Suzhou and Zhouzhuang Water Village Day Trip from Shanghai

Shanghai, China

Visit two picturesque Chinese towns, Suzhou and Zhouzhuang on a day trip from Shanghai. You'll see how daily life has remained unchanged over the centuries in these unique old towns. Visit the Suzhou's magnificent gardens, feast on a Chinese lunch and travel through Zhouzhuang's waterways on a Chinese-style gondola.

Founded in around 600 B.C., Suzhou is one of the oldest towns in the Yangtze basin and is known for its beautiful gardens. With its interconnected waterways and beautiful environment, the city is often referred to as the Venice of the East. Suzhou was one of the few cities in China to escape the ravages of Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution and its famous gardens survived almost intact.

Upon arrival in Suzhou, your first stop is the Net Master Garden, the town's best example of a model Ming Dynasty garden. The gardens embody the harmonious principles of Chinese garden construction, which dictate that gardens should re-create a microcosm of the universe in a confined space.

After enjoying Suzhou's gardens, you'll view the town's ancient city wall and Grand Canal. You'll also take a tour of a silk-spinning factory to see how Chinese silk has been produced since the 14th century.

After lunch, it's time to visit the water village of Zhouzhuang and board a Chinese-style gondola to cruise the town's beautiful waterways. Zhouzhuang's simple, well-preserved architecture dates back more than 900 years. The majority of residences were built in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and nearly 100 classic courtyards and 60 carved-brick archways are still in use. In this water village, locals live their life on the waterways, continuing to carry out everyday activities on the water, from washing clothes to shopping from vendors in boats.

USD $114.99

Review by: Kimberly P	March 2012
Very nice! Had a wonderful time. Our guide was awesome. However our driver was sick during the drive. He coughed and hacked the entire drive which was a lil much. Overall, still had a good time.

Review by: Kaye S	March 2012
i loved the quaint old villages..like you stepped back in time..was so relaxing on the gondala ride

Review by: Marina G	February 2012
I think it worse to go by yourself to Water Village and you can skip Suzhou, and go instead to Yuyan garden in Shanghai

Review by: Xu L	December 2011
The cities are beautiful and very scenic, however, we had a guide who was very difficult to deal with. He was arrogant and unfriendly.

Review by: Christopher B	December 2011
Nice relaxing day. If the weather is good, you should get great photos.

Review by: Kategm47	November 2011
This tour was a great introduction to China, a very autentic water village, and a fun spot for amazing photo opportunities

Review by: SHEILA F	November 2011
Did not have much time in Suzhou, the only time we had to shop was at the silk factory, it would've been nice to shop on the streets. The lunch was not good, in fact it was American Chinese, I hope Viator will look at a different lunch location. _br/_ The best part of the tour was Zhouzhuang Water Village, the ride through the canal was nice. The village itself had some nice shops but we were given 20 minutes to shop, not much time so again if anything, it would be nice to get 30 minutes or an hour to look around and shop.

Review by: Marlene S	November 2011
This trip was very enjoyable but the boat-ride and getting there and back seemed a little rushed. Perhaps a little less time in the "factories" and more time in the actual towns would be better. _br/_ again our guide was informative and very attentive. Five stars again to the driver.

Review by: Robert F	November 2011
Suzhou not so interesting, but more time would have been good at Zhouzang - a really nice place, but too many people on a su8nday - go another day ! Guide very helppful.

Review by: Elisabeth L	November 2011
Joe the guide made this tour a very pleasant day. He gave the clients a lot of information and was happy to answer questions. Friendly driver. Suzhou -enjoyed the Master of Net Garden. Highlight was the boat trip in Zhouzhuang Water Village.

Review by: Robert S	November 2011
The driver was dreadful with lots of lurching. It took ages to pick up fellow travellers. The garden was not as good as one in Shanghai, and there is another old village in Shanghai without the long journey, So we woudl not recommend this tour. The embroidery shop was good and the guide polite.

Review by: Valerie P	October 2011
This was an interesting trip especially to the water village. However, it is in danger ofgetting very exploited and spoiled bybtoo much tourist "tat". Also, why do we keep getting taken to silk factories and other places trying to encourage you to part with your money!!!! We had already been taken to a silk factory on one of our Beijing day trips and weren't impressed to be taken to another one!! Neither were the rest of our party. Otherwise an interesting day.

