9-Day China Tour to Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou & Huangshan

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shanghai Arrival

   The 9-day tour of China will take you from Shanghai to Huangshan Mountain. Meet your tour guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free to explore the international metropolis at your leisure.

   Optional Activities：

   Try to experience the Shanghai Maglev Train, with a top speed of 431 kilometers per hour, known as the “flying train on land.” It covers 30 kilometers in just 8 minutes. We recommend boarding at Longyang Road Station and sitting on the right side to enjoy the view of the Pudong skyline.

   Watch the ERA Acrobatics Show where you can see aerial acrobats, water curtain light shows, contortionists, and Chinese kung fu—it’s hailed as “the pinnacle of Chinese acrobatics.”

   

   Maglev Train Between Urban Green Belts and Buildings

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   4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
2. Day 2: Shanghai Highlights
   Experience the Past and Present of the Magic City

   Begin your visit to the Shanghai Museum. It holds more than 120000 valuable cultural artifacts. Glimpse the development of Chinese civilization through time, from Shang and Zhou bronze ware to Ming and Qing calligraphy and painting.

   Go to Yuyuan Garden, which represents a classical Jiangnan garden in Shanghai. Walk over the Nine-Bend Bridge and see the koi fish swimming in the reflection of the pavilion. Listen to the story about its former owner.

   See Shanghai's history spanning from 1849 to 1943 at the former French Concession.

   Want to take in a panoramic view of the "Magic City"? Your guide will take you to the observation deck on the 88th floor of the Jin Mao Tower. From a height of 340 meters, through transparent glass curtain walls, get a breathtaking view of the Huangpu River, the Bund's architectural ensemble, the Oriental Pearl Tower, and the "three iconic landmarks" of Lujiazui.

   

   Take a stroll along Nanjing Road from west to east. Along the way, coming across many toy flagship stores, like Pop Mart, Sanrio, and Lego. Visit some long-established shops to try traditional Shanghai snacks, with the fried buns at Luochunge and First Food Store’s butterfly pastries especially recommended.

   

   Continue walking to the Bund after sunset to see different buildings and experience the stunning night view of the Huangpu River.

   Optional Activity:

   Take a night cruise on the Huangpu River. With the banks aglow and the skyscrapers reflected in the shimmering water, the river offers a dynamic panorama of the city’s nightscape.

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   4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
3. Day 3: Shanghai to Suzhou by High Speed Train
   Learn the history of gardens and explore traditional silk culture

   Your driver will escort you to catch the bullet train to Suzhou. Upon arrival, meet your private Suzhou tour guide at the exit.

   Your trip to Suzhou starts with Lingering Garden, famous for its exquisite garden design, Taihu stones, and the seasonal scenery showcased through its window lattices. The 6.5-meter-high 'Cloud Viewing Peak' is celebrated as a gem of Taihu stones in Jiangnan gardens and is a must-visit spot.

   Shantang Old Street was a major commercial center during its peak time when lasted for more than 1100 years. The area still retains its prosperous atmosphere while displaying the traditional lifestyle of local people.

   

   Go to Tiger Hill Scenic Area, which has existed for more than twenty-five centuries. Huqiu began as a submerged bay island before eventually emerging as a hill that stands apart from the surrounding flat terrain. The Yunyan Pagoda, reaching 48.2 meters in height, is the Chinese version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

   Visit the first modern silk factory in China, which opened its doors in 1926 - Suzhou's No.1 Silk Factory. The facility presents all steps needed to produce silk, from boiling silkworm cocoons to traditional loom weaving. Learn why Suzhou silk was once offered to Chinese emperors as a royal gift from the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

   

   After that, the guide will take you to a local hotel for check-in.

   Optional Activity:

   If time permits, you might step into an old teahouse by the water to enjoy an authentic Suzhou Pingtan performance. Experience the charm of the melodious local dialect accompanied by the pipa music.

   High Speed Train, Vehicle

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   4-Star Hotel in Suzhou
4. Day 4: Suzhou to Hangzhou by Bullet Train
   Feel the charm of China’s No. 1 Water Town

   Take the high-speed rail to Hangzhou, where your Suzhou tour guide will assist you with hotel check-in.

   At the Suzhou Museum, you will admire the traditional Suzhou architectural styles, with the building nestled among courtyards to blend harmoniously with its surroundings. It features 4 main exhibition halls where you can learn about Suzhou's folk customs — spanning over 2,500 years of history — through displays of furniture, porcelain, jade artifacts, decorative items, and folk artifacts.

   

   Spend a leisurely afternoon in Zhouzhuang Town. Hailed as "China's Number One Water Town," it features a grid-like network of canals, whitewashed walls with black-tiled roofs, and ancient bridges that bring to life the famous Chinese verse: "Small bridges, flowing water, and homes."

   

   The Twin Bridges—an arched bridge and a beam bridge, one square and one round like ancient keys—are the symbol of the water town. Besides, visit the residence of the descendants of Shen Wansan, who was once the wealthiest man in Jiangnan.

   After that, board a high-speed train to Hangzhou.

   Optional Activity:

   Take a traditional wooden rowboat through the water alleys to listen to Wu songs.

   Travel Tip:

   Most of the paths in the ancient town are paved with flagstones and steps, which is not stroller-friendly and sometimes can be very slippery. It is recommended to wear non-slip shoes.

