Are you looking for suggestions for a relaxing vacation in a place with both beautiful scenery and peace? Then don’t miss the Suzhou Hangzhou Itinerary 4 days: How to spend 4 days in China to explore Hangzhou & Suzhou below!
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Many destinations in China are considered “paradise on earth”, in which, Hangzhou and Suzhou are two bright gems of the Jiangnan region. One side has the poetic West Lake, famous Longjing tea, the other side has beautiful classical gardens and a poetic canal system.
If you are looking for a relaxing and cultural journey, the Hangzhou – Suzhou 4 days 3 nights travel itinerary will be the ideal choice. Let’s explore the trip with attractive destinations, memorable experiences and tips to help you fully enjoy the journey with us!
Suzhou Hangzhou itinerary — Day 1: Travel from Shanghai to Suzhou – Lion Grove Garden, Pingjiang Old Town
Only about 100km from Shanghai, Suzhou is an ideal destination for a trip to explore the Jiangnan region. The fastest way to get here is by high-speed train, which takes about 25-30 minutes. Trains depart from Shanghai Railway Station or Hongqiao Railway Station, with economy class tickets ranging from 30 – 52 RMB (about 105,000 – 182,000 VND). If you want to save money, you should choose a regular train with prices from 14.5 RMB (about 51,000 VND). However, the travel time by regular train will be longer, about 1 – 1.5 hours.
In addition to the train, you can also choose to take a bus from Shanghai to Suzhou. From Shanghai’s main bus stations, you can easily find intercity buses to Suzhou, with fares ranging from 40 – 130 RMB (about 140,000 – 456,000 VND), travel time about 2 – 2.5 hours. However, to save time, high-speed trains are still the most ideal choice.
Afternoon: Visit Shi Zi Lin (Lion Grove Garden)
- Opening hours: 7:30 – 17:30 (spring & summer) | 7:30 – 17:00 (autumn & winter)
- Ticket price: 40 CNY/person
The first stop in Suzhou is Shi Zi Lin, one of the four most beautiful classical gardens in the city. Built during the Yuan Dynasty (1342), the 1.1-hectare garden offers a relaxing space with delicately arranged boulders, a charming small bridge over a clear lake and winding paths leading to elegant pavilions.
Private Half-Day Tour of Lion Grove Garden and Humble Administrator’s Garden, Suzhou
The garden’s special highlight is the artificial rock mountain system simulating the shape of a lion – a typical symbol of this place. The boulders are carved into many different shapes, creating an interesting stone maze to explore. In addition, the ancient houses, poetic lotus ponds and intricately carved wooden corridors help the Jiangnan architecture appear more clearly.
Afternoon: Stroll at Pingjiang Road
After leaving Shi Zi Lin, you continue to explore the ancient features of Suzhou at Pingjiang Street. This is an ancient canal street about 1.6km long, likened to a small version of Venice with boats gliding on the blue water. Preserved since the Song Dynasty, the old town still retains its ancient beauty with black-tiled wooden houses, stone bridges over the canals and red lanterns hanging high.
Strolling on the bluestone paved road, you will come across countless teahouses, traditional restaurants and handicraft shops. If you want to fully enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere, stop by a small teahouse on the side of the road, sip a cup of Longjing tea or Biluochun tea, and watch the peaceful flow of people passing by.
Tongli Ancient Town & Pingjiang Road & Suzhou Museum Private Car Day Tour
In addition, if you have time, you should also take a boat trip on the Pingjiang Canal. Sitting on a wooden boat, listening to the gentle sound of oars and watching the ancient houses reflected on the water will be an unforgettable experience. If you want to experience sitting on a boat along the canal, the cost will be about 150 RMB (about 526,000 VND) per boat, you should go in a group to split the cost.
