Written by
Wendy Mo |
Feeling desperate to enrich your Shanghai trip experiences?Ā What you need is exactly a short day trip from Shanghai to nearby cities, towns or scenic natural gateways. With a critical location and highly developed transportation system, it only takes about 2 hours for you to reach many attractions in the Yangtze RiverĀ Delta city group.
Whether youāre planning a day-trip or a weekend getaway, you can expect traveling through the scenery of water town, tranquil and poetic city landscapes or natural wonders. This article will introduce the top 15 options that you can add to yourĀ Shanghai tour.
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- Unique Towns Near Shanghai: Most Popular Day-Trip Destinations
- Best Cities Near Shanghai: Cultural Exploration and Food Hunting
- Nature Getaways Near Shanghai
- FAQ about Best Day Trips from Shanghai
- Having the Best Day-Trip from Shanghai with China Xian Tour
Unique Towns Near Shanghai: Most Popular Day-Trip Destinations
1.Ā Zhujiajiao Water Town
- How to get to: Metro Line 17, exit via Zhujiajiao Station, Exit 1.
- Ticket: The town is freeĀ to visit while some small attractions charge separately.
- Highlights: Jiangnan water town scenery, boat ride, local food, historical architecture
- How long to stay: half day or one day.
Zhujiajiao Water TownĀ is one of the most visited water towns near Shanghai, being called āShanghaiās Veniceā. It has a typical Jiangnan water townĀ atmosphere: flagstone road stretching along the river, while the water huddles reflections of houses and visitors with a relaxing mood.
This site is not so big, you can easily finish exploring it in half or a whole day. Some visitors also spend a night here to fully appreciate its beauty. Donāt miss the immersiveĀ boat ride, which allows you to touch the soul of a water town (CNY 200/ USD 29.3) and have a taste of local snacksĀ before leaving (Siu Mai, Wonton and rice dumpling).
Recommended Tour:
2.Ā Xitang WaterĀ Town
- How to get to: Xitang Ancient Town is in Jiaxing, so youāll need to first catch a high-speed train and then transfer to local buses or taxi (whole trip takes 1.5-2 hours).
- Ticket: CNY 95/USD 13.9
- Highlights: Authentic water town vibe, boat rides, bridges and alleys, photography
- How long to stay: 1-2 days
Xitang is also a popular Jiangnan-style water town. Many visitors say that Xitang impresses them with a more authentic and relatively less-commercialized vibe.
Xitang is larger than Zhujiajiao, and itās more recommended to stay here for a night.Ā You can catch another side of the townās beauty in bars and the warm lantern lights. The must-visit attraction inside is the Western Garden. It is a traditional Jiangnan-style garden, so poetic and delicate that it makes you feel like walking in a Chinese painting.
Boat rides are also available, CNY 120/USD 17.6 for a person.Ā Night cruiseĀ is more unique and immersive.
3.Ā Tongli AncientĀ Town
- How to get to: Take a high-speed train to Suzhou (30 minutes) then transfer to local buses or a taxi.
- Ticket: RMB 100/USD 14.65
- Highlights: World Heritage Site, water town atmosphere, Suzhou-style gardens
Except for the water town views, Tongli Water TownĀ out for its UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, Tuisi Garden. On this site, time seems to be frozen at aĀ moment.Ā Every detail, even the mottled wall has been preserved as it was before.
4.Ā Wuyuan
- How to get from Shanghai: High-speed train to Wuyuan Railway Station (3 hours).
- Highlights: Seasonal blossoms, local culture
- How long to stay: 2-3 days
Wuyuan is a county famous for its village views and rape flower blossoms. The best times to visit Wuyuan are spring and autumn.
In spring (March-April), the rape flowersĀ will paint the mountain slopes in gold, while some other blossoms like pink yulan get scattered and dotted in the field. Photos of Wuyuan in spring are always stunning and enchanting.
If youāre visiting during October to November, make a stop in Huangling villageĀ to see the special local activity ābask the autumn (ęē§)ā, āautumnāĀ here refers to autumn harvests.
Villagers will place a lot of baskets on their rooftops or terraces, each filled with a type of autumn crop such as chili peppers, corn, pumpkins, and millet. Theyāre doing this to let the autumn sun dry these crops for better storage. And itās also a celebration of the annual harvest. During this time, pictures of Huangling are highlighted by the burning red and glimmering yellow.
Recommended Tour:
Best Cities Near Shanghai: Cultural Exploration and Food Hunting
5.Ā Hangzhou
- How to get to: 45 minutes by high-speed train.
- Highlights: West Lake, Lingyin Temple, relaxing city vibe
Natural landscape, cultural heritage and modern constructions combine perfectly in this city. Itās recommended to stay here for 2-3Ā days.
