Shanghai, Suzhou & Hangzhou: A 5-Day Water Town Route
The classic east-China line — Shanghai's skyline, Suzhou's classical gardens and Hangzhou's West Lake, all connected by fast trains. A day-by-day 5-day plan.
OpenStreetMap Google Maps (opens externally)
Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou form China’s easiest and most relaxed multi-city trip — three world-class sights connected by trains that run every few minutes. This five-day plan strings them together without a single rushed day.
The route at a glance
| Day | City | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shanghai | The Bund, old town |
| 2 | Shanghai | French Concession, Pudong |
| 3 | Suzhou | Classical gardens, canals |
| 4 | Hangzhou | West Lake |
| 5 | Hangzhou | Lingyin Temple, tea village |
Day 1 — Arrive in Shanghai
Touch down and settle in — keep today light. If you arrive early, walk the Bund at sunset and see the Pudong skyline light up across the river. Dinner: xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) near the old town.
- Getting from the airport: the metro is cheap and easy; the Maglev from Pudong is the fast option. See our Shanghai guide for the details.
Day 2 — Old & new Shanghai
- Morning: Yu Garden and the old town bazaar.
- Afternoon: the French Concession (Wukang Road, Anfu Road) for cafés and architecture.
- Evening: the Pudong skyline from the Huangpu River cruise, or from the top of Shanghai Tower if you booked ahead.
Day 3 — Suzhou: the garden city
Take the morning train (about 30 minutes) to Suzhou.
- Morning: the Humble Administrator’s Garden at opening — the most famous classical garden, and worth it before the crowds.
- Afternoon: Pingjiang Road for a canalside stroll and lunch, then one more garden — the Lingering Garden is quieter and more refined.
- Evening: back on the train to Hangzhou (about 1.5 hours) and sleep there. Full guide: Suzhou.
Day 4 — West Lake
- Morning: walk or cycle the Su Causeway — Broken Bridge, Leifeng Pagoda, and the lakeside at its calmest.
- Afternoon: Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak, one of China’s great Buddhist complexes.
- Evening: a tea tasting in the Longjing tea village or dinner by the lake. Full guide: Hangzhou.
Day 5 — More of West Lake or a gentle exit
- Morning: the Guo’s Garden or a boat on the lake, then a late lunch.
- Afternoon: head to the train station — Hangzhou connects onward to Huangshan, Nanjing or back to Shanghai by fast rail.
Short on time? Drop a Shanghai day and do Suzhou as a day trip from Shanghai.
Practical tips
- Book trains as you go — tickets on this corridor are frequent and cheap; book the same morning or the night before. How to book.
- Payment: set up Alipay before you leave; it covers the metro, ferries and street food. Setup guide.
- eSIM: get one before you fly so maps and translation work everywhere. Best eSIMs.
- Hotels: base yourself near a metro line in each city; Shanghai People’s Square, Suzhou’s Pingjiang area and Hangzhou’s lakeside all work well.
Where this route fits
This is the perfect soft landing after the history of Beijing and Xi’an — see our 10-day golden triangle or the full first-timer plan. It also works as the east-China finale of a 14-day route.
FAQ highlights
- Is three cities in five days too much? No — the trains are short and frequent, and you sleep in a different city only twice.
- Can I use my passport on the metro? No, the metro uses Alipay’s transit code or a transport card — set up Alipay first.
- Do I need to book the gardens ahead? The Humble Administrator’s Garden takes timed entry and can sell out on weekends — book online in advance.
Last updated: August 2026. Train times and ticket rules change — confirm on the platform you use before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need for Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou?
Five days is comfortable: two in Shanghai, one in Suzhou and two in Hangzhou. If you only have four, drop a Shanghai day and do Suzhou as a day trip. The three cities are close enough that the train transfers never cost you a full day.
Which order should I visit them in?
Shanghai → Suzhou → Hangzhou is the natural flow, but it works in either direction. Suzhou and Hangzhou are both easy day trips from Shanghai if you're short on time.
Is Suzhou worth it if I only have one day?
Yes — one day covers the Humble Administrator's Garden, Pingjiang Road and one more garden. It's the easiest and most rewarding day trip from Shanghai. See our [Suzhou guide](https://chinotrips.com/suzhou/).
How do I book the trains between these cities?
Book online with your passport via Trip.com or 12306, then board by scanning your passport — no paper ticket needed. Trains run every few minutes on the Shanghai–Suzhou–Hangzhou corridor. See our [train ticket guide](https://chinotrips.com/how-to/train-tickets/).
When should I visit the gardens and West Lake to avoid crowds?
Go at opening time — Suzhou's Humble Administrator's Garden and Hangzhou's West Lake are both magical before the tour groups arrive. West Lake is best in the late afternoon for the sunset light.