China Shanhe Lu
Beijing Shaanxi Sichuan Yunnan Tibet Guangxi Zhejiang Fujian Gansu Xinjiang Hong Kong, China All provinces
Beijing Xi'an Hangzhou Chengdu Guilin Lhasa Huangshan Zhangjiajie Jiuzhaigou All destinations
Parent-child together Photography and sourcing material Accompanying the elderly Exploring the Flavors of China Ice and Snow Season Tracing the Silk Road
Camel Bells in the Great Desert · Ten Thousand Miles of the Silk Road Misty Waves and Ink Charm: A Poetry Journey in Jiangnan The Origin of Heluo ・ Tracing the Roots of China Tang Style and Han Charm・Chang'an Han China Silk Sea Sail Shadows · Homebound Journey of Overseas Chinese Ancient Shu Divine Relics · Minshan Civilization The Ancestral Court of Zen Buddhism: Tracing the Origins of Buddhist Chants Ancient Buildings of Shanxi Merchants・Ancient Charm of North China The Three Gorges of the Yangtze River・Chu Style and River Charm Five Great Mountains Bow to Heaven · A Tribute to Mountains and Rivers
Pre-trip Guide All routes FAQ Subject Index About Shan He Lu Contact Consultation Itinerary Customization
繁繁體中文KO한국어JA日本語THไทยRUРусскийFRFrançaisVITiếng ViệtESEspañolITItalianoDEDeutschENEnglish
6-Day Jiangnan Poetry Tour · Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Suzhou Water Towns, Nanjing
6 days / 5 nights · Hangzhou / Shaoxing / Suzhou / Zhouzhuang / Nanjing

6-Day Jiangnan Poetry Tour · Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Suzhou Water Towns, Nanjing

Hangzhou / Shaoxing / Suzhou / Zhouzhuang / Nanjing · 6 days 5 nights · Relaxed

Reference Price

$870Rise / Person

  • Purely for fun, no shopping
  • The itinerary can be slightly adjusted
  • Includes ticket reservation service
Number of people in a group2–8 people
IntensityRelaxed
Best seasonMar–May, Sep–Nov
Traffichigh-speed rail + tour bus
AccommodationBoutique hotel 5 nights + Waterside Inn 1 night
Departure MonthMarch to May, September to November
View daily schedule Customized according to this line

Prices vary between peak and off-peak seasons; the following order confirmation shall prevail · Tickets for highlands and peak seasons need to be booked in advance

Itinerary Details

All routes are for reference only, the actual route is subject to the explanation of customer service

The most recommended one: stay one night in the water town, and Zhouzhuang at six in the morning feels like a different place.

Day-by-day itinerary6 days in total · daily destination, meals, accommodation and transport

Expand day by day; click a title to collapse. Itinerary for reference and may be adjusted for weather and traffic.

  1. D1Arrived in Hangzhou · West Lake

    DestinationEverywhere→ Hangzhou

    Meals
    Meals are self-managed
    Accommodation
    Hangzhou Hotel
    Transport
    Airport/Station Pickup and Drop-off
    Distance
    Within the city
    Stops
    Daily detailArrive in Hangzhou from various locations, with a private transfer at the airport/station to your hotel. Afternoon free time.
    It's recommended to spend a full day touring West Lake: Slow walk from Broken Bridge—White Embankment—Guyan Mountain—to Su Causeway; Liangzhu is in the north of the city, so wait another half day.

    West Lake Dining: Pian'er River, Dongpo Pork, Longjing Shrimp; Zhiwei Guan by the lakeside is a long-established establishment.

  2. DestinationHangzhou → Shaoxing

    Meals
    Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
    Accommodation
    Hangzhou Hotel
    Transport
    High-speed rail / tourist bus → Shaoxing
    Distance
    Intercity Transfer
    Stops
    Daily detail
    Lingyin Temple dining: Pian'er River, Dongpo pork, Longjing shrimp; Zhiwei Temple by the lake is a long-established establishment.
    In the evening, take the high-speed rail or tour bus to Shaoxing, and stay overnight in Shaoxing.

  3. DestinationShaoxing → Suzhou

    Meals
    Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
    Accommodation
    Shaoxing Hotel
    Transport
    High-speed rail / tour bus → Suzhou
    Distance
    Intercity Transfer
    Stops
    Daily detailShen Garden: A private garden of the Southern Song Dynasty, famous for Lu You and Tang Wan's 'The Phoenix with the Hairpin.' The garden is small but full of stories.
    Lu Xun's Hometown: Sanwei Study, Baicao Garden, and Lu Xun's ancestral home form a single street, free to visit.
    Jian Lake and Ancient Narrow Road: Water remnants of the Tang Poetry Road in eastern Zhejiang, the narrow path is a stone-paved embankment used by ancient people to pull boats.
    East Lake: A cliff lake left by quarrying, where taking a black-awning boat through caves is the most interesting.
    Meals: Stinky tofu, braised pork with dried mustard greens, yellow wine drunken chicken.
    Tips: Yellow wine has a strong aftertaste; first-time drinkers are recommended to drink warm; Some sections of the ancient narrow road are slippery, so wear non-slip shoes. In
    the evening, take a high-speed rail or tour bus to Suzhou, and stay overnight in Suzhou.

  4. DestinationSuzhou → Zhouzhuang

    Meals
    Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
    Accommodation
    Suzhou Hotel
    Transport
    High-speed rail / tour bus → Zhouzhuang
    Distance
    Intercity Transfer
    Stops
    Daily detail
    Dining at Hanshan Temple on Pingjiang Road at Humble Administrator's Garden Lion Grove


    : Suzhou-style noodle soup, squirrel mandarin fish, mute pan-fried food; Pingjiang Road has many snacks, but it's recommended to eat outside the alley.
    In the evening, take the high-speed rail or tour bus to Zhouzhuang and stay overnight in Zhouzhuang.

