Shanghai · ANCIENT WATER TOWNS & CANALS
12 reviewed
Beyond Zhujiajiao lie Zhouzhuang, Tongli and the older canal villages, all stone bridges and lantern light. Here are the best water-town day trips: which villages each covers, how far the drive runs, and which throw in a boat ride and a meal.
Suzhou gardens and Zhouzhuang’s canal charm from Shanghai, with hotel pickup, entrance fees, lunch, and a gondola-style boat ride.
“The guide was totally awesome with great knowledge, personality, and excellent English. I would like less time at silk factory and more at river village. Maybe skip silk factory”
A 10-hour Shanghai day trip to Suzhou and Zhouzhuang with Ming gardens, a silk factory, and a canal sampan ride.
“Roy was an excellent guide, providing relevant and detailed information about both zhouzhuang and Suzhou. He was proactive, and ensured the trip was comfortable and enjoyable.”
Half-day Shanghai trip to Zhujiajiao Water Village with hotel pickup, canal boat time, two temples, and a silk-making stop for $99.
“We did not actually do this half day tour. When we rang to confirm the pick up time we were offered instead a full day tour to Suzhou and Zhouzhuang water town with lunch included. We had a fantastic day. Our guide Frank was absolutely excellent. The driver was very competent especially in the early evening traffic jams in Shanghai as we returned.”
Private day trip from Shanghai to Suzhou and either Tongli or Zhouzhuang, with hotel pickup, Humble Administrator’s Garden, and a flexible plan.
“What a great day! It was very nice getting off the beaten path and exploring the gardens and water canals. Sunny was an excellent source of knowledge and her command of the English language is superb! We saw the back alleys and ate lunch in a local restaurant that we would not have been able to do without Sunny! Highly recommended!”
Private sunset tour to Xitang Water Town from Shanghai with Jinze boat ride, riverside dinner, wine tasting, and hotel pickup included.
“This was the highlight of our trip to China. I have always wanted to visit Xitang after Mission Impossible 3. Miki, being a local, showed us all the hidden alleyways and gems that we would have missed. As night falls, the mesmerizing beauty of the village is especially enchanting! Thank you Miki!”
Private Shanghai trip to Suzhou & Zhouzhuang: Master-of-Nets Garden, silk mill, Panmen Gate, lunch, and canal gondola ride.
“Brilliant day trip to Suzhou and Zhouzhuang water town with Mr Tom Zhang our English-speaking guide and driver. We started at 8:30am sharp from our hotel in Downtown Shanghai and returned by 5pm. Tom is fluent in English and is very knowledgable. Highly recommended.”
A half-day Zhouzhuang Water Village tour from Shanghai with mansion walks and a Chinese gondola ride, plus Ming-Qing photo stops.
“Interesting timing was underestimated. Only conversation was how to reward driver etal with bonus”
Private Suzhou tour with a local guide, classical gardens and Pingjiang Road, then choose Tongli or Zhouzhuang water town with pickup.
“This was my first (of two) bookings with Sunny for my trip. It was a breeze working with Sunny. Communication was clear and she helped to handle all the logistics like clockwork. My guide, Michelle, was an excellent and a treasure trove of infoRead more”
Guided day trip from Shanghai to Suzhou and Zhouzhuang with Master-of-Nets Garden, silk mill, Panmen Gate, and lunch plus pickup.
“I was the only person on this tour - so I did feel a bit awkward as I prefer small group tours That said - my guide Winni was fantastic - friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating The drive to Suzhou was long - maybe 90 mins or so but thRead more”
Private day trip from Shanghai to Tongli and Suzhou water-town sights, a canal boat ride, and a Suzhou garden visit with hotel pickup.
“Wonderful experience. Our guide Roy is a very nice guy and experienced guide. He explained to us a lot of interesting things about China and places that we visited. He also suggested for lunch a very good restaurant where we could try delicius typical dishes. Absolutely recommended tour.”
Private day trip from Shanghai to Zhouzhuang and Suzhou: boat ride, Humble Administrator’s Garden, Pingjiang Road, lunch, and hotel pickup.
“Our day in Suzhou was unforgettable thanks to Barbara. She is very knowledgeable on the Zhouzhuang water town and gardens and knew exactly how to navigate the crowds to find the best spots for photo taking. She shared so many interesting details about the architecture that we never would have discovered on our own. Barbara sang us some folk songs during the boat ride and she even made us little gifts. She is friendly, patient, and truly cares about her guests' experience. Meanwhile, our driver Mr. Cheng made the travel between sites seamless and stress-free. He is a very safe, professional driver with a clean, comfortable car. Highly recommend this…”
Private guided day in Suzhou and Zhouzhuang with included lunch, canal views, and optional gondola plus entrance fees for a smooth 7–8 hour outing.
“This was an excellent tour. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the area. It was very interesting. The guide customized the trip based on our interest and the time we had. For example, she brought us to a more child friendly garden where our daughter could climb rocks and have a bit of fun.”
