An east China tour will take you to the must-see places around Shanghai. An old and modern Shanghai, the Yellow Mountain's cloud sea, ancient Wuzhen water town, West Lake with romance stories offer you sights to regions south of the Yangtze River (also known as Jiangnan).
Highlights
- See a Shanghai in 1920s at the French Concession
- Watch an amazing sunrise on spectacular Yellow Mountain
- Stroll along the ancient Wuzhen Water town
- Pick up and taste Dragon Well Tea
- Take a boat on the romantic West Lake
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Great time in Hangzhou
Our local guide, Leaf Zhang, is passionate in her work, knowledgeable, helpful, and patient. She provides in-depth knowledge of the history and culture of each location. She even helped my wife to choose qipao and helped us in our photo shoots. We would certainly recommend her to our friends and also request for her service again should we come back to Hangzhou again. more
Oct 2024, GL L
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This is an exceptional travel firm
Also our fantastic guide, listed below, who were not only knowledgeable, but also warm and welcoming, sharing many interesting insights about life in China more
Oct 2024, Philip Gill
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Very nice journey in Hangzhou.
May organized us a perfect journey and Derek was a perfect guide. We liked very much the Lakenheath, the pagoda, the pedestrian Street, the modern center. He took care of us for all our needs and wishes. He was very competent, practical, generous. In other words, perfect! more
Oct 2024, Antonella T
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Suggested Itinerary
Your private guide and driver will be waiting for you when you arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Seat in a comfortable and non-smoking car and enjoy a hassle free journey to your hotel. Check in with the help of your guide.
Today you will visit Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall to get an overview of Shanghai' s development including its history, present and future. It is an unbelievable scale model of the city. Later you will see Shanghai's new landmark-Shanghai World Financial Center, where you can have a bird's eye view of Shanghai from the top floor of the building (474 meters up).
Continue to walk on the Bund to discover the classic landmark of Shanghai and visit Yu Garden, which is a place of traditional Chinese garden and architectural features.
Good to know:
Yu Garden, a good way to gain an insight into old Shanghai and Chinese typical garden. Go early to avoid the crowds
The Yuyuan GardenAfter a western breakfast in the hotel, you will visit Xintiandi and Old French Concession in the morning. They are a tribute to the modern commercial China. See some typical local Shanghai houses (linong) in old times in this area. Old French Concession is an awesome French corner of Shanghai in the past. A nice walk to see some French architectures, shops and restaurants.
Fly to Huangshan in the afternoon. Your guide will take you to the airport in time and pick you up in Shanghan airport. Enjoy a hassle free transfer from Shanghai to Huangshan.
Shanghai French ConcessionAfter a good rest and western breakfast in the city hotel, you will start to visit one of the most beautiful and magnificent mountains: the Yellow Mountain (Mt. Huangshan). Don't miss to glance at the wonderful scenery on the Yungu cable car (a round-trip cable car is included). The mountain's "Four Wonders" are: imaginatively-named pines, oddly-shaped rocks, seas of clouds, and hot springs. Guided by local specialist, who spend more than 200 days on the Yellow Mountain each year.
Good to know:Stay in one of the best hotels on the Yellow Mountain. Night on the mountain is rather cold, so prepare more warm clothes for your trip.
The Yellow MountainsAn early morning for a fantastic sunrise on the Yellow Mountain if the weather is good. Get yourself warm. The Yellow Mountain is a world UNESCO site popularly described in many classical Chinese poems and paintings. It's beautiful indeed even in rainy and foggy days. Head to Hongcun Village to see local Anhui architectures. It's a beautiful old village with lots of old mansions, canals, and ancestral hall. Reflections on its beautiful bond make the village more outstanding compared with other villages. Later, your guide will take you to catch a coach to Hangzhou.
Start to typical Chinese watertown Wuzhen after a western hotel breakfast. As one of the top 6 China's watertowns, Wuzhen have a history of over 2000 years. Famous for its ancient stone bridges, stone pathways and delicate wood carvings. A pretty place to capture old houses built along the water. Wuzhen Water Town has two sections: West (Xizha) and East (Dongzha). Your guide will take you to Xizha which is much bigger and more attractive but less tourists. You can get in touch with more original local life there.
Good to know
A must-see water town that worth a stay over to enjoy. If you want to stay overnight in Wuzhen, feel free to ask your travel advisor to arrange for you.
Wuzhen Water TownVisit Meijiawu Tea village to see Chinese tea farm, pick up and tasty Hangzhou's Dragon Well Tea (longjing tea). Driven uphill and walk in green tea plantation which is an origin place of authentic Longjing Tea. Surrounded by mountains and clean water, the village has a history of 600 years. Fresh air there in the morning is pleasant
Appreciate some stunning stone carvings and cultural treasures in Linyin Temple. It's a great Buddhist temple with over 300 rock carvings chiseled in the hillside and carving near the temple. The Flying Peak has some amazing carvings into the mountains and cliffs, which are unbelievable. It is the place that to pray for a good relationship after visiting the Bodhisattva.
Hangzhou is best known as the home of the picturesque West Lake. Take a small boat on the beautiful lake. You will visit the Fairy Island to see one of the Ten Best Views of West Lake — Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, which was printed on the back of one-yuan banknote.
Meijiawu Tea VillageTrip Notes
1. What is the best time to visit Hangzhou?
You can visit Hangzhou at any time. Hangzhou in every season has different beautiful scenery, famous for its Ten Scenes of West Lake. Spring and autumn are more popular because of hot summer and chilly winter. Avoid Chinese national holidays like May 1st, China National Day (Oct.1th-7th). The landmark West Lake is popular on weekends.
2.How to get Hangzhou?
From most cities
Flights/trains from most cities to Hangzhou are convenient.
From Shanghai
We suggest you arrive at Hangzhou by train from Shanghai, which can be as short as 1 hour. Private car transfer from Shanghai to Hangzhou is not offered due to the limitation of cars/buses from other cities on weekdays. We suggest you arrive at Hangzhou by train/air. High speed train tickets and flight tickets booking service are offered.
From/to Yellow Mountain
Regular coaches run between Hangzhou and the Yellow Mountain with a 3h journey.
3. Extend to Hangzhou's neighbors:
To Suzhou (1-2 days)
Extend to Suzhou to see its typical Chinese gardens and ancient water towns. Enrich your itinerary with Suzhou's must-see highlights: Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden/ The Garden of the Master of Nets, cruise along the Grand Canal.
Price includes: