Classic Jiangnan: Shanghai, Hangzhou & Suzhou - Private Tour - 6 Days

Built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Yu Garden is a classic example of a Jiangnan region garden and the most famous of five classical gardens in Shanghai. The Yu Garden compound consists of more than 30 halls and is divided into six sections by "dragon walls", tall white walls with undulating grey tiled ridges each terminating in a dragon’s head. Next to the garden is Yuyuan Bazaar, a labyrinth of small streets and lanes where you can find a large number of restaurants, tea houses and shops. The most popular restaurants are NanxiangMantou Restaurant, famous for its xiaolongbao, Lubolang Restaurant and Old Shanghai Restaurant.
One of the city’s most recognisable landmarks and the pride of Shanghai for over one hundred years, the Bund is a mile-long stretch of waterfront promenade along the Huangpu River. On the west side of the road stand 52 buildings of various architectural styles, including Gothic, baroque, and neoclassical styles. It is often called an outdoor museum of buildings.
Step back in time and experience the historical heart of the city at Shanghai Old Town, where classic Jiangnan-style architecture and bustling street markets offer a fascinating contrast to the city's futuristic skyscrapers. Anchored by the 16th-century Yu Garden and the lively bazaar surrounding the City God Temple, this vibrant district allows you to wander through labyrinthine alleys lined with traditional gray-brick buildings, cross the iconic Nine-Turn Bridge, and sample world-famous local delicacies like Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) at historic eateries.

 

Leisure Time & Optional Experiences

Huangpu River Cruise: See Shanghai’s iconic skyline from the water on a Huangpu River Cruise. Sail past the Bund’s 52 historic colonial buildings and the futuristic skyscrapers of Lujiazui, including the Shanghai Tower and Oriental Pearl Tower. Choose a day cruise for clear architectural details or a night cruise (highly recommended) to see the city illuminated in a dazzling light show.

Shanghai Tower Skywalk Experience: Soar to new heights at the Shanghai Tower, China’s tallest building at 632 meters. Ride the world’s fastest elevator (18m/s) to the 118th-floor Top of Shanghai Observatory. Enjoy 360°panoramic views of the city, including the Bund’s colonial architecture, the Oriental Pearl Tower, and the winding Huangpu River.

The West Lake (UNESCO) is famous for its natural beauty and historic relics and it has has influenced numerous painters, poets, and garden designers throughout Chinese history. You will take a short cruise on the picturesque West Lake.
The Six Harmonies Pagoda is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture. You can get a panoramic view of the Qiantang River on the very top.

The Lingyin Temple is the biggest Buddhist Temple in southern China, which also features a large number of grottos and rock carvings.
The Dragon Well Tea Plantation is one of the origin places of Dragon Well Tea, also called Longjing Tea. The first picked tea leaves of the new harvest were once reserved solely for the Emperor and transported to him via the Grand Canal in ancient China.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum will amaze you at the profound history and culture of Chinese medicine.
The Qinghefang Historical Street has been the most flourished street in the city since the ancient time. Hangzhou’s century-old shops are all located in this area.

The Lingering Garden is known as one of the “Four Famous Classic Gardens” in China, and was listed as the World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1997. The garden was built in the year of 1593. As a classic example of the refined art of gardening in ancient China, it highlights the delicate courtyard, magnificent halls, the green mountain, clear water and luxuriant trees.
The Surging Wave Pavilion was built in 1045 AD. Being the oldest extant garden in Suzhou, it has retained its original feature of "luxuriant plants, tall mountain, and expansive waters". Its natural scenery and simple design have earned the fame of "a mountain forest in urban surroundings".
Pingjiang Road, a ancient street along the Grand Canal, is filled with snack shops, tea houses, ping-tan museums, and boutique shops.
The Master of Nets Garden (built in 1174 A.D.) is an outstanding example of the small gardens in Suzhou. The garden covers only 0.6 hectare, small in size but very elegant. It keeps the traditional appearances of the time-tested and well-known residence in Suzhou, and it features the landscape garden in combination with the living quarters. The garden was inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1997.
Optional night tour in the Master of Nets Garden: The Master of Nets Garden (built in 1174 A.D.) provides an atmosphere of peace and calm in the evening. Inside the small and exquisite garden, the yellowish lights and red lanterns outline the pavilions and chambers built by water, displaying the nobleness and elegance of the Chinese garden. Besides, visitors can enjoy performances such as Kunqu Opera and Suzhou Pingtan in the garden. The night garden tour is available during mid-March to mid-November.