6-Day Classic Shanghai, Suzhou and Xi’an Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shanghai Arrival

   Welcome to Shanghai! On arrival, your guide will greet you at the airport and take you to the hotel via private transfer. You can relax for the rest of the day, or explore the area near the hotel.

   Vehicle

   4-star hotel in Shanghai
2. Day 2: Shanghai Essence
   Shanghai's Modern Skyline and Historic Charms

   Your Shanghai tour starts at Lujiazui where you'll take a high-speed elevator to reach the 118th-floor observation deck of Shanghai Tower. Standing at 632 meters (2,073 feet), Shanghai Tower ranks as China's tallest building and the world'ss third-tallest skyscraper. From this high point, you can enjoy a 360-degree view over Pudong New Area, the Bund and the winding Huangpu River, taking in Shanghai's full skyline.

   

   Proceed to the Shanghai Museum East. You can gain insight into China from an artistic perspective here, rather than merely viewing artifacts. There is no need to cover every exhibition hall. You can focus on galleries featuring bronzes, ceramics, paintings, calligraphy and jade depending on your interests.

   After lunch, shift to a slower pace on Wukang Road. In contrast to the dense skyscrapers of Lujiazui, this street is dotted with tree-lined lanes, old villas and architecture from different eras. Stroll and uncover the everyday, laid-back side of Shanghai.

   Upon reaching the Huangpu River bank, admire the historic buildings and gaze across the river at the modern Lujiazui cityscape.

   

   Optional activity: Huangpu River Night Cruise

   Take an approximately 50-minute river cruise if you have no other plans for the evening. As daylight fades, lights on buildings along both riverbanks will switch on, offering a relaxed way to view Shanghai's night scenery from the water.

   Vehicle

   Breakfast, Lunch

   4-star hotel in Shanghai
3. Day 3: Shanghai to Suzhou
   China's Classical Gardens and Silk Culture

   Hop on a 1.5-2 hour drive to Suzhou after breakfast, and first visit Tiger Hill upon arrival. This is not an ordinary small hill but a historic zone that captures Suzhou's history. As you move slowly uphill, you will see ancient trees, stone carvings and historic remains, and then reach the Tiger Hill Pagoda, a tower with a slight lean.

   

   Descend the hill and head to the Suzhou Silk Museum. Once a major silk-producing region in China, Suzhou's silk-making journey unfolds here. You can trace the full creation process of silk, from silkworm rearing and silk reeling to weaving.

   Explore the Lingering Garden in the afternoon, part of the UNESCO Classical Gardens of Suzhou. The highlight lies not in a single building but in the experience of touring. As you pass through gateways, covered corridors and courtyards, you will find views shift continuously, and rockeries, ponds, lattice windows and buildings interact with one another.

   Slow your pace to appreciate the ingenious design of Chinese classical gardens, where scenery changes with every step.

   

   Conclude today's tour at Shantang Street. Stroll alongside the canal to see stone bridges, waterways and waterside houses. If you prefer a slower pace, you may choose a boat ride to view old Suzhou from the water.

   Return to Shanghai in the late afternoon after the visit. If you wish to have free time or enjoy the night views at Shantang Street, please inform your guide.

   Vehicle

   Breakfast, Lunch

   4-star hotel in Shanghai
4. Day 4: Shanghai to Xi'an by Flight
   Jiangnan Water Town Scenery and Peaceful Temple Atmosphere

   An hour drive takes you from downtown Shanghai to Zhujiajiao, which is Shanghai’s best-preserved Jiangnan water town. Wander along North Street once you enter the town. Traditional shops and waterside buildings line both sides of the street. You can catch glimpses of waterways and stone bridges from narrow alleys.

   Walk to Fangsheng Bridge to overlook canals, boats and waterside houses, a spot offering a direct viewpoint to understand the layout of this water town.

   Continue to Yuanjin Zen Temple, a quiet retreat where you can escape the crowds of commercial streets and view the ancient town from a fresh angle.

   If time permits, we recommend trying a traditional hand-operated boat. As you cruise through waterways and under stone bridges, waterside old houses slide past, revealing a water-town perspective unlike walking tours.

   After the sightseeing, take a 2.5-hour flight to Xi’an. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours at leisure.

   

   Flight, Vehicle

   Breakfast, Lunch

   4-star hotel in Xi'an
5. Day 5: Xi’an History Discovery
   The Grand Thousand-Year Underground Army & Tang-style Culture

   Freshen up in the morning and drive for 50 minutes to Lintong, where your Xi’an tour begins with the Terracotta Army. As you enter the museum, the grand underground military formation comes into view. Emperor Qinshihuang unified China and established the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC, and the Terracotta Army serves as a key part of his mausoleum.

   Thousands of clay warriors and horses stand arrayed in multiple pits, and each figurine has distinct facial features, hairstyles, garments and poses. You may also stop by the archaeological conservation area, gaining direct insight into the excavation, reassembly and restoration of these relics.

   

   Return to downtown Xi’an after lunch, and visit Ci’en Temple and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Closely associated with the monk Xuanzang, this site was a major Buddhist center of Chang’an during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD).

   As you wander through the temple grounds, you will discover cultural exchanges between Tang Chang’an and the ancient Silk Road through the architecture, pagoda and historical stories. If you want to walk up the pagoda, you may purchase the ticket on site.

   Optional evening activity: Take a stroll around Datang Everbright City and also try putting on Hanfu and watch the Tang-themed performances.

   

   Vehicle

   Breakfast, Lunch

   4-star hotel in Xi'an
6. Day 6: Departure from Xi’an
   The Ancient Capital’s Timeless Heritage

   Your last day in Xi’an starts at the serene Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Built in the Tang Dynasty, this thousand-year-old pagoda retains a sense of simplicity. As you wander between the pagoda and the garden, you can experience the tranquil side of the once-prosperous ancient capital.

   Xi’an Museum sits right nearby, a national first-class museum combining relic exhibition halls and ancient heritage sites. Trace daily life in ancient Chang’an through relics such as pottery figurines, porcelain and jade wares, which help you better grasp the city’s history and culture.

   

   Next, ascend the 600-year-old Xi’an City Wall and take a leisurely walk along the ramparts. Enjoy panoramic views: on one side lie the rooftops and lanes of the old town, while on the other rises the modern city skyline. If the weather allow, rent a bike to feel the openness of the wall; alternatively, you can walk slowly and admire the gate towers and urban scenery along the way.

   Muslim Quarter marks the final stop of your 6-day tour. The area is full of local life, with steaming food stalls, the aroma of grilled meat and bustling lanes. Explore freely and sample local delicacies to wrap up your Xi’an visit.

   Depending on your flight or train schedule, your driver will transfer you to the airport. Look forward to seeing you on your next trip!

   

   Vehicle

   Breakfast