China Travel Forum

[jann]

I'll be taking a free & easy trip to Shanghai in Sept with my husband, and we plan to visit Suzhou and Hangzhou as well. Can anyone advise, if we should arrange the tour beforehand (which I think will be more expensive) or is there any reliable travel agencies in Shanghai which we can sign up for the 2 short trips when we are there? Or perhaps, we can just travel on our own by train? But if so, how can we get to visit the tourist spots in Suzhou and Hangzhou? Thanks in advance. Hope I'll get some great advice!

[aynor]

Hi jann, there are thousands of travel agents in Shanghai offer 2-3 days package tour to Suzhou and Hangzhou, if you speak Mandarin, you would be able to get local people price which is 1/3 of what they charge to foreigner, however the accommodation is 1-2 stars or guest house type, definately not international standard.
One other alternative is, just buy the Shanghai - Suzhou train ticket, by the time you arrive at Shanghai train station, there are lots of 'tour counter' or just a 'representative' of travel agent holding a flag offering one day coach tour of Suzhou, once you pay, you will get a tour badge, upon arrival, you will be picked up by a (mandarin speaking) guide, tour cost usualy includes entrance fees, a simple lunch, tipping is optional, you can ask them book your return train ticket, or book a overnight cruise (through the Great Canal) to Hangzhou and the ongoing tours, etc.
Have fun!

[jass]

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China travel service is very helpful in setting things up for you. whichever way you get there, don't miss the sanpan ride through the canals. that was the best part. the rest of the area is temples and gardens. no good shopping. we were disappointed except for the sanpan ride which you can pay for right at the boats. we were told that the train from shanghai is very fast and efficient but it's purchasing the ticket that can be a bit daunting. have your hotel write out for you in chinese exactly what it is you want to ask for whereever you go in china. those little cards were invaluable to us everywhere. I bothered the concierge so much writing me notes for taxi drivers etc that I left a HUGE tip at the end of my stay.

[bari]

They are both not far from Shanghai, you can do it all by yourself I think, with a Lonely Planet or Frommer.
***Barry Yu & Exciting Shanghai***
Coming soon, to a Shanghai near you...