Day trips from Shanghai
Apart from a beautiful and technologically developed city, Shanghai can be the base to explore nearby cities as day trips.
Suzhou City
On top of my list is Suzhou. Only half an hour from Shanghai by highspeed train is an ideal escape from the buzz of the city and an opportunity to see a more traditional part of China. Getting out from line 4 of the metro station Leqiao you can admire the North Pagoda which stands in front of you. From the Pagoda you can go straight the Xibei street. It is a very picturesque road, with traditional houses, restaurants and lots of little stores selling and manufacturing wooden Chinese fans. About 15 minutes on foot, you can arrive to the most beautiful in my opinion garden in Suzhou, the Humble Administrators Garden. You may prebook your tickets, but you may also buy them on the spot outside of the garden with your passport (your passport is your ticket to the garden). Humble Administrators Garden is a unique imperial garden with lots of nice buildings, nature and pavilions to walk around. Is it quite big, so you will need a lot of time to walk around and enjoy it. During evening a special event also takes place in the garden with lots of lights and shows. Next to the garden starts the famous Pingjiang Road. It is the most traditional and picturesque road of Suzhou full of canals, little bridges, stores and restaurants. You can wander around the narrow road, do some shopping, rent a little boat to ride you around the canals or just stare the view from the canals. It feels like a trip to the past.
Qibao Ancient City
Very close to Shanghai (metro line Qibao) you may find the ancient water town of Qibao. Only 10 minutes’ walk form the metro station you could arrive to ancient China. The scenery is like the ones you watch in the movies. You are waiting for the adventure to begin in the narrow alleys of the town, full of delicious street food (some fried insects as also available to try- I did try little scorpion and grasshoppers- they tasted like salty potato chips), souvenir shops and bridges with canals. Qibao is an ideal option if you have limited time in Shanghai but still you don’t feel like missing visiting a water town. It is also ideal for shopping. Outside and inside of the ancient town there are many shops with traditional or not clothes and accessories. What impressed me in Qibao apart from its beauty is the existence of many small ear cleaning medical clinics. I am not aware why Chinese people need to have their ears cleaned with that frequency. I tried it though and the feeling was excellent.
Hangzhou City
For those who seek a more distant from Shanghai excursion, a nice proposal is Hangzhou. Located one hour and a half from Shanghai by highspeed train offers the chance to see one of the most beautiful and famous Chinese lakes. Hangzhou’s lake is considered to have been the inspiration of many artists and painters and gave the idea for the creation of the Japanese gardens. You could walk around the lake which will take hours due to its size, or alternatively you can enter the little boats which make different tours to its islands, Pagodas and gardens. After the lake you should visit one of the City’s more famous pedestrian streets ‘’Hefang Street’’. Ideal for shopping, street food, or even just for wandering around and admiring the tranquility and its beauty.
For more information or to help you plan your ideal trip within your budget, please contact us.
