9 Days Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou Huangshan Eastern China Tour

Nihao! Welcome to Shanghai, China’s most internationalized and vibrant city! Shanghai's long-term fusion of Eastern and Western cultures has contributed to Shanghai's unique culture. Upon your arrival at the airport/train station in Shanghai, the tour guide and driver will meet and greet you at the exit, and then escort you to the well-selected hotel in downtown Shanghai. The rest of the day is free on your own so you can have a good rest for the jet lag or explore by yourself around your hotel.

Arrival Ideas: Travelers can go to Shanghai easily by air or high speed train. There are two airports - Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport operating numerous international and domestic airlines. Travelers can go to Shanghai by air from most cities in China, like Beijing, Xian, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Guilin, Kunming, Lijiang, Lhasa, and more. In addition, travelers can take high speed train to Shanghai from Beijing (4.5-6 hours), Xian (6-7.5 hours), Huangshan (2.5-3 hours), Guangzhou (7-8.5 hours), Suzhou (0.5 hour), Hangzhou (about 45 mins), Wuhan (3.5-4.5 hours), etc.

Free Time Ideas: You are welcome to ask your tour guide for some useful tips to spend your free time based on your time and interest.

Today you will spend the whole day feeling the perfect blend of the West and East in this “Paris of the East” by visiting brilliant museums, traditional Chinese-style gardens, modern skyscrapers, and exotic architecture. 

First, head to Shanghai Museum for an awe-inspiring visit to view the finest collection of art and learn about profound Chinese history. Built in the shape of an ancient bronze cooking vessel called a ding, Shanghai Museum has a round top and a square base, symbolizing “round sky, square earth”. It contains 120,000 cultural relics which showcase incredible artifacts of Chinese art throughout 5000 years’ history. Immerse yourselves in the Exhibition Hall of Bronze and Ceramic to appreciate the elaborate bronzes and exquisite artifacts. You won’t miss the chance to enjoy the top treasures - Da Ke Ding (bronze food vessel over 3000 years ago), and Bianzhong of Marquis Su of Jin (ancient musical instruments). Next, move to Yu Garden, the most celebrated classical Chinese garden hidden in the bustling Shanghai downtown area. Enjoy a leisure walk and visit the Chinese architecture, and feast your years with exquisite sculptures and carvings. Yuyuan Bazaar outside the garden is a fun place to taste some local snacks as well as buy some traditional Chinese handicrafts and artworks.

After that, you will take a stroll along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, where lots of well-known brands, restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and towering buildings stand on both sides. Continue your walk to the Bund, the top 1 place to visit on the Shanghai bucket list. Reputed as “An Exhibition of International Buildings”, the Bund is a collection of 52 buildings in various international architectural styles. Overlook the amazing skyline and skyscrapers of the Pudong Area from the Bund. The last stop today is the Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in China and the second in the world, at a height of 362 meters. Ascents up to 546 meters over the 118th floor for a breathtaking panoramic view of modern Shanghai.

This morning, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and escort you to the train station for the bullet train to Suzhou (about 30 mins). Welcome to Suzhou, the Venice of the East! After the train station pick-up, your will head to Lingering Garden (Liu Garden), one of China's four exquisite gardens dating back to 1593 (the other three gardens are Summer Palace in Beijing, Mountain Resort in Chengde, and Humble Administrator’s Garden also in Suzhou). As a world cultural heritage and a renowned classical Chinese garden, you will marvel at its beautiful architecture and various natural landscapes that symbolizes the Qing Dynasty style and consummate art of buildings.

Then transfer to Pingjiang Ancient Street (Pingjiang Road) for a stroll. It is a well-preserved historical street of about 1,606 meters which was regarded as the main route in the Song Dynasty (about 800 years ago). Later on, visit Tiger Hill (Hu Qiu), an ancient hill park for you to see the precious cultural relics, tombs of ancient kings, pagodas, temples, and scenic spots with beautiful landscapes. It is said that "it would be a pity if you had been to Suzhou but didn't go to visit Tiger Hill". And don’t forget to visit the Tiger Hill Pagoda (Leaning Tower of China, over 1,000 years old) there which is a landmark of Suzhou City. Suzhou is the city of silk in China, so today you will have the chance to learn more about silk through a visit to the 100-year-old state-owned Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory.

This morning, drive to visit the Suzhou Museum, a museum of ancient Chinese art, paintings, calligraphy, and handmade crafts in Suzhou. Designed by the famous architect Ieoh Ming Pei, Suzhou Museum is rare among the world's museums because of the building itself.

