Travel Notes: Exploring Shanghai & the East China Five Cities
I just wrapped up a trip to Shanghai, and honestly, this city is absolutely worth visiting! From the bustling modern skyline to the historic old streets, every corner left a deep impression on me. Here I’ve put together some travel tips from my journey, hoping they can be helpful. If I’ve missed anything, feel free to add on—let’s make this travel guide even better together.
East China Five Cities Travel Guide:
Shanghai – Hangzhou – Suzhou – Nanjing – Wuxi – Yangzhou
Preparations Before Departure
For this East China trip, I spent almost two months preparing! I wanted to visit Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing, Wuxi, and Yangzhou. After reading tons of travel blogs and doing a rough budget, I realized that 6 days would probably cost around 4,000–5,000 RMB per person. That number felt a bit overwhelming—until one of my friends who had visited Hangzhou gave me a game-changing suggestion.
She recommended 小甜, a local travel team specializing in East China tours. I decided to give it a try and added 小甜 on WeChat: 13175908223. What started as a casual inquiry quickly turned into a reassuring conversation. She patiently answered all my questions about itinerary, weather, packing, and little details—never once sounding impatient. Honestly, it felt like chatting with an old friend.
In the end, we chose a 6-day, 5-night classic itinerary arranged by 小甜. The biggest surprise? I initially thought the trip would cost over 4,000 RMB per person, but it ended up being just a little over 2,000 RMB each—literally half the price! And it covered food, hotels, transport, and tickets. Truly stress-free and budget-friendly.
Trip Overview
Day 1 – Shanghai: First Glimpse of the Metropolis
We flew directly from Taiwan to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (high-speed train is also an option). 小甜 arranged private airport pick-up and even signed an official contract—very professional.
That day we visited Yuyuan Garden, City God Temple, Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, the Bund for a night view of the Huangpu River, and strolled through Wukang Road, Lujiazui, and the Oriental Pearl Tower. A perfect mix of Shanghai’s modern fashion and historical charm.
Day 2 – Hangzhou: A Dream of West Lake
We traveled from Shanghai to Hangzhou and took a boat tour on West Lake, checking off its famous Ten Scenes: Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, Broken Bridge, Su Causeway, and more. We also visited Yue Fei Temple, Leifeng Pagoda, and Lingyin Temple.
By evening, we headed to Xitang Ancient Town. With its stone bridges, flowing canals, and misty corridors, it felt like walking into a painting. We even tried on Hanfu for photos—an unforgettable experience.
Day 3 – Wuzhen: The Water Town Charm
This day was all about Wuzhen West Scenic Area in Jiaxing. We explored the Mao Dun Memorial Hall, dye workshops, and traditional wedding halls. The night view of Wuzhen was magical—lanterns reflecting on the water created a dreamlike scene. Staying overnight in a local inn, waking up to the sound of the river outside our window, gave us a taste of slow-paced Jiangnan life.
Day 4 – Suzhou: Gardens and Lake Views
In Suzhou, we visited the Lion Grove Garden—one of China’s four famous gardens—and admired its refined design. At Hanshan Temple, the echo of the bell lingered in the air. Later, we strolled down Shantang Street and tried Suzhou’s local snacks. We wrapped up the day with a boat ride on Taihu Lake, surrounded by mountains and shimmering water.
Day 5 – Nanjing: A City of History and Culture
Nanjing’s itinerary was packed yet rewarding. We toured the Presidential Palace and the Nanjing Museum (both require advance reservations). In the evening, we explored Laomendong, Confucius Temple, and Qinhuai River, soaking in the local atmosphere. Finally, we paid our respects at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum—deeply moving.
Day 6 – Hangzhou: Departure
After breakfast at the hotel, we caught our flight home, with 小甜 once again arranging a smooth airport transfer. Thoughtful service until the very last moment.
Costs
Our entire 6-day, 5-night trip cost just over 2,000 RMB per person. This included nearly everything—meals, hotels, transport, and tickets. The best part?
✅ No hidden costs
✅ No forced shopping
✅ All-inclusive peace of mind
What was included:
Tickets: All major attractions like West Lake, Wuzhen, Xitang, and Taihu Lake.
Transport: Private transfers between cities—no hassle with public transport.
Hotels: Four nights in boutique hotels, comfortable and well-located.
Food: Signature dishes like Beggar’s Chicken, West Lake Vinegar Fish, Longjing Shrimp, and West Lake Beef Soup.
Guides: Professional explanations that brought Jiangnan gardens and culture to life.
Support & Insurance: 小甜 answered all our questions during the trip—like a 24/7 travel concierge.
Travel Insights
This trip showed me that East China truly lives up to its reputation—every step is like walking into a painting. The water towns of Jiangnan especially left me enchanted.
If you’re planning a trip, the must-visit highlights of the East China Five Cities include:
Jiangsu: Suzhou Gardens, Hanshan Temple, Zhouzhuang, Nanjing’s Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Confucius Temple.
