Waterways and Mountains of China (14 Days) - NEW

SHANGHAI

Arrive Shanghai and transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Rest of day at leisure.

SHANGHAI TO SUZHOU
Drive to the garden city and centre of the Silk industry, Suzhou. The tour begins with a visit to the classical
Humble Administrator's Garden, followed by lunch and visit to the No.1 Silk Factory and Embroidery Institute.
Check-in hotel for overnight stay.

Suzhou is an ancient and moat city famed for its gardens and silk. The town is built on a network of interlocking canals whose waters feed the series of renowned classical gardens. Explore the Garden of the Master of the Nets - the smallest but most exquisite and Suzhou is considered the centre of silk and embroidery in China.

SUZHOU TO HANGZHOU
After breakfast, you will drive for an hour and a half to Xitang, an ancient town that has retained much of its original architecture despite the urban sprawl from Shanghai. As you stroll along the narrow streets, your guide will lead you through the town's history, pointing out the significance of each architectural detail and their place within the theory of Chinese fengshui -- a key foundation of Chinese design. After lunch, drive to Wuzhen, a town famous for its charming old streets, tea houses and well-preserved buildings. The residents of Wuzhen often paint the walls of their houses black (wu in regional dialect) hence the town's name. A peek into old pawnshops and visits to local museums will give you an insight into East China's culture and folk art. Late afternoon, drive to Hangzhou.

HANGZHOU
Full day tour of Hangzhou to include the Lingyin Temple, one of the largest temple complexes in
China, famous for its laughing Buddha. Also visit Tea Museum to sample its famous green tea.

Hangzhou became the capital of the Southern Song when the invading Jurchen - ancestors of the Manchus - forced the Song out from its capital, Kaifeng, in 1126. Situated on the Qiantang River, the city was once a bustling and prosperous trading centre until it was sacked during the Taiping Rebellion in 1861. In the morning, you will visit Lingyin Temple, one of the biggest temple complexes in China. It is most famous for its "laughing Buddha", and today is an attractive working temple with daily services. After lunch, visit the Tea Museum and the Longjing village to sample its famous green tea. In late afternoon, take a stroll on the bank of West Lake, considered to be one of China's most beautiful lakes, and for the Chinese, a lake laden with literary and historic association.

HANGZHOU TO HUANGSHAN VIA HONGCUN
Leave Hangzhou in the morning and embark on a five-hour drive to Huangshan City (Tunxi), an old trading town located 70 km (44 mi) southeast of Huang Shan. Huangshan's Old Street is lined with ancient wooden buildings from the Song dynasty, many of which have been converted into antique shops selling furniture and souvenirs.

En route stop at Hongcun, a UNESCO World Heritage Site housing typical South Anhui architecture. Hongcun was first built during the Southern Song Dynasty, about 900 years ago and is a model ancient Chinese village, which features a beautiful lake, old dwellings, peaceful streets and lanes, and the perfect natural background, where the movie"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was partly shot. Arrive Huangshan and check-in hotel for 2 nights.

HUANGSHAN TO-BEIHAI
An exciting day starting with a cable car ride to the summit of Huangshan Mountain to see some of China’s
most famous landscapes. After check-in and lunch, you can view Brush Pen Peak, tour Lion Peak and Xihai
Grand Canyon and enjoy the sunset glow at the Cloud Dispelling Pavilion.

Day 10

HUANGZHAN TO GUILIN
Try to get up early in the morning to catch the magical sunrise before taking the cable car down and transferring to the airport to fly to Guilin via Guangzhou. Arrive Guilin and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

LI RIVER CRUISE AND YANGSHUO
Drive to Zhujiang Pier to board a 3 hour boat cruise along the tranquil Li River which is the highlight of Guilin until you reach Yangshuo County. Along the river, you will be inspired by breath-taking views of peaks, pinnacles, and crystal-clear water together with the serene pastoral views of rice paddies and water buffaloes. Lunch on boat. Visit Fuli Old Town before transferring back to Yangshou for overnight stay.

DEPART HONG KONG
Transfer to airport for flight back to the UK.