Epic Shanghai - Hangzhou - Suzhou - Wuzhen Adventure: 11 Days (Turned 12 Thanks to Delay Airlines!)
Two parents, one energetic 4-year-old, monsoon season (June-July), and a few regrets... Buckle up for our self-planned China trip!
This review is a beast, so here's the rundown:
- A. Must-Have Apps for Conquering China
- B. Flights, Visas, Travel Insurance, SIM Cards, and Dealing with Flight Delays (Oh, the Horror!)
- C. Destination Reviews: The Good, the Wet, and the Slightly Chaotic
⚠️ Warning: This Ain't Your Average Luxury Getaway! ⚠️
Prepare for a wild ride! We'd just coughed up a ton in taxes 😭, and with frequent trips throughout the year, our budget for this entire adventure was capped at 50 million VND (including everything!). So, yeah, we went full-on budget traveler.
Also, we're not foodies, so don't expect any culinary masterpieces. And with a kid (and a pregnant mama!), we were constantly adapting to everyone's energy levels. Oh, and did I mention it rained almost every single day? 🌧️ Many sights were missed, and photos were... challenging.
Okay, enough disclaimers! Let's dive in!
A. Apps That Saved Our Sanity (and Our Wallets)
1. Gaodeditu
This app is hardcore because it's ALL in Chinese. But trust me, it's your ultimate guide to metro, buses, trains, long-distance buses... EVERYTHING! It even updates with schedules and notifications for metro lines and tourist areas. Seriously, it's a MUST. Some say Apple Maps works too, but I didn't find it as accurate. Google Maps? Forget about it! Gaodeditu is so good, I didn't even need Metro Man (the usual "must-have" app) because it navigates the train lines flawlessly.
2. Alipay
We went to China with ZERO cash. 🤑 We were too lazy to exchange money! Turns out, even the street vendor selling bao buns accepts Alipay. Seriously, we didn't use a single yuan!
We loaded each of our accounts with 2000 yuan and made it last the whole trip!
🐥 Alipay is a SUPER app! It also integrates bus passes and subway cards. When you arrive in a city, activate the city's metro and bus cards in Alipay. Then, just scan the code – no more ticket lines! (Except in Suzhou, where you still need to buy tickets.)
🐥 Besides metro and buses, use it to book taxis! Choose DiDi and book. When a driver accepts, send a quick Chinese message like, "I'm a foreigner, don't call, go to the pin, I'll wave!" (Thanks to whoever shared this tip in the group!). Drivers usually call to confirm, and you'd need a local phone number. (Pro-tip: Wear a mask in taxis, especially in Suzhou and Hangzhou... they can be a bit grimy.)
🐥 You can probably even book train tickets via the linked 12306 app. I didn't try it because a friend helped me. Just don't buy train tickets through Trip.com – they charge extra and it's a mess with kids.
3. Xiaohongshu
I used this to find beautiful spots and awesome photo ops. People share stunning photos with guides and even pin locations. There are tons of reviews and city walk itineraries. It's all in Chinese, but iPhone's translate feature saves the day! Just screenshot and translate.
4. Translation App
I used iPhone's Translate app. Use the "Conversation" mode so you and the other person can take turns speaking without switching languages. They don't even need the app!
B. Flights, Visas, Travel Insurance, SIM Cards, and the Flight Delay Saga
1. Flights - Trip.com
We booked through Trip.com. But I noticed their prices seem to creep up when they track your browsing behavior. If they know you want a specific flight, they won't show you the lowest price you saw initially. That's when you need the trick I'll share below! =))
Direct flights are less likely to be delayed, so splurge if you can. Connecting flights, especially during peak season or monsoon season, have a higher chance of delays. That's where travel insurance comes in handy! :))
If your flight is changed too many times, you can usually change it on Trip. Sometimes it's free, and you might even get a better flight. I changed mine for free and got a flight back to Hongqiao Airport, which is closer to the city center. Fingers crossed, it was on time!
Buy tickets on Trip because they update everything in detail – check-in counters, gates, baggage carousels, flight changes – even faster than the airport!