Zhejiang: West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Wuzhen, Xitang, Nanxun.
Shanghai: The Bund, Nanjing Road, Lujiazui, Yuyuan Garden.
Usually, 5–8 days is enough to cover the main attractions. If you have more time, you can extend your trip to Qiandao Lake or Putuo Mountain.
Accommodation Experience
Hotels in Shanghai are generally expensive, but 小甜 helped us book very cost-effective options. Their company offers both comfort and luxury packages—we went for the luxury one, which included four-star boutique hotels close to scenic spots. Traveling with kids and elderly family members was so much easier this way. If I had booked on my own, just the hotels would have cost over 2,000 RMB. With 小甜’s arrangement, the entire trip cost just a little more than that—amazing value.
Final Recommendation
Thanks to 小甜’s thoughtful arrangements, this journey was completely stress-free: private transfers, discounted hotels, bundled tickets, professional guides, and zero hidden fees. For me, it wasn’t just a vacation—it was a truly joyful experience.
So, if you’re planning to explore the East China Five Cities, I highly recommend reaching out to 小甜. She has years of experience organizing tours in the Jiangnan area and offers excellent service and reputation.
Contact 小甜 on WeChat: 13175908223
评论
I'd like to ask, do I book my own flight to Shanghai? If I go to 小甜, will they arrange airport pickup? Do I need to contact them in advance? Also, are 小甜 and their travel agency a local one?
小甜 is a local travel agency that specializes in receiving independent travelers like us, and has always had a very good reputation online. I also learned about it by chance through a friend's introduction. The biggest advantage is that they can recommend or customize itineraries based on our needs, which is truly flexible and worry-free. Unlike traditional travel agencies, they do not force us to visit specific attractions, but arrange them according to our interests. If you book your tickets in advance, they can also arrange airport pick-up services, which is a very good experience. If you need anything, you can contact 小甜, the contact information is: (Wechat) 13175908223
Are Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou good places for a self-driving tour? Planning a drive? With kids, can 小甜 arrange a trip to Shanghai Disneyland?
Driving yourself isn't really necessary when traveling in East China. Most scenic areas don't allow driving inside, so you'll usually need to take the resort's eco-friendly vehicles. If you choose to drive, you'll also have to find parking outside the area, which can be both troublesome and expensive. Generally speaking, it's more convenient to visit each attraction from the city where it's located. If you absolutely want to drive, you can park in a parking lot in Hangzhou or Nanjing and join a small group tour, which is similar to an independent trip, but safer and less stressful.
Also, 小甜 at Shanghai Disneyland can help arrange it. They'll get VIP tickets, saving time in lines and offering a better experience.
I just returned from a trip to Shanghai and Hangzhou, also arranged through 小甜. The overall experience was fantastic. We started our trip by high-speed rail to Nanjing, and had a blast there.
This six-day trip covered several major cities, including Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuzhen, Xitang, and Shanghai. Before departure, I researched numerous online travel guides and took numerous notes. Then, a friend reminded me, "The most important thing about traveling is to be stress-free and enjoyable." So, I contacted 小甜 to help with itinerary planning.
Wuzhen was particularly memorable. 小甜 booked our tickets in advance, making entry smooth and saving us time in line. Since we were traveling with children, this arrangement was incredibly convenient. If you're traveling with elderly or young children, you might also consider having her help with arrangements to save you a lot of hassle.
Our 6-day, 5-night itinerary for the five cities of East China is as follows:
D1: High-speed rail to Nanjing, pick-up at 小甜, overnight stay in Nanjing
D2: Nanjing – Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Confucius Temple, Qinhuai River, and night view of Nianhua Bay
D3: Suzhou Lion Grove Garden – Wuzhen Night Tour
D4: Hangzhou West Lake Cruise, visiting the Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake and Prince Bay Park
D5: Xitang Ancient Town – Shanghai City God Temple
D6: Shanghai Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street – The Bund, end of tour and return home
The attractions in the five cities of East China are scattered, and travel between them can be time-consuming. If you're visiting East China for the first time, we recommend finding a local tour group to help you arrange everything, like we did. Food, accommodation, transportation, and tickets are all included, making it a hassle-free and cost-effective package. We also highly recommend 小甜.
I also want to go to Suzhou and Hangzhou for 3 to 5 days. Does anyone have a 3-5 day itinerary?
@Rae (莉珊) Yes, the most important thing for you is to visit Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. If time doesn't allow, you can skip the other places, but these three are definitely worth visiting. I also recommend contacting 小甜 (WeChat) 13175908223, who can arrange it based on your schedule.
@May Lam Thanks for the recommendation, I have contacted 小甜. Very good and professional
I'm planning to take my kids to Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Disneyland during the holidays. I wonder if 小甜 can make the arrangements?