6 Days East China Food Tour in Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shanghai Arrival

   HELLO! Welcome to China’s largest and most vibrant city. When you arrive in Shanghai, your private driver will pick you up at the train station, airport, or port, and then transfer you by a comfortable vehicle to your city center hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax. If you’d like to explore nearby, your travel consultant or tour guide can offer useful recommendations.

   In the evening, you can watch an optional exciting Acrobatic Show (around 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm). The performance covers thrilling stunts, hula hoop acts, chair balancing, and walking in the air.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Shanghai

2. Day 2: Shanghai City Exploration
   Discover Ancient Bronzes, Stroll Tranquil Pavilions, Admire Bund's Dazzling Riverfront Nightscape

   Once you have finished breakfast, your tour guide and driver will meet you at your hotel to start the day in Shanghai. Your first stop will be the Shanghai Museum, which is an interesting building that resembles a bronze ding (ancients cooking vessel) with a round top and square bottom which reflects China's old belief of “round Heaven and square Earth.” Inside, you can see around 120,000 cultural relics that reflect over 5,000 years of Chinese history. You’ll find finely crafted pieces in the Bronze Gallery, including two must-see treasures: the Da Ke Ding, a 3,000-year-old bronze food vessel, and the Bianzhong, a set of bronze bells once owned by the Marquis Su of Jin. Next, transport you to the Jinmao Tower, one of the tallest in Shanghai, standing 420.5 meters with 88 floors. At the top, you can walk out on the glass sky walk that overlooks the city and the Huangpu River.

   

   In the afternoon, you will visit Yuyuan Garden. First built in the Ming Dynasty over 450 years ago, it was originally created as a private retreat so the owner’s father could enjoy his later years. Inside the garden, you’ll find graceful pavilions, leafy trees, and peaceful ponds. Afterward, wander through the nearby Yuyuan Market, where you can try classic Shanghai specialties such as eight-treasure duck and crab roe Xiaolongbao.

   Next, take a stroll through Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. With a length of 1,528 meters, this street has a history of over 100 years, and has been rebuilt and modernized many times. Here, you can browse traditional department stores, as well as current fashion boutiques. It's a great stop for any shopping enthusiast. Afterward, continue to the Bund, often called the International Architecture Exhibition Group. This famous riverside area shows buildings in British, French, Italian, Spanish, and other styles. It’s also one of the best places to enjoy the sparkling night views of the Huangpu River. Optional: you can experience the Huangpu River Night Cruise. It passes through landmark buildings such as the World Financial Center, Jinmao Tower, Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, etc.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Shanghai

   

3. Day 3: Shanghai to Suzhou
   Wander Zhouzhuang's Ancient Canals, Admire Suzhou's Gardens, Savor Local Snacks Along Shantang Street

   After breakfast, drive for about 2 hours to Zhouzhuang Ancient Town. With a history of more than one thousand year, Zhouzhuang is often called the No. 1 Water Town in China. Here, you’ll find traditional homes, peaceful canals, and the local life along the Jiangnan region (Yangtze River’s southern region). In the ancient town are 14 old stone bridges built during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, as well as courtyards connected by winding waterways and riverside residences. This is the perfect picture of an ancient water town in eastern China. If you would like, you may take a boat ride, which is optional (at your own expense), through the canals which provide some classic views of bridges, water, and local homes, while the boatman sings classic songs.

   After that, continue driving to Suzhou, the Venice of the Orient. This city is famous for its classical gardens. You will be guided to visit Lingering Garden, one of China’s Four Greatest Gardens. It combines landscaped areas, shrines, and a family temple, using contrasts of size, shape, light, and height to create harmony. After that, walk along Shantang Street, a lively area known as “the miniature of old Suzhou.” Once an important trade and cultural hub during the Ming and Qing dynasties, it is now a great place to stroll or take a canal cruise. Besides, you can taste local snacks such as Wanshan Pork Trotters, Suzhou Soup Dumplings, Lotus Root with Sweet Sticky Rice, and Fried Glutinous Rice Cake. (If you wish to spend more time here or see the street lit up at night, let your guide know.) Last, drive you to a hotel in Suzhou.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Suzhou

   

4. Day 4: Suzhou to Hangzhou by High-speed Train
   Cruise the Poetic Waters, Savor Hangzhou's Iconic Cuisine & Snacks, Explore Lingyin's Buddhist Wonders

   After breakfast, you will take a high-speed train from Suzhou to Hangzhou. When you arrive, your guide and driver will meet you at the railway station.

