Trips from Shanghai

Question

I am interested in Nanjing and Hangzhou. How many days for Nanjin? Im interested in spending time at war memorial. Will a long day trip out to Hangzhou suffice or do I need an overnight stay? I was hoping 1 long day to Hangzhou is enough.

Thoughts please.

Answer

Visiting Nanjing and Hangzhou from Shanghai is very doable, but the amount of time you allocate depends on your interests and pace of travel.

Nanjing

Nanjing is about 1.5 to 2 hours from Shanghai by high-speed train, making it convenient for a day trip, but for a more relaxed visit, 1–2 nights is ideal. Since you mentioned an interest in the war memorial (likely the Nanjing Massacre Memorial), here’s a suggested approach:

1 full day: You can visit the Nanjing Massacre Memorial, nearby museums, and explore some central city sites like Confucius Temple area, Xuanwu Lake, or city wall sections. Expect a long, busy day.
2 days / 1 night: This allows a more leisurely pace, time to visit other attractions like Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum or Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, and reduces stress from train schedules.

Hangzhou

Hangzhou is approximately 1 hour by high-speed train from Shanghai. While it is technically possible to do a long day trip from Shanghai, you should consider:

Travel time: Even with fast trains, round-trip travel consumes 2–3 hours minimum.
Main attractions: West Lake, Lingyin Temple, and tea plantations (Longjing area) are spread out. Visiting multiple sites in one day can feel rushed.
Peak tourism: Weekends and holidays can be crowded, making day trips less enjoyable.

If you only have one day, you can focus on:

West Lake scenic area for a boat ride or lakeside walk.
Lingyin Temple or a short tea plantation visit.
Exploring the Hefang Street area for shopping and local snacks.

For a more relaxed experience, an overnight stay in Hangzhou allows you to enjoy the city in the early morning or evening when it is less crowded, and reduces stress from train schedules.

Summary Recommendation

Nanjing: 1 full day is possible but 2 days recommended if you want a more thorough visit to historical and cultural sites.
Hangzhou: 1 long day is doable for a quick overview, but an overnight stay is better for a relaxed and complete experience.
Train travel is fast and convenient between Shanghai–Nanjing and Shanghai–Hangzhou, so staying overnight is optional depending on your pace and sightseeing goals.

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