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As China is becoming very touristy for international tourists, most people will visit Shanghai but there are so many spots still “off the beaten path” right outside of Shanghai that you can either take a day trip to or stay for a few days .
You can take a bullet train to all of these places and book it on Trip.com.
I’ll be sharing some underrated spots like where China ceramic was created, beautiful mountains, and stunning little villages most people don’t visit! China also has its own tourism classification from A to AAAAA and most of these towns or sites are AAAAA which means they’re some of the best tourist spots to visit.
If you want to visit some tiny ancient villages with a group, I’m hosting a group trip in 2027 to Huangshan and the villages in that area! Check it out here! Here are some of this year’s group trip highlights!
Here are the top 7 trips I’d recommend from Shanghai from a day to a few days:
For most of these sites, you do need a ticket to enter and I’ll share the links for all of the tickets and you have to make sure to bring your passport when you enter any of these places because that’s how they ID you.
Where to stay in Shanghai: Atour Hotel near Nanjing Road or near Jing’An Temple
If you want to learn more about Shanghai cuisine as the cuisine is different everywhere China, I’d recommend a food tour with Lost Plate. Use code “HUTRAVELSTHEWORLD” for $5 off.
Huangshan
You can take the train from Shanghai to Huangshan Bei (north). This spot has some of the most underrated nature in China and it isn’t even that popular for Chinese people yet. My mom’s side of the family is from here and I’ll always recommend the nature to people.
Where to stay: Atour Huangshan
This is a great hotel in the city of Huangshan but if you want to stay in the national park and watch sunrise on the mountains, I’d recommend staying here. It’s also convenient to get to the main gate from this hotel.
Where to stay near the national park: Huangshan Resort
Like everywhere in China, you have to buy a ticket for the tourist area which usually includes a bus and then a cable car and the actual entrance. Here is the best ticket to get.
You can also visit the Emerald Jade Valley which was a film location for Crouching Tiger Leaping Dragon. Here is the ticket.
Hongcun
You can also stay in Huangshan and take a Didi to this little village for the date. If you come here on a weekend, there’s a beautiful fish festival to celebrate prosperity in the filling village with giant fish floats and fireworks. Here’s a ticket for the village of Hongcun.
Where to stay: Yike Boutique Hotel
Huangling
You can also stay at Huangshan or you can stay closer to Huangling but it’s cheaper and easier to stay in the main city. 
Where to stay: Boutique Hotel
You will need a ticket to take the cable car up and visit the tourist area. Here is the ticket.
Nanjing
The train ride to Nanjing from Shanghai is under 2 hours. Nanjing is one of the most historic cities in China and there’s beautiful museums to explore here and a very nice pedestrian street.
Where to stay: Hanting Hotel
I would highly recommend visiting Nanjing Massacre Museum.
Jingdezhen
You can also stay in Huangshan or take the train from Shanghai to Jingdezhen. This is where China, the ceramic, originates from and has a profound artistic history if you love art and want to learn more about history!
Here is a link to the Jingdezheng China Museum. Here is how to book a ceramics class to make china.
Where to stay: Seven and a Half Art Inn
Suzhou
Suzhou is a pretty touristy water town located less than an hour from Shanghai by bullet train. You can take a day trip here or stay for a night.
If you’re looking for a guided day trip from Shanghai to Suzhou, this one is perfect for you!
Where to stay in Suzhou: Homestay
This is a beautiful, traditional homestay in the old town of the LuZhi water village.
Xianju
You can take the bullet train from Shanghai to Xianju in 2.5 hours in the mountains. I’d recommend spending 2-3 days here as the infrastructure and nature here are super impressive.
Here is a ticket to the mountains in Xianju.
Where to stay: Homestay
Wangxian
Take the train from Shanghai to Shangrao and then a Didi or bus to Wangxian for 1 hour. Wangxian valley was an old industrial plant that was turned into this beautiful touristy area. It feels commercialized but it is truly stunning at the same time.
Here is the ticket to enter the tourist area. You only need max 1-2 days here.
Where to stay: Wangshan Residence
There’s so much to do in China just around Shanghai, especially since the bullet trains are so well connected so I hope you get to explore some of the little villages around the area!
