Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shanghai Arrival (no meal)

   Upon your arrival at Shanghai Pudong/Hongqiao Airport, our local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and then transfer to downtown hotel for checking-in. Free and easy on your arrangement for rest of the day (no guide service).

   Accommodation:Hotel in Shanghai

2. Day 2: Shanghai
   Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Garden, Yuyuan Market, Former French Concession, Shanghai World Financial Center, Nanjing Road, the Bund (Breakfast, Lunch)

   AM: Shanghai is an intoxicating hybrid of ancient China and a prosperous modern metropolis. Today, your exploration begins with the Shanghai Museum at People’s Square (closed on each Monday). Established in 1952, the Shanghai Museum has a collection of more than 120,00 rare cultural pieces from the Old Stone Age to modern times.

   After that, move on to the beautiful Yuyuan Garden. Yuyuan Garden is a masterpiece of classical gardens and a must-visit place in Shanghai. There are over 40 scenic spots scattered in the garden. While you navigate the garden at the company of your tour guide, you will understand more about profound traditional Chinese culture fully embodied in every nook and cranny of the garden.

   After visiting the pretty Yuyuan Garden, you will wander around the lively Yuyuan Market. You can get everything here from traditional Chinese crafts like chopsticks, fans, and pottery to local delicacies such as steamed buns, crab shell cake, and pork chop with rice cakes. Don’t forget to haggle for a better price.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   

   PM: Next, we will visit Former French Concession, the largest and most prosperous concession among all the four French concessions in old China. From 1849 to 1943, this area was ruled by France for almost a century. Here your tour guide will reveal a history of humiliation for you. You will see many old beautiful European style buildings which look very charming hidden in the shade of French parasol trees.

   Later, you will go to tick off Shanghai World Financial Center, a tall skyscraper in Pudong New Area. It boasts a total of 104 floors with 3 floors under the ground and 101 floors above the ground, among which Floor 94, 97 and 100 serves as sightseeing halls. You will have chance to see for yourself and go up to the 100th floor to have a marvelous panoramic view of the Huangpu River. Walking on the 55-meter long transparent sightseeing corridor will be an exciting experience.

   Nanjing Road is the earliest shopping street in Shanghai. Your tour guide will point out the four time-honored department stores, Yong’an Company, Xianshi Company, Xinxin Company and Daxin Company, from which you can get a bit history of this commercial street. If you want to try some delicious food, the street definitely will not disappoint you.

   The last stop is the Bund, which is one of the most sought-after places in Shanghai because of its historic significance and impressive view. Some Chinese couples even choose the Bund to take their wedding photos. You will love walking along the waterfront, watching the ships passing, and appreciating the old colonial buildings.

   

   Optional night activity: 

   Option A: Attend an entertaining Acrobatic Show, which one of the best theaters in China. You will definitely be amazed by the perfect balance and agility of the daring acrobats and wonder how they manage to control their body so well.

   Option B: Take a relaxing Huangpu River night cruise to enjoy the spectacular scenery on the bank. Huangpu River separates Shanghai into two parts, Pudong and Puxi. Cruising on the river will give you an unparalleled view of the city’s skyline and an unforgettable traveling experience.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Shanghai

3. Day 3: Shanghai – Suzhou by High Speed Train
   Lingering Garden, Shantang Ancient Street, Tiger Hill (Breakfast, Lunch)

   AM: Today you will take the morning high speed train from Shanghai to Suzhou. Upon arrival, meet with our local tour guide, then start the full day tour in Suzhou.

   The first stop in Suzhou is Lingering Garden, it is one of the four most famous gardens in China with a history of over 400 years. The garden is also a UNESCO World Heritage site attracting numerous visitors every year. You can wander around the garden to appreciate the exquisite architectural art and soak up the elegant and relaxing atmosphere.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After that, you will move on to the Shantang Ancient Street. It used to be an important trade and culture center during Ming and Qing Dynasties, and now is famous as “the miniature of old Suzhou and the window of Wu culture”. You can enjoy the ornate water-town style architectures, marvel at the bustling streets and savor at local snacks.

   Later, heading to the Tiger Hill, which combines beautiful natural scenery and centuries-old historical and cultural sites. Your knowledgeable tour guide will tell you some old stories about the place and show you around the scenic spots such as Sword Pond, Yunyansi Pagoda, Broken-beam Hall, Zhenniang Tomb, and Yongcui Villa. It is the highlight cultural and natural scenery in Suzhou.

   The last stop in Suzhou is Suzhou No. 1 Silk Factory, where you could not only see how the silk is processed from worm to the final product, but also learn some history and culture of silk in China.

   After the tour finished, transfer to Suzhou downtown hotel for checking-in.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Suzhou

   

4. Day 4: Suzhou - Hangzhou by High Speed Train
   Lingyin temple, Feilai Peak, Meijiawu Tea Village (Breakfast, Lunch)

   AM: Take the morning high speed train from Suzhou to Hangzhou, meet with our local tour guide, then start the full day tour in Hangzhou.

   Today you will visit the 1,700-year-old Lingyin temple, one of the most significant Buddhist temples in China. Surrounded by spectacular limestone mountains and many old trees, the temple is very serene. You will follow your tour guide to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and explore the cultural relics. You may also spot squirrels jumping up and down in the trees.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Next you will go to Feilai Peak which stands just in front of Lingyin Temple. The peak composed of pure limestone differs greatly from the surrounding mountains. You will amaze yourself at the grotesque stones scattered everywhere, feel the charm of Buddhist art, and appreciate the vivid stone statues.

   Meijiawu Tea Village with a history of 600 years is well known for producing high-quality Longjing tea. Here you will see layers and layers of green tea trees all over the mountains, have chance to taste authentic Longjing tea, and learn more about Chinese tea culture. In spring, visitors even can learn to pick up the tea leaves from the local villagers.

   After the tour finished, transfer to Hangzhou downtown hotel for checking-in.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Hangzhou

   

5. Day 5: Hangzhou Departure
   West Lake, Leifeng Pagoda, Hefang Street, Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Breakfast, Lunch)

   AM: Today’s first stop is West Lake. It is a symbol of the beautiful city Hangzhou. The lake is famous throughout the country not only for its extraordinary landscape but also for the historical relics. Since ancient times, plenty of poets fell for its natural beauty and described its picturesque scenery in their poems. You can leisurely stroll around the lake while chatting with your tour guide.

   Next, you will move on to the Leifeng Pagoda, standing on Sunset Hill south of the West Lake, was originally built in the year of 975 during Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. It collapsed in 1924 because of disrepair and was rebuilt in 2002. There is a moving love story concerning the pagoda between a white snake called Bai Suzhen and a man named Xu Xian.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, you will be escorted to visit the Hefang Street. It is an ancient street with a long history and profound culture. Walking on the old cobbled street lined with stores selling local snacks, interesting handicrafts, tea leaves, etc., you can appreciate the buildings dating back hundreds of years, do people watching, and find some nice souvenirs to bring back home.

   The last stop in Hangzhou is a fascinating place to learn something about traditional Chinese medicine. Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Hu Qing Yu Tang) was built based on a 19th century Qing Dynasty building owned by a rich businessman, Hu Xueyan. And there is still a working traditional pharmacy inside. Here you can watch staff prepare various medicines and travel back in time to see the way that ancient Chinese people treated an illness.

   After the tour finished, our guide and driver will escort you to the airport or train station for your departure.