It is suggested that you firstly go to Hangzhou is further to Shanghai than Suzhou. At Shanghai South Railway Station, you could take a bullet train to reach Hangzhou in 2 hours in the early morning. Please purchase the train ticket at least one day in advance. When you arrive in Hangzhou, please hire a cab driving you to the West Lake. Well, it is suggested that you stay one night in Hangzhou and then leave for Suzhou the next morning. So, you will have more time to enjoy this city's beauties.

On the next morning, please hire a cab driving you to Hangzhou East Bus Station or Hangzhou North Bus Station, where you could catch a coach to reach Suzhou in 2.5 hours. Then, go to visit the Suzhou Garden. At late afternoon, you could catch an express train back to Shanghai from Suzhou Railway Station.

A tips, you could purchase the train tickets from Suzhou to Shanghai in advance at Shanghai railway stations, too. And, please avoid the weekend when the tickets are needed urgently.