Jiangnan Heritage & Water Town Discovery Tour

Itinerary:
Morning: Start your day at the Feilai Peak Scenic Area, where centuries-old Buddhist rock carvings blend spiritual artistry with history. Continue to Lingyin Temple, one of Hangzhou's oldest and most revered temples, and experience its peaceful, contemplative atmosphere.
Afternoon: Head to West Lake, the city's most iconic landmark. Enjoy a scenic boat cruise across its calm waters, then visit Leifeng Pagoda for panoramic views and a glimpse into the legendary tale of the White Snake. End your day with a leisurely walk down Qinghefang Street, lined with traditional buildings, street food stalls, teahouses, and cultural shops.

Attractions:
Feilai Peak Scenic Area (Ticket included): The scenic spot features Feilai Peak and Lingyin Temple. Famous for its hundreds of ancient Buddhist carvings from various dynasties, this site blends religious significance with natural beauty.
Lingyin Temple (Ticket not included): Also known as the Yunlin Temple, this ancient temple nestled at the foot of Lingyin Mountain is rich in history and spiritual charm. Note: Incense offerings require an additional on-site donation and cannot be pre-booked.
West Lake Scenic Area (Free entry): A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the heart of Hangzhou, West Lake is celebrated for its poetic landscapes and classic "Ten Views of West Lake."
West Lake Boat Cruise (Ticket included): Glide across the lake's tranquil waters and enjoy picturesque views of willow-lined shores, distant hills, and graceful bridges and pagoda.
Leifeng Pagoda (Ticket included): This reconstructed tower on Sunset Hill offers stunning lake views and historical exhibits linked to Hangzhou's most famous folk tale of the "Legend of the White Snake."
Qinghefang Street (Free entry): This vibrant pedestrian street showcases traditional Chinese architecture and offers a wide variety of local snacks, souvenirs, teahouses, and time-honored brands. It is one of the most culturally rich areas in Hangzhou.

Dining:
Breakfast: As provided by your selected hotel
Lunch: Local specialties (own expense)
Dinner: Local specialties (own expense)

Hotel: Hotel of your choice

Itinerary:
Morning: Start the day with a choice of two tranquil retreats:
Xixi National Wetland Park- Stroll along eco-friendly boardwalks like Fu Causeway and Green Causeway, where lush wetlands and serene waterways create a rare natural escape right in the heart of the city.
Xianghu Lake - Enjoy a peaceful lakeside walk or take a gentle boat ride. Xianghu provides a more tranquil and intimate experience.
Afternoon: Head to Wuzhen, one of the most iconic water towns in China. Begin your journey through time in Dongzha (East Gate), where daily life unfolds among original residences and traditional architecture. Later, explore Xizha (West Gate), famous for its canal-side promenades, boutique shops, and cozy cafés. Take your time soaking in the town's nostalgic charm as evening falls.

Attractions:
Xixi National Wetland Park (Ticket included): Situated in western Hangzhou, Xixi is the first national wetland park in China that integrates urban life, farming, and cultural heritage. Historically ranked alongside West Lake and Xiling as one of the "Three Xi (三西)," the park features ten classic scenic spots and three famous causeways. It's a serene, nature-filled oasis in the city.
Xianghu Lake (Free entry): Located in Xiaoshan District, Xianghu provides a more tranquil choice to visitors. With several themed areas, it's ideal for a quiet walk or a scenic boat cruise.
Wuzhen Water Town (Ticket included): Located in northern Zhejiang, Wuzhen is a beautifully preserved water town known for its picturesque canals, cobblestone alleys, and time-honored traditions. The town is divided into East and West Scenic Areas, each offering a different glimpse into Jiangnan's historic charm.
Dongzha (East Gate) (Ticket included): Dongzha maintains its authentic residential atmosphere, with many locals still living in traditional homes. The area reflects the town's original lifestyle and culture.
Xizha (West Gate) (Ticket included): Xizha features refined wooden architecture, peaceful canals, and classic stone bridges. Dotted with artisan shops, teahouses, and riverside cafés, it's the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the slower rhythm of water town life.