After that, transfer to the famous Zhouzhuang Water Town (周庄), located about an hour away from Suzhou (approximately 47km away). As the premier water town in the Jiangnan region and selected as one of CNN's "Top Ten Most Beautiful Towns in the World", Zhouzhuang is renowned for its well-preserved Ming and Qing architectural ensembles that showcase the traditional charm of a water town. With a history spanning 900 years, over 60% of the buildings in Zhouzhuang proudly retain their original style. The picturesque scenery of bridges, canals, and traditional homes gained worldwide fame through the renowned painting "Double Bridges" by artist Chen Yifei (陈逸飞) in 1983.

As you step into Zhouzhuang, take a leisurely stroll on the Fu'an Bridge, where you can admire the scenic beauty of the Jiangnan landscape with the Double Bridges as a backdrop. Along the river, visit Shen Hall, known as the "Seven Entries and Five Gate Towers," featuring a typical architectural layout of a "front hall and rear hall." Make sure to also visit Zhang Hall, which bears witness to the saying "Entering by sedan chair through the front gate and departing by boat from the backyard." Immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of Zhouzhuang by visiting the Zhouzhuang Museum, where you can explore the traditions and heritage of this thousand-year-old water town. Time will stand still as you savor the moments and conclude your day at a leisurely pace.

After your Zhouzhuang Water Town tour, you will head to Hangzhou (140km, about 2 hour). Welcome to Hangzhou, the Paradise on Earth.

After arriving Hangzhou, you can move to stroll through Qinghefang Street (Hefang Street清河坊), located in the old Hangzhou city, which will bring you back to the scenes of prosperity at the foot of the old imperial city. As the markets at the back of the imperial court of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), Hefang Street (河坊街) has not only witnessed the thousand years of changes in Hangzhou but also retained the cultural memories of the old generations. If you are interested in Chinese Herbal Medicine Culture you can visit the landmark of the Hefang Street - Hu Qing Yu Tang (胡庆余堂 intangible cultural heritage), a over 100-year-old traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy and Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum (self-pay胡庆余堂中药博物馆). Founded by Hu Xueyan (胡雪岩) in 1874, the wealthiest merchant in the late Qing Dynasty and the Medicine King of Jiangnan, the museum is an excellent spot to appreciate the Qing Dynasty architectural style with a front shop and rear workshop, watch pharmacists make a prescription, try a cup of healthy herbal tea. Today, the "Golden Shovel and Silver Pot" (金铲银锅) displayed in the museum have become national-level cultural relics and are acclaimed as "Chinese National Treasures". Wandering along the street you can try to find a unique architecture made of bronze (江南铜屋) while passing all kinds of shops and sampling all kinds of local snacks. Also, if time permits you can also visit the Former Residence of Hu Xueyan (胡雪岩故居) to learn more about Hu Xueyan and his brand of Hu Qing Yu Tang. Overnight in Hangzhou.

This morning, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and escort you to explore Hangzhou. Enjoy your time in Hangzhou, the “Heaven on Earth” and a cultural city with a history of over 5,000 years.

You will first visit China National Tea Museum (China Tea Museum), the only national-level thematic museum in China dedicated to tea and tea culture. It houses a collection of 3,865 items, including 156 precious artifacts, 170 specimens of tea leaves from ancient to modern times, and 349 sets of foreign tea utensils. The museum is divided into two distinct branches: Shuangfeng Branch and Longjing Branch (located 3km apart). Shuangfeng Branch is closer to West Lake and is a beautiful Jiangnan-style garden. Besides a statue of Lu Yu (茶圣陆羽), the Sage of Tea, and a special exhibition on West Lake Longjing Tea, here, you can learn about Chinese Tea Culture and the life cycle of tea plants, appreciate various exquisite tea utensils, gain insights into ancient tea-drinking and tea-making methods. Longjing Branch is built on a hillside, with tea trees, tea pavilions, and ponds interspersed in between. From the tea altar at the mountaintop, you can enjoy panoramic views of West Lake and the surrounding tea mountains. In Longjing Branch, you can learn about Global Tea Culture, how tea spread from China to the world, and China's intangible cultural heritage of traditional tea-making techniques, China's historic tea ceremonies, and related customs, such as the Tang Dynasty's Tea Boiling and the Song Dynasty's Dian Cha (点茶foam art on the tea cup). (Note: You can choose the branch you would like to visit based on your interests and available time.)