Evening: Explore Suzhou Cuisine
After a long day of exploring, it’s time to reward your “hungry stomach” with Suzhou’s specialties. This city is famous for its simple yet sophisticated dishes such as glutinous rice cakes, crab dumplings and the famous Suzhou noodles. A meal at a local restaurant costs around 30 – 50 RMB (about 105,000 – 175,000 VND), depending on the dish and location.
Day 2: Suzhou – Suzhou Canal, Liuyuan, Shantang
On the second day in Suzhou, you will feel the space more imbued with Jiangnan culture with ancient bridges, poetic canals and exquisite heritage gardens. When night falls, Shantang ancient town is brilliant in lantern lights, painting a harmonious picture of classic features and modern life, which will be the perfect end to the day.
Visit Suzhou Ancient Canal in the Morning
After breakfast, head to the Grand Canal to admire the charming river beauty of the Jiangnan region. The ideal way to fully appreciate the beauty of the canal is to take a boat tour. You can choose a suitable wharf such as Xinshiqiao Wharf, Bai Juyi Wharf, Xiangmen Wharf or Qimen Wharf, depending on your schedule. Ticket prices range from 40 CNY (about 140,340 VND) to 138 CNY (about 484,190 VND) for a trip of 1 to 2 hours.
[China Railway Tour] Hangzhou West Lake Cruise + Liuhe Pagoda + Hangzhou Longjing Tea Plantation…
On the journey, ancient houses with graceful curved tiled roofs, small alleys winding between residential areas and bridges with sophisticated architecture gradually appear. Among the 20 bridges spanning the canal, the most prominent is the Midu Bridge with an intact single-span design. In addition, the ancient city gate Xu Men – one of the few important architectures from the Yuan Dynasty – is also a stop worth visiting.
Afternoon to Explore Lingering Garden (Liu Garden) – The Quintessence of Chinese Garden Art
Continuing the journey, the next destination is Lingering Garden, one of the four most famous gardens in China and recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. This is a place that clearly demonstrates Chinese garden art with a harmonious combination of architecture, nature and feng shui elements.
Liuyuan is open from 7:30 to 17:30, with admission fees ranging from 45 CNY (about 157,860 VND) to 55 CNY (about 193,000 VND) depending on the season. You can get here by subway line 2, Shilu station or take bus number 85, 317, 933, or tourist bus number 1.
Evening: Stroll along Shantang Street
Leaving Lingering Garden, the next destination you should not miss is Shantang, an ancient street more than 3.5km long running along the river. Built in 825 during the Tang Dynasty, this place was once a bustling trading center and still retains its ancient appearance with rows of black-tiled wooden houses and shops selling traditional handicrafts.
When night falls, Shantang becomes more brilliant than ever with lanterns reflecting on the water. This is also the ideal time to enjoy Suzhou’s specialties. Save your stomach and try specialties such as sweet and sour carp, stir-fried ribs with Tang Su sauce or fragrant osmanthus cake.
Private Guided Day Tour of Suzhou Hanshan Temple, Humble Administrator’s Garden, and Shantang Street
If you want to fully enjoy the night air of Suzhou, you should board a small boat and let yourself drift along the water, listen to the melodious folk songs, to feel the nostalgic and profound beauty of this thousand-year-old city.
Day 3: Suzhou Go to Hangzhou – West Lake, Longjing Tea Hill
After an impressive experience in Suzhou with ancient gardens and poetic river towns, the journey continues to Hangzhou – a city famous for its charming scenery. From Suzhou, the best choice to get to Hangzhou is the high-speed train, with a travel time of about 1.5 hours. High-speed train fares vary depending on the seat type and booking time, but are generally between 50-150 CNY (about 175,423 VND – 526,265 VND).
Mainland China Bus & Metro Card
In Suzhou, you have many options for departure points such as Suzhou Station, Suzhou North Station, Suzhou Industrial Park Station and choose the destination train stations in Hangzhou such as Hangzhou Station, Hangzhou East Station, Hangzhou South Station. You should book tickets in advance through Chinese online train ticket booking applications or at the train station to ensure a seat. When departing, you should arrive at the train station about 30 minutes early to check in.
