3 Days Shanghai Highlights Tour Water Town Visit

Name: 3 Days Shanghai Water Town Tour
Brand: China Discovery
SKU: CD-SZ-03
Price: 449 USD
Availability: PreOrder
Rating: 5 (8160 reviews)

One of a Kind Shanghai Holiday

Looking for a unique Shanghai tour which is different from the regular itineraries? Here it is - A harmony between soft and hard landscapes results in one of a kind holiday in Shanghai.

Shanghai has not only many fancy skyscrapers, well-preserved architecture of colonial period and the most forward fashion, but also many hidden treasures including one of the most beautiful water towns in China – Zhujiajiao Water Town. With our private Shanghai tour, you will make the best of your time to sweep all the best highlights away in the urban Shanghai, including panorama of architectures in the Bund, skyscrapers view from one of the highest building in the world, etc., then enjoy a unique half day in the beautiful water town of Zhujiajiao to experience the traditional face of Shanghai and find out what is a real water town of ancient time like. It is interesting, enjoyable and valuable.

 Type : Private Tour
 Tour Code : CD-SZ-03
 Price : from $449
1. 1. This price is quoted ‌in US dollars‌;
2. 2. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one double-bed room in a 4-star hotel and traveling in low seasons;
3. 3. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate.
 Trip Length : 3D/2N
 Theme : Culture / History

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR

Take a wonderful walk along the Bund to enjoy both the modern skyline of Shanghai and old architecture masterpieces of colonial time;
Explore the old dwellings and bridges, intricate canals, holy temples and unique living custom in Zhujiajiao Water Town;
Witness some of the most precious cultural and historical relic exhibitions that can be traced to more than 3000 years ago in Shanghai Museum;
Find the unexpected traditions of old Shanghai which are hidden among modern skyscraper in Yu Garden and Tianzifang.

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Itinerary Day by Day (Can Be Customized)

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Day 1 Shanghai Arrival
Airport / railway station / cruise port pick up

Ni Hao! Welcome to Shanghai - China's dazzling Magic City, where futuristic skylines meet timeless charm in a metropolis that never slows down!

Upon arrival, you will be met by a local tour guide at the arrival hall of the airport/train station/port and escorted to check in your hotel in downtown by a private comfortable vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to relax. If you want to explore nearby, feel free to get some practical suggestions from your tour guide.

Optional Activity - Attend an entertaining Acrobatic Show, including breathtaking “balls of death” acts, chair balancing, hula hoops, juggling of benches, walking in the air, and other breathtaking performances.

Arrival Ideas: At present, there are many international and many domestic flights to and from Shanghai. Also, you can arrive in Shanghai city by taking a high speed train from Beijing (4.5-6hrs), Xian (6-8hrs), Hangzhou (1hrs), Suzhou (30mins), Huangshan (2.5-4hrs), and so on.

Our curstomer enjoyed the beautiful night view of Shanghai

Day 2 Shanghai City Highlights ( B, L )
Today's highlights: Shanghai Tower, Shanghai Museum, Tianzifang, the Bund

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel to start your Shanghai exploration. Your will firstly visit Lujiazui and ride one of the world's fastest elevators to the 118th-floor observation deck (at 546 meters / 1,791 feet) of the Shanghai Tower — the tallest building in China and the third tallest in the world, standing at 632 meters (2,073 feet). From this incredible height, you'll enjoy a jaw-dropping 360° panoramic view of Shanghai's dynamic skyline, including the modern Pudong area, the historic Bund, and the winding Huangpu River.

Then, drive to the Shanghai Museum East, one of the Four Best Museums in China. There are over one billion cultural relics related to Chinese ancient history and art are exhibited inside, including precious bronzes, paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, jade, sculptures, traditional furniture, seals and old coins from more than 5,000 years ago to the Qing Dynasty. Da Ke Ding(bronze food vessel in over 3000 years ago), Bianzhong of Marquis Su of Jin (ancient musical instruments) are the top treasures to visit. An Audio Explanation Device will help you better learn the facts and knowledge of the exhibitions.

Next, drive to Tianzifang, a unique popular tourist enclave remolded from a traditional residential block in old town of Shanghai. Intertwined narrow alleys are filled with small creative shops selling lovely souvenirs and plenty of cafés, bars and restaurants. It’s great fun to ramble through the maze-like area to appreciate the well-preserved traditional Shanghainese Shikumen (Stone Warehouse Gate) houses, see interesting novel art and handicrafts, savor a lazy open-air coffee time and try some local street food and feel the original Shanghai life vibe.

