Private Tour
Suzhou Private Day Trip from Shanghai with Bullet Train Option
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Enjoy a fully guided private day trip to famed “Oriental Venice ” Suzhou under the lead of your personal expert guide with fully customizable itinerary. Immerse in the beauty of ancinet Chinese garden with UNESCO heritage,discover one-of-a-kind charms of water town with the picturesque networks of ancient canal and lively water markets. With different optional packages cater to your own travel needs.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants (for fast train ticket reservation)
A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Local tasty lunch( If "All inclusive tour " is booked)
Transportation: based on your chosen tour option (see details upon booking)
Professional guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off in downtown Shanghai area
Boat Ride in the canal ( If " All Inclusive Tour" is Booked)
Entrance fee to one garden( If " All Inclusive Tour" is Booked)
Entrance fees to the garden and boat ride (If"All incluisve" option is not selected)
Lunch, food and drinks (if " All Inclusive "option is not booked)
Outskit hotel pick up and drop off(Can be arranged at surcharge)
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Shanghai
Your wonderful day excursion begins with a comfortable hotel pick up in Shanghai, follow your guide travel to Suzhou with the transportation option you booked. If you book the fast train / bullet train option, you will enjoy an exciting 30-minute train ride to Suzhou. On the way, spend few mins to discuss with the guide for a tailor-made itinerary. As exclusive private tour, your itinerary is fully flexible and can be 100% customized around you. Following is the sample itinerary and you are welcome to tell your guide if need make adjustment during the tour.
Humble Administrator's Garden
Upon arrival, visit one of the top four famous gardens in China-the Humble Administrator’s garden ,listed in the UNESCO World Heritage, immerse yourself in the charming and elegance of the ancient Chinese garden designed with the unique Taihu rockeries, delicate pavilions, ponds , beautiful flowers, lush greens ,150 Bonsais while learning the interesting history, culture, custom from your guide. If you prefer a more intimate garden, you could substitute to the other garden such as Master of Nets Garden, Lingering Garden, Lion Forest Garden etc.
Options
BulletTrain+Private Car Option
BulletTrain&Private Car Option: Great guide,private local driver with car,round trip bullet train tickets are all included (Lunch and entrance pay as actual)
Pickup included
All Inclusive by Bullet Train
Great guide,round trip train fare,private local car with driver,1-garden ticket,tasty lunch, boat ride are all included
Pickup included
All Inclusive by Car Only
All Inclusive by Car Only : Guide,driver&car,lunch,1x garden ticket,boat ride all included.Travel between Shanghai &Suzhou by car,no bullet train ride.
Pickup included
Tour by Private Car Only
Guide and Private Transfer: Great guide,driver & car are included.Tour conducted by car between Shanghai &Suzhou, no bullet train ride.
Pickup included
Reviews
350 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A Last-Minute Gem: This Tour Exceeded My Expectations!
Shaza M,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I booked this trip last minute and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my holiday. On the advice of a previous tour guide, I chose this experience instead of another water village tour, and I'm so glad I did. My only regret is not booking for two days instead of just one—there's so much to see and do! The area is full of vibrant streets lined with shops, restaurants, and souvenir stalls. There are plenty of activities, from boat tours to exploring local history and culture. The food was wonderful, offering a great taste of the local cuisine. The absolute highlight of my trip was my tour guide, Melinda. She made the experience seamless and truly enjoyable. Melinda’s knowledge, enthusiasm, and genuine interest in making sure I got the most out of the tour made all the difference. I appreciated the extra suggestions for things to do, which helped make my holiday even better. If you're short on time, this tour is still worth it, but if you can, book for longer—you won't regret it. Thank you, Melinda, for an unforgettable experience! Highly recommended.
Day trip from Shanghai
vandyl2023,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We spent a wonderful day with Annie in Suzhou. From the time we were picked up from the hotel till we returned, she provided interesting information everywhere we went. Annie explained the history of the area and also provided insight on modern China. Her English is excellent. Every part of the trip was organized but we never felt rushed. I highly recommend this tour.
A great day in Suzhou
clarewS4545XW,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Booked this day trip a couple of weeks before we were due to visit Shanghai because I didn’t want us to spend all our time in the city. It was definitely worth it to experience the bullet train, see the beautiful Chinese gardens, take a trip down the canal, go somewhere a bit more relaxed. It is a full day of walking pretty much and it made us feel like we were in China because even though Suzhou is a large city you spend your time in the old part. Roy was our guide and he stayed with us from when we left the hotel to when we returned. He was very knowledgeable on the area but also gave us information about Chinese culture and history. It was great having all the transport sorted for us, particularly between sites so we didn’t have to worry about anything. Overall I would recommend.
Enjoyable and fun!
PhingPhing L,
Oct 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Brilliant! Melinda took really good care of us and was so knowledgeable about every intricate detail of the places we visited. We enjoyed the experience overall and had a really fun day in Suzhou. The lunch was nothing short but amazing! It was a very worthwhile tour for anyone visiting Suzhou for the first time
Great Day Trip to Suzhou
Tyler C,
Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We were lucky enough to have Annie as our guide for our day trip to Suzhou. Annie made the entire day enjoyable and super easy to navigate the crowds. The itinerary hit everything we wanted to see and we highly recommend Sunny tours for a trip to Suzhou.
Melinda was AWESOME!
923charanyas,
Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If I can give 7 stars for Melinda, I would! A day trip from Shanghai to Suzhou takes up the whole day and Melinda was so helpful and pleasant from start to finish! Even after a long day, she had a smile on her face. We wanted to go to a vegetarian restaurant afterwards for dinner and she even helped us find one, accompanied to the restaurant and helped us place our order! She went above and beyond to make us comfortable in Shanghai! Melinda was also very knowledgeable and gave us so much information about Chinese customs and also the places along the way! Overall, our favorite part about our Shanghai trip was Suzhou and we think it’s largely because of Melinda!
A most beautiful and memorable trip to the Venice of the East!
ToddSaks,
Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our private tour guide Roy was amazing! He provided us with entertaining and interesting information almost nonstop through our tour of Suzhou. Roy even was willing to be our photographer too! He took us to such beautiful spots throughout the city of Suzhou. He even took us to a very tasty restaurant for lunch. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the day in Suzhou.
Lovely Day Touring the "Venice of the East"
travelfromtx,
Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I booked this last minute when a day cleared up in my calendar. I have been wanting to get out of Shanghai when I travel on business, and this was super easy to book. The team was responsive, timely and professional. Melinda was awesome! She knows so much about the Suzhou area as well as much of China, sharing both personal stories and history. She was very accommodating to what I wanted to do and ensured I had a great day. I'd highly recommend Melinda and team!
Amazing day trip in Suzhou!
Caroline T,
Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00My guide Roy was incredibly knowledgeable and talkative, sharing fascinating insights into the city's rich history as well as details about contemporary local life. He was very enthusiastic, the entire day was perfectly organized and the local food was amazing. I strongly recommend this tour and this guide!
Excellent
maryfitz21,
Sep 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful day trip to Suzhou from Shanghai. We took the private driver option and travelled in a luxurious car with reclining massage seats. Our guide Lulu was very kind and enthusiastic about her city and made sure we saw all the most beautiful photo spots, gardens, personal calligraphy, delicious lunch, boat ride, shopping, silk museum, local culture show and much more. Suzhou is very beautiful and Lulu made the visit very entertaining and relaxing. 10/10 would recommend.
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Operated by Sunny Private Tours