Head to Shanghai Museum East near Century Avenue for the 10 a.m. opening; allow about two hours for its Chinese art and history collections. It’s closed on Mondays, and entry may require a timed reservation through the museum’s official channels, so check availability before setting out. From central Shanghai, take Metro Line 2 or 9 to Century Avenue and walk, or use a taxi if that’s more convenient.
Walk or take a short taxi ride to Din Tai Fung in IFC Mall for xiaolongbao and other Taiwanese-style dishes; budget around ¥100–180 per person. It can get busy at lunchtime, so join the queue when you arrive. After lunch, take Metro Line 14 from Lujiazui to Yuyuan Garden—a handy way to cross town without getting stuck in traffic.
Spend around 1.5 hours at Yu Garden, exploring its pavilions and rockeries. The garden generally closes in the late afternoon, and tickets are usually around ¥40, so check the day’s hours and ticket arrangements before you go. Then make your way to The Bund by taxi or a roughly 20-minute walk; give yourself time to enjoy the historic waterfront buildings and skyline views as the light changes.
Stay near the river for dinner at Lost Heaven on the Bund, known for Yunnan specialties in a heritage building. Expect about ¥150–250 per person; booking ahead is a good idea for Friday evening. It’s at The Bund, so you can arrive on foot after your waterfront stroll.
After your early arrival, head straight to Humble Administrator’s Garden in Gusu District; a taxi from Suzhou Railway Station usually takes around 15–25 minutes, depending on traffic. Arriving near opening (typically 7:30 a.m.; hours and seasonal ticket prices can change, so check before you go) gives you a quieter couple of hours among the ponds, pavilions and winding paths. Then walk next door to Suzhou Museum for its Suzhou collections and I. M. Pei-designed architecture. It’s generally open Tuesday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and entry is free, but timed advance reservations are important—especially on this Saturday, just before the National Day holiday period.
For lunch, go to Song He Lou in the old town for Suzhou classics such as sweet-and-sour squirrel-shaped mandarin fish; budget around ¥80–150 per person. There are several branches, so check which one you’ve booked and allow roughly 10–20 minutes to reach it from the museum. Afterward, make your way to Pingjiang Road for an easy canal-side wander—browse the little shops, pause for tea, and take one of the quieter lanes when the main path gets busy. About 1.5 hours is plenty without rushing.
Take a taxi or metro-and-walk combination northwest to Shantang Street (allow roughly 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic and your starting point). Arrive around dusk for the lanterns reflected in the canal, then stroll at an unhurried pace and pick up a snack if you’re still peckish. It’s a popular stretch, so expect crowds near the bridges; the side lanes are a better bet for a calmer finish.
After arriving in Wuxi, head straight to Yuantouzhu (Turtle Head Isle); from Wuxi Railway Station, allow roughly 30–45 minutes by taxi, depending on traffic. Give yourself about three hours for the lakeside paths and gardens—September is pleasant for a walk, though haze can soften the views across Taihu Lake. Admission is usually around ¥90–105, but check the official ticket listing for current prices and whether boat service is included. Bring water and wear comfortable shoes; the grounds are larger than they first appear.
Take a taxi west to Huishan Ancient Town (around 25–35 minutes from Yuantouzhu). Spend about two hours among the ancestral halls and traditional lanes; the historic district’s main streets are a lovely place to slow down, while some halls and exhibition spaces charge separate admission. Grab a simple lunch nearby before continuing to the Huishan Clay Figurine Factory, within the ancient-town area. Allow about an hour to see the painted figurines and learn about the craft; workshop and exhibition access can vary, so check locally on arrival.
From Huishan, take a taxi to Nanchang Street—usually around 20–30 minutes—and leave roughly 90 minutes to browse its restored canal-side architecture as the evening lights come on. For dinner, try Xiao Lü Song Gui Yu (小吕宋桂鱼) near the street for local-style dishes, or choose a busy restaurant along the canal; budget about ¥60–120 per person. Look for Wuxi specialties such as sweet-savory spare ribs and gluten puffs, and expect the liveliest atmosphere around dusk.
After checking in and dropping your bags, head to Nanjing Presidential Palace in Xuanwu District; allow about two hours for the compound’s historic offices and gardens. One important date check: September 28, 2026 is a Monday, and the palace generally closes on Mondays, so confirm its official notice before building the day around entry. If it is open, tickets are typically around ¥35; arrive with your ID and leave time for security.
