Day Trips from Shanghai (2026): Suzhou, Hangzhou & Water Towns

Four escapes cover most moods: Suzhou's classical gardens are 25 minutes away by high-speed train from about 40 RMB each way; Hangzhou and West Lake take roughly an hour from about 75 RMB; Zhujiajiao water town is a 7 RMB metro ride on Line 17 with free entry; and Moganshan's bamboo hills sit about 90 minutes out. All run as easy day trips from Hongqiao station. Shanghai is thrilling and relentless in roughly equal measure, and the smartest thing I ever learned here was how cheap and easy it is to leave for a day. The high-speed rail network treats neighboring provinces like suburbs. Here is where to go when the city gets loud, and exactly how to do it. How do day trips from Shanghai actually work? Almost everything starts at Hongqiao Railway Station, the giant hub on Metro Lines 2, 10 and 17. Book seats on the official 12306 app, which has an English version and takes foreign passports; our 12306 booking guide walks through it step by step. Book a day or two ahead for weekends, bring your passport for the gates, and aim for an early train out and a 7 to 8pm train back. Seat prices below are second class. Suzhou: classical gardens 25 minutes away Suzhou is about as easy as a…