Shanghai’s position in the Yangtze Delta puts it within an hour of Suzhou and Hangzhou. The China State Railway Group connects them by G-train in 35 and 45 minutes respectively. Unlike Beijing day trips (which mostly mean the Great Wall), Shanghai day trips offer genuine variety: classical garden cities, water towns, and natural landscapes. For booking trains: China High-Speed Rail Guide.
Top Day Trips Ranked
| Destination | Travel Time | How to Get There | What You Get | Rating |
| Hangzhou | 45 min G-train | Hongqiao to Hangzhou East (¥73) | West Lake, tea hills, UNESCO heritage | Essential. Do this. |
| Suzhou | 35 min G-train | Hongqiao to Suzhou (¥39) | Classical gardens, canal streets, silk museums | Outstanding. |
| Zhujiajiao | 1h by bus or car | Bus from Pu’an Road station (¥15) | Canal water town, stone bridges, market street | Good half-day. |
| Tongli | 40 min bus from Suzhou | Train to Suzhou + bus | Quieter water town, Tuisi Garden (UNESCO) | Excellent if you like water towns. |
| Nanjing | 1h G-train | Hongqiao to Nanjing South (¥139) | Former capital. Ming city walls. Massacre Memorial. | Heavy but significant. |
Hangzhou: West Lake in a Day
Take the 8:15am G-train from Hongqiao. At Hangzhou East, metro Line 1 to Longxiangqiao (20 minutes, ¥4). West Lake is in front of you. Walk the Su Causeway (2.8 km across the lake). Lunch at a restaurant near Quyuan Garden on the south shore. Afternoon: hire a bicycle and ride the western shore. Or: DiDi to Longjing Village (30 minutes) for the tea terraces. Return train from Hangzhou East at 7pm. Back in Shanghai by 8pm. Full guide: Hangzhou Travel Guide.
Suzhou: Gardens in a Day
G-train from Hongqiao. 35 minutes, ¥39. From Suzhou station: taxi or DiDi to the Humble Administrator’s Garden (10 minutes). Allow 2 hours in the garden. Walk or taxi to Shantang Street for lunch. Afternoon: Lingering Garden (smaller, more intimate than Humble Administrator’s) or a canal boat ride. Return train from 4pm onwards. Full guide: Suzhou and Hangzhou Guide.
Zhujiajiao: The Water Town
Bus from Pu’an Road station (near People’s Square, metro Lines 1/2) to Zhujiajiao: 1 hour, ¥15. The town is a preserved Qing dynasty canal settlement with 36 stone arch bridges. The most photographed is Fangsheng Bridge (five arches). Canal boat ride: ¥80 per boat (holds 5 people). Best before 10am. After noon it is busy with weekend tour groups from Shanghai.
Frequently Asked Questions
For Suzhou and Hangzhou in detail: Suzhou and Hangzhou Guide. For Shanghai overview: Shanghai Travel Guide. For rail booking: China High-Speed Rail Guide.