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About Your Trip

Start a dream-like trip in China’s old Jiangnan area - where old water towns tell stories of long past times, bright gardens grow, and new cities shine bright. Move through Zhouzhuang’s bright canals on a small boat, known as the “East Venice” for its old bridges and stone paths. Look at Hangzhou’s West Lake, a world-known place with soft mist, where you can see the “Hangzhou, Living Poetry” show that left world leaders in awe. In Suzhou, get lost in the Humble Administrator’s Garden, a place from the 1500s with buildings and water ponds that show the beauty of old Chinese gardens. Then, speed to the future on Shanghai’s fast train, drink tea in a Hangzhou tea farm, and see the bright city from the high Oriental Pearl Tower. Stay in places like the Four Seasons Hangzhou and enjoy this trip with no stops for shopping. It mixes comfort, culture, and calm travel—great for those who love old cities and new sights. Ready to paint your own Jiangnan masterpiece via this route?

Tour Highlights

1
Cruise Zhouzhuang’s moonlit canals on a velvet-seat gondola
2
VIP seats for G20-era “Hangzhou, Living Poetry” water spectacle
3
Race at 430 km/h on Shanghai’s sci-fi Maglev Train
4
Savor Longjing tea in misty tea plantations of Hangzhou
5
Capture Huangpu River’s golden glow from Oriental Pearl Tower
6
Unwind in Four Seasons’ Grand Canal-view suite in Hangzhou
7
Decode Song Dynasty secrets in virtual “Riverside Scene” scroll

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1
Shanghai Arrival and Maglev Thrills
Arrive at the Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) at 3:00 PM to transfer to a group. Ride the Maglev Train, which rockets to the Longyang Road Station at an amazing speed of 430 km/h, which is a Guinness-recorded ride! Stay at the Westin Bund Center, Shanghai,
Day 2
Shanghai’s Past & Future Collide
Stroll through the China Pavilion at Expo Park and watch a depiction of the digital Riverside Scene Along the Qingming Festival Scroll as a backdrop of 12th-century street scenes are brought to life by a 128-meter-long screen. The French Concession lunch
Day 3
Zhouzhuang Water Town & Suzhou Gardens
One and a half hour drive to Zhouzhuang, the best preserved water town in China. Paddle beneath Ming dynasty bridges on a gondola ride, then lunch on “Wansan Pork Knuckle.” Take a 1-hour drive to Suzhou to stroll around the Humble Administrator’s Garden,
Day 4
Silks of Secrets & Tiger Hill Pagoda
Observe silk weaving employing jacquard methods at a Suzhou silk mill. Climb Tiger Hill (70 RMB) to see the 1,000-year-old tilting Leaning Pagoda — China’s take on Pisa! Have a lunch along one of the lakes, then drive 2 hours to Wuzhen. Check in at the Di
Day 5
Wuzhen’s Two Charms & Hangzhou Transfer
Explore Wuzhen’s East Scenic Area in the morning: photograph wooden looms at Indigo Fabric Workshop and enjoy chrysanthemum tea at a Qing-dynasty teahouse. Enjoy a “floating afternoon tea” onboard a special boat cruising through stone archways. Drive 1.5
Day 6
West Lake Poetry & Longjing Tea
Pedal a boat ride (35 RMB) across West Lake to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon islet. Pedal bicycle ride along Su Causeway — lined with weeping willows and peach blossoms — then visit 1,700-year-old Buddhist temple of Lingyin Temple. Lunch can taste “West
Day 7
Bridges of Shaoxing & Huangpu Back
Drive to Shaoxing (1 hour), China’s “Bridge Capital” (10,610 ancient bridges!). Take photos of Lu Xun’s Hometown’s black-canopied boats and drink aged yellow rice wine. Go back to Shanghai (3 hours) after lunch. Free evening: return to the Bund or explore
Day 8
Art Deco of Shanghai
Discover Yu Garden’s Ming-dynasty rockeries and the City God Temple Bazaar. Join a hands-on soup dumpling class: 18-pleat xiaolongbao by hand. Afternoon off: look at propaganda posters in M50 Art District or old cheongsams in Fumin Road.
Day 9
Departure
Group transfer to PVG/SHA airports by 10:00 am, or remain behind with independent exploration using Shanghai Sightseeing Bus tickets.

What‘s Included

8 nights’ luxury accommodations

Transportation: Private coach + Maglev tickets + Huangpu cruise + boat on West Lake

Guided activities: Mandarin/English bilingual guides + tea master workshop + visit to silk factory

Admission fees: Zhouzhuang, Humble Administrator’s Garden, Tiger Hill, Yu Garden, islands on West Lake

Breakfast daily + 7 dinners

Special activities

Convenience amenities such as Airport transfers

Digital toolkit: Offline maps + audio guides for Shanghai Museum/China Pavilion

What‘s Not Included

International airfare to/from Shanghai

3 lunches + own meals

Optional premiums

China visa cost if outside of the 240-hour visa-free country

up to $699 off limited spots
From
US$610
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