Weekend Getaways: 3 Unique Shanghai Road Trip Routes
This article highlights three unique road trip routes from Shanghai, including a cultural journey to Suzhou, a foodie adventure to Zhouzhuang, and a scenic drive to Hangzhou. It offers tips for making your road trip even more memorable and suggests taking a Shanghai food tour or group tour to explore the cities in depth.
Although there is a lot of information available about road trips these days, there are few truly valuable driving routes to refer to. This weekend road trip guide will provide you with three scenic driving routes around Shanghai, suitable for all seasons, offering three unique ways to enjoy a lesser-known weekend getaway.
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Route 1: A Cultural Journey to Suzhou
For a weekend getaway filled with culture and history, take a road trip to Suzhou, a picturesque city just an hour and a half away from Shanghai. Suzhou is known for its stunning gardens, ancient temples, and serene water towns. Start your trip at the Humble Administrator's Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and then visit the Tiger Hill Pagoda for breathtaking views of the city. Don't miss out on a visit to the Lingering Garden, where you can enjoy traditional Chinese tea and appreciate the intricate design of the garden.
Route 2: A Foodie Adventure to Zhouzhuang
If you're a foodie, take a road trip to Zhouzhuang, a water town known for its delicious cuisine and stunning scenery. Zhouzhuang is just two hours away from Shanghai and offers a unique taste of traditional Chinese food. Try local specialties such as steamed buns, stir-fried river shrimp, and bitter melon stir-fry. Don't miss out on a visit to the Zhouzhuang Ancient Town, where you can stroll along the picturesque waterways and appreciate the town's historic charm.
Route 3: A Scenic Drive to Hangzhou
For a weekend getaway filled with natural beauty, take a road trip to Hangzhou, a city known for its stunning scenery and picturesque lakes. Hangzhou is just a three-hour drive from Shanghai and offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, and biking. Start your trip at the West Lake, a beautiful scenic spot where you can enjoy stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Then, visit the Lingyin Temple, a famous Buddhist temple, and explore the city's other attractions such as the Six Harmonies Pagoda and the Qiantang River.
Making Your Road Trip Even More Memorable
To make your road trip even more memorable, consider taking a Shanghai food tour or a group tour to explore the cities in depth. Shanghai food tours offer the opportunity to sample authentic Shanghai cuisine and explore the city's vibrant food scene, while group tours offer the convenience of a guided tour and the opportunity to meet new people.
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What Our Clients Say?
Based on 10,000+ traveler reviews
Daniel Dorothea
Canada
Reviewed on April 29,2025
Shopping on Nanjing Road in Shanghai was just amazing! It's truly the "First Commercial Street of China", where tradition and modernity blend perfectly. You can find awesome souvenirs and experience the trendy vibes in cool stores. The neon lights at night are just spectacular, shining bright like Times Square in New York. The food here is incredible too. I had a feast for my taste buds. Shanghai, I'll definitely be back!
Destination(s):
Shanghai
Date of
Experience:
May 08,2024
Elvis Eva
Canada
Reviewed on June 20,2025
As a solo traveler from Canada, I was nervous about navigating China alone—but this 11-day tour was PERFECT! From hiking the Great Wall at sunrise (Day 3) to gasping at the Terracotta Army (Day 5), every day delivered ‘pinch-me’ moments. The real showstopper? Zhangjiajie’s Avatar Mountains (Day 7)! Our guide made the stone pillars come alive with stories.
Massive thanks for handling all logistics—bullet train tickets, entry passes, car! And the 4-star hotels surprised me.
Destination(s):
Beijing Xian Zhangjiajie Shanghai
Date of
Experience:
June 02,2025
Simon
America
Reviewed on May 29,2025
Our 2-day Zhangjiajie tour was beyond spectacular! As someone who’s visited Beijing and Shanghai for work, this trip revealed China’s wild, magical heart. Day 1 in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park felt like stepping onto Pandora—I’m a huge Avatar fan, and Yuanjiajie’s floating peaks left me breathless. The misty pillars and lush valleys like pure movie magic!
Then came Fenghuang Ancient Town, we eat dinner beside the thundering waterfall. It seems Unreal! The night views of stilt houses glowing over the river were straight from a fairy tale.
For fellow Avatar lovers and adventure seekers: Don’t miss this bucket-list experience! 10/10 would return.
A Well-Traveled Film Buff, May 2025
Destination(s):
Zhangjiajie
Date of
Experience:
May 08,2025