Dining:
Breakfast: As provided by your selected hotel
Lunch: Local specialties (own expense)
Dinner: Local specialties (own expense)

Hotel: Hotel of your choice

Itinerary:
Morning: Start your day with a peaceful walk through the quiet alleys and canals of Wuzhen's West Gate. In the soft morning light, this ancient water town comes to life with elegance stone-paved lanes, arching bridges, and rippling waters offer a truly serene Jiangnan water town.
Afternoon: Continue to Nanxun Old Town, a hidden gem that blends centuries-old tradition with elegant architectural styles. Explore a collection of beautifully preserved sites, including the Former Residence of Zhang Shiming, Liu's Ladder Hall, Former Residence of Zhang Jingjiang, and the refined Yiyuan Garden. Each tells a story of the town's affluent past and cultural richness. Later in the day, arrive in Suzhou and unwind with a stroll along historic Shantang Street. It's the perfect setting to sample authentic Suzhou snacks and soak in the distinctive water town charm.

Attractions:
Nanxun Old Town (Free entry): Once home to some of the wealthiest merchants in Jiangnan, Nanxun remains graceful and grand. Its architecture features a harmonious mix of Chinese tradition and Western influence, and its mansions and gardens reflect a rich legacy of refinement.
Little Lotus Garden & Jiayetang Library (Ticket included): This elegant estate includes Jiayetang Library, built in 1924 by bibliophile Liu Chenggan, and Little Lotus Garden, one of Jiangnan's celebrated private gardens.
Former Residence of Zhang Shiming (Ticket included): A sprawling private mansion built by one of Nanxun's most prominent families, this estate exemplifies the fusion of Eastern and Western architectural styles. It remains one of the best-preserved examples of aristocratic life in late Qing Jiangnan.
Liu's Ladder Hall (Ticket included): Also known as Chongde Hall, this red-brick residence belonged to Liu Ansheng, son of Nanxun's wealthiest merchant. Its Western-influenced architecture is another reflection of the town's unique cultural blend.
Former Residence of Zhang Jingjiang (Ticket included): Home to revolutionary figure Zhang Jingjiang, this grand residence retains its traditional Qing-style ancient layout. It is both a cultural landmark and a historical treasure.
Yiyuan Garden (Ticket included): Designed by art collector Pang Yuanji, Yiyuan—literally "Garden of All Seasons"—is a refined private garden renowned for its elegant scenery and poetic harmony with nature. It remains one of Nanxun's classical examples of Jiangnan garden design.
Shantang Street, Suzhou (Free entry): Spanning roughly 3.5 kilometers from Tiger Hill to the city gate, Shantang Street is one of Suzhou's most iconic ancient streets. With its stone bridges, canal-side homes, and bustling shops, it showcases the traditional Suzhou life and local delicacies.

Dining:
Breakfast: As provided by your selected hotel
Lunch: Local specialties (own expense)
Dinner: Local specialties (own expense)

Hotel: Hotel of your choice

Itinerary:
Morning: Start your day with a visit to the Humble Administrator's Garden, Suzhou's most iconic classical garden. Stroll through its winding pathways, cross elegant bridges, and admire scenic spots like the Yuanxiang Hall and the Xiaofeihong bridge, all set within a harmonious landscape of water and greenery. Next, make your way to Tiger Hill. Climb the leaning pagoda for sweeping city views, then explore the legendary Sword Pond and surrounding gardens that blend natural beauty with rich history.
Afternoon: In the afternoon, visit Hanshan Temple, a tranquil site steeped in over a millennium of Buddhist tradition. Here you can ring the ancient bell for blessings, try your hand at scripture copying, and feed koi fish in peaceful courtyards, experiencing the profound atmosphere of Buddhist.

Attractions:
Humble Administrator's Garden (Ticket included): Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China's "Four Great Classical Gardens," this masterpiece of Jiangnan garden design features ponds, pavilions, rockeries, and flowering trees laid out in perfect balance.
Tiger Hill Scenic Area (Ticket included): Tiger Hill seamlessly blends natural splendor with cultural depth. The sloping Yunyan Pagoda with the surrounding gardens and Sword Pond create a peaceful yet storied setting.
Hanshan Temple (Ticket included): Made famous by the Tang-era poem A Night Mooring by Maple Bridge, Hanshan Temple is one of Suzhou's most revered spiritual sites. With a history spanning over 1,400 years, it continues to welcome pilgrims and visitors seeking peace, good fortune.

Dining:
Breakfast: As provided by your selected hotel
Lunch: Local specialties (own expense)
Dinner: Local specialties (own expense)

Hotel: Hotel of your choice

Itinerary:
Morning: After breakfast, visit the Suzhou Museum to admire this modern architecture that masterfully blends modern design with traditional Suzhou garden elements. Inside, explore the impressive collection of cultural relics and exhibits. Afterwards, stroll over to Lion Grove Garden, famous for its intricate limestone rockeries that create a captivating maze, showcasing the artful ingenuity of classical Chinese garden design.
Afternoon: In the afternoon, drive to Nianhua Bay in Wuxi. Meander along quaint streams and charming stone bridges, admire the colorful flower arrangements along the streets, and immerse yourself in the peaceful, Zen-inspired ambiance.

