12 days East China Tour: Shanghai, Hangzhou, Huangshan, Suzhou & Nanjing

Upon arrival in Shanghai, your local guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the nearby area on your own.

Start at The Bund, Shanghai’s iconic waterfront along the Huangpu River. Enjoy classic skyline views where historic buildings face the modern skyscrapers of Pudong.

Continue to Yu Garden (closed on Mondays), a centuries-old classical garden filled with pavilions, ponds, and rockeries. Then walk into Shanghai Old Town, where traditional Qing-style architecture lines the bazaar streets. Cross the Nine Zigzag Bridge, browse local markets, or join an optional tea ceremony.

Next, explore the Former French Concession, known for its leafy streets and European-style buildings. Visit a local park to see residents practicing Tai-chi, dancing, or playing traditional games.

Afterward, enjoy a local Shanghai lunch, with your guide helping you select dishes based on your preferences.

Visit the Jade Buddha Temple, famous for its jade Buddha statues and peaceful halls, and learn about local Buddhist culture.

End the day in Pudong’s Lujiazui district. Walk the elevated skybridge among the city’s tallest buildings, and if weather allows, visit an observation deck such as Shanghai Tower, the Oriental Pearl Tower, or the Shanghai World Financial Center for sweeping city views.

This morning, take a high-speed train from Shanghai to Hangzhou. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and start your Hangzhou day exploration.

Begin your visit at West Lake, Hangzhou’s iconic UNESCO-listed landscape. Enjoy a relaxing boat ride to take in the willow-lined shores, distant pagodas, and scenic views praised in Chinese poetry. Afterward, take a short walk to Red Carp Pond, where colorful koi swim in tranquil waters surrounded by gardens.

Next, visit the China National Silk Museum, the world’s largest silk museum. Learn about the origins of Chinese silk, traditional weaving techniques, and ancient textile crafts through engaging exhibits and demonstrations.

Continue to Lingyin Temple, one of China’s most important Buddhist temples. Explore its grand halls and quiet courtyards while your guide explains its long spiritual heritage.

Optional: Before entering the temple area, you may choose to visit the Feilai Feng grotto sculptures, where hundreds of ancient Buddhist carvings are etched into limestone cliffs, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship from the Song and Yuan dynasties.

Overnight at Hangzhou.

Take the morning high-speed train to Huangshan (about 1.5–2 hours), upon arrival, meet your local guide and drive to the foot of Mount Huangshan (about 1 hour) to begin your visit. As one of China’s most famous mountains, Huangshan is known for its four wonders: the fantastic pines, the unique rock formations, the sea of clouds, and the hot springs.

From the entrance, take the park bus to Yungu Temple and ride the Yungu Cableway to the North Sea Scenic Area, known for its dramatic peaks, ancient pines, and stunning views. Today’s sightseeing highlights include White Goose Ridge, Beginning-to-Believe Peak, and the Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion, all well-loved scenic spots offering classic Huangshan landscapes.

You will stay overnight at a hotel on the mountain, giving you the chance to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and changing scenery at different times of the day.

Wake early to watch sunrise at Mount Huangshan from the Refreshing Terrace, one of the best viewing points near Beihai Hotel. After breakfast, continue exploring the early-morning beauty of Huangshan with visits to Dawn Pavilion, Lion Peak, and the Stone Monkey Watching the Sea.

Walk along the scenic paths back to the Yungu Cable Car for your descent. Your driver will meet you at the mountain base and transfer you to Hongcun Ancient Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its classic Huizhou architecture, tranquil ponds, and old merchant residences. It is considered one of China’s most beautiful villages and was a filming location for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Overnight at Hongcun village.

This morning, drive to Nanping Village, one of the most atmospheric Huizhou villages in the region. Known for its maze-like alleys, ancestral halls, and well-preserved Ming and Qing architecture, Nanping offers a quiet glimpse into traditional rural life. Walk through its narrow lanes, explore the old clan halls, and learn about the village’s history through your guide’s stories.

Continue to Xidi Village, another UNESCO-listed Huizhou settlement famous for its whitewashed walls, black-tiled roofs, stone archways, and elegant courtyards. Stroll along its main street and hidden back lanes to appreciate its classic layout and beautifully maintained old homes.

