East China Tour: Shanghai, Hangzhou, Huangshan & Suzhou

Upon arrival in Shanghai, your driver will meet you at the airport or railway station and transfer you to your hotel.

The rest of the day is free to rest or explore on your own.

Overnight in Shanghai.

Start at Yu Garden, a Ming Dynasty garden of traditional pavilions, rockeries and ponds, followed by a stroll through Yuyuan Bazaar.

Continue to Xintiandi, where restored shikumen houses now contain cafés, restaurants, boutiques and galleries.

After lunch, visit the Oriental Pearl TV Tower for panoramic views over Shanghai and the Huangpu River. Later, walk along The Bund and continue to Nanjing Road, where you can freely explore on your own or return to your hotel.

In the evening, you may enjoy a Chinese acrobatics show or take a Huangpu River night cruise (optional, at additional cost).

Overnight in Shanghai.

Your driver will transfer you to Shanghai railway station for the high-speed train to Hangzhou (about 1 hour train ride). Upon arrival, meet your local guide and driver and begin sightseeing.

Start at West Lake, Hangzhou’s best-known landmark, and take a relaxing boat ride to enjoy its willow-lined shores, pagodas and surrounding hills.

Continue to Lingyin Temple, one of China’s best-known Buddhist temples, set among wooded hills beside the ancient Buddhist carvings of Feilai Feng.

Later, visit Meijiawu Tea Village, surrounded by the tea fields where Hangzhou’s famous Longjing tea is grown. Walk through the village and learn about local tea culture before transferring to your hotel.

In the evening, you may watch Enduring Memories of Hangzhou (Impression West Lake), an outdoor performance staged on West Lake (optional, subject to the seasonal performance schedule).

Overnight in Hangzhou.

Take an early morning high-speed train to Huangshan (about 1-1.5 hours). Upon arrival, meet your local guide and drive to Mount Huangshan (1 hour), famous for its granite peaks, ancient pine trees and ever-changing cloud scenery.

Take the park shuttle to Yungu Temple and ride the Yungu Cableway up the mountain. Explore the highlights of Beihai Scenic Area at Mount Huangshan, including Beginning-to-Believe Peak, Brush Pen Peak, Stone Monkey Watching the Sea and Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion.

An optional hike into the West Sea Grand Canyon descends from Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion through the First and Second Rings to the valley bottom, taking approximately 2–3 hours. From there, take the West Sea Grand Canyon sightseeing train up to the Tianhai area near Bright Summit (additional cost).

Overnight on Mount Huangshan.

ake early and head to Bright Summit Peak (Guangmingding) for sunrise, weather permitting. Afterwards, continue toward the Front Mountain, passing Aoyu Cave on the way to the Yuping Scenic Area. Enjoy views of Lotus Peak before reaching the famous Greeting Pine (Yingke Song). The walk takes approximately 2–3 hours before descending via the Yuping Cableway.

For an easier option, return to White Goose Ridge and descend via the Yungu Cableway.

Meet your driver and continue to Hongcun Ancient Village, a UNESCO-listed village known for its Huizhou architecture, ponds and historic residences. It was also a filming location for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
In the evening, you may experience Hongcun’s fish-lantern parade, when glowing handcrafted fish lanterns move through the old lanes, bridges and waterways around the village (seasonal and subject to the local schedule).

Overnight in Hongcun.

Spend the morning exploring more of Hongcun Ancient Village, wandering through its old lanes, courtyards and waterways for a closer look at Huizhou architecture and local life.

Continue to Nanping Village, a quieter Huizhou village known for its maze-like lanes, ancestral halls and well-preserved Ming and Qing residences. Explore the village with your guide before leaving the Huangshan countryside.

Afterwards, transfer to Huangshan railway station for your high-speed train to Suzhou (2-2.5 hours). Upon arrival, your driver will meet you at the station and transfer you to your hotel.

Overnight in Suzhou.

Begin at the Humble Administrator’s Garden, one of Suzhou’s most celebrated classical gardens, where ponds, pavilions, bridges and carefully framed views create changing scenery as you walk.

Continue to the nearby Suzhou Museum, designed by I. M. Pei, whose modern geometric architecture draws inspiration from traditional Suzhou houses and gardens.

Later, explore Pingjiang Road, a historic canal-side district lined with old houses, shops and teahouses.

In the afternoon, visit the Master of the Nets Garden, a compact classical garden known for its clever use of courtyards, water and framed views. Alternatively, when its seasonal night program is running, you may visit in the evening to experience the garden with traditional music and performances (subject to schedule).

Overnight in Suzhou.

Drive to Tongli Water Town, a historic Jiangnan town known for its canals, stone bridges and traditional riverside houses.

Explore the old town on foot, crossing centuries-old bridges and walking along narrow lanes beside the canals. Visit the Retreat and Reflection Garden, a UNESCO-listed classical garden, with an optional boat ride along the waterways.

After sightseeing, continue by private vehicle to Shanghai and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Shanghai.

Enjoy a free day to explore Shanghai at your own pace. You might revisit a favorite neighborhood, explore the Former French Concession, visit a museum, shop, or simply enjoy a relaxed day in the city.

Optional private sightseeing can also be arranged based on your interests.

Overnight in Shanghai.

Your private driver will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to Shanghai airport or railway station for your onward journey. If you’d like to continue exploring China, WindhorseTour can help tailor an extension to suit your plans.