Attractions:
Suzhou Museum (Free entry): Comprising a modern wing designed by I.M. Pei and the historic Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Loyal King's Mansion, Suzhou Museum harmoniously fuses contemporary architecture with classic Suzhou courtyard style. The exhibits span ancient ceramics, jade artifacts, and fine art, while the mansion features elegant traditional Suzhou decorative painting.
Lion Grove Garden (Ticket included): As one of Suzhou's "Four Great Classical Gardens," Lion Grove is renowned for its dense clusters of uniquely shaped limestone formations that resemble a pride of lions. The garden's rockeries and peaceful pavilions form a labyrinthine retreat, showcasing classical Chinese garden artistry.
Nianhua Bay, Wuxi (Ticket included): Situated just west of the Lingshan Scenic Area, Nianhua Bay is a quaint, Zen-inspired town featuring beige and white buildings with distinctive blue-tiled roofs and wooden details. With its small bridges, flowing water, and lush gardens, it's an idyllic spot for relaxation.

Dining:
Breakfast: As provided by your selected hotel
Lunch: Local specialties (own expense)
Dinner: Local specialties (own expense)

Hotel: Hotel of your choice

Itinerary:
Morning: After breakfast, transfer to Wuxi's Lingshan Buddhist Scenic Spot. Take in the awe-inspiring sight of the towering Lingshan Buddha and soak in the solemn and sacred atmosphere. Explore the magnificent Brahma Palace, renowned for its intricate architecture and rich Buddhist heritage.
Afternoon: In the afternoon, visit the Zhonghua Xiaodao Park to explore the deep-rooted values of traditional Chinese filial piety, where Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism converge. Later, wander through Qingguo Lane and experience the timeless charm of Jiangnan's water towns.

Attractions:
Lingshan Buddhist Scenic Spot (Ticket included): Famous for its profound Buddhist significance and impressive cultural landmarks, Lingshan showcases the depth of China's spiritual and traditional heritage.
Zhonghua Xiaodao Park (Ticket included): Nestled between Taihu Lake and Liao'e Mountain, this cultural park celebrates filial piety and Guanyin worship, promoting the core values of Chinese family ethics through a rich cultural experience.
Qingguo Lane (Free entry): Once called "Qian Guo Lane," this historic street runs about 1 km alongside Changzhou's city moat. It features architecture from the Ming, Qing, and Republican periods, including ancestral homes, temples, bridges, old wells, theaters, and schools, making it a living heritage site full of Jiangnan's historical spirit.

Dining:
Breakfast: As provided by your selected hotel
Lunch: Local specialties (own expense)
Dinner: Local specialties (own expense)

Hotel: Hotel of your choice

Itinerary:
Morning: Start your day with a visit to Tianning Temple, a centuries-old Buddhist site known for its peaceful ambiance and spiritual significance. Wander through incense-filled halls, then climb the Tianning Pagoda for sweeping views over Changzhou.
Noon: After lunch, head to Oriental SaltLake Resort at the foot of Maoshan Mountain. Stroll through ancient-style streets inspired by the Wei and Jin dynasties, take in Taoist culture and philosophy, explore traditional crafts, and experience the harmony of nature and humanity in this vibrant cultural village.
Afternoon: Arrive in Yangzhou to explore the China Grand Canal Museum, where interactive exhibits bring to life the rich history of this thousand-year-old waterway. As night falls, enjoy a leisurely cruise along the Ancient Canal, passing under beautifully lit bridges and along historic waterfronts.

Attractions:
Tianning Temple (Ticket included): Dating back to the Tang Dynasty, Tianning Temple is a major Buddhist landmark and one of the birthplaces of traditional chant music. Its vast halls, towering Buddha statues, and monumental incense burner reflect its spiritual grandeur.
Tianning Pagoda (Ticket included): A 13-story pagoda completed in 2007, it's a Changzhou iconic landmark. Each level houses themed displays of sacred artifacts, turning the tower into a vertical museum.
Oriental SaltLake Resort, Maoshan (Ticket included): Nestled at Maoshan's base, this immersive attraction blends Taoist culture, folk traditions, and hands-on experiences. With ancient-style architecture, seasonal activities, health workshops, and nighttime bars by the water, it's a modern cultural escape for all ages.
China Grand Canal Museum (Free entry): As a key project of the National Grand Canal Cultural Park, this museum offers a vivid look at the Grand Canal's legacy through multimedia exhibits and historic artifacts. Operated by Nanjing Museum, it's a must-visit for culture lovers.
Yangzhou Ancient Canal (Free entry): Stretching from Zhuyu Bay to Gaomin Temple, the most popular route runs between Bianyimen and South Gate piers. Cruise past heritage sites like Dongguan Street, under elegant bridges, and through a beautifully lit riverscape.

