Embrace the Serene Beauty of China
Shanghai offers a fascinating blend of old-world charm and futuristic innovation. Stroll along the iconic Bund, where historic buildings stand side-by-side with towering skyscrapers.
Hangzhou, on the other hand, is a city of tranquility and natural beauty. Experience the convenience of AI-powered living while exploring its picturesque landscapes. Discover the hidden gems of a less commercial water town, called Nanxun.
This 4-day itinerary is perfectly designed for travelers taking advantage of China's visa-free transit policy. Send us your inquiry to make the most of your visa-free transit with our expertly crafted tour.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Unravel Shanghai's Rise along the Bund.
Discover the secrets behind Shanghai's remarkable transformation through an in-depth exploration of the iconic Bund.
Enjoy a Tranquil Boat Ride.
Experience the authentic charm of Hangzhou with a tranquil boat ride. Then have an insightful visit to a traditional Chinese medicine museum.
Try Your Hand at the Age-old Art of Woodblock Printing.
Step back in time and rediscover the magic of Chinese woodblock printing. Design your own masterpiece with your name in Chinese calligraphy.
Participate in a Traditional Water Wedding Ceremony.
Witness the magic of a traditional water wedding performance, and if you're up for it, you can even join in as the groom!
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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My reviews for Hangzhou and Beijing with China Highlights:
Hangzhou with Susan We wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible tour experience provided by our tour guide, Ms Susan Yang Jing Wen during our recent visit to Hangzhou. Her expertise, patience, and passion for the city truly made our trip unforgettable. Her warm and welcoming demeanor put us at ease. Her deep knowledge of Hangzhou’s history, culture, and landmarks was nothing short of impressive. Whether it was the enchanting beauty of West Lake, the spiritual serenity of Lingyin Temple, her storytelling made each destination even more special. What stood out most was her patience and attentiveness. She took the time to answer all our questions, accommodate our pace, and ensure we felt comfortable throughout the tour. Her dedication to providing a personalized and memorable experience did not go unnoticed. Hangzhou is a city of endless wonders, and thanks to Susan, we were able to appreciate its beauty and history in a way we never could have on our own. If we are fortunate enough to visit Hangzhou again, we will undoubtedly seek her out as our guide. Beijing with Jiang We had an incredible experience on my tour of Beijing, and a huge part of that was thanks to our amazing guide, Jiang. From the start, he was incredibly helpful and went above and beyond to make sure our group was comfortable and informed. He patiently answered all our questions, no matter how many we had, and his knowledge of Beijing’s rich history and culture was absolutely impressive. Not only was Jiang well-versed in the city’s historical landmarks, but he also offered fantastic food recommendations that allowed us to dive deeper into Beijing’s culinary culture. His suggestions were spot-on, and we got to taste some of the best local dishes! His friendly demeanor and thorough understanding of the city made the entire experience unforgettable. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, patient, and thoughtful guide, Jiang is the perfect choice more
Mar 2025, Gladys Ng
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Ask for Helen in Chengdu
We were in Chengdu for a good time, not a long time, and our guide Helen made sure of it. She is super interesting and fun and intuitive, and takes incredibly good care of her group at every level: I don’t think there is anything she can’t or won’t do for you. Travelling with multiple generations can be tricky, but Helen caught on to our dynamic right away and kept everyone happy and tuned-in, from the panda experience to chilling in the park. Such a fantastic experience all-around. more
Mar 2025, Susan
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Hangzhou with Derek from China Highlights
Hangzhou is a beautiful city. Our guide was Derek from China Highlights, who is a very smart and well educated person. He knows a lot not only about history but also all kind of subjects. Derek is also very very very kind, and patience. We changed a little our itinerary because we wanted to know other things, and he completely understood what we wanted. Thank you Derek!! more
Mar 2025, Cecilia Ly
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Suggested Itinerary
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests and schedule.
Your private guide will be ready to meet and greet you at airport arrivals. A comfortable private car (non-smoking) with an experienced driver will transfer you directly to the downtown area.
Start your journey with the iconic Bund. Follow your local guide into historical buildings, touch the old items, and find some clues to Shanghai's colonial past and development history.
You will have a chance to try shengjian (pan-fried buns) in an unassuming Michelin-starred restaurant, which the tourist crowds never find.
Get a unique "ticket" from your guide, board a public ferry with the locals, and cross the Huangpu River to the Pudong area — the financial engine of Shanghai.
Take the fastest elevator in the world up Shanghai Tower. There you will be able to stand at the top of Shanghai.
In the morning, visit Yu Garden, which was built in the 16th century. It is like a peaceful oasis, hidden in the bustling metropolis. When walking in the garden, you will learn the meanings of its design and decoration.
Then, follow Shanghai's timeline to the 19th century for the former French Concession. A good proportion of Shanghai's colonial architecture has been carefully preserved there, and buildings even sport heritage plaques giving details of their history.
After lunch, take the bullet train to Hangzhou. Your Hangzhou local guide will meet you at Hangzhou East Train Station.
When you step off the train in Hangzhou, you will enter a smart city — AI-controlled traffic system, world-leading payment methods, new-era retail stores… Follow your guide to explore a new type of supermarket and find out how it can deliver goods into customers' hands in 30 minutes.
The best time to pick tea leaves is in the morning, so the first visit of the day is a tea village. Go with the tea farmers and learn to pick tea leaves. Have a break at a tea farmer's home, and discover the proper way to make tea.
Have lunch in a tea-themed restaurant and see how tea is a part of Hangzhou's daily dishes.
In the afternoon, walk by the beautiful West Lake, then take to the water on a rowing boat. Listen to the interesting stories behind the sights of the lake.
Later you will visit a hundred-year-old traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy. There you can see various medicinal materials and observe how TCM pharmacists make up a prescription. Try a cup of healthy herbal tea.
In the late afternoon, enjoy an afternoon tea in a roof garden beside West Lake. Appreciate the porcelain, tea, and scenery.
After breakfast at your hotel, prepare to interact with Chinese culture and have a relaxing boat ride in Nanxun Water Town!
Nanxun Water Town is the most original and unique of such towns. It is full of life and culture, and less commercial than other water towns.
Take a rowing boat to visit the former residence of Zhang Shiming, a super-rich man of the late Qing Dynasty (1644–1912).
There will be a wedding performance on the water, showing you how a traditional wedding is conducted in the water town. If you like, you can take part and play the bride/groom!
After the dreamy experiences in Nanxun Water Town, we'll drive you to Shanghai Pudong Airport (or a train station) and wave goodbye.
Tour Price
Price includes: