8 days East China Culture Tour
- Trip Highlights: In old Chinese sayings, Suzhou and Hangzhou are on par with heaven for its natural beauty and wealth generated from producing the world famous Chinese silk and embroidery, as well as the Dragon Well Tea, which is regarded as the best of all China's green teas. The linked rivers and lakes in the region fostered the area's unique artistic culture and lifestyle. You will be amazed by the harmonious garden cities and tranquil water towns on this tour.
- Tour Route: Shanghai (Cosmopolitan Metropolis)
Zhouzhuang (Ancient Water Town)Suzhou (Classical Gardens)Hangzhou (Paradise on Earth)
- Tour Code: COT-P113
- Dates: No fixed departure dates. You may go whenever you wish.
- Starts/Ends: Shanghai/Shanghai
- Trip Type: Culture and History Journey
- Activity Level: Regular itinerary, Moderate walking
- Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
- Special Experiences:
- Tour dynamic Shanghai and enjoy the world-famous acrobatic show
- Unwind at ancient water town and picturesque traditional gardens, and submerge yourself in the perfect blending of artistic design and natural beauty
- Discover how magically the gorgeous silk embroideries are transformed from silkworm cocoons in a silk factory
- Visit Hangzhou Tea Plantation and learn about Chinese tea culture
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Shanghai
Transfer via: International flight arranged by you
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown 
Upon your arrival at Shanghai airport, China's most cosmopolitan city, your personal guide will meet you with a welcome sign and escort you to your hotel. Your guide will confirm your "East China Water Tour" itinerary with you and be glad to introduce some good local restaurants near your hotel, where you will be free to have a small adventure by trying China's traditional cuisine on your own. The rest of the day you will be yours to rest and adjust to the time zone difference before you begin exploring the ancient and cosmopolitan city of Shanghai the next day.
Day 2 Shanghai (B,L)
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown
Sites visited: Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, Yu Garden, Yuyuan Market, Jade Buddha Temple
Unique Cultural Performance: Acrobatic Show
Shanghai can be called a "Museum" of China's modern history. Today you will first visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall and have a glimpse of not only how Shanghai looked in the past, but also how Shanghai will look like in the future. In the afternoon, you will continue to explore the Yu Garden, Yuyuan Market and the Jade Buddha Temple. You will enjoy an unforgettable Acrobatic Show tonight.
At the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall you will find out the future of ambitious Shanghai.
Yuyuan Market is a bazaar of stores that sells a lot of traditional Chinese stuffs, as well as snacks.
Day 3 Shanghai (B)
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown
On this day your schedule is totally up to you. You could head out into the city on your own to have your own adventure. You could explore Shanghai city all by yourself.
Day 4 Shanghai / Zhouzhuang / Suzhou (B,L)
Transfer via: Private car arranged by us
Accommodations: Bamboo Grove Hotel
Sites visited: Ancient Memorial Archway, Zhouzhuang, Quanfu Temple, Hall of Shen's Residence, Twin Bridge
In the morning after breakfast, you will be taken to Zhouzhuang (Zhou's Village) located 30km away from Suzhou. There you will pay a visit to the Ancient Memorial Archway, Quanfu Temple, the Shen's Residence Hall and the Twin Bridge. Overnight you will be driven to Suzhou.
Day 5 Suzhou / Hangzhou (B,L)
Transfer via: Train (soft-seat) arranged by us
Accommodations: Wanghu Hotel
Sites visited: The Grand Canal, The No.1 Silk Factory, Lingering Garden, Pan Gate
Your tour in Suzhou includes: the quiet Lingering Garden and the Pan Gate. Enjoy the gentle breeze while cruise on the Grand Canal. Later visit the No.1 Silk Factory to learn how the pure silk products are made from a small cocoon. After your tour in Suzhou, you will take a train to Hangzhou (about 3.5 hours). Upon your arrival in Hangzhou, you will be met by your guide, and escorted back to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to refresh.
Zhouzhuang is an artistic ancient water town featuring water lanes and traditional dwelling houses in black and white.