Top things to do in Hangzhou:
- West Lake is certainly a must-visit.Ā You can cycle around the lake or just sit on the bench to enjoy a peaceful and tranquil moment.
- As a tea lover or simply being interested in Chinaās tea culture, add Longjing Village to your itinerary.
- Take a stroll in Lingyin Temple. ItĀ is one of the oldest Buddhist templesĀ in China. Perfect place for you to retrieve your inner sense of calm.
- Try local dishes like Longjing prawns and Dongpo pork.
Recommended Tour:
6.Ā Suzhou
- How to get to: 20minutesĀ by high-speed train.
- Highlights: Gardens and water towns
- Recommended travel time: 2 days
Suzhou is most famous for itsĀ Gardens,Ā and in those beautiful sites, you can study the Chinese aesthetic incisively. When spring comes, Suzhou will be covered by all kinds ofĀ blossoms. They transform the city into a traditional painting with Suzhouās water, architecture and profound history.
Top things to do in Suzhou:
- Explore the most iconic Suzhou Gardens like The Humble Administrator’s Garden.
- Visit water towns like Tongli water town (introduced above)
7.Ā Nanjing
- How to get there: 1Ā hour by high-speed train
- Highlights: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Nanjing City Wall, Qinhuai River
- Recommended travel time: 2-3 days
Nanjing has a profound historical and cultural heritage. It was one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals in China. Just like Suzhou and Hangzhou, Nanjing also has the tender and delicate side of beauty, but it may impress you the most with its history-centered atmosphere.
You can explore the grandĀ Sun Yat-sen MausoleumĀ and Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum,Ā while also the largest and most influential imperial examination venue in Chinese history (Jiangnan Imperial Examination Hall).
- Having a night cruise through the Qinhuai River, itāll lead you to touch the soul of this city.
- Walking through the most iconic historical sites like Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum.
- Taste duck-based cuisine like Nanjing Salted Duck, Duck blood soup with vermicelli.
Recommended Tour:
8.Ā Yangzhou
- How to get to: 5 hours by high-speed train
- Highlights: Slender West Lake, Ge Garden
- Recommended travel time: 1-2 days
Compared to the cities introduced above, Yangzhou is a less crowdedĀ city, while its scenery is equally astonishing. It has a history of 2500 years,Ā known for its canal history. its grand past has now melted into localsāĀ daily activities, such as enjoying the morning tea.
Here, morning tea is not solely referring to a drink, instead, itās a type of breakfast, kind of similar to Guangzhouās morning tea, but the iconic dishes are different.
Top things to do in Yangzhou:
- Take a stroll by the Slender West Lake to relax.
- Explore Gardens like Ge Garden.
- If youāre a history lover, also visit the Grand Canal Museum.
9.Ā Jingdezhen
- How to get to: 3-4 hours by high-speed train
- Highlights: make or buy porcelain, unwind in local village
- Recommended travel time: 2-3Ā days
JingdezhenĀ is a city known as theĀ ācapital of porcelainā, while exploring the city, youāll encounter a lot of marvelous handicrafts and folk arts. Life goes slowly here, take your time and let the cityās relaxing vibe eliminate your fatigue.
Top things to do in Jingdezhen:
- Walk through the Expo Area of Ancient Kiln & Folk Cultures in Jingde. It is the only national-level tourist attraction in China with ceramic culture as its theme.
- If youāre already in Jingdezhen, then how can you miss the chance to make your own porcelain? Try to make a work that is both designed and crafted by yourself.
Recommended Tour:
Nature Getaways Near Shanghai
10.Ā MoganshanĀ (Mogan Mountain)
- How to get to: High-speed train from Shanghai to Deqing (~1h), then transfer by taxi.
- Recommended travel time: 2 days
For a lot of people, one major reason to plan an escape from the city is a need of fresh air. And this makes MoganshanĀ aĀ best destination. The whole mountain is covered byĀ thick greenery, including a sea of bamboo.
There are over 200 villasĀ built on the mountain, all in unique designs. Together they create a rare scenery while also providing a wide range of accommodation for anyone who wants to stay overnight. Of course, some building are not designed for tourism, yet they provide unparalleled architectural value that makes the mountain even more attractive.
Top things to do in Moganshan:
- Fully relax yourself, both mentally and physically. Fill your body with the fresh air.
- Hike the mountain and explore some of the buildings.
11. Tianmu Mountain
- How to get there: Take a high-speed train journey (lasts around 1.5-2 hours) to Hangzhou, then transfer to a taxi (30-40 minutes).
- Ticket: CNY 110- 130 (~USD 16-20)
- Recommended travel time: 1 day
Tianmu Mountain is aĀ kingdom of large and old trees, many of them are over hundreds years old, some over thousand, and thereās a famous one that has existed for over 12000 years. Itās a popular hiking site with perfect air quality and a forest landscape.
