7-Day Shanghai, Wangxian Valley and Huangshan Tour with Zhujiajiao & Hongcun
Tour Overview
If you want to experience several different sides of China in one week, this 7-day tour combines Shanghai, a traditional water town, Wangxian Valley, Huangshan, and Hongcun.
Start in Shanghai with the Bund, old streets, classic local flavors, and a traditional boat ride in Zhujiajiao Water Town.
Take a high-speed train to Shangrao and continue to Wangxian Valley. Stay overnight so you can explore the valley at a relaxed pace and watch the cliffside buildings light up after dark.
Head to Mount Huangshan and Hongcun Village. Take the cable car up Huangshan and stay at the mountaintop for one night to watch the sunset. Weather permitting, catch the sunrise the next morning. After descending, take a leisurely walk around South Lake, Moon Pond, and the ancient alleys of Hongcun.
Travel destinations: Shanghai, Wangxian Valley, Huangshan
Suitable for: First-time visitors to China, nature lovers, photographers
Tour type: Private
Tour at a Glance
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Day
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Destination
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What to See and Do
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1 – 3
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Shanghai
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Yu Garden, Old streets & local snacks, Former French Concession, Nanjing Road, The Bund, Huangpu River night cruise, Zhujiajiao Water Town, Traditional boat ride
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4
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Wangxian Valley
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High-speed train to Shangrao, Wangxian Valley, Scenic trails, Streams & waterfalls, Lanyue Bridge, Valley night views
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5 – 7
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Huangshan & Hongcun
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Yungu Cable Car, Beihai Scenic Area, Mountaintop sunset, Huangshan sunrise, Shixin Peak, South Lake, Moon Pond, Hongcun ancient lanes; Huizhou architecture
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Highlights of This Tour
Discover Shanghai’s contrasts through sights and local flavors:
Admire the historic Bund and modern skyline; try classic Shanghai dishes such as scallion oil noodles and pork rib with rice cakes.
Drift through Zhujiajiao Water Town by boat at a relaxed pace:
Leave the busy city center and wander through the old streets, stone bridges and waterside houses for a closer look at everyday Jiangnan life.
Stay overnight in Wangxian Valley rather than just seeing the night views:
Watch the cliffside buildings light up after dark and also enjoy a quieter atmosphere the next morning.
Spend a night on the mountaintop of Huangshan instead of a hasty day trip:
Ride the cable car up the mountain, watch the sunset, and catch the sunrise and sea of clouds, weather permitting.
Slow down in Hongcun Village among Huizhou-style architecture:
Walk around South Lake and Moon Pond, explore the ancient lanes, and enjoy free time for photos or a relaxing cup of tea.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Shanghai Arrival
Welcome to Shanghai! Upon arrival, your guide and driver will meet you at the airport or railway station and take you to your hotel. Use the rest of the day to recover from your journey and prepare for the Shanghai and Huangshan tour.
Optional Night Activity: If you arrive early, attend a Shanghai acrobatic show in the evening, featuring breathtaking aerial acts, acrobatics, and stage effects.
- Day 2: Shanghai City HighlightsExplore Its Contrasting City Scenes and Savor Shanghai’s Local Flavors
After breakfast, leave the old town area and head to Yu Garden, a private garden with a history of over 400 years. Wander through its winding paths, courtyards and waterside landscapes. Then, stroll along the surrounding old streets to purchase Shanghai-style souvenirs and try local snacks.
Shanghai Yu Garden, a classical Chinese garden with ponds, pavilions and corridors For lunch, try classic city flavors, such as scallion oil noodles and pork rib with rice cakes.
Move to the Former French Concession. Enjoy a relaxing city walk along the tree-lined avenues, passing old houses, shops and cafe.
Walk along one of Shanghai’s busiest shopping streets, Nanjing Road, to discover both time-honored stores and fashion shops. Continue on foot to the Bund. Admire the historical buildings along the Huangpu River and the Lujiazui skyline on the opposite bank.
Bund International Architecture Exhibition at night At dusk, watch the city lights come on, with the Oriental Pearl Tower visible against the skyline.
Optional Night Activity: Take a night cruise on the Huangpu River to see the lit historic buildings of the Bund and the skyscrapers of Lujiazui from the water.
- Day 3: Shanghai Side Trip to Zhujiajiao Water TownSlow Down with a Scenic Boat Ride Through a Water Town
Take a private vehicle for about 1–1.5 hours to the outskirts of Shanghai for a relaxed tour of Zhujiajiao Water Town.