Visit the poetic Xihu (West Lake) in the heart of the city
After arriving in Hangzhou, go to West Lake to sightsee, walk around and take photos to check in. If you want to move quickly and conveniently, you should call a taxi, or if you want to save more, you can choose public transport such as the metro to get here. Taxi fare is about 30-50 CNY (about 105,254 VND – 175,423 VND).
Hangzhou West Lake + West Lake Boat Ride + Lingyin Temple + Tea Brewing…
West Lake is a must-see destination, with its poetic and charming beauty. Besides sightseeing, you can also rent a boat to feel the beauty of the lake from a different perspective. Tickets to areas in West Lake can range from 0-50 CNY (0-175,423 VND) depending on the attractions you choose. Some famous attractions for your reference include Su Causeway, Yue Fei Temple, Leifeng Tower,…
Go to Longjing Tea Garden to Enjoy the Traditional Flavor of Hangzhou
From West Lake, you just need to take bus number 27 and go for about 15 minutes to reach the famous Longjing Tea Hill in Hangzhou. This is where China’s famous green tea is produced. This area offers an interesting experience for you to visit the lush green tea hills, learn about the tea growing and processing process, and enjoy genuine Longjing tea. Some areas are free to enter, while some places may charge a small entrance fee. This is also an ideal opportunity to buy Longjing tea as a meaningful gift for relatives and friends.
Half-Day Immersive Hangzhou West Lake Longjing Tea Culture Experience
Try Hangzhou Specialties and Rest
After a long day of exploring, take the time to enjoy Hangzhou’s specialties. Hangzhou is famous for many delicious dishes, from street food to luxury restaurants. One of the specialties that cannot be missed is Dongpo braised pork, stir-fried shrimp with tea leaves, beggar’s chicken, Phien Nhi Xuyen noodles,…
The cost of food depends on your choice, but you should budget about 100-200 CNY (about 350,847 VND – 701,694 VND) for a dinner. If you still have time and do not want to return to the hotel, you can take a taxi to Hangzhou commercial center to shop and have fun. In particular, in the evening, the center also has a very special light show, remember to save it to arrange a time to see it!
Day 4: Hangzhou – Liuhe Temple, Qinghe Fang Ancient Town – Return to Shanghai
On the last day of the Suzhou – Hangzhou tour, you should choose destinations close to the light sightseeing activities. A visit to Liuhe Temple and Qinghe Fang Ancient Town will give you time to immerse yourself in the peaceful, serene atmosphere of the Jiangnan region before returning.
Liuhe Temple – Panoramic View of Qiantang River
After breakfast, start your day with a visit to Liuhe Temple, a beautiful ancient architectural work located on Yuelun Mountain, on the banks of Qiantang River. Liuhe Temple was built in 970 AD, with 13 floors nearly 60m high, bearing a bold ancient architectural style but full of splendor.
Getting to the temple is quite convenient, you just need to take a taxi (about 25 minutes from the center of Hangzhou, cost about 100 CNY, equivalent to 350,850 VND) or use public buses. The entrance fee to visit the temple is 20 CNY (about 70,170 VND), the fee to climb the floors of the tower is 10 CNY (about 35,080 VND).
West Lake & Leifeng Pagoda & Qinghefang Private Car Charter Day Tour
Here, you will admire the exquisite sculptures and poems of historical figures carved on the wall. The most special thing is that you will have the opportunity to climb to the top floor of the tower and see the panoramic view of the Qiantang River and the bustling city of Hangzhou. Don’t forget to take the time to explore the miniature models of famous Chinese pagodas and listen to the legend of the Liuhe Temple in the inner courtyard!
After visiting the Liuhe Temple, you should find a nearby restaurant for lunch. Take this time to rest and prepare for the next tour in the afternoon!
