DETAILS

FULL LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
This morning you will be driven to Suzhou, a wonderfully historic city that is a fine complement for modern Shanghai.  Suzhou is one of China's major silk producing areas and the cultivation of the mulberry tree has been one of the foundations of its economy since the Han dynasty, over 2,000 years ago. Where Shanghai has opened its door to the West, Suzhou is the quintessential Chinese City.  During your visit you will have the opportunity to retrace the 2,500 years of history that the city has enjoyed.

You will first visit one of the smallest and yet most remarkable garden - the Garden of the Master of Nets.  A garden was first built here in the Song Dynasty, but its present form and name date from the late 18th century, when the scholar, Song Zongyuan, bought the property.  A walk through the garden with its bridges and carefully devised views is particularly rewarding. Some visitors may recognize the Hall for Eternal Spring, which has been recreated in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Next, visit Suzhou Silk Spinning Factory, provides an excellent introduction to the history and silk processing in the workshop. Buffet lunch will be served at Sheraton Suzhou Hotel. After lunch, cruise on this fascinating waterway Grand Canal. It’s a must on any visit to Suzhou. The ancient canal joins Suzhou with another garden city, Wuxi, and is still a vital link in transportation today. Observe local life passing by as you glide down Suzhou’s own Grand Canal.

Lastly, you will visit to Lingering Garden is located outside Changmen Gate in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. Originally a classical private garden, it is one of the four most famous gardens in China. Possessing typical Qing style, it is well-known for the exquisite beauty of its magnificent halls, and the various sizes, shapes, and colors of the buildings. In 1997, the garden was recorded on the list of the world heritage by UNESCO. 


SHORT LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
Suzhou is permeated right through with garden atmosphere. Such classical gardens were actually the dream of a lifetime home to which the Chinese of old aspired. The famous gardens are few in number, but garden architecture has a solid popular foundation in Suzhou and you can find gardens large and small in the homes of ordinary folk perhaps just a rockery or a tall and slender bamboo.

TIMING BREAKDOWN FROM SHANGHAI PORT INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER TRANSPORT CENTER
00:00 – 00:20 – Disembark and board air-conditioned coach
00:20 – 02:15 – Drive from pier to Suzhou via expressway
02:15 – 03:00 – Visit to the Garden of the Master Nets
03:00 – 03:20 – Depart for Silk Spinning Factory
03:20 – 04:15 – Visit to Silk Spinning Factory
04:15 – 04:45 – Depart for Sheraton Hotel
04:45 – 05:45 – Buffet lunch at Sheraton Hotel
05:45 – 06:15 – Take a Grand Canal Cruise
06:15 – 06:45 – Depart for Lingering Garden
06:45 – 07:30 – Visit to Lingering Garden
07:30 – 09:00 – Return to Shanghai via expressway

Approximately duration: 9 hours

TIMING BREAKDOWN FROM WAIGAOQIAO PIER
00:00 – 00:20 – Disembark and board air-conditioned coach
00:20 – 03:15 – Drive from pier to Suzhou via expressway
03:15 – 04:00 – Visit to the Garden of the Master Nets
04:00 – 04:20 – Depart for Silk Spinning Factory
04:20 – 05:15 – Visit to Silk Spinning Factory
05:15 – 05:45 – Depart for Sheraton Hotel
05:45 – 06:45 – Buffet lunch at Sheraton Hotel
06:45 – 07:15 – Take a Grand Canal Cruise
07:15 – 07:45 – Depart for Lingering Garden
07:45 – 08:30 – Visit to Lingering Garden
08:30 – 11:00 – Return to Shanghai via expressway

Approximately duration: 11 hours

OPERATION NOTES
• A considerable amount of walking involved.  A pair of good walking shoes and appropriate attire are recommended (i.e., comfortable clothing in line with weather conditions)
• Wheelchairs are not available and will have limited or NO wheelchair access
• Restrooms are available throughout this tour but will vary in cleanliness – wet wipes and tissue recommended
• This tour is not a shopping tour but there will be items to purchase at the Silk spinning factory
• Bottled water & wet towel will be provided during sightseeing
• Lunch is included food, local bottled water, Coffee/tea

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