5 Days Essence of Shanghai Hangzhou Tour with Wuzhen Water Town
Oriental Paris plus Heaven on Earth
Oriental Paris plus Heaven on Earth
This 5-day tour takes you on a worry-free journey through the vibrant heart of eastern China, linking the dynamic pulse of Shanghai, the charming waterways of Wuzhen, and the natural grace of Hangzhou. It's a journey rich in variety, where modern innovation and traditional charm come together in perfect balance.
Your adventure begins in Shanghai, a city renowned as the "Oriental Pearl" for its vibrant energy, stunning skyline, and fusion of tradition and modernity. Explore its iconic landmarks, charming neighborhoods, and dynamic waterfront before traveling to Wuzhen, where centuries-old architecture lines tranquil canals and stone bridges arch gracefully over the water. Whether you stroll through ancient alleyways or enjoy a peaceful boat ride, Wuzhen offers a vivid glimpse into traditional river-town life. After Wuzhen, continue by road to Hangzhou, a city cherished for its poetic scenery and cultural legacy. Walk along the shores of West Lake, visit historic temples, and savor the aroma of freshly brewed Longjing tea from the surrounding plantations.
With attentive planning, comfortable transfers, and expert local guides, we ensure a smooth and enriching travel experience from start to finish.
Day 1 Shanghai Arrival
Airport/train station/port pick up
Ni Hao! Welcome to Shanghai, the biggest metropolis in China!
Upon arrival, you will be met by a local tour guide at the arrival hall of the airport/train station/port and escorted to check in your hotel in downtown by a private comfortable vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to relax. If you want to explore nearby, feel free to get some practical suggestions from your tour guide.
Optional Activity - Attend an entertaining Acrobatic Show, including breathtaking “balls of death” acts, chair balancing, hula hoops, juggling of benches, walking in the air, and other breathtaking performances (usually performed during 19:30~21:00).
Arrival Ideas: At present, there are many international and many domestic flights to and from Shanghai. Also, you can arrive in Shanghai city by taking a high speed train from Beijing (5-6hrs), Xian (6-7hrs), Hangzhou (1hrs), Suzhou (30mins), Huangshan (4hrs), and so on.
Our curstomer enjoyed the beautiful night view of Shanghai
Day 2 Shanghai City Highlights Tour (B, L)
Today's Highlights: Shanghai Tower, Shanghai Museum, Wukang Road, Nanjing Road, The Bund
After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel to start your Shanghai exploration. Your will firstly visit Lujiazui and ascend to the 118th-floor observation deck (546 meters) of the Shanghai Tower for a panorama of the city, where iconic landmarks like the Jinmao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and Oriental Pearl Tower appear almost within reach, and the historic Bund unfolds along the distant Huangpu River. Then, drive to the Shanghai Museum East, which collected many international-standard exhibits of bronzes, paintings, calligraphy, sculpture, ceramics, jade from more than 5,000 years ago to the Qing dynasty. An Audio Explanation Device will be prepared for you to help you learn about the history and facts about the relics in the museum easily.
In the afternoon, you will take an interesting visit to Yu Garden, a shining star among all the ancient Chinese gardens in Jiangnan. This garden fully embodies the traditional design of Chinese architecture with jagged pavilions with elegant decorations, glittering pools with roving fish, and pine trees sprouting to the sky, all designed to refresh your mood and spirit. Adjacent to the garden is the Yuyuan Bazaar where you can savor tasteful local snacks and explore elaborate traditional Chinese handicrafts and art works. Then, head to Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s premier shopping street, ideal for a leisurely stroll and a taste of the city’s modern atmosphere. Lastly, you will stop at the Bund, originally a simple towpath for transporting goods but now transformed into a feverish trading district. You will stroll along the Bund, seeing and feeling the perfect fusion of Chinese and Western cultures while at the same time taking in the stunning Shanghai skyline with your own eyes!
Optional Activity - Take a relaxing Huangpu River night cruise to see the city’s most significant edifices and streets sparkling under the atmospheric cover of darkness (about 50 minutes).
