China · WATER TOWN TOURS

The 15 Best Water Town Tours in China

51 tours  ·  from $60

Zhujiajiao, Wuzhen, Gubei: canal towns that still move by punt, all within a couple of hours of a major city. The 15 below are compared on which town, how long the boat ride actually is and whether lunch is part of the price.

Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Private Day Tour - A local lunch beside the canals
City Tours, Private, Shanghai Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Water Town Tours, Water Town Tours in Shanghai

Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Private Day Tour

1.Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Private Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,016 reviews · from $246Our pick

Spend about eight hours with a private guide and driver, pairing Zhujiajiao’s canals and local lunch with Yuyuan Garden, the Bund, and Shanghai Tower. Guides such as Snow, Caroline, Xin, Judy, Jane, and Queena are praised for clear English and flexible planning. Monday visits replace Yuyuan Garden with Jade Buddha Temple.

“We had a wonderful day exploring both Shanghai city highlights and Zhujiajiao Water Town with our guide, Queena. She was knowledgeable, friendly, and very attentive throughout the tour. We visited the Shanghai Tower, Yu Garden, and The Bund, and later enjoyed a relaxing boat ride through the beautiful canals of Zhujiajiao. The lunch was delicious as well. Overall, it was a perfect experience and we highly recommend Queena and this tour! She had superb English and her enthusiasm was the best! 10/10”

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Shanghai Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town and Boat Ride - The Canal Boat Ride
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Shanghai Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town and Boat Ride

2.Shanghai Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town and Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 661 reviews · from $148

Travel by private air-conditioned vehicle from your Shanghai hotel to Zhujiajiao, a 1,700-year-old water town. Your guide leads you through old streets, markets, gardens, bridges, and canals, with entrance fees and a boat ride included. Lunch or dinner is available as an upgrade.

“We had a very pleasant half-day trip with an excellent guide, a cozy boat ride and a delicious local lunch. Highly recommended to everyone, thank you Xin!”

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Shanghai: Zhujiajiao Private Tour w/ Boat Ride & Garden - The private drive from Shanghai
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Shanghai: Zhujiajiao Private Tour w/ Boat Ride & Garden

3.Zhujiajiao Private Tour w/ Boat Ride & Garden

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 460 reviews · 5 hours · from $139

Travel from your Shanghai hotel in a private air-conditioned car with an English-speaking guide such as Michael, Cassie, Annie, or Robert. Walk Zhujiajiao’s old markets, visit Kezhi Garden, taste local snacks, and cruise the canals by private boat during this flexible five-hour tour.

“We enjoyed so much and Michael was a wonderful guide!”

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From Shanghai: Private Zhujiajiao Tour with Boat Ride - A private ride from your Shanghai hotel
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From Shanghai: Private Zhujiajiao Tour with Boat Ride

4.Private Zhujiajiao Tour with Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 334 reviews · 5 hours · from $171

Leave your Shanghai hotel for a five-hour private visit to Zhujiajiao. Walk the old street and market, see Ming and Qing bridges, sample local food, and ride the canals with an English-speaking guide such as Snow, Kalvin, or Caroline. A private car, driver, entrance fee, and boat ticket are included.

“Timing was punctual. Jenny is very friendly and communicate very well. Helped us negotiate prices for our shopping. Gave us extra curriculum to try ear 👂 cleaning. Overall the tour was excellent, and I very much recommend.”

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Yu Garden, Old Street, Bund & Zhujiajiao Water Town Bus Tour - Meeting at Yu Garden and starting the morning
Shanghai Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Water Town Tours, Water Town Tours in Shanghai

Yu Garden, Old Street, Bund & Zhujiajiao Water Town Bus Tour

5.Yu Garden, Old Street, Bund & Zhujiajiao Water Town Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 244 reviews · 8 hours · from $60Best value

Meet your English-speaking guide at Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel for a full day of classic Shanghai sights. You’ll tour Yu Garden and Old Street, eat Shanghai-style snacks, explore Zhujiajiao and finish at the Bund. Guides such as Audrey, Cindy, Irwin and Yenny are praised for clear explanations and friendly help.

“I had a wonderful time with Audrey. It was a small group with just 4 of us and the guide, and we had a really great time! I just came as I had a long stopover at Pudong, and this was the perfect way to spend the day in Shanghai. Everything was smooth and we were well looked after.”