   Start your Hangzhou visit at the West Lake, the most famous landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a leisurely boat ride for 50 minutes and you can see arched bridges, green islands, ancient pagodas, and lovely hills. After that, walk along the scenic Bai Causeway and Su Causeway, and visit some poetic spots like Fish Viewing at the Flower Pond, Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds, and Three Pools Mirroring the Moon.

   After that, enjoy a delicious lunch. The meal will be at Lou Wai Lou (楼外楼). Situated in the center of West Lake, Lou Wai Lou is the most recognized restaurant of Hangzhou cuisine. Do try their famous dishes, including West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy, Beggar's Chicken, Sister Song's Fish Potage, Dongpo Pork, and Fried Shrimps with Longjing Tea.

   

   After lunch, continue to Lingyin Temple, a famous buddist destination in China which is located around the foot of Feilai Peak. The temple group has a history of over1600 years. It features magnificent halls, including the Daxiong Hall (the Precious Hall of the Great Hero), which contains a 24.8-meter-tall camphor wood Buddha statue. Inside the scenic area, you may see monks chanting scriptures, towering ancient trees, and feel the fragrance of incense. Nearby is Feilai Peak, which legend says flew from India to China to spread Buddhism. You can see countless Buddhist stone carvings along the riverbanks, hillsides, and hidden inside grottoes.

   Finally, head to Hefang Street, a historical street carrying Hangzhou’s rich cultural heritage, to try some local snacks, such as Cat’s Ear Noodles, West Lake Lotus Root Powder, Dragon’s Beard Candy, and stinky tofu . This street is also perfect for a relaxed walk, where you can feel traditional Chinese medicine culture, discover interesting museums, appreciate elegant handicrafts, and enjoy the night view and street performances. In addition, you can continue your food journey at the nearby Southern Song Imperial Street.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Hangzhou

   

5. Day 5: Bullet Train to Shanghai
   Climb Six Harmonies Pagoda's Historic Tiers, Explore Hangzhou's Culinary Heritage

   After breakfast, be guided to visit the Six Harmonies Pagoda. Standing beside the Qiantang River, this ancient pagoda was first built in the Southern Song Dynasty (12th - 13th century). From the outside, it looks like a 13-storey tower, but inside there are seven levels you can actually walk up. You can admire detailed brick carvings from the Song Dynasty, stone steles from the Ming and Qing periods, and Buddhist reliefs. Around the pagoda, old trees provide shade along peaceful mountain paths.

   Afterwards, continue to the Chinese Hangzhou Cuisine Museum. Built to preserve traditional cooking culture and show Hangzhou food to the world, the museum displays hundreds of life-sized models of local dishes. From the vegetarian food and snacks that medieval canal residents once ate, to the exquisite pastries made in the Song Dynasty over 800 years ago, everything is available here. The museum has a large restaurant where you can taste many of the dishes shown in the exhibits. After the visit, transfer you to the railway station for a 1-hour bullet train to Shanghai. The Shanghai local driver will pick you up after you arrive and escort you to your hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Shanghai

   

6. Day 6: Shanghai Departure
   Trace Shanghai's Urban Evolution, Wander Artsy Lanes, Master Dim Sum Cooking Skills

   Can you imagine how Shanghai grew from a small fishing village into a modern, international city? Start your visit at the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, where you can learn about the city’s history, overall development, and future plans. With the help of multimedia displays, the hall vividly shows how Shanghai has changed since it opened to the world in 1843.

   Next, go to visit Tianzifang, a popular art area that was transformed from a Shikumen-style residential neighborhood. Stroll through its narrow alleys, watch the daily life of Shanghai people, relax with a drink at an open-air cafe, or browse the unique shops/stores that combine modern creativity with local culture.

   After that, take a dim sum cooking class (only your team of two people can join). In this hands-on session, you will learn how to make Xiaolongbao and wontons. With the chef's guidance, add tasty pork filling with broth, and shape the dumplings step by step.

   Last, you will be transferred to the airport or train station for your departure. Your 6-day China food tour ends here. Thanks for traveling with China Xian Tour!

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A