Later, get to Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s earliest commercial street and one of the most popular current landmarks. Lots of big name brands, restaurants, cafés, souvenir shops and towering buildings can be seen when you stroll around this busy pedestrian mall. Continue your walk to the Bund, the No.1 attraction in Shanghai and the best viewing deck for the skyline of Lujiazui across the Huangpu River, a cluster of futuristic skyscrapers including Shanghai Tower, Jinmao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and Oriental Pearl Tower rising from what was once a fishing village. The view captures Shanghai's extraordinary transformation from a treaty port to a global financial hub and innovation powerhouse. Lined with 52 historic European-style buildings, the Bund is also often hailed as an open-air museum of world architecture. Take a pleasant stroll along the promenade, enjoying both the grandeur of the past and the futuristic skyline.

After the tour, drive back to your hotel. (If you want to spend free time at the Bund, Nanjing Road or somewhere else please let your tour guide know.)

Optional Activity - Take a relaxing Huangpu River night cruise to see the city’s most significant edifices and streets sparkling under the atmospheric cover of darkness (about 50 minutes).

A bird's-eye view of Shanghai atop the Shanghai Tower
Exquiste International Buildings at The Bund
Yuyuan Garden Spring View Shot by Our Customer in April
Dakeding (1046 BC-711 BC) - The Most Precious Treasure of Shanghai Museum

Day 3 Shanghai - Zhujiajiao Ancient Town - Shanghai Departure (B)
Today's highlight: Zhujiajiao Water Town

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up and take you on a one-hour drive away from the city's hustle and bustle to visit Zhujiajiao Water Town, often referred to as the Venice of Shanghai.

With a history spanning over 1,700 years, Zhujiajiao is a well-preserved water town famous for its tranquil canals, ancient bridges, and traditional architecture. You'll stroll along the historic North Street, admire the elegant arch of Fangsheng Bridge, and climb up to Yuanjin Buddhist Temple for a panoramic view of the old town. Along the way, you'll discover classic Ming and Qing dynasty-style buildings, riverside residences, and lively local shops that reflect the town’s rich cultural heritage. If you're interested, you may also choose to enjoy a traditional boat ride (optional, at your own expense) to appreciate the water town's tranquil beauty from a different perspective.

After your water town experience, your guide and driver will escort you to the airport, railway station, or port for your departure. Tour ends.

Boats in Zhujiajiao Water Town, Shot by Our Guest Gaye from Australia
Zhujiajiao Water Town, Picture Shot by Our Guest Chona from Philippines

Recommended Add-on Options

+2 more days to visit the city of Gardens and Water Towns - Suzhou

Suzhou, with over 2,500 years of history, is renowned for its exquisite classical gardens, peaceful canals, ancient bridges, and rich silk heritage.

Compact and charming, Suzhou's historic old town gathers many of its top attractions within easy reach—making it an ideal destination for a well-paced day trip. This tour brings you the essence of Suzhou in one enriching day: admire the refined beauty of the Lingering Garden, one of China's four great classical gardens; wander along the centuries-old Shantang Street to experience local life and heritage; explore Tiger Hill, the city's most iconic and storied site; and visit the Silk Museum to witness the intricate process behind Suzhou's world-famous silk production.

Lingering Garden, Shared by Our Guest from Australia

+2~3 more days to visit the most beautiful mountain and villages in China - Yellow Mountain and Hongcun: Marvel at Yellow Mountain's granite peaks rising from sea of clouds, hike the pine-lined trails of Bright Summit Peak, and experience the thrilling West Sea Grand Canyon with its dramatic cliffs and winding paths. For the iconic sunrise, head to Lion Peak, where golden light illuminates the peaks as if painting the sky. Then wander through Hongcun's UNESCO-listed alleys, where horse-head walls and moon-shaped ponds reflect centuries of Huizhou architecture. This journey blends natural grandeur with cultural heritage for an unforgettable experience.

+3 more days to explore the breathtaking Avatar landscape - Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, invites you to wander through its endless sea of cloud-piercing peaks, crystal-clear streams, and lush forests, where you'll effortlessly merge with the surrounding nature, deepening your appreciation without even realizing.

This immersive 3-day Zhangjiajie journey starts at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and concludes at Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park. You'll encounter towering quartz-sandstone pillars, breathtaking caves, serene lakes, cascading waterfalls, while discovering rich cultural heritage, ancient traditions, spiritual sites, and authentic local customs throughout your adventure.

Chona from Philippines visited Tianzi Mountain, Zhangjiajie in September, 2018

+2 more days to explore the heavenly city - Hangzhou

"Hangzhou is paradise on earth" – Marco Polo's words still ring true today.

Glide across West Lake's UNESCO-listed waters, framed by willow-draped banks, misty hills, and historic landmarks like Su Causeway in Spring Dawn and Broken Bridge. Breathe in Zen serenity at Lingyin Temple, a 1,700-year-old Buddhist sanctuary, where ancient rock carvings whisper tales from the Five Dynasties. Participate in a traditional tea ceremony and savor the world-renowned Dragon Well tea at its origin. Venture to iconic canal town (1hr drive) Wuzhen to witness Ming-era wooden houses and gondola-filled waterways.

