Escape in Poetic Chinese Watertown
Are you itching to discover Chinese watertown culture and traditions? Here’s the one week getaway vacation in China specially crafted to balance culture, relaxation and real life experience. Explore Shanghai for its high-rises, colonial buildings and old streets and corners, and Hangzhou and Suzhou that offer immersing watertown cultural discovery and in-depth classical garden visits. Call us right now and escape to a poetic world in East China.
CCT Advantages:
- 1. Discover the uniqueness and diversity of Shanghai on a cool motorcycle sidecar tour;
- 2. Escape to Hangzhou, a beautiful and livable city, unwinding and admiring the West Lake;
- 3. Cruise Nanxun Watertown - its traditional dwellings and waterways are in poetic harmony;
- 4. Delve into the cultural traditions of China by making writing brushes, painting on hand-made oil-pater umbrella and participating in a watertown wedding;
- 5. Wander through the sophisticated and elegant layout of Lingering Garden and Humble Administrator Garden;
- 6. Enjoy fast, comfortable high speed train journeys among Shanghai Hanghzou and Suzhou, each is within 2 hours.
7 Days China Water Town Tour to Shanghai Hangzhou and Suzhou
Day 1, Shanghai Arrival
Meals: No Meals
Fly into Shanghai. One of the busiest and shiniest cities on the planet, Shanghai features charming traditions and many old structures hidden under skyscrapers. Meet with the exclusive guide and driver for you for an airport to hotel transfer. Enjoy yourself the wonderful night life of Shanghai.
Recommended hotels:
- Shanghai luxury hotels: Peace Hotel, Les Suites Orient Bund, Peninsula or similar
- Shanghai boutique hotels: Hotel Indigo on the Bund, The Yangtze Boutique or similar
Day 2, Shanghai Sidecar Ride, the Bund, Shanghai Museum
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, wander through the boardwalk of the Bund to view the striking colonial architectures – used to be banks, hotels and trade centers in the 19th Century. Be marveled by Pudong skyline when standing on Shanghai Tower, which has the highest observation deck in the world.
Hop on a vintage motorcycle side car, riding through the once French Concession lined with greenery to witness the 19th-century churches, libraries and retro European residential houses and villas. Then thrust into the old town of Shanghai to see the elder Shanghainese living traditional relaxing life on Nongtang lanes.
Thereafter admire the surprising rich collection of cultural and artistic treasures in Shanghai Museum, from the pre-historic bronze wares, Song Dynasty paintings & calligraphies to Qing Dynasty ceramics and furniture.
After dinner, enjoy a magical acrobatics show that integrates tricks and dizzying effects (optional).
Day 3, Shanghai to Hangzhou Bullet Train, West Lake & Lingyin Temple
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Move from Shanghai to Hangzhou.
One of the most famous cultural sights in China, West Lake is more than just a scenic lake. It is a carrier of Hangzhou history and culture, showcased in the sites such as Su Causeway, Broken Bridge, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, etc. Embark a boat cruising West Lake to visit a lovely isle.
Then experience the Buddhist peace at Lingyin Temple. This more than 1600-year-old temple is hidden in the forests and considered as a retreat of immortals. Also admire the Buddhist grottoes of Peak Flown from Afar, where there are statues of Maitreya, Avalokitesvara, Eighteen Arhats, etc, carved on the cliff.
Participate in one of Hangzhou’s cultural activities – observing the traditional process of making hand-made oil-paper umbrella, and painting pictures you like on the umbrella. It is definitely a special Chinese souvenir to be taken home.
Recommended hotels:
- Hangzhou luxury hotels: Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale or similar
- Hangzhou boutique hotels: Tea Boutique Hotel or similar
Day 4, Nanxun Water Town – Rowing Boat Cruise & Cultural Immersion
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Thanks to the thriving shipping industry, Nanxun was a bustling commercial and trading town in the ancient times. Board a traditional wooden rowing boat to discover its many meticulously-preserved residents of celebrities. Watch a traditional wedding ceremony performance on water – the bride and groom are dressed in traditional wedding dress. Then learn from a local artisan to make Chinese writing brush – one of the four treasures of study. Also come to the Mansion of One Hundred Rooms to witness firsthand local people’s comfortable life.
Day 5, Suzhou Classical Gardens, Old Streets & Traditional Markets
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After the high speed journey from Hangzhou to Suzhou, pick up and drive to visit Panmen Gate, which for over 2500 years is the only existing structure that functions as the city gate of both waterway and land. There are also ancient tower, bridges, temple and garden to be explored here.
Visit an outstanding representative of classical Chinese garden – Lingering Garden, to discover its waterscape – the essence of the garden, as well as the peculiar rockeries, rural scenery and the calligraphy works on the corridors.
This is followed by a pedicab tour to ride through the old streets, lanes and traditional markets, and a leisurely stroll on Pingjiang Road, the most famous and best-preserved historical street in Suzhou.
Recommended hotels:
- Suzhou luxury hotels: The Marriott, Hyatt Regency, Garden Hotel or similar
- Suzhou boutique hotels: Tonino Lamborghini Hotel or similar
Day 6, Humble Administrator Garden, Suzhou to Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
If your interest lies in garden, this morning pay a visit to another masterpiece - Humble Administrator Garden. Delve into the garden culture and art with your expert guide. Then explore Suzhou Museum, of a uniquely elegant architectural style designed based on the garden layout. Discover the museum’s many treasures.
Take high speed train back to Shanghai, this afternoon, you can enjoy sightseeing of Shanghai on your own or set out for its shopping streets, like Nanjing Road, Xintiandi, Tianzifang, etc.
Day 7, Shanghai Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Be escorted to Shanghai Pudong International Airport and fly back home, or extend you trip to another destination in Asia.