After the visits, drive back to Huangshan City and transfer to the railway station for your high-speed train to Suzhou (about 2 hours). Upon arrival in Suzhou, meet your local driver and check in to your hotel. Enjoy the evening at leisure.

Start your day at the Humble Administrator’s Garden, Suzhou’s largest and most celebrated classical garden. Wander through its ponds, pavilions, zigzag bridges, and bamboo groves while learning about traditional Jiangnan garden design.

Next, walk over to the Suzhou Museum, designed by I.M. Pei, to admire its elegant blend of modern lines and classical Suzhou elements along with its excellent collections of ceramics, jade, and local artwork.

Continue to Pingjiang Road, one of Suzhou’s best-preserved historic streets. Stroll along the canal, browse small shops, stop for tea, and enjoy the quiet charm of old Suzhou.

In the afternoon, visit Tiger Hill, home to the leaning Yunyan Pagoda, bonsai gardens, and scenic paths. Explore its temples, ancient stone paths, and viewpoints that capture Suzhou’s deep cultural heritage. 

Overnight at Suzhou. 

In the morning, drive to visit Tongli Water Town near Suzhou, an ancient town with over 1,000 years of history, the town boasts picturesque waterways, bridges, classical gardens and ancient architecture. Enjoy exploring the town by walking along its narrow alleys. An optional tour by boat can be arranged along its tranquil canals to enjoy the town's peaceful ambiance (additional fee is required). Return to Suzhou in the afternoon and take the train to Nanjing (about 1.5 hours). Upon arrival, be picked up and transferred to hotel in Nanjing. Rest of the day is for you to freely explore Nanjing.

In the morning, meet your guide and begin your exploration of Nanjing at Purple Mountain, home to some of the city’s most important cultural and historical landmarks. Start at the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, where a grand walkway and sweeping stairway lead to the memorial of the founding father of modern China. Continue to the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the UNESCO-listed burial site of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, and stroll along the famous Sacred Way lined with stone animal guardians and ancient cypresses.

After lunch at a local restaurant, head into the old city to visit Zhonghua Gate (Zhonghuamen Castle), one of the largest and best-preserved ancient gate fortifications in China. Walk through its multi-layered courtyards and tunnels to learn about its ingenious Ming Dynasty defense system, and enjoy views overlooking the Qinhuai River and city walls.

Next, visit the Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao), a historic complex dedicated to Confucius and long a center of culture and education. Wander the lively surrounding bazaar streets filled with traditional architecture, tea shops, snack stalls, and handicraft stores. End your day with a relaxing stroll along the Qinhuai River, often called the “mother river” of Nanjing, where lantern-lit bridges and riverside markets offer a charming look into the city’s past. After the tour, transfer back to your hotel.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will take you to visit a well-preserved section of the Ancient City Wall of Nanjing, built more than 650 years ago during the early Ming Dynasty. You’ll explore the Taicheng Section, often regarded as the most beautiful part of the wall. Located beside Xuanwu Lake, it offers a peaceful walk with sweeping views of the lake, nearby parklands, and Nanjing’s modern skyline. This area showcases both the grandeur of ancient fortifications and the harmony between history and the city’s vibrant present.

Continue to the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, an essential and solemn site dedicated to the victims of the 1937 Nanjing Massacre. Through historical records, artifacts, sculptures, and immersive exhibitions, the memorial presents one of the most painful chapters of modern Chinese history. Your guide will provide context to help you understand the historical significance of the event and its lasting impact. This visit is deeply moving and offers an important reflection on peace and remembrance.

In the afternoon, board a high-speed train back to Shanghai (about 2 hours). Upon arrival, you’ll be met by your local driver and transferred to your hotel in Shanghai. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the city on your own.

Today is free for you to explore Shanghai at your own pace. Your WindhorseTour Travel Advisor and local guide can offer suggestions based on your interests. 

This morning, your driver will transfer you to the airport or train station for your onward journey. If you’d like to continue exploring China, WindhorseTour can help tailor an extension to suit your plans.