Upon arrival in Hangzhou (preferably before 13:00 pm), your guide will pick you up to the Old Street District of Hangzhou to begin your exploration of the city’s rich and colorful folk culture. The tour begins at the Crafts Exhibition Hall, a craft center where you can experience making items such as kites or oil-paper umbrellas while learning about Hangzhou’s folk art and culture (at your own expense).
Outside the exhibition hall, you’ll board a cruise ship and travel through the world’s longest and oldest Grand Canal, passing traditional Chinese homes, gardens, and arch bridges to the Dadou Road Historic District. Wander the cobblestone streets of this revived residential area and discover exquisite architecture from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Get a glimpse into the past at the majestic Xiangji Temple, stop by museums and traditional craft exhibitions, or indulge in cafes, restaurants, and gift shops.
At the end of the day, you’ll be transferred to your booked hotel for check-in.

Meals included: None

After breakfast, take a leisurely cruise on the West Lake. Climb aboard a gorgeous boat to fully appreciate the beauty of this artificial lake, designed in the tradition of Chinese gardens to create a poetic tranquility that forms the scene on the one-yuan bill. The magical scenery of hills, willow trees, bridges and well-placed buildings invites photography and artistic creation, especially at sunrise or sunset. A bicycle tour of this symbol of Hangzhou is another way to capture its beauty (own expense).
A short drive will take you to the Lingyin Temple, the most sacred Buddhist center in southern China, whose main hall houses 500 bronze seated Arhat statues. You will be amazed by the number and size of the Buddha statues carved on Feilai Peak, as well as the exquisite carvings on the road leading to the temple. Along the way, your guide will tell you about the history and legends of these sites.
Visiting a tea plantation, you will get a close look at how tea leaves grow on the rolling terraces, and if your visit coincides with the harvest season, you can even pick some tea leaves and learn about the entire cultural cycle of tea production. You can learn more about the history and culture of Chinese tea at the China National Tea Museum, which houses a collection of various tea leaves, tea utensils and tea-making machines. Then you will be transferred back to the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: If the activity attraction is closed on the day, the itinerary may be adjusted.

After breakfast, you will take the high-speed train to Suzhou. Upon arrival in this beautiful garden city, a local guide will pick you up and start your tour. The first stop is Tiger Hill, a large hill park with a long history and beautiful scenery. The tilted Tiger Hill Pagoda is a major feature here. The Master of the Nets Garden is an exquisite classical garden with pavilions, rockery, corridors, bridges and ponds beautifully laid out and coexisting harmoniously. Another wonderful attraction is the Humble Administrator’s Garden, a masterpiece of landscape planning around water and pavilions, a true representative of Chinese gardens.
Then we will transfer you to the booked Suzhou hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Tongli Water Town is a 30-minute drive from Suzhou, and it has remained largely unchanged for more than a thousand years. The town has a large network of rivers and bridges, and the narrow streets are full of specialty shops, handicrafts and snacks, each with its own characteristics. Wander through the streets and admire the residential and public buildings with gardens, all of which have the architectural style of the Song Dynasty. The bridges in Tongli are interesting not only for their architecture but also for their legends, leaving unforgettable memories and photos.
The journey ends when you arrive in Suzhou and catch a flight or train to your next destination.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: For small group tour participants, a transfer service to the airport can be arranged upon request.