Water Towns & Gardens of China

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A picturesque Journey through Chinese traditional waterways - China throughout the centuries has always had a close relationship with water 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.

Itinerary:

  1. London, Shanghai.
  2. Shanghai.
  3. Shanghai, Zhujiajiao, Suzhou.
  4. Suzhou.
  5. Suzhou, Luzhi, Hangzhou.
  6. Hangzhou.
  7. Hangzhou, Wuzhen.
  8. Wuzhen West, Shanghai, Heathrow.

Overview:

  1. Twin-sharing accommodation is included within the package price.
  2. Ground transfers are included within the package price.
  3. English Speaking local tour guides will be accommodated with the travellers with no additional price.
  4. International flights and Travel insurance are not included within the package price.
  5. Gratuities and Chinese visa are not included within the package price.
  6. Any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after the booking confirmation, have to be paid by travellers.
Anren Street 218
200000 Shanghai Shi CN
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Day 1 – London, Shanghai:

Depart with Virgin Atlantic on the VS250 at 15:15 from Terminal 3

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)

Note – Accommodation and Dinner provided.

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.

Note – Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided.

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.

 Note – Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided.

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.

Note – Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided. 

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.

Note – Accommodation, Breakfast and Lunch provided.

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.

Note – Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided.

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 home the same day.

Note – Breakfast provided.

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Water Towns & Gardens of China

From: £1,600.00

Guaranteed to operate with minimum two passengers.

Price displayed above are for each individuals.

International flights are not included in the adventure price.

Insurance is not included yet its mandatory for this excursion.

Prices are cheaper if you book in large group.

Single accommodations can be provided if requested in advance but could be bit expensive.

Transfers in Private vehicles and entrance fee to all sightseeings mentioned in Itinerary are included within the package price.

8 Days - (Shanghai - 2 Nights, Zhujiajiao Suzhou - 2 Nights, Luzhi Hangzhou - 2 Nights, Wuzhen - 2 Nights)

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