Day trips · Shanghai · China
5 best day trips from Shanghai
Where to go when you want a day away from Shanghai, and how long it really takes.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kimon Berlin, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
The classic day trip from Shanghai is Suzhou (About 30 minutes by high-speed train). The closest option is Zhujiajiao, about 50 km away.
Key facts
- Day trips in this guide
- 5
- Closest
- Zhujiajiao (50 km)
- Most popular
- Suzhou
Day trips compared
| Destination | Distance | Travel time | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzhou | 100 km | About 30 minutes by high-speed train | High-speed train from Shanghai or Hongqiao stations | Culture, Couples, First-timers |
| Hangzhou and West Lake | 175 km | About 1 hour by high-speed train | High-speed train from Hongqiao to Hangzhou East | Couples, Culture, Quiet stays |
| Zhujiajiao | 50 km | About 1 hour by Metro | Metro line 17 to Zhujiajiao station | Families, Couples, Budget |
| Wuzhen | 140 km | About 2 hours by bus or train and taxi | Coach from Shanghai, or high-speed train to Tongxiang and a taxi | Couples, Culture |
| Nanjing | 300 km | About 1.5–2 hours by high-speed train | High-speed train from Hongqiao or Shanghai stations | Culture, First-timers |
The day trips
100 km · About 30 minutes by high-speed train
1.Suzhou
Suzhou's UNESCO-listed classical gardens, including the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Lingering Garden, are masterpieces of rockery, water and pavilions. Add Pingjiang Road's canal-side lanes and the I. M. Pei-designed Suzhou Museum.
- Getting there
- High-speed train from Shanghai or Hongqiao stations
- Best for
- Culture, Couples, First-timers
175 km · About 1 hour by high-speed train
2.Hangzhou and West Lake
West Lake's causeways, pagodas and willow-lined shores are a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the nearby hills grow Longjing green tea. A full day allows a walk along the Su Causeway, a boat on the lake and Lingyin Temple.
- Getting there
- High-speed train from Hongqiao to Hangzhou East
- Best for
- Couples, Culture, Quiet stays
50 km · About 1 hour by Metro
3.Zhujiajiao
A canal town within Shanghai's Qingpu district, with stone bridges, including the five-arched Fangsheng Bridge, waterside teahouses and boat rides. It is the easiest water town to reach without a tour.
- Getting there
- Metro line 17 to Zhujiajiao station
- Best for
- Families, Couples, Budget
140 km · About 2 hours by bus or train and taxi
4.Wuzhen
Wuzhen is a carefully restored water town split into the residential East Scenic Zone and the more polished West Scenic Zone, which is beautiful when lit up at night. Staying overnight in the West Zone avoids the day-tripper crowds.
- Getting there
- Coach from Shanghai, or high-speed train to Tongxiang and a taxi
- Best for
- Couples, Culture
300 km · About 1.5–2 hours by high-speed train
5.Nanjing
The former capital has the Ming city wall, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum on Purple Mountain, the Confucius Temple area on the Qinhuai River and the Nanjing Memorial Hall. It makes a long but rewarding day.
- Getting there
- High-speed train from Hongqiao or Shanghai stations
- Best for
- Culture, First-timers
Day-trip tips
- Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
- Book long-distance train tickets in advance around national holidays; you need your passport to buy and board.
- For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best day trip from Shanghai?
Suzhou. Suzhou's UNESCO-listed classical gardens, including the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Lingering Garden, are masterpieces of rockery, water and pavilions.
+How long does it take to get from Shanghai to Suzhou?
About 30 minutes by high-speed train — High-speed train from Shanghai or Hongqiao stations, about 100 km.
+How long does it take to get from Shanghai to Hangzhou and West Lake?
About 1 hour by high-speed train — High-speed train from Hongqiao to Hangzhou East, about 175 km.