“In heaven there is paradise, on earth there are Suzhou and Hangzhou”. The southern water towns Suzhou, Hangzhou and Wuzhen are surrounded by a mystique comparable to what is Venice to the western world. But although the three of them are water towns, each has its own special sites.

Hangzhou was once claimed by Marco Polo to one of the most splendid cities of the world. The stunning West Lake with its beautiful surrounding including a pagoda, temples and nice gardens gives a unique atmosphere to the whole city.

Suzhou is maybe the most famous garden city and historically also well-known for its cotton, silk and wool. The picturesque gardens like the Humble Administrator’s Garden and the Lingering Garden make visitors feel like walking through a Chinese painting.

Wuzhen is a smaller town, often called “little Venice”. Rivers and creeks spanned with stone bridges in various designs flow through the town, old waterside houses found here and there in the ancient town of Wuzhen.

.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Suzhou
Beijing travelers take overnight train (soft-sleeper) and arrive in Suzhou next morning around 8am.

Day 2: Suzhou
Shanghai travellers take  40 minutes morning train (07:48-08:24) or bus to Suzhou.
Then we will start the tour with famous Suzhou Classic gardens of " The Humble Administrator' s Garden", Rock Garden and then after lunch the Lion Grove Garden. In the evening, take a walk in the Master-of-Nets Garden and enjoy soothing musical performance in the garden. Stay overnight in a Suzhou hotel.
Other locales:If you go from other locale, we will check the available flights from your locale to Suzhou.

Day 3: Suzhou / Wuzhen / Hangzhou
You will take wooden canopy boat ride along the canal of the ancient Suzhou town and walk into the neighborhood lanes with old Suzhou houses. After lunch, drive from Suzhou to Wuzhen by coach and stroll in the little ancient water town Wuzhen. Take some nice photos of the old houses lined up two sides of the river, visit various workshops of wines, batik, embroidery, etc. In the later afternoon, drive from Wuzhen to Hangzhou, and check in the hotel in Hangzhou

Day 4: Hangzhou / Depart Hangzhou
Take some walk along the central park of the city to learn various trees and flowering plants, ride boat on the famous West Lake, and then stroll around the banks of the West Lake. After tasting delicious Hangzhou food at lunch, drive to Longjing Tea Plantation where famous "Dragon Well"(longjing) tea are planted and produced. Head to the Museum of Hu Qing Yu Tang Traditional Chinese Pharmacy. 

Fly out Hangzhou in the evening: Hangzhou - Beijing (19:25 - 21:40);
Shanghai travellers: return train Hangzhou - Shanghai (19:35 - 21:03).