💰 Round trip Hanoi-Shanghai: 5,100,000 VND/person
2. Skyscanner
If you missed the cheap fare on Trip.com from the day before, head to Skyscanner.com. It'll often show you a lower price than you'll find directly on Trip. Just select the flight on Skyscanner and complete the payment on Trip.com. I just discovered this trick, so let me know if it works for you! hihi.
3. Visa
Chinese visas are easier to get now. You can do it yourself, but I used a service. It was only 250k-400k VND more expensive.
💰 Visa service: 2,100,000 VND/person
4. Travel Insurance
Always buy travel insurance! Especially for international trips. It covers illness, luggage, delays... We flew Shenzhen Airlines, which had delay warnings, so I bought insurance immediately. And guess what? Our return flight was delayed long enough for a payout!
Ask or read about the documents you need to claim compensation. Or find a sales support rep who can guide you through the process. Don't wait until you're back in Vietnam to get the documents! I waited, and it's been a month trying to get confirmation from the airline. I'm about to give up! :v
💰 AIG Insurance: 874,000 VND/family of 3
5. SIM Data
I heard you need 2GB/day, but we didn't use that much. We only used it for basic information, navigation, and chatting, and we only used 6GB in 11 days! The shop told me to get 2GB/day if I bought a China Mobile SIM, but only 1GB/day for China Unicom. I bought 10GB/15 days for 270k VND.
💰 SIM: 270k VND/person, 10GB/15 days, China Unicom.
6. Connecting Flights/What Happens When You Miss Your Connection
- Our trip: Hanoi - Shenzhen - Shanghai. 3h20m transit, no checked baggage.
- Follow the "Domestic Transfer" signs in Shenzhen.
- Pick up your luggage and get your next boarding pass. Trip.com's app has detailed information on where to pick up your luggage and boarding pass.
- If your gate is far, the boarding pass will say so. Trip.com's app will also notify you.
- Return trip: 2h transit, luggage checked through. But our first flight was delayed, so we missed our connection.
- The app will tell you to pick up your luggage. You can either pick it up, or...
- Go outside, take the elevator to the 4th floor, and go to the airline's service counter (I forgot the column). Tell them to retrieve your luggage. They'll book you on a new flight, provide round-trip transportation, and a free hotel overnight. If you have limited time, just stay at the airport. If you want an experience, check out the hotel!
- If you need documents for insurance, ask the service desk rep immediately! Don't wait until you're back in Vietnam! (I can't stress this enough!)
Honestly, it wasn't a huge deal, but we were a little confused and worried about our luggage (so we waited to pick it up ourselves!). After dragging our luggage to the 4th floor, we finally found the service counter and got everything sorted. We only relaxed once we were on the plane back to Vietnam! :)))
C. Destination Reviews: The Highlights (and the Rainy Days)
Summary: Shanghai 3 nights -> Suzhou 2 nights -> Hangzhou 3 nights -> Wuzhen 1 night -> Shanghai 1 night
💚💚💚 DAY 1-3: SHANGHAI
🚄 Transportation: We landed at Hongqiao Airport and took the metro (Line 2 - no transfers!) for 30 minutes for 4 yuan. The hotel was a 100m walk from the station. One of my criteria for choosing a hotel was easy airport access – one metro ride, no transfers, and a walk of less than 300m from the station. 300m sounds easy, but in the rain with luggage, it's a challenge!
🏨 We stayed at a budget hotel chain that looked a bit run-down on the outside. The rooms were small, not recommended for elderly people or those used to luxury resorts. However, the location was amazing! It's right next to Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, the Bund, and one metro ride to the airport. It was the cheapest option in the area, so we took the risk. It wasn't terrible, just basic. Underneath the hotel was a lot of cheap and delicious restaurants (cheaper than Suzhou and Hangzhou), and bike rental right outside. Can't find a better deal. Name: 海友酒店（上海南京东路地铁站店） English name: Hi inn (a chain).
