The Garden of the Master of the Nets, Suzhou

Day 01Shanghai

When you arrive in Shanghai, a China Travel Guide representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. The day is yours to visit Nanjing Road and the Bund area along the Huangpu River. That evening, you are invited to a welcome dinner at the Central Hotel's Wang Bao He restaurant, which has a history that dates back more than 260 years. Here you will enjoy the best of Shanghai Cuisine. After dinner, you will enjoy the amazing Portman Acrobatic Show at the Shanghai Centre Theatre.(D)

Tips: Shanghai has two airports - Pudong Airport (PVG) and Hongqiao Airport (SHA). Hongqiao Airport is nearer to the city center. Most international flights connect to the Pudong Airport, while the Hongqing Airport is used primarily for domestic flights. Pudong Airport sits about 30 kilometers (19 miles) out of the downtown area and 18 kilometers (11 miles) from Hongqiao Airport. The airports provide a shuttle us between the two airports (airport bus line 1) which departs 10 minute intervals and costs CNY30 each way. Please remember to confirm your arrival airport with your travel guide in advance.

Shanghai night scene

Day 02Shanghai - Suzhou

This morning you will first visit the Shanghai Museum, which houses a large collection of artifacts, and then continue on to the famous Yuyuan Garden. After lunch, you will take a cruise tour the Huangpu River, and then board a soft seat train to Suzhou. Your tour guide will meet you at the railway station and escort you to your hotel.(B+L)

Tips:
1. When traveling from Shanghai to Suzhou, you will need to decide between taking a bullet train or a regular train. On the schedule, bullet trains can be identified by the “D” listed before the train number. Bullet trains reach a top speed of 200 kilometers (124 miles) per hour, so it will only take about 32 minutes from Shanghai to Suzhou (seats are also very comfortable). If Suzhou is not the final destination of the train you are on, collect your belongings and prepare to exit the train before you arrive as the stopover will only last about one or two minutes. The bullet trains have strict luggage requirements – luggage must be no more than 60 centimeters in length and no more than 35 centimeters in width and height. 2. Guanqian Street is the busiest pedestrian street in Suzhou and is a 15 RMB taxi ride from your hotel (heading north). Shiquan Street is famous for its food and snacks and is also not far from your hotel (a five minute or 10 RMB taxi ride). Either street will provide many dinner options – keep in mind, though, that hairy crab is the local specialty.

Tiger Hill, Suzhou

Day 03Suzhou - Shanghai

Today you will have the whole day to tour Tiger Hill, the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Garden of the Master of the Nets. You will then board the soft seat train back to Shanghai and check in at your previous hotel.(B+L)

Tips:
The best time to visit Suzhou is spring. Please try to avoid traveling here during the holiday season so that you can savor the unique charm in a quiet environment. Suzhou City is divided into two parts: Old City and New City. The scenic spots that you are going to visit are all located in the Old City, and some are hidden along alleyways. Most of Old City's narrow alleys are cobblestoned and typically not fit for cars. It is best to explore the city by foot (remember to pack comfortable shoes). Do not be discouraged if it rains when you are in town, as the gardens take on a poetic and slightly bewitching aura under the dim misty rain. 
 
Descriptions: 
Tiger Hill - Tiger Hill - Located on a small hill (30 meters high) outside of Suzhou. Tiger Hill is known as the No. 1 sight in Suzhou, and has a history that dates back more than 2500 years. Su Dongpo, a famous writer from the Song Dynasty said that it would be a great pity to visit Suzhou without going to Tiger Hill. 
 
Humble Administrator's Garden - The Humble Administrator's Garden is a great representation of Southern China's gardens. It is also the largest classically landscaped garden in Suzhou. Water occupies three fifths of the entire garden, which is divided into three parts, east, west and the center, with the center being the garden's focus.

Yangtze Three Gorges cruise tour

Day 04Shanghai - Yichang

Your last stop in Shanghai is a brief tour of the Jade Buddha Temple. You will then head for Yichang by flight and your representative will meet you upon arrival. If time is available, you will visit Yichang Museum, and following dinner, you will board the cruise ship where you will spend the night.(B+L+D)

Descriptions:
Jade Buddha Temple - The temple was built in the style of architecture in Song Dynasty. On the central axis, there are Tianwang Hall, Mahavira Hall and the Jade Buddha Hall from the front to the back. In the Jade Buddha Hall, the sitting jade Buddha is enshrined. It is 1.92 meters in height, 1.34 meters in width, and is sculpted from an entire jade. On both sides of the temple, there are Sleeping Buddha Hall, Cupreous Buddha Hall, the Avalokitesvara Hall and the Shanghai Buddhism Institute. In the Sleeping Buddha Hall, there are two sleeping Buddhas. The small one is from Burma and is only 96 centimeters long. The big one is from Singapore with the length of 4.6 meters.

Day 05Three Gorges Dam

Your Yangtze River cruise sets out at 7:00 am for the Eastern Xiling Gorge. Here you will disembark and visit the magnificent site of the Three Gorges Dam (still under construction). You will then return to the ship, and continue cruising along western Xiling Gorge and travel past Five Level Ship Lock. After dinner, you are invited to participate in the Captain's Welcome Party.(B+L+D)

Descriptions:
Yangtze River -The Three Gorges of the Yangtze River is a golden tour route with charming natural scenery and attractive cultural relics. The majestic steep crags line the banks of the gorges. The high peaks, gifted by nature, tower over the gorges and impress the tourists with ever-changing aspects of their beauty. The historical sites will make you appreciate the Chinese civilization.
 
Yangtze Three Gorges - The Three Gorges is the most imposing section of the thousands kilometers long Yangtze River. It is the gems of the scenery of the Yangtze River. It is composed of the magnificent Qutang Gorge, the elegant Wu Gorge and the dangerous Xiling Gorge. Among the gorges, there are more natural attractions, such as the Daning River, the Shennong Stream and the Fragrant Stream.

Day 06Three Little Gorges

This morning you will sail through Wu Gorge and then take a detour to visit either the verdant Three Little Gorges or the Shennong Stream. Here you will be taken on an exciting pea-boat rowing trip.  You will then return to the ship where you will tour the shortest gorge, Qutang Gorge.(B+L+D)

Differences:
Luxury series: The cruise ship of luxury series will arrange you a side trip to the Three Little Gorges, one tributary of Yangtze River.
Standard series: The cruise ship of standard series will arrange you a side trip along the Shennong Stream, another tributary of Yangtze River.

Tips:
When you visit the Three Little Gorges, you will observe cliff coffins and ancient plank paths. Today we are still unsure of how the ancient coffins were put on the high, steep cliffs. The Three Little Gorges include Dragon Gate Gorge, Misty Gorge and Emerald Gorge, which are regarded as the pearl of the Yangtze Cruise. Here you will experience the powerful grace of the Chinese way of life, as your boat is guided by boat trackers who will pull the vessel through difficult terrain. 

Xiling Gorge, Yangtze River cruise tour

Day 07Fengdu

Disembark at Fengdu to visit the Snowy Jade Cave or the “Ghost City.” Then continue sailing to Chongqing. In the evening, join in the farewell party and enjoy your last night on board.(B+L+D)

Differences:
Luxury series: You will take an onshore excursion to the Snowy Jade Cave.
Standard series: You will take a detour to Fengdu "Ghost City" instead according to the cruise company's arrangement.

Tips: It takes you about 1.5 hours in all from the pier to the Snowy Jade Cave, 1 hour on a coach and half an hour walking, maybe climbing a little. As a group of stalactite grottos, the whole scenic area is very large and you need to spend at least 1 hour in the cave. It is rather wet and cool inside. Though it is a perfect resort to avoid torridity in summer, you are suggested to bring a coat in case that you may feel cold while visiting.

Day 08Chongqing - Guilin

The ship is scheduled to arrive in Chongqing at around 08:30 - 09:00, and you will be encouraged to pack your luggage in advance. Your guide will meet you on board and take you for a brief city tour to the Panda House in Chongqing Zoo and the Residence of General Joseph W. Stilwell. After a rich buffet lunch at the 5-star hotel, you will fly to Guilin. Once in Guilin, you will be met by a local guide and transferred to your hotel. After dinner, you will be taken to the Lijiang Theatre where you will enjoy a performance of ethnic songs and dances.(B+L)

Our clients at the Elephant Trunk Hill, Guilin

Day 09Guilin - Yangshuo - Guilin

Travel to Yangshuo by cruising along the picturesque Li River, today's tour highlight. Upon arrival in Yangshuo, you will be taken on a brief country-road tour by bicycle. While on your tour, a local family will meet and visit with you. If you prefer not to tour by bicycle, you can use an electric car for your tour. After your tour, you will be taken back to Guilin. (Tip: Lunch will be provided on the cruise today and since it may not meet your expectations, TCG suggests that you have a larger breakfast at the hotel.)(B+L)

Tips: Guilin is rich in natural beauty, being home to two rivers and four lakes: Li River, Taohua (Peach blossom) River, Mulong Lake, Gui Lake, Rong Lake and Shan Lake. Li River runs across from your hotel. Rong Lake and Shan Lake are located in the center of the city, not far away from the Central Square. The busy Zhongshan Road runs in between the two lakes. A taxi trip to the lake from your hotel will cost about 8 RMB. If you are interested, you can also take a night cruise through the four lakes on your own (tickets cost RMB85-105.00 per person). Night cruise boats dock at the pier of Shan Lake, in front of the Lijiang Waterfall Hotel. If you would like us to arrange this for you, please contact your travel counselor in advance.

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B-- Breakfast     L-- Lunch     D-- Dinner