5 Days 4 Nights-Shanghai-Wuzhen-Hangzhou-Suzhou

Why China? because they are always incredibly beautiful:)

I and my friend Yui had planned for trip to Chongqing （in China） in April 2026 since December 2025. But around January which we had to book air ticket, but we found that the air ticket price is triple because the period is Songkran. We do not want to wait till last minute then we decided to change destination and period to be 26-30 March to Shanghai-Hangzhou-Suzhou.  I booked this tour with China Highlights the same company which we booked trip to Xi'an in 2025 as we were happy with their services last time.

We booked private tour included all hotels, tours, transportations in China and some meals exclude flight as when we checked flight by TG we got good flight with good price.

Three days before we left Bangkok, all tour guides contacted me via wechat and introduced themselves. They prepared and we are ready for 5 days trip which longer than last time to Xi'an.

This time I chose Shanghai-Hangzhou-Suzhou because Hangzhou and Suzhou were in my list for long time because I fall in love with their garden and water town. We got good program from tour operator as he understands what we preferred.

26th March - we got after midnight of 25th March as we want to arrive to Shanghai in the morning to have full day for first day program. We arrived at airport quite early and spent time at King Power lounge. I like their boild-rice and Phad si eaw.

01:40am our flight left Bangkok and it was good time to sleep. Even sleep in economy flight may not comfortable but at least we sleep few hours. Around 3am, they serve meal set. But we preferred to sleep so we did not try their food.

06:25am, we landed at Shanghai Pudong International airport. 

We did not need to scan to collect fingerprint as we both came to China many times. Now there are online arrival card form is available and very easy, so it made immigration process more convenience and faster. After got luggage and came out to meet with our first tour guide name Mr.Robin. He was our tour guide for One day Tour in Shanghai but it was a wonderful day with him.

Firstly, he took us directly to Shanghai Tower and go up to 118th floor observation by the fastest elevator in the world (20.5meters per sec.). 

From the observation floor, we saw lots of beautiful old and new buildings. Mr.Robin explained us the location and history of this city. 

There is a souvenir shop, so I got one horse keychain for my colleague, Khun Surang

After that we came down but before we move to another place. Mr.Robin took us to a surprise spot to get amazing shot.

And Yui also got first shot with beautiful flower. 

We got in the car and then continue to visit Yu Garden in the old quarter of Shanghai. 

We love to visit this kind of the place where there are architecture and history stay still. The large garden contained with many rooms, houses, pavilions. 

We were enjoy listening Mr.Robin explained about the history of the garden. 

However, there was small joke by Mr.Robin which made us laugh out loud. We saw 2 lions sculpture in the garden. One lion on left has a ball in one leg while the lion on the right has small lion in one leg. Mr.Robin asked us do we know which one is female and I know answer because someone had asked me long time ago so I said the one with small lion is female because she taking care a baby and I was right. 

However, second question from Mr.Robin is why everywhere keep male lion on the left. This question I never heard. And the answer is because "female always right". Yes, he was right as well.

We spent around one hour at the garden and then left to the market. 

There are lots of shops, cafe, restaurants which is very good. Because we did not have breakfast so it was good time and good food to try. 

Mr.Robin took us to a small Dim sum restaurant. He helped us order food as all menus are in Chinese (he helped us save time instead of using google translate). We got a bowl of noodle (big bowl) and dim sum. 

After that we continue walking around the market and we stopped by at Ah Ma Cafe. 

We both know this name and we want to try seasonal fruit this time. I got Starfruit frappe and I have to say that this is the best fruit frappe I had tried. They put lot of fresh starfruit and even no syrup still good taste. Yui orders another menu and she also like it. 

This market selling nice souvenir and Yui got some hand cream for her colleague. This hand cream is special; they have birthday of everyone on the cover. And they can do razer the name of the person who we want to give this cream for free. I also got some for my colleague as well.

After spent few minutes at cafe we left and get back to the car continue to The Bund. 

Before we get in the car, I notice this big board under the big blooming Magnolias tree so Mr.Robin took this nice shot for us.

There are lots of beautiful old buildings along the river near The Bund. 

Some building turned to be offices, banks, shops, shopping malls.

We got good photos from that area because there was also beautiful colorful tulip blooming. 

After that Mr.Robin took us walked along the Nanjing Road. 

It is long road where there are lots of shops, cafe, coffee, tea shops, bakery etc., but we did not by anything because it was just first day of our trip. 

We walked till the end of Nanjing road then we get in the car and transfer to hotel for check in. 

