Best Shanghai + East China Itineraries: 3 Days, 7 Days, 10 Days (2026)
My take 🐼
This page contains my personal itineraries for Shanghai and the neighbouring regions. I have personally tested them. Eastern China is one of my favourite regions for travel!
If you’re mainly here for Shanghai, I recommend at least 3 days.
If you want to explore Suzhou and Hangzhou as well, I recommend at least 7 days.
If you want a more full-on experience of the region, I recommend at least 10-12 days.
First, you could save money on your China trip by:
My suggested 3-DAY itinerary 👣
3 days is good for visiting Shanghai and a nearby destination.
Day 1 - SHANGHAI
AM - Jing’an Temple ➡️ Lujiazui skyline
PM - Shanghai Tower/Oriental Pearl Tower observation deck ➡️ Yu Garden ➡️ Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street ➡️ The Bund promenade 👉🏻 buy your tickets here
🛏️Sleep in Shanghai 👉🏻 take a look here
Day 2 - SHANGHAI
AM - Wukang Mansion ➡️ Shanghai Museum/China Art Museum
PM - Tianzifang ➡️ Xintiandi ➡️ Shanghai Circus World
🛏️Sleep in Shanghai
Day 3 - ZHUJIAJIAO WATER TOWN
Half day - Zhujiajiao Water Town👉🏻 Take Metro Line 2 + Line 17 OR take a taxi
🛏️Sleep in Shanghai OR depart for next destination
❗Check out my Shanghai Ultimate Travel Guide
My suggested 7-DAY itinerary 👣
7 days is great for visiting 3-4 places.
This itinerary follows on from the previous section:
Day 4 - SUZHOU
🚅Previous evening/early morning - Take the train from Shanghai station to Suzhou station👉🏻 book your train here
AM - Humble Administrator’s Garden ➡️ Suzhou Museum 👉🏻 buy your tickets here
PM - Lion Grove Garden ➡️ Pingjiang Lu ➡️ Gate To The East ➡️ Jinji Lake ➡️ Qilishantang
🛏️Sleep in Suzhou
Day 5 - SUZHOU
Half day - Choose Tongli or Zhouzhuang or Taihu (full day needed)
🚅Late afternoon - Take the train from Suzhou station to Hangzhou East👉🏻 book your train here
🛏️Sleep in Hangzhou 👉🏻 take a look here
❗Check out my Suzhou Ultimate Travel Guide
Day 6 - HANGZHOU
AM - West Lake ➡️ Lingyin Temple ➡️ Longjing tea plantations
PM - National Tea Museum ➡️ Leifeng Pagoda ➡️ Boat Ride to Xiaoying Island ➡️ National Silk Museum ➡️ Chenghuang Pavilion ➡️ Hefang Jie👉🏻 buy your tickets here
🛏️Sleep in Hangzhou
Day 7 - HANGZHOU
AM - Liuhe Pagoda ➡️ Qiantang River Bridge
PM - Hangzhou Olympic Expo Center ➡️ Qiantang New Town ➡️ City Balcony
🛏️Sleep in Hangzhou OR depart for next destination
❗Check out my Hangzhou Ultimate Travel Guide
My suggested 10-DAY itinerary 👣
10 days is perfect for visiting at least 4-5 places.
This itinerary follows on from the previous section:
Day 8 - NANJING
🚅Previous evening/early morning - Take the train from Hangzhou East to Nanjing South station
AM - Nanjing Museum ➡️ Xuanwu Lake
PM - Jiming Temple ➡️ City Wall, Jiefangmen ➡️ 1912 District
🛏️Sleep in Nanjing 👉🏻 take a look here
Day 9 - NANJING
AM - Memorial Hall of Nanjing Massacre
PM - Presidential Palace ➡️ Porcelain Tower of Nanjing ➡️ Laomendong ➡️ Qinhuai River ➡️ Fuzimiao
🛏️Sleep in Nanjing
Day 10 - NANJING
AM - Zijin Mountain Scenic Area
PM - Meilinggong ➡️ Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum ➡️ Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum ➡️ Yinyuetai (Music Hall) ➡️ Linggu Temple (all within the Zijin Mountain Scenic Area)
🛏️Sleep in Nanjing OR depart for next destination/home
❗Check out my Nanjing Ultimate Travel Guide
If you want a longer trip in Eastern China, consider adding the following destinations:
Wuzhen Water Town
Yangzhou
Wuxi
Huangshan
Ningbo
✈️Start looking at flights here + trains here
For more itinerary ideas, see:
My selected China itineraries for 2026
Best Chengdu and Sichuan Itineraries: 3 Days, 7 Days, 10 Days
