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10 best day trips from Shanghai that beat the city crowds
Discover 10 amazing day trips from Shanghai! Explore ancient towns, stunning nature and historical sites. Plan your perfect escape today.
Shanghai is rich in history and cultural treasures. However, many parts of the real China await outside this metropolis and other big cities. Below, we’ve highlighted the 10 best day trips, including Suzhou, Hangzhou, the Southern Great Wall (Linhai Great Wall), Zhujiajiao Water Town, Nanjing, Wuzhen Water Town, Tongli Water Town, Moganshan, Huangshan (Yellow Mountains), and Chongming Island.
We’ve also included some of the best things to do in Shanghai, so you can take full advantage of your time in China.
Plus, most of these day trips from Shanghai are reachable by high-speed train in under two hours. Suzhou takes as little as 25 minutes, and Hangzhou around 45 minutes, making rail the easiest way to explore the region. A few, like Zhujiajiao and Chongming Island, are easier to reach by metro, bus, or ferry.
To make sure your trip is as smooth as possible, we also highlight a way to get unlimited data (with a built-in VPN) to make day trips from Shanghai a breeze. Consider these 10 locations when mapping out how to plan a trip to China.
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The best day trips from Shanghai: A summary (TL;DR)
Shanghai is well placed for exploring water towns, historic cities, mountain scenery, and nature escapes. Here’s a quick guide to choosing the right day trip:
| Destination | Travel time (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Suzhou | 25 to 35 min by high-speed train | Gardens, canals, and traditional architecture |
| Hangzhou | About 45 min by high-speed train | West Lake and scenic sightseeing |
| Southern Great Wall (Linhai Great Wall) | 2 to 3 hr by high-speed train | History and hiking |
| Zhujiajiao Water Town | About 1 hr by Metro Line 17 | A nearby water-town experience |
| Nanjing | 1 to 2 hr by high-speed train | Chinese history and cultural landmarks |
| Wuzhen Water Town | About 1 hr by train plus local bus | Historic canals and old streets |
| Tongli Water Town | About 1.5 hr via Suzhou | A quieter, traditional water town |
| Moganshan | About 2 hr by train plus taxi | Nature and hiking |
| Huangshan (Yellow Mountains) | 2 to 3 hr by high-speed train | Dramatic mountain scenery |
| Chongming Island | 1 to 2 hr by bus or ferry | Wetlands, cycling, and nature |
1. Suzhou
Suzhou is one of China’s most beautiful places, full of old buildings, iconic attractions, and delicious Shanghai food. Famous for its classical gardens, canals, and silk production, it’s a top choice for Shanghai day trips. Nine of Suzhou’s traditional Chinese gardens are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Humble Administrator’s Garden. Beyond the gardens, you can visit the historic Pingjiang Road and explore ancient temples. Suzhou offers a blend of natural beauty, history, and cultural experiences.
How to get there: Suzhou is an easily accessible day trip from Shanghai. To get there, you can take the high-speed or bullet trains from the Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station. It takes as little as 25-35 minutes. Once in Suzhou, local buses and taxis are readily available.
2. Hangzhou
Often called “Heaven on Earth,” Hangzhou is a must-see for anyone considering day trips from Shanghai. Its main draw is the iconic West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its picturesque scenery and historical relics. You can enjoy a boat ride on the lake, visit ancient temples like Lingyin Temple, and explore charming tea villages. Hangzhou beautifully combines natural beauty with rich heritage.
How to get there: Hangzhou is well-connected for a day trip from Shanghai and is easy to get to. Take the high-speed trains from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, which take around one hour. The city’s public transport system, including buses and taxis, makes getting around Hangzhou straightforward, making it an easy and worthwhile day trip from Shanghai.
3. Southern Great Wall
Often called the “Linhai Great Wall,” this site in Zhejiang province offers a less crowded Great Wall experience than its northern counterpart. Discover this impressive structure, which boasts a history spanning over 1,600 years and was primarily built to defend against Japanese pirates. It winds along a river, surrounded by mountains, offering a scenic perspective of China’s iconic defense. It’s a worthwhile day trip from Shanghai if you’re a history buff or a nature lover.
How to get there: To get to the Southern Great Wall (Linhai), take a high-speed train from Shanghai to Linhai (around two or three hours). From Linhai train station, you can take a local bus or a taxi to the wall. While an organized China tour from Shanghai might offer direct transport, independent travel offers more flexibility to see the sites at your own pace.
4. Zhujiajiao water town
Escape the busyness of the city with a day trip from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao water town, often dubbed the “Venice of Shanghai.” This ancient water town is a maze of canals, traditional bridges, and old houses. Enjoy a gondola ride, explore narrow alleyways filled with local shops, and enjoy the slower pace of life. It’s a perfect spot to experience traditional Jiangnan culture.
How to get there: Zhujiajiao Water Town is one of the easiest Shanghai day trips. It’s about one hour or so from the city center of Shanghai. To get there with Shanghai public transport, you can take a tourist bus from Shanghai Stadium (Gate 5) or Metro Line 17 directly to Zhujiajiao Station (also around one hour), then it’s a short walk from there to the town.
5. Nanjing
As a former capital of China, Nanjing is rich in historical significance and makes for an enriching day trip from Shanghai. Key landmarks include the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, and the famous natural attraction, Xuanwu Lake. The city’s rich past is evident in its imperial tombs and ancient city walls. Nanjing offers a deep dive into Chinese history and culture.
How to get there: Traveling to Nanjing by train is the most efficient way from Shanghai, and the trip typically lasts one or two hours from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station. Once in Nanjing, a comprehensive metro system and numerous taxis make it easy to navigate the city’s historical sites.