Day 4 Hangzhou - Wuzhen - Hangzhou (B, L)
Today's highlight: Wuzhen Water Town (West Scenic Area)
Today after breakfast, you will be escorted to catch your high-speed train (about 30 minutes) to Tongxiang - located just a 30-minute drive from Wuzhen. Upon arrival at Tongxiang, your local guide and driver will meet you at railway station, then transfer to Wuzhen Water Town.
With over 6,000 years of history, Wuzhen stands as one of China's Four Great Water Towns south of the Yangtze River and ranks among the nation's Top Ten Most Charming Towns. Known as "China's Last Water Town" and a "Land of Abundance," it perfectly preserves the quintessential Jiangnan water town scenery.
Begin your exploration at Wuzhen's West Scenic Area, featuring over 20 cultural sites that showcase the town's rich heritage through historical landmarks and breathtaking views, including Grass and Wood Indigo Dye Workshop, Zhaoming Academy, Wuzhen Post Office, Tongji & Renji Bridges, Bailian Pagoda, Xiqing Hall, Water Market, etc. (Your guide will flexibly adjust the itinerary based on weather conditions, crowd levels, and venue availability during your visit.) Browse local craft shops and snack stalls along the way. (Optional: Enjoy a scenic rowboat tour along the canals for an additional fee.)
After exploring, your guide will transfer you to Hangzhou (approximately 50km away) for hotel check-in.
Note: if you want to stay a night in the ancient town to enjoy marvelous evening view of Wuzhen, which usually costs more than staying in Hangzhou downtown, feel free to discuss with your travel consultant.
Day 3 Hangzhou City Tour (B, L)
Today's highlights: West Lake, Cruise, Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Former Residence of Hu Xueyan, Hefang Street
After breakfast today, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and escort you to start today’s Hangzhou exploration!
First, make the exciting visit to the picturesque West Lake, which is the iconic site of Hangzhou and a pretty UNESCO World Heritage. Just as the famous traveler Marco Polo did and wrote: “A voyage on this lake offers more refreshment and pleasure than any other experience on earth”, you will start with a leisure cruise (about 45 mins) to enjoy the tranquil lake views as well as the ancient pagodas, traditional arched bridges, tree-lined walkways, beautiful hills, green islands and lush gardens including visit to the beautiful Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon. After the cruise, visit West Lake's highlights like Su Causeway, Broken Bridge, Yuefei Temple, and scenic parks by foot or included sightseeing vehicle. The lake's vastness makes full exploration impractical, but your guide will customize the itinerary based on your schedule and energy levels.
Next, go to have an interesting cultural visit to Qiaoxi Conservation Area which is a peaceful cultural block sitting along the World Heritage Site - Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. It preserves lots of old folk dwellings and industrial sites and has a series of themed museums and exhibitions. Walk leisurely along the Canal, visit the interesting China Museum of Knives, Scissors & Swords and China Umbrella Museum, then walk up to the famous Gongcheng Bridge to enjoy a pleasant panoramic view of surroundings . (Optional activities: You can experience one of the handcrafting activities if you are interested and time permits, which needs extra payment.)
After visiting Qiaoxi Conservation Area, you'll visit the Former Residence of Hu Xueyan, a celebrated Qing Dynasty merchant. This opulent complex, hailed as "China's Finest Tycoon Residence". Recognized as Constructed around 1875, this architectural marvel cost 3 million taels of silver - equivalent to approximately 450 million RMB today. It uniquely blends Jiangnan-style garden architecture with Western craftsmanship, featuring exquisite elements like German stained glass installations and Italian imported floor tiles. Nearby lies Hefang Street, a pedestrian thoroughfare that recreates Hangzhou's vibrant Southern Song Dynasty atmosphere. Wander through its lanes to discover magnificent heritage buildings, authentic handicrafts, and tempting local delicacies.
Lastly, be escorted back to your hotel. The rest time is free for you to relax. (If you want to spend free time at the Hefang Street area or somewhere else, please discuss with your tour guide.)
Evening Ideas: 1) watch a magnificent night show - Enduring Memories of Hangzhou, a live performance by Yimou Zhang with changing lights, music and dancing on the West Lake, which usually starts at 7pm, needs extra payment; 2) feast your eyes with an amazing Music Fountain Show at Third Park, near the eastern lakeside of West Lake, free charged.