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From Shanghai: Zhujiajiao Water Town Private Tour with Boat Ride - A smooth start from downtown Shanghai
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From Shanghai: Zhujiajiao Water Town Private Tour with Boat Ride

6.Zhujiajiao Water Town Private Tour with Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 173 reviews · from $139

Take a private half-day trip from downtown Shanghai to Zhujiajiao with an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle, garden and temple entry, and a traditional boat ride. Guides such as Lucy, Robert, Jun, Shirley, and Michael tailor the walk to your interests.

“Michael our guide was very personable and informative. A cold but enjoyable day overall. We would certainly recommend the tour.”

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Shanghai Day Tour to Zhujiajiao Water Town, Yu Garden, Bazaar, Bund - Yu Garden’s carved halls and quiet corners
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Shanghai Day Tour to Zhujiajiao Water Town, Yu Garden, Bazaar, Bund

7.Shanghai Day Tour to Zhujiajiao Water Town, Yu Garden, Bazaar, Bund

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 162 reviews · from $229

Spend about 10 hours with a private English-speaking guide, chauffeur, and air-conditioned minivan. Cruise Zhujiajiao’s canals, explore Yu Garden and its market, then finish on the Bund. Hotel pickup, admission fees, bottled water, umbrellas, and the water-town boat ride are included.

“The Bund is very very beautifull place! Shure! We recommend!!!!”

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Half-Day Private Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour with Boat Ride from Shanghai - Kezhi Garden, a quieter change of pace
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Half-Day Private Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour with Boat Ride from Shanghai

8.Half-Day Private Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour with Boat Ride from Shanghai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 144 reviews · from $160

Travel from Shanghai with a private guide and driver to Zhujiajiao, a 600-year-old canal town. Walk its lanes, ride a small wooden boat, visit Kezhi Garden, Fangsheng Bridge, and the old post office. Guides such as Tom, David, and Vicky have earned praise for clear English and flexible local advice.

“Bit of a drive but good thing to do and see something than just Shanghai proper”

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Shanghai: Private Shanghai & Zhujiajiao Tour with Lunch - Walking Zhujiajiao’s old lanes and gardens
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Shanghai: Private Shanghai & Zhujiajiao Tour with Lunch

9.Private Shanghai & Zhujiajiao Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · 8 hours · from $255

Spend eight hours with an English-speaking guide such as Snow, Caroline, or Berlin, traveling by private car from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao and back. Walk old lanes, take a canal boat, eat a local lunch, visit Yu Garden or Jade Buddha Temple, and finish with skyline views from the Bund and Shanghai Tower.

“Snow deserves 6 stars. We will be sure to have family and friends visiting Shanghai request her. She was cheerful, attentive and insightful throughout the day. She tailored the tour and the food to our requested. Mr. Qi was an excellent driver and never missed a beet dropping us off and picking us up. Snow and Mr. Qi worked as a team to make the day hassle free. Thanks to both of them! Alena was doing the booking and answered all our questions quickly and accurately. - May and Jonathan”

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Beijing: Simatai Great Wall & Gubei Water Town Private Tour - Gubei Water Town before the wall
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Beijing: Simatai Great Wall & Gubei Water Town Private Tour

10.Simatai Great Wall & Gubei Water Town Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 110 reviews · 8 hours · from $133

Travel privately from Beijing to Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town in about eight hours. Choose a guide such as Miko, Lily, Jack, or Jimmy, or book transfer only. Ride the cable car, visit 10 watchtowers, and see Gubei’s canals by day or under red lanterns at night.

“We had a great day at Simatai visiting 10 towers and the water city. The transportation was punctual and comfortable with our driver Jason.”

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Mutianyu Great Wall And Gubei Watertown Private Day Tour

11.Mutianyu Great Wall And Gubei Watertown Private Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · from $149

Travel by private air-conditioned vehicle from your Beijing hotel to Mutianyu Great Wall and Gubei Water Town. You set the pace at both stops, while your driver handles the long transfers. Plan for 8 to 9 hours, plus entrance fees, meals, and optional cable car costs.

“The driver was very friendly and he spoke English. We arrived early in the day, so got very lucky with nearly no crowds. Great layover!”

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Jinshanling Private Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing - Walking Jinshanling’s watchtowers and ridges
Beijing Tours, Evening Experiences, Jinshanling Great Wall Tours, Private, Simatai Great Wall Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Water Town Tours, Water Town Tours in Beijing

Jinshanling Private Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing

12.Jinshanling Private Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · from $261

Meet your English-speaking guide at your Beijing hotel and spend 10 to 12 hours exploring Jinshanling, Gubei Water Town, and Simatai. Guides such as Tony, Miko, Andy, Anson, Jay, and Huang are praised for clear history talks, photos, and personal care. A Chinese meal and Simatai cable car are included.

“Amazing tour! Our tour guide Jonathan was great. He was very punctual, polite and friendly. He catered to all our needs. The lunch we had at Jinshanling was from a local family restaurant they had chosen and it was delicious. The views from this tour were extraordinary and Jonathan knew which spots to go to, to avoid the crowds! Would highly recommend this tour!”

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Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai Highlights Private Trip - The one-hour ride from Shanghai
Private, Shanghai Tours, Tour Reviews, Water Town Tours, Water Town Tours in Shanghai

Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai Highlights Private Trip

13.Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai Highlights Private Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · from $133

Spend about eight hours with a private English-speaking guide and driver, combining Zhujiajiao’s canals and old buildings with Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Old Street, and the Bund. Guides such as Tom and Sophie are praised for clear English and flexible pacing. Hotel and port pickup are offered.

“What an incredible trip. We only had a day in Shanghai and wanted to maximise our time. Seeing the water town was phenomenal and the boat ride was lovely. Then seeing Shanghai's main attractions including doing a traditional tea ceremony was really special. Definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to pack a lot into a day.”

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Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Flexible Private Tour - Choosing your Shanghai afternoon
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Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Flexible Private Tour

14.Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Flexible Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · from $170

Spend 7 to 8 hours with a private guide and driver visiting Zhujiajiao Water Town, then choosing Shanghai sights such as Yu Garden, the Bund, Jade Buddha Temple, or Pudong. Guides such as Annie, Freya, Sammi, Lily, and Feifei are noted for clear English and flexible pacing.

“Had an outstanding experience booking with Sunny travels. She is very prompt with replying and made good suggestions to ensure my tour ran smoothly. My driver and tour guide made me feel very comfortable and looked after. Annie was an amazing tour guide and she went above and beyond. She explained things in detail and gave me a good insight into the Chinese culture. She also answered my many questions. I could not have asked for a better tour guide. She ensured my dietary requirements were met. Thank you for a lovely day.”

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Wuzhen and Xitang Water Town Private Full Day Trip from Shanghai with Lunch and Dinner - The Wuzhen boat ride is the day’s quiet pause
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Wuzhen and Xitang Water Town Private Full Day Trip from Shanghai with Lunch and Dinner

15.Wuzhen and Xitang Water Town Private Full Day Trip from Shanghai with Lunch and Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $284

Travel from Shanghai with a private guide such as Caroline, Kimi, or Bella, and compare two old canal towns in one long day. Walk Wuzhen’s stone lanes, take a boat cruise, eat local food, then see Xitang’s sunset, lit-up canals, shops, and riverside dinner.

“Tour guide Caroline is very energetic, supportive & caring especially when we ended up spent much longer than the schedule.”

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New in Water Town Tours

★ 5.0Wuzhen Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from HangzhouFrom $8712 reviews
★ 5.0Wuzhen Classical Water Town day tourFrom $1504 reviews
★ 5.0Wuzhen Water Town Delight Tour With Riverside Lunch ExperienceFrom $15115 reviews
★ 5.0Wuzhen Water Town Private Day Tour from HangzhouFrom $1506 reviews
★ 5.0Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with stop-over at Wuzhen Water TownFrom $1663 reviews
★ 5.0Simatai Great Wall & Gubei Water Town Private Trip English DriverFrom $1247 reviews
★ 5.0Private Gubei Water Town and Simatai Trip with English Speaking Driver ServiceFrom $13014 reviews
★ 5.0Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town Trip with English speaking driverFrom $1684 reviews
★ 5.0Private Tour to Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall with Cable Car and LunchFrom $2485 reviews
★ 5.0Private Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town Night Tour from BeijingFrom $2349 reviews
★ 5.0Private Evening Tour to Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water TownFrom $18810 reviews
★ 5.0All Inclusive Private Day Trip to Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water TownFrom $2515 reviews
★ 5.0Private Beijing Transfer: Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water TownFrom $13331 reviews
★ 5.0Overnight Experience Gubei Water Town With Simatai Great Wall VisitingFrom $2353 reviews
★ 5.0Lock Your Love on Simatai Great Wall with Gubei Water Town Visit and Cable Car RideFrom $2383 reviews

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