Best Shanghai + East China Itineraries: 3 Days, 7 Days, 10 Days (2026)

Hi! This itinerary is based on my personal experiences.
I’m a native Chinese and the creator of this website, Yenkid In China.
With my all-in-one guide, you will find it much easier to plan your trip!

Introduction 🐼

This page contains my personal itineraries for Shanghai and the neighbouring regions.
In this itinerary, you will discover:
➡️ one of the China’s most futuristic cities
➡️ an ancient capital
➡️ an incredibly scenic city
➡️ a city full of canals and classical gardens
I have personally visited them. Eastern China is one of my favourite regions for travel!
A great balance of big city life, historical sites, rich culture, natural scenery, and man-made marvels.
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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.
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I have provided a detailed day-by-day breakdown, my secret tips, and recommended links for you to book your trip.
You can organise this trip entirely by yourself. You do not have to book with a tour agency to organise this.
I’m not an agency. I’ve shared this itinerary to help you organise it independently like I did.
That’s part of the fun!
You can still book tours for individual attractions + activities like food tours separately.
The whole itinerary can be done by high speed rail. There are zero domestic flights.
It’s possible to do this itinerary in reverse!

Planning Resources

🛏️ I book hotels on Trip because it gives me the best prices ($26 cheaper for one booking!) + has way more hotels for China. What made it even cheaper was getting exclusive discounts as a new user. Register here!

🚅 I recommend booking trains on Trip as it offers the best English language interface + you can reserve tickets further in advance.

📲 The Apps You Need 🛜 Internet Access + Data 🧳 Before You Arrive Guide

Quick Summary

Shanghai (3 days) ➡️ Suzhou (2 days) ➡️ Hangzhou (2 days) ➡️ Nanjing (3 days)
Popular add-on: Huangshan

Note: this is my custom map from Wanderlog. The exact route will depend on the transport chosen.

SEE FULL ITINERARY FOR EACH DAY BELOW

💡You don’t have to visit all cities. This is a flexible itinerary.

You’ll see the itinerary is split into separate 3-day, 7-day, 10-day sections.

Use this as your template + modify + delete to suit your length of stay & preferences

First, you could save money on your China trip by:

👉 Comparing flight prices to China HERE

👉 Comparing hotel rates in China HERE

My suggested 3-DAY itinerary 👣

3 days is good for visiting Shanghai and a nearby destination.

In one line: one of China’s most futuristic and cosmopolitan cities. The skyline never gets old!

Day 1 - SHANGHAI
Why I find this day special: a futuristic skyline, tranquil places, and a very lively pedestrian street
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
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🛏️Sleep in Shanghai (2 nights)
👉🏻 I recommend staying in the following districts:
Huangpu district - if you want quick access to majority of attractions. Some hotels will have views of the Huangpu River, the Bund, or the Pudong skyline
Jingan district - if you want to be close to Jing’an Temple and a combination of both local and international restaurants
This hotel and this one are fantastic for skyline views.
Activities to consider
👉🏻 Food tour with a local guide
⬇️

Day 2 - SHANGHAI
Why I find this day special: the serene neighbourhoods and classic landmarks
AM - Wukang Mansion ➡️ Shanghai Museum/China Art Museum
PM - Tianzifang ➡️ Xintiandi ➡️ Shanghai Circus World
🛏️Sleep in Shanghai

🍜My suggested meals: xiǎo lóng bāo 小笼包, shēng jiān bāo 生煎包, yáng chūn miàn 阳春面

🥢My suggested eating districts: Nanjing Lu, Wujiang Lu, Chenghuangmiao Laojie

Day 3 - SHANGHAI
Why I find this day special: free exploration to have a personalised experience
All day - free day to explore, eat, shop
OR visit a theme park like Shanghai Disneyland 👉🏻 book your tickets here
Half day
Visit a water town like Zhujiajiao 👉🏻 Take Metro Line 2 + Line 17 OR take a taxi
🛏️Sleep in Shanghai or depart for Suzhou

❗For an expanded Shanghai itinerary, 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:

In one line: a city covered with canals and traditional gardens. A chill vibe.

Day 4 - SHANGHAI ➡️ SUZHOU
🚅Previous evening/early morning - Take the train from Shanghai station to Suzhou station👉🏻 book your train here
⬇️(leave luggage at hotel)
AM - Humble Administrator’s Garden ➡️ Suzhou Museum 👉🏻 buy your tickets here
PM - Lion Grove Garden ➡️ Pingjiang Lu ➡️ Gate To The East ➡️ Jinji Lake ➡️ Qilishantang
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🛏️Sleep in Suzhou (1 night)
👉🏻 I recommend staying in the old city or Jinji Lake.
Park Hyatt Suzhou located next to Jinji Lake
Scholars Boutique with a central location + a garden courtyard
🍜My suggested meals: sweet and sour squirrel fish 松鼠桂鱼, ào zào miàn 奥灶面, crab roe noodles 蟹黃面
🥢My suggested eating districts: Pingjiang Lu 平江路, Guanqianjie 观前街
❗For an expanded Hangzhou itinerary, check out my Suzhou Ultimate Travel Guide
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Day 5 - SUZHOU ➡️ HANGZHOU
Half day at a water town or lake
Choose Tongli or Zhouzhuang or Taihu (full day needed)
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🚅Late afternoon - Take the train from Suzhou station to Hangzhou East station👉🏻 book your train here
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🛏️Sleep in Hangzhou (2/3 nights)
I recommend you stay near the West Lake area, at least near the eastern side of the lake.
This hotel is near West Lake, offering spectacular surroundings.

