Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuzhen & Hangzhou: 5-Day Private Custom Journey

DAY 1 Shanghai Arrival - Chenghuang Temple/The Bund/Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street

Your exclusive driver will be waiting for your arrival at the designated train station/airport.

Destination: City God Temple Tourist Area The City God Temple Tourist Area is home to two main attractions, Yuyuan Garden and the Old City God Temple, which are must-visit places for tourists arriving in Shanghai. Here, you can experience Shanghai's folk customs, taste authentic Shanghai snacks and local cuisine. At night, the vibrant landscape lights on the ancient-style buildings also make this area a beautiful sight to behold.

The Nanxiang Soup Dumplings here are a must-try, and you can also sit in the Lvbo Lane restaurant, enjoying Shanghai local dishes while watching the bustling crowds coming and going below the building.

The Bund is located along the Huangpu River, stretching approximately 1.5 kilometers. It is a symbolic landmark of Shanghai, with its diverse collection of international architectural styles and the beautiful night view of the river as its essence.

On the Bund stand dozens of classical revival buildings of varying styles, including the famous Bank of China building, the Peace Hotel, the Customs House, and the HSBC building, which all reflect the former glory of the "Wall Street of the Far East." Surprisingly, these buildings were not designed by the same architect nor were they built in the same period, yet they possess a unique harmony and beauty. The Bund features a variety of architectural styles, including French classical, French grand residential, Gothic, and more. These are important historical sites and representative buildings of modern Chinese history, as well as a stunning scenic line along the Huangpu River.

As night falls, the neon lights on both sides shimmer and reflect off each other. Taking a river cruise or ferry on the Huangpu River, the gentle river breeze brushes against your face. On one side is the Bund, a testament to the city's historical development, and on the other is Lujiazui, a landmark of Shanghai's modern construction, along with the elegant silhouette of the Waibaidu Bridge, allowing you to appreciate this bustling metropolis from a different perspective.

Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street is approximately 1,200 meters long, lined with numerous shops on both sides. At a glance, modern buildings mix with European-style old structures, and the continuous hanging shop light boxes create a vibrant scene, especially under the night sky with the flashing neon lights, offering a unique charm. You can also take a ride on the "Ding Ding Car," which resembles a small version of an old tram, to experience the flavor of old Shanghai.

The pedestrian street starts from Xizang Middle Road (east side of People's Square) in the west and ends at Henan Middle Road in the east, with a dark red marble monument at each end. Walking along the pedestrian street, you can see creative urban sculptures everywhere, as well as unique street lamps, flower beds, and phone booths. Looking down, there are many manhole covers engraved with different city architectural patterns, and there are plenty of benches in the center of the street for tourists to sit and rest.

Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street is one of the bustling commercial streets in Shanghai. As early as the early 20th century, it has been a hub for department stores, and a stroll here is sure to be rewarding. Today, it features both renowned department stores like Wing On and Hualian, as well as large shopping centers such as New World City, Bailian World Trade International Plaza, Plaza 66, Henderson Metropolitan Shopping Center, and Hongyi Plaza, where you can pretty much find any product.

Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street is still a paradise for foodies, with shopping centers featuring various brands of trendy restaurants and cafes, as well as numerous restaurants and food shops, such as the old Kele Restaurant specializing in Shanghainese cuisine, Dexing Pavilion, Cuiting Restaurant, along with First Food Store, Shen Dacheng Dim Sum Shop, and other snack shops.

After enjoying the beautiful night view, a private car will take you to the hotel.

DAY2 [Shanghai → Suzhou] Oriental Pearl Tower - Afternoon transfer to Suzhou - Tour: Humble Administrator's Garden - Overnight stay at Suzhou hotel

Start your wonderful day with breakfast, whether it includes a meal depends on the room type you choose.

Special car to the Oriental Pearl Tower attraction.

The Oriental Pearl Tower stands tall in Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai, overlooking the Bund across the river. It is an iconic building of Shanghai. Dining in the revolving restaurant at 267 meters high while enjoying the night view of the city is an extraordinary experience.

The Oriental Pearl Tower stands at 468 meters tall, consisting of 11 spheres of various sizes connected together. This design is inspired by the beautiful imagery of "large pearls and small pearls falling onto a jadeware plate." When you ascend to the three main spheres, you can enjoy the urban landscape along both banks of the Huangpu River from different heights, especially when standing on the fully transparent observation corridor at a height of 259 meters, experiencing a unique "sky walk" while admiring the panoramic view of the city. Visiting the observation deck at night to witness the dazzling lights of the "Sleepless City" under the nighttime sky is an unforgettable experience.

