Shanghai and Suzhou, two of China's most iconic cities, offer a unique blend of modernity, history, and culture. Visiting these cities provides a fascinating contrast between China's rapid development and its rich historical heritage. Shanghai is China's largest city and a global financial center, known for its impressive skyline, including the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower. It's a city that never sleeps, offering a vibrant mix of business, entertainment, and culture. Suzhou is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed classical gardens. These gardens are masterpieces of Chinese landscape design, featuring ponds, rockeries, and pavilions. Suzhou is also known for its canals, stone bridges, and water towns.
Contrast of Modern and Traditional: Shanghai represents China's rapid modernization, while Suzhou offers a glimpse into its ancient past. Together, they provide a balanced experience of China's diversity.
Convenient Transportation: The high-speed train between Shanghai and Suzhou takes only 30 minutes, making it easy to explore both cities in one trip.
Rich Cultural Experiences: From Shanghai's cosmopolitan vibe to Suzhou's serene gardens and canals, visitors can enjoy a wide range of cultural and historical experiences.
Food and Shopping:Both cities offer unique culinary delights and shopping opportunities, from Shanghai's international cuisine to Suzhou's traditional crafts and silk.
Scenic Beauty: While Shanghai dazzles with its skyline and urban energy, Suzhou captivates with its natural beauty and tranquil landscapes.
Considering speed, comfort and convenience, high-speed train is the most recommended way to get from Shanghai to Suzhou. To get to Suzhou from Shanghai, you just need about 0.5 to 1 hour by high-speed train. And even you take the normal train, you just need about 1-2 hours to get to Suzhou from Shanghai. Suzhou is about 80 kilometers from Shanghai, which is not far. For this short distance, high-speed train is more recommended.
Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station(上海虹桥火车站) is the largest and most modern railway station in the city. It is a major hub for high-speed trains and intercity trains, connecting Shanghai with cities across China.
Shanghai Railway Station(上海火车站) is located in the Zhabei District (now part of the Jing'an District), near People's Square. It is one of the oldest and busiest railway stations in Shanghai, serving as the central hub for long-distance trains to cities across China.
Shanghai South Railway Station(上海南站) is located in Xuhui District, the southern part of Shanghai, near Shanghai South Bus Station. It primarily serves trains traveling to and from the southern regions of China.
Shanghai’s main railway stations are Hongqiao, Shanghai Railway Station, and Shanghai South Railway Station, which cover a broad range of high-speed, intercity, and long-distance trains. Whether you're heading to nearby cities like Hangzhou or farther destinations like Beijing or Guangzhou, these stations provide convenient options. If you're flying into Pudong Airport, the Maglev Train Station is an efficient and exciting way to reach the city center in just a few minutes.
Suzhou Railway Station(苏州站) is located in 27 Suzhan Road, Gusu District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. Suzhou Railway Station is located in the city center, near the ancient city area.It is one of the busiest and most important railway stations in Suzhou. It has a modern design with traditional Suzhou architectural elements.
Suzhou North Railway Station(苏州北站) is located in Xiangcheng District, north of the city center. It is a key station for high-speed rail travel, offering fast connections to cities like Shanghai (20-30 minutes), Nanjing and Beijing.
Suzhou Industrial Park Railway Station(苏州园区站)is location in Suzhou Industrial Park, east of the city center.It is convenient for business travelers and residents of Suzhou Industrial Park.
Suzhou Xinqu Railway Station(苏州新区站), also known as Suzhou New District Railway Station is located in the Suzhou New District, west of the city center.It is a smaller station compared to Suzhou Railway Station and Suzhou North Railway Station, but convenient for travelers in the western part of the city.
Suzhou East Railway Station(苏州东站)is location in the eastern part of Suzhou.It is part of the future expansion of Suzhou's rail network to improve connectivity.
Recommended Tour: 5 Days Shanghai and Suzhou Tour
Where to Visit in Shanghai: the Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Museum, Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, Shanghai Disneyland
How long to stay in Shanghai: At least 2 days
Best time to Visit Shanghai: Generally speaking, it is recommended to visit Shanghai in spring(April-June) and autumn(September to November) with pleasant weather.
How to Get Around Shanghai: Metro and taxi
Recommended Tour: 3 Days Suzhou Essence Tour
Highlights of Suzhou: Humble Administrator's Garden(Zhuozheng Yuan), Lingering Garden(Liu Yuan), Tiger Hill (Huqiu), Tiger Hill(Huqiu), Hanshan Temple, Suzhou Museum, Suzhou Silk Museum, Pingjiang Road, Tongli Water Town and Zhouzhuang Water Town
How long to stay in Suzhou: 3-4 days
Best time to visit Suzhou:
The best time to visit Suzhou is during the spring and autumn months, offering pleasant weather, beautiful scenery, and ideal conditions for outdoor activities.
How to Get Around Suzhou: Metro and taxi