Fang Wang
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Three hours. That’s how long my clients waited at the South Gate of the Confucius Temple last week. Forget the glossy brochures—if you don’t know the exact WeChat mini-program trick, you aren’t getting in. I’ve been guiding travelers through Eastern China for over a decade, and the biggest mistake foreigners make is trying to “wing” a multi-city route from Nanjing. You end up stuck in traffic, paying triple for last-minute tickets, and missing the real gems.
Here is exactly how to skip the queues, handle the payment nightmare, and see the best of Nanjing, Suzhou, and Shanghai in just five days—without the stress.
Why This Route Works
Most tourists start with Shanghai, then hop to Nanjing. Big mistake. You hit the worst traffic and miss the sunset light. My tried-and-tested loop: Nanjing (2 days) → Suzhou (1 day) → Shanghai (2 days). That order lets you catch Nanjing in the golden hours, arrive at Suzhou just when crowds thin, and roll into Shanghai fresh for the nightlife. Plus, the train connections are smoother. Let me break down each day.
Day 1: Nanjing — The Essentials
8:00 AM – Start at the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
Most guides tell you to go in the afternoon. I say: go at 8 AM sharp. The light filters through the pine trees for that epic photo, and you beat the busloads. Address: 7 Wenyuan Road, Qixia District. Take Metro Line 2 to Xiaolingwei Station, Exit 1, then walk 15 minutes through the Sacred Way. Ticket: ¥70 (adult), free for kids under 6. You must book via the official WeChat mini-program “钟山风景区” (in Chinese, sorry). If you can’t read it, ask your hotel front desk to help—I do this for all my groups. No international credit cards accepted on site.
10:30 AM – Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
Just a 10-minute walk from Xiaoling. Entrance is free, but you still need to reserve a slot on the same WeChat mini-program. The 392 steps are a killer—bring water. The view from the top is worth it. Pro tip: avoid the steps on the left side (most tourists go there). Use the right path; it’s shadier and less crowded.
1:00 PM – Lunch near Confucius Temple
Take a taxi from Sun Yat-sen to Confucius Temple (about ¥25, 20 minutes). Don’t eat at the main pedestrian street—overpriced and touristy. Instead, walk to Xingyuan Xiaochi (Next to the temple entrance, 99 Gongyuan Street). Their whole salted duck (¥68) is the best I’ve had. Cash or WeChat Pay only. No English menu, but point at the photo.
2:30 PM – Confucius Temple & Qinhuai River
The temple itself is okay, but the real magic is the river walk at sunset. Skip the indoor museum (¥40 extra, not worth it). Stroll south along the river to Wenshu Bridge—best photo spot. Avoid the boat ride (¥100 for 40 minutes, loud commentary only in Chinese). Instead, buy a coffee at Lan Coffee (No. 26 East Qinhuai Road) and watch the locals.
6:00 PM – Dinner at Nanjing Impressions
A chain but consistent. Address: 8 Zhongshan South Road, 3rd floor. Try the salted duck soup and stuffed lotus root. Expect a 30-minute wait at peak (7 PM). No international cards; bring cash or Alipay.
Day 2: Nanjing Hidden Gems
8:00 AM – Presidential Palace
A must for history buffs. Metro Line 2 to Xi'anmen Station, Exit 3. Ticket ¥40 (must book on WeChat “总统府门票”). But here’s my hack: if you arrive before 8:30, the ticket office sometimes has spare physical tickets for foreigners who can’t use the mini-program. Ask at the window. Spend 2 hours.
10:30 AM – Nanjing Museum
Free entry, but you must reserve 24 hours ahead on its official website (english.njmuseum.com). Show your passport at the gate. The highlight is the Digital Exhibition—but don’t miss the 3rd floor’s Ming Dynasty gold items. Plan for 1.5 hours.
12:30 PM – Lunch at Shangchao Steamed Dumplings
Just south of the museum, 41 East Zhongshan Road. Soup dumplings (¥12 for 4) and pork intestine noodles (¥18). Cash only. It’s tiny; you’ll share a table with locals.
2:00 PM – Xuanwu Lake Bike Ride
Rent a bike from the east gate (¥30/hour, deposit ¥200 cash). Cycle the 9 km loop—takes about 1.5 hours with stops. The west side is quieter. Avoid the pedal boats (too slow).
4:00 PM – Jiming Temple
Metro Line 3 to Jiming Temple Station, Exit 1. Ticket ¥10 (no reservation needed). Climb the pagoda for a view of the lake. The best time is 4:30 PM—sunlight hits the roof tiles just right. The temple closes at 5:00 PM sharp.
6:00 PM – Prepare for Departure
Pack light for the next day.