After enjoying lunch, we will drive to the Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou.

The Humble Administrator's Garden is a famous garden in Suzhou, centered around water, surrounded by intricately arranged hills and exquisite courtyard buildings, with a rich variety of flowers and trees. This exemplar of Jiangnan gardens is ranked alongside the Summer Palace in Beijing, the Chengde Mountain Resort, and the Lingering Garden in Suzhou as one of the "Four Great Classical Gardens of China," and it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The design of the entire garden is exquisite, and touring it can be described as "a view at every step," reflecting the charm of the waterside towns of southern Jiangsu. The garden paths are winding, with each corridor, intricately carved stone wall, pavilion, and window being unique, perfectly complemented by the surrounding trees and flowers, creating picturesque scenery that you can spend a lot of time photographing.

The entire garden is divided into three parts: East, Middle, and West, each with its own characteristics. The Central Garden basically maintains the simple and natural style of Ming Dynasty gardens, representing the essence of the entire garden, and is suitable for leisurely exploration. The East Garden is more open, while the West Garden features exquisite architecture. At the southern end of the Humble Administrator's Garden, there is also the Suzhou Garden Museum, which is a specialized garden museum in China.

The main attractions of the Humble Administrator's Garden include the Orchid Snow Hall, Hanqing Pavilion, Far Fragrance Hall, Fragrant Isle, Thirty-Six Mandarin Duck Pavilion, and the Bonsai Garden. There are also two very interesting scenic spots: one is the "North Temple Pagoda Borrowed View." Standing in the East Garden and looking west, you can see the North Temple Pagoda 1 kilometer away, as if it's right in the garden. This is a popular spot for many tourists to take photos, and the borrowed view technique can also be seen throughout the garden, providing a unique experience during your visit; the second is the "Corridor Bridge Flying Rainbow" in the Central Garden. The vermilion bridge railings reflected in the water resemble a flying rainbow, making the scenery centered around this bridge very beautiful.

Spring, summer, and autumn are all perfect seasons to visit the Humble Administrator's Garden. From mid-March to early May, there is a rhododendron exhibition; from early June to mid-October, there is a lotus exhibition; and from early September to mid-October, there is a chrysanthemum exhibition. During the Spring Festival, there is also a floral and fruit bonsai exhibition. In winter, there are fewer visitors, but you can quietly enjoy the elegant scenery.

After visiting the Humble Administrator's Garden, your private driver will take you to your hotel for accommodation arrangements.

DAY3【Suzhou → Wuzhen】Cold Mountain Temple - Head to Wuzhen - Explore Xizha - Stay in Wuzhen (options for hotels inside/outside the scenic area)

Start your beautiful day with breakfast, whether it includes meals is based on the room type you choose.

After enjoying breakfast, we will drive to Hanshan Temple.

Hanshan Temple is located on the western outskirts of Suzhou and has a history of over 1,400 years. It became famous worldwide due to the famous poem "Night Mooring Near Maple Bridge" by Tang Dynasty poet Zhang Ji, which contains the line "Outside Suzhou city, Hanshan Temple; At midnight, the bell tolls to the boats." Hanshan Temple is a renowned place for prayer and blessings, attracting a continuous stream of worshippers who come to ring the bell, offer incense, and pray for peace every day.

Hanshan Temple mainly consists of several buildings, including the Mahavira Hall, Bell Tower, Stele Gallery, and Scripture Storage Building. Inside the Mahavira Hall, a tall Funiu Seat is sculpted from white marble, with a gold-plated statue of Sakyamuni Buddha enshrined on it. On both sides against the walls, there are eighteen exquisite iron statues of Arhats cast during the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty, which were relocated from the Buddhist sacred site Wutai Mountain. In the Stele Gallery, one can find fragments of inscriptions written by the "Four Great Talents of Jiangnan," such as Wen Zhengming and Tang Yin, as well as poetic steles of famous figures like Yue Fei and Kang Youwei. Among them, the poetic stele "Night Moored at Maple Bridge," written by the well-known scholar Yu Yue at the end of the Qing Dynasty, is a classic in Hanshan Temple.