Pen Gate is the water gate of the Suzhou city wall system. It is deliberately designed to guard the water way, the Grand Canal, crossing the city
Day 6 Hangzhou (B,L)
Accommodations: Wanghu Hotel
Sites visited: West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Feilai Peak (Peak Flying From Afar), Dragon Well Tea Plantation, Six Harmonies Pagoda
Your visit to beautiful Hangzhou will be an unforgettable one. On this day you will include a visit to Hangzhou's famous West Lake by boat, Lingyin Temple, Feilai Peak, world renowned Dragon Well Tea Plantation and the Six Harmonies Pagoda.
Day 7 Hangzhou / Shanghai (B)
Transfer via: Train (soft-seat) arranged by us
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown
Sites visited: Nanjing Road, The Bund
After breakfast, you will be met by your guide, and escorted to the train station for your train back to Shanghai (1.5 hours). Upon your arrival, you will be met by your guide, and escorted to your hotel. In the evening you would stroll around the Bund, and enjoy shopping on Shanghai's famous Nanjing Road.
When in Hangzhou, grab a few packet of Dragon Well tea, once served as a tribute to the court.
If you want to witness the spirit of Shanghai, take a walk down the area called the Bund.
Day 8 Shanghai / Final departure (B)
Transfer via: International flight arranged by you
Say good-bye to your memorable East China Water Tour and be transferred to the airport for your flight to your next destination.
Price & Included Features
- China domestic flights as specified in the itinerary
- Accommodations: for 7 nights at four star hotels in comfortable twin-bedded rooms with a private bath, air-conditioning, television, telephone and minibar.
- 11 meals: 7 full breakfasts, 4 lunches and 0 dinners
- 1 unique cultural performance-- Acrobatic Show
- Round-trip transfers between airports, hotels, and scenic spots in each city by private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced licensed drivers
- A local English-speaking guide in each city
- Entrance fees to all scenic spots listed in the itinerary
- Luggage transfers between airports and hotels
- China Life Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance
- Government taxes and service charges except tips for tour guides and drivers
Accommodation
Shanghai - Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown
The Four-star Holiday Inn Shanghai is strategically located with easy accessibility to shopping and tourist attractions. Combining a central location with excellent service and facilities, the Holiday Inn Downtown Shanghai is an ideal choice for visitors to Shanghai. Detail
The hotel features non-smoking rooms and each room has individually controlled air conditioning, television, internet access, trouser press, iron, and hair dryer. The hotel also offers its guests room service, morning wake-up calls, a boutique, car rental, dry cleaning, and laundry. Detail
The Wanghu Hotel is a four-star commercial hotel conveniently located just a few steps away from beautiful West Lake. In the downtown area and with the good view of the West Lake, the hotel is only 10 minutes' drive to the railway station and 30 minutes' drive to the airport. Detail
The Wanghu Hotel is a four-star commercial hotel conveniently located just a few steps away from beautiful West Lake. In the downtown area and with the good view of the West Lake, the hotel is only 10 minutes' drive to the railway station and 30 minutes' drive to the airport.
Meals
Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary. Meal codes are: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.
Breakfast - Each breakfast will be served in your hotel. Breakfast selections include both Chinese and Western dishes to meet every diner's taste.
Lunch - Lunches are normally arranged at the Chinese restaurants near the scenic spots. Your tour guides will order food according to your appetite. Most are Chinese dishes, and some are modified to fit westerners' tastes. A complimentary glass of beer or soft drink is served with lunch.
Dinner - Same as lunch. If you prefer to not eat Chinese food, China Odyssey Tours suggests you have dinner on your own. Your local tour guide can recommend some good western restaurants in the area.
Transfer and Transport Service
China Odyssey Tours has received wide recognition for its transfer service. With our on-time service, you will never feel alone while traveling through China. We work hard to live up to the slogan's promise "You are not alone in China".
With our private small group tours, you can feel safe in the knowledge that you will enjoy flexible tour arrangements and you will have your own tour guide, car and driver in each destination, exclusive to your own group of friends or family.