After Nanjing Road, Mr.Robin took us to Starbuck which I visit last time when I came to Shanghai for business trip. 

We stayed at Sunrise Hotel. After checked in Mr.Robin walked us the shoppingmall which not too far from hotel. 

He explained how to walk back to hotel and then left us. We walked around the mall and finally we found spicy noodle which we can pick ingredient by ourselves and they cook for us and we can choose type of soup and level of spicy as well.

And here is here our dinner (before). 

And after

We walked back to hotel for quick refresh. 

Mr.Robin booked the show for us tonight （we both love to see the traditional show in China）. 

This one is acrobatic show the ticket quite expensive but after we saw the show we can say this show is worth to see.

We got taxi and return to hotel. Our first day in Shanghai completed. We unpack and pack again as we will move to Wuzhen tomorrow (this trip we move hotel every night)

27th March - breakfast at hotel was very good. Yui had only a cup of coffee and few pieces of fruit but mine is difference.

Mr.George another tour guide picks up us from hotel and took us to Shanghai train station. The ticket was booked online so Mr.Geourge took us checked in (only passport need) and then took us to the check in gate then left. We was waiting around 15 minutes then the gate open and after scan passport we were ready at the platform. 

There were lots of people waiting for the same train with us. 

But the seat was fix so everyone has seat. We kept our suitcase on the shelf and went to our seat 13A&B which located in the middle of the coach. 

This high-speed train is very fast; we took it only 3 stations then we reached to Tongxian station in Hangzhou. 

At Tonxian station, Ms.Hong who is our tour guide for Wuzhen and Hangzhou waiting for us at the exit and took us to the car. 

We were heading to the Wuzhen Watertown. 

On the way passing the large vegetable plantation. But the large plantation full of yellow flower.  

The driver stopped on the way and let us take photo. Then we got some nice shots.

We arrived at the town around noon. 

Checked in at the main lobby and left our luggage to concierge and staff sent them to our room.

We walked along the bridge and enjoyed the view of water town. 

Stopped by at some work shops

And stopped at the noodle restaurant. 

The menu looks delicious, so our guide helped us order 2 noodles for both of us

My noodle no soup and I order grilled duck and Yui order noodle with soup

After lunch with noodle, we started walking again around the town and stopped again at the ice-cream shop

Walking will be more fun if walking with good ice-cream like us

Along the small road inside the water town. We met lots of tourist and local people and they all are very friendly.  

The last stop was at the pagoda, but we were too tired to climb up to the top. 

So, we just listen to our guide explain about the history of the pagoda and the town.

We walked back to our hotel; it was small boutique hotel deep into the water town name TongAn Hotel. 

I like this hotel as we can feel the town both in the evening and also morning.

After checked in we both fell asleep because we did not have good sleep in the flight. And woke up around 5pm and we came out to the town again to find our dinner. 

There was a signage of hot pot restaurant. 

And we walked follow the guideline. This is hidden gems restaurant. Along the way to restaurant look like local people's house.  

If you want to try, just walk to the middle of the main canal where there is a stage which they use for some event. The restaurant sign standing there.

We walked till the end of the road and the restaurant was there.

There is hot pot restaurant with nice venue. The problem is we cannot speak Chinese while all menus are in Chinese. But we have Wi-Fi then we can use google translator 

Finally, we can order food

And this is one of very good for in this trip. Their staff cannot speak English but they are so friendly and try to communicate with us via translator app as well

After finished dinner, we walked back to hotel on difference road

And we found the difference beautiful in the night from the day time

Many houses light up with the beautiful reflection on the water

The peaceful town with lovely people. One day here was so fast. We arrived back to hotel and unpack and pack again for tomorrow's program.

28th March - we woke up around 6am as we want to walk around the town again to see how they look lik in the morning time. 

We start with lite breakfast at hotel

There is small market which local people selling their vegetable, fruit from the farm. 

Besides of the small market, there are also lots of local restaurant and cafe open in the morning and lots of tourist enjoy their breakfast. But we had breakfast from hotel so we cannot eat anything. 

While walking around, I heard someone singing traditional Chinese song. So, we walked follow that sound. 

And found out there is a man in ancient costume singing a song, so people were enjoyed breakfast and enjoy listening to the song.

We left the market and walked back to hotel. 

0n the way we stopped by at the public toilet. I forgot to mention about public toilet here. All are free of charge, and they all are clean and convenience. So, no worries if you want to travel to this town.

And we stopped at a tea house near the bridge. We saw this tea house since yesterday, but they were full. 

So, we came today as the first customer (they open at 9am). 

We chose the tea and they serve together with some dessert and local snacks. 

