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Suzhou and Zhouzhuang Water Village Day Trip from Shanghai: Experience Centuries-Old Chinese Culture
3.8
431 Ratings
Suzhou
Embark on a delightful day trip from Shanghai to explore the charming Chinese towns of Suzhou and Zhouzhuang. Experience the timeless daily life in these distinctive ancient towns. Discover the stunning gardens of Suzhou, enjoy a delicious Chinese lunch, and glide through the waterways of Zhouzhuang on a traditional Chinese gondola.
Embark on a delightful day trip from Shanghai to explore the charming Chinese towns of Suzhou and Zhouzhuang. Experience the timeless daily life in these distinctive ancient towns. Discover the stunning gardens of Suzhou, enjoy a delicious Chinese lunch, and glide through the waterways of Zhouzhuang on a traditional Chinese gondola.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
-
Master-of-Nets Garden - Suzhou, one of the oldest towns in the Yangtze basin, was established around 600 B.C. Known for its interconnected waterways and stunning surroundings, the city is often called “The Venice of the East.”
The gardens reflect the harmonious principles of Chinese garden design, aiming to create a microcosm of the universe…
- Master-of-Nets Garden - Suzhou, one of the oldest towns in the Yangtze basin, was established around 600 B.C. Known for its interconnected waterways and stunning surroundings, the city is often called “The Venice of the East.”
The gardens reflect the harmonious principles of Chinese garden design, aiming to create a microcosm of the universe within a limited space. The Master-of-Nets Garden is renowned as the finest example of a Ming Dynasty Garden in Suzhou.
- Jinghang Waterway - The Grand Canal begins in Beijing, passes through Suzhou, and concludes in Hangzhou. Spanning over 1,000 kilometers from North to South China, it is celebrated as a global marvel.
- Panmen Gate - Panmen Gate is among the oldest remaining “ancient city walls” in Suzhou, with a history exceeding 1,000 years. Visitors can capture its beauty alongside the Grand Canal.
- Suzhou Silk Museum - Suzhou No. 1 Silk Mill is internationally acclaimed for its silk products, featuring the Silk Museum within its workshop. Visitors have the opportunity to purchase traditional Chinese silk items.
- Zhouzhuang Water Town - Known as the world’s premier water village, Zhouzhuang is famous for its picturesque setting and simple architecture, preserved for over 900 years. Most of the town’s residences were constructed during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with nearly 100 classic courtyards and 60 carved-brick archways still in use.
A boat tour is also included in the water village.
- Zhouzhuang Boat - Visitors will explore the water town of Zhouzhuang and board a Chinese-style gondola to navigate the town’s waterways. In this water village, locals continue to live on the waterways, engaging in daily activities such as washing clothes and shopping from boat vendors.
What's Included
- Scenic boat tour in the picturesque water village
- Knowledgeable English-speaking tour guide
- Delicious lunch included
- Comfortable travel with in-vehicle air conditioning
- All admission tickets provided
- Convenient hotel pickup and drop off in the city center
- Scenic boat tour in the picturesque water village
- Knowledgeable English-speaking tour guide
- Delicious lunch included
- Comfortable travel with in-vehicle air conditioning
- All admission tickets provided
- Convenient hotel pickup and drop off in the city center
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Gratuities
Additional Information
- This is a Shared Tour - 3 people are needed as a minimum to proceed with the tour.
- This is a Shared Tour - 3 people are needed as a minimum to proceed with the tour.
Location
Master-of-Nets Garden
No.11 Kuojiatou Alley, Daichengqiao Road, Canglang District,
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
3.8
(431 Ratings)
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Gary_b
Mar 10, 2026
Our guide Thom was right... - Our guide Thom was right on time meeting us at the hotel and we had a lengthy drive to Suzhou, but everything went smooth.
We spent time in Suzhou and the Net Master Garden and our guide Thom explained the history in great details as we toured the gardens. It is a unique kind of garden involving several buildings that the owners lived in and mostly rocks. After the gardens we went to one of the earliest silk companies in Suzhou and learned the history of silk and its importance to ancient China.
The next stop was at the Zhouzhuang which is an ancient Chinese City that is built around a series of canals and waterways. We took a “gondola” ride through the city. It was an interesting place but quite crowded but enjoyable none the less.
Thom did a good job guiding us through the 2 sites.
Review provided by Viator
Susanne_a
Feb 24, 2026
Great day 🙂 - You need a guide in these areas to enjoy the experience. The day was care free whilst seeing and understanding local culture and tourist spots.
Review provided by Viator
Peter_g
Feb 4, 2026
Great day tour - An excellent tour covering two very different experiences outside Shanghai.
Mr. Tom was an excellent tour guide and thoroughly briefed on each site.
Only downside was the van was too small for 5 adults on tour.
Highly recommended tour.
Review provided by Viator
Zoltán
Jan 20, 2026
Bus tour of Shanghai and Zhujiajao - I chose a group tour instead of a private one, because it is perhaps a little more informal, the contact with the guide is not as direct and constant. I got exactly what I expected, the guide took care of us, but we also had a little freedom to ourselves. The program is spectacular, interesting, I can only recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michael_s
Dec 20, 2025
Tom was friendly,... - Tom was friendly, informative and helpful and the whole trip was very efficiently organised. We had a super day, thanks
Review provided by Viator
Tzungwe_c
Nov 6, 2025
The Chinese Venice - The trip is a little tired by the transit of Shanghai, but the city of Suzhou with the great canal and the water city of Zhouzhuang were worth it.
Review provided by Viator
Fabio_t
Aug 7, 2025
I recently took a day... - I recently took a day trip to Suzhou and Zhouzhuang Water Town with my guide Elena and it was hands down one of the best experiences I’ve had! From the moment the tour started, everything was perfectly organized, and I felt completely immersed in the rich culture and history of these two beautiful places.
Review provided by Viator
Jeremy_b
Oct 13, 2025
Great trip - Great trip. Good value. Informative English speaking guide. Mini bus quite cramped hence only 4 stars.
Review provided by Viator
Tania_m
Dec 30, 2025
Too many activities - Good pick up, the garden was beautiful. The stop at the gran canal was a nonsense. We didn’t visit the silk museum, but yes a silk fabric. The lunch was low quality. The Watertown was beautiful. No free time to explore the village. Places are special, but the service was low quality.
Review provided by Viator
Juliechand
Jun 25, 2025
Not so great tour - Well the water village was pretty but a tour is enjoyable only when the tour guide is interested enough to show you around and give some info about the places and not just answer to the point. Our tour guide Elena was silent most of the Time , not interested to show much and did not give us time to spend at any of the places. Do not recommend this tour or the tour company. No response in anything.
Review provided by Viator
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