  5. DestinationZhou Zhuang → Nanjing

    Meals
    Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
    Accommodation
    Zhouzhuang Hotel
    Transport
    High-speed rail / tourist bus → Nanjing
    Distance
    Intercity Transfer
    Stops
    Daily detailTwin Bridges: The group of bridges that made Zhouzhuang famous in Chen Yifei's paintings, with the key bridge shape being the most photogenic.
    Shen Hall and Zhang Hall: Representatives of Jiangnan residences, Shen Hall's seven courtyards and five gates, showing how wealthy families live.
    Tongli Ancient Town (replaceable): Tongli is quieter than Zhouzhuang. Tuisi Garden is a World Cultural Heritage site, suitable for those who don't want to squeeze in.
    Roaring boat: Boat women row through bridge tunnels, the most worthwhile small expenses in the water town.
    Meals: Wansan pork knuckle, sock-bottom crisps, Taihu white shrimp.
    Tip: The ancient town is quietest before 7 a.m. and after 8 p.m.; Tickets include several small attractions; you need to keep your ticket stub for entry and exit. In
    the evening, take the high-speed rail or tour bus to Nanjing and stay overnight there.

  6. DestinationNanjing → drop-off at airport/station

    Meals
    Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
    Accommodation
    Not included
    Transport
    Private vehicle for transfer to airport/station
    Distance
    Walking about 4-6 km within the city
    Stops
    Daily detailMing Xiaoling Mausoleum: The tomb of Zhu Yuanzhang, the spirit path stone elephant is a representative of Ming dynasty stone carvings. The Stone Elephant Road is most beautiful in autumn.
    Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum: 392 steps leading up to the sacrificial hall, marking a turning point in modern Chinese architecture.
    Qinhuai River Confucius Temple: The Confucius Temple Academy plus the Qinhuai painted boat are liveliest at night, with the architecture clearest during the day.
    Nanjing Museum: One of China's earliest comprehensive museums, the Republic of China Museum has moved the entire Republican Street underground.
    Meals: Salted duck, duck blood vermicelli soup, and pork tripe noodles.
    Note: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum requires real-name reservation and is closed on Mondays; Ming Xiaoling and Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum are within the Zhongshan scenic area and can be purchased with a combo ticket.
    Scheduled shuttle service for flights or train times will be used to transfer passengers to airports or stations, ending the tour.
Key facts
Departure pointAssemble in Hangzhou, disband in Nanjing
Number of people in a groupSmall group of 2-8 people
Recommended monthMar–May, Sep–Nov
AccommodationBoutique hotel 5 nights + Waterside Inn 1 night
TrafficHigh-speed Rail Tourist Bus
IntensityRelaxed

Route Overview

Main Jiangnan Poetry Tour Route: Hangzhou West Lake and Liangzhu, Shaoxing Shen Garden and East Zhejiang Tang Poetry Road, Suzhou Gardens and Pingjiang Road, one night in a water town, ending in Nanjing. The itinerary is organized day by day, including accommodations and movement routes.

The whole trip lasts 6 days, moving along "Hangzhou → Shaoxing → Suzhou → Zhouzhuang / Tongli → Nanjing": Hangzhou / Shaoxing / Suzhou / Zhouzhuang / Nanjing. The pace is arranged as "one city per segment," with intercity travel mainly by high-speed train, and segments longer than 5 hours switching to flights.

Destinations on This Route

  • Hangzhou: It is recommended to spend a full day around West Lake, walking slowly along Broken Bridge—Bai Causeway—Solitary Hill—Su Causeway; Liangzhu is in the northern part of the city, which requires an additional half day.
  • Shaoxing: Shen Garden and Lu Xun's Former Residence are close to each other in the city and can be visited together; East Lake and Ancient Silk Road each require half a day.
  • Suzhou: In the gardens, enjoy the "changing scenery with each step"; the Humble Administrator's Garden and Lion Grove Garden are just a street apart, which can both be seen in half a day; Pingjiang Road is most pleasant in the evening.
  • Zhouzhuang: Stay one night in the town, walk through it once at dawn and once at dusk, which is more worthwhile than a daytime group tour.
  • Nanjing: One day for Zhongshan Mountain (Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum + Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum), another day for Chengnan (Confucius Temple + Nanjing Museum).

Cultural Series

This route belongs to the Mist and Ink Rhyme · Jiangnan Poetry Tour; there are other options with different durations under the same theme for comparison.

Costs include

  • Accommodation listed in the itinerary (double occupancy)
  • First entrance tickets to the attractions specified in the itinerary
  • Ground transportation listed in the itinerary (high-speed rail / tour bus / scenic area sightseeing bus)
  • Full-time Chinese-speaking tour guide service
  • Daily breakfast, and meals specified in the itinerary
  • Travel agency liability insurance and travel accident insurance

Cost not included

  • Round-trip international airfare between the place of departure and China
  • Personal visa and document fees
  • Main meals and personal expenses not listed
  • Optional items (cable car, additional boat rides, performances, etc.)
  • Tips for guides and drivers (voluntary)
  • Single room supplement

Booking Reminder

After confirming the itinerary and dates, pay the deposit, and the remaining balance should be paid 15 days before the trip. Cancellation more than 30 days before departure will get a full refund of the deposit, 70% refund for 15-30 days, 50% refund for 7-15 days, and no refund within 7 days. Popular sites such as Mogao Caves and Sanxingdui require real-name reservation, please submit ID information at least 15 days in advance. For seniors over 70 and children under 12, please indicate in the remarks, and we will adjust the daily walking amount.