- 📍Nanjing Road
- 📍The Bund
- 📍Citywalk: Find itineraries on Xiaohongshu. Shanghai's specialty is citywalking to admire the architecture.
- 📍Xintiandi
- 📍Huaihai Road: Near Xintiandi. Lots of flagship stores and Gentle Monster exhibits. Where my daughter and I wore pink and took photos with Miniso-pink! And where I bought new Sketchers because my Asics gave out :(
- 📍North Bund Greenland: (Go in the afternoon) Waibaidu Bridge, Church, Shanghai Postal Museum, Rei Cafe... This is also a great citywalk route.
- 📍Lujiazui: Financial city. Across the river. Beautiful at night. Take trendy photos from Xiaohongshu.
- 📍Yu Garden: (Yuyuan Garden) - City God Temple. These are right next to each other. City God Temple is stunning at night (check out the photos!).
- 📍Shanghai Xujiahui Academy 地址:徐家汇漕溪北路158号. There's a beautiful church outside this library. The Xujiahui area is also a great city walk.
💚💚💚 DAY 4-5: SUZHOU
🚄 Transportation: Taking the high-speed train from Shanghai to Suzhou is easy. Don't book on Trip.com because they charge a booking fee. And it's complicated with kids because Trip.com initially charges adult prices and then refunds the difference. But the refund never comes! 😀 Best to ask a Chinese friend or book on 12306 (why is the app called 12306? Does anyone know?). My Chinese friend even got the kid's ticket for free because she chose the option for kids to sit with their parents.
*** Book tickets early to get seats together! Even though there are always plenty of train tickets available, book early to sit together!
🏨 Hotel: We stayed at another Hi inn, this time near Shantang Street. We tried to visit Shantang Street every night, but it was always crowded! :)))))
- 📍Shantang Street: China's first ancient street. Less crowded in the early morning. Beautiful but crowded at night! China doesn't seem like the place for introverts! Or maybe we went in the summer. But I saw June is still considered off-season. Maybe it's crowded because Suzhou is close to Shanghai.
- 📍Pingjiang Road: Another ancient street. Super crowded. Also cute. China likes to surround ancient areas with well-planned and bustling areas, so it's easy to wander off course.
- 📍Humble Administrator's Garden: Closes at 5:00 or 5:30 pm. Least crowded 30min-1h before closing, so plan accordingly. Humble Administrator's Garden is one of the four largest and most beautiful gardens in China. Buy tickets to enter.
- 📍Suzhou Museum: Right next to Humble Administrator's Garden. Be careful not to enter the wrong place or buy the wrong tickets because they're close and there's no English signs. Someone said this place is a bit creepy, with displays of foot-binding shoes. We didn't have time.
- 📍Lion Grove Garden: Take the exit of Humble Administrator's Garden to find signs to Lion Grove Garden. Closes around 5:00-5:30pm and stops selling tickets 30 minutes before closing. Another garden, but smaller than Humble Administrator's Garden. We didn't make it either! :(( It rained too much!
- 📍Tongli Ancient Town: Tickets are 100 yuan. Also very beautiful and peaceful. Many people love Tongli Ancient Town and say it's a must-go.
- 📍Gate of the East: Famous building in Suzhou. Young people love to check in here. Can be considered a symbol. Take Exit 3 to get across the street to take the full photo like we did! At night, there's also a water fountain show! Usually at 8 pm, but it's often canceled without notice. :v
- 📍The Eslite Bookstore: It rained so much, and we even got a "geological disaster" warning, so we looked for indoor places to go T_T
💚💚💚 DAY 6-8: HANGZHOU
🚄 Transportation: High-speed train from Suzhou to Hangzhou. Don't book on Trip.com. Because they charge a booking fee. And it's complicated with kids because Trip.com initially charges adult prices and then refunds the difference. But the refund never comes! 😀 Best to ask a Chinese friend or book on 12306 (why is the app called 12306? Does anyone know?).
🏨 I don't recommend the hotel in Hangzhou because I didn't like it. You can choose a hotel near West Lake or Hefang Street.
- 📍Hefang Street (Qinghefang): This street is most beautiful at night.
