Where to spend 2 days near end of 16 day trip?

Question

Looking for suggestions- 4 women, 50+, spending 16 days in China this summer - Shanghai, Beijing, and Xi’an. On the way back from Xi’an to Shanghai we have 2-3 days open. Looking for suggestions on somewhere thats not too difficult to get to (from Xi’an or Shanghai) and might be interesting/different/relaxing?

Answer

Hello,

For a relaxing and interesting 2–3 day stop between Xi’an and Shanghai, you have several options that are not too difficult to reach by high-speed train or short domestic flight. Here are some recommendations:

Hangzhou (Zhejiang Province)
- Famous for West Lake, serene gardens, tea plantations (Longjing Tea), and historic temples.
- Easy to reach from Shanghai (approx. 1 hour by high-speed train) and from Xi’an via connecting flights or trains.
- Activities: Leisurely boat rides on West Lake, walking around historic neighborhoods, visiting tea houses, and enjoying local cuisine.
Huangshan/Anhui (Yellow Mountains)
- Known for dramatic mountain scenery, hot springs, and traditional Anhui villages like Hongcun and Xidi.
- High-speed train from Xi’an to Huangshan can take 5–6 hours, or a short flight from Xi’an to Huangshan.
- Activities: Gentle hikes, cable cars to scenic spots, and exploring charming old villages.
Su Zhou (Jiangsu Province)
- Known for classical Chinese gardens, canals, silk workshops, and traditional architecture.
- From Shanghai, it is only 30 minutes by high-speed train; from Xi’an, a flight to Shanghai followed by a train to Suzhou works best.
- Activities: Walking through gardens, visiting water towns like Zhouzhuang or Tongli, trying local sweets and tea.
Wuzhen or other water towns near Shanghai
- Picturesque canals, slow pace, great for relaxing after a busy itinerary.
- Accessible via train or bus from Shanghai (1–2 hours).
- Activities: Boat rides, walking along canals, photography, and sampling local cuisine.

Summary tips:

Choose a location that minimizes long transfers; Hangzhou and Suzhou are easiest from Shanghai.
If you want scenic nature and mountains, Huangshan is ideal but requires more travel time.
Book accommodations near main sights to maximize your short stay.
Consider a combination of one night in a water town (Wuzhen/Suzhou) and one night in Hangzhou if you prefer variety but keep travel light.

These destinations offer a relaxing pace, cultural experiences, and beautiful scenery to round off your 16-day China trip comfortably.