Cruise on the West Lake leisurely in Autumn

The quotation for this trip is from $449 Per Person

1. This price is quoted in US dollar. It is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in a 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons. It will drop greatly if your group has 4 or more members.
2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, month and date. There may be huge price increasing during public Chinese holidays, school summer vacations, tourism peak seasons or some special dates. (China Public Holiday 2026 Schedule Released)
3. Other factors that may change the final tour price include group size, hotel class, tour activities, fluctuation of currency exchange rate, etc.
4. This price is based on exchange rate USD 1=RMB 6.8. The final price will be based on the exchange rate in effect at the time of agreement with our quotation.
5. This price is only valid to March 31, 2027.
6. This price is not the final price until the Confirmation Letter is sent.
7. The items included and excluded in this price are for reference only. The final services included, please refer to the confirmation letter sent to you by the travel consultant.

What's included?

Professional licensed English-speaking guide;
Admission tickets for all attractions listed in the itinerary;
Accommodation as listed in the itinerary (4-star standard);
Necessary vehicle transfers as listed in the itinerary;
Luggage Transfers: between airports (railway station) and hotels;
All meals as listed ("B" for Chinese and Western breakfast buffet in your hotel; "L" for Chinese Lunch in local restaurant; "D" for Chinese dinner in local restaurant.);
Our service charge, including tour planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

What's excluded?

China visa;
Personal expenses;
Accommodation not listed in the itinerary;
Tourist sites which are not listed in the itinerary;
Recommended optional activities;
Flights or trains not listed in the itinerary;
Excess Baggage Charges;
Optional tips to guides, drivers, etc.

Check What our delighted customers are saying about our services

Hi Rita

We are back to Beijing. I only wanted to thank you for the trip - it has been really good, well organized and we have enjoyed it very much. Thanks again and I hope we can travel again with you and your Company in the future.

All the Best!!

Francisco

Francisco‚ Spain, July 30, 2026

你好，

Hi Leo,

我们非常开心地度过了一周的梦幻之旅。出发前，提心吊胆了很久。没想到这艘游船没有受到洪水和台风的影响，能按既定行程走完，觉得非常幸运。整个行程的天气有晴有雨有雾，我们看到了三峡最美的一面。“晴三峡，雨三峡，不如雾三峡“。一路看到了很多美景，船上品尝了各地美食，涨了很多知识。导游讲解生动，船上美食可口。我们订的是标准间。总的来讲，睡得还是不错的。能近距离看到长江水波听到水声，是件浪漫的事。说实在的，第一眼看到浴室的墙面，有点心理发毛。但是用起淋浴，水够大，够暖，还是舒服的。也许他们可以把淋浴头扶手周围的水垢处理下，就完美啦。我们在假期都不习惯早起。有几天都得早起去景点，有些不适应。不过这是趟让人回味无穷的旅行，有机会我们会推荐给老外们。

We had an amazing week on this dream trip. Before we set off, we had been quite worried for a long time because of the weather conditions. To our surprise, the cruise was not affected by the flooding or the typhoon, and we were able to complete the whole itinerary as planned. We feel incredibly lucky. During the journey, we experienced all kinds of weather, sunny skies, rain, and fog, and each one showed us a different side of the Three Gorges. As people say, “The Three Gorges are beautiful in the sunshine, beautiful in the rain, but even more magical in the fog.” The scenery along the way was absolutely breathtaking. We enjoyed delicious local food from different regions on board and learned a lot about the history, culture, and landscapes of the area. The tour guides were knowledgeable and gave very engaging explanations, and the food on the ship was tasty. We booked a standard room, and overall we slept quite well. Being able to get so close to the Yangtze River, watching the waves and listening to the sound of the water at night, was such a romantic experience. To be honest, when we first saw the bathroom walls, we felt a little uncomfortable because of the appearance. But once we used the shower, we found that the water pressure was strong and the water was warm, so it was actually quite comfortable. Perhaps the cruise company could do a little more cleaning around the shower head and the handrail to remove some water stains, and then it would be nearly perfect. Since we are not used to getting up early during holidays, the early morning schedules for some of the sightseeing stops were a little challenging for us. But this was truly a memorable journey that we will treasure for a long time. We would definitely recommend this cruise to our foreign friends. It was a wonderful way to experience the beauty of the Yangtze River and the Three Gorges.

Jia

Jia‚ China, July 30, 2026

Hi Leo

The trip was really good.

All the tour guides and drivers were excellent. Very good English, always helpful and always on time.