Qinghefang Ancient Street – Shopping and Enjoying Specialties
In the afternoon, come to Qinghe Fang Ancient Street, a well-preserved part of Hangzhou’s ancient city, located at the foot of Wushan Mountain. This ancient street is an ideal destination for you to experience culture and shopping. There are many old shops here, selling traditional handicrafts such as fans, scissors, sausages, etc. and famous traditional Chinese medicines.
This street is open to the public, creating favorable conditions for visitors to stroll around, find unique souvenirs and enjoy local cuisine. Take time to stroll on the pretty small streets, visit traditional shops such as Baohetang Pharmacy, Huqingyutang Pharmacy, Wangxingji Fan Shop.
Return to Shanghai from Hangzhou
After exploring the ancient space at Qinghe Fang Ancient Town, it’s time to return to Shanghai. Depending on your personal plan, you can choose means of transport such as high-speed train, regular train, bus or taxi. The travel time from Hangzhou to Shanghai ranges from about 1 to 3 hours, depending on the type of vehicle you choose.
- High-speed train: This is the fastest and most convenient means of transport, taking about 1 hour. The price of a second-class ticket is about 46.5-77.5 CNY (about 163,000 – 271,000 VND). You should book tickets in advance to ensure a seat.
- Regular train: If you are not in a hurry, you can choose a regular train, the travel time is about 2-3 hours. The price of a hard seat ticket is about 24.5-28.5 CNY (about 86,000 – 100,000 VND).
- Bus: However, this means of transport takes more time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling to Suzhou and Hangzhou
When is the best time to travel to Suzhou and Hangzhou?
The ideal time to visit Suzhou and Hangzhou is in spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October). The weather is quite pleasant, cool and less rainy. Spring is full of beautiful flowers blooming in ancient gardens, while autumn brings cool air and beautiful golden leaves.
What are the famous specialties of Suzhou?
Suzhou is famous for its exquisite dishes, such as Suzhou-style sweet and sour carp, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, and signature dim sum dishes. These are the must-try dishes when coming to Suzhou.
What is Hangzhou famous for?
Hangzhou is famous for West Lake, Longjing tea and Hangzhou silk. West Lake is a must-see destination, and Hangzhou is also known as the birthplace of Longjing tea, China’s most famous green tea.
Which water town near Hangzhou should you visit?
Wuzhen is a prominent water town near Hangzhou. It has a long history, beautiful river and lake scenery, and delicious food. Wuzhen has an ancient and traditional beauty, making it an ideal destination for those who love ancient culture.
How far is it from Hangzhou to Wuzhen?
Wuzhen is about 80 km from downtown Hangzhou, only about 1 hour’s drive. If you take the G train between Hangzhou and Tongxiang (near Wuzhen Water Town), the travel time is only about 20 minutes.
The journey to explore Suzhou and Hangzhou will bring you many wonderful experiences, from the beauty of West Lake to the ancient gardens in Suzhou. Whether you love the tranquility of nature or want to immerse yourself in the unique cultural space, this trip will not disappoint you. With interesting suggestions above, you will definitely have a memorable vacation. Don’t forget to save the wonderful moments in the journey to explore these two beautiful cities!
Prepare your suitcase and get ready for the 4-day, 3-night Suzhou – Hangzhou travel itinerary now!
Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Suzhou you can refer to
- Humble Administrator’s Garden Ticket in Suzhou
- Lion Forest Garden Admission Ticket in Suzhou
- Lingering Garden Ticket in Suzhou
- Tongli Ancient Town Ticket in Suzhou (For Mainland China ID Holders)
- Tongli Water Town Admission Ticket in Suzhou
- Tianping Mountain Ticket in Suzhou
- Master of Nets Garden Admission Ticket in Suzhou
- Suzhou & Zhouzhuang Water Village
- Suzhou Highlights Half Day Biking Tour
Are you looking for more top things to do in Suzhou: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here. And China here.