The bell tower in the temple is the source of the "midnight bell sound", and the resounding and melodious sound of the bell is a symbol of Hanshan Temple. Every year on December 31, Hanshan Temple holds a New Year's Eve bell-ringing ceremony, where the bell rings 108 times, symbolizing the dispelling of worries in the coming year. Although today’s large bell is not the one mentioned in Tang poetry, but rather a relic from the late Qing dynasty, it is a rare giant bell that requires three people to embrace it.

Lunch Recommendation Restaurant:Yidizhai Vegetarian (Hanshan Temple Branch)

Private car to Wuzhen

The West Zha is the essence of Wuzhen. Although it is a main scenic area just like the East Zha, it lacks the bustling streets of the East Zha. Everything here has been renovated and redesigned, with cafes and bars scattered throughout the alleys, all infused with an artistic vibe. Taking a boat ride at night to explore West Zha is an experience highly recommended, as the Jiangnan water town is particularly enchanting with the reflections of lights and the sound of oars.

The Xishi River runs through the west and east of Xizha, with a network of winding little waterways dividing Xizha into many small islands, each connected by dozens of unique ancient stone bridges. The old buildings are built close to the water, creating the typical picturesque scene of the Jiangnan water town with small bridges and flowing water. Besides the attractions that can be visited, there are also many charming little shops, cafes, and bars within the scenic area, perfect for a leisurely stroll.

You can explore Xizha by walking, taking the scenic shuttle bus, or riding a boat. If you visit during the day, take a stroll along Xizha Street on the north bank of the river. The Zhaoming Academy, where Prince Zhao Ming Xiao Tong studied, is now a library where you can read a book or leave a note expressing your feelings on the message wall at the entrance. The Three-Inch Golden Lotus Museum showcases hundreds of pairs of bound-foot shoes.

From a distance, you can smell the aroma of soy sauce coming from the Xuchang Soy Sauce Factory on the east side of the South Bank. You can see the large outdoor vats used for making soy sauce in the courtyard, or buy some soy sauce as a souvenir. Near the Qianshan Bridge, Nühong Street has many unique shops that sell handmade products like embroidery and scarves. Girls might come here to pick up some small trinkets, and then head to the old post office across the river to mail a postcard to friends and family, stamped with the Wu Town Old Post Office seal—it's artistic and romantic.

The night scenery of Xizha is the reason many people fall in love with this place. In the evening, the bridges and houses in the ancient town light up, and taking a small boat while enjoying the reflections feels wonderful. The photos taken here have a unique charm. In addition, there are some experiential projects available to participate in. On clear nights, classic black-and-white films such as "San Mao's Adventures" and "Tunnel Warfare" are screened in the Grand Theatre Square using vintage film projectors. Sitting on a long bench watching the movies feels particularly special. If you're interested in traditional arts, consider visiting the water market to listen to hua gu xi (flower drum opera) or the Grand Theatre to enjoy pingtan (storytelling and ballad singing).

You can try a boat cruise, and the ticket is on your own expense.

If you are staying within the Xizha Scenic Area, please make your own way to the hotel.

If you stay outside the Xizha Scenic Area, the driver will take you back to the hotel after the tour.

DAY 4 [Wuzhen → Hangzhou] Depart for Hangzhou - Lingyin Feilai Peak - West Lake Boat Tour (Island Visit) - Leifeng Pagoda - Stay in Hangzhou

After enjoying breakfast, a private car will take you to Hangzhou.

Lingyin (Feilai Peak) Scenic Area is located to the west of West Lake and includes two main attractions: Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak. Although Feilai Peak is neither large nor high, it gathers hundreds of statues of bodhisattvas and eminent monks from different dynasties, showcasing a beauty of integration. Lingyin Temple, situated within the mountain, is a famous ancient temple in Hangzhou, with a strong religious atmosphere, where visitors can purchase incense and flower vouchers to enter the temple and make wishes.

The scenic area itself is not large and can be explored on foot. After entering the gate, head left, and soon you will see the Flying Peak. Following the woodland path for less than 5 minutes will lead you to the entrance of the Qinglin Cave. It is said that the stone slab in front of the cave used to be the bed of Ji Gong, and after a nap there, one will no longer be troubled by the mundane world, attracting many tourists to lie down for a while. Heading north, you will find the Yuru Cave, which features the statues of the Eighteen Arhats from the Northern Song Dynasty. On both sides of the east end of the cave entrance, there are exquisite statues of the Sixth Patriarch of Zen.

