9 Days Shanghai-Suzhou-Hangzhou-Huangshan Private Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shanghai Arrival

   When you arrive in Shanghai, your private local guide and driver will greet you at the exit of airport/train station. Before getting off the plane/train, please double check your belongings to ensure you have collected all your stuff. The rest of the day is for your own arrangement. If you need any suggestions, we will be very happy to help.

   Accommodation: Shanghai local 4 stars hotel

2. Day 2: Shanghai Highlights Tour
   Experience the Past and Present of the Magic City

   After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to Shanghai Museum. After viewing thousands of precious collections there, we will move on to the classical Yuyuan Garden to immerse in the tranquil atmosphere here. Then, your guide will accompany you to the former French Concession to explore the history of Shanghai from 1849 to 1943.

   

   Lunch is served at a local restaurant with authentic Shanghai cuisine. After that, we will set off to Shanghai World Financial Center to have a bird’s-eye-view of the Huangpu River. Next, your guide will lead you to Nanjing Road and optionally try some local snacks. When it gets dark, we will take a leisure walk along the Bund to admire various complexes and enjoy the beautiful night scene of the Huangpu River. Your guide and driver will transfer you back to the hotel at the end of the day.

   Accommodation: Shanghai local 4 stars hotel

   

3. Day 3: Shanghai to Suzhou Tour by High Speed Train
   Wander around Exquisite Gardens

   After breakfast, your Shanghai guide will escort you to catch the bullet train to Suzhou. Upon arrival, you will meet your private Suzhou guide at the exit.

   We will start our Suzhou tour with Lingering Garden, one of the four most famous gardens in China, sharing fame with Summer Palace in Beijing, Mountain Resort in Chengde, and Humble Administrator’s Garden also in Suzhou. After that, we will continue to Shantang Old Street. It used to be one of the busiest commercial blocks over 1,100 years ago. Today, you can still feel its prosperity, and also see the original lifestyle of local residences.

   After lunch, we will move on to Tiger Hill to delve into its graceful landscape and profound history. Our final stop is Suzhou's No.1 Silk Factory where you can learn how Chinese silk fabrics are produced.

   After that, our guide will accompany you to a local hotel for check-in.

   Accommodation: Suzhou local 4 stars hotel

   

4. Day 4: Suzhou to Hangzhou Tour by Bullet Train
   Feel the charm of China’s No. 1 Water Town

   As you will take a bullet train to Hangzhou in the afternoon, your private Suzhou guide will help you check out the hotel after breakfast. Please pack your belongings in advance. We will spend a whole morning exploring the Suzhou Museum. Your guide will show you around to appreciate valuable collections and enjoy the charm of local arts and customs.

   

   At noon, you will have local cuisine in a famous restaurant. Then we will head to Zhouzhuang, which enjoys a reputation as China's no.1 water town. Standing on a stone bridge, you can see a peaceful scene of well-preserved residences lining the waterways and old-style boats floating on the water.

   After visiting the old town, your guide will escort you to the train station to catch the bullet train to Hangzhou. Upon arrival, your private Hangzhou guide will welcome you at the exit and transfer you to the downtown hotel for a good rest.

   Accommodation: Hangzhou local 4 stars hotel

   

5. Day 5: In-Depth Hangzhou Tour
   Explore around West Lake and Enjoy the Tea Culture

   Meet your guide at the hotel lobby after breakfast and we will head to West Lake, the symbol of Hangzhou, showcasing picturesque scenery all year round. While visiting, your guide will point out good spots for taking photos and tell you romantic stories that happened here.

   Continue our trip to Lingyin Temple, one of the oldest and most significant Buddhist temples in China, to immerse in 1,700 years of Buddhist culture. Then hike to Feilai Peak. Along the way, you will feast your eyes on the unique landscape and countless Buddhas carved in various postures and sizes on the cliffs.

   

   After lunch, we will head to Meijiawu Tea Village, which is encircled by hills fully planted with Longjing Tea. You will feel refreshed by the verdant surroundings filled with faint tea aroma and also enjoy a cup of tea. Then, we will further the exploration of Chinese tea culture at the China National Tea Museum.