Review by: Enderson D	October 2011
Great tour, my guide Joe, was the best. Highly recommend him, ask for him when you contact Jane about hotel pickup. He gave us extra time to look around and purchase souvenirs. I really enjoyed the water village, highlight of the tour. The lunch wasn't that good, just descent, that's why I gave 4/5 stars. Make sure you bring money to spend in the Silk factory, lots of things to buy there.

Review by: Michael	October 2011
The tour was great.. the guide very knowledgable and friendly... the bus was terrible!

Review by: JoAnn G	October 2011
Enter your review here.My tour was fantastic. The silk factory was the most interesting factory I have ever toured and the tour guide was well spoken and very interesting and informative.

Review by: SIAO YUE L	September 2011
Our guide Frank was very informative. The lunch was not great but we enjoyed the trip very much. Zhouzhuang was absolutely stunning!

Review by: Angelina R	September 2011
Really great value for a day-long private tour. Our tour guide, Joe, was awesome. He was not only knowledgeable about the places on our tour, but he provided a lot of useful insight about the Chinese culture and Shanghai in general. It was definitely a good way to start off our time in the city. The Master of Nets garden was beautiful, the silk and pearl tour interesting, and the water tour a great photo opp. You should be aware that there are a number of vendors at every stop--which is probably a great opportunity for most tourists--but if you're trying to maintain a budget like we were, be prepared to say "no" to some light pressuring along the way.

Review by: Connie V	September 2011
Worth the trip. Zhouzhuang Water Village is absolutely charming. Tour guide was excellent as well but the lunch was a really bad western buffet.

Review by: Antonio F	August 2011
The guide did an excellent job. Probably could have done without the silk factory, but I think tour groups are required to have such activities.

Review by: Grahame W	August 2011
Overall, this day excursion was extremely disappointing - Far too rigid and failing to take advantage of opportunities to see other attractions and insights into Chinese life and culuture that were so very close._br/_ On challenging our guide on these points, he claimed he was powerless to make even the most minor requests/revisions to the set schedule to this somewhat overpriced trip.

Review by: Paul B	July 2011
Our tour was an absolute delight. It gave us an opportunity to see a rural setting as well as a different urban setting to what we saw in Shanghai. Our tour guide was "Joe" who was very friendly and his command of English was very good as was his knowledge of the different places he took us. The driver, whose name I have forgotten, was also a very good and safe driver and after being in many cabs prior to this tour I was a bit worried as to what to expect but he did a great job. We particularly enjoyed the ride in the boat on the canal especially when the lady sang to us and even though we could not understand any of it the experience was worth it. Joe took us to a lot of good spots including the silk factory and the place where pearls were processed and both places were incredibly interesting._br/_ Kind Regards_br/_ Ian and Rosanna Barton

Review by: Pat	July 2011
Scenery was great. Guide, Frank was very informative and helpful.

Review by: Daniel C	July 2011
very good and interesting tour. our guide did a great job. Lunch needs improvement

Review by: Stephan S	July 2011
There could be seen more interesting spots when some shopping (silk, ...) would be skipped. Rest OK

Review by: Ivan B	June 2011
The water village was very charming, but we could have skipped the silk factory tour and the city of Suzhou altogether.

Review by: Bruce G	June 2011
The tour was generally fine, but the inflexibility was frustrating. All seven on the tour wanted to visit the impressive leaning Yunyan Pagoda instead of the listed embroidery factory, but were unable to do so, although we did get a distant view.

Review by: Marianne v	June 2011
The trip was very worthwhile! Good and experienced organisation by our guide Joe. No pressure to buy products (but nice silk products in factory outlet). As so many visiting points were on the schedule time was a bit short and trip could have taken a bit longer as being back in Shanghai at 18h! Recommendable for a day out of Shanghai city!

Review by: Susan G	May 2011
Guide was on time, bus was clean and nice. The watervillage we visited was heavily overtouristed, no information was given about the history of anything. I learned very little about Chinese history. And the restaurant food and atmosphere was not very good. When I take a tour in another country I want to spend time experiencing another culture not spending time with other tour groups from my own background, eating blandd western food...I can do that at home.

Review by: Audrey M	May 2011
Great trip, Good sized newer van with good airconditioning. Recommend this to all for a good day out. Lunch decent.

Review by: BERYL J	April 2011
Jolene was very professional, dedicated, and very informative. Makes you want to go back for more. Will recommend her to anyone.