Continuing forward, Longhong Cave, commonly known as Guanyin Cave, features a stone crevice called "Yixiantian" (One Line Sky), which is not visible to everyone; thus, it is common to see people craning their necks to look up. The cliff outside the cave is covered with stone carvings of Buddha statues, and at a lower level, one can see the Song Dynasty stone carving of "Bai Ma Tuo Jing" (White Horse Carrying Scriptures). The Ligong Pagoda at the entrance of Longhong Cave is the only remaining Ming Dynasty pagoda in Hangzhou. Walking along Lianquan Creek from there, one can also see the statue of the large-bellied Maitreya Buddha.

Opposite the stone inscription is the famous Lingyin Temple. To enter Lingyin Temple, you need to purchase a separate incense and flower ticket for 30 yuan, but it is definitely worth a visit. The statue of Weituo in the Heavenly King Hall is a relic from the Southern Song Dynasty, carved from a whole piece of camphor wood, which is extremely precious.

The newly renovated Yongfu Temple is located next to Lingyin Temple. You can follow the signs to reach it by walking uphill. In addition to the tranquil ancient architecture, the temple grounds feature a tea garden and many ancient trees, providing quite a pleasant view. You must return the same way after visiting Yongfu Temple, but if you want to hike, there is a side path halfway back to Lingyin Temple that leads to Beigaofeng via the Taoguang Temple exit. This path is less crowded and peaceful, making for a nice walk. You can either hike or take a cable car up to Beigaofeng, where Lingshun Temple sits at the summit, one of Hangzhou's famous ancient temples.

The nostalgic-themed creative cuisine restaurant is about a 15-minute walk from Lingyin Temple. Crossing through the gate shaded by vegetation and walking up the steps, you will find a wooden glass house perched on the hillside. The interior is adorned with many vintage decorations, and some tableware is made of enamel, exuding a strong nostalgic charm. From the outdoor seating, you can enjoy views of the green mountains. This place is very popular, so it’s best to avoid peak hours for dining. The dishes are moderately priced, with the beef cubes being a top choice; don’t miss the durian roasted chicken if you’re a durian fan; the caramel pudding is served in enamel cups, which is quite interesting.

After lunch, take a special car to West Lake.

There are many attractions along the West Lake, and taking a boat ride on the West Lake is one of the classic ways to appreciate its beauty. The boats sailing on the lake and the visitors enjoying the scenery are also a part of the picturesque West Lake. Sitting on the cruise, one can relish the stunning scenery of the lake and mountains, observe the green waves and misty reflections, and experience the enchanting beauty of West Lake, which is always delightful whether subtly or vibrantly adorned.

Leifeng Pagoda, also known as "Huangfei Pagoda," is located on Leifeng Hill at the southern shore of West Lake. Many people's "Leifeng Pagoda complex" originates from the legend of Madam White Snake. Although the original pagoda collapsed in 1924, the current structure was rebuilt on the original foundation and features elevators and air conditioning, but this does not hinder your quest to trace the footsteps of Madam White Snake.

A special car to the hotel to conclude the day's itinerary.

DAY5#Cherishing the Wind and Moon, Goodbye for Now#Farewell to Hangzhou! Free activities all day (Today includes private car to airport/station only)

Free activities available all day today, you can go to Xiahezhijie.

Xiaohezhijie Historical Street District is located at the confluence of the Grand Canal, Xiaohe River, and Yuhangtang River. Since the Southern Song Dynasty, Xiaohezhijie has been a hub for the distribution of goods between the north and south, and by the Qing Dynasty, it developed into an independent commercial street.

At present, the block still retains historical remnants such as workshops, shops, and docks. The small buildings on both sides of the street sit by the water, with white walls and black tiles, showcasing the distinctive features of modern Jiangnan water towns. More than half of the original residents remain in the area, effectively continuing the traditional customs and lifestyle of the canal households.

As you stroll here, what you hear is not the hustle and bustle of traffic, but the laughter of neighbors; what you see is not a jungle of towering buildings, but tranquil and elegant traditional homes. A walk around is truly delightful.

According to your return transportation schedule, the driver will contact you in advance to confirm the time and location for your pickup, and will take you to the train station or airport.