- 📍Zhongshan North Road (Zhongshan)
- 📍West Lake: Walk, take a boat, enjoy tea, watch the sunset...
- 📍Hangzhou has two famous shows by director Zhang Yimou: Impression West Lake and Songcheng Eternal Love. If you book on Klook, you can only book one ticket at a time, and I was worried we wouldn't get seats together. Best to ask the hotel or Chinese friends to book.
- 📍Hangzhou has mountains, lakes... diverse natural scenery. Besides West Lake or the ancient streets, you can visit tea hills (some look like terraced fields in the Northwest) or Qingshan Wetland. We didn't visit Qingshan Wetland this time, of course, because of the rain :(( Remember Qingshan Wetland is not Qingshan Lake, there's nothing at Qingshan Lake (or so I've heard).
- 📍Lingyin Temple - Fayu Temple. These are close together. You can take a bus. Lingyin Temple is located in the Fei Lai Feng area, so you need to buy a ticket to enter Fei Lai Feng first, and then buy a ticket to Lingyin.
- 📍Wulin Night Market.
My husband liked Hangzhou the most, diverse terrain, lakes, mountains, lush greenery, even the trees in the city are ancient trees. No wonder it was once the capital. If you visit Hangzhou during foliage season or springtime, it'll be breathtaking. I'll be back <3
💚💚💚 DAY 9-10: WUZHEN
Wuzhen has West Town and East Town. Most people go to West Town. East Town has more everyday life, but since we went to Tongli Ancient Town, which felt similar, we didn't go to East Town.
🚌 Transportation: Hangzhou to Wuzhen. Several options: Taxi, high-speed train, or long-distance bus. If you take the high-speed train, you'll have to go from Hangzhou to Tongxiang Station, and then take a taxi for another 30km to Wuzhen. After reading reviews, I'm grateful to whoever suggested we take the bus. It took us directly to the entrance of Wuzhen (West Town) where we checked into the hotel. From Hangzhou, just go to Hangzhoucheng Station (Hangzhou East railway station) and buy a bus ticket to Wuzhen. We arrived at 9am, bought tickets, and had a 10am trip. Foreigners have to buy tickets in person because the online option requires a Chinese ID. Gaodeditu has the bus schedule, so you can check the times in advance (This Trip: From 杭州长运火车东站公路汽车站 To 乌镇西栅景区).
When you arrive, you should buy your bus ticket back for the next day if you're still taking the bus. We took the bus back to Shanghai.
🏨 Homestay: There are many homestays and hotels in Wuzhen, but you'll check in at the entrance. If you've already booked, you don't need to go to the ticket area, go directly to the Accommodation check-in area to check in, and they'll sell you tickets. The ticket is 150 yuan for non-residents, and reduced to 120 yuan for residents.
🚐 West Town also has a free shuttle bus to East Town. But you need to buy a ticket to East Town. If you're going to East Town, buy a combo ticket for both sides to save money.
🏡 We stayed at Wuzhen Homestay, if you book on Trip, make sure it says "River view" to get a river view, otherwise you'll get a street view.
☕️ Activities: Most people walk around to take photos of beautiful spots, dress up as fairies, take a boat, enjoy tea, watch people make paper fans, go to the fabric dyeing area... Before 9am, there's also a water market, so you can go early to see it.
🥘 Because the restaurants in town are small, if you want to sit at a table with a river view, you'll often have to share a table with others. Don't be surprised if they ask you to share a table. My son even held hands with a new friend thanks to sharing a table :v
🔆 When we went, the crowds were thinner in the early morning, and still crowded at night. But it's beautiful at night. There are also bars and pubs! If you want beautiful photos with fewer people, wake up early!
💚💚💚 Total trip cost: 46,453,000 VND/3 people.
If we claim the insurance, it will be exactly 40 million for the whole family. When a woman manages the budget... I'm a little scared of myself T_T
After writing this and choosing the photos, I admire myself even more. If you read the whole thing, I admire you even more =)))
Until next time 💚💚💚
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