Sorry, this map has failed to load. Please refresh or select itinerary view to view itinerary as a list

Water Towns & Gardens of China

Highlights

Visit the Yuyuan Garden and the famous Bund with the iconic Shanghai skyline
Explore the Old water town Zhujiajiao
Discover how a real Silk Factory works and how the finest silk is created
Admire Lingyinsi one of the biggest and oldest Buddhist temples in China
Price for 2 people. From 4 pp or more the price decreases

see full itinerary

from £ 1380

Have a question? Ask the expert!

020 3750 1655

Enquire

Info and Pricing

Itinerary & Map

Hotels

Your stories

Overview

China throughout the centuries has always had a close relationship with waterways for its commerce and communications. But water also plays a crucial role in its traditional culture. Each ancient garden in China preserves lakes and ponds that convey a peaceful atmosphere. The same feeling surrounds many locations of the so-called water towns, places built on water and carefully preserved as they have always been, where people live as their ancestors used to as well. Wander in these small and old streets breathing their oneiric peace is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Body:

All the suggested prices on our website are based on a 2-people private group price. As the number of people in a group increases the price per person decreases.

If you are interested in finding out more about these charming and romantic places don't miss our China Travel Guide: Most Beautiful Water town in China

Price includes

Twin/Double shared accommodation in specified hotels and room type specified.
Transfers in private vehicle.
English speaking local guides for all transfers and specified sightseeing.
The entrance fees to all specified sightseeing
Meals as specified B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner

Not Included

International flights
Chinese Visa (we offer free support for the Visa application to our returning clients, contact us!)
Any entrance fees for sightseeing not specified.
Travel Insurance
Gratuities
Meals not specified, drinks
Sightseeing not specified
Personal expenses, ie. Laundry, communication, use of the internet, souvenirs etc.

Interested in our Brochures?

View them here

Explore the map

print me

Water Towns & Gardens of China

8 Nights, covering Shanghai, Zhujiajiao, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Luzhi and Wuzhen

Day 1

London, Shanghai

Depart on the flight for Shanghai

Day 2

Shanghai

Arrive 0935. Met on arrival by an English speaking guide. They will assist to the Maglev station for the high-speed train towards central Shanghai. At the station join your private vehicle for the transfer to the hotel. Take a drink or meal (payable locally) before rejoining your guide in Reception around 3.00 With your guide visit the Yuyuan Garden. These gardens were started almost 400 years ago. They occupy some five acres within which they contain the quintessential elements of a Chinese garden - pavilions, rockeries, pools, moon gates, latticed windows and small cloisters. Opposite the gardens is the Huxing Teahouse and the old Chinese quarter of Shanghai where cobbled streets are lined with traditional shops selling herbal medicines, handicrafts, Chinese tea and a variety of tantalising snacks. In the early evening visit the Bund, the main area of Shanghai famous for the colonial buildings and the illuminated buildings of Pudong across the Huangpu River, take a one-hour boat trip along the Huangpu River Dinner arranged this evening at the Yè Shanghai (D)

Day 3

Shanghai, Zhujiajiao, Suzhou

Around 10 am depart from the hotel by road, leave the main area of Shanghai to visit the picturesque canal town of Zhujiajiao. There are interesting waterways, and lively streets with colourful shops, tea houses and eateries. Take tea in a tea house overlooking a waterway (payable locally). You may visit the Zhuxi Garden with forests of bamboo or the Bao Guo Temple with its grand halls. Visit the Qing-dynasty Post Office and the Xi Family Mansion. After lunch of local specialities continue to Suzhou and the Pingjiang Lodge for a stay of 2 nights. After check-in and tea in the room join your guide for a visit to the ‘Garden of the Humble Administrators’. Dinner included this evening (BLD)

Day 4

Suzhou

This morning visit the Silk Factory to see how the silk is created, from the feeding of the silk worms on mulberry leaves to being unwound from each cocoon and to the creation of the famous silk duvet. Continue to the Silk Embroidery Institute to see the intricate handiwork behind the region’s delicate double-sided embroideries. After lunch take a cruise on the canal to Shangtang Street and see some of this lively shopping and café area. Your day concludes with a visit to the ‘Garden of the Nets’ and dinner (BLD)

Day 5

Suzhou, Luzhi, Hangzhou

Depart today to the lesser known but charming Watertown of Luzhi. The town has a history of some 1400 years and is known for its canals and bridges, some of which date back to the Song Dynasty (970-1279). The town is recognised as a UNESCO site. During today take a cruise along the waterways here and wander the streets before commencing the drive to a tea plantation towards Hangzhou. Stop to try some of the Longjiang Green Tea. On arrival in Hangzhou stay for two nights at the Shenanbei Boutique Hotel (standard room) (BLD)

Day 6

Hangzhou

Visit the Manor House of the Qing Nobleman and visit the Ancient Pharmacy as you visit the busy Cultural Street. Continue to the West Lake, undoubtedly the most renowned feature of Hangzhou which has been painted and praised in poetry for centuries. West Lake is up against a range of hills on the western side. In the humid, misty weather for which the area is famous, the borders of the lake can almost disappear. Take a shared cruise on the lake. Walk through the Guozhuang Garden offering lovely views over the lake. Returning to the shore visit a tea garden and the Lingyin Temple. Drive out to the Song Dynasty Theme Park which offers an evening show. (BL)

Day 7

Hangzhou, Wuzhen

Depart today for the water town of Wuzhen West. At Wuzhen West there is the main entrance area. Vehicles are left there and golf buggies take visitors around the edge of the accommodation are to their hotels. Once inside the main Watertown area, there are no vehicles. Take a walking tour to the Qing Post Office and the 150-year-old pharmacy. A stop included at the Golden Lilies Museum (where they record the practice of foot binding with displays of tiny shoes, some no more than 3 inches). There is a working factory here, a silk display – with a double weaving frame – very impressive to see, two people are needed to work the enormous loom. There is a bed museum which contains a display of traditional techniques of hand manufacture and carving. A pretty cruise in the evening on the illuminated canals would be included. (BLD)

Day 8

Wuzhen West, Shanghai, Heathrow

Meet early at the hotel and drive for around 2 hours along the main road to Shanghai Airport. Arrive at home the same day (B)

Hotels

This is a Tailor-made tour

The Hotels will be reserved upon your confirmation.

This Itinerary offers accommodation in 3 to 4 stars Hotels

Your Stories

Vessels

Related Tours

see all tours

A Tale of Art and Porcelain
A fascinating exploration of Chinese arts, porcelain tradition and ancient history
See Itinerary

from £1900pp x6p
The Spiritual Heart of China
A journey through Shandong to discover the roots of Confucianism and Chinese spirituality.
See Itinerary

from £2520
Flavours of China
Discover the Flavours of China on this fascinating tour
See Itinerary

from £Check Info
Discovering the Great Wall
No Extraordinary Experience is Obtained Ordinarily!
See Itinerary

from £950/pp

Asia

Asia

Water Towns & Gardens of China

Highlights