Fengjing and Xitang Water Towns Private Tour from Shanghai

Gondola rides through ancient canals, stone bridges, and two water towns in one day

A private guided day tour from Shanghai to Fengjing and Xitang water towns, with driver pickup from your hotel, English-speaking guide, and Xitang entry included. You explore Fengjing's 1,500-year-old streets and markets, take a relaxing gondola ride along old canals, then walk Xitang's intact Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture and visit its museums and temples. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours and ends with return transport to your hotel or downtown Shanghai.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Fengjing and Xitang Water Towns

• Pick up from Shanghai hotel
• Drive to Fengjing ancient water town
• Explore Fengjing old residences and markets
• Take gondola ride along Fengjing canals
• Drive to Xitang water town
• Walk along Xitang old canal street
• Visit Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture
• See local garden houses, temple, and museums
• Enjoy lunch or dinner at local restaurant
• Return to Shanghai hotel or downtown drop-off

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your Shanghai hotel at a time you choose, then a comfortable drive to Fengjing Ancient Town. Ranked among China's top four water towns and one of the best-preserved, Fengjing has stood for 1,500 years. You walk the charming old streets lined with stone bridges and residences, explore the local street markets, and take a relaxing gondola ride along the canals to see the tranquil scenery while your guide explains the local culture, history and customs.

After Fengjing, you drive to Xitang, known as the "thousand year old living town." The walk here follows the old canal streets where Mission Impossible III was filmed. You can trace the footprints Tom Cruise traveled through the town. The Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture remains intact, and you visit preserved garden houses, temples and museums like the Chinese Wine Museum and Bouton Museum based on your own interests. Lunch or dinner happens at a local restaurant of your choice.

The day concludes with a transfer back to your hotel or a drop-off in downtown Shanghai. Because the tour is private (just you, your guide and driver), the pace and stops adjust to what interests you most, and there's no waiting for other groups to catch up.

What’s included

• Driver and comfortable vehicle.
• English-speaking guide.
• Xitang entrance fee.
• gondola ride through Fengjing's canals.
• hotel pickup and return transport to your hotel or downtown Shanghai.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day10 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 13:30

AgesAdult (7 to 88 years) · Child (3 to 6 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sunny Private Tours

Is this one for you?At 7 to 8 hours, the tour fits a full day but leaves your evening free if you want to explore Shanghai's restaurants or neighborhoods afterward. The private format means you set the pace at each water town and skip any stop that doesn't interest you, so you're not locked into a fixed itinerary.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 6 years); Infant (under 3).

What exactly is Fengjing Ancient Town and why is it worth visiting?

Fengjing is a 1,500-year-old water town ranked among China's top four and one of the best-preserved. You walk streets lined with old residences and stone bridges, explore local street markets, and take a gondola ride along the canals to see how the town sits on the water and learn about its history and customs from your guide.

Can I see the Mission Impossible III filming locations in Xitang?

Yes. Xitang is where Mission Impossible III was filmed, and you walk the old canal streets following the route Tom Cruise traveled through the town. The Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture you see is the same backdrop used in the movie.

How long is the gondola ride and what does it cost?

The gondola ride is included as part of the Fengjing portion of the tour and gives you a relaxing way to see the canals and old architecture from the water. The ride is not priced separately. It's part of the full day experience.

Is lunch included, and can I choose where to eat?

Lunch or dinner happens at a local restaurant, and you choose which one based on your preferences. The meal itself is not included in the tour price.

What time does the tour end and how do I get back to my hotel?

The tour runs 7 to 8 hours total. At the end, your driver returns you to your hotel or drops you at a downtown Shanghai location you choose, so you're not arranging separate transport home.