heritage. With expert local guides, you will delve deep into Chinese history, culture, and nature during this unforgettable getaway.

Embark on an enriching 2-day journey from Shanghai to Suzhou and Hangzhou, two of China’s most culturally and historically significant cities. This private guided tour will immerse you in the charm of ancient gardens, serene lakes, intricate temples, and vibrant streets, providing a deeper understanding of China’s artistic heritage and natural beauty. With fast and comfortable bullet train travel between destinations, you’ll experience the best of both cities without the hassle of long travel times. Your expert guide will lead you through each site, offering detailed insights and ensuring a seamless and memorable experience.

Tour Highlights

Suzhou Highlights:

Lingering Garden (Liuyuan Garden)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this garden is one of the finest examples of classical Chinese garden design. Featuring elegant pavilions, rockeries, flowing waters, and meticulously arranged plants, the garden embodies the harmony between human creation and nature. Your guide will walk you through the garden’s intricate pathways, explaining the historical significance and the symbolism behind its design elements.

Master of the Nets Garden (Wangshi Yuan)

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, this small but exquisite garden is renowned for its perfect balance between architecture and nature. Originally a private retreat for a scholar, the garden reflects traditional Chinese values of tranquility and scholarly life. With its flowing streams, bonsai trees, and classical architecture, it offers a serene environment to relax and reflect.

Suzhou No.1 Silk Mill

Suzhou has been a center for silk production for centuries, and at the Silk Mill, you’ll witness the ancient process of silk-making, from silkworms to finished fabrics. You’ll also have the opportunity to purchase authentic, high-quality silk products, a perfect souvenir from your trip.

Pingjiang Historic Street

A stroll through Pingjiang Historic Street provides a glimpse into Suzhou’s traditional lifestyle. Lined with ancient buildings, teahouses, and shops selling local crafts, this street reflects the city’s rich cultural heritage and its reputation for classical elegance.

Hanshan Temple

Located by the canal, this Buddhist temple is known for its ancient bell, which is said to have inspired a famous Chinese poem. The peaceful setting and the ancient architecture make it a must-visit for history buffs and spiritual travelers.

Hangzhou Highlights:

West Lake

West Lake is undoubtedly Hangzhou’s most iconic landmark, offering breathtaking views, traditional pagodas, lush greenery, and tranquil waters. It’s a place of great historical and cultural significance. You’ll experience it from a boat, floating past its scenic islands, bridges, and temples. Each corner of West Lake offers a unique charm, and your guide will help you appreciate the legends and history tied to this famous lake.

Lingyin Temple

One of China’s largest and most renowned Buddhist temples, Lingyin Temple is a sacred site nestled in the lush forests around West Lake. With its towering Buddhist statues, ancient halls, and peaceful atmosphere, this temple is a serene escape from the bustling city life. It’s also home to beautiful carvings and inscriptions that reflect the rich Buddhist heritage of the region.

Meijiawu Tea Plantation

Visit the famous Meijiawu Tea Plantation and learn about Hangzhou’s legendary tea culture. Here, you can see the traditional methods of tea cultivation and processing, as well as taste some of the finest Longjing Tea (Dragon Well Tea), one of China’s most famous varieties. The scenic tea fields, framed by rolling hills, provide a perfect setting for a peaceful break.

Bamboo Lined Path at Yungi

The Bamboo Lined Path at Yungi is one of Hangzhou’s most picturesque spots, offering a peaceful retreat into nature. The path is surrounded by towering bamboo groves that sway gently in the breeze. It’s the perfect place for a contemplative walk or a quiet moment of reflection in nature.

Hefang Street

This ancient shopping street is the heart of Hangzhou’s historical and cultural legacy. Featuring traditional Chinese architecture, it is lined with shops offering local goods such as Hangzhou silk, herbal medicine, and traditional snacks. Hefang Street also features a wide range of teahouses and restaurants where you can sample local Hangzhou delicacies.

Guo Garden

A hidden gem, Guo Garden is one of the most beautiful and serene classical Chinese gardens in Hangzhou. The garden’s delicate features include koi-filled ponds, graceful pavilions, and intricate walkways, all designed to create an atmosphere of peace and beauty. Its layout is a beautiful representation of traditional Chinese landscaping artistry.

Qianjiang CBD

Explore Hangzhou’s modern face with a visit to the Qianjiang CBD (Central Business District). This area showcases the rapid development of Hangzhou as a global economic and tech hub, with stunning skyscrapers and innovative architecture. It’s an intriguing juxtaposition to the traditional beauty of West Lake, showing how Hangzhou balances its rich cultural history with modern growth.

Additional Highlights:

Bullet Train Ride:

Travel between Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou in comfort and speed aboard China’s famous bullet trains. This high-speed train experience ensures that you spend less time on the road and more time exploring the wonders of Suzhou and Hangzhou.

Expert Local Guide:

The tour is led by an experienced guide who is fluent in English and knowledgeable about the region’s history, culture, and landmarks. They’ll share fascinating stories, provide historical context, and ensure you have an immersive experience.

Tailored Experience:

This is a private tour, so you can customize it to suit your interests. Whether you want more time in the gardens, additional cultural stops, or simply more time to relax, the tour can be adapted to your preferences.

Day By Day Itinerary

Day 1: Shanghai to Suzhou

Embark on a mesmerizing journey from Shanghai to Suzhou, led by a local expert guide. Your adventure begins with a seamless pick-up service at your hotel, where you will be greeted by a guide holding a “Your Way Holiday” sign.

