I love Shanghai. As someone who has spent one and a half years working and living there, I know first-hand there are a lot of different things you can do and see. Living there was definitely one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Today, I can’t imagine that time without seeking out for a bit of solitude and getting out of the city for a breath of fresh air! Because Shanghai is so huge, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the area around it. The city center is expansive, but the special administrative region is even bigger. You could live there for many years without actually seeing everything. In order to give you an idea of how to spend a day off and really recharge, I’ve compiled a list of the best day trips from Shanghai!

So let’s dive right in!

 

Best Day Trips From Shanghai by Former Expat

Hangzhou (杭州市)

The capital city of Zhejiang province, Hangzhou is only 45 minutes by high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station. Although it’s by no means a small city and deserves at least three or four days, there are still a lot of things to do in just one day. No trip to Hangzhou is complete without visiting the West Lake, one of the most famous natural attractions in all of China.

The West lake is expansive. It has a backdrop of stunning natural and urban scenery, with Baochu Pagoda and Leifeng Pagoda to explore in the vicinity. The prettiest parts of the lake have tranquil tree-lined paths, with locals practicing tai chi, singing, and dancing in this gorgeous area. Su Causeway and Bai Causeway are two pedestrian paths around the lake. They can take a while to walk along. Especially during public holidays! But both offer lovely views of the lake and the city areas.

You can rent a buggy, a bicycle or a boat for a certain price to enjoy the lake’s different perspectives. Can’t recommend the lake highly enough on a hot day or if you’re short on time.

While in Hangzhou, don’t miss out on visiting the Qīnghéfāng Ancient Street. Located just several hundred meters away from the West Lake, Qīnghéfāng dates back to the 12th century with several historical buildings of the Ming and Qing Dynasty that embody the historical and cultural character of Hangzhou.

Zhouzhuang (周莊鎮)

Also located in Suzhou, this nostalgic settlement is one of China’s water towns that teems with enchanting canals knitted tight between cute and traditional houses and winding waterways. Zhouzhuang dates back to the Zhou Dynasty and is tucked away in a somewhat dull provincial setting, about an hour to the South of Suzhou and two hours to the West of Shanghai.

Zhouzhuang is arguably the most famous water town near Shanghai. Taking a relaxing boat ride is the perfect way to admire the architecture and disconnect from the daily hustle and bustle of city life and totally rejuvenate your mind. The day trip from Shanghai included some historical sites around Suzhou as well. However, the town itself is just the cherry on the cake.

Arriving at Zhouzhuang, I was fascinated by the profound cultural background, hundred-year-old houses and picturesque views. Zhouzhuang charges an admission fee and requires a ticket to get into the old quarters, which is about 100 yuan for a day. Inside, there are a ridiculous number of things to do, including taking a sculling boat to appreciate the old charm of Zhouzhuang, which proved a refreshing experience. If listening to the introduction of the boat woman doesn’t meet your tastes, there are several temples to check out, classical tea houses and, of course, omnipresent gift shops.

For me, Zhouzhuang captured and angled China through a lens the big cities could not. Surrounded by many lakes and rivers with verdant willows dancing in the wind, Zhouzhuang is a nice and romantic getaway from Shanghai.

Suzhou Day Trip From Shanghai (蘇州市)

The administrative area of Suzhou is home to more than 10 million people. However, unlike Shanghai or Beijing, it doesn’t feel like a bustling metropolis. Suzhou is the second-largest city in Jiangsu Province and is an important economic and tourist hub within a stone’s throw of Shanghai. Due to China’s thriving economy, there is a growing population of expats in Suzhou – mostly TEFL teachers. It’s also gaining popularity with tour groups and other visitors.

Suzhou is one of the prettiest and romantic destinations in the Jiangsu Province. The Humble Administrator’s Garden and Tiger Hill Garden are impeccable examples of Chinese horticulture, classical Chinese Gardens where you’ll have a feeling of serenity. Spend the day exploring a vast network of interconnected canals and waterways spread out across Suzhou. The peaceful ambience which is only perpetuated by the bonsai trees and blossoms around every corner.

Best Places to Visit in Suzhou:

• Beisi Ta pagoda. The impressive nine-storey octagonal building has encircling eaves, balconies, and banisters made of wood.
• Suzhou Museum. Designed by I.M. Pei, the museum combines old and new in a fascinating way. Part of the museum is housed in an age-old ancestral temple, a historic and peaceful setting for over 15,000 items and 70,000 documents and books. Most of the relics and artifacts date back to the Song and Ming Dynasties.
• Silk Museum. Learn more about the silk-production process and Suzhou embroidery dating back to 2000 years.
• Shuang Ta (Twin Pagodas) Lane. Two very elegant and almost identical 1000-year-old pagodas.
• Panmen Gate Tower (盘门城楼). This is the oldest city gate in the southwest corner of the Main Channel or Suzhou’s surrounding canal.
• Guanqian Commercial Street. A 760-meter-long street is known for its mix of modern and traditional shops. Guanqian is much narrower than Nanjing Road in Shanghai with countless boutiques, restaurants, modern retailers, and older shops. Some of the street’s oldest shops are over 100 years old!

