Itinerary Summary
Two days in Shanghai for the old-city snacks and the Bund, then a short train to Hangzhou for Longjing tea village and West Lake, ending in Suzhou for classical gardens and canal-side noodles. Mobile…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Shanghai arrival and a snack crawl at the City God Temple
14:00
1.5h
Maglev and Metro Line 2 to People's Square
Ride the maglev to Longyang Road and change to Metro Line 2, reaching People's Square in about an hour. Buy a stored-value card at the airport; it saves queueing at every gate.
📍 Pudong Airport to People's Square
16:30
2h
City God Temple snack bazaar
Graze the bazaar lanes around the City God Temple for soup dumplings, pan-fried buns and sweet rice cakes. Two hours is enough; choose the stalls with the longest local queues rather than the biggest signs.
📍 Yuyuan Bazaar, Shanghai
19:30
1.5h
The Bund waterfront after dark
Walk the Bund's raised promenade as the Pudong skyline lights come on, then loop back through the side streets. The lights shut off around ten, and the stretch north of Nanjing Road is calmer.
📍 The Bund, Shanghai
💡 Pro Tip: Pudong Airport connects by maglev to Longyang Road in eight minutes, then Line 2 into the centre; Hongqiao is closer and on the same line. China runs on UTC+8 all year. Entry rules depend on your passport, so consult the China visa section ahead of booking. Bring an appetite and small notes: the best snack stalls still prefer cash, and portions are built for sharing.
Days 2-6 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$26035%
Comfortable hotels near old towns, 5 nights
Food & DiningUS$15020%
Specialist restaurants and tea-house meals
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What local dishes should I try in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou?+
In Shanghai, look for soup dumplings and shengjian bao in the old city. Hangzhou is known for West Lake vinegar fish and longjing shrimp, best near the tea villages. Suzhou serves squirrel-shaped mandarin fish and simple canal-side noodle shops. Ask for less salt and oil if you prefer milder flavours, as Jiangnan cooking can be sweet.
When is the best season for a Jiangnan food trip?+
April and May bring the spring Longjing tea harvest around Hangzhou, while October and November are hairy-crab season across the delta. Both windows have mild weather for walking between meals. Summer is hot and humid, and winter is cold but quieter, with fewer queues at popular restaurants.
Do I need to book restaurants in Shanghai and Hangzhou?+
Popular places fill up, especially at weekends and during holidays. Many accept reservations by phone or through the Dianping app, though some only take walk-ins and use a queue ticket. Eat slightly before or after standard hours to avoid the longest waits, and check whether a branch takes foreign cards before you go.
How do I travel between Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou on this food route?+
High-speed trains link all three in 30 to 60 minutes and run every few minutes, so you can move between meals easily. Book on the 12306 app with your passport. Stations sit outside the old centres, so allow time for a metro or taxi ride at each end, and travel light for the short hops.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 6 days
- Budget: Foodie · approx. $600–900 (≈ €520–780), excl. int'l flights
- Difficulty: easy
- Best for: Food & Dining
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