The 13 Garden Day Trips in China That Earn Their Ticket

1.Best of Shanghai Day Tour, including Jade Buddha Temple & Bund & Yuyuan Garden

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 338 reviews · from $79Our pick

Spend about eight hours touring Shanghai with an English-speaking guide such as Tom, Elena, or Michael. Visit the Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, the Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Yuyuan Old Street, the former French Concession, and Xintiandi. Hotel pickup, lunch, transport, and listed admission fees are included.

“Very poor service from the tour operator , Shanghai is very hot during the summer and doing the tour with a vehicle with bad Air Conditioner was unacceptable it seemed that the guide was in a hurry not giving us enough time to enjoy the tour , with other companies that offer the same service i think is time to change , this was the second time in less than 10 days that Viator did wrong and we didn't get the value for what we paid for.”

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2.Shanghai Day Tour to Zhujiajiao Water Town, Yu Garden, Bazaar, Bund

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 162 reviews · from $229Top rated

Spend a full day with a private English-speaking guide, chauffeur, and air-conditioned minivan. Visit Zhujiajiao by boat, walk through Yu Garden and Yuyuan Bazaar, then see the Bund. Hotel pickup, entrance fees, bottled water, umbrellas, and drop-off are included.

“The Bund is very very beautifull place! Shure! We recommend!!!!”

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3.Private Yu Garden, The Bund, French Concession, Pudong Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · from $120

Spend about four hours with a private guide such as Tom, Vicky, Alice, or Jaime, visiting Yu Garden, Old Town, the Bund, the French Concession, and Pudong. A tea-house stop, private vehicle, and hotel or cruise-port transfers make this a practical first look at Shanghai.

“Vicky has been a fantastic guide, knowledgeable and accommodating. The Yu Garden, it’s market and the tea ceremony are a must do in Shanghai!”

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4.Suzhou Day Tour from Shanghai to Classical Garden, Tongli Water Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $279

Leave Shanghai at 7:30 am for Suzhou’s UNESCO-listed Master of Nets Garden, historic Shantang Street, and Tongli Water Town. Your private air-conditioned minivan, English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, bottled water, and Tongli boat ticket are included. Expect a long but rewarding day with plenty of walking.

“We had a great experience and so much fun. The driver and Juliet, our guide were great the whole trip. Juliet was kind, helpful and answered all of our questions. thnak you so much for both”

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5.Private Beijing Day Trip: Peking Man Site, Stone Flower Cave, Marco Polo Bridge

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $193

Travel by private car from Beijing to Zhoukoudian’s Peking Man Site, Stone Flower Cave, and Marco Polo Bridge. Your English-speaking guide, driver, lunch, entrance tickets, parking, tolls, and hotel pickup are included. Guide Sally has received special praise for her friendly help.

“We really enjoyed our day trip out to the Stone Flower Cave and Peking Man site. Both UNESCO sites that were almost empty when we visited. Sally, our tour guide, was very personable and did a good job helping us around the sites. I'd sugRead more”

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6.Private Zhujiajiao Ancient Town and Harmony Garden Day Tour with Gondola Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $189

Travel from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao in a private vehicle, then walk the canals and lanes with an English-speaking guide. You’ll visit the private Harmony Garden, see its Chinese antiques, ride a traditional rowboat, and stop for lunch before returning to your hotel.

“Kelly was a fantastic hostess and did an incredible job of showing us around the water town. She was patient and allowed us to set the pace and accommodated our requests.”

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7.Tongli Water Town Private Day Trip from Shanghai with Tuisi Garden and Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $190

You’ll visit Tongli Water Town with a private guide and driver, tour UNESCO-listed Tuisi Garden, cross old stone bridges, stroll Ming and Qing streets, and ride a gondola along the canal. Guides such as Michelle, Peter, and Liam bring local history and customs to life.

“We opted for the private pick from our hotel and met with our local tour guide, Peter in Tongli. Peter grew up in the area so he was very knowledgeable and an experienced tour guide. We went on a Wednesday so there wasn't much crowd, Read more”

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8.Private Shanghai Day Tour: Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, Bund, Huangpu Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $219

Spend 8 to 9 hours with a private English-speaking guide and chauffeur, visiting Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, Yuyuan Old Street, the Bund, Nanjing Road, and the Huangpu River. Guides such as Chloe, Sophie Lee, and Ryan have tailored visits to suit different interests.

“We did a one day tour in Shanghai. We visited the Yu Garden, which is an oasis of calm in the midst of the city, walked along the Bund, took a cruise on the Huangpu River, visited the bookstore on the 52nd floor of the Shanghai Tower, and Read more”

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9.Private Suzhou Day Tour from Shanghai to Classical Gardens and Tongli Water Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $259

Leave Shanghai at 8:00 am with a private guide and air-conditioned car for Suzhou’s Humble Administrator’s Garden, old-town streets, and Tongli Water Town. Guides such as Ryan, Chloe, Johnny, Marry, and Martin have led this route, adding local history and personal attention along the way.

“Our guide, Johnny, and driver, made our tour of Shanghai and Suzhou most memorable. We loved the stories and philosophy. It added humor and personality to each day. They were really accommodating to each of our needs. Many thanks and highly recommended!”

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10.Hangzhou Nature and Garden Private Day Tour with Tea Village and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $180

Spend 7 to 8 hours with a private guide and driver exploring West Lake, Feilai Peak grottoes, Longjing tea fields, Yunxi Bamboo Forest, and Xueyan Hu’s garden home. Sarah and Jim are named guides, and the flexible plan can suit dietary needs such as halal cuisine.

“Hello sunny team, the tour in Hangzhou with Jim was an experience. In great weather we learned a lot about West Lake, visited great gardens and were fascinated by the tea terraces. I can recommend Jim at any time,would give him five stars!!”

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11.Shanghai day trip:Yuyuan garden,Bund,Shanghai Museum，Former French Concession

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2 reviews · from $163

Spend eight hours with a private guide exploring Shanghai’s old Ming-style Yuyuan Garden, a traditional market, People’s Square, Shanghai Museum, the Bund, and Xintiandi. Private transport, local lunch, bottled water, and listed tickets are included. Public transport may also be used.

“Both guides provided were very informative, flexible and caring. They were very cooperative and caring to individual in the team, and smart in managing time. We did not face any difficulties during the whole travel time. The food was also good.”

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12.Suzhou 2 Gardens &Tongli Water Village Private Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $238

Travel from Shanghai to Tongli and Suzhou with a private English-speaking guide. See canal-side old houses, Panmen Gate, and the Master of Nets Garden, with lunch, entrance tickets, hotel pickup, and transport included. The Tongli boat ride costs extra.

“Loved the gardens. I was absolutely exhausted by the end of the day but I had a great time. My guide was very knowledgeable about the area and about the gardens and their history. 10/10”

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13.Private Shanghai Day Tour of Zhujiajiao Water Town,Yu Garden and Bund

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $185

Spend 7 to 8 hours with a private guide and driver, pairing Zhujiajiao’s canals and old lanes with Yu Garden and the Bund. Guides such as Melinda and Ruby can adjust the day, with French Concession or Jade Buddha Temple available instead. Lunch or dinner is included.

“We love everything about this trip, guide, driver, car and all logistics. Melinda is our tour guide and she has provided exemplary services. She has provided us with great suggestion on itinerary that we can maximise the one day trip to explore both Shanghai and Zhujiajiao. ShRead more”

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