Explore the Highlights of Shanghai and Suzhou
Explore the highlights of Shanghai and Suzhou with private transfer, go under the skin of the cities, discover the culture under the highlights. Including a hidden private poster collection, and explore mysterious night garden.
Tour Highlights
- Experience the luxury and elegance of the Bund by having an in-depth Bund Culture Discovery trip
- Peep at China's political history through a private collection of posters
- Unveil the secret culture of night garden in Suzhou
- Enjoy a leisurely rickshaw ride in the ancient part of Suzhou, and say hi to local people
- Relax on a hand-rowing boat in Tongli Watertown
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Our guide Brenda made all the difference!
Our guide Brenda spoke fluent English. She was wonderful and very knowledgeable. Thanks to her explanations, we had a memorable two-day trip to Suzhou and Tongli water towns. more
Aug 2024, 365Rainbow
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Great stop in Suzhou -- highly recommend!
Our guide, Brenda with China Highlights, really made our experience unforgettable even though we were only there for a short bit of time. Brenda was really knowledgeable and helpful in telling us where to find food nearby the hotel.She took us to the water town of Tongli, and shared so much of its history as well as the history of Suzhou. She also had great conversations with us -- topics ranging from the transformation of Suzhou to how the economy in China. more
Jul 2024, Passenger10230583941
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Suzhou via Shanghai Day Trip
Ryan from #chinahighlights was my guide beginning in Shanghai when I landed the day before. He had a huge bouquet of flowers from China Highlights company for me when I arrived at the Shanghai airport. Next We went to Humble Administrators Garden which was already inundated with throngs of Chinese Tourists and visitors. It was a super lovely day so I don't blame them for visiting! I was wearing my own Han Fu dress so I felt very much at home because that's what the girls and women do, go to these places for photos! This garden despite all the people was super great. The features and layout including bonsai. Especially Azalea, we're stunning. Clean and neat. Worth your time anyway you cut it. Next was the smaller The Garden of The Master of Nets. Along the way Ryan explained some of the history and features of these places as we went along. Somehow both these gardens merged in my mind! I love Gardens, so I could go to these places daily! Finally, we drove to Tongli Old Town. Another places where girls and women dress up for outings and pictures. I wish I saw more men indulging! Lovely little town, I loved the layout and feeling like I had time travelled. The little boat cruise was jumping again with Chinese visitors and tourists. I really felt happy that they were out enjoying themselves after the recent past.... After the boat Ryan took me to Pingjuang Road, which is mostly a pedestrian street. He mentioned the Film Industry and showed me a monument and street tiles for all the movies that had been made there. A light lunch and walked back out of the area to the parking lot area where we began. A super lovely day with No Hassles! more
May 2023, JeanneC
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Suggested Itinerary
Activities
Your private guide will be ready to meet and greet you at airport arrivals. A comfortable private car (non-smoking) with experienced driver will transfer you directly to the hotel. Your guide will help you check-in. We take the stress out of travel, so you can enjoy China more.
Optional evening ideas
Nighttime on the Bund is beautiful, especially when the lights on. Taking the Huangpu River Cruise is one of the best way to enjoy both sides of the Bund. One side with old buildings and one side with skyscrapers.
Night View of the BundQuick Facts
The Bund
- The first foreign building on the Bund was built in: 1851
- Number of heritage buildings remaining on the Bund: 22
- The first modern upmarket Bund restaurant, the M on the Bund, was opened in: 1999
- Approximate number of wooden piles supporting the Fairmont Peace Hotel: 1600
Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre
- Hidden in a residential area, this private collection offers a peep at China's political history through posters.
- You will find that the posters capture the Chinese people's most fantastic experiences during the Mao era.
Activities
After breakfast at hotel, have the In-Depth Bund Culture Discovery tour and trace back to the golden age of the Bund in the 1920s, experience the luxury and elegance of the Bund.
If you are a thrill-seeker, don't miss the highest landmark of Shanghai - the Shanghai Tower. Take the fastest elevator in the world, and have a bird's-eye view of the entire city of Shanghai.
Walk in the French Concession and learn about the colonial past of Shanghai, appreciating the elegant residences.
Soak yourself in the Propaganda Poster Art Centre, which recently became one of the top 15 things to do in Shanghai on TripAdvisor.
Immerse yourself in the posters, and your personal guide will help to satisfy your curiosity about communism.
The BundQuick Facts
Nets Master Garden
It is the smallest of the Suzhou residential gardens and the most exquisite in design.
Activities
After the breakfast at hotel, enjoy a comfortable private transfer from Shanghai to Suzhou. The journey takes about 1½ hours.
Your first site of Suzhou will be the Lingering Garden, it will satisfy all your imagination of ancient China.
Take a rickshaw ride to explore the alleys of Suzhou, the most authentic place to peek Suzhou's life. You will find food markets, ancient wells and might chat with tradesmen.
The rickshaw will take you to the Pingjiang Road, the main road in Song Dynasty (800 years ago), and now is still well-preserved.
In the afternoon you will visit Tiger Hill, which is famous for its bonsai garden. There you will see various of bonsai in different styles, and will have a chance to learn how it made.
After dinner, enjoy a night tour of Nets Master Garden. Explore such a lovely garden at night is totally different from during the day. Follow the step of the staff, and you will find amazing live traditional Chinese culture performance hidden in the pavilions.
Bonsai Garden of Tiger HillActivities
After a western-style breakfast in the hotel, we'll drive 30 minutes to Tongli water town, often praised as the Venice of China. Take a small boat along the canal to see the old town. It's a great place for ancient architecture and traditional culture. Have lunch in a local Tongli restaurant.
After the visit in Tongli, we'll drive you back to Shanghai Pudong Airport and wave goodbye.
Tongli Water TownTrip Notes
Customizing the Tour - According to Your Needs
This tour is very flexible. You can alter the itinerary, and extend or shorten it to suit your schedule.
For example, you can add activities in the first day, or remove some attractions.
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
A short stay (up to 6 days) in Shanghai and the surrounding cities is more convenient now as there is no need for a visa.
It's permissible to stay within the administrative areas of Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu Province, and Zhejiang Province for up to 144 hours. Contact us to know more.
Tour Price
Price includes: