3 Days Private Shanghai, Suzhou and Water Town Tour
Code: SH05
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Tour Overview
In China’s most dynamic city, Shanghai, soak up the modern, futuristic atmosphere under the Lujiazui skyscrapers during a Huangpu River cruise. Trace the city’s complex colonial past along the Bund and the old residential quarter, and then discover its traditional soul in the Yu Garden and the bazaar. Want to venture out of the metropolis and seek spirituality? Whisk away on a day trip to Suzhou, to explore the most representative garden and the 1,700-year-old Tongli Water Town. See how the traditional alleyways burst with new life. ... Read more
Trip Highlights
- Personalized private tour tailored to your own schedule and interests.
- English-speaking private guide, air-conditioned private car with experienced driver.
- Stroll along the 52 grand European buildings of the Bund to learn about Shanghai’s colonial past.
- Cruise on the Huangpu River to marvel at Shanghai’s modern twists and iconic Pudong skyline.
- Discover the pinnacle of Chinese aesthetics at Yu Garden and the Humble Administrator's Garden.
- Immerse yourself in the idyllic, slow-paced charm of Tongli Water Town.
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Day 1 Arrival in Shanghai, Visit Shanghai Tower, the Bund, and take a Huangpu River Cruise
This morning, your private guide and the driver will warmly greet you at the airport, train station, or your hotel in Shanghai, and your 3 days Shanghai Suzhou tour will kick off!
Few visitors can resist overlooking the stunning Shanghai panoramas from high. Let’s first visit the Duoyun Bookstore, one of the world’s highest bookstores, located on the 52nd floor of China’s tallest building, the Shanghai Tower. Sip one cup of drink for free while from the south deck enjoying the Huangpu River below winding through the city. From the north deck, observe the neighboring three iconic megatall skyscrapers: Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and Shanghai World Financial Center.
After that, we’ll cross the river to the city’s famous calling card, the Bund. The 1.5-kilometer-long (0.9-mi) riverfront area had been the concession of Western countries for about 100 years since the mid-19th century, leaving a group of historical buildings, known as the "World Architecture Exhibition". Stroll along the Bund, and you may notice that most of the buildings are banks, like the HSBC Building, blending Neoclassical and Baroque architectural elements. As the city became a financial center in the early 20th century, a surge of bank buildings in various architectural styles rose in competition, reflecting the economic influence of foreign countries in Shanghai during that era. Looking towards the east bank, the jaw-dropping skyscrapers pierce the sky, representing the city’s meteoric growth since the 1990s. Here, board our specially arranged one-hour Huangpu River cruise to fully enjoy the sweeping views of the shorelines. During the voyage, you’ll also encounter various bridges, including the harp-like Yangpu Bridge, the elegant Nanpu Bridge, and the historic Waibaidu Bridge, China’s earliest all-steel structure. After the cruise, your guide and the driver will escort you to check into your hotel.
► After-hours Suggestion: (at your own expense)
If you’d like more time at the Bund to enjoy the gorgeous night views, you can finally take a taxi to your hotel independently in 10-20 minutes. Browse NASA's nighttime lights imagery, and you’ll surprisingly find that the Yangtze River Delta urban cluster of Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou is one of the most densely lit areas in the world, while the Bund's historic buildings and Pudong's skyscrapers are undoubtedly the most dazzling core. They are typically lit up between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., depending on the season. Stroll along the riverbank or reserve a table at an upscale rooftop bar to indulge in the Bund’s unparalleled night views. For a more authentic local vibe, consider hanging out at lively bars along Julu Road and Changle Road.
Accommodation: Ocean Hotel Shanghai - Business Room (4 stars) or Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel (5 stars)
Few visitors can resist overlooking the stunning Shanghai panoramas from high. Let’s first visit the Duoyun Bookstore, one of the world’s highest bookstores, located on the 52nd floor of China’s tallest building, the Shanghai Tower. Sip one cup of drink for free while from the south deck enjoying the Huangpu River below winding through the city. From the north deck, observe the neighboring three iconic megatall skyscrapers: Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and Shanghai World Financial Center.
