Embrace the Serene Beauty of China
Shanghai offers a fascinating blend of old-world charm and futuristic innovation. Stroll along the iconic Bund, where historic buildings stand side-by-side with towering skyscrapers.
Hangzhou, on the other hand, is a city of tranquility and natural beauty. Experience the convenience of AI-powered living while exploring its picturesque landscapes. Discover the hidden gems of a less commercial water town, called Nanxun.
This 4-day itinerary is perfectly designed for travelers taking advantage of China's visa-free transit policy. Send us your inquiry to make the most of your visa-free transit with our expertly crafted tour.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Unravel Shanghai's Rise along the Bund.
Discover the secrets behind Shanghai's remarkable transformation through an in-depth exploration of the iconic Bund.
Enjoy a Tranquil Boat Ride.
Experience the authentic charm of Hangzhou with a tranquil boat ride. Then have an insightful visit to a traditional Chinese medicine museum.
Try Your Hand at the Age-old Art of Woodblock Printing.
Step back in time and rediscover the magic of Chinese woodblock printing. Design your own masterpiece with your name in Chinese calligraphy.
Participate in a Traditional Water Wedding Ceremony.
Witness the magic of a traditional water wedding performance, and if you're up for it, you can even join in as the groom!
Discover real reviews of Best China Journey Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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A wonderful Hangzhou
2nd time visit Hangzhou. From the high-speed train station, greeted by the tour guide Mr Eleven, transported to the hotel Indigo at around 10pm. Thanks for his arrangement for a fast food delivery through his mobile delivery order, managed to settle the dinner problem. Throughout the Hangzhou tour, he has shown a very care taking tour guide especially if your group has an old, aged person. Well guided and during the departure time, a very clear instructions to clear the train station customs and ticketing process. Well done more
Jul 2025, Mak C
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Wonderful, magical HangZhou, beautiful and relaxing
This is a wonderful, magical city for a summer holiday. Lakes, boats, bridges, lovely gardens , pagodas , temples, a musical fountain extravaganzas each night for free and the food is incredible. Our guide Susan was top of the class, beautiful use of English, practical efficient all you could wish for plus fun. We were there in the rainy season and it’s best to visit in spring, but we loved it and would have been happy to stay longer. We had one day of biblical rain, umbrellas are a must and local ones also provided protection against UV damage. Our trip to Wuzhen water village was delightful, worth a stay overnight to see the lights, next time for us. China is an incredible country with so much to offer. more
Jul 2025, Kathleen W
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Great day trip with Eleven, our tour guide
Eleven was our tour guide and he was energetic. We had a memorable time at a tea plantation picking tea leaves and sampling teas. We also went to the West Lake area which was filled with tourists and had been recommended that we stay a night near West Lake, but we chose to make it a day trip. We had a great tea learning about tea and one of the ancient capitals. more
Jul 2025, Carson L
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Suggested Itinerary
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests and schedule.
Your private guide will be ready to meet and greet you at airport arrivals. A comfortable private car (non-smoking) with an experienced driver will transfer you directly to the downtown area.
Start your journey with the iconic Bund. Follow your local guide into historical buildings, touch the old items, and find some clues to Shanghai's colonial past and development history.
You will have a chance to try shengjian (pan-fried buns) in an unassuming Michelin-starred restaurant, which the tourist crowds never find.
Get a unique "ticket" from your guide, board a public ferry with the locals, and cross the Huangpu River to the Pudong area — the financial engine of Shanghai.
Take the fastest elevator in the world up Shanghai Tower. There you will be able to stand at the top of Shanghai.
In the morning, visit Yu Garden, which was built in the 16th century. It is like a peaceful oasis, hidden in the bustling metropolis. When walking in the garden, you will learn the meanings of its design and decoration.
Then, follow Shanghai's timeline to the 19th century for the former French Concession. A good proportion of Shanghai's colonial architecture has been carefully preserved there, and buildings even sport heritage plaques giving details of their history.
After lunch, take the bullet train to Hangzhou. Your Hangzhou local guide will meet you at Hangzhou East Train Station.
When you step off the train in Hangzhou, you will enter a smart city — AI-controlled traffic system, world-leading payment methods, new-era retail stores… Follow your guide to explore a new type of supermarket and find out how it can deliver goods into customers' hands in 30 minutes.
The best time to pick tea leaves is in the morning, so the first visit of the day is a tea village. Go with the tea farmers and learn to pick tea leaves. Have a break at a tea farmer's home, and discover the proper way to make tea.
Have lunch in a tea-themed restaurant and see how tea is a part of Hangzhou's daily dishes.
In the afternoon, walk by the beautiful West Lake, then take to the water on a rowing boat. Listen to the interesting stories behind the sights of the lake.
Later you will visit a hundred-year-old traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy. There you can see various medicinal materials and observe how TCM pharmacists make up a prescription. Try a cup of healthy herbal tea.
In the late afternoon, enjoy an afternoon tea in a roof garden beside West Lake. Appreciate the porcelain, tea, and scenery.
After breakfast at your hotel, prepare to interact with Chinese culture and have a relaxing boat ride in Nanxun Water Town!
Nanxun Water Town is the most original and unique of such towns. It is full of life and culture, and less commercial than other water towns.
Take a rowing boat to visit the former residence of Zhang Shiming, a super-rich man of the late Qing Dynasty (1644–1912).
There will be a wedding performance on the water, showing you how a traditional wedding is conducted in the water town. If you like, you can take part and play the bride/groom!
After the dreamy experiences in Nanxun Water Town, we'll drive you to Shanghai Pudong Airport (or a train station) and wave goodbye.
Tour Price
Price includes:
