Hangzhou & Shanghai: 8 Days of Awesome - A Travel Review! 🧳
Just got back from an epic 6-day Hangzhou & 2-day Shanghai trip, and I'm spilling all the tea so you can plan your own amazing China adventure! This was a DIY trip for two, prepped in just about 2 weeks.
Visa Vibes 🛂
Shoutout to my visa guru! Got my China visa super cheap and fast (4-5 days!). The application was so simple, I thought I was missing something! She's your go-to for all things China-related.
Flights & High Fives! ✈️
Flights: Hanoi - Hangzhou (2.5M VND w/ Shenzhen stopover), Shanghai - Hanoi (2.4M VND direct). I'm obsessed with Trip.com for flights – prices are great, and the app is super clear with all the deets (flight times, baggage claim, gate info). Lifesaver for a Vietnamese speaker like me!
- Shenzhen Airlines: Decent! Good flight times, cheap tickets, and they even give you a snack.
- Juneyao Airlines: OMG YES! Cheap tickets, perfect late-night flight (23:00 – plenty of time to explore!), on-time, direct, AND a tasty snack. Seriously, book them!
Sim Card Situation 📱
Go Hub is my jam. We got individual physical sims for maximum freedom. 10GB/15 days + 15GB/30 days = 940k VND, but got it for 829k VND with a discount. ESIM is cool, but needs WiFi for activation. In Hangzhou, you can use your passport to access public WiFi.
Hotel Hotspots 🏨
Agoda is my ride or die! Post-COVID, they even refunded a non-refundable booking! Their customer service is amazing. So, Agoda it is! My must-haves: close to attractions (3-5km), near buses/metro, solid reviews, and budget-friendly.
Hangzhou Hotel
Westlake 7 Service Apartment Xihu: If you want basic, clean, convenient, and cheap, this is IT! 840k VND/double room/night (no breakfast). Check the pics! It's in a residential building, so it's quiet. Near bus stops and a 700m walk to the metro, with breakfast spots along the way. The metro area is a shopping/food paradise!
Shanghai Stays
Hanting Premium Hotel Shanghai East Nanjing Road: My friend recommended it, and I loved it! 1.3M VND/double room w/ window/night (no breakfast). IMPORTANT: Double-check if the hotel accepts foreigners, if the room has a window (price varies!), and if the hotel is actually operating (some are still listed on apps but closed!). This hotel is super close to attractions and the metro – SO convenient! Shanghai is pricey, so expect small but clean and functional rooms.
Money Moves 💰
First-time DIY trip, so I got both cash and Alipay to be safe. Exchanged cash on Ha Trung Street, and a friend helped me with Alipay. The exchange rates are pretty similar. After the trip, I'm TEAM ALIPAY! So convenient and secure!
App Arsenal 📱
- Alipay: Pays for EVERYTHING! Bus/train tickets, you name it.
- Google Translate: For chatting with locals (Vietnamese - Simplified Chinese).
- Baidu (China's Maps): Only in Chinese! I translated all the attraction and hotel addresses beforehand. Copy-paste into Baidu for bus/metro directions, travel times, and costs. Similar to Google Maps, but Chinese version!
Travel Insurance FTW! 🛡️
Always get insurance! I went with MIC for about 700k VND/person. Price depends on coverage, duration, and destination.
Getting Around 🚌 🚄 🚕
Mostly metro and bus, occasionally taxis. For long distances, I took the high-speed train. Flagged down taxis – couldn't get the Didi app to work without a local phone number. (If anyone knows how to book a taxi without a Chinese number, let me know!). Taxi fares start around 10-15 RMB in Hangzhou/Shanghai, then decrease after 3km – not too bad! About 14-16 RMB for a 4km ride.
Trip Highlights - Day by Day! 🗓️
Day 1: Hangzhou - First Impressions!
First DIY trip to China, so I chose a 3-hour layover in Shenzhen (had bad experiences with short layovers). Bring a pen for the immigration form! Super quick and easy. Used Baidu to find the metro to my hotel, dumped my bags, and headed to Xiaohe Street. Crowded but cool, lots of young people taking pics. Just strolled around and enjoyed the atmosphere.
Day 2: Lingyin Temple & West Lake Views!