Moganshan Scenic Area (莫干山风景名胜区)

Located 60 kilometers from Hangzhou in Deqing County, Moganshan (Mount Mogan) is home to several dozen colonial-style villas built with stone quarried from the mountain. Initially built by foreign missionaries looking to escape the sweltering heat and lethal cholera outbreaks of early 20th century Shanghai summers, Moganshan is the ultimate escape into the highlands, a world away from the hectic city of Shanghai.

Moganshan is a paradise for everyone who spends precious hours and days hiking around the bamboo forests, cycling, and cooling off in the mountain streams and swimming pools. Moganshan and the surrounding area covers a lot of ground — too much to be covered in one day. However, if you focus on the plethora of hiking trails, picturesque tea fields, and tranquil bamboo forests, you’ll soon realize Moganshan and smaller villages have something for everyone and are worth visiting regardless on how much time you have.

Don’t neglect visiting and exploring Moganshan only because splurging on luxury villa might look like engaging in reckless spending. In Moganshan I opted for budget options just down the winding mountain road at the Bamboo View Guesthouse. I stayed for two nights and there wasn’t one thing to complain about. To get to Moganshan take a bullet train from Shanghai Hongqiao Station to Deqing (station nearest to Moganshan). Alternatively, you can hop on a bus that departs from the Old North Bus Station in Shanghai.

Nanxiang Ancient Town (南翔古鎮)

Less than 40 minutes away from downtown Shanghai, there is Nanxiang – a city steeped in history and culinary traditions. It’s a flourishing trading hub from ancient times. As well as the birthplace of the delicious, slurp-worthy xiaolongbao soup dumplings (baozi). There are countless eateries lining the narrow streets, making it hard to escape the overwhelming scent of oily and spicy Chinese cuisine lingering in the air.

The original restaurant Nanxiang Bun Shop is open for foodies from around the world. It is a hotspot for foreigners and locals alike.

River water reflects the surrounding classical gardens. The Guyi Garden is big enough to spend several hours here contemplating, walking along the paths and crossing bridges under the tree canopies.

It takes roughly 40 minutes to get from Jiangsu Lu to Nanxiang by Metro Line 11. Then take a 15-minute walk along Huyi Gong Lu to reach Guyi Garden or walk down Minzhu Jie before you reach the garden on the left side of the road. Alternatively, take bus 517, 562, 822 and get off at Nanxiang Gu Zhen Station.

Changshu (常熟市)

When it comes to day trips from Shanghai, nothing can beat Changshu in terms of tranquillity. This ancient town is only an hour and a half away from Shanghai by bus but doesn’t attract anywhere near as many tourists of Hangzhou and Suzhou. Changshu remains blissfully off the beaten path with its picturesque canal network and bamboo-lined banks.

If lazily floating along canals isn’t just your thing, there are some great hiking opportunities in the Shanghu Scenic Area too. Mount Yu is a perfect place to go trekking and enjoy the stunning views of the lakeshore and the surrounding landscape. You’ll also find the Buddhist Xingfu Temple at the north foot of Yushan Mountain.

Nanjing Day Trip From Shanghai (南京市)

Often overlooked on a trip to China, Nanjing is a buzzing hub of activity. Even if you’re in the country for only a few weeks, a day trip to Nanjing is easy to fit into your itinerary. The city is only one and a half hours away from Shanghai by high-speed train. Plus, it’s one of the most interesting Chinese cities. It showcases China’s history and culture from the ancient to the modern.

There are virtually endless numbers of historic attractions catering to every taste and interest. Whether you’re traveling domestically or from abroad, Nanjing is a fabulous place to dive into the best of China’s culture. Here’s a taste of what to expect in this handy one-day Nanjing itinerary:

• Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum.
• The Presidential Palace
• Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall
• Xuan Wu Lake
• Confucius Temple Nanjing

Nanjing in Chinese literally means “southern capital” and mostly known for a few things: salted duck, the Nanjing Massacre, and one of the most significant historical sites in all of China, Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum on Purple Mountain. Think China’s version of the Lincoln Memorial. Complete with 392 steps.

Testaments to the country’s leaders and fascinating history are found all over the city with the presence of temples and the old historical city wall, the longest in the world, mixed together with modern skyscrapers.

Nanjing is also relatively green. Thick sections of trees give the city a secluded feel and Zi Xia Lake is the only place in Nanjing where people can swim outdoors in a semi-natural environment. And it’s not like, you know, acid water.

Linhai (臨海市)

Linhai is a lovely and ancient city located in central Zhejiang Province. Immersed deeply into its natural surroundings, Linhai dates back to the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Unlike Nanjing and Shaoxing, Linhai is a much smaller town that could be explored on foot in less than a day. It has many tiny narrow streets completely surrounded by stone walls, along with the scent of stuffed pancakes.

