Suzhou and Tongli Water Town Tour from Shanghai
Features: visit Chinese garden and rickshaw ride in Suzhou and enjoy peaceful lifestyle in Tongli water town.
Among a great many ancient water towns near Shanghai, travelers usually only choose one or two to visit, mainly based on their crowdedness, sightseeing features, air quality and levels of commercialization. Among local people, Nanxun and Tongli near Suzhou, and Zhujiajiao near Shanghai, are the most popular.
An ancient Chinese saying goes: “In heaven there is paradise, on earth there are Suzhou and Hangzhou”. Water towns are indispensable parts of the enchanting scenery of Suzhou and Hangzhou. They are all easily accessible from the biggest metropolis in China, Shanghai.
The towns share hundreds of years of history, scenery typical of Chinese ink-paintings, traditional houses built on waterways, ancient stone-paved arched bridges and interesting folk customs; while each retains its own unique attributes.
Features: visit Chinese garden and rickshaw ride in Suzhou and enjoy peaceful lifestyle in Tongli water town.
Features: just an hour’s drive from the Bund, and are known for delicious snacks, delicate stone bridges.
Features: soulful water town, renown for it’s architecture mixes Chinese and western styles.
People would confusing which water town is the best to go if they are first time visit, here we list water towns sort by its identification, which would help you make a good plan.
| Water town | Raking | Different | Visiting time | Cost of entrance tickets | Transport from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tongli | Well-preserved, lots to see, our top town in 2016, 360 customers booked with us. | 4 hours | CNY100/person | Shanghai: 2h Suzhou: 35min |
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| Nanxun | The most affluent town in the past, featuring Chinese and western architecture. | 4 hours | CNY100/person | Shanghai: 2h Suzhou: 1h Hangzhou: 1 1/2h |
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| Xitang | Mission Impossible III was filmed here | 4 hours | CNY100/person | Shanghai: 2h Suzhou: 50min Hangzhou: 2h |
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| Wuzhen | Large –scale Qing dynasty architecture is well-preserved | 7 hours/2 days | CNY100-120/person | Shanghai: 2h Hangzhou: 1h |
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| Zhujiajiao | Foodies paradise | 4 hours | Free (but it costs extra for the sites in the town) | Shanghai: 50min | |
| Luzhi | Wide array of museum and temples | 4 hours | CNY78 (but it costs extra for the sites and gondolas in the town) | Shanghai: 1 1/2h Suzhou: 50min |
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| Zhouzhuang | Local wealthy and influential family-Zhang and Shen family | 7 hours or 2 days | CNY100 | Shanghai: 2h Suzhou: 1h |
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| Mudu | A collection of private gardens | 4 hours | Free (but it costs extra for the sites in the town) | Shanghai: 2 1/2h Suzhou: 30min |
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| Fengjing | Historical sites and relics | 4 hours | Free (but it costs extra for the sites in the town) | Shanghai: 3h Suzhou: 1 1/2h |
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| Qibao | Little old street with not much to see | 1 hour | Free (but it costs extra for the sites in the town) | Shanghai: 30min |
Must-do in water towns
The boat ride on the canal was a highlight of your water town trip, you can find out in most if the water towns, it was great to sit and relax as you went past the town going about its everyday life, along with ancient arch bridges, teahouses, and stop for a cormorant fishing demonstration.
Get to know the real life in water town
To acknowledge a city, the most efficient way is to meet locals, if you visit Tongli, your guide will arrange a visit to Ruanamei family, listen hosts singing the folk songs for welcome guests, sit sown have a cup of tea, chatting with the host about their life and the town in the past.
Icons of cities in South Yangtze Dealta
Chinese private garden is the simple of power and fortune, and also the good taste of its owner. It was built for the demanded of high quality of life, A mix of pleasant Chinese gardens and tranquil water and pavilions, very pretty peonies, peach blossom trees, bonsai, wisteria, & shrubbery.

March to October is the best time to visit the water towns, for the weather is quite comfortable. Winter is also fine, for there are fewer tourists, the towns are less crowded and you can expect some tranquility. It’s great to escape the big city and see a little of the ancient architecture and local culture.
Water Towns Tour Planner
For an authentic travel experience, contact one of our travel advisors. Our local experts are always ready to create a hassle-free tour for you.