Took the bus to Lingyin Temple, passing West Lake! Sit on the left side of the bus for the best views! Bus ticket: 2 RMB. Lingyin Temple is HUGE! Entrance fee: 45 RMB for the outer areas. To enter the temple itself, you need to pay another 30 RMB (incense money). Super professional entrance with ticket scanners! They give you 3 incense sticks to use. The temple is massive and crowded, but impressive! Spent the whole afternoon there and didn't even see everything! If you love experiencing local culture, take your time and soak it all in. If you're a photo-op kinda traveler, this place might not be for you.
Day 3: Xinshi Ancient Town - Off the Beaten Path!
Xinshi Ancient Town is about 50km from Hangzhou and 1000 years old. A few things to note:
- Beautiful but small. Not super touristy, so it's quiet and peaceful. If you like that, you'll love it!
- Getting there: metro + 2 buses (use Baidu!). CHECK the bus schedule CAREFULLY! I arrived early but had to wait 2 hours for the next bus! Buses stop running early. I recommend heading back by 2-3 PM. I left at 4-5 PM and missed my connection by 1 minute! Had to take a taxi back. I prefer public transport to save money, but if you're short on time, take a taxi.
Day 4: Qinghefang - Shopping & Snapping!
After a few busy days, I took a "break" and explored Qinghefang. Check out 南宋御街, 鼓楼hangzhou, 中山南路, 大井巷...for some awesome photos! This area is packed with shops, restaurants, and photo spots!
Day 5: Wuzhen Water Town - Picture Perfect!
Didn't stay overnight in Wuzhen, so I left early. Lots of ways to get there (private car, taxi), but I took public transport. West Town entrance fee: 150 RMB/person (limited time – check the ticket!). Wuzhen is GORGEOUS! Every corner is Instagrammable! It was chilly when I went, so I didn't do a boat ride or rent traditional clothes. If you want to rent costumes, do it before you enter the town! If you have more time, stay overnight to experience more. Left around 4 PM and found a bus back to Hangzhou right outside the entrance. Super convenient! Even buses directly to Shanghai!
Day 6: West Lake Wonders & Fayu Temple!
Can't go to Hangzhou without seeing West Lake, considered the most beautiful lake in China! Surrounded by ancient streets, hills, and temples. Walk around the lake and soak it all in – it's worth it! In the afternoon, I went to Fayu Temple (originally planned to go after Lingyin Temple, but didn't have time). Entrance fee is cheap (around 10 RMB). It was a full moon day, so lots of locals were there. Fascinating to watch the Chinese rituals. The temple is beautiful, with its unique yellow walls, adding a touch of solemnity, tranquility, mystery, and antiquity. Climb to the top for the amazing view. There was a long line for the perfect photo spot, and it was worth it. The temple has an ancient magnolia tree (500+ years old), but the flowers were already gone when I went.
Day 7: Hangzhou to Shanghai - High-Speed Hustle!
Had a friend buy my high-speed train ticket through a Chinese app. (You can also buy through Alipay, but it's slightly more expensive because it includes insurance, which is worth it for longer trips). My train was at 09:04 - 10:14 (seated, 73 RMB/person). Arrived at the station an hour early for check-in (just show your passport!). Hangzhou train station is huge – like an airport! Arrive early to find your gate. If you want an earlier train, buy your ticket 2-3 days in advance. Arrived at Hongqiao station and took the metro to my hotel (500-700m). Checked out the Bund (a must-see!), which was swarming with people taking photos. Then went to Yu Garden, a shopping area with traditional Chinese architecture. Great place for food and souvenirs. In the evening, I walked along Nanjing Road and had dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Day 8: Zhujiajiao Water Town & Goodbye China!
Checked out of my hotel, stored my luggage, grabbed breakfast, and went to Zhujiajiao Water Town by metro. They call it the "Venice of Shanghai," with 1700 years of history. It's not *quite* as amazing as the hype, but it's still beautiful, with ancient houses and stone bridges. Stroll through the narrow streets and alleys to experience the local life. After lunch, I went back to the hotel, grabbed my luggage, and headed to the airport.
Final Thoughts ✨
Shanghai is dazzling, but once is enough for me. If I have the chance, I'll go back to Hangzhou in the fall to experience its poetic, tranquil, and mysterious charm.
P.S. Thanks to all the helpful reviews I read! I hope my experience helps you plan your own awesome trip!
Xia xìa 😁