In one line: One of China’s most scenic cities! A strong tea and silk culture.

Day 6 - HANGZHOU
Why I find this day special: exploring one of China’s picturesque and culturally rich lakes. Sampling Longjing tea is the best!
AM - West Lake ➡️ Lingyin Temple ➡️ Longjing tea plantations 👉🏻 buy your tickets here
PM - National Tea Museum ➡️ Leifeng Pagoda ➡️ Boat Ride to Xiaoying Island ➡️ Chenghuang Pavilion ➡️ Hefang Jie
🛏️Sleep in Hangzhou

Day 7 - HANGZHOU
Why I find this day special: learning about the fascinating craft of silk + seeing ancient architecture + seeing one of China’s most modern skylines
AM - National Silk Museum ➡️ Liuhe Pagoda
PM - Qiantang River Bridge ➡️ Hangzhou Olympic Expo Center ➡️ Qiantang New Town ➡️ City Balcony
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🛏️Sleep in Hangzhou OR depart for Nanjing

❗For an expanded Hangzhou itinerary, check out my Hangzhou Ultimate Travel Guide

✈️Start looking at flights here + trains here

My suggested 10-DAY itinerary 👣

10 days is perfect for visiting at least 4-5 places.

This itinerary follows on from the previous section:

In one line: one of China’s four ancient capitals, rich with history from multiple periods. A traditional-modern vibe.

Day 8 - HANGZHOU ➡️ NANJING
Why I find this day special: learning about the history of an ancient capital, going all the way back to Three Kingdoms!
🚅Previous evening/early morning - Take the train from Hangzhou East to Nanjing South station
👉🏻 book your train here
⬇️(leave luggage at hotel)
AM - Nanjing Museum ➡️ Xuanwu Lake
PM - Jiming Temple ➡️ City Wall, Jiefangmen ➡️ 1912 District
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🛏️Sleep in Nanjing (3 nights)
👉🏻 I recommend staying in Xuanwu district or Qinhuai district, the two most central districts near most of the classic attractions. Near Xinjiekou or Xuanwu Lake is best in my opinion.
This hotel is centrally located and has delivery robots.
⬇️

Day 9 - NANJING
Why I find this day special: an unforgettable day learning about the city’s near past.
AM - Memorial Hall of Nanjing Massacre
PM - Presidential Palace ➡️ Porcelain Tower of Nanjing ➡️ Laomendong ➡️ Qinhuai River ➡️ Fuzimiao
👉🏻 buy your tickets here
🛏️Sleep in Nanjing

Day 10 - NANJING
Why I find this day special: a refreshing scenic day mixed with deep history
AM - Zijin Mountain Scenic Area
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
🍜My suggested meals: Nanjing duck 南京烤鸭, salted duck 盐水鸭, tangbao (soup dumplings) 汤包
🥢My suggested eating districts: 1912 District, Fuzimiao 夫子庙, Laomendong 老门东

❗For an expanded Nanjing itinerary, check out my Nanjing Ultimate Travel Guide

📲 Save this itinerary to your homescreen so you have it handy when you’re in China!

SUMMARY NOTES📝

You don’t have to do the full itinerary. Cut and swap depending on what interests you the most!
MY ADVICE FOR ARRIVAL CITY 🛬
I recommend you fly directly into Shanghai for this itinerary.
Note that Shanghai has two airports.
Check out my article The 9 Best Airports To Fly Into China
✈️Check if you can get the cheapest flights here
If you want an even longer trip in Eastern China, consider adding the following destinations:
➡️ Wuzhen Water Town
➡️ Yangzhou
➡️ Wuxi
➡️ Huangshan
➡️ Ningbo
For ticket prices, see ultimate guide for each city!
These articles are particularly relevant for planning your trip:
What You Need To Know Before You Arrive In China
Payments
Internet Access
By the way, check if you can save money on your China trip by:
👉 Comparing flight prices to China HERE
👉 Comparing hotel rates in China HERE
For more itinerary ideas, see:
My selected China itineraries for 2026
BEST Beijing, Xi’an, Nanjing, Shanghai Itinerary: 3 Days, 7 Days, 10+ Days
BEST Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, HK Itinerary: 3-10+ Days
BEST Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, Chongqing, Chengdu Itinerary: 2-14 Days
BEST Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Chongqing Itinerary: 3 Days, 7 Days, 10 Days
BEST Chengdu and Sichuan Itineraries: 3 Days, 7 Days, 10 Days
BEST Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Guilin Itinerary: 3, 7, 10 Days
Ultimate China Itinerary: Best 7, 14, 21, 30-Day Guides
Where to Visit page
To work out how much time to spend in China, check out:
How Long Should I Spend In China On My First Trip? Example Itineraries