How to Spend 5 Days in Shanghai - Shanghai 5 Days Itinerary Plans 2026/2027

Plan A: Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Exploration - Most Recommended

Suzhou and Hangzhou, as neighboring cities of Shanghai, are usually the first choice for around Shanghai, and most travelers will visit Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou at the same time. This 5-day itinerary will take you to explore the 3 most popular destinations of the Yangtze River Delta - starting from modern Shanghai to visit elegant Hangzhou and finishing in classical Suzhou.

Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Travel Map (click to enlarge)

Day 1: Arrival - Shanghai Circus World

After you arrive in Shanghai, you can take a short rest and then head to Shanghai Circus World located in the northern part of Jing'an District to watch the entertaining acrobatic show, including breathtaking "balls of death" acts, chair balancing, hula hoops, juggling of benches, walking in the air, and other wonderful performances.

Day 2: Oriental Pearl Tower/Shanghai Tower - Shanghai Museum East - Wukang Road - Nanjing Road - The Bund

First go to Shanghai Pudong (east of the Huangpu River) area, and choose one of the skyscrapers such as Oriental Pearl Tower - the most famous landmark in Shanghai / Shanghai Tower - the tallest building in China and second tallest one in the world with the total height of 632m to enjoy the amazing panoramic view of downtown Shanghai. Then visit Shanghai Museum East, also in Pudong area, which is dubbed "Textbooks of Chinese Art History" to appreciate remarkable ancient Chinese arts through rich collections of the bronze, ceramics, paintings, calligraphic works, etc. Continue transfer to Puxi (west of the Huangpu River) area and spend some leisure time in Wukang Road, an old foreign community has been well-preserved with massive early 20th century western-style mansions, which is a hot city walk area with leafy trees side by. Next head to Nanjing Road, which is the oldest shopping street in Shanghai that has been extended to the Bund. Then you can walk directly to The Bund to enjoy the dazzling night view along the Bund, the Huangpu River and the Lujiazui area.

Day 3: West Lake - Feilai Peak - Lingyin Temple - China National Tea Museum - Meijiawu Village

Departing from Shanghai today, take the morning high-speed train to Hangzhou, which only takes about an hour to arrive. First, make the symbolic visit to the picturesque West Lake, which is the iconic site of Hangzhou and a pretty UNESCO World Heritage. Cruise on West Lake is a good way to experience the beautiful scenery. Next, go to Feilai Peak, which features in over 300 Buddhist carvings lining the riverbanks and hillsides and tucked away inside grottoes. Continue to the adjacent Lingyin Temple of nearly 1,700 year, which is the oldest and one of the most popular temples in Hangzhou. After that, go to China National Tea Museum to learn systematically about Chinese tea culture including the history, procession, customs and classification of tea, and admire diverse kinds of tea wares, machines, displays, etc. Then, transfer to Meijiawu Tea Village, a refreshing wonderland surrounded by mountains with a large area of emerald Dragon Well tea plantations in neat lines and curves. Walk among the tea plantations with fun and take beautiful photos.

Day 4: Suzhou Silk Museum - Tiger Hill - Lingering Garden - Shantang Street

Departing from Hangzhou today, take the morning high-speed train to Suzhou, which only takes about an hour to arrive. First go straight to Suzhou Silk Museum, which is the first museum that specializes in silk in China and well demonstrates the thousand years’ Chinese silk history, displays silk relics, fragments, garments and tapestry, etc. Next come to Tiger Hill, with a history of over 2,500 years, which enjoys lots of historical legendary as well as old buildings. The leaning pagoda is the most highlighted part which makes Tiger Hill a must-see. Continue go to Lingering Garden, one of the Four Greatest Gardens in China as well as the perfect representative of traditional Suzhou Gardens, which synthesized almost all the classic features of Suzhou gardens and will give you a visual treat. After visiting Lingering Garden, move on to nearby Shantang Street, a prosperous ancient street block built in 852 AD. Visiting this old place, you will see many featured old houses selling local food, delicate handicrafts and feel the real flavor of old Suzhou and Wu culture in ancient times.

Day 5: Tongli/Zhouzhuang Water Town - Leave

Today transfer to one of the famous water town in Suzhou, Tongli or Zhouzhuang, which respectively about 30 kilometers (50 minutes by car) and 40 kilometers (70 minutes by car) away from the city center of Suzhou. Tongli is one of the top six ancient towns in Jiangnan area (south of Yangtze River), which is world reputed as the "Oriental Venice" with its more than 1000-year-old history, authentic features of old buildings, rich old rivers, simple folk culture of locals. Zhouzhuang is not only the "No. 1 Water Town in China" but also one of the top ten tourist attractions in China favored by European people. Here you can feel its long history of about 1000 years and admire the authentic features of water town in regions south of the Yangtze River in China. When you finish your water town tour in Suzhou, you can transfer directly to Shanghai, which respectively about 90 kilometers (2 hours by car) and 70 kilometers (1.5 hours by car) away from the city center of Shanghai.