Since Linhai is a charming little town, it would be perfectly sufficient to tour the town simply by foot. However, it is easy to hail a taxi within Linhai or hop on a bus that takes you around the entire town in one ride!

There are plenty of trains running between Shanghai and Linhai. While they depart from Hongqiao Railway Station, the journey takes about 3 hours.

Zhenjiang (鎮江市)

Aside from being the birthplace of American Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Pearl S. Buck, Zhenjiang is a picturesque city known for its beautiful natural surroundings, three famous hills, and a man-made island. Jiaoshan Park makes it a great day trip from Shanghai with its Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda and an old fort that was built by the British during the Opium War.

If you are looking for the tastiest food in Zhenjiang, head to Da Shi Kou Night Fair located in the downtown. Here you can try one of the specialties and cold snacks including salted pork. Whether you choose to eat at high-end restaurants or busy food court, Da Shi Kou Night Fair is a great place for hanging out with friends while grabbing some delicious drinks and great food on your day off.

Ningbo (寧波市)

The eastern Chinese port city of Ningbo lies just south of Shanghai and Hangzhou. It’s about an hour and a half by train from Hangzhou and about 2.5 hours from Shanghai. The first thing you learn about Ningbo as soon as you leave the train is that it sits on the Yangtze River delta right near the ocean. Hence you’ll find the entire area crisscrossed by a network of canals, similar to Zhouzhuang. It’s also a quick drive away from the seashore!

Until you visit Ningbo, you might not realize that many of its most popular attractions lie outside the city limits. The countryside is rich both in natural landscapes and cultural and historical heritage. If you have a particular interest in visiting Buddhist temples, striking Tiantong Temple, Baoguo Temple, and Asoka Temple should be high on your bucket list. To make the most out of your day trip from Shanghai, be sure to include Tianyi Pavilion, the historic Drum Tower, and Laowaitan neighborhood in your travel itinerary.

Ningbo is a hotspot for expats living around the Shanghai area with plenty of Chinese and Western restaurants, as well as bars, cafes, and clubs. The Tianyi Pavilion is, in fact, not just the oldest library in Asia, but also a museum, garden, and several decorative halls that celebrate China’s culture. The city has a strong Buddhist presence, incidentally making the famous Buddhist island of Putuoshan the city’s must-see attraction. It’s only a short ferry ride away from Ningbo.

Shaoxing (绍兴市)

Another easy day trip from Shanghai, the historic town of Shaoxing is the birthplace of many influential and popular figures, including the patriotic writer Lu Xun and the leader Zhou Enlai. Fondly known as the “Museum without Walls”, Shaoxing is roughly one and a half hours by high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station.

There are numerous canals and rivers weaving through the city, ancient bridges, tasty Chinese rice wine, which is named after the town. Locals use it for drinking, medicine, and seasoning.

There is also natural beauty in Shaoxing. Serene East Lake and Xianglu Mount offer great opportunities for hiking, reflecting and contemplating life. Apart from some other scenic attractions, Shaoxing has a number of historical and cultural institutions: Lu Xun’s former residence and his memorial hall, Dayu Mausoleum, Anchang Ancient Town, and Orchid Pavilion to name a few.

They have contributed to enriching the 2,500 years of Shaoxing’s history. No wonder the city has been cited as one of the 24 cities of great historical and cultural importance.

A Day Trip to Dongqian Lake (東錢湖)

Spend a day enjoying the intoxicating blend of scenic mountains and clear waters with abundant cultural heritage. Dongqian Lake lies in southeastern Ningbo and is said to be the largest natural freshwater lake in Zhejiang Province. The temples and villages surrounding Dongqian lake are plentiful and boast more than one thousand years of history!

Aside from the scenic area of East Lake with a long embankment (Little Putuo), Taogong Island, Fuquan Hill, The Museum Stone Carvings of the South Song Dynasty, there are some villages and small parks around the lake area. It typically takes a day or two to explore a few interesting sites around, not all the sights around lake area though. There are several bus lines connecting lake towns and villages, as well as major attractions around the lake.

The Bottom Line

So there you have it – now you know all about the incredible mountains, sprawling lakes, sobering reminders of world history, historic palaces and charming towns often just a couple of hours away from Shanghai.

The best day trips in Shanghai aren’t just about taking trips to ancient water towns, but with so many destinations dotting the countryside between Shanghai and Suzhou – even day trips from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao with Tongli and Xitang set in the picturesque settings – there’s so much charm and character to enjoy here.

Whether you go on a day trip from Shanghai by train, or whether you travel by bus, either way, you’ll be traveling through some of the most beautiful landscapes that China has to offer.

So why not get the best of both worlds by getting out of Shanghai and into the surrounding area? You’ll discover more charm and beauty than you could have imagined. And there’s plenty of opportunity for fun here too!

Now it’s your turn! Which day trip from Shanghai is your favorite? Which of these best day trips from Shanghai would you choose first?

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