There's no need to rush between attractions. Just take your time to walk along the river and the old streets, past stone bridges, traditional residences and waterside shops. Fangsheng Bridge, Kezhi Garden and North Street are worth visiting.
Then take a traditional boat ride along the river. As the boat moves through the canals and under bridges, you can get a different perspective of the old houses and everyday life on both banks.
Enjoy a boat ride along waterways in Zhujiajiao Water Town Return to your Shanghai hotel in the afternoon. Sleep early tonight to prepare for tomorrow's high-speed train to Shangrao.
- Day 4: Shanghai to Shangrao by High-Speed TrainAppreciate the Night View at Wangxian Valley
This morning, your driver will take you to the railway station for the 3-hour high-speed train to Shangrao. Upon arrival, your local guide and driver will meet you at the exit and drive you to Wangxian Valley in about 1 hour.
Walk through the valley at a relaxed pace. Follow the scenic trails to take in streams, waterfalls, cliffs and buildings built along the mountains. Feel free to stop at different spots for photos.
Admire the cliffside paths and buildings of Wangxian Valley during the day The most striking moment is at dusk. As the sky gradually darkens, the warm golden lights and red lanterns in the valley turn on, and the cliffs and buildings look different from daytime. Walk to Lanyue Bridge for the best views and then continue strolling through the valley.
Stay overnight in Wangxian Valley, so you do not need to travel back after the tour and can stay until the valley becomes quieter. If time permits the next morning, walk around and discover a different side of Wangxian Valley, when it may be shrouded in thin mist.
- Day 5: Wangxian Valley to Huangshan by Private VehicleWander Around the Mountaintop and Watch the Sunset
Leave Wangxian Valley and drive about 3 hours to Huangshan Mountain Scenic Area.
For a more relaxed pace, today’s itinerary includes fewer stops. After entering the scenic area, take the sightseeing bus to the cable car station and ride the Yungu Cable Car up the mountain, leaving more energy for walking.
Take a walk in the Beihai Scenic Area along the mountain path and see the peaks, pine trees, and valleys up close.
A couple went hiking in Huangshan Then, head to your mountaintop hotel for a rest. If you arrive early and the weather permits, go to a nearby viewing spot at dusk to watch the sunset.
Travel Tip: Sunset and cloud seas depend on weather conditions, so consider them a pleasant surprise rather than something guaranteed.
Stay overnight on Mount Huangshan instead of returning on the same day. This way, you can avoid the rush of descending the mountain and enjoy both the night view and refreshing mountain scenery at dawn.
- Day 6: Huangshan to Hongcun by Private VehicleSee Huangshan Sunrise and Walk Through Hongcun's Village Lanes
If weather permits, wake up early and head to a viewpoint to watch the sunrise over Huangshan.
After breakfast, continue your visit on the mountain. Depending on trail openings and your fitness level, choose a route among Shixin Peak, Beihai Scenic Area and the surrounding mountain paths.
Huangshan is not a place to measure by how many viewpoints you have checked off. Take time to stop along the way and see the mountains and valleys from different angles. If there are clouds and fog, the mountain scenery may keep changing with the weather. Then take the cable car down and head to Hongcun Village.
Start your exploration with a walk around South Lake. Follow the waterways past the white-walled Huizhou-style houses with dark tiles. Continue to the crescent-shaped Moon Pond to capture the reflections of the surrounding buildings and bridges. Walk through the ancient alleys to see the well-preserved old architecture.
Have some free time to walk around at your own pace. You can take more photos or have a cup of tea in a cafe to relax.
Return to your hotel and take a rest.
Take reflections of surrounding residences at the Moon Pond of Hongcun - Day 7: Huangshan Departure
Depending on the departure time of your flight or high-speed train, your guide and driver will take you to the airport or railway station. Your 7-day Shanghai to Huangshan tour with Wangxian Valley ends here. Wish you a pleasant journey home.
Tour Price Per Person
The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel. Please contact us for a specific price.
Accommodation For This 7-Day Shanghai Wangxian Valley and Huangshan Tour
For your China private tour, the choice is in your hands: you can select luxury 5-star hotels for unparalleled comfort, cozy 4-star accommodations, or value-for-money 3-star options.
All our partner hotels are handpicked for their prime locations, conveniently situated near bustling commercial areas. Every room is equipped with standard amenities like air conditioning, hot water, 24-hour showers, reliable Wi-Fi, and windows for natural light.
In some hotels, there are English-speaking staff who are committed to providing attentive service. Should you have any special requests, feel free to ask - they are always ready to assist.