Included Activity: Ancient Canal Boat Ride (Departure: Bianyimen Pier)
Cruise along Yangzhou's historic Grand Canal between Bianyimen Square Pier and South Gate Pier—boarding is available at either end. Boats run from 2:00–9:00 PM, with guides narrating along the way.

Dining:
Breakfast: As provided by your selected hotel
Lunch: Local specialties (own expense)
Dinner: Local specialties (own expense)

Hotel: Hotel of your choice

Itinerary:
Morning: Start your day with a peaceful stroll along the iconic Slender West Lake. Take in the graceful pavilions, arching bridges, and lush seasonal flowers as you enjoy the timeless elegance of Jiangnan's classic waterside scenery.
Noon: After lunch, visit either He Garden or Ge Garden.
He Garden, often hailed as the "Finest Garden of the Late Qing Dynasty," blends traditional Chinese aesthetics with Western elements, featuring layered courtyards and a network of covered walkways.
Ge Garden is famous for its four rockeries symbolizing the seasons, each crafted from different stone materials—an artistic highlight of classical Chinese garden design.
Afternoon: Continue to Daming Temple, a tranquil site nestled among ancient trees and historic halls, rich in Buddhist heritage. Later, explore the vibrant Dongguan Street Historic District, experience the local life and traditional culture of Yangzhou.

Attractions:
Slender West Lake (Ticket included): Famed in the poetic line "Misty March brings me to Yangzhou," Slender West Lake is a narrow, elegant waterway framed by willows and traditional pavilions. Stroll its peaceful banks, visit lakeside gardens filled with historic calligraphy and art, or take a boat ride along the picturesuqe lake route.
He Garden (Optional) (Ticket included): Commissioned in 1883 by He Zhidao, a well-connected local gentry, He Garden is renowned for its East-meets-West design and sophisticated spatial planning. Its signature feature is a series of winding corridors and pavilions that connect residential and garden spaces with elegant fluidity, earning it the title of “First Garden of the Late Qing Dynasty.”
Ge Garden (Optional) (Ticket included): Named for the “个”-shaped bamboo that once flourished here, Ge Garden was built during the Qing Dynasty by salt magnate Huang Zhiyun. Its signature is a set of ingeniously constructed seasonal rockeries, using varying stones to portray spring, summer, autumn, and winter—a masterpiece of traditional Chinese rockery craftsmanship.
Daming Temple (Ticket included): Perched on Shugang Hill beside Slender West Lake, Daming Temple rose to fame as the teaching site of the legendary monk Jianzhen before his journey to Japan. The temple complex includes stately halls, the Qiling Pagoda, and a classical Chinese garden known as the West Garden.
Dongguan Street Historic District (Free entry): This centuries-old commercial street stretches from the Grand Canal to Guoqing Road. Once a thriving hub in the Tang Dynasty, Dongguan Street still retains its Ming and Qing charm with stone-paved lanes and historic façades. Today, it's a lively pedestrian zone where visitors can enjoy local street food, browse artisanal crafts, and experience the daily rhythm of Yangzhou life.

Dining:
Breakfast: As provided by your selected hotel
Lunch: Local specialties (own expense)
Dinner: Local specialties (own expense)

Hotel: Hotel of your choice

Itinerary:
Today marks the end of your memorable journey. You will be transferred to Yangzhou Railway Station or Airport based on your chosen train or flight schedule—please allow at least two hours for the transfer.
Morning:
Enjoy free time at your leisure. If you're looking to explore a bit more of Yangzhou before you leave, here are a few recommended spots:
Yangzhou Museum of Guangling King's Tomb in Han Dynasty, Yangzhou Baguai Memorial Hall, Wenchang Pavilion or Tangcheng Relic Site

Dining:
Breakfast: As provided by your selected hotel
Lunch: Local specialties (own expense)
Dinner: Local specialties (own expense)

Hotel: Hotel of your choice