
Suzhou 2 Gardens &Tongli Water Village Private Day Trip
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Suzhou 2 Gardens &Tongli Water Village Private Day Trip worth booking?
Suzhou 2 Gardens &Tongli Water Village Private Day Trip is a 11-hour experience in Shanghai, China, from $100 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 64 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (2)
- Duration
- 11 hours
- From
- $100 per person
Soak up Suzhou’s old-world charms on this classic all-inclusive private tour in just one day: visit the Master of Nets Garden, the Panmen historial area, Tuisi Garden and take boat ride in Tongli water town. You will be
What you get
- Professional English speaking tour guide
- Lunch in local Chinese restaurant
- If you need Spanish/German/Italian/French guide, it will cause 400RMB extra, pay guide during tour.
- Transportation
- Entrance tickets
- Roundtrip Bullet train tickets between Shanghai and Suzhou(second class seat))
About this experience
Soak up Suzhou’s old-world charms on this classic all-inclusive private tour in just one day: visit the Master of Nets Garden, the Panmen historial area, Tuisi Garden and take boat ride in Tongli water town. You will be picked up and dropped off at your Shanghai hotel. All the tickets, lunch, transportation and guide are included. You can optional choose roundtrip between Shanghai and Suzhou by private vehicle or bullet train.
What's included
Included
- Professional English speaking tour guide
- Lunch in local Chinese restaurant
- If you need Spanish/German/Italian/French guide, it will cause 400RMB extra, pay guide during tour.
- Transportation
- Entrance tickets
- Roundtrip Bullet train tickets between Shanghai and Suzhou(second class seat))
Not included
- Dinner
- Boat ride in Tongli Water Town
- Gratitude (Recommended)
- The 400RMB extra payment If you need Spanish/German/Italian/French guide.
What you'll see and do
Tongli Town
Your first stop is the famous Tongli Water Town, which are well known for their bridges, rivers, and ancient house complexes. It is divided into seven islands intersected by 15 canals. Because of the landscape, almost all of the buildings in the town are along the waterfront. In front of the buildings, small stairs leading to the canals were built, which are convenient for residents to wash clothes and for traveling around the town by boat. You seem to have come to the ancient China Town. You may have a chance to take a boat in the river by your own expense.
Pass by without stopping
Master-of-Nets Garden
After exploring the water town, drive to Suzhou city and have the local lunch before the next station. Enjoy some local snacks or specialities and have a short rest.
Pass by without stopping
Panmen Gate
Then to visit Panmen Gate - the oldest city gate of Suzhou and the only existing water and land gate in China. Originally built during the Warring States Period in the state of Wu, historians estimate it to be around 2,500 years old. You’ll enjoy the enchanting view of the whole old town of Suzhou.
Pass by without stopping
Tuisi Garden
Next to visit a Suzhou style garden - Garden of Master of Nets, although it’s the smallest of the Suzhou residential garden, yet it is the most impressive because of its use of space which creates the illusion of an area that is much greater than its actual size. The garden demonstrates Chinese garden designers' adept skills for synthesizing art, nature, and architecture to create unique metaphysical masterpieces. Don't miss it. Afterwards, drive back to Shanghai and drop you off at centrally located hotel to conclude the Suzhou day trip.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Options you can book
From Suzhou Private Tour
Including entrance tickets, private English guide, local lunch, Suzhou city hotel pickup and drop off whole day transfer. Pickup included
From Shanghai by Bullet Train
Include entrance tickets, private English guide&driver, lunch, Shanghai hotel pickup & drop off, roundtrip bullet train. Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Catherine Lu Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Infant (1-3 years old) are free providing they do not occupy a seat
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
Photos






Traveler reviews
2 verified traveler reviews for Suzhou 2 Gardens &Tongli Water Village Private Day Trip. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Tong Li and Suzhou day trip.
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
via Viator
Private tour with Ruby
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Tongli water village and Suzhou gardens. This was our groups second tour with Catherine Lu Tours. Our first was a 3 day private tour in beijing with Peter was tour guide. Ruby our guide and the driver met us at the hotel on time. Ruby was funny and engaging and chatted to us all throughout the tour. We moved through the tour at a comfortable pace and was never rushed. We managed to get many memorable photos. Lunch was delicious. Ruby selected a great restaurant for lunch and ordered for us. It was very reasonably priced. I would recommend Ruby and this tour group to anyone considering a private tour. The van was clean. We were given water. We all had a great time. There wasn't anything we would change.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 11 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $100 to $446
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 64
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Suzhou 2 Gardens &Tongli Water Village Private Day Trip: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Shanghai.
How much does Suzhou 2 Gardens &Tongli Water Village Private Day Trip cost?
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Prices start at $100 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 Suzhou 2 Gardens &Tongli Water Village Private Day Trip take?
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Plan for about 11 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 Suzhou 2 Gardens &Tongli Water Village Private Day Trip worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 2 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 Suzhou 2 Gardens &Tongli Water Village Private Day Trip?
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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 Suzhou 2 Gardens &Tongli Water Village Private Day Trip suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 11-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Suzhou 2 Gardens &Tongli Water Village Private Day Trip?
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Around 1 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 11-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Suzhou 2 Gardens &Tongli Water Village Private Day Trip 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, Suzhou Private Day Trip from Shanghai with Bullet Train Option, 4-Hour Flexible Private Shanghai City Tour. 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.
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