
Private Day Excursion to Suzhou and ZhouZhuang Water Village from Shanghai
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 37 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Day Excursion to Suzhou and ZhouZhuang Water Village from Shanghai worth booking?
Private Day Excursion to Suzhou and ZhouZhuang Water Village from Shanghai is a 9-hour experience in Shanghai, China, from $230 per person. It scores 78 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 37 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 78 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (37)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $230 per person
You will experience two picturesque towns in this private day tour. Su Zhou is one of the oldest towns in Southern China with its nice climate and beautiful gardens, was known as "Paradise on Earth". Zhou Zhuang is the No.1 Water Village in China and always be called "Oriental Venice" because of the interconnected waterways and old residences. Enjoy convenient round trip transportation from your Shanghai hotel or cruise terminal on this enriching tour. You will visit the UNESCO world heritage Master of Nets Garden, Grand Canal, Silk Factory and have a Chinese-style gondola ride in Zhou Zhuang Water Village. An authentic Chinese lunch in Su Zhou is also included. Besides, you will have a professional guide offers informative narration of the sites and share knowledge of China with you.
What you get
About this experience
You will experience two picturesque towns in this private day tour. Su Zhou is one of the oldest towns in Southern China with its nice climate and beautiful gardens, was known as "Paradise on Earth". Zhou Zhuang is the No.1 Water Village in China and always be called "Oriental Venice" because of the interconnected waterways and old residences. Enjoy convenient round trip transportation from your Shanghai hotel or cruise terminal on this enriching tour. You will visit the UNESCO world heritage Master of Nets Garden, Grand Canal, Silk Factory and have a Chinese-style gondola ride in Zhou Zhuang Water Village. An authentic Chinese lunch in Su Zhou is also included. Besides, you will have a professional guide offers informative narration of the sites and share knowledge of China with you.
What's included
Included
- Private Hotel/port pickup and drop-off
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Private driver/guide
- Boat Ride
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
Not included
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Master-of-Nets Garden
This full-day exploration of Suzhou City and ZhouZhuang Water Village starts at 8:30 from your hotel or cruise terminal in Shanghai, where your private guide will pick you up and head to Suzhou. The first stop of the day will be the Master-of-Nets Garden. It is the smallest one of the Suzhou residential gardens but is considered as one of the most impressive ones in town. Its unique design, ethereal beauty, and enduring cultural significance have seen it proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Panmen Gate
Pan Gate was the only entrance to the wall that surrounded ancient Suzhou. It is so famous for its complex of both land and water city gates that many times, people directly refer to it as the "Land and Water Gate".
40 minutes here · Admission included
Suzhou Silk Museum
Afterward, head to the No.1 silk mill. At the factory, you will see complete production of silkworm raising, cocoon sorting, cocoon boiling, reeling, yarn spinning, and packing. Furthermore, at the product exhibition hall, you will see a collection of products produced by this factory.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Suzhou Ancient Grand Canal
Then you'll have lunch in a local Chinese restaurant near the Ancient Grand Canal. You will try some local dishes.
40 minutes here
Zhouzhuang Water Town
After lunch, you will be driven to ZhouZhuang Water Village. Wander about the heart of the village you will get a real feel for local life by the water and enjoy lovely scenes of white-washed houses, stone bridges and traditional-style houses by a boat ride.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Shanghai Driver Guide
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Infant meals not included
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Photos



What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 37 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
37 verified traveler reviews for Private Day Excursion to Suzhou and ZhouZhuang Water Village from Shanghai. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Enjoyed the tour
Tom is knowledgble and very resourceful. The tour was arranged well with lots local stories amd recommondations. The local cruisine picked is tasty. We really enjoyed the tour.
via Viator
Perfect day
This was a wonderful trip with Patrick who was the perfect guide and Joe our driver who moved us around safely and in comfort. Lunc was excellent too. ZhouZhuang was like being on a film set. I would recommend having the boat driver to sing, it made it even more magical. ❤️
via Viator
We had a great day with...
We had a great day with Patrick and we felt comfortable and relaxed. He was knowledgeable therefore we enjoyed hearing the culture and history.
via Viator
Funny stories and great food
Tom provided a lot of valuable and interesting historical context to my visit to Suzhou and Zhouzhuang Water Village. Some of the historical stories are funny and smart. Tom introduced me to great street food during the tour. Definitely will do another tour with Tom next time I am in Shanghai.
via Viator
Wonderful tour. Tom was...
Wonderful tour. Tom was an incredible guide. Great experience and wish we could do it all over again!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $230 to $410
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 13
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Shanghai Driver Guide, who run 12 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 63.4.
See everything Shanghai Driver Guide runsWhy this scores 78
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Day Excursion to Suzhou and ZhouZhuang Water Village from Shanghai: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Shanghai.
How much does Private Day Excursion to Suzhou and ZhouZhuang Water Village from Shanghai cost?
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Prices start at $230 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Shanghai usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Day Excursion to Suzhou and ZhouZhuang Water Village from Shanghai take?
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Plan for about 9 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Shanghai is not rushed.
Is Private Day Excursion to Suzhou and ZhouZhuang Water Village from Shanghai worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 37 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Shanghai, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Day Excursion to Suzhou and ZhouZhuang Water Village from Shanghai?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Day Excursion to Suzhou and ZhouZhuang Water Village from Shanghai suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Day Excursion to Suzhou and ZhouZhuang Water Village from Shanghai?
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Around 13 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Shanghai can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Shanghai and add a light layer if any part of the 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Day Excursion to Suzhou and ZhouZhuang Water Village from Shanghai start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Shanghai within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Shanghai?
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On Outty we rank every Shanghai experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Private Shanghai Full Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights, Full-Day Private Guided Tour of Shanghai, Shanghai City Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st and Best Rated. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Shanghai?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Shanghai?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Private Day Excursion to Suzhou and ZhouZhuang Water Village from Shanghai?
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Included: Private Hotel/port pickup and drop-off; Bottled water; Lunch; Private driver/guide; and Boat Ride. Not included: Personal expenses; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Day Excursion to Suzhou and ZhouZhuang Water Village from Shanghai include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 1405 listed pickup locations in and around Shanghai. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Private Day Excursion to Suzhou and ZhouZhuang Water Village from Shanghai offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Private Day Excursion to Suzhou and ZhouZhuang Water Village from Shanghai?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Private Day Excursion to Suzhou and ZhouZhuang Water Village from Shanghai wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infant meals not included. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Private Day Excursion to Suzhou and ZhouZhuang Water Village from Shanghai if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Shanghai. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Private Day Excursion to Suzhou and ZhouZhuang Water Village from Shanghai?
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Across 37 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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