Shanghai & the Garden Cities

Today’s sightseeing will start with a visit to the Shanghai Museum, featuring ancient Chinese art. The abundance and quality of the artworks, including bronzes, china ware, paintings and calligraphy, have attracted the appreciation of both domestic and overseas visitors. Later, we will set off for the Yu Garden which used to be a private garden during the Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644). The elegant and classical garden landscape is worthy of admiration.

In the afternoon, we will go to the Shanghai World Financial Center, which is the second tallest skyscraper in Shanghai, with a total height of 492 meters (1614 feet). From the sightseeing observatory on 97F, we can overlook the entire city. Later, the guide will lead us to explore Tianzifang Art Street. Wandering through the old lanes, a good way to relax in this bustling city, we will see many featured lane houses, art galleries, shops and cafes.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

After having breakfast at your hotel, you will be escorted to Shanghai railway station for a half-hour high speed train trip to Suzhou. Upon your arrival, our Suzhou guide will pick you up from the railway station and take you to the hotel for a short rest. Then we will drive to visit Tongli Water Town. Surrounded by rivers and lush greenery, the old town has more than 1,000 years of history. The well-preserved historical sites well-preserved there create a unique cultural atmosphere.

We will then visit Suzhou's old town area. It was once the cultural center of southern China and boasts beautiful natural scenery, abundant natural resources and brilliant history. We will tour around the town by tricycle. We will also pay a visit to one of the four most famous gardens in China, Lingering Garden, which features exquisitely arranged garden architecture and numerous distinctly shaped rock features.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

In the early morning, the guide will send you to Suzhou railway station for the bullet train to Hangzhou. It will take about 2 hours. On arrival, our local guide in Hangzhou will transfer you to the hotel. After a short break, we will visit Meijiawu Tea Village where we will learn and experience Chinese tea culture. We will have a chance to pick tea leaves and enjoy a delicious lunch with special tea snacks at the village.

After that, we will go to Lingyin Temple, a tranquil temple with magnificent Buddhist architecture and enchanting natural views. It was first built in 326 AD and has a history of more than 1,600 years.Then, we will go sightseeing around West Lake by boat. The beautiful landscape of the lake has inspired a great group of ancient writers and poets. They have created many poems, articles and legends in admiration of the lake’s unfailing charm.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

At the end of the trip, our guide will accompany you to the airport and see you off. Thanks for your trust. We hope you have a wonderful experience during the journey.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast