7-Day Cultural Tour of Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou

Upon arrival at the Shanghai airport, your dedicated Chinese-speaking guide and driver will greet you at the exit. You'll be transferred to your hotel in a comfortable private vehicle, with assistance provided for your luggage and hotel check-in. From the moment you land, everything is taken care of—simply relax and get ready for the wonderful journey ahead.

Breakfast & Lunch

Begin your day atop the Shanghai Tower, where the city unfolds beneath you like a living map. From this sky-high vantage point, witness the blend of modern grandeur and historical legacy along both banks of the Huangpu River—a panorama that tells the story of Shanghai's past and present.

Next, feel the pulse of the city on a ferry crossing the Huangpu, before stepping onto the Bund. Stroll among the iconic architectural ensemble, where every building whispers tales of a bygone era. Then, turn into a hidden lane to savor refined local cuisine at a Michelin-recommended restaurant, experiencing the seamless blend of tradition and contemporary life.

In the afternoon, enter the classical Jiangnan-style Yuyuan Garden. Wander among pavilions, ponds, and winding paths, and appreciate the garden design philosophy that creates “a landscape crafted by human hands, yet appearing as nature’s own work.”

The day concludes at the Shanghai Museum East, where ancient treasures—bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, and paintings—meet modern architectural space. Here begins an immersive journey through millennia of Chinese civilization.

Breakfast & Lunch

Step into the historic former French Concession—a living album of Shanghai’s memory. Shaded avenues like Wukang Road, bustling yet refined Huaihai Road, tranquil Fuxing Road, and poetic Sinan Road together sketch a distinct European-inspired cityscape. Sunlight filters through the plane trees, casting dancing shadows along the pavement and adding a touch of quiet romance to your walk.

Continue your journey on the Xujiahui City Walk, where Eastern and Western heritage converge. From the Tomb of Xu Guangqi and the Xujiahui Library, to the Gothic Catholic Church, Xujiahui Park, and the Little Red House—the birthplace of China’s national anthem—each site narrates Shanghai’s profound cultural and historical layers.

In the afternoon, explore the labyrinthine lanes of Tianzifang’s Shikumen neighborhood. Here, traditional residences blend with creative boutiques. Browse handcrafted items in designer studios, hunt for vintage treasures in nostalgic shops, or relax in a corner café, soaking in the neighborhood’s blended charm of old and new.

Finally, venture into the traditional alleyways near Tianzifang. Share a pot of tea with welcoming locals, listen to their stories, and step into the everyday life of Shanghai—touching the authentic texture of the city’s living heritage.

Breakfast & Lunch

In the morning, you’ll take a high-speed train from Shanghai to Hangzhou—arriving in about 45 minutes in this “paradise on earth.”

West Lake is not only a natural wonder spanning millennia but also an artistic vision flowing through poetry and painting. Gliding across its mirror-like waters with misty hills in the distance, you’ll feel as if sailing into a living ink-wash scroll.

Next, visit Meijiawu Tea Village, the heart of West Lake Dragon Well tea production. A local tea farmer, dressed in traditional attire, will guide you into the emerald-green terraced fields. You’ll learn to identify tender buds, pick tea leaves by hand, and observe the masterful roasting techniques—shaking, spreading, pressing, and rolling—before savoring a cup of the very tea you helped create.

In the afternoon, step into a Traditional Chinese Medicine cultural hall. More than a museum, it’s a living showcase of heritage. Here you’ll learn about the philosophy of TCM formulation, and watch seasoned practitioners demonstrate age-old techniques: grinding herbs, slicing roots, and hand-rolling pills with traditional tools.

The day ends at Qinghefang Old Street, a lively historical area that preserves Hangzhou’s folk culture and local flavors. From Dingsheng Cake and Congbao Hui to Longjing tea pastries, your guide will leave you time to explore freely and discover the culinary soul of this ancient Southern Song capital.

Breakfast & Lunch

Start your morning at a local market beloved by Hangzhou residents. More than a place to buy ingredients, it’s a vibrant urban gallery: glistening seasonal fruits and vegetables, steaming hot Jiangnan snacks, and the gentle hum of the local dialect—every detail immerses you in the authentic, lively energy of the city.

Next, step into the future of transportation with a ride on a driverless bus. Watch as the steering wheel turns on its own, guiding the vehicle smoothly through the streets—a tangible preview of the ease and efficiency that define a smart city.

Continue to the Alibaba Creative Ecological Park, once the headquarters of the tech giant. Walking through this space, you’ll discover how a company and a city grew together, shaping what is now known as China’s “first city of the digital economy” and understanding the innovative spirit that fuels Hangzhou today.

In the afternoon, visit the Hangzhou Urban Planning Exhibition Hall. Through immersive VR/AR displays, you’ll explore the city’s past, present, and future vision, gaining insight into its development philosophy as a “livable, innovative, and cultural” city. Then, step onto the City Balcony for panoramic views: the broad Qiantang River, the modern silhouette of the Olympic Sports Center (the “Big Lotus”), and the twin towers of Hangzhou Century Center (the “Hangzhou Gate”) come together in a single, striking frame—a skyline that speaks of the future.

Breakfast & Lunch

Today, you’ll travel by car from Hangzhou to Suzhou in about 1.5 hours, enjoying pastoral views of the Jiangnan countryside along the way.

Though not as expansive as the Humble Administrator’s Garden, the Master-of-Nets Garden is celebrated for its ingenuity in “creating vastness within a small space.” This exquisite garden compresses pavilions, water terraces, rockeries, and lush foliage into an intimate layout—strolling through it feels like stepping into a three-dimensional literati painting, showcasing the subtlety and depth of classical Jiangnan garden art.

Next, take a walk along Pingjiang Road. This historic street, dating back to the Song Dynasty, still pulses with the life of old Suzhou. Follow the canal flanked by white-walled, black-tiled houses, creative boutiques, and traditional snack stalls. The soft sounds of paddle boats and the melodic notes of Pingtan opera drift along the water, as if walking through a corridor of time stretching back a thousand years.

In the afternoon, arrive at the ancient water town of Tongli. A network of canals and time-worn stone bridges links its islands together. Glide through the narrow waterways in a hand-rowed wooden boat, passing centuries-old Ming and Qing residences and homes built right above the water. With each stroke of the oar, ripples spread across the green water, unveiling the most serene and authentic scene of daily life in a Jiangnan water town.

Breakfast

As your beautiful journey draws to a close, your personal guide and driver will accompany you from Suzhou to Shanghai airport after breakfast. They will assist with check-in procedures and provide a seamless, worry-free send-off until you enter the departure hall.

Though mountains and rivers may part us, the future holds new meetings. We look forward to welcoming you back again, to continue writing another unforgettable chapter across the wider landscapes of China.