8-Day China Tour: Beijing - Suzhou - Hangzhou - Shanghai

Upon your arrival, please arrange your own transportation to your hotel. If you selected the airport transfer service when booking, your guide will meet you at the airport and then escort you to check into your luxury hotel. Please contact your guide for the meeting point information.

This morning, we'll begin our Beijing tour with a visit to Tiananmen Square, which is noted as the largest public square in the world. From here we'll journey to the Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty. For almost 500 years, it served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government. Later we'll stop at a Pearl Factory to gain a little knowledge of fresh pearls. The rest of the day is free for you to explore on your own.

Today we'll visit that attraction you've been waiting for: The Great Wall of China! The Great Wall of China is one of the seven greatest man-made wonders of the world and is definitely the focal point of China. You will hike along the Great Wall (Juyongguan Pass). After that, you will stop at a Jade Museum to learn the history of Jade. In Chinese, jade is pronounced as 'Yu', and it has a history in China of at least four thousand years. Later we'll visit a Traditional Chinese Medicine Center and enjoy a foot-massage.

In the morning we'll fly to Shanghai. Our Shanghai tour will take us along Shanghai Old Street, which is a top tourist attraction in Shanghai. After exploring here we'll transfer to Suzhou. Suzhou, which dates back to 514 BC, is sometimes called the "Venice of the East." Here we'll visit the Shantang Street, which has always been regarded as the first name of Suzhou ancient streets. It has a long history of about 1,100 years, its layout and architecture are the best to represent the characteristics of Suzhou's old alleys, and it has connections to many ancient Chinese celebrities and anecdotes.

Today your tour will take you to visit the Lingering Garden and Silk Spinning Factory. The Lingering Garden is a renowned classical Chinese garden and is recognized with other classical Suzhou gardens as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. China is known for its silk, so for sure we will take you to the Silk Spinning Factory. Later in the day we'll travel to Hangzhou. Take a small boat ride on the West Lake which reveals the ethereal beauty of Hangzhou's willow draped islands. You will admire the Su Causeway. It was built in the fifth year of Yuanyou Period in the Northern Song Dynasty (1090) and has evolved since then. At that time, Su Shi (Dongpo), a poet known as the prefect in Hangzhou Prefecture, had the West Lake dredged, and built the Su Causeway by dredged silt.

After a stop at the Green Tea Village we will then drive you back to Shanghai to visit The Bund. Shanghai is divided by the Huang Pu River into eastern and western sections. Modern mega high rises are seen on the eastern side while traditional European style architecture may be seen on the western side. The Bund is a five-block riverfront promenade with many of Shanghai's banks and trading houses.

Free at leisure for last minute souvenir shopping or just relax at your hotel. Or you may choose an optional 2-day tour to Xian. The highlight of the optional Xian day-tour is the world-known Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, the eighth world-wonder. The Terra Cotta Army is famous for its large scale, uncountable figures as well as overwhelming momentum. Visit the Terra Cotta Army replication factory to see how the figures were produced.

Today you'll check out of the hotel and depart on your next adventure. Please arrange your own transportation to the airport, or you can select the airport drop off service when booking.