Next, move to Meijiawu Tea Culture Village, the biggest Longjing Tea producing spot. It is said that a trip to Hangzhou won’t be complete without visiting Meijiawu Tea Village. It has hosted many national leaders, government heads, and friendly visitors worldwide since the 1950s. During the Qingming Festival (early spring), tea-picking women are busy harvesting tea leaves, creating the scenic of "MeiJiawu Early Spring", one of the 10 New Views of West Lake. It is said that more than 30,000 hand-picked fresh tea buds are needed to produce 1 kg of high-quality Longjing Tea (Dragon Well Tea). Meijiawu has a history of tea cultivation for over 600 years. As you stroll along its ancient streets lined with Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, you will encounter numerous tea workshops, hear the soothing sounds of gurgling streams, and be enveloped by the delightful fragrance of tea. You can also visit Lu Zhenghao Tea Plantation (卢正浩茶庄) to see the old tea roasting process and learn traditional tea-making techniques, experiencing the charm of intangible cultural heritage. Lu Zhenghao (卢正浩) is well-known in the Hangzhou tea industry. Premier Zhou Enlai visited Meijiawu 5 times (1957-1963), meeting Lu Zhenghao each time, showing great concern and guidance for tea production and development. Meijiawu's West Lake Longjing tea gained fame thanks to Lu Zhenghao and became a national gift tea, renowned worldwide. You can also visit the Premier Zhou Memorial Hall (周总理纪念室, Closed on Mondays) to learn more. Mejiawu is also a great place for lunch with authentic Hangzhou cuisine and to enjoy a cup of Longjing Tea (Green Tea), one of the Top 10 Famous Teas in China.

After lunch, head to Lingyin Temple (灵隐寺), situated at the west end of West Lake and inside the Feilai Peak Scenic Area (飞来峰景区). As one of the "Top 10 Zen Buddhist Temples in China", Lingyin Temple is considered a sanctuary for the soul and attracts countless pilgrims. Founded in 328 AD by an Indian monk named Hui Li (慧理), it is the oldest and most famous temple in Hangzhou, with a history of over 1,700 years. Directly facing Lingyin Temple is a hill with a peculiar name, Peak Flying from Afar (飞来峰, Feilai Peak). Composed of limestone, it stands out distinctively from the surrounding mountains. Legend has it that when Hui Li saw this peak, he exclaimed, "It's a part of Holy Mount Grahrakuta. Why has it flown here?" Hence, it acquired the name "Peak Flying from Afar." He also believed that Feilai Peak was a hidden dwelling of immortals. That is why he built a temple facing the peak and named it "Lingyin", which means "a hidden dwelling of immortals". While exploring inside Lingyin Temple, you will come across two stone pagodas (built in 960 AD) located on the east and west sides in front of the Great Hall of the Mahavira. These pagodas are the oldest relics of the temple. As you hike through the temple, you will hear stories and learn about the history behind the towering trees and numerous Buddhist grottoes. Amidst the impressive landscape and Buddhist culture, you will encounter the largest statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni in the lotus position, and believers lighting incense as they offer their prayers. It is believed that the most effective prayer at Lingyin Temple is for seeking romantic relationships. Also, for Chinese people, Lingyin Temple is the place where the famous Jigong (济公) became a monk and practiced. Jigong is usually known as a legendary mad monk who helped people with a magic fan, although he could have been a real person named Li Xiuyuan (李修缘, 1130 or 1148-1209) from the Southern Song Dynasty. You can learn more interesting stories about the crazy monk at the Hall of Jigong (济公殿).

After that, you will discover the picturesque West Lake (UNESCO World Heritage Site) like a local. The West Lake (西湖) is large, and you can choose to hike, ride a bike (free for the first hour), board a boat (self-pay), or take a sightseeing bus (self-pay) to explore it. As the city symbol of Hangzhou, it is adorned with temples, museums, islands, villas, tea houses, memorial halls, pools, arched bridges, pagodas, monasteries, and casual walkways lined with classic willow trees. The culture-laden West Lake overwhelms every visitor with its beauty. For Chinese people, West Lake is the most romantic place, inspired by poems written by Su Dongpo (苏东坡, The Gay Genius), the classic legend of "The White Snake" (白蛇传), and the tragic romance of "The Butterfly Lovers" (梁祝), whose fame rivals that of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."

