Maximise your trip to Shanghai with these top 4 day trips - all made easy with China's High Speed Rail!
Heading to China for your next holiday? If you're going to Shanghai, don't just spend all your time at Shanghai Disneyland, or exploring the Bund. Make the most out of your trip and explore further with China's High Speed Rail!
Thanks to China’s incredibly efficient high-speed rail network, Shanghai is one of the best bases for quick day trips to nearby cities. In under one or two hours, you can go from futuristic skyscrapers to ancient gardens, tranquil lakes, and historic towns. Here are our top 4 recommended day trips to add to your itinerary!
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Looking for something more personalised? Try our private customised tour! Plan your journey, your way - from Shanghai city tours to Yunnan’s natural wonders. Choose your route, set your pace!
P.S. China just rolled out a digital e-arrival card — so yes, it’s now even easier to go. Find out more here!
A Quick Intro to China's High Speed Rail
China's high speed rail network is the longest and most extensively used in the world, stretching over 45,000 kilometers and connecting more than 550 cities across the country. These bullet trains can reach speeds of up to 350 km/h (217 mph), making travel between major cities incredibly fast and efficient.
Operated by the China Railway Corporation under the China Railway High-Speed (CRH) brand, the network is renowned for its reliability and speed. And China’s ambitious plans don’t stop here — by 2035, the country aims to expand its railway network to an astonishing 200,000 kilometers, with 70,000 kilometers dedicated to high-speed rail!
The high-speed train is often not just faster, but way more comfortable and convenient than flying. Oh, and to make things easier, you can book your point-to-point tickets on Klook, so you can spend less time stressing and more time enjoying your trip. Trust us, if you're planning to explore China, riding the high-speed trains is hands down one of the best ways to do it.
For more information:
#KlookTips for planning your day trip via high speed rail
💡 Book high-speed rail tickets early
This shouldn't come as a surprise, but it's hard to get your hands on tickets especially on the weekends and holidays. Trust us, they sell out quick.
Pre-book your tickets in advance on Klook to secure your seats!
🛂 Bring your passport
This might be a no-brainer but we wanna remind you, just in case! You need your passport for ticket collection, identity verification and station entry.
🎟️ Choose your seat class
Just like flying on an airplane, you can actually book different seat classes for China's high speed rail. Here's a quick overview:
- Business Class: lie-flat comfort, snacks
- First Class: wider seats, quieter
- Second Class: budget-friendly and clean
Whatever you choose, a safe and speedy journey is definitely guaranteed.
For more information:
Must-Do Shanghai Day Trips
1. Suzhou
🚄 Fastest travel time from Shanghai to Suzhou: 30 minutes
❤️ Best for Culture lovers
If you need a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of Shanghai, Suzhou is perfect for you. The moment you arrive, the city feels softer, quieter, almost like you’ve stepped into a traditional Chinese ink painting. Also known as the Venice of the East, Suzhou is also filled with many picturesque canal waterways, which you can explore via a gondola ride! It is also famous for its beautiful gardens, nine of which are actually UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Top things to do in Suzhou include:
- Humble Administrator’s Garden: Touristy but a must-visit. Come early to avoid the crowds and spend some time in awe by yourself at the tranquil, willow-framed ponds.
- Pingjiang Road: One of the oldest streets in Suzhou. This narrow, atmospheric stretch lined with whitewashed houses, stone pathways and tiny teahouses.
- Suzhou Museum: Culture vultures can't miss a visit to this museum. It is renowned for its exceptional collection of ancient Chinese art.
2. Hangzhou
🚄 Fastest travel time from Shanghai to Hangzhou: 1 hour
❤️ Best for Nature seekers
Another breezy escape from Shanghai’s fast-paced cityscapes, Hangzhou feels like a deep breath of fresh air. As the capital of Zhejiang province, it’s best known for its postcard-perfect scenery, especially the UNESCO-listed West Lake as well as its long history with silk and the world-famous Longjing (Dragon Well) tea which is prized for its emerald colour and aromatic flavour.
Top things to do in Hangzhou include:
- West Lake: How can you miss the city's most famous attraction? Honestly, we think that it’s every bit as dreamy as people say.
- Lingyin Temple: Also called Souls retreat temple. It is the oldest and most famous temple in Hangzhou, and is renowned for its many pagodas and grottos.
- Longjing Tea Fields: Whether you love tea or not, sipping freshly roasted tea in the middle of lush green hills is one of the simplest, most unforgettable experiences. P/s: The best time to visit for the tea picking season is from March to May.
3. Wuxi
🚄 Fastest travel time from Shanghai to Wuxi: 45 minutes
❤️ Best for Tranquil escapes
Like Suzhou and Hangzhou, Wuxi is a historic lakeside city is surrounded by mountains and temples, making it the perfect breather from your busy Shanghai itinerary. Take a stroll around and you'll find that parts of Wuxi genuinely feel like you’ve stepped into a classic Chinese drama, with its historic architecture from the Han and Song dynasties. And this is no surprise because Wuxi's Three Kingdoms City is a full-scale replica built by China Central Television in 1987 to film The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Now, how cool is that?
Walking through its ancient-style pavilions, towers, palaces and arenas feels like watching history come alive, with architecture inspired by the Han and Song dynasties. It’s an immersive and surprisingly educational experience for all ages.
Top things to do in Wuxi include:
- Lingshan Grand Buddha: This 88-metre statue is one of the largest Buddha statues in China (and also in the world!) - definitely a must-visit attraction for sure.
- Three Kingdoms Film Studio: Explore the various sets and historical displays of the 3 Kingdoms and Water City film sets.
- Turtle Head Isle: The third largest freshwater lake in China along Lake Taihu is the perfect spot for cherry blossom viewing in Spring. Pack a picnic and make it a day out!
4. Nanjing
🚄 Fastest travel time from Shanghai to Nanjing: 1.5 hours
❤️ Best for History buffs
For anyone curious about China’s modern history, Nanjing stands out. The city is home to the iconic Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the historic Presidential Palace, and the deeply important Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, all of which reveal different eras of the country’s cultural and political story.
Top things to do in Nanjing include:
- Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum: Tomb of Dr Sun Yat Sen, who is also known as the 'father of modern China'. You'll climb up the 392 steps as a symbolic tribute.
- Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall: Built to memorialise those that were killed in the Nanjing Massacre by the Imperial Japanese Army in 1937.
- Nanjing Presidential Palace: Originally a royal residence. It is now the biggest China Modern History Museum.
- Niushoushan Forestal Park: A newly-developed park where you can explore a pagoda, palace and garden. It is built around "Ox Head Mountain".
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