Jiangsu is a coastal province in eastern China, on the northern side of the Yangtze River Delta and the Yellow Sea. It is one of China's wealthiest and most densely populated provinces, anchored by the capital Nanjing and by Suzhou, the province's largest city, whose classical gardens are UNESCO-listed. Jiangsu is celebrated for its canal-laced water towns, Grand Canal heritage, Taihu Lake, and refined Huaiyang and Jiangnan cuisine.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Zhouzhuang Water Town
One of China's best-known water towns, with canals, stone bridges such as Twin Bridges (Shuangqiao), and Ming and Qing dynasty houses; Shen Residence and Zhang Residence are the main interiors. The historic core is best seen early morning or evening when day-tour crowds thin.
Highlights: Twin Bridges (Shuangqiao) over the canal junction · Shen Residence courtyards · Evening canal lantern reflections · Boat rides along the canals
Tongli Ancient Town
A canal town of about 15 stone bridges and wood-beamed houses; less commercial than Zhouzhuang. Highlights include the Tuisi Garden (part of the UNESCO Classical Gardens of Suzhou) and Three Bridges (Sanqiao).
Highlights: Tuisi Garden (UNESCO World Heritage) · Three Bridges (Sanqiao) · Pearl Pagoda Garden · Canal boat rides
Yangzhou Slender West Lake and Old Town
A Grand Canal city famed for the Slender West Lake landscape garden, Ge Garden's bamboo courtyards and the Dongguan Street old quarter. Yangzhou fried rice and lion's-head meatballs are local staples.
Highlights: Slender West Lake with Five Pavilion Bridge and White Pagoda · Ge Garden bamboo courtyards · Dongguan Street old quarter · Grand Canal Museum
Zhenjiang Jinshan Temple and Yangtze Riverside
A compact Yangtze port city with the hillside Jinshan Temple pagoda, Xijin Ferry Street old quarter and Beigu Mountain. Zhenjiang is known for its black vinegar and guantang bao soup dumplings.
Highlights: Jinshan Temple pagoda and Yangtze views · Xijin Ferry Street old quarter · Zhenjiang black vinegar tasting · Guantang bao dumpling breakfast
Wuxi Lingshan Grand Buddha and Taihu Lake
An 88-metre bronze standing Grand Buddha and a Buddhist cultural park on Taihu's shore, with the Brahma Palace. Yuantouzhu, a peninsula park on Taihu, is often added for the shoreline and cherry blossoms in spring.
Highlights: Lingshan Grand Buddha (88 m bronze) · Brahma Palace · Yuantouzhu peninsula on Taihu · Taihu Lake sunset
Yixing Bamboo Sea and Zisha Teapot Culture
Yixing is the home of purple-clay (zisha) teapots and has cave and bamboo landscapes. The Yixing Bamboo Sea and limestone caves are the main nature draws, while Ding Shu town has potters' workshops and the Zisha museum.
Highlights: Yixing Bamboo Sea walking trails · Limestone caves · Ding Shu zisha teapot workshops · Zisha museum
Changshu Yushan Park and Old Streets
A quieter Suzhou-area city set against Yushan hill, with Xingfu Temple, Shajiabang wetland and old streets. Suitable for visitors who want gardens and hills without Suzhou's crowds.
Highlights: Yushan Park and Xingfu Temple · Shajiabang scenic area · Shanhu Lake wetland · Local beggar's chicken
Shanghai from Suzhou or Nanjing
China's largest city, reached quickly by high-speed rail from the Jiangsu corridor. The Bund, Yu Garden and the former French Concession fill a day, while Pudong offers the skyline; visitors from Suzhou can return the same evening.
Highlights: The Bund riverfront · Yu Garden and Old City · Former French Concession · Pudong skyline
Suzhou Classical Gardens
Suzhou's UNESCO-listed classical gardens include the Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden and the Master of the Nets Garden, with the I. M. Pei-designed Suzhou Museum and Pingjiang Road canal street nearby.
Highlights: Humble Administrator's Garden · Lingering Garden · Suzhou Museum (I. M. Pei) · Pingjiang Road canal street
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organized day tours from Suzhou or Shanghai to Zhouzhuang and Tongli run from about CNY 250-450 (about USD 37.31-67.16) per person including round-trip transport and a guide
- Private
- Private car with driver from about CNY 500-800 (about USD 74.63-119.40) per day, bookable through hotels or DiDi Premier; useful for Yixing and water-town combinations
- Public
- High-speed rail is the fastest option between Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Suzhou, Wuxi and Shanghai; buses reach the water towns, Lingshan and Yixing
- Rental
- Self-drive rental is impractical without a converted Chinese licence; hired cars with drivers from about CNY 400-600 (about USD 59.70-89.55) per day work for multi-stop itineraries
Multi-day tours from Jiangsu
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from JiangsuWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Book high-speed rail tickets on the 12306 app or Trip.com in advance; a passport is required
Book water-town entry tickets online to skip gate queues
Start early: water towns are best before 10:00 and after 16:00 when tour groups leave
Check the return coach or last train time before leaving; some towns have few late services
Carry a portable battery; QR-code payment and navigation drain phones quickly