After that, we’ll cross the river to the city’s famous calling card, the Bund. The 1.5-kilometer-long (0.9-mi) riverfront area had been the concession of Western countries for about 100 years since the mid-19th century, leaving a group of historical buildings, known as the "World Architecture Exhibition". Stroll along the Bund, and you may notice that most of the buildings are banks, like the HSBC Building, blending Neoclassical and Baroque architectural elements. As the city became a financial center in the early 20th century, a surge of bank buildings in various architectural styles rose in competition, reflecting the economic influence of foreign countries in Shanghai during that era. Looking towards the east bank, the jaw-dropping skyscrapers pierce the sky, representing the city’s meteoric growth since the 1990s. Here, board our specially arranged one-hour Huangpu River cruise to fully enjoy the sweeping views of the shorelines. During the voyage, you’ll also encounter various bridges, including the harp-like Yangpu Bridge, the elegant Nanpu Bridge, and the historic Waibaidu Bridge, China’s earliest all-steel structure. After the cruise, your guide and the driver will escort you to check into your hotel.
► After-hours Suggestion: (at your own expense)
If you’d like more time at the Bund to enjoy the gorgeous night views, you can finally take a taxi to your hotel independently in 10-20 minutes. Browse NASA's nighttime lights imagery, and you’ll surprisingly find that the Yangtze River Delta urban cluster of Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou is one of the most densely lit areas in the world, while the Bund's historic buildings and Pudong's skyscrapers are undoubtedly the most dazzling core. They are typically lit up between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., depending on the season. Stroll along the riverbank or reserve a table at an upscale rooftop bar to indulge in the Bund’s unparalleled night views. For a more authentic local vibe, consider hanging out at lively bars along Julu Road and Changle Road.
Accommodation: Ocean Hotel Shanghai - Business Room (4 stars) or Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel (5 stars)
Skyline to the East of Huangpu River
Historical Building Cluster on the Bund
Day 2 One day trip to Suzhou and Tongli Water Town from Shanghai
After breakfast, your guide and the driver will pick you up at your hotel lobby. Today, we’ll go beyond Shanghai and driver 1.5 hours to Suzhou.
Let's savor Suzhou’s leisurely atmosphere, starting from the famous Humble Administrator's Garden, a 500-year-old masterpiece that tops southern China, boasting a poetic rural charm with corridor-connected pavilions, clear ponds, as well as seasonal flowers and trees. A highlight of its design is the ingenious “borrowed scenery” technique, which cleverly frames a pagoda one kilometer away to the north, reflecting it on the garden’s vast expanse of water to make the distant pagoda appear as if it were part of the garden itself! After that, take a rickshaw ride through Suzhou Old Town. Pass through the maze-like alleys lined with white-walled, grey-tiled low buildings, and see the old town leap to life with local scenes: clothes are hung at doorways, products are displayed outside small shops, and the old cheongsam shops buzz with locals.
In the afternoon, we will drive around 40 minutes to the "Venice of the East", the thousand-year-old Tongli Water Town.
★ Unwind at Tongli Water Town with Full-on Southern Charm
National Geographic once described Tongli as “the most authentic water town south of the Yangtze River”. Here, traditional houses line ancient canals spanned by over 40 stone bridges. Wandering through the old cobbled alleys, you will see locals washing clothes and mops by the river, cooking outside their houses, and perhaps catch the sounds of the classic Suzhou Opera, a traditional Suzhou singing and storytelling performance.
At the end of the day, your guide and the driver will convoy you back to your hotel in Shanghai.
