6 Days Shanghai-Suzhou-Hangzhou Tour with Tongli Water Town

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 City Tour
   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 Shanghai 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 – Tongli – Suzhou Tour by Car
   Tongli Water Town, Lingering Garden, Shantang Ancient Street (Breakfast, Lunch)

   AM: After breakfast, drive for about 1 hour to Tongli Water Town. Tongli is an age-old but very well-preserved water town with a history of more than 1,000 years. Tongli water town is a wonderful place where you can experience traditional Chinese culture. You’ll pay a visit to the Tuisi Yuan, Pearl Pagoda, Triple Bridge, Ming and Qing Dynasty Street, etc.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   

   PM: Then drive for about half an hour to Suzhou, continue visit the 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.

   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.

   Then move on to the 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 to Hangzhou Tour by Car
   West Lake, Lingyin temple, Feilai Peak (Breakfast, Lunch)

   AM: Drive to Hangzhou in the morning. Your tour in Hangzhou begins with the 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.

   Then move on to 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 Hanghzou

   

5. Day 5: Hangzhou to Shanghai Tour by Car
   Six Harmonies Pagoda, Hefang Street (Breakfast, Lunch)

   AM: After breakfast, go to a visit representative ancient pavilion-style tower in China-Six Harmonies Pagoda standing on the west bank of the West Lake. It is one of the three renowned pagodas in Hangzhou.

   Next, we will move on to 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.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Then drive for about 2-5 – 3 hours back to Shanghai, transfer to hotel and checking-in.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Shanghai

   

6. Day 6: Shanghai Departure
   Jade Buddha Temple, Tianzifang (Breakfast, Lunch)

   AM: In the morning, go to visit the Jade Buddha Temple. It is an oasis in the heart of Shanghai. You will have chance to admire the exceptional jade Buddha statue that a monk named Huigen brought back from Burma in 1882 and can pray for blessing for yourself and your family. Please note that it is not allowed to take photos of the jade Buddha. The temple is aesthetically beautiful and you can just roam around with the smell of incense in your nostrils.

   Next, move on to the Tianzifang, which is a nice place to find different faces of Shanghai. Here you can appreciate the old Shikumen buildings and have a glimpse of the daily life of local people that still live in the narrow lane; you can explore some quaint shops to get interesting handicrafts, stop at a café to have a cup of coffee, and try some mouth-watering local snacks.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   After lunch, our driver will escort you to the airport/train station/cruise port for your departure. End of your 6 Days Shanghai-Suzhou-Hangzhou Tour.

   Friendly Tips: If you depart from Shanghai Pudong Airport, you can optionally take the Shanghai Maglev Train from Shanghai down town area directly to the Airport.