5 days Shanghai to Suzhou tour with Tongli Water Town exploration
Itinerary
Cross from Shanghai to Suzhou, with this five day tour combining the 'oriental' modern with the ‘classical’ Chinese city. During your stay in Shanghai, you will see this city's past, present and future. Upon reaching Suzhou’s classical gardens see Chinese superb architectural skills, in the masterful gardens. An afternoon visit to Tongli water town will impress you with its tranquil and gentle feel.
Upon your arrival at Shanghai, you will be greeted by your local guide and driver. They will assist you to check in at the hotel. You can choose to rest, chat with your guide or begin to explore Shanghai on your own.
Start the day by visiting a beautiful city garden. Yuyuan Garden or commonly called Yu Garden. An architectural masterpiece in the south Yangtze River region. Along with the garden you will find the City God Temple market, in the ancient times, the temple was a popular worship and trading spot. Today you can see Taoist monks and hundreds of thousands of Shanghai visitors in this large pedestrian zone.
Here you can buy some special souvenirs at modest prices, that you may find difficult to find in other cities. A ten-minute drive will get you to the Shanghai Urban Planning Hall. Upon arrival, you can view photographs and videos of Shanghai's past; along with large city models showing the future blueprint. You will be shocked by the numerous skyscrapers in the works.
Enjoy some traditional Shanghai food for lunch before driving to the Shanghai Tower. Before what you had only seen from a distance will now be at the tip of your toes. Lookout and see the modern skyscrapers. Although many may appear small when standing atop one of the tallest building in the world, there not. A great place to grab a family portrait.
Cross the Huangpu River and arrive at the busiest street in China! Nanjing road, full of street vendors, and famous international brands. Nanjing road intersects the Bund and is a great viewing point of the Huangpu River at night. After you can choose to dine at one of the nearby restaurants or board a dinner cruise. No matter your plans your guide will assist in securing any necessary tickets and ensuring your return safely to your hotel.
Depart Shanghai in the morning, in a private car for a one hour drive to Suzhou, often called the Venice of China. During your first of two days here visit several key Suzhou gardens and attractions which are famous all over China. Among the four classical gardens known in China, two of them can be found in Suzhou; the Humble Administrator and Linger Garden. You will have a chance to see both with your own eyes and try to discover the differences between each.
After enjoying some delicious local delicacies, stand on the deck and cruise on the Grand Canal. This man-made canal has been the major waterway connecting the south and north China for centuries. View the beautiful scenery on the bank as you float upstream.
Spend the night comfortably in Suzhou to enjoy the night-time culture.
While you may ask, how many gardens are there in Suzhou the answer is countless. So end your stay in Suzhou the way it began with a visit to the Master of Nets Garden. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers amazing scenery and a striking feature of this garden is the limited space. A masterpiece in Chinese landscaping.
Head south about a half-hour drive and reach Tongli water town. In Tongli the waterway is the main transportation. For this reason, Tongli is void of war and well-reserved. When you set foot on this land, you will feel time never changes at this place. Late afternoon, drive back to Shanghai to spend the night.
After breakfast, your guide and driver will ensure you reach the correct airport or train station. There are many in Shanghai. Relax and know WindhorseTour has your back, Your China Awaits!