Review by: Ming	April 2011
I chose this tour because of the hotel pick-up and drop-off service. Frank the guide was very polite and responsible. I booked last minute and was late back at my hotel the night before but he made sure he reached me about the pick-up time. The tour was packed with highlights of Suzhou (small garden and silk factory) including a bonus visit to an Embroidery Center where we had an enjoyable lunch (not the buffet from older reviews). Frank also did a very thorough tour of Zhouzhuang after lunch. We visited 2 old residences and did a gondola ride. April was a great time to visit with beautiful blossoms with crowds, though not yet out of control. We did hit a bit of traffic in Shanghai but that's expected. Overall the tour was excellent and I felt safe and taken care of. Highly recommended.

Review by: Amy	April 2011
Zhouzhuang water village is so peaceful, I enjoyed the boat

Review by: Edwin B	April 2011
A very nice tour. Enjoyed the Water Village Day Trip. The tour guide spoke excellent English. The Mercedes Van that was used was hard for my wife to climb in to--there were no handles to grab on to to help her pull herself into the van. A box to step on placed on the pavement beside the van may well have helped a lot._br/_ The driver/guide were right on time and were most knowledgeable

Review by: Daniel L	April 2011
There were only 2 customers on the tour, so it was quite cosy and personalised._br/_ The silk and embroidery factories were nice but it seemed rushed._br/_ The lunch was really nice and the tour van comfortable._br/_ The guide seemed not to be too open or proactive in giving information; rather we asked questions. He could have been more friendlier._br/_ Overall a good tour and recommended if you have an extra day in Shanghai.

Review by: Andrew Y	March 2011
=Very very please with your tour.Excellent Tour guide - Good job Miss Rita

Review by: Andrew Y	March 2011
Best Trip Ever Excellent and Helpful Guide

Review by: Brenda T	March 2011
Loved the water village, had a great day, enjoyed the silk factory and found the silk embroidery fascinating. Our guide was friendly and helpful.

Review by: Kaylene A	March 2011
Quality of transport inadequate and unsatisfactory for a long distance whole day excursion. The minibus was crowded with no room for bags, coats, purchases etc. There were no safety belts. Whilst the tour guide was very knowledgeable and interesting at the destinations, there was no amplification for commentary during the journey!! Both destinations were lovely, particularly Zhouzhuang. Unfortunately the luncheon venue was very disappointing and of a very low standard both in terms of quality and ambience - the room was cold, the tablecloth had many, many holes and cigarette burns and all the plates and bowls were very badly chipped.

Review by: Richard F, New Zealand	May 2010
This is a "must do" trip. Excellent guide spoke good english and outstanding knowledge. A small group and great fun. One comment would be that the van design means that the windows are a little low so that passengers do not get the best view as we drive along. Otherwise - great!

Review by: Billi T, United States of America	April 2010
The guide was excellent. He truly made it an enjoyable experience and was very knowledgable in several areas related to the tour. I have already recommended your company to friends of mine who will be traveling in China and particularly in Shanghai this year.

Review by: Anonymous, United Kingdom	February 2010
Zhouzhuang is delightful and is definately worth a visit. However, we were asked to pay extra for 'further access' which is very cheeky. We didn't spend a lot of time in Suzhou because a large chunk of time was wasted shopping in a silk factory. If I wanted to shop I would have booked a shopping trip!

Review by: Lisa B, United States of America	December 2009
We had a great time! Our tour guide was very accommodating. Wait to buy your souvenirs until you take this tour!

Review by: Pedro A, Germany	December 2009
I really like this little town, it is very traditional and peaceful. I recommend this activity

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	October 2009
Really a great overall experience!

Review by: Mat S, United Kingdom	June 2009
A great day without too much of a "tourist trap" feel to it - we weren't forced into too many shops where the guide gets a commission. Our guide had great English and a deep knowledge of the area.

Review by: Nicole S, United States of America	August 2008
Our tour guide was amazing! Great trip - well worth it.

Review by: Paloma A, Spain	August 2008
Great trip, great guide and great organization! Everything was perfect! We learnt a lot of new things about the Chinese culture, we saw incredible places and we enjoy the trip, a perfect combination.

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	June 2008
This was a great trip! The guide was very good and the sights we visited were absolutely beautiful! Even the scenery we passed in the van was interesting as it was very different from that in Shanghai. Highly recommended!

Review by: Diana K, Singapore	December 2007
Was a great eye opener. Though Zhouzhuang Water Village was rather commercial, the entire atmosphere was great. Would love to have slightly more time to spend in Zhouzhang.

Review by: Monica T, Italy	November 2007
Bellissimo!!!!