The Yangtze River Delta region around Shanghai is one of the most historically and culturally rich areas in China, and conveniently, one of the easiest to navigate. Every destination in this itinerary is within 2 hours of Shanghai by high-speed train, making this an ideal first China trip for visitors who want genuine depth without complex logistics.
This 7-day itinerary uses Shanghai as a base for day trips while fitting in an overnight in Nanjing for its unique historical sites.
Table of contents
Open Table of contents
Why This Route Works So Well
The Yangtze Delta’s high-speed rail network is one of the best in the world. Shanghai Hongqiao station alone has departures to Suzhou every 10-15 minutes, Hangzhou every 10-20 minutes, and Nanjing every 15-30 minutes. The trains are fast, punctual, clean, and affordable.
The cultural contrast within this small geographic area is also striking: Shanghai’s colonial-era modernity, Suzhou’s 1,000-year-old classical gardens, Hangzhou’s imperial West Lake and tea culture, and Nanjing’s Ming Dynasty monuments and World War II history.
Days 1-2: Shanghai
Accommodation: Stay in the Jing’an, People’s Square, or Luwan (former French Concession) areas for the best combination of central location and neighbourhood character.
Day 1: The Bund + Old Town + French Concession Morning: The Bund (外滩) at 8am before the tour groups arrive — the row of colonial-era buildings facing the Pudong skyline across the Huangpu River is one of the great urban vistas in Asia. Walk south to the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel or take the Yan’an East Road area south to Xintiandi.
Afternoon: The Former French Concession (法租界) — specifically the area around Fuxing Road, Xintiandi, and Tianzifang. The shikumen architecture (stone-gate townhouses) converted into boutiques and cafés is one of Shanghai’s most pleasant environments.
Evening: Nanjing East Road pedestrian mall for the crowds, or the Huangpu River promenade at night for illuminated views of Pudong.
Day 2: The Old City + Shanghai Museum + Pudong Shanghai History Museum (上海历史博物馆, free with advance booking) in the People’s Square area — excellent for understanding the city’s colonial and Republican era history.
Shanghai Museum (上海博物馆) — the bronze collection and the calligraphy galleries are world-class. Free entry, advance booking required. Allow 3 hours.
Afternoon: Cross to Pudong via metro or ferry for the observation deck at the Shanghai Tower (¥180 to top floor) or the Oriental Pearl TV Tower (¥140-220 depending on level chosen).
Day 3: Suzhou Day Trip (苏州)
Suzhou is 25 minutes from Shanghai Hongqiao on the high-speed train (¥25-40). The city is famous for its classical gardens, recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites — compact spaces where rock, water, plants, and architecture create landscapes that are simultaneously real and painterly.
The Garden Circuit:
- Humble Administrator’s Garden (拙政园): The largest and most famous. Entry ¥90. Allow 2-3 hours. Best in the morning.
- Lingering Garden (留园): A more intimate scale. Entry ¥45. About 30 minutes from the Humble Administrator’s.
- Master of Nets Garden (网师园): The smallest of the major gardens — only 0.5 hectares — but considered by many garden scholars to be the most perfectly proportioned. Entry ¥40.
Tip: Don’t try to see all three in one day — garden fatigue is real. Pick two and take them slowly.
Pingjiang Road: The historic canal street in the old part of the city, lined with traditional buildings. Excellent for lunch — try a bowl of Suzhou noodles (苏式面) with eel or crab.
Return to Shanghai by evening train.
Day 4: Hangzhou Day Trip (杭州)
Hangzhou is 40-45 minutes from Shanghai Hongqiao (¥55-85). The city’s historic heart is West Lake (西湖) — a UNESCO-listed scenic area that has been the subject of Chinese poetry, painting, and imperial patronage for 1,000 years.
West Lake Circuit: The most satisfying way to experience the lake is by bicycle — rent one at the lakeside stations (¥1/hour with Alipay deposit) and cycle the 10km circuit around the western shore, stopping at:
- Leifeng Pagoda (雷峰塔, ¥40): The reconstructed pagoda has lift access to the top for lake views; the basement excavation reveals the original Tang dynasty foundations.
- Su Causeway (苏堤): 2.8km pedestrian path across the lake, lined with willows and peach trees.
- Lingyin Temple (灵隐寺, ¥45): One of China’s most important Chan Buddhist monasteries, active and atmospheric. The Feilai Feng cliff carvings outside the temple are particularly interesting.
Longjing Tea Village: A 30-minute bus or taxi ride from the lake area, Longjing (龙井) village produces the most famous green tea in China. April-May is harvest season — at other times of year you can walk the terraced tea fields and buy directly from farmers (the best tea in this area is sold by individual farming households, not the shops closest to the tourist entrance).
Return to Shanghai by evening.
Day 5: Zhujiajiao Water Town (朱家角)
Zhujiajiao (1 hour from Shanghai by bus or metro+bus, ¥20 each way) is the most atmospheric of the water towns near Shanghai — a genuine working town built around a canal network, with stone bridges spanning the water at regular intervals.
Unlike the more heavily commercialised Wuzhen and Tongji (which charge ¥150+ for park-style entry), Zhujiajiao is free to enter and maintains more local residential life alongside the tourist section.
The covered market street running parallel to the main canal, the Kezhi Garden (可志园, ¥8), and the Catholic Church (free) are the main sights. Allow half a day; this combines well with an afternoon back in Shanghai.
Days 6-7: Nanjing (南京)
Nanjing is 1 hour and 10 minutes from Shanghai Hongqiao by high-speed train (¥100-150). It served as China’s capital during the Ming Dynasty and again in the early Republican period, and has extraordinary historical sites reflecting both.
Afternoon Day 6: Arrival + Confucius Temple Area (夫子庙) The Fuzi Miao (Confucius Temple) area on the Qinhuai River is the city’s traditional entertainment district. The riverside walk in the evening, with illuminated boat lanterns on the canal, is one of Nanjing’s most distinctive sights. The snack food here — Nanjing duck blood vermicelli soup (鸭血粉丝汤, ¥15-20), salted duck (盐水鸭) — is excellent.
Morning Day 7: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum + Purple Mountain The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (中山陵) on the Purple Mountain (紫金山) is a massive memorial complex built in 1929 to honour the founder of the Republic of China. Entry is free (was ¥80; converted to free entry 2021). The 392 steps from the gate to the mausoleum are impressive even if you don’t know the history.
The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (明孝陵, ¥70) nearby — the burial site of the Hongwu Emperor, founder of the Ming Dynasty — has a spectacular Spirit Path of stone animal statues approaching the main tomb complex.
Return to Shanghai by afternoon train, or fly from Nanjing Lukou Airport.
Practical Tips
Best time: April-May (spring, cherry blossoms, Hangzhou tea harvest) or October-November (clear autumn weather, comfortable temperatures). Avoid June-September for humidity and July-August typhoon risk.
Train booking: Trip.com (formerly Ctrip) is the easiest platform for foreigners to book Chinese high-speed trains. Book Nanjing trains at least a week ahead on holiday weekends.
Day trip timing: For Suzhou and Hangzhou day trips, take an early train (7-8am departure) to arrive before crowds and have the full day. Return trains have frequent departures until 10pm.
Alipay: Set up before or immediately after arrival — it’s needed for bike hire, some museum bookings, and the most efficient way to pay at local restaurants.