Shanghai - Zhouzhuang - Suzhou - Hangzhou: A 10-Day Detailed Travel Review & Guide

Shanghai - Zhouzhuang - Suzhou - Hangzhou: A 10-Day Detailed Travel Review & Guide

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Exploring Shanghai, Zhouzhuang, Suzhou & Hangzhou: A 10-Day Adventure

I. Visa Application

Getting a China visa was surprisingly straightforward. I opted for a service through VISANA for an L visa, valid for 15 days.

Required documents were simple:

• Passport
• Passport photo
• Application form

The process took only 4-5 days, and the consultants were very helpful.

II. WiFi/SIM Data

While Chinese airports offer WiFi, it often requires a local phone number to log in. I pre-purchased an eSIM from Gigago in Vietnam. I chose the 2GB/day plan for 15 days, which worked perfectly for accessing social media. The connection was consistently fast and reliable.

Enjoy a discount on Gigago!

III. Flights and Immigration

1. I booked my flights with China Eastern Airlines, a direct route, during a Traveloka EPIC Sale. The round-trip ticket cost $5,157,000 VND, including checked baggage and meals.
2. Entering Shanghai was a breeze. Immigration asked a few standard questions: duration of stay, purpose of visit, and travel companions. After a brief exchange, they stamped my passport.

IV. Hotel Accommodations

For this trip, I primarily booked hotels through Traveloka.

• Shanghai: Magnificent International Hotel - $1,028,000 VND/night (2 nights). A deposit of 200 RMB was required at check-in and refunded to Alipay upon checkout.
• Zhouzhuang Ancient Town: Zhouzhuang Inn - $390,000 VND/night (1 night)
• Suzhou: Pace Hotel Suzhou Guanqian Branch - $980,000 VND/night (1 night)
• Hangzhou: Hangzhou Xinqiao Hotel - $1,238,000 VND/night (1 night) Zheda Yuanzheng Lanshe Hotel - $800,000 VND/night (2 nights)

Total cost: $6,264,000 VND (or $3,132,000 VND per person for couples). My solo accommodation expenses in Hangzhou totaled $4,551,000 VND.

V. Essential Apps

1. Gaodeditu (音德地图): Like Baidu Maps, it provides detailed maps, gate updates, bus routes, and schedules.
2. Baidu Map: I used it alongside Gaodeditu for its ability to map up to 10 destinations simultaneously.
3. Alipay: A must-have for payments at supermarkets, hotels, and for metro, bus, taxi, and bike rentals. Verify your passport in Vietnam and link your Visa card for seamless transactions. Short trips may not require currency exchange, but I exchanged 3000 RMB for my 10+ day trip.
4. Xiaohongshu: A great app for finding photo spots, food recommendations, and travel tips in your current location. Many posts include location tags and Baidu Map links.
5. MetroMan: Despite having map apps, MetroMan is valuable for its English interface, essential train lines, station directions, and offline functionality.
6. Translation: I rely on Google Translate. Image translation is helpful for deciphering signs and menus.

VI. Transportation

I primarily used the metro, buses, and walking to get around. In Shanghai, I used taxis, booked directly through Alipay.

VII. Destinations, Activities & Food

1. Destinations:
   • Shanghai
     • Xintiandi
     • Nanjing Road
     • The Bund
     • Yu Garden - City God Temple
     • East Nanjing Road
     • Jing'an Temple
     • Suggested Itinerary: Intersection of Changzi Road and Jiulong Road ➡️ North Bund Riverside (北外滩滨江绿地) ➡️ Zhapu Bridge ➡️ Shanghai Postal Museum (上海邮政博物馆) ➡️ The Bund ➡️ Bund Observation Deck (外滩观景平台) ➡️ Lunch ➡️ 1000 Trees ➡️ Wukang Building ➡️ Wizard of Oz ➡️ Nanjing Road ➡️ Xintiandi
   • Suzhou
     • Jinji Lake
     • Shantang Street
     • Beisi Pagoda
     • Pingjiang Road
     • Gate to the East (Oriental ARC)
     • Suzhou Culture and Arts Centre (view of Oriental ARC)
     • Gusu Characters: 枫桥路36号
     • Suzhou Character Wall: 环宇荟的字体墙 - 苏州竹辉环宇荟 - Exit 3, Nanyuan North Road, Line 5
     • Additional suggestions: Hanshan Temple, Silk Museum, Humble Administrator's Garden, Wuxi Studios, Tongli Ancient Town
   • Hangzhou
     • Hangzhou Botanical Garden (杭州植物园)
     • Lingyin Temple
     • Faxi Temple (法喜寺)
     • Yunqi Bamboo Trail (云栖竹径)
     • Nine Streams and Eighteen Gullies (九溪烟树)
     • Hupao Park (虎跑公园)
     • Qinghefang Street (清河坊街)
     • Shiwukui Alley (for cafes)
     • Xiaoxian Alley
     • Southern Song Dynasty Imperial Street
     • Yezhongde Tang (叶种德堂): Traditional Chinese medicine preservation
     • Baohe Tang (保和堂): Over 1000-year-old herbal pharmacy
     • Zhu Bingren Bronze Sculpture Museum (朱炳仁铜雕艺术博物馆)
     • Former Residence of Yu Qian (于谦故居)
     • Wansong Academy (万松书院)
     • Search: "White Snake Flying Over (白蛇飞渡)" for the "S" shaped wooden path
     • Zhongshan Park (中山公园): Look for the "Gushan (孤山)" characters at the entrance
     • Yunsong Academy (云松书舍)
2. Food Recommendations:
   • Hairy crab noodles: Near East Nanjing Road, 南汇路74号
   • Beef noodles
   • Xiao long bao (soup dumplings)
   • Scallion pancakes
   • Wonton soup
   • Dongpo pork
   • Beggar's chicken

VIII. Expenses

My 10-day trip cost approximately $23,000,000 VND.

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