Private Tour of Zhouzhuang Water Town and the Best of Suzhou

8 Hours Private Tour English Reserved Only

Private Tour of Zhouzhuang Water Town and the Best of Suzhou

Discover the enchanting water town of Zhouzhuang and explore Suzhou’s historic gardens and vibrant culture on a personalized private day tour designed just for you.

Summary Information

Duration 10 hours
Start Time 8:30 AM recommended but flexible
Starting Location Pickup from your city center hotel or location
Price From $169 per person
Contact us for group rates over 4 people

Tour Includes

Awesome experienced guide

 

Premium car and driver

 

Zhouzhuang local delicacies

 

Entrance fees to gardens and gondola ride

Tour Overview

This incredible private tour features two of China’s most treasured destinations, both just 90 minutes from Shanghai. Begin your day in Suzhou, renowned for its picturesque canals, historic bridges, and classical gardens. Choose to explore one of these iconic sites based on your interests:

  • Humble Administrator’s Garden (dating back to 1513), famous for its zigzag bridges and interconnected pools

  • Tiger Hill Island, home to the 7-story leaning Cloud Rock Pagoda

  • Lingering Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its exquisite landscaping and architecture

Next, visit the ancient Zhouzhuang Water Town, China’s only UNESCO AAAAA-rated water town and the country’s No.1 water town. Explore historic landmarks such as the Fuan Bridge (built in 1355), Shen House (built in 1742), and wander along scenic canals, ancient archways, and traditional towers. Enjoy a peaceful gondola ride through the winding waterways and observe local life along the banks—an unforgettable journey back to historic China.


Highlights of This Tour

  • Stunning ancient city of Suzhou with remarkable architecture

  • Choice of Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lingering Garden, or Tiger Hill

  • Visit to China’s No.1 silk factory or the China Embroidery Academy

  • Zhouzhuang Water Town with its famous Fuan Bridge, Zhang House, and Shen House

  • Scenic gondola ride through historic canals

  • Sampling of authentic local delicacies

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Customization Options

We’ve designed this tour to offer a comprehensive Shanghai experience, but we understand every traveler has unique interests. You can customize your itinerary at no extra cost by swapping out certain stops, such as: Replace the Former French Concession with the Shanghai Museum Swap the Bund for the Jade Buddha Temple If you have other preferences or ideas, please contact us—we’re happy to tailor the tour to make it truly yours.

What You Can Expect

This private tour offers the flexibility to choose your preferred start time, typically beginning at 8:30 AM. Your experienced guide and driver will meet you in the lobby of your downtown Shanghai hotel.

Relax on a scenic 90-minute drive to the historic city of Suzhou, where your guide will share fascinating insights about China’s rich culture and Suzhou’s 2,500-year history.

In Suzhou, you’ll explore one of the UNESCO World Heritage classical gardens based on your preference: the beautiful Humble Administrator’s Garden or Tiger Hill, a symbol of Suzhou famously said to be “a trip to Suzhou is not complete without a visit to Tiger Hill.” Due to current construction affecting access to some old town sites, we recommend visiting the Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill, or Master of Nets Garden instead.

Before lunch, you’ll stop at the No.1 Silk Factory to learn about the ancient art of silk production, from mulberry trees to weaving on the loom. Alternatively, you can visit the China Embroidery Academy to see intricate traditional embroidery techniques.

Enjoy a local lunch tailored to your tastes, with guidance from your expert local guide to ensure an authentic experience.

Next, you’ll travel a short distance to Zhouzhuang, China’s No.1 UNESCO AAAAA Water Town. Stroll its narrow streets visiting historic homes such as the Shen House and Zhang House, both dating back to the 1700s and rich with captivating stories. Cross ancient bridges like the Fuan Bridge (built in 1355) and walk under stone archways. Sample local delicacies handpicked by your guide.

Enjoy a relaxing gondola ride through Zhouzhuang’s scenic canals to see local life up close.

After your day of discovery, your guide and driver will return you to your Shanghai hotel or another preferred downtown location.


Pricing

Pricing is per person and decreases as your group size increases. 

Pricing Table (Per Person in USD)

Participant
1
2
3
4
5 or More
Adults (10 and up)
$399
$245
$199
$169
Contact Us for Group Pricing
Kids Ages 4-9
$65
$65
$65
$65
-
Kids Ages 0-3
Free
Free
Free
Free
-

Additional Notes:

Inclusions

  • Private guide

  • Air-conditioned car with experienced driver

  • Zhouzhuang gondola ride

  • Local snacks in Zhouzhuang

  • Entrance fees to all sites

  • Bottled water

  • Pickup and drop-off at your centrally located Shanghai hotel or designated city center location

Note: Pickup and drop-off outside central Shanghai—such as the airport, cruise terminals, railway station, Shanghai Disney Area, Qinpu, Jiading, Chuansha, or Songjiang—will incur additional fees.


Exclusions

  • Meals and drinks (so you can choose according to your preferences)

  • Tips (appreciated but not required)

Want to see the real Shanghai?

What Our Guests Say

“We loved every moment of this tour! The private car made the long drive comfortable, and our guide shared fascinating stories about the history of both Suzhou and Zhouzhuang. The silk factory visit was eye-opening, and the peaceful canals of Zhouzhuang exceeded our expectations. A perfect full-day escape from Shanghai!”

Lucas M. — Australia

“This private day tour to Zhouzhuang and Suzhou was truly unforgettable. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly, and the gondola ride in Zhouzhuang was magical. The gardens in Suzhou were stunning, especially Tiger Hill. The local snacks were a delicious bonus. Highly recommend booking this tour for an authentic taste of historic China!”

Emma R. — United Kingdom

“This tour offered a perfect balance of culture, history, and relaxation. From exploring beautiful UNESCO gardens to wandering through ancient streets and enjoying a gondola ride, it was a wonderful experience. Our guide was attentive and made sure we tasted the best local delicacies. Booking this private tour was one of the highlights of our China trip.”

Sophie L. — Canada

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