Liuyuan Garden

Your first stop will be Liuyuan Garden, a masterpiece of classical Chinese garden design and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built during the Ming Dynasty, this garden is a prime example of Suzhou’s cultural legacy, with landscapes designed to represent harmony between man and nature. Stroll through winding paths, over delicate bridges, and past ponds filled with koi fish, all surrounded by lush greenery and intricate pavilions. Liuyuan Garden is famous for its architectural beauty, with elements symbolizing elements of traditional Chinese philosophy, such as balance, tranquility, and nature’s cycles. During the guided tour, your guide will delve into the garden’s rich history and the symbolism behind its features, giving you a deeper understanding of its significance.

Master of the Nets Garden

Next, visit the Master of the Nets Garden (Wangshi Yuan), another UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fine example of a traditional Chinese scholar’s garden. This garden is smaller but is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful of its kind due to its exquisite design. Featuring a variety of pavilions, walkways, and ponds, the garden blends the beauty of nature with elements of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. It was once home to a retired government official and a scholar, and its design reflects the quiet, contemplative life of a scholar. Your guide will explain the philosophical principles that influenced the design of this space and how it connects to the intellectual culture of ancient China.

Lunch in Suzhou

As noon approaches, treat your palate to a culinary feast with some of Suzhou’s famous local delicacies. Choose from Suzhou-style noodles, a comforting dish with a savory broth and delicate noodles, or try Biluo Shrimp, a local seafood delicacy often prepared with garlic and delicate sauces. The food is known for its balance of sweet and savory flavors. After your meal, your guide will take you to the next part of the tour.

Suzhou Silk Museum

After lunch, head to the Suzhou Silk Museum to learn about the city’s rich history of silk production. Suzhou has been a silk-making hub for over 2,000 years, and the museum offers an in-depth look at the fascinating process of creating silk. Through interactive exhibits and live demonstrations, you’ll see the traditional methods of sericulture (silk farming) and weaving that have been passed down through generations. Your guide will explain the intricate techniques involved and offer insight into how silk was historically one of China’s most valuable commodities. The museum also explores the impact of silk on Suzhou’s economy and culture, making it an educational and enriching experience.

Stay in Suzhou

Day 2: Suzhou-Hangzhou (Or to Shanghai)

Take the speed train to Hangzhou.
Prepare for a day of enchantment as you journey from Shanghai to Hangzhou, guided by an experienced local expert. Upon pick-up from your hotel, your guide will take you on a journey to explore one of China’s most celebrated cities.

West Lake

Start your second day with a visit to West Lake, Hangzhou’s iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site. West Lake is famous for its breathtaking beauty, especially the picturesque scenery that has inspired poets, artists, and philosophers for centuries. Begin your day with a boat ride on the lake, gliding across its serene waters. As you cruise, you’ll be surrounded by lush hills, traditional pagodas, and ancient gardens. The lake is dotted with several small islands, each offering its own unique charm and history. Your guide will point out famous sites along the shore, such as the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, a charming island with historic pagodas, and Broken Bridge, which is known for its romantic symbolism in Chinese poetry.

Lingyin Temple

After your boat ride, venture into the peaceful surroundings of Lingyin Temple, one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in China. Nestled in the foothills of the West Lake area, the temple is an oasis of tranquility, surrounded by ancient trees and towering Buddhist statues. The temple complex includes multiple halls, each housing relics and sculptures, including a giant stone statue of the Buddha. Your guide will share insights into the temple’s religious significance and Buddhist traditions, while also explaining the history of the temple and its role in Chinese spiritual life.

Lunch in Hangzhou

For lunch, you’ll enjoy a taste of Hangzhou’s culinary delights. West Lake Fish in Sweet and Sour Sauce is a local specialty, a dish that combines the delicate flavor of fish with the boldness of sweet and sour sauce. Another popular dish is Dongpo Pork, a succulent, braised pork belly that is tender and rich in flavor. Your guide will ensure that the lunch is customized to your tastes, showcasing Hangzhou’s regional flavors.

Hefang Street

In the afternoon, explore the bustling Hefang Street, a historic shopping street that dates back to the Tang Dynasty. The street is lined with shops selling traditional Chinese medicine, tea, herbs, and local handicrafts, such as Hangzhou silk and embroidered items. Stroll through the narrow lanes and alleys, enjoy the atmosphere, and perhaps even try your hand at traditional Chinese calligraphy, with the help of local artisans. The street is also home to charming teahouses where you can sample local tea blends. Your guide will give you recommendations on what to buy and help you navigate the street for an authentic experience.
Stay in Hangzhou

Optional tour to Return to Shanghai

As the sun sets on Hangzhou, your guide will ensure a smooth return to Shanghai, concluding a memorable journey through Hangzhou’s cultural landmarks, natural beauty, and culinary delights. After this enriching experience, you’ll be returned to your hotel in Shanghai, where your tour will come to a close.

Service Included:

• Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
• Meals as listed in the itinerary;
• Hotels as listed in the itinerary;
• Private English-speaking tour guide;
• Private vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver;
• Service charge & government taxes;
• Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;
• Domestic train tickets of soft sleeper.

Service Excluded:

• Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
• Single room supplement;
• Tips to guides and drivers;
• Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
• Personal travel accident insurance;
• All optional programs.