Highlights of this Itinerary

• The Bund
• West Lake
• Lingering Garden
• Tongli Water Town

☛ 5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour

☛ 5 Days Essence of Shanghai Hangzhou Tour with Wuzhen Water Town

☛ 5 Days Shanghai & Suzhou Highlights Tour with Tongli Water Town

☛ 5 Days Essence of Shanghai Suzhou Tour with Zhouzhuang Water Town

☛ 5 Days Shanghai & Hangzhou Smart Tech Experience Tour

Plan B: Shanghai Huangshan/Nanjing Exploration

Yangtze River Delta Travel Map (click to enlarge)

Option One: 5 Days Shanghai City Tour with Huangshan Exploration

If you're interested in natural scenery, you can't miss the Huangshan Mountain, which reputed as the most beautiful mountain in China, and you can get from Shanghai to Huangshan City in just 2.5 hours by high-speed train.

Day 1: Arrival - Shanghai Circus World

After you arrive in Shanghai, you can take a short rest and then head to Shanghai Circus World located in the northern part of Jing'an District to watch the entertaining acrobatic show, including breathtaking "balls of death" acts, chair balancing, hula hoops, juggling of benches, walking in the air, and other wonderful performances.

Day 2: Oriental Pearl Tower/Shanghai Tower - Shanghai Museum East - Yu Garden - Nanjing Road - The Bund

First go to Shanghai Pudong (east of the Huangpu River) area, and choose one of the skyscrapers such as Oriental Pearl Tower - the most famous landmark in Shanghai / Shanghai Tower - the tallest building in China and second tallest one in the world with the total height of 632m to enjoy the amazing panoramic view of downtown Shanghai. Then visit Shanghai Museum East, also in Pudong area, which is dubbed "Textbooks of Chinese Art History" to appreciate remarkable ancient Chinese arts through rich collections of the bronze, ceramics, paintings, calligraphic works, etc. Continue transfer to Yu Garden in Puxi (west of the Huangpu River) area to get a glimpse at classical Chinese garden architecture and abundant traditional culture, as well as experience the lively atmosphere of Yuyuan Bazaar and taste some local snacks. Next head to Nanjing Road, which is the oldest shopping street in Shanghai that has been extended to the Bund. Then you can walk directly to The Bund to enjoy the dazzling night view along the Bund, the Huangpu River and the Lujiazui area.

Day 3: Hongcun/Xidi Ancient Village

Departing from Shanghai today, take the morning high-speed train to Huangshan, which takes about 2.5 hours to arrive. Then transfer to one of the ancient villages in Huangshan, Hongcun or Xidi, which respectively about 65 kilometers (1.5 hours by car) and 50 kilometers (1 hour by car) away from the city center of Huangshan. Hongcun Ancient Village, a 900-year-old ancient village known for “Ancient Village in Chinese Paintings”, which was listed as UNESCO World Heritage site along with Xidi in 2000. It was also the filming location of famous Oscar-winner film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with typical Anhui-style architecture. Xidi Ancient Village, also a well-preserved and time-honored ancient village with history over 900 years, where still have 300 ancient dwellings left from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and 124 were well-preserved. It has enjoyed the reputation of “Household in Peach Blossom Garden”.

Day 4: Mount Huangshan

Today, transfer from Hongcun or Xidi to Huangshan Scenic Area, the distance is 30 kilometers (40 minutes by car) and 40 kilometers (50 minutes by car) respectively. Mt. Huangshan, also Yellow Mountain was listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. It is famous for the five wonders – odd-shaped pines, spectacular rocky peaks, sea of clouds, hot spring and winter snow. Generally speaking, it takes about 3 hours for energetic hiker to hike from the Dispelling Cloud Pavilion, via 1st Ring and 2nd Ring to the bottom and return to the starting point. For beginners, children, and senior travelers, you can decide the hiking length on your own, usually 2 hours for the 1st Ring and 2.5 hours for the 2nd Ring. To enjoy the beautiful sunset and sunrise scenery of Mount Huangshan, we recommend that you stay in the Huangshan Scenic Area for one night.

