Suzhou Mini Group Day Tour from Shanghai $149, 1 to 6 Guests

Welcome to join in our Shanghai to Suzhou day trip. In the morning, your professional tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in downtown Shanghai at the appointed time, and then we will drive to Suzhou by a clean, comfortable and air-conditioned vehicle. Located only 100 km (62 miles) west of Shanghai, Suzhou is a cultural and historical garden city built along the water. The winding streets by the canal, ancient bridges, flowing water as well as traditional houses, offer a fantastic landscape to visitors.

After a 2-hour ride, we will arrive in Suzhou. The first stop of your Suzhou tour from Shanghai will be the Master of the Nets Garden, a typical Suzhou-style classical landscape garden built in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 AD). This exquisite garden boasts architectural splendor. The layout of pavilions, gateways, windows and various halls enlarges the space visually. The Master of the Nets Garden consists of three parts: east is the residential area, the center is the main garden and the west is the inner garden. You will have enough time to visit the fine garden with your guide.

Next, we will drive about 20 minutes to the Shantang Street, which is an ancient street built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) by the famous poet Bai Juyi. The street, 3,600 meters (3,937 yards) long, is lined with many traditional architecture, featured restaurants and shops. You will have one hour free time here to explore the street and have lunch at your expense. It is a good opportunity to taste authentic local snacks and specialties, such as osmanthus cake, crabapple cake, dumplings, wontons and noodles. Surely, your guide will be glad to offer recommendations according to your preference.

Afterwards, a half hour's drive will take you to the Tongli Town, which is the highlight of your Shanghai to Suzhou day trip. Tongli is a representative ancient water town in south China with a history of more than 1,000 years. The whole town is well preserved and the local people still live in their traditional houses. You will see many living scenes here, such as the locals chat, knit or even cook in the street, women wash clothes by the river, or some people sing Kun opera or Suzhou Pingtan at the roadside. These are indeed very traditional local lifestyles that you have probably never seen before. Moreover, you will take a local sculling boat to tour around the town along the river. Nice photos can be taken while on the boat.

There is also a garden in the town, named the Retreat Garden. No matter where you step in the garden, you will be amazed by its picturesque scenery and delicate garden designs. Your guide will company you to visit the garden and tell you the history and background stories.

After finishing the visit in the Tongli Town, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel in Shanghai. Your Suzhou day tour from Shanghai will draw to an end here. We hope you have enjoyed the day with us.