We tried all item of snacks and almost finish the tea. But we have to leave water town to Hangzhou so we cannot spend as long time as we wish at the tea house. 

09:30am, we left the water town and heading to Hangzhou. 

The first stop was at the market name Qinghefang Pedestrian Street. There are lots of shops, restaurants, cafe, musuem and restaurants. 

We walked along the street and stopped at fruit tea shop name Ms.Wale's garden. The girl standing in front of the shop and invited us to try their drink. 

It was good taste of mix fruit and flower. So, we bought some of them for our friends.

Continue walking and I got this dessert which I want to try in Hangzhou. Strawberry sweet and sour while the crispy sugar not too sweet.

We finished at the end of the market then walked back to the restaurant which recommended by our guide. 

It is noodle restaurant and we order one with soup and one dry noodle to share. 

Besides of noodle, we order some BBQ as well.

After lunch, we left the market and then continue to West Lake which is the most famous lake in Hangzhou. 

Along the way from entrance to the pier is beautiful with trees and flower garden.

We reach to the pier and while waiting in the que. I got some nice shots of this Pavillon

And a nice shot of pagoda on the mountain

Finally, our cruise arrived and we got seat on second floor which can see better view. 

Our guide order hot tea for us so to sips the flower tea and enjoy lake view is the best relax time

The cruise took around 40 minutes around the lake and then return to the pier.

We continue to another part of the lake where there is a very big Park. 

There are lots of cherry blossoms. We spent around 2 hours walk around the Park and luckily found there are some magnolias flower blooming. 

We got in the car and transfer to check in at our hotel. 

We stayed at Zhongwei Sunny Hotel. We did not have much time after checked in because we had booked ticket for the night show. 

So, after drop luggage in the room then we come down to get taxi and go to the show.

The show was in the lake. Their stage built in the water and all dancers move around the water stage.

They have some show of local Instruments. Singing traditional songs.

The show was amazing

And the show finished around 8:30pm. We walk out from the venue to get taxi to our hotel. And then our 3rd day of the trip finished.

29th March - work up at 07:00am as the pick up time was 09:00am to visit the Six Harmonies pagoda near the river

Around 30 minutes from hotel then we reached to the pagoda. 

We were lucky they have peony flower festival near pagoda. We walk up to the bell tower

We saw lots of beautiful peony flower around pagoda and also there are variety of flower blooming around area as well

We came down from pagoda and get in the car. 

The last stop today is tea plantation. 

And it is one of the reasons that I picked Hangzhou for this trip. Because I want to visit the place where they famous for Longjing tea (my most favorite tea)

We arrived at the plantation on time. Mr.Jose who is owner of some plantation shown us how to pick the tea leave. 

We were enjoyed and try to pretend like professional but only these teas leaf we can pick

After that our guide took us walked around the village to see the tea plantation on the bird eye view

And continue to village where people busy with making the tea

We reached to Mr.Jose's house where we learned how to prepare tea, how difference of each type of tea

We had tried to wear traditional dress 

And get some memories shots

We were enjoyed tasting the tea. However, my favorite tea still Longjing so I bought some of Longjing and also Black tea for my friends.

After say goodbye to Mr.Jose we left to restaurant for lunch

The local restaurant serves local food, and this area is famous for fish, so we ordered fish in the soup, omelet and fried bamboo shoot which is in the season as well

All food were so good, we finished them all and no space in stomach for anything

We get in the car again as today we have to get the train to Suzhou

Our guide dropped us at train station, and we were on good timing. We wait only around 15 minutes to get in the train.

There are only 3 stations then we reached to Suzhou. 

I forgot to say about train from Shanghai to Tongxian. 

Actually, both train are so good and convenience. We have great experience with the train from this trip

After getting off from the train. Ms.Ann （another tour guide） was waiting with us. The station may not be big for local people as they get used to. 
But for us is difference, lucky that we have guide and she took us to meet driver easily.

There is another mission that we want to do during this trip. We had tried Chagee which is one of the famous tea in China, A Mah so we want to try Hey Tea. Ms.Ann already checked and found there is one on the way to our hotel. 

Driver was so kind, he stopped at the tea shop and Ms.Ann helped us at the shop to order. Unfortunately, there was 12 ques before us then we give up and continue to hotel and check in.

Ms.Ann told us there are some nice shows not far from our hotel which we can walk and buy ticket by ourselves.

After dropped luggage and relax for few minutes then walked to the garden name The Master-of-Nets Garden. 

The ticket is only RMB 120 per person.

