2 Days Suzhou Tour from Shanghai: Zen Dialogue, Garden, Old Town

This morning, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and escort you to Shanghai high speed train station for your bullet train to Suzhou (about 0.5 hour, 90km). Welcome to Suzhou, reputed as the "City of Gardens" and "Venice of the East," offering an elegant and picturesque atmosphere. Upon arrival in Suzhou, you will be escorted to explore this charming, poetic city.

Your first stop is take a water taxi heading to Changmen Water Gate dock for about 15 minutes. This water taxi tour allows you to experience the romance of "When you come to Suzhou, every household lives along the river," immersing yourself in the relaxed pace of life that has defined Suzhou for centuries.

Landing at the 2,500-year-old Changmen Water Gate, you are at the perfect spot to witness Suzhou's unique water-city layout, known as the "Five Dragons Gathering the Water." This confluence of five waterways created a natural drainage system that still protects the ancient city. From here, you can admire the Shantang River as it winds in, passes through the water sluice, and joins the moat—the "Western Dragon merging into the Central Dragon."

Then, you turn and merge into the crowds on Shantang Street. Shantang Street is reputed to be "Suzhou's No. 1 Ancient Street," with over 1,100 years of history. As you explore, you'll discover various shops, temples, shrines, pagodas, memorial archways, guild halls, mansions, bridges, and traditional Chinese architecture. Be sure to visit the Bai Juyi Memorial Hall to see artifacts and learn about this prominent historical figure who built the street. While wandering, don’t forget to step into Xinmin Bridge Vegetable Market to try local Suzhou snacks for an authentic taste of the region.

After lunch, you will head to Lingering Garden (Liu Garden), one of China's four exquisite gardens dating back to 1593 (the other three gardens are Summer Palace in Beijing, Mountain Resort in Chengde, and Humble Administrator’s Garden also in Suzhou). As a world cultural heritage and a renowned classical Chinese garden, you will marvel at its beautiful architecture and various natural landscapes that symbolizes the Qing Dynasty style and consummate art of buildings.

Later on, visit Tiger Hill (Hu Qiu), an ancient hill park for you to see the precious cultural relics, tombs of ancient kings, pagodas, temples, and scenic spots with beautiful landscapes. It is said that "it would be a pity if you had been to Suzhou but didn't go to visit Tiger Hill". And don’t forget to visit the Tiger Hill Pagoda (Leaning Tower of China, over 1,000 years old) there which is a landmark of Suzhou City. Overnight in Suzhou.

Today, drive less than an hour from Suzhou to Dongshan Town on the shore of Lake Tai. This is one of the best-preserved Jiangnan water towns, boasting over 2,500 years of history and the birthplace of the famous "Dongting Biluochun" tea. Free from commercialization, it preserves original Ming and Qing Dynasty homes and ancient temples. Spend a peaceful day enjoying a Zen experience in this historic tea country.

Your first stop is Jiangnan Tea Culture Museum, Suzhou's first tea culture museum. Inside, you can learn about the history, origins, unique processing techniques, and the art of brewing Biluochun and other Jiangnan teas. Every spring, the Biluochun Tea Picking Festival is held around the museum. If your visit aligns (usually around March, subject to actual timing), you'll have the opportunity to experience picking the tea yourself.

Next, visit the millennium-old Bao'an Temple, a "sacred site for blessing" located by Lake Tai. This temple, a classic Jiangnan mountain monastery, boasts excellent feng shui and Tang Dynasty-era cypress trees. Surrounded by fragrant tea and orchards, it's the perfect place to experience traditional Chinese geomancy and recharge your spiritual energy.

Afterward, you will converse with the abbess in the Tang-style teahouse to learn about the thoughts and lives of monastic practitioners, Buddhist wisdom for living, and the philosophy of "Tea and Zen as One."

Next, visit Luxiang Ancient Village, a living fossil of ancient Jiangnan villages. This millennium-old village, once home to powerful clans, features beautiful scenery with houses built against the mountain and facing the lake, following ancient feng shui. Walk along the Ming Dynasty Purple Stone Street, see the three arches commemorating Prime Minister Wang Ao's exam success, and explore his former residence or taste the sweet White Jade Square Cakes.

The day concludes with a scenic drive back to Suzhou city along the broad and beautiful Lake Tai Circular Scenic Route.

After the tour, you will be escorted to Suzhou bullet train station for your high speed train to Shanghai (about 0.5 hour). Then, it is time to end your 1-day Suzhou Tour from Shanghai by High Speed Train. Your guide will escort you to your hotel or the airport/train station for your flight or high speed train to your next destination.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT) for your China tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia.