8 Days East China — Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Huangshan
8 days · The best of East China by high-speed train
Tour Overview
Shanghai's skyline, Suzhou's classical gardens, Hangzhou's West Lake, Huangshan's peaks. Four extraordinary destinations connected by world-class high-speed rail.
Private tour
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This 8-day private journey covers Hangzhou, Suzhou, Shanghai, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Below is the suggested day-by-day plan, fully customizable to your interests and pace:
Day 1: Arrival & Welcome
Arrival at the airport or train station. Private transfer to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure to recover from travel or optional orientation walk. Welcome dinner featuring local cuisine.
Afternoon highlights:
• West Lake (Xihu) — stroll along the Su Causeway and Bai Causeway
Day 2: Explore Suzhou
Full-day private guided exploration of Suzhou. Your expert local guide shares history, culture, and insider knowledge. Lunch at a recommended local restaurant. Flexible pace — spend more time at places that interest you.
Today's highlights:
• Impression West Lake Show — outdoor water performance directed by Zhang Yimou
• Guo Zhuang — elegant classical garden overlooking West Lake
• Nine Creeks (Jiuxi) — scenic forest walk through tea hills
• Yunqi Bamboo Path — serene bamboo forest trail
• Hupao Spring — famous spring water and Buddhist temple
• Six Harmonies Pagoda — historic pagoda by Qiantang River
• Huxueyan Former Residence — wealthy merchant's mansion
• Maojiabu — tranquil lakeside area away from crowds
Day 3: Explore Shanghai
Full-day private guided exploration of Shanghai. Your expert local guide shares history, culture, and insider knowledge. Lunch at a recommended local restaurant. Flexible pace — spend more time at places that interest you.
Today's highlights:
• Xianghu Lake — scenic lake with cycling paths
• Humble Administrator's Garden — largest classical garden in Suzhou
• Lion Grove Garden — famous for rock formations resembling lions
• Lingering Garden — one of the four great gardens of China
• Tiger Hill — leaning pagoda and historic site
• Hanshan Temple — famous Buddhist temple from classical poetry
• Pingjiang Road — historic canal street with shops and teahouses
• Shantang Street — ancient water town street with canal views
Day 4: Explore Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
Full-day private guided exploration of Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Your expert local guide shares history, culture, and insider knowledge. Lunch at a recommended local restaurant. Flexible pace — spend more time at places that interest you.
Today's highlights:
• Suzhou Museum — modern museum designed by I.M. Pei
• Master of Nets Garden — intimate garden with evening performances
• Surging Wave Pavilion — oldest surviving garden in Suzhou
• Jinji Lake — modern lake area with Ferris wheel
• Tongli Water Town — ancient water town with gardens
• Zhouzhuang Water Town — famous water town with bridges
• The Bund — historic waterfront with colonial architecture
• Nanjing Road — famous shopping street
Day 5: Explore Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
Full-day private guided exploration of Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Your expert local guide shares history, culture, and insider knowledge. Lunch at a recommended local restaurant. Flexible pace — spend more time at places that interest you.
Today's highlights:
• Yu Garden & City God Temple — classical garden and bustling bazaar
• Oriental Pearl Tower — iconic TV tower with observation decks
• Shanghai Museum — comprehensive museum of Chinese art
• Tianzifang — trendy arts and crafts enclave in shikumen houses
• Xintiandi — refurbished shikumen area with restaurants and bars
• Zhujiajiao Water Town — ancient water town near Shanghai
• Shanghai Tower — tallest building in China with observation deck
• Jing'an Temple — active Buddhist temple in modern district
Day 6: Explore Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
Full-day private guided exploration of Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Your expert local guide shares history, culture, and insider knowledge. Lunch at a recommended local restaurant. Flexible pace — spend more time at places that interest you.
Today's highlights:
• Former French Concession — tree-lined streets with colonial architecture
• Disneyland Shanghai — world-class theme park
• Huangshan Mountain — granite peaks, sea of clouds, and ancient pines
• Welcoming Guest Pine (Yingke Song) — iconic 800-year-old pine tree
• Bright Summit (Guangmingding) — second highest peak with panoramic views
• West Sea Grand Canyon (Xihai) — dramatic canyon with stunning scenery
• Flying-Over Rock (Feilaishi) — famous boulder perched on a cliff
• Lotus Peak (Lianhua Feng) — highest peak of Huangshan
Day 7: Explore Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
Full-day private guided exploration of Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Your expert local guide shares history, culture, and insider knowledge. Lunch at a recommended local restaurant. Flexible pace — spend more time at places that interest you.
Today's highlights:
• Heavenly Capital Peak (Tiandu Feng) — steep and challenging peak
• Hongcun Village — UNESCO ancient village with cow-shaped layout
• Xidi Village — UNESCO ancient village with ancestral halls
• Tunxi Old Street — historic shopping street in Huangshan city
• Liyang In巷 (Liyang Old Street) — riverside historic district
• Emerald Valley (Feicui Gu) — scenic valley with emerald pools
• Jiulong Waterfall — nine-tiered waterfall near Huangshan
• Taiping Lake — scenic lake at the foot of Huangshan
Day 8: Departure
Morning at leisure. Optional last-minute shopping or visit to a nearby attraction. Private transfer to the airport or train station for your onward journey. End of our wonderful services.
Morning highlights:
• Chengkan Village — ancient village with bagua (eight trigrams) layout
* This is a suggested itinerary. Your actual plan will be customized based on your arrival/departure times, interests, and preferred pace. Contact us for a detailed personalized itinerary.
What's Included
- Private English-speaking guide (expert local guide)
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in the city center
- Entrance fees as listed in the itinerary
- Bottled water throughout the tour
- Accommodation as per itinerary (4-star or similar hotels)
- Daily breakfast at hotels
- Intercity transportation as per itinerary (bullet train tickets or private transfers)
What's Not Included
- International flights and arrival/departure air tickets
- Personal expenses (shopping, laundry, minibar, snacks, etc.)
- Gratuities for guide and driver (recommended but optional)
- Travel insurance
- Meals and beverages not explicitly specified in the itinerary
- Visa fees and travel documentation costs
- Any services not explicitly listed in "What's Included"