A vibrant fusion of tradition and modernity through Shanghai's old quarters, artistic neighbourhoods, and riverfront, plus Suzhou's water-town charm and elegant gardens.
I like this micro-loop: Shanghai nights, then Suzhou gardens before you fly — it is how I show Jiangnan when someone only has a long weekend.
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A vibrant fusion of tradition and modernity through Shanghai's old quarters, artistic neighbourhoods, and riverfront, plus Suzhou's water-town charm and elegant gardens.
Official guides and destination hubs to help you prepare—visa timing, seasons, and places on this route.
Yu Garden and Tianzifang bohemian area
The Bund promenade and Huangpu River cruise
Suzhou — the 'Oriental Venice'
Garden of the Master of Fishing Net
Silk Spinning Mill
Canal boat cruise on 1,000-year-old waterway
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Meals: Breakfast
Route visualization for planning — watch how you'll travel through each destination.
Interested in China Stopover — Shanghai & Suzhou (3 Days)? We'll get back to you within 24 hours.
Karen Blackwell
Queenstown, NZ
Three Days in Shanghai — Three Days of Pure Magic
“I had a three-day stopover in Shanghai and almost didn't bother with a tour — just planned to wander. Thank goodness I called CTS. Baker organised a private driver, the Bund at night (extraordinary), a garden tour in Suzhou, and the best xiaolongbao I've ever had from a hole-in-the-wall only locals know about. Shanghai is wild and beautiful and nothing like the China I imagined. Now I'm planning a full 14-day Discovery tour. Baker's fault entirely.”
Tony & Rachel Green
Hamilton, NZ
Turned a Layover Into the Best Day We've Had Travelling
“We had an annoying 36-hour layover in Beijing and were dreading it. Baker organised a hotel pickup at 5am, sunrise at the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall (practically empty at that hour), a Beijing duck lunch, then back to the airport with time to spare. We landed in Hamilton having seen the Great Wall of China. Our mates thought we were pulling their leg. Absolutely wicked experience — highly recommend for any NZ traveller with a Beijing connection.”
Sam Whitmore
Tauranga, NZ
Perfect Intro to China — Already Planning the Full Discovery Tour
“Two nights in Shanghai was meant to be a quick taste. Instead it became an obsession. Lisa put together a stopover package dense with quality: the Bund walk, Yu Garden, a cooking class in an old lane house, and a sunset view from the observation deck. Shanghai is wild, beautiful, and nothing like the China I'd imagined. I'm already emailing Lisa about the full Discovery tour for late 2025. Exactly how China should introduce itself to a first-timer.”
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