Unveiling Shanghai, Zhouzhuang, Suzhou, and Hangzhou: A Detailed 10-Day Itinerary
I. Visa Application
Securing a China visa was surprisingly straightforward. I opted for a service (VISANA) to handle the process, obtaining a 15-day L visa.
Required documents included:
- Passport
- Passport photo
- Application form
The result came back in just 4-5 days, with helpful and responsive customer service.
II. WiFi/SIM Data
While most Chinese airports offer WiFi, it often requires a local phone number to log in. Therefore, I pre-purchased an eSIM from Gigago in Vietnam. I chose the 2GB/day plan for 15 days, which allowed access to TikTok. The network was stable and fast.
III. Flights and Immigration
1. My flight was booked with China Eastern Airlines. I found a round-trip ticket for 5,157,000 VND during Traveloka's EPIC Sale, which included checked baggage and meals.
2. This was my first time entering Shanghai, and the immigration process was smooth. The officer asked a few basic questions like the length of my stay, purpose of visit, and who I was traveling with, followed by the entry stamp.
IV. Accommodation
For accommodations, I primarily used Traveloka for booking.
- Shanghai: Magnificent International Hotel - 1,028,000 VND/night (2 nights). A 200 RMB deposit was required upon check-in and refunded to Alipay after 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)
- Hangzhou: Zheda Yuanzheng Lanshe Hotel - 800,000 VND/night (2 nights)
Total accommodation cost: 6,264,000 VND (approximately 3,132,000 VND per person for a couple). My accommodation expenses from Hangzhou onward were 4,551,000 VND as I was traveling solo.
V. Essential Apps
1. Gaodeditu (音德地图): Similar to Baidu Map, I used this app for searching locations. It provides detailed directions, including gate updates, distances, bus routes, and bus schedules.
2. Baidu Map: I used it alongside Gaodeditu because Baidu allows for routing up to 10 destinations at once.
3. Alipay: A must-have app! It's incredibly versatile, handling payments in supermarkets, hotels, and even for metro, bus, and taxi rides. You can also use it for shared bikes.
You'll need to verify your passport in Vietnam and link it to your Visa card for direct payments. For short trips, exchanging currency isn't necessary. For my 10+ day trip, I exchanged around 3,000 RMB.
4. Xiaohongshu: This app is fantastic for finding photo spots, check-in locations, restaurants, tips, and posing ideas within your area. Many posts tag the location and even link to Baidu Map.
5. MetroMan: Despite having the map apps, MetroMan is very useful. It's available in English, provides essential subway line information, station directions, and can even be used offline.
6. Translation: I used Google Translate, translating images directly to understand most things.
VI. Getting Around
Throughout the trip, I mainly used the metro, buses, and walking. In Shanghai, I also took taxis, which I booked directly through Alipay by setting the pickup location accurately.
VII. Places to Visit, Activities & Food
1. Destinations
> Shanghai
- Xintiandi
- Nanjing Road
- The Bund
- Yu Garden - City God Temple
- East Nanjing Road
- Jing'an Temple
- Route: Intersection of Changzi Road and Jiulong Road ➡️ North Bund Riverside (北外滩滨江绿地) ➡️ Zhapu Bridge ➡️ Shanghai Post Museum (上海邮政博物馆) ➡️ The Bund ➡️ Bund Observation Deck (外滩观景平台) ➡️ Lunch ➡️ Tian An 1000 Trees (千树天安) ➡️ 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 the Oriental ARC)
- Gusu Sign: 枫桥路36号
- Suzhou Text Wall: 环宇荟的字体墙 - 苏州竹辉环宇荟 - 5号线南园北路3号口 (Exit 3, Nanyuan North Road, Line 5)
Additionally, consider visiting:
- Hanshan Temple
- Silk Museum
- Humble Administrator's Garden
- Wuxi Movie Set
- 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 Creeks and Eighteen Gullies (九溪烟树)
- Hupao Park (虎跑公园)
- Qinghefang Street (清河坊街)
- Shiwukui Alley (coffee shops)
- Xiaoxian Alley
- Southern Song Dynasty Imperial Street
- Yezhongde Tang (叶种德堂): Traditional Chinese medicine preservation
- Baohe Tang (保和堂): 1000+ year-old herbal pharmacy
- Zhu Bingren Bronze Art 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: "Bạch Xà Phi Độ (白蛇飞渡)" for the S-shaped wooden path
- Zhongshan Park (中山公园)
The entrance has two large letters, "Cô Sơn (孤山)"
- Yun Song Academy (云松书舍)
What to Eat?
- Hairy crab noodles: Near East Nanjing Road, 南汇路74号
- Beef noodles
- Xiao long bao (soup dumplings)
- Scallion pancake
- Wonton
- Dongpo Pork
- Beggar's chicken
VIII. Expenses
The total cost of my 10-day trip was approximately 23,000,000 VND. The detailed itinerary is below.
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