Day 5 Hangzhou & Hangzhou Departure (B, L)
Today's highlights: Feilai Peak, Lingyin Temple, Meijiawu Longjing Tea Plantaiton
After breakfast, transfer a short while to Feilai Peak (Peak Flying from Afar), which flew to China to spread Buddhism from India according to the legend. It features in over 300 Buddhist carvings lining the riverbanks and hillsides and tucked away inside grottoes. With over 1,000 years, it is the precious fresco treasure in the whole regions south of Yangtze River. Continue to the adjacent Lingyin Temple of nearly 1,700 year, which is the oldest and one of the most popular temples in Hangzhou. Hidden in the luxurious forest, it offers charming and peaceful landscape mixed with the strong Buddhist atmosphere among the large scaled of magnificent and antique temple clusters.
Then, drive uphill to Meijiawu Tea Village, a refreshing wonderland surrounded by mountains with a large area of emerald Dragon Well tea plantations in neat lines and curves. Walk among the tea plantations with fun and take beautiful photos (Optional activity: you can pay a visit to the local tea farmer’s family and experience picking tea leaves, watching stir-drying tea leaves, enjoying tea ceremony, tasting Dragon Well tea, etc., which needs extra fee.). After that, go to China National Tea Museum to learn systematically about Chinese tea culture including the history, procession, customs and classification of tea, and admire diverse kinds of tea wares, machines, displays, etc.
After the visitings, your guide and driver will escort you to Hangzhou airport / train station to catch your flight / train to your next destination or home! Tour ends!
1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in a 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons. It will drop greatly if your group has 4 or more members.
2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, month and date. There may be huge price increasing during public Chinese holidays, school summer vacations, tourism peak seasons or some special dates. (China Public Holiday 2025 Schedule Released)
3. Other factors that may change the final tour price include group size, hotel class, tour activities, fluctuation of currency exchange rate, etc.
4. This price is based on exchange rate USD 1=RMB 7.00. The final price will be based on the exchange rate in effect at the time of agreement with our quotation.
5. This price is only valid to March 31, 2026.
6. This price is not the final price until the Confirmation Letter is sent.
7. The items included and excluded in this price are for reference only. The final services included, please refer to the confirmation letter sent to you by the travel consultant.
Hi Elk,
You are very kind, and I'll certainly be recommending you to anyone we know who is traveling to China! I've left a 5 star review on TripAdvisor also!
We really enjoyed the cruise and found it very relaxing and interesting. The rooms were really clean and comfortable, and the food was surprisingly good and varied. Some of the earlier excursions we found a little boring (we had already seen a lot of temples at that point) but the top of the Three Gorges and the trip up the smaller gorge was great!
Fergal
Dear Wonder,
Greetings from Melbourne. It feels like forever since our trip to China arranged by you. Everything went well. I look forward to having you arrange another trip for me in the future. Services are all great.
Thank you.
Best Regards,
Wong
Hi Wonder,
Yes it was excellent. Jerry is a very good guide for Huangshan. He is very knowledgeable. thx
Cheng
Hi Leo,
We’re back from our trip—thank you so much for organizing such a memorable first tour of China. My family and I had a fantastic time and truly appreciated all the arrangements.
Overall Highlights:
1. Your responsiveness to all my inquiries, along with the clear arrangements, pricing and cancellation policy, made the booking process smooth and reassuring.
2. The transfers and pickups—from Beijing to Hangzhou and then to Shanghai—were seamless. The tour guides provided clear instructions throughout the journey, and we encountered no issues.
3. The tour guides and drivers were friendly, highly professional, ensuring our safety and staying prompt and on schedule. We especially appreciated the clear communication when there were any changes due to weather or timing.
4. The food and hotel (including breakfast) arrangements were excellent—well planned and thoroughly enjoyable.
Thank you again for your outstanding service. We look forward to booking future trips with China Discovery!
Evolution form as below:
1. YES, Leo always response promptly and answered my questions as clearly and accurately as possible.
2. Tour Guides and drivers were all professionals. Ensure our safety, prompt, timely and on schedule. Foods and hotel arrangements were excellent! Appreciate they let us know ahead if there is a change in schedule due to weather or time.
3. Based on the interaction with China Discovery (prompt response, clear arrangement, pricing and cancellation policy). I will use and recommend China Discovery again.