   After the whole day’s visit, you will be transferred back to the hotel.

   Accommodation: Hangzhou local 4 stars hotel

   

6. Day 6: Hangzhou to Huangshan Tour by Bullet Train
   Stroll around an Ancient Block in Downtown

   After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to Huangzhou train station to take a bullet train to Huangshan, the last destination of this East China Tour. After meeting your private Huangshan guide, you will be led to a popular restaurant to have a hearty lunch.

   After lunch, we will set off to Tunxi Ancient Street, the most prosperous block in the downtown area with traditional Hui-style buildings of the Southern Song, Ming, and Qing Dynasties lined along flagstone streets. Numerous time-honored brands can be found here, making it an ideal place to buy local specialties, such as Four Treasures of Study, and Huangshan tea.

   Then, your guide will accompany you to check into a hotel. The rest of the day is for your own arrangement.

   Tips: It is recommended you prepare something for the coming Mt. Huangshan hiking tour, like snacks, hiking poles, comfortable shoes, and a jacket. Since the weather is changeable, packing a raincoat is also necessary.

   Accommodation: Huangshan local 4 stars hotel

   

7. Day 7: Mt. Huangshan Hiking Tour
   Being in the Midst of a Huge "Landscape Painting"

   Mt. Huangshan is one of the greatest mountains in China, boasting strange pines, queer rocks, a sea of clouds, and hot springs. Today, our wonderful Huangshan hiking tour begins!

   After breakfast at the hotel, your guide and driver will pick you up, and then we will drive for about 1 hour to Huangshan Mountain. Upon arrival, a shuttle bus will transfer you to Cloud Valley Temple. We will take a cable car here up to White-Goose Ridge. Then follow the staircases to enjoy the breathtaking scenery at North Sea, Beginning-to-Believe Peak, Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion, and West Sea Valley.

   The whole hiking may take about 3 hours. If you are still in good shape and want to explore more, we can continue to Sky Sea Scenic Area to enjoy the gorgeous sunset at Bright Summit and explore Flying-over Rock.

   Tonight, you will stay at a hotel on the mountain so as to catch the sunrise the next day.

   Accommodation: Huangshan Mountain 4 stars hotel

   

8. Day 8: Huangshan Mountain Tour
   Enjoy Breathtaking Sunrise and Strange Peaks

   Today we will leave the hotel in the early morning to witness the incredible sunrise. Your guide will lead you to occupy a vantage point to catch the thrilling moment.

   After that, we will go back to the hotel to have breakfast. Then we will take a hike to explore the Lion Peak which looks exactly like a crouching lion, the Dawn Pavilion, and an interesting rock called "Stone Monkey Watching Sea". 

   Then we will go down the mountain by cable car, and our 2-day Huangshan hiking tour comes to an end.

   Your private Huangshan guide will escort you back to the hotel in the downtown area. The rest of the day is free for your own arrangement. But it is highly recommended you seize the chance to further explore the city with your family or friends and capture more memorable moments for this 9-day tour in China.

   Accommodation: Huangshan local 4 stars hotel

   

9. Day 9: Huangshan Departure
   Relaxing Tour in Ancient Villages with Traditional Residences

   Today you will delve into the traditional rural lifestyle of Huangshan in two well-preserved villages, Hongcun and Xidi. After breakfast, we will head to Hongcun Village first, which was established 800 years ago. Our guide will show you around, introduce features of Hui-style architecture, and help you take photos of buildings and picturesque rustic scenery.

   Lunch is not included in this China tour package, but your guide is happy to recommend some local restaurants for you.

   Then, we will move on to Xidi Ancient Village. It is well-known as "the treasure house of ancient residential architectures". Besides enjoying traditional residences, you may have a special experience chatting with locals, if interested, to better understand their lifestyle and unique local traditions.

   When the visit is over, your guide and driver will transfer you to the train station/airport for your departure train/flight. This 9 days Private China Tour Package of Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Huangshan ends here. Wish you a pleasant journey!