Suzhou Private Day Tour from Shanghai

5.0

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Recommended by 100% travellers

100% of guests rated this experience 4 stars or higher

5.0 (16)

Recommended by 100% travellers

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5.0

Reviews

Recommended by 100% travellers

100% of guests rated this experience 4 stars or higher

5.0 (16)

Recommended by 100% travellers

Available TomorrowSpots available tomorrow. Book now to secure your place.

Free CancellationCancel for free up to 1 day before your experience

Food for HappinessFor every guest in your booking, we donate 10 meals to children around the world

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Location

Shanghai

Duration

8 hours

Group size

Max 6 guests

Accessibility

Stroller Accessible

Language

Chinese, English

Location

Shanghai

Duration

8 hours

Group size

Max 6 guests

Accessibility

Stroller Accessible

Language

Chinese, English

Why travelers loved this

5.0

•16 reviews

US$428.23 per guest

Guest

Adult x1

Date

Add dates

Select Options

Available TomorrowSpots available tomorrow. Book now to secure your place.

Free CancellationCancel for free up to 1 day before your experience

Food for HappinessFor every guest in your booking, we donate 10 meals to children around the world

Why book with byFood?

Japan's #1 food travel platform

Trusted by 50,000+ travelers worldwideCurated by food lovers, for food loversFeatured in CNN, Forbes & NYT

Description

Good to Know

Hi, I’m Mao! Suzhou is my hometown, a picturesque riverside city known as “Venice of the East”. Joining my day tour, you will be able to escape from the crowds at famous tourist attractions and personally explore a hidden ancient water town, experience traditional Su-style cuisine made using ancient methods, visit stunning the “water temple”, cycle or just relax by the beautiful lake, and enjoy Chinese wine/tea tasting with me.

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants (for fast train ticket reservation)
A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Temple entrance fee

Round trip 1st class bullet train ticket

Hotel pickup and drop-off in downtown Shanghai/Suzhou

Transport by private vehicle in both Shanghai and Suzhou

8-10 hour private guide

Beverages and snacks during tasting

Resting facilities (e.g. chairs)

Bike rental fee

Hotel pick up and drop-off for locations outside of downtown Shanghai/Suzhou (surcharge applied)

Gratuities

Other personal expenses

45 minutes · Admission Ticket Free

Shanghai Railway Station

I will meet you at your hotel lobby/meeting points at your preferred departure time (between 8:30-10:00). Please make sure to bring your passport with you before arriving at Shanghai railway station. All your train tickets will be ready in advance. You will have a wonderful bullet train experience to Suzhou. (For those who depart from Suzhou, i will pick you up at your preferred time and head to our next stop directly.)

I will meet you at your hotel lobby/meeting points at your preferred departure time (between 8:30-10…

1 hour 30 minutes · Admission Ticket Free

Kunshan

You will visit a hidden ancient water town that 99.9% tourists don't know. You can wander around the old village. Enjoy the picturesque river view, old streets, houses and bridges, see the authentic lifestyle of people and hear my explanation of the history and art. You will also get the chance to watch the ancient methods of making various traditional Su-style desserts & street food and enjoy tasting them

You will visit a hidden ancient water town that 99.9% tourists don't know. You can wander around the…

2 hours · Admission Ticket Free

Yangcheng Lake

Here you can choose from cycling along the beautiful riverbank or taking a break by the lake while enjoying great view and special snacks. Bike rental fee/snacks & beverages are included (those who choose to depart after 9:00am will skip this part.) Then we will have a traditional Chinese wine/tea tasting session. Feel free to bring up any questions related to Chinese culture, art and gastronomy.

Here you can choose from cycling along the beautiful riverbank or taking a break by the lake while e…

1 hour 30 minutes · Admission Ticket Included

Chongyuan Temple

You will then head to the Chongyuan Temple. It is claimed to be the most beautiful water temple in China. The most notable features of the temple are the 33-meter tall Guanyin statue located in the Water Guanyin Temple and the largest single building among domestic temples, the Mahavira Hall. You will be able to take stunning pictures from here. At end of the tour, I will escort you to Suzhou railway station and take 1st class bullet train back to Shanghai. After arrival, I will drop you off at your hotel/meeting points. (For those who depart from Suzhou, I will drop you off at your hotel/meeting points directly after our final stop) If you want to visit some other attractions besides the sample itinerary, feel free discussing with me! When tour is finished, you will take bullet train back to Shanghai city.

You will then head to the Chongyuan Temple. It is claimed to be the most beautiful water temple in C…

Pickup Point

Select a pickup point

Pickup Details

Hotel pickup and drop-off in downtown Shanghai/Suzhou are included, and will need to be confirmed 1 day in advance

Meeting Point

Shanghai Railway Station, Shang Hai Shi, China, CN, 200071

Open in Google Maps

Tim Hortons coffee near ticket office at the north square of the train station

End Point

This experience ends at the meeting point.

Free cancellation

Cancel up to 1 day before for a full refund.

No refund within 1 day of the experience or no-shows.

5.0

16 reviews

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16 reviews

M2369SFandyApril 2025 • TripAdvisor

Learned So Much with Mao’s Easygoing Style!

Mao made Suzhou’s history fun! The bullet train ride was smooth, and she explained things in a way that wasn’t overwhelming. Loved the hidden garden she chose—she pointed out how the rocks and ponds mimic mountains and lakes (mind blown!). She didn’t rush us, and the private car kept us cool in the heat. Bonus: she taught us a few Chinese phrases! Felt like exploring with a knowledgeable friend, not a formal guide.

224onlyjApril 2025 • TripAdvisor

Perfect Tour for Avoiding Crowds!

Mao was super helpful and friendly! The bullet train from Shanghai was way faster than I expected, and the private car in Suzhou made getting around easy. The gardens she picked were quiet and pretty, not like the busy ones you see online. She even snapped a few photos of us by the canals. Lunch was at a local place with amazing dumplings. If you want a chill day without tourist crowds, book this tou

jjgghj2025March 2025 • TripAdvisor

Highly recommend

We had a great time visiting and learning about the beautiful city of Suzhou. Mao arranged all the transportation and tickets which made everything seamless and enjoyable. She was a fantastic and friendly guide, with lots of knowledge and personal stories to share. Mao even went back to the train station the day before our tour when our tickets were misprinted. We had lots of questions and she was patient and informative with his answers. We were able to try delicious local cuisine for lunch and...read more

nnbbuMarch 2025 • TripAdvisor

Perfect day trip from Shanghai with a great guide

We had a fantastic time exploring Suzhou with our private tour guide Mao. We opted for bullet train transport from and returning to Shanghai which was a highlight in itself. We were also transported around Shanghai and Suzhou in luxury air conditioned vehicles. Our lovely tour guide Mao was amazing. Her knowledge of the area and english were outstanding. We had a very varied itinerary which gave us a brilliant insight into ancient and modern Chinese culture. We highly recommend this tour and our...read more

kkjjklljlMarch 2025 • TripAdvisor

Suzhou Untouristy: Mao’s Hidden Gems Delight!

Forget generic tours—Mao’s Suzhou is a love letter to the undiscovered. The bullet train’s speed contrasted beautifully with her leisurely strolls through nearly empty gardens, where she revealed how every pond and pavilion whispers Confucian ideals. A visit to a silk museum became a hands-on lesson in heritage, and her choice of a canal-side lunch spot (with the city’s best “squirrel fish”) was genius. Mao’s grace in handling logistics (rain umbrellas ready!) matched her historical expertise. W...read more