6. Wuzhen water town
Another beautiful ancient town near Shanghai, Wuzhen, offers a well-preserved glimpse into ancient Jiangnan life. It’s divided into East and West Scenic Zones. You can explore traditional wooden houses, ancient bridges, and stone pathways, and see local crafts being made, such as indigo dyeing. This old city comes alive at night when lanterns light up the canals, creating a magical atmosphere.
How to get there: Wuzhen can be reached from Shanghai by a direct long-distance bus from Shanghai South Bus Station (about 2 hours). Alternatively, you can take a bullet train to Tongxiang Railway Station (about 30 minutes from Shanghai) and then a local bus to Wuzhen (around 30-45 minutes).
7. Tongli water town
Tongli is a picturesque water town renowned for its ancient bridges, canals, and well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. It’s less crowded than other popular water towns, offering a more serene experience. Highlights include the Tuisi Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tongli embodies the charm of a classic Jiangnan water village and is worth a visit if you’re after some Chinese history.
How to get there: To get to Tongli from Shanghai, take a train to Suzhou, then transfer to a local bus or taxi (about 30-40 minutes from Suzhou). Direct tourist buses are also available from Shanghai Nanpu Bridge Bus Station (around one or two hours), making it a convenient day trip from Shanghai.
8. Moganshan
For those seeking a nature-focused day trip from Shanghai, Moganshan offers a refreshing escape. This scenic mountain resort is known for its lush bamboo forests, waterfalls, and historic villas. It’s an ideal destination for hiking, biking, and enjoying the cooler climate and serene natural environment, making it a distinct option among Shanghai day trips.
How to get there: Moganshan is located in Zhejiang province. The most common way to get there from Shanghai is by high-speed train to Huzhou or Deqing station (approx. 1 hour), then taking a local bus or taxi to Moganshan town (another 45-60 minutes). This scenic day trip from Shanghai is worth the journey.
9. Huangshan (Yellow Mountains)
While often considered a multi-day trip, a day trip from Shanghai to Huangshan is possible if you’re a determined nature lover. Famous for its granite peaks, ancient pines, and hot springs, Huangshan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best and beautiful places to visit in China. It offers breathtaking scenery and a contrast to downtown Shanghai.
How to get there: Huangshan is a little further away, so it requires an early start and late return. High-speed trains from Shanghai to Huangshan North Station take approximately two or three hours. From there, take a shuttle bus to the scenic area’s entrance. Due to travel time and the distance involved, an organized China tour from Shanghai focused on Huangshan might be the most practical way to experience it as a day trip from Shanghai.
10. Chongming Island
For a rural and eco-friendly day trip from Shanghai, head to Chongming Island, the third-largest island in China, located at the mouth of the Yangtze River. The island offers a welcome change from Shanghai, with its vast wetland parks and organic farms. It’s an ideal destination for cycling, bird watching, and experiencing a slower, more agricultural side of China. The Dongtan Wetland Park is particularly notable.
How to get there: Chongming Island is technically still part of the Shanghai municipality. You can reach it by long-distance bus from various points in Shanghai (around one or two hours), or by ferry. This offers a unique natural escape among all of the Shanghai day trips.
Practical tips for day trips from Shanghai
Bring your physical passport. Foreign passengers buy tickets against their passports, and you need to show that same document to get through the station gates and board. A photo on your phone will not get you onto the platform.
Book ahead for weekends and public holidays. High-speed tickets on popular Shanghai routes sell out, with Suzhou and Hangzhou being the first to go.
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arrive. Both have built-in transport mini-programs that generate the QR codes you scan into local metro networks in Suzhou and Hangzhou, and you will need working mobile data to use them.
Make day trips from Shanghai easy with Holafly
Holafly gives you unlimited data across China. You can travel to Zhujiajiao, Suzhou, and Hangzhou and use maps and translation apps without interruption. With a Holafly eSIM for Shanghai, navigating your day trips from Shanghai and staying connected is seamless. You won’t have to worry about roaming charges or buying a China SIM card, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your exploration of the cities near Shanghai.
With Holafly’s eSIM for Shanghai and eSIM for China, you get 24/7 support, 500 MB of daily data sharing, and a built-in VPN to get around the Great Firewall of China. What’s even better, Holafly offers 1 GB of Always On monthly backup data at no extra cost with every eSIM. Simply keep your eSIM installed to get extra data each month and stay connected between destinations or in emergencies.
Traveling long-term or working remotely in Shanghai? Try Holafly Plans for unlimited data and unlimited hotspot, providing full connectivity for extended stays.
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FAQs on the best day trips from Shanghai
Some of the best cities to visit from Shanghai includeSuzhou, Hangzhou, andNanjing. Suzhou is only around 25 to 35 minutes away by high-speed train and is known for its gardens and canals. Hangzhou, around an hour away, is famous for West Lake, while Nanjing is a great choice for Chinese history and cultural landmarks.
Around 3 to 4 days is enough to experience Shanghai’s main attractions. If you want to explore beyond the city, consider staying 5 to 7 days so you can add day trips to places such as Zhujiajiao, Suzhou, or Hangzhou without rushing your itinerary.
Yes. Zhujiajiao is especially worth visiting if you want an escape from central Shanghai and a taste of traditional Jiangnan culture. Known as the “Venice of Shanghai,” the ancient water town has canals, traditional bridges, old houses, local shops, and boat rides. It’s also one of the easiest day trips on the list, taking around an hour from central Shanghai by Metro Line 17.
Yes, and high-speed rail is the easiest way to get out of the city. Suzhou is 25 to 35 minutes from Shanghai Hongqiao, Hangzhou around 45 minutes, and Nanjing one to two hours. Zhujiajiao and Chongming Island are reached by metro, bus or ferry instead.
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