Quick Trip Planner
| Destination | Journey (approx.) | How | Trip style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qibao (七宝) | 30–40 min | Metro Line 9 | Half day: mini water town inside the city |
| Zhujiajiao (朱家角) | About 1 hour | Metro Line 17 | Half or full day: canals and stone bridges |
| Suzhou (苏州) | 25–30 min | High-speed rail | Day trip: classical gardens and canals |
| Hangzhou (杭州) | 45–60 min | High-speed rail from Hongqiao | Day or weekend: West Lake and tea hills |
| Zhouzhuang (周庄) | About 1.5 hours | Tourist bus | Day trip: one of the best-known water towns |
| Nanjing (南京) | About 1–1.5 hours | High-speed rail | Weekend: history, museums, City Wall |
| Wuzhen (乌镇) | About 2 hours | Bus, or train to Tongxiang + bus | Overnight: canal town lit up at night |
Times are typical; check 12306 or Amap for your date. How to book: China High-Speed Rail Guide.
Best Day Trips
Zhujiajiao (朱家角)
- Why go: A 1,700-year-old water town of canals, stone bridges and snack streets — reachable by metro
- Getting there: Metro Line 17 to Zhujiajiao, about an hour from the centre (fare about ¥7)
- Student cost: Free to wander; boat rides and some sights extra
- Time needed: Half a day
- Tip: Go on a weekday morning — weekends are packed
Suzhou (苏州)
- Why go: UNESCO-listed classical gardens, canals and Pingjiang Road — “the Venice of the East”
- Getting there: High-speed rail, about 25–30 minutes
- Time needed: A full day
- Tip: Pick one or two gardens rather than rushing through five
Hangzhou (杭州)
- Why go: West Lake, tea villages and Lingyin Temple — our most detailed city guide
- Getting there: High-speed rail from Hongqiao, 45–60 minutes
- Time needed: A day, or better a weekend
- Guide: Hangzhou Student City Guide
Wuzhen (乌镇)
- Why go: The most atmospheric water town, especially after dark in the West Scenic Zone
- Getting there: About 2 hours by bus, or train to Tongxiang then bus
- Time needed: Overnight
- Tip: Stay the night to see it without day-trip crowds
Qibao Ancient Town (七宝古镇)
- Why go: A small canal town inside Shanghai with street snacks and old lanes
- Getting there: Metro Line 9 to Qibao
- Student cost: Free to enter; snacks ¥5–20
- Time needed: 2–3 hours
Nanjing (南京)
- Why go: A former capital with the Ming City Wall, Purple Mountain, excellent museums and the Qinhuai River at night
- Getting there: High-speed rail, about 1–1.5 hours
- Time needed: A weekend
Tips for trips out of Shanghai (tap to expand)
- Book train tickets as soon as they open (15 days ahead) for weekends and holidays.
- Check which station your train leaves from — Hongqiao and Shanghai Station are far apart.
- Avoid water towns on public holidays; weekday mornings are dramatically quieter.
- Bring your passport — you need it for trains and many ticket offices.
New to China?
Set up payments, mobile data and essential apps before exploring Shanghai — each topic has one national guide, so this page stays focused on the city itself.
Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay · Get a SIM, eSIM and internet access · Install the essential apps · Book high-speed trains
More Shanghai Guides
Last updated: September 2026. Journey times are approximate. Prices, opening hours and rules in China change often — treat costs as estimates and confirm anything important with the official source before you go.
Photos: Lloyd Tudor / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Pvt pauline / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) · SQFP / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