You can choose to walk along the Su Causeway (苏堤, 2km long; built by Su Dongpo) while enjoying the famous poetry that aptly captures the beauty of West Lake, written by Su Dongpo (苏轼): "The shimmering ripples delight the eye on sunny days. The dim hills present a rare view in a rainy haze. West Lake compares to Xi Zi at her best. She is gorgeous, richly clothed or plainly dressed." Su Dongpo, a Chinese calligrapher, essayist, gastronomer, pharmacologist, poet, politician, romanticist, and travel writer during the Song dynasty, has deep connections with Hangzhou. Having served as an official in Hangzhou twice, he governed West Lake, constructed the Su Causeway, and prioritized the well-being of the people. He was affectionately known as the "Old Mayor" and greatly admired by the people. You can learn more by visiting the Su Dongpo Memorial Hall (苏东坡纪念馆, 550m away from Leifeng Pagoda).

If you are interested in "The Butterfly Lovers" (梁祝/Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai/Liang Zhu), an intangible cultural heritage of China with a history of 1,700 years, you can visit the Wan Song Ancient Academy (万松书院, 940m from the Long Bridge), where Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai once studied together for three years. Today, it is a famous spot for blind dates in Hangzhou. You can also visit the Long Bridge (长桥, 900m away from Leifeng Pagoda), where they bid farewell with deep affection. Nowadays, it is a popular location for couples to take photos of Leifeng Pagoda in the Sunset (雷峰夕照). Speaking of Leifeng Pagoda (self-pay for the ticket), you can't miss the touching legend of "The White Snake" (白蛇传) - "After cultivating for 1700 years, the White Snake transformed into the beautiful Bai Niangzi (白娘子). She descended to the mortal realm to search for her past-life benefactor, Xu Xian (许仙). They met on the Broken Bridge (断桥), parted ways at the Leifeng Pagoda, and thus unfolded the most extraordinary love story in Chinese mythological history.

If you are a loyal fan of "Dream of the Red Chamber" (红楼梦), you must visit the filming location of the 1987 TV series "Dream of the Red Chamber", the Curved Yard and Lotus Pool in Summer (曲院风荷), to reminisce about the scene of Lin Daiyu and Jia Bao Yu secretly reading "The Romance of West Chamber" (西厢记). Renowned Redology researcher Tu Mo Re believes that the original author of "Dream of the Red Chamber" was Hangzhou poet Hong Sheng. You can also take a boat tour (self-pay) to the Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon (三潭印月) to capture the photo seen on the Chinese One Yuan Note (一元人民币风景). There are too many places and stories for you to uncover around the West Lake. Throughout China, no other lake has attracted so many poets, scholars, painters, sculptors, calligraphers, and even emperors for such an extended period. Just enjoy your time there.

Options for Hangzhou Evening Tour:

1.Impression West Lake Show (19:40- 20:35)
The Impression West Lake Show (印象西湖-最忆是杭州) is a large-scale outdoor performance directed by renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou (张艺谋), the one who directed the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. The show takes place on the West Lake, with the lake itself serving as a natural stage. It incorporates elements of dance, music, lights, and stunning visual effects to create a mesmerizing experience for the audience. You will enjoy the performance of "The River, Flowers, and Moon on a Spring Night" (Pipa), "Dance of the Tea Harvest" (Hanfu), "The Butterfly Lovers" (Liang Zhu Violin Concerto), "High Mountains and Running Water" (Guqin), "Swan Lake" (Ballet), "Dream Paradise" (Chorus), "Colored Clouds Chasing the Moon" (Folk Music), "Unforgettable Jasmine", "Ode to Joy", and "Enduring Memories of Hangzhou最忆是杭州". This show got its name from the famous Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi’s poem called “Memories of Jiangnan” (白居易《忆江南》). It has received international acclaim for its artistic presentation and has become a must-see performance for visitors to Hangzhou. (Note: Need to book the ticket in advance. In the event of force majeure (such as severe weather conditions, mechanical failures, etc.) that prevent the performance from proceeding as planned, the show will be canceled and refunded.)