4. Suggestion: Inform us in advance if a particular event or attraction is out of season—for example, our visit to Meijiawu Tea Village. It seems the tea-picking season was in March or April, so there was no tea leaf picking during our visit. Had China Discovery let us know ahead of time, we would have adjusted our expectations and avoided disappointment. That said, we still enjoyed the beautiful scenery and overall experience.
Cheow
Hi Elk,
我们对此行非常满意，三餐可供选择的食品种类多，味道可口；船上有表演、有互动，中途还有观景游玩，活动形式灵活多样；房间干净、零食和饮用水的提供到位；船上的工作人员态度和蔼耐心，服务周到，特别是我们在六楼11号餐桌用餐时为我们提供服务的女生服务员做事积极、周到又细致……。总之，感谢长江2号游轮带给了我们一个愉快的旅行！
Wong
We are one of the few China travel agencies who have kept active and received lots of feedbacks and reviews during pandemic years!
"Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty" is the core value of each specialized team at China Discovery.
Eveyone in our company is working hard for only one goal, which is to ensure the highest level of service, luxury, and attention to detail from the minute you begin planning your trip, to the day you return home.
Our travel consultants are professional, experienced and responsible, helping you from the very beginning to the end of your China trip!
After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.
Beside, he/she will keep in contact with you during your entire tour in China, continually checking if everything is going well as planned.
We're working at Chengdu Bamboo International Tours, local based in Chengdu.
Our local guide in every destination is not only very friendly, enthusiastic but also very informative and knowledgeable.
Once you arrive in the destination, the patient and punctual guides will pick you up and take you to get under skin of the city at your own pace. By in-depth discovery and explanation, they’ll show you more about the history, culture, customs and authentic local life. Throughout the journey, they're not only expert guides who take care of all the details but also fellow travelers who are dedicated to help you explore in comfort and style.
Our guides are passionate about what they do, and it shows all the way!
Using our private transfer service makes you comfortable, relaxed and worry free all the way!
Our private service includes licensed drivers with many years’ driving experience and air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and well-maintained cars/vans. Drivers are local, polite, friendly and helpful, taking you to your tourist sites, hotels, airport/train stations in safety. All kinds of vehicle are offered, and yours depends on the size of your group. Usually, we offer sedan cars, SUVs, business vans (MPV) and different types of buses, all with extra space for your luggage.
Our private transfer service guarantees you the highest comfort!
In each destination, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay in a great location!
The hotels we choose are based on star rating, great locations, well-equipped facilities, cozy bed, high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot ranging from luxury 5 star, comfortable 4 star to budget 3 star. You could decide where to stay to best suit for your budget and likes. Generally, the hotels have both Western and Chinese breakfast with a wide choices.
If you have already got an ideal hotel, please feel free to tell our travel consultants and they'll book the hotel for you.
Have good sleep in our well-selected hotels in all the destinations of China.
We can satisfy all the dietary requirements no matter you want Chinese local food, western food, vegetarian food or muslin food.
The restaurants we will take you for lunch or dinner are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. They have very good sanitary conditions and the food is prepared fresh and clean.
There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.
All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!
Beautiful Night View of the Bund - Nguyen from Canada
View of Lujiazui - Our Guest Antal
Shanghai Tower
Our Guests visited Yu Garden and Bazaar
Whitewashed walls and ink-black roofs are the signature architectural feature of Wuzhen.
Leisure Boating at Western Scenic Area of Wuzhen
Ink-painting bridge at West Lake
West Lake Boating Experience
Hefang Street
The Former Residence of Hu Xueyan
Beijing Hangzhou Grand Canal - Gongchen Bridge Section
China Umbrella Museum
Lingyin Temple at Leafy Forest
Buddhist Carving at Feilai Peak
Meijiawu Longjing Tea Plantation in Spring
Tea Picking at Meijiawu Village Tea Plantation
Shanghai / Hangzhou / Suzhou / Shanghai
Shanghai / Hangzhou / Beijing
Shanghai / Suzhou / Hangzhou / Huangshan
“Very good experience”
“WONDERFUL 25 DAYS IN CHINA - PRIVATE TOUR”
“Awesome China tour from northeast to southwest”
2,230+ Reviews