   High Speed Train, Vehicle

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   4-Star Hotel in Hangzhou
5. Day 5: Hangzhou's Scenery
   Explore West Lake with its surroundings and enjoy the tea culture

   Meet your guide and travel to West Lake, one of Jiangnan's three main lakes appearing on the reverse side of the RMB 1 banknote. The scenic area contains more than 100 park attractions featuring Su Causeway in spring, Lotus Pool in summer, Moon over the Peaceful Lake in autumn, and Broken Bridge in winter as its most popular locations. Your guide will show you the best places to take pictures while she/he shares with you the romantic legends associated with this location.

   

   Visit the "Most Spiritual Marriage Temple in Jiangnan" - Faxi Temple. Gaze down at the layers of bright yellow walls and eaves, worship the white clothed Guanyin, and taste the vegetarian food.

   Learn about the production of Longjing tea while sipping a cup of the tea and appreciating the layered tea gardens at Meijiawu Tea Village.

   

   End today at the China National Tea Museum to gain a deep insight into Chinese tea traditions.

   After the whole day’s visit, return to your hotel.

   Optional Activity:

   Take a boat ride across West Lake; as you glide gently across the water, the shimmering waves make you feel as if you’ve stepped into a moving ink painting.

   Want to experience China’s popular wellness culture? Your guide can take you to a century-old traditional Chinese medicine shop to try an AI facial diagnosis, roll your own mugwort into a moxa stick, and lie down on a smart device to feel a robot perform precise moxibustion using the stick you made.

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   4-Star Hotel in Hangzhou
6. Day 6: Hangzhou to Huangshan by Bullet Train
   Stroll around an Ancient Block in Downtown

   Take a bullet train to Huangshan, the last destination of this East China Tour. After meeting your private Huangshan guide, you will be led to a local restaurant to have a hearty lunch.

   Stroll around traditional Hui-style buildings from the Southern Song, Ming, and Qing Dynasties in Tunxi Ancient Street.

   

   After checking into a hotel, the rest of the day is for your own arrangement.

   Tips: It is recommended that you prepare something for the coming Mt. Huangshan hiking tour, like snacks, hiking poles, comfortable shoes, and a jacket. Since the weather is changeable, packing a raincoat is also necessary.

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   4-Star Hotel in Huangshan
7. Day 7: Mt. Huangshan Hiking
   Being in the Midst of a Huge "Landscape Painting"

   Mount Huangshan is one of the greatest mountains in China, boasting strange pines, queer rocks, and a sea of clouds. It's time to begin your wonderful Huangshan hiking tour!

   It takes about 1 hour to drive from the city center to Mount Huangshan. Then, take a shuttle bus to White-Goose Ridge, where you will board a cable car up to Baiyun Peak. The trail first leads to Believe Peak — a great spot to watch the sunrise — and then to Black Tiger Pine, one of the Ten Famous Pines of Huangshan, estimated to be about 700 years old; and finally to the magnificent views of North Sea, Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion, and West Sea Valley.

   The entire hike will take about 3 hours. If you're in good physical condition, continue to the Sky Sea Scenic Area after this part of the exploration. There, see stunning views of Bright Summit (Huangshan’s second-highest peak) and Flying-over Rock (12 meters high and weighing about 360 metric tons.)

   

   Spend the night at a mountain hotel to watch the sunrise the following day.

   Important Notes:

   Please wear comfortable shoes, as there are many stone steps.

   The West Sea Grand Canyon is closed from December through March due to heavy snow.

   Temperatures at the summit vary greatly; even in summer, it is recommended that you bring a windbreaker.

   Free hot water is available at several rest areas on the mountain; you may bring your own water cup.

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   4-Star Hotel in Huangshan
8. Day 8: Huangshan Mountain Exploration
   Enjoy Breathtaking Sunrise and Strange Peaks

   Leave the hotel to witness the incredible sunrise. Your guide will lead you to a vantage point to catch the thrilling moment.

   Walk back to the hotel for breakfast. Then take a hike to explore the Lion Peak, which looks exactly like a crouching lion, the Dawn Pavilion, and an interesting rock called "Stone Monkey Watching Sea".

   Go down the mountain by cable car, and the Huangshan hiking tour will come to an end.

   

   Optional Activity:

   Visit the ink making, gold drawing, and inkstone making workshops at Hu Kaiwen Ink Factory. The air is filled with the unique scent of pine smoke and gum. Experience the core craftsmanship of Huizhou ink production. Under the guidance of the master, use a wooden hammer to hammer the mixed ink and repeatedly knead it to make its texture uniform. Then press the ink into the mold and compact it into shape to make your own ink stick.

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   4-Star Hotel in Huangshan
9. Day 9: Huangshan Departure
   Relaxing Tour in Ancient Villages with Traditional Residences

   Today, mainly explore the traditional village life of Huangshan. First, head to Hongcun Village, with a history of 800 years. From above, the whole village looks like a cow lying across a mountain stream. The ancient buildings show the Huizhou architectural style, characterized by white walls, black tiles, and upturned eaves.

   

   Hongcun’s historic site currently preserves more than 140 residential buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Among the sites you will visit are Yuezhao Pond, South Lake, Nanxi Academy, and Chengzhi Hall.

   Move on to Xidi Ancient Village, renowned as a “treasure trove of ancient dwellings”, to admire the traditional residences and understand their lifestyle.

   Finally, you will be transferred to the train station or airport to depart. This concludes your 9-day private tour of China.

   Optional Activity:

   Try making a unique fish lantern under the guidance of the intangible cultural heritage master in Hongcun.

   Travel Note:

   We recommend booking a flight departing after 6:30 PM, so it won't affect your onward travel plans.

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