During summer, it becomes an ideal escape from the scorching heat in Shanghai. However, the hiking routes can be a little bit challenging, so you can take a shuttle bus to the scenic area and walk down the mountain, or you can choose the easier route.
This is a place particularly suitable for hiking, so a one-day hiking trip is fine.
12.Ā Qiandao Lake
- How to get there: High-speed train from Shanghai to Qiandao Lake station (2.5 hours), then take a taxi ride to the scenic area (~30 minutes)
- Recommended travel time: 2-3day
Qiandao LakeĀ is actually an artificial lake built for a hydropower station. The islands here used to be mountains and hills. Most visitors suggest theĀ must-visit sitesĀ include Tianyu Mountain+Qilong alley (natural+cultural highlights) and Huangshan peak+Guihua Island+Tianchi Island (thorough natural exploration)
Donāt miss cuisines made based on Qiandao Lakeās fish, and some islands may charge separately.
13.Ā Putuo Mountain
- How to get there: Traveling to Putuo Mountain is a little more complicated than other trips.
- Take a high-speed train to Ningbo (1.5 h)
- Then transfer to the shuttle bus to reach Zhuajiajian wharf (1.5 h)
- Take a ferry to the island (10 minutes)
- Recommended travel time: 2-3 day
- Ticket: Package tick (entry to Putuo Mountain + return ferry tickets): CNY 220/ USD 32.27
Putuo Mountain is one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains in China. Traveling here is mainly to enjoy the mountain scenery and the strong Buddhist atmosphere.Ā You can climb the mountain to visit different temples, and if you want to explore all of them, consider a 2-3 day itinerary. A cable car is also available, consider taking it to reach particular sites faster and easier.
Donāt miss the vegetarian meals provided by temples or at local restaurants. Book tickets early in holidaysĀ (e.g., Chinese New Year) and peak season (March-April/Summer holiday). Itāll be extremely crowded during these periods, and even ticket checking can take several hours.
Recommended Tour:
14.Ā Shengsi Islands
- How to get there: Take a boat ride from Shanghai Shenjiawan Wharf or Nanpu Bridge. A trip takes 50 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the boat type.
- Recommended travel time: 2 days
The Shengsi Islands refer to 193 small islands in Zhoushan, including Shengsi Island, Huaniao Island, and Gouqi Island. They preserve the original ecology, being surrounded by clear sea and covered in thick greenery. Plan your journey simply, the best things to doĀ are immersing in the natural beauty and wandering through local village life.
One of the main highlights is an uninhabited village in Shengsi County, a long-lost and forgotten wonderland. When summer comes, the whole village is hidden in ivy.
Tips:
- Transportation between islands and on several islandsĀ is not convenient.Ā So before you go, make sure youāve got enough travel tips, or you can contact us for a private transfer.
- No general ticket for entry to the whole island area. Different attractions will charge separately.
15.Ā Yellow Mountain
- How to get there: High-speed train from Shanghai to Huangshan North (2.5 hours), then transfer by taxi or bus (1-2 hours).
- Tickets: CNY 150-190/USD 22-27.87 (entry only), transportation within the scenic area costs extra
- Recommended travel time: 2-3 days
Yellow MountainĀ is one of Chinaās most famous and grandest mountains. Itās steep, mysterious, and with picturesque scenery that can leave you amazed.
When visiting this mountain, mountain-climbingĀ are the main highlights.Ā There are several routes for you to chooseĀ orĀ you may opt for going up by cable car.Ā Highlights you cannot miss include: Ā Greeting Pine, Shixin Peak, Guangming Peak.
Except for climbing, you can also visit nearby villages like Xidi village and Hong village. These are ideal places to appreciate the Hui-style ancient town.
Recommended Tour:
FAQ about Best Day Trips from Shanghai
When is the best time to visit these day-trip destinations?
Generally speaking, theĀ ideal times are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) for pleasant weather.Ā However, for specific destinations like Putuoshan, March-April is one of the busiest times. The specific conditions ultimately depend on your destination.
How much time should I spend on each trip?
Most destinations require a full dayĀ or two.Ā But for a more relaxed experience, you can extend your trip to 2-3 days.
Any tips for visiting natural getaways near Shanghai?
Check weather conditions, especially before visiting the hiking destinations, such as Yellow Mountain. During peak seasons,Ā most destinations can be crowded,Ā so plan ahead.
Having the Best Day-Trip from Shanghai with China Xian Tour
When traveling to Shanghai, in addition to exploring the city’s modern landscape, having a day-trip or a weekend getaway from Shanghai gives your journey a rich experience.Ā If your time allows, consider the attractions introduced above. To make a smooth trip, you can contact China Xian TourĀ and our travel advisorĀ willĀ customize a suitable day-trip itinerary for you while also offeringĀ private transfers.Ā Get in touch with us now to embark on a perfect Shanghai tour.
