10-Day Instagram-Worthy Best of Eastern China Tour

10-Day Instagram-Worthy Best of Eastern China Tour Highlights

Price Per Person: Available upon request

Notes:

Day 1 Arrival at Shanghai

Meals included: N/A

Accommodation:

Shanghai Narada Boutique Hotel on The Bund**** or similar class

 Welcome to eastern China, one of the most developed regions in China, which consists of a dozen of beautiful cities. In this amazing 10-day tour, you will expect to see incredible city views, a world-famous grand canal, the charming West Lake, well-preserved and beautiful private gardens, an ancient water town, Yuantouzhu Park and Lingshan Giant Buddha in Wuxi, massive ancient city wall and former Presidential Palace in Nanjing. Also, you will have the chance to taste the local delicious and exquisite food.

Upon arrival, our local experienced tour guide and driver will hold a pick-up sign with your name and meet with you at the Arrival Hall of Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Then be transferred to your hotel in the downtown core. The rest of the day, you are free to explore at your leisure. You will stay in Shanghai for 2 nights.

Day 2 Shanghai

Meals included: Buffet breakfast, Lunch at Xiangqiangfang Restaurant.

Accommodation:

Shanghai Narada Boutique Hotel on The Bund**** or similar class

This morning, you will start your full-day tour to explore the metropolis. Firstly visit the People Square which is the city center of Shanghai. Then walk to the nearby Shanghai Museum, one of the TOP 3 museums in China, which features the large collection of bronze artifacts. After, stroll around the famous Nanjing Road which is considered to the most popular pedestrian street in Shanghai.

Lunch will be authentic Shanghai cuisine at the famous Xiangqiangfang Restaurant.

This afternoon, drive along the famous Former French Concession, which is lined with trees and European-style architecture. Continue on to visit the famous Jade Buddha Temple where you will see the graceful reclining Jade Buddha. After that, visit the famous Yu Garden which is the most famous private garden in Shanghai built in 1559 A.D. It is renowned as the “Stunning Pearl” of Shanghai. Stroll around the nearby bustling Yuyuan Bazaar where you can do some shopping. You will also taste the delicious street food-Long Xiang Baozi (steamed stuffed-bun). The last stop is the romantic Bund which is a famous waterfront district with 52 various buildings of different architectural styles. You can enjoy the beautiful skyline of the city.

Day 3 Shanghai-Hangzhou (by bullet train)

Meals included: Buffet breakfast

Accommodation:

Deefly Lake View Hotel **** or similar class

This morning, continue on your trip to visit the new city landmark-Shanghai Tower. With a total height of 580 meters, it is considered to be the tallest building in China. It was officially opened to the public on April 26, 2017. You will take a high-speed elevator up to the 118th floor, 546m high, Observation Hall where you will have a 360-degree birds-eye view of Shanghai’s renowned buildings,  and ever-changing skyline. After that, drive around Lujiazui Financial Zone which is considered to be the “Wall Street of China” as many international banks and financial organizations are gathered here. The last stop in Shanghai is the new spotlight, Old Millfun. As the largest old millfun in Asia built in the 1930s, the historical building was converted into a gathering place for the creative industry. Now it is occupied by an art studio, restaurant, and trendy stores. It also holds a  theatre, fashion show, etc.

After that, drive to the railway station for the departing train to the romantic city of Hangzhou. Once there, be picked up and transfer to the hotel. After check-in, you can have a leisurely walk around the nearby West Lake and enjoy its fascinating lake views.

Day 4 Hangzhou-Suzhou(by bullet train)

Activities: Cruise on West Lake

Meals: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Accommodation:

Hovle Mansion Club & Hotel, boutique hotel or similar class

After breakfast, start your full-day tour to explore the fascinating “City of Heaven”. Firstly stroll along the famous Su Causeway and have a walk on the causeways on the West Lake. Then visit the famous Flower Harbor Viewing the Red Fish. Continue on to take a leisurely cruise on West Lake and enjoy the picturesque lake views.

Lunch will be served with authentic Hangzhou cuisine at Weizhuang Restaurant.

This afternoon, you will be driven to visit the world-famous Lingyin Temple which was originally built in 326 A.D. in the East Jin Dynasty. Then visit the Fling Peak which is famous for the hundreds of Buddhist sculptures and natural caves. The last stop today is the Huqingyutang Chinese Medicine Museum. You will walk across the busy Hefang Street to the museum where you can get to know much about the traditional Chinese Medicine.

Afterward, be transferred to the rail station for the departing bullet train to the city of “Waterways and Gardens”, Suzhou. Be picked up and transfer to the local boutique hotel. You will stay at Suzhou for 2 nights.

Day 5 Suzhou

Meals included: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Accommodation:

Hovle Mansion Club & Hotel, boutique hotel or similar class

After breakfast, start your full day time to explore the “Water City with gardens”, Suzhou. Once there, firstly visit Humble Administrator’s Garden which was originally built in 1509 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and is one of the most beautiful gardens in China. It was initially a private garden of a former government official. Water is the major theme of the garden and its scenery includes small forests, hills and rock formations, man-made pavilions, halls, and parlors. Then visit Panmen Gate, which is the only gate for both the land and water. Standing on the gate, you will see the famous Grand Canal.

Lunch will be served with local cuisine at the famous Song He Lou Restaurant.

