Cities Near Shanghai
Cities near Shanghai, China: 10 notable destinations within day-trip and weekend range, including Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing. Compare distance, drive time and flight time, with day-trip and getaway ideas.
The closest notable city to Shanghai, China is Suzhou, about 51 mi (83 km) away — roughly 1 hr 32 min by road. Below, 10 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SuzhouClassical gardens and canals | 51 mi / 83 km | 1 hr 32 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| HangzhouWest Lake scenery | 100 mi / 161 km | 2 hr 20 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| NanjingMing walls and imperial history | 168 mi / 270 km | 3 hr 54 min | 49 min | Weekend getaway |
| WuxiLake Tai and gardens | 73 mi / 118 km | 1 hr 42 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| NingboPort city and old temples | 93 mi / 150 km | 2 hr 10 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Zhujiajiao | 25 mi / 40 km | 48 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Kunshan | 32 mi / 51 km | 57 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Jiashan | 41 mi / 66 km | 1 hr 13 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Huilong | 42 mi / 68 km | 1 hr 16 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Changshu City | 51 mi / 83 km | 1 hr 32 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
Day trips from Shanghai
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Suzhou, Wuxi, Ningbo, Zhujiajiao, Kunshan. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Weekend getaways from Shanghai
Far enough for a change of scene but still an easy hop: Hangzhou, Nanjing. Worth an overnight or a full weekend.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near Shanghai include Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Wuxi, Ningbo. The closest is Suzhou, about 51 miles (83 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.