Meal: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Ocean Hotel Shanghai - Business Room (4 stars) or Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel (5 stars)
Let's savor Suzhou’s leisurely atmosphere, starting from the famous Humble Administrator's Garden, a 500-year-old masterpiece that tops southern China, boasting a poetic rural charm with corridor-connected pavilions, clear ponds, as well as seasonal flowers and trees. A highlight of its design is the ingenious “borrowed scenery” technique, which cleverly frames a pagoda one kilometer away to the north, reflecting it on the garden’s vast expanse of water to make the distant pagoda appear as if it were part of the garden itself! After that, take a rickshaw ride through Suzhou Old Town. Pass through the maze-like alleys lined with white-walled, grey-tiled low buildings, and see the old town leap to life with local scenes: clothes are hung at doorways, products are displayed outside small shops, and the old cheongsam shops buzz with locals.
Humble Administrator Garden, Suzhou
Tongli Water Town
★ Unwind at Tongli Water Town with Full-on Southern Charm
National Geographic once described Tongli as “the most authentic water town south of the Yangtze River”. Here, traditional houses line ancient canals spanned by over 40 stone bridges. Wandering through the old cobbled alleys, you will see locals washing clothes and mops by the river, cooking outside their houses, and perhaps catch the sounds of the classic Suzhou Opera, a traditional Suzhou singing and storytelling performance.
At the end of the day, your guide and the driver will convoy you back to your hotel in Shanghai.
Meal: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Ocean Hotel Shanghai - Business Room (4 stars) or Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel (5 stars)
Yu Garden, Shanghai
Our Guests Exploring Tianzifang Block
Day 3 Visit Shanghai Museum, Exhibition Hall, Yu Garden & Bazaar, Tianzifang Block; See-off
Yu Garden
Next, get an insight into Shanghai’s most representative classic Chinese garden, the 400-year-old Yu Garden, boasting a delicate layout with richly ornamented traditional buildings, strange rockeries, and perfectly manicured potted plants. The most eye-catching piece is the 3.3-meter-tall (10.8-foot) wrinkled and porous Exquisite Jade Rock, characterized by its unique “breathable” texture. It is said that when pouring water over the top, the water will drip from every hole, while smoke will rise from the holes when incense is burned below – truly mysterious! Just enjoy the peaceful escape by sitting under the lakeside pavilion supported by vermilion pillars, seeing bridges zigzagging over the lake, and watching the koi fish swimming in glittering pools. Finish the visit, and let’s dive into the adjacent bustling Yuyuan Bazaar, which delivers a sharp contrast with the elegant garden. Brimming with traditional architecture, the busy block offers chances to witness local crafts like paper cutting, rubbings, bamboo weaving, and seal carving. There's also a dazzling array of local snacks: pear syrup candy, butterfly pastries, White Rabbit milk candy, steamed buns, meat sticky rice dumplings, and water chestnut cakes, etc.
Wrap up your 3 days Shanghai tour itinerary with an exploration of Tianzifang Block. Once an old residential area with red-brick Stone Gate Townhouses, aka Shikumen, it has been reborn as a trendy artistic hotspot that everyone exclaims "amazing!" The crisscrossing nostalgic alleys are home to countless hidden gem shops, including vintage jewelry, original designs, and niche fragrances. From local Shanghai cuisine to Western food, from cafes to bars, Tianzifang also offers a culinary scene that’s worth exploring.
After that, your guide and the driver will escort you to your self-booked hotel, Shanghai airport, or train station. If you’d like to leave Shanghai today, it is recommended that you book a flight or train departing after 21:00. Wish you a nice trip!
Meal: Western buffet breakfast
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This trip can be customized to meet your individual needs!
Tour Prices 2026 & 2027
| With 4 Stars Hotels | |
|---|---|
| 2-3 travelers | 4-5 travelers |
USD589 | USD509 |
| With 5 Stars Hotels | |
|---|---|
| 2-3 travelers | 4-5 travelers |
USD659 | USD579 |
- Prices are per person on twin sharing.
- If you are a group of 6 people or more, we will offer a more favorable price by your group size.
Price Includes
- Private English-speaking guide
- Private driver & air-conditioned vehicle
- Hotel accommodation with western buffet breakfasts
- Entrance fees to tourist sites
Price Excludes
- Any train or air fare
- Lunches and dinners
- Entry visa fees
- Gratuities to guide and driver
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