2. The Hangzhou Grand Canal Night Cruise (19:00/19:30/20:20; about 1 hour)
The Hangzhou Grand Canal Night Cruise (Beijing - Hangzhou Canal Night Cruise京杭大运河夜游) is a one-hour cruise on the world's oldest and longest man-made canal, which has a history of over 2,500 years and is listed as a World Heritage site. Stretching 1,794 km long, the canal starts in Beijing and ends in Hangzhou, connecting the Yellow River with the Yangtze River. By taking a night cruise, you can experience the vibrant existence of the Grand Canal while immersing yourself in the enduring prosperity of Hangzhou that has spanned millennia. Along the way, you can get a close-up view of the award-winning night lighting of the canal, and enjoy the cultural squares of West Lake, the Imperial Wharf, Fuyi Warehouse, the Qianlong Fang, Xiahezhijie Street, Qiaoxizhijie Street, finally reach the first ancient bridge in the Jiangnan region of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal - Gongchen Bridge (拱宸桥), before turning back to Wulinmen Wharf (武林门码头). The best time for night cruises along the Hangzhou Grand Canal is from April to October each year when the weather is pleasant, allowing you to fully appreciate the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan. (Note: During the low season of December, January, and February, the number of cruises may be reduced by the scenic area.)

This morning, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and escort you to the train station for your Bullet Train to Huangshan (about 1.5-2 hours).

Welcome to Huangshan, a city well known for the Yellow Mountain! Upon your arrival in Huangshan, the local guide and driver will greet you at the exit of the train station, and then escort you to visit Tunxi Ancient Street and Chengkan Ancient Village in this afternoon.

Tunxi Ancient Street is the best preserved old street in China in the style of the Southern Song, Ming and Qing dynasties. Take a stroll on the 1200-meter-long street to appreciate authentic old Huizhou-style architectures, view Four Treasures of the Study and even taste the famous tea and local snacks. Then tour to Chengkan Ancient Village (Bagua Village, Eight-sided Village). Built about 1,800 years ago, Chengkan Village is planned and designed to reflect the philosophy of the Taiji. There are over 150 ancient residences designed in the traditional Hui style (white walls and gray tiles). The Hui-style houses (Huizhou Architecture) is an also a perfect representative of Anhui architecture, you can enjoy its elegant pavilions, bridges, wells, ancestral temples, and exquisite carvings on stones, bricks, and wood on each house. After the sightseeing tour, check-in at your hotel.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel lobby. You will have a full day to explore Yellow Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous and beautiful mountain in China. Yellow Mountain is well known for its “Five Natural Wonders” - peculiarly-shaped granite peaks, imaginatively-named pine trees, winter snow, sea of clouds and hot springs.

Drive about 80 kilometers (about 1.5 hours) from Huangshan city to the mountain area and then transfer by sightseeing bus from the mountain foot to Yungu Temple. From here, take a cable car up to the North Sea Scenic Area where you can appreciate precipitous peaks and stunning scenery. Take a walk to majestic Begin-to-Believe Peak where has lots of odd-shaped pine trees standing on the peaks and then hike about another 40 minutes to Cloud Dispelling Pavilion, an ideal point for enjoying the scenery of West Sea Scenic Area. As the clouds flow through in the wind, tier upon tier of mountains appear and disappear, looking like numerous islands on a boundless sea. Move your steps to visit Flying-over Rock, a 12-meter standing stone tilting slightly on a flat rock platform. The rock has got its name for it looks like a rock that has just fallen from the sky. Next, hike to Bright Summit which is the second highest peak of Yellow Mountain. Last, return to your hotel on the mountain and have a good rest.

This early morning (usually around 5am to 6am), if you are full of energy and interested in viewing sea of clouds, you can try to get up early to catch the sunrise, the spot is about half hour walking from your hotel. If weather permits, you can appreciate the golden light of the sun piercing the mists, and the grand rocky peaks rising above the sea of white clouds. The image of sea of clouds from Mt. Huangshan is very famous in China. How amazing nature is. After the sunrise, get back to your hotel for breakfast.

Then, continue on your memorable exploration on the Yellow Mountain to appreciate the famous Dawn Pavilion, Stone Monkey Watching the Sea on the Lion Peak (1690m). It is time to get down the mountain. You will hike and enjoy along the way and have your camera at ready for more photos. Then walk along the wood path to the cable station to take a cable car down the mountain. Transfer to Huangshan City and have some relaxing time freely.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to visit the famous Hongcun Ancient Village. Regarded as the best example of typical Hui-style architecture, Hongcun is the ancient village in Chinese painting, listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site. The overall layout, landscape, architectural form, decoration, the integration of houses with comprehensive water systems...all are unique. This village is a heaven to photograph lovers. Exploring this ancient village, you are recommended to see the South Lake, Crescent-shaped Moon Pond, Chengzhi Hall, South Lake Academy, etc. After the tour, you will be escorted to train station or airport for your next destination.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia. Safe journey!