The Nanjing 1912 district is just across the road from the palace, making it an easy place to pause for coffee among restored Republican-era buildings; most cafés open through the afternoon, and an hour is plenty for a relaxed wander. Then take a short taxi or metro ride to Xinjiekou for an hour of browsing—this is Nanjing’s busiest shopping hub, with department stores and practical shops if you need anything for tomorrow.
Have dinner at Nanjing Impressions in the Xinjiekou area. Expect a lively, traditional-style dining room and local dishes; budget roughly ¥70–130 per person, and go a little before peak dinner time to reduce the wait. Monday evening can be busy, so check the branch’s hours and queue arrangements when you arrive.
Start early at Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, where the tree-lined Sacred Way is especially peaceful before tour groups build. Allow about two hours for the walk and tomb complex; admission is usually around ¥70, but check current ticket arrangements before you go. Continue within Zhongshan Scenic Area to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum for the broad stairway and wooded grounds. Entry is generally free, but advance real-name reservation may be required; the climb is substantial, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Give yourself another two hours, including the walk between sites.
Take a taxi from Zhongshan Scenic Area to Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall in Jianye District—allow roughly 35–50 minutes depending on traffic. Plan about two hours for this solemn visit. Admission is generally free, but you may need to reserve a timed visit with passport details; check the official booking information, and arrive before the last-entry time (often around 16:00). The exhibits are emotionally heavy, so leave a little breathing room afterward rather than rushing straight into the evening.
Head to Qinhuai River and Fuzimiao for the lantern-lit lanes and riverside atmosphere; an hour and a half is enough for an unhurried wander. For dinner, try Nanjing Impressions near Fuzimiao for Nanjing duck and regional dishes—expect roughly ¥60–120 per person, and a wait at peak dinner time is possible. The area gets busy after dark, so keep your route flexible and use the riverside streets for a quieter stroll between food stops.
After arriving in Hangzhou, leave your bags at your hotel or use station storage, then take a taxi or ride-hail to Lingyin Temple; allow roughly 40–60 minutes from Hangzhou East, depending on traffic. Aim to arrive by mid-morning, before the holiday-eve crowds build. Set aside about two hours for the temple and its wooded grounds. Entry arrangements and fees can change: check the official reservation requirements in advance, and budget roughly ¥75 for the usual combined scenic-area and temple tickets.
Walk next door to Feilai Feng Grottoes for about 1–1.5 hours among the hillside carvings; the stone figures are easy to miss if you rush, so take the shaded paths at an unhurried pace. Then take a taxi to Longjing Village—roughly 30–45 minutes in normal traffic—and spend around two hours wandering the tea fields and stopping for a tasting. Tea-house prices vary considerably, so ask the price before ordering a full tasting or buying leaves.
From the village, allow around 30–45 minutes by taxi to Lou Wai Lou on Gushan Island. A late lunch or early dinner here makes a good pause after the hills; budget about ¥150–250 per person, and expect waits around the National Day holiday. Finish with an easy walk along Su Causeway, a short stroll from the restaurant. Give yourself about 1–1.5 hours for the willow-lined lake views; sunset is around 5:50 p.m. at the end of September, so start walking in good time. Traffic can be heavy on September 30, so keep a little slack between stops and use ride-hailing rather than trying to cross town by bus on a tight schedule.
Start at the China National Tea Museum in the Shuangfeng area, ideally around opening (usually 9 a.m.; check holiday hours and any reservation requirements before you go). Give it about 1½ hours to wander the tea displays and peaceful garden setting. Admission is generally free, though special exhibits may charge. A taxi or ride-hail is the easiest way onward to the nearby Hangzhou Botanical Garden; allow roughly 10–20 minutes depending on traffic.
Spend about 1½ hours strolling the woodland paths and themed gardens at Hangzhou Botanical Garden. It’s a relaxed change of pace from the busy holiday streets; standard admission is usually around ¥10, but confirm the current ticket price. Then head to Zhi Wei Guan in the Hubin area for lunch—allow about an hour and budget ¥50–100 per person for Hangzhou-style noodles, snacks, or a fuller meal. The ride from the garden generally takes around 20–30 minutes; traffic may be slower on National Day.
Head to Hangzhou East Railway Station after lunch, allowing at least 45–60 minutes for the transfer, station security, and finding your gate. Book a high-speed train to Shanghai Hongqiao in advance: National Day is one of China’s busiest travel periods, and seats can sell out. The ride is roughly 1–1½ hours; once in Shanghai, allow extra time to get from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to your hotel, especially if you’re crossing the city.
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