Especially Eva(Beijing) and Kaia(Zhangjiajie) will go above and beyond being so helpful and willing to stay later so we can get the most of the tour experience.

The hotel and the food were very good. So many choice to choose from.

And our course, you have also been so patience and very helpful recommending ideas for our trip.

We all had a loverly time and I would definitely book your company again for our future trip to other parts of China, and will certainly recommend your company to our friends.

Thank you, the tour guides and drivers.

Best regards

Kenny

Kenny‚ Hungary, July 29, 2026

Hello Leo,

We liked the cruise very much. The ship was great and the cabin (we upgraded to celestial), food, excursions and especially the crew were all good.

We liked the itinerary and we had a super time.

(Although when we arrived in Yichang all the trains to Chongqing were cancelled so we arranged a Didi driver to take us there (it took 11 hours!) the driver did a very good job and was rewarded accordingly.

Best

Marcus

Marcus‚ Netherlands, July 28, 2026

Dear Rita,

Many thanks for this mail. We have enjoyed our trip and would like to thank you, Tina and the driver for making this outing a memorable one. We hope we will be able to come again soon (probably, to other parts of China).

Regards,

Yue

Yue‚ Singapore, July 27, 2026

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How Our Teams Serve you at China Discovery

"Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty" is the core value of each specialized team at China Discovery.

Eveyone in our company is working hard for only one goal, which is to ensure the highest level of service, luxury, and attention to detail from the minute you begin planning your trip, to the day you return home.

1-on-1 Travel Consultant

Our travel consultants are professional, experienced and responsible, helping you from the very beginning to the end of your China trip!

After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.

Beside, he/she will keep in contact with you during your entire tour in China, continually checking if everything is going well as planned.

: We're working at Chengdu Bamboo International Tours, local based in Chengdu.

Local Tour Guides

Our local guide in every destination is not only very friendly, enthusiastic but also very informative and knowledgeable.

Once you arrive in the destination, the patient and punctual guides will pick you up and take you to get under skin of the city at your own pace. By in-depth discovery and explanation, they’ll show you more about the history, culture, customs and authentic local life. Throughout the journey, they're not only expert guides who take care of all the details but also fellow travelers who are dedicated to help you explore in comfort and style.

: Our guides are passionate about what they do, and it shows all the way!

Local Drivers & Vehicle

Using our private transfer service makes you comfortable, relaxed and worry free all the way!

Our private service includes licensed drivers with many years’ driving experience and air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and well-maintained cars/vans. Drivers are local, polite, friendly and helpful, taking you to your tourist sites, hotels, airport/train stations in safety. All kinds of vehicle are offered, and yours depends on the size of your group. Usually, we offer sedan cars, SUVs, business vans (MPV) and different types of buses, all with extra space for your luggage.

: Our private transfer service guarantees you the highest comfort!

Comfortable & Homelike Hotels

In each destination, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay in a great location!

The hotels we choose are based on star rating, great locations, well-equipped facilities, cozy bed, high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot ranging from luxury 5 star, comfortable 4 star to budget 3 star. You could decide where to stay to best suit for your budget and likes. Generally, the hotels have both Western and Chinese breakfast with a wide choices.

If you have already got an ideal hotel, please feel free to tell our travel consultants and they'll book the hotel for you.

: Have good sleep in our well-selected hotels in all the destinations of China.

Meals & Dining

We can satisfy all the dietary requirements no matter you want Chinese local food, western food, vegetarian food or muslin food.

The restaurants we will take you for lunch or dinner are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. They have very good sanitary conditions and the food is prepared fresh and clean.

There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.

: All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!

Photo gallery of this trip

Beautiful Night View of the Bund - Nguyen from Canada
A bird's-eye view of Shanghai atop the Shanghai Tower
Exquiste International Buildings at The Bund
Yuyuan Garden Spring View - Our Customer
Dakeding (1046 BC-711 BC) - The Most Precious Treasure of Shanghai Museum
Boats in Zhujiajiao Water Town - Our Guest Gaye from Australia
Zhujiajiao Water Town - Chona from Philippines

See How We Create Memorable Journeys for Our Guests on Similar Routes

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Most Important Shanghai Travel Notes

1. What are the advantages of China Discovery’s private Shanghai tour packages?

2. Make most use of China’s Visa Free Policy to visit Shanghai.

3. How to Get to Shanghai?

4. Shanghai Weather & Climate, Best Time to Visit Shanghai

5. Extend your Shanghai tour to Suzhou, Hangzhou and other destinations is strongly suggested.

6. How to Start Your China Tour from Shanghai?

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3 Days Shanghai Highlights Tour Water Town Visit

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR

Day 1 Shanghai Arrival

Day 2 Shanghai City Highlights ( B, L )

Day 3 Shanghai - Zhujiajiao Ancient Town - Shanghai Departure (B)

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