Day 3: Suzhou Water Towns (from Nanjing)
7:30 AM – High-speed train to Suzhou
Book on Trip.com or 12306.cn. Nanjing to Suzhou Station (not Suzhou North) takes about 1 hour, ¥99 for second class. Buy at least 3 days ahead—same-day tickets sell out. If you miss the morning train, the 10 AM is fine but you’ll arrive at peak heat.
9:00 AM – Arrive Suzhou, leave luggage at station lockers
Suzhou Station has 24-hour lockers (¥30-50). Use the ones near exit 4 (less busy). Carry only water and camera.
9:30 AM – Humble Administrator’s Garden
One of China’s top gardens. Walk from the station? No—take taxi (¥15, 10 min). Ticket ¥70 (online reservation on “苏州园林” WeChat mini-program). Peak season (March–May) is a disaster—go on a weekday. The garden is big; stick to the eastern section for the most Instagram-worthy spots. Exit through the west gate to reach the next spot.
11:30 AM – Pingjiang Road
A 10-minute walk from the garden. This ancient street is touristy but pleasant. Skip the restaurants here—head to Songhelou (No. 23 Pingjiang Road, 2nd floor) for squirrel-shaped mandarin fish (¥168). Overpriced but the original. If on a budget, try Baiji Won Ton at the lane behind (¥15 for a bowl).
1:30 PM – Tongli Water Town (optional)
If you have the energy, take bus 733 from Suzhou Station to Tongli (1 hour, ¥10). Or better, hire a taxi for ¥120 (30 min). Tongli is less commercial than Zhouzhuang. Entry ¥80 (includes boat ride). The boat is lovely—but the gondoliers expect a ¥5 tip. The best alley for photos is behind the Tuisi Garden.
5:30 PM – Train to Shanghai
Suzhou to Shanghai Hongqiao takes 30 minutes, ¥55. Last train around 10 PM, but book the 6:30 PM to arrive in time for dinner. Hongqiao station is huge; follow signs to Metro Line 10 for city center.
7:00 PM – Check in Shanghai hotel near People’s Square
I recommend Jin Jiang Xintiandi Hotel (298 Madang Road). Mid-range (¥600-900/night), stable Wi-Fi, English-speaking staff. Avoid the Bund area for sleeping—too noisy.
Day 4: Shanghai — Where the Money Flows
8:30 AM – The Bund morning walk Walk from your hotel to the Bund (15 min). Most tourists come at 10 AM—too late. At 8:30, the light hits the colonial buildings perfectly, and only joggers are around. Walk from Waibaidu Bridge to the Peace Hotel, then cross the street for coffee at M Stand (No. 18 Zhongshan East 1st Road).
10:00 AM – People’s Square & Shanghai Museum
Free entry (need passport at door). Spend 2 hours on the ancient bronze and jade collections. The museum is a lifesaver on rainy days. After, stroll through the square—avoid the pigeon feeders (they overcharge).
12:30 PM – Lunch at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant
144 Yuyuan Road. Famous for xiaolongbao (¥40 for 8). The line moves fast (~20 min). Cash only. Go for the original pork.
2:00 PM – Yu Garden
Ticket ¥30 (buy at gate, no reservation needed). But the garden itself is small and packed. If you’ve seen Suzhou’s garden, skip this and head to the nearby bazaar for shopping. Haggling is expected—start at 40% of the asking price.
4:00 PM – Shanghai Tower (optional)
Standing at 632m, the view is stunning. Ticket ¥180 online (save ¥20) via Trip.com. Go around 4:30 PM to see the city in daylight and sunset. The observation deck is on the 118th floor. Elevator takes 55 seconds. Avoid weekends—queues hit 1 hour.
7:00 PM – Dinner at Lost Heaven (Yunnan Road)
17 Yunnan South Road. Fusion Yunnan food, great for groups. Try the chicken with lemongrass (¥78). Reservations recommended on Dianping (app in Chinese). They accept Visa.
Day 5: Shanghai Departure
9:00 AM – French Concession walk Start at Wukang Road and walk south to Fuxing Road. Plane trees, art deco villas. Grab a croissant at Luneurs (188 Wukang Road). Avoid the small museums that open late.
11:00 AM – Xintiandi for last shopping Trendy mall with Western brands. Easy to reach from People’s Square. If you need cash, ATMs are everywhere.
1:00 PM – Head to airport To Pudong Airport: take Metro Line 2 (1 hour) or Maglev from Longyang Road (8 min, ¥50). The Maglev is a cool experience—but check if your airline baggage allows. For Hongqiao airport, take Metro Line 10 (30 min).
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