They separate group of tourists to be around 10 persons/group and set the visiting time. Inside the garden, there are variety of traditional shows. 

Start with the beautiful instruments and sing the traditional song

Singing

Chinese opera show

We spent around 1 hour inside the garden and enjoyed the shows.

Left the garden and continue walking to the main road to find our dinner

There are variety of food and finally we decided to go with Sukiyaki

Yakitori is the name of restaurant

And same problem with menus in Chinese. But again that we found friendly staff and helped us order food.

Their sukiyaki was so good taste and quality of ingredients

Finish sukiyaki and Yui want to try local dessert at the shop near by then we walked there and order small portions

Finished and time to walk back to hotel.

But on the way to hotel, we stopped at Hey Tea again. Even we know drinking tea in the night is not good for sleep but seem we do not have time tomorrow then we make it today.

And that is the reason why I'm still writing this blog till now at 2am. Their tea is really good quality.

30th March - finally, the last day of the trip. And this last day was in Suzhou which is one of cities. Our plan on last day was free and easy program. We had breakfast at hotel (I love to try having breakfast at hotel because all hotels provide difference noodle so I love to try difference noodle in China. 

After breakfast, we both were ready at lobby and our guide Mr.Bao and driver were there as well. 

They really on time. We get all luggage in the car and left hotel. Only 5 minutes then we get off the car to visit The Master of Nets Garden again. 

We were here last night to see variety of the shows but today we came with our guide to see how beautiful this garden in the day time.

There was raining last night in this area so in the morning the weather was so good. Our guide paid for entrance ticket for us and lead us in to the garden. 

This garden is totally difference in the night and day light. 

The garden is so beautiful

There are lots of flowers

Rooms with difference of purpose of the owner （in the past）

Our guide explained the history of each room and corner.

And we also enjoyed taking photos 

I love this kind of architecture, landscape and decoration 

The entrances, doors, windows all are beautiful （for me）

We left the garden and there were two rikshaws waiting for us

Two drivers waiting with smiley faces

They took us around the town to see the houses, shops, along the canal and small streets

They are really clever to modify their rikshaw to use electric to save their energy. This idea is very good. The old man can drive it and not tire. 

And this way is good for us because sitting on the rikshaw which moving slowly help me see nice view and take good photos

They stopped at the local fresh market. Mr.Bao shown us the fresh market which local people come to buy ingredient for their daily food. 

Besides of the fresh ingredients they also selling some local souvenir. 

And those souvenirs are too lovely to ignore. Then me and Yui bough some for our friend.

After walked around the market and got souvenir then we left the market and continue on the long street name Pingjiang Road. 

The road along with the canal

There are houses

Shops

Cafe

Restaurants

Souvenirs shops

Silke museum

I saw Starbuck coffee shop there

And there is also DQ ice-cream which we also have in Thailand

We were enjoy taking photos along the street

And Yui got some local snack to try. And it good taste, not sweet

We continue walking and listening the history of this street from Mr.Bao until almost the end of the road

It was time for lunch then our guide suggested noodle shop for our lunch

The noodle restaurant has 2 floors with the view of the pier where there are lots of local boat 

We ordered 2 noodles menus

Sweet and sour fish

Fried vegetable

And small shrimps with pepper

The food was so good

We finished all food

And it was time to leave because. Yui has to continue with her business meeting in Shanghai at 6pm while I have to go to Shanghai airport for 9pm flight. 

We took around 2 hours from Suzhou to Shanghai. Mr.Bao said this is good time because this is Monday so there should more traffic but we were lucky to arrive earlier

We dropped Yui at hotel and then Mr.Bao and driver took me to airport

Mr.Bao helped me check in at airport and make sure that I do not have any problem then we say goodbye to each other.

The traffic from city centre to airport was also better than we expect so I arrive hotel around 5:30pm and then spent my time with laptop with this long story.

It was 5 days for this trip, but we felt like we just arrived yesterday. There was many places that we want to spend longer time but maybe next time. At least I found all of my favorite flower, Magnolia, Peony, Camelia so mission completed.

Our guide Mr.Robin and Mr.Bao were so good. We got more information and learnt more about China history from both of them. Actually, on the way from Suzhou to Shanghai we already discuss with Mr.Bao and got his suggestion for our next time. 

He suggested to consider visiting Nanjing as there are directly flight from Bangkok. And then we travel inside Nanjing and then continue to Yangzhou. So,5 days 4 nights is good enough for new trip. 

And I will come back again to difference city. China, wo ai ni. 

Ps. before next time for China. I'm going to Ubon Ratchathani province in Thailand for Songkran.