Gardens, Villages, and Mountains – Discovering the Living Heritage of Eastern China
Experience the soul of China on an itinerary that leads you from the vibrant skyscrapers of Shanghai to the tranquil canals of Tongli, and the poetic classical gardens of Suzhou. Board a high-speed train to the legendary peaks of Huangshan, where twisted pines and mist have inspired generations of painters and poets. Share daily life in the Anhui villages—Hongcun, Mukeng, Xidi, and Bishan—linked to the Ming dynasty, sample artisanal tofu, or browse a centuries-old village library. In Hangzhou, stroll through lush tea plantations, admire West Lake and ancient temples, and breathe in the gentle, refined atmosphere of a reinvented, contemplative China.
This journey, designed for lovers of beauty, tranquility, and escapism, artfully combines UNESCO classics with hidden gems for an authentic, nuanced, and inspiring exploration of Eastern China.
Daily program: The essence of Eastern China: between tradition and modernity
Day 1: Arrival in SHANGHAI
Arrival at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
Meet your private driver at the arrivals hall (sign with your name) for a private transfer to your hotel (~1h15).
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner not included.
Overnight at SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund 4*.
Day 2: SHANGHAI
Meet your French-speaking guide at your hotel for a full day of sightseeing by public transport (metro, bus, taxi).
Wander through Fuxing Park and observe locals practicing cultural activities like dance and Taichi. Continue to the French Concession in the Bugaoli (Cité Bourgogne) district to discover Shanghai’s colonial architecture and French urban influence.
Visit the Yu Garden (closed on Mondays), a magnificent classical Chinese garden built in the 16th century, a world in miniature where rivers become streams and mountains are formed by rocks, symbolizing perfect harmony.
Carry on to the Old Town, experiencing Shanghai life before modernization, followed by a stop at the Flower Market.
Stroll along the Bund, Shanghai’s historic riverside boulevard stretching over 1.6 km along the Huangpu River, a unique vestige of old Shanghai—once called the “Boulevard of the Revolution.”
Return to your hotel.
Breakfast included at your hotel, lunch and dinner not included.
Overnight at SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund 4*.
Day 3: SHANGHAI
Free day (no guide or driver).
Breakfast included at your hotel, lunch and dinner not included.
Overnight at SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund 4*.
Day 4: SHANGHAI – SUZHOU – TONGLI – HUANGSHAN
Meet your French-speaking guide and driver, available 9:00 am – 6:00 pm.
Transfer to Suzhou (100 km/~2 hrs). Visit the Master of the Nets Garden (Wangshi Garden), originally from the 12th century and revived in the 18th century by a retired fisherman (hence the name). Stroll the pedestrian-only Pingjianglu district, where traditional architecture has been preserved.
Continue to Tongli water town (~30 min), where you will visit the Retreat and Reflection Garden (Tuisi Yuan) and several heritage houses—the garden was once a residence for a senior military official.
Transfer to Suzhou South Station (~40 min), to board the high-speed train to Huangshan North (2nd class seat, ~2 hrs).
On arrival, meet your new driver (no guide) for a private transfer (50 km/~1h20) to your hotel in the Huangshan area.
Breakfast included at your hotel, lunch and dinner not included.
Overnight at MisooHi Huayin Mystery Hotel (Tangkou South Gate) 3*sup.
Day 5: HUANGSHAN – HONGCUN
Meet your English-speaking guide and driver, available 9:00 am – 5:30 pm.
Ascend Mt. Huangshan by cable car (included) for panoramic views of Shixin Peak, the Paiyun Pavilion, Flying Rock, and Bright Summit. Descend by cable car and transfer (~1 hr) to your hotel in the picturesque village of Hongcun.
Breakfast included at your hotel, lunch and dinner not included.
Overnight at Fengming Shanju Homestay 2*.
Day 6: HONGCUN – MUKENG – XIDI – BISHAN
Meet your English-speaking guide and driver, available 8:30 am – 5:30 pm.
Explore Hongcun, famous as a filming location and UNESCO World Heritage site, surrounded by rolling tea hills and Ming/Qing architecture. Continue to Mukeng; an optional walk through the bamboo forest leads to the village.
Proceed to Xidi, another ancient village boasting over 100 well-preserved Ming and Qing houses—some nearly a thousand years old.
Transfer to Bishan, visit the village and its unique rural library, then check in at your local guesthouse.
Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included.
Overnight at Pig’s Heaven Inn (Bishan) 3*.
Day 7: BISHAN – CHENGKAN – LINGSHAN – HANGZHOU
Meet your English-speaking guide and driver, available 8:00 am – 2:30 pm.
Travel to Chengkan (~1.5 hrs), a 1,500-year-old mountain village designed on fengshui principles. Visit Baolunge Temple. Head to Lingshan (15 mins), famous for its Qing-dynasty rice terraces (shuttle included), and enjoy lunch at a local eatery before touring the village and learning about traditional tofu making.
Transfer to Huangshan North Station (~30 mins) for the high-speed train to Hangzhou East (2nd class seat, ~1h52).
Breakfast included at your hotel, lunch and dinner not included.
Overnight at Hangzhou EBO Hotel (West Lake Branch) 4*.
Day 8: HANGZHOU
Meet your French-speaking guide at your hotel; full day of visits by public transport.
Tour Lingyin Temple and Feilaifeng Cave, one of China’s most famous and largest Buddhist monasteries. Continue to Meijiawu Tea Plantations, the historic heart of “Dragon Well” tea, nestled in lush hills west of West Lake.
Take a walk along West Lake and in the Huagang Park, and visit the historic pedestrian street Hefangjie, well preserved with its old-world charm.
Return to your hotel.
Breakfast included at your hotel, lunch and dinner not included.
Overnight at Hangzhou EBO Hotel (West Lake Branch) 4*.
Day 9: HANGZHOU – SHANGHAI
Free day (no guide or driver).
Breakfast included at your hotel, lunch and dinner not included.
Transfer to the Hangzhou train station or airport.
End of our services. Our team wishes you a wonderful journey home!