Day 5: Mount Huangshan - Leave

Get up early (usually around 5am to 6am) to enjoy the magnificent sunrise from Mount Huangshan. In good-weather days, you can see clearly the golden light of the sun piercing the mists, and rocky peaks rising above the frothy, ever-changing sea of white clouds. Then you can continue on your sightseeing or take a cable car to exit the Huangshan Scenic Area.

Highlights of this Itinerary

• Yu Garden
• Hongcun Ancient Village
• Xidi Ancient Village
• Mt. Huangshan

☛ 5 Days Shanghai Huangshan Tour by High Speed Train

Option Two: 5 Days Shanghai Highlights Tour with Nanjing Exploration

For those who are interested in history and culture and want to visit both Shanghai and Nanjing, the following 5-day itinerary will take you to the fullest of the charm of both cities.

Day 1: Arrival - Shanghai Circus World

After you arrive in Shanghai, you can take a short rest and then head to Shanghai Circus World located in the northern part of Jing'an District to watch the entertaining acrobatic show, including breathtaking "balls of death" acts, chair balancing, hula hoops, juggling of benches, walking in the air, and other wonderful performances.

Day 2: Oriental Pearl Tower/Shanghai Tower - Shanghai Museum East - Yu Garden - Nanjing Road - The Bund

First go to Shanghai Pudong (east of the Huangpu River) area, and choose one of the skyscrapers such as Oriental Pearl Tower - the most famous landmark in Shanghai / Shanghai Tower - the tallest building in China and second tallest one in the world with the total height of 632m to enjoy the amazing panoramic view of downtown Shanghai. Then visit Shanghai Museum East, also in Pudong area, which is dubbed "Textbooks of Chinese Art History" to appreciate remarkable ancient Chinese arts through rich collections of the bronze, ceramics, paintings, calligraphic works, etc. Continue transfer to Yu Garden in Puxi (west of the Huangpu River) area to get a glimpse at classical Chinese garden architecture and abundant traditional culture, as well as experience the lively atmosphere of Yuyuan Bazaar and taste some local snacks. Next head to Nanjing Road, which is the oldest shopping street in Shanghai that has been extended to the Bund. Then you can walk directly to The Bund to enjoy the dazzling night view along the Bund, the Huangpu River and the Lujiazui area.

Day 3: Zhujiajiao Water Town

Today, head to the ancient town of Zhujiajiao, which located on the outskirts of Shanghai, 48 kilometers (about 1.5 hours by car) from Shanghai downtown. Zhujiajiao Water Town, reputed as the Venice of Shanghai, is a 1700-year-old town with old bridges, old streets, Ming-Qing dynasty architectures, old Buddhist and Taoist sites, etc. Relax yourselves in this exquisite old town for a half-day or one day trip from Shanghai. Since most of water towns are located in the suburbs far from the city downtown with inconvenient transportation, we strongly recommend you choose our Shanghai tour packages including water towns with English-speaking guide and private driver or customize the itinerary that includes the water towns according to your needs.

Day 4: Zhongshan Ling - Xiao Ling - Confucius Temple - Qinhuai River

Departing from Shanghai today, take the morning high-speed train to Nanjing, which takes about 1 hour to arrive. Then head to Zhongshan Ling, which is the mausoleum park of Sun Yat-sen who was the leader of the Chinese revolution in 20th century. It is seen as China's version of the Lincoln Memorial. Next go to nearby Xiao Ling, which is the tomb of Zhu Yuanzhang who founded Ming Dynasty. As an honorable UNESCO World Heritage Site, Xiao Ling magnificent value of architecture and royal mausoleum culture. Continue transfer to Qinhuai River area, and first visit the Confucius Temple, which was built in about 1000 years ago and now one of the most important temples to worship the siege Confucius. Then enjoy the night time in Qinhuai River, which runs through the city of Nanjing and is a popular place to explore the local lifestyle. You can also take a colorfully decorated boat to ride on this ancient river, which will be a memorable experience.

Day 5: Ancient City Wall - Niushoushan Forest Park - Leave

First go for enjoy a leisure stroll on the Ancient City Wall of Nanjing, which was built about 650 years ago and is the longest, largest, and best-preserved ancient city wall in the world. Then transfer to Niushoushan Forest Park, located on the outskirts of Nanjing, which is a hidden treasure of Nanjing. Here collectively exhibits and preserves the treasure of the Buddhist world - the world's only parietal relic of Buddha with amazing Buddhist palaces, temples, pagodas and pleasant landscapes.

Highlights of this Itinerary

• Incredible Acrobatic Show
• Zhujiajiao Water Town
• Qinhuai River
• Niushoushan Forest Park

☛ 5 Days Shanghai Nanjing Highlights Tour