8D7N CHINA TRUE GEMS OF SUZHOU HANGZHOU & SHANGHAI

8D7N China True Gems of Suzhou Hangzhou & Shanghai Private Tour

Day 01 – ARRIVE SHANGHAI – SUZHOU
On arrival at Shanghai airport, transfer to the beautiful city of Suzhou in Jiangsu Province.  Apart from its rich cultural heritage and natural attractions, Suzhou is particularly known for its intricate network of waterways, canals, beautiful bridges and its charming ancient water towns.  No wonder that Suzhou often draws comparison to Venice and Amsterdam.

Day 02 – SUZHOU  [B]
Apart from its famed waterways, Suzhou is renowned for its classical gardens and among its more than 50 such gardens, 9 have collectively been recognised as UNESCO World Heritage sites.  Today, we will visit two of these World Heritage sites – The Lingering Garden and The Humble Adminstrator’s Garden, the two largest gardens in Suzhou, the latter being the largest.  As a trade, Suzhou has been a major silk production centre in China and we will visit the Suzhou Silk Museum to learn the history and progression of silk production from ancient techniques to modern innovations.  End the day at Pingjiang Street, a historic and charming pedestrian street lined with traditional houses, shops, cafes, restaurants and teahouses.   

Day 03 – SUZHOU  [B]
Enjoy a tour of Tongli Ancient Water Town, often referred to as the “Venice of the East”.  Well preserved and with a history dating back more than a millennium, it is currently on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.  Highlights and unique features in Tongli include its beautiful ancient architecture, classical Chinese gardens (one of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site), ancient temples, narrow alleys, 7 islands, 12 canals and 49 bridges (somewhat reminiscent of Venice?).  After Tongli, enjoy a tour of the Suzhou Grand Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for the historical sites – traditional villages and ancient architecture – and scenic landscapes along its route which stretches from Beijing in the north to Hangzhou in the south.  Noteworthy is the fact that construction of the canal began more than 2,500 years ago and it has since served as a conduit in facilitating trade and transportation within China. 

Day 04 – SUZHOU – HANGZHOU  [B]
Today, we leave Suzhou and head to Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province and one of the 7 ancient capitals of China.  Enjoy a tour of Hangzhou’s highly-iconic West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, regarded by many as one of the most beautiful lakes in China and famous for its natural beauty – surrounded by mountains on 3 sides – and being home to numerous temples, pagodas, pavilions, gardens and islands.  Go on a boat ride on the lake to appreciate the beauty of the lake from different perspectives and also to see the lake’s iconic landmarks, such as the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon and the Broken Bridge, up close and learn about their cultural significance.  Not far from West Lake is the historic Hefang Street, a well-preserved pedestrian street that provides a glimpse into the city’s history and cultural heritage.  Whether shopping, dining or merely sightseeing, you will surely enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of this charming street!

Day 05 – HANGZHOU  [B]
Today we will visit the Lingyin Feilai Scenic Area, a natural and cultural attraction renowned for its beautiful landscapes, temples and ancient rock carvings rooted in Buddhism and Taoism.  The most famous temple there is the Lingyin Temple with a long history of more than 1,700 years and its impressive architecture, ornate halls and courtyards are set against a beautiful backdrop of lush greenery and mountains.  It holds one of the largest statues of the Buddha Sakyamuni in the lotus position in China.  Feilai Peak is home to a number of grottoes many of which contain wall carvings of Buddhist statues and murals.  Moving on from the Lingyin Feilai Scenic Area, we will visit the picturesque Meijiawu Tea Village.  Hangzhou is the de facto tea capital of China where China’s best tea has been enjoyed – by even China’s emperors! – for more than a 1,000 years.  The Meijiawu Tea Village’s history dates back more than 600 years and you will get to learn about China’s tea culture and also to enjoy the famous Longjing tea.

Day 06 – HANGZHOU – SHANGHAI  [B]
Leaving Hangzhou, we head to Shanghai, China’s financial capital and a global city known for its modernity as much as its historical landmarks and cultural heritage.  The iconic Bund, a historic waterfront promenade along the Huangpu River lined with colonial-era buildings, is a great place to take a walk and appreciate Shanghai’s colonial history in addition to enjoying stunning views of Shanghai’s modern-era skyline of impressive skyscrapers including the iconic Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in China.  Other attractions in the city include (1) Yuyuan Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, (2) Tianzifang, the historic Old French Quarter, and, (3) Xintiandi, a vibrant and highly atmospheric F&B and entertainment district.  For shopping, there is Nanking Road, one of the world’s busiest shopping streets.

Day 07 – SHANGHAI  [B]
In the morning, we will head to the “Venice of Shanghai” – the highly-picturesque Zhujiajiao Water Town, an ancient town with a history dating back about 1,700 years ago renowned for its traditional courtyards, gardens, beautiful waterways, curved rock bridges, zigzag stone pathways and over 10,000 buildings from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing dynasties (1644-1911).  Small rivers shaded by willow trees and bridges over the river are just some of the charms of this well-preserved ancient water town.  In the afternoon, explore and enjoy more of Shanghai at your own leisure.

Day 08 – DEPART SHANGHAI  [B]
Free time until your transfer to Shanghai airport for your departure flight.

Whether you prefer the above itinerary “as-is” or have it customised, if you will indicate the start/end dates of your intended travel and provide your contact details, we will get in touch with you to discuss the itinerary on a no-obligations basis on your part.