This afternoon, continue on to visit the famous Suzhou Embroidery Museum. Suzhou embroidery has a history over 2000 years.  It is famous for its exquisite color, beautiful patterns, and vivid stitching. Afterward, stroll around the famous Shantang Historical Street which is lined with well-preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty style buildings.

Day 6 Suzhou-Wuxi (by bullet train)

Activity: Boating in Tongli, Enjoy the tea at local tea house.

Meals included: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch.

Accommodation:

Wuxi Grand Hotel**** or similar class

 This morning after breakfast, drive to explore Tongli Ancient Water Town which is considered one of the best-preserved water towns south of Yangtze River. You can find the graceful ancient bridges, the winding river, the residences in traditional the  Chinese style, as well as the classic Tuisi Garden. You will visit the Tuisi Yuan, Triple Bridge, Ming and Qing Dynasty Street, Jiayin Hall and Genle Hall (if the time permits, you will visit as many of the sites as many as possible). You will also take a leisurely boat ride in the water town and explore the beauty there. In addition, you will have a break at a local tea house and enjoy the tea.

After lunch, drive to the railway station for the departing bullet train to the famous historical city, Wuxi. Once there, be picked up and transfer to the hotel.

Day 7 Wuxi

Meals included: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Accommodation:

Wuxi Grand Hotel**** or similar class

Today, you will spend a full day to explore the highlights of the historical Wuxi. Firstly, stop at the ancient Qingming Bridge, which is considered to be the most famous site on the Grand Canal in Wuxi. It was originally built in late 16^th century in Ming Dynasty and was rebuilt in 1666A.D. It was called Qing Ming Bridge in late Qing Dynasty. After that, drive to visit Liyuan Garden which is a beautiful private garden above water. It is located at the bank of the Li Lake. It actually consists of two sections, Li Garden and the fishing village. You will enjoy the tranquil garden views there. The last stop today is Yuantouzhu, a beautiful peninsula which lies at the northwest bank of Taihu Lake in Wuxi. A huge rock juts into the lake, resembling a head of a turtle - Hence the name. The scenic area was built in 1916 A.D. With an area of 539 hectares, you can see many famous sites, such as Guangfu Temple, Hengyun Resort, Orchid Garden, cherry forest, Fairy Island on Tai Lake. Afterward, drive back to the hotel.  

Day 8 Wuxi-Nanjing (by bullet train, around 1 hour)

Meals included: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Accommodation:

Jiangsu Hotel **** or similar class

 After breakfast, drive to visit the famous Lingshan Scenic Area which is considered to be one of the top 20 parks south of the Yangtze River Delta and the permanent meeting place for World Buddhist Forum. With a total area of 30 hectares, it consists of Lingshan Giant Buddha, Small Lingshan Mountain, Qingfu Buddhist Temple, The Hand of Buddha, Happy Buddha, Buddhism Cultural Exhibition Hall, Thousands of Buddha Hall, etc. It is the most comprehensive park to showcase the Buddhist culture in China. You will visit the highlight of the park, Lingshan Giant Buddha which is considered to be iconic of Wuxi. It was built in 1997. With a total height of 88 meters, it is the largest and tallest outdoor bronze-standing Buddha in the world. You will spend half a day time to visit the Giant Buddha.

This afternoon, drive to the railway station for the bullet train to ancient city Nanjing. Once there, be picked up and transfer to visit the ancient Confucius Temple. It is located on Gongyuan Street at the north bank of Qinhuai River which is used to worship and sacrifice the great educator and ideologist and founder of Confucianism, Confucius. Qinhuai River is the mother river of Nanjing and the cradle of civilization of ancient Nanjing. It was a prosperous region since the East Wu Kingdom. During the period of Six Dynasties, it’s the place where the noble families stayed. In the Ming Dynasty, it reached the peak period in history. Nowadays, it has become a bustling shopping area.

Day 9 Nanjing

Meals included: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Accommodation:

Jiangsu Hotel **** or similar class

Today you will spend a full day to explore the wonderful ancient city. Firstly, stop at the famous Former Presidential Palace. As the typical and representative building in the period of Public of China, it’s the largest and best-preserved building group in modern China. With a total area of 50, 000 sq meters, it includes a classic private garden. In 1912, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen made a pledge to be the First President of Public of China here - Hence the name. Ancient City Wall in Nanjing is the largest, longest and best-preserved city wall in the world. It was originally built in 1366 A.D. in Ming Dynasty and completed in 1393 A.D. It mobilized over 280,000 workers and used around 350 million bricks to build the city wall. The total length of the wall reaches up to 25,100 meters. Continue on to visit the Nanjing Museum. As one of the top national museums, it was the former state-owned central museum built in 1933. It was said that over 420,000 artifacts were collected in the museum which dates back to the Old Stone Age. In the museum, you will have the chance to see the complete series of bronze, jade, ceramic, silver, gold, lacquer, silk, embroidery, paintings, sculpture, etc. The last stop is 1912 Street which is a new spotlight in Nanjing. You will not only experience the historical portion but also stroll around the modern and relaxing shopping center.

Day 10 Nanjing-Shanghai-departure.

Meals included: Buffet breakfast

 After breakfast, you will be picked up and transferred to the railway station for the bullet train to Shanghai. Once there, be picked up and transferred to the airport for the departure flight. Thus, the end of your pleasant trip to China.