8 Days Nanjing, Wuxi, Suzhou and Shanghai

Meals: No meals
Accommodation: In Nanjing 

Arrive in Nanjing, literally ‘Southern capital' of China, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
 

Upon your arrival, our local guide will meet you at the railway station or airport, and transfer to your hotel. 
 

In the afternoon, firstly visit Zhanyuan Garden, which is a garden with the longest existing history in Nanjing, with more than 600 years history, which was built in the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty.  
 

Then we will have a visit at the Confucius Temple, which was a place to worship and consecrate Confucius, a great philosopher and educator of ancient China. It is one of the 4 largest Confucian temples and was firstly built in 1034. Then walk to Qinhuai River Scenery Belt, a national AAAAA-level tourist area integrating natural scenery, landscape gardens, temples and schools, street residences and local lifestyle. At night the whole area is lit up with colorful lights thus creating a very impressive night scenario. It is very popular to take a colorfully decorated boat to ride on this ancient river, which will be a memorable experience.
 

Then you will be escorted and dropped off at your hotel. Enjoy a leisurely and free time for the rest of the day. 

Nanjing City View

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Nanjing
 

After breakfast in the morning, we start to explore this ancient city. Our tour starts from Zijin Mountain (Purple Mountain), which is known as one of the four most famous mountains in Southern China. The mountain covers a total area of 31 square kilometers, with more than two hundred scenic spots, such as Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the Xiaoling Mausoleum of Ming Dynasty.
 

Visit the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, located on the south slope of Zijin Mountain. It is the mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the forerunner of the great democratic revolution, all made of white granite and reinforced concrete, covered with blue glass tiles. It is known as “the first mausoleum in the history of modern Chinese architecture”.
 

Then move to Meiling Palace. Its official name is “the official residence of the chairman of the national government”, and it has the reputation of “the first villa in the Far East”.

Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

Walk along the sacred Road to Xiaoling Mausoleum of Ming Dynasty, which is located near the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. As an honorable UNESCO World Heritage Site, Xiao Ling magnificent value of architecture and royal mausoleum culture.
 

After that, we will visit Linggu Temple. Linggu Temple was founded in 514 A.D., and was originally known as Kaishan Temple. Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, personally gave the name “Linggu Zen Temple” and named it “the First Zen Forest under the Heaven”, which was one of the three major Buddhist temples in the Ming Dynasty. The Buddhist Relics of Xuanzang's parietal bone is preserved in the mini golden pagoda enshrined in the main hall – Xuanzang Memorial Hall. The relics are very precious, and people have a chance to see them only when the Linggu Temple holds an exhibition. Climb up to the top of the Linggu Tower, the iconic spot of Linggu Temple, and you will have a panoramic view of the surrounding scenery.

Qinhuai River

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Nanjing
 

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the hotel, we set off for Niushoushan Forest Park, which is a hidden treasure of Nanjing, a place where both Buddhists and regular tourists can enjoy. Take sightseeing bus to the Usnisa Palace at the top, which is a modern building of 9 storeys with fabulous design. It was built to collectively exhibits and preserves the treasure of the Buddhist world – the world's only parietal relic of Buddha. Then visit the iconic Foding Temple and Foding Pagoda, and enjoy a leisurely walk in the park.
 

In the afternoon, take an educational visit to Nanjing Museum, one of the three major museums in China and the earliest museum established in China, consisting of a history hall, art hall, a special exhibition hall, a digital museum, a Republic of China museum and an intangible cultural heritage museum. Then have a leisure walk at the Gate of China and visit the Ancient City Wall, which is the world's longest, largest, and best-preserved ancient castle wall. 

Niushou Mountain

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Suzhou
 

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to take a high-speed train to Wuxi, a central city in the Yangtze River Delta area. Firstly, we will visit Lingshan Giant Buddha, which is one of the symbols of Wuxi located at the northern bank of Taihu Lake. This holy land gets its name because it is in “small Lingshan”, named by Xuanzang – a famous Chinese Buddhist monk in Tang Dynasty. Embraced by three hills and facing Taihu Lake, this giant Buddha is friendly smiling, observing all livings and protecting his people.
 

Then move to the Turtle Head Isle Park, which lies on a peninsula stretched on the north bank of Taihu Lake, one of the five largest freshwater lakes in China and a famous scenic spot in china known for its fascinating beauty. Enjoy a leisurely boat trip on Taihu Lake, enjoy the beautiful lake view. 
 

Then drive to Suzhou for overnight.

Lingshan Giant Buddha & Turtle Head Isle Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Suzhou
 

In the morning, we firstly visit Lingering Garden, one of the great four gardens in China, together with the Summer Palace in Beijing, the Mountain Summer Resort in Chengde, and the Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou. Then Visit Tiger Hill, who enjoys a reputation as ‘the first scenic spot in the State of Wu', for Suzhou was once the capital of the State of Wu during the Spring and Autumn Period. With a history of more than 2,500 years, the Tiger Hill has been known as No. 1 Sight of Suzhou. Move to Panmen Gate, the only existing water and land gate in China.
 

Then take a visit to Suzhou Museum has been a highly-regarded regional museum with a number of significant Chinese cultural relics. A new museum designed by world famous architect I.M.Pei. Walk into Pingjiang Road, a historical street located in the northeastern Suzhou ancient city. The Pingjiang Road was regarded as the main route. After 800 years, Pingjiang Road is still well-preserved. This is a stone route with a river flowing along it. Bridges across the river, houses with white walls and black roofs built along the stone road, locals especially the old walking leisurely, the scene here shows a traditional Suzhou local life.

Panmen Gate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Shanghai
 

In the morning, you will be transferred to the peaceful Tongli Water Town and touch its profound culture and representative vista of water town in Southern China. Ride a local boat along the waterways in the water town and enjoy the tranquil southern China lifestyle.
 

Then continue to drive to Shanghai(about 1.5 hours driving), the magical metropolis of China.

Tongli Water Town

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Shanghai
 

In the morning, we will start the tour from People's Square, where we will visit Shanghai Museum, a large museum of ancient Chinese art. Then move to Wukang Road, a 1.17 km long road, along which each house and its detail show its stories and history. All the buildings hear are in European style. Walking on Wukang Road you'll get the sense that you have arrived in Europe.
 

The next stop is Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC) is a super tall skyscraper in Pudong New Area, Shanghai. It is a mixed-use skyscraper which consists of offices, hotels, conference rooms, observation decks, and shopping malls on the ground floors. Ride the elevator to the observation deck to have a good panoramic view of the city. Have a stop at the Bund, a landmark of Shanghai. The Bund starts south from the Yan'an East Road, north to the White Bridge on the Suzhou Creek, east faces the Huangpu River, west has the 52 different classical revival building in the Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque, Chinese and western style which constitute the financial center of old Shanghai and concentration zone of foreign trade agencies. The Bund is known as the “International Architecture Exhibition Group”. At the Bund, you will also enjoy the skyline of this modern city on the opposite of the Huangpu River.

Enjoy a leisurely shopping time on your own in Nanjing Road, which enjoys the reputation as China No.1 commercial center. It was the earliest commercial street in Shanghai since the city opened to the outside world.

Shanghai City View and the Bund

Meals: Breakfast
 

Enjoy a leisurely time before the transfer to the airport for your homebound flight.
 

Service Ends