Suzhou Weekend Getaway with Zhouzhuang Water Town
Overview
Classical gardens, golden waterway of ancient times and pristine water towns – Suzhou reminds people of all those things, but it has much more to offer for sightseeing, to experience and to discover. On an weekend getaway tour to Suzhou, you can explore many faces of this beguiling destination. Visit the Humble Administrator’s Garden, Garden of the Net Master. Walking the Grand Canal and Panmen Gate. Sit on a rickshaw through the old town of the ciy to discover culinary treats and witness yourself local people’s life. And experience ancient Chinese water town’s charm by cruising Zhouzhuang.
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After breakfast, we will set out for today’s exciting tour. The tour will start from the biggest classical garden in Suzhou, the Humble Administrator’s Garden. It is also regarded as the 4 most famous gardens in China, together with the Summer Palace of Beijing, the Mountain Summer Resort of Chengde, and the Lingering Garden of Suzhou. The Humble Administrator’s Garden is an artistic combination of buildings, pools, bridges, trees and paths that arranged in a specific manner.
Later, we will have a rickshaw ride to see authentic Suzhou local life. Sitting on the rickshaw, you can have a nice glimpse of the old block. The rickshaw driver will bring you through small alleys, and you will pass by ancient constructions, schools, food markets, stone pagodas etc. Have lunch at a local Suzhou restaurant, and your tour guide will assist you order popular local food, such as squirrel-shaped mandarin fish.
After lunch, we will move on to visit the Garden of the Net Master. It is only 1/6 of the size of the Humble Administrator’s Garden, but it is the most exquisite classical garden in Suzhou. When you walk in the garden’s corridors, through the windows, you often catch views of beautiful flowers or plants in distance. After that, transfer to Panmen Scenic Area. It was built on the base of some historical sites by using the architectural structure of classical gardens. Walking onto the top of the gate, you can see the Wu Gate Bridge and the Auspicious Light Pagoda. Together, they are popularly know as the Three Scenes at Pan Gate.
Afterwards, have a relaxing stroll along Suzhou Ancient Grand Canal. The Grand Canal was constructed from Spring and Autumn period (770BC-453BC) and basically completed in mid-Tang Dynasty (618-907), it has been the golden waterway for thousands of years and prospered the economy of Suzhou. Nowadays, there are over 6000 ships sailing by Suzhou Grand Canal which makes Suzhou section to be the busiest section of the whole Grand Canal. Passing by the old buildings and bridges, you will experience the authentic life of Suzhou.
Meal: B, L
This morning, your tour guide and driver will escort you to explore Zhouzhuang Water Town. It is situated in Kunshan city, around 30 kilometers southeast of Suzhou. The town benefits from the beauty of rivers and lakes. Visiting Zhouzhuang ancient town, you can see 14 ancient particular stone bridges that were built in Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Double Bridge and Yong’am Bridge are the most famous and considered the symbol of the peaceful town. Residents of the ancient town built their houses and streets along the rivers, over 60% of the town’s buildings can date back to the early Ming Dynasty. You can take a gondola or relaxing cruise to experience the small water town (optional).
After the tour, you will be transferred to rail station or airport for your departure.
Meal: B, L
End of service.
