4 Days | Suzhou & Hangzhou Tour: A Journey Through Paradise‌

Tour Overview

Suzhou and Hangzhou, hailed as the "Paradise on Earth" in China, are renowned for their water-town gardens, millennial culture, and poetic way of life. Suzhou captivates with the exquisite artistry of classical gardens, embodying the craftsmanship of "recreating a universe within an inch", while Hangzhou enchants with the West Lake's scenic beauty (such as Broken Bridge and Leifeng Pagoda) and the Zen ambiance of Lingyin Temple, reflecting the timeless charm of "light or heavy makeup, it is always enchanting." Both cities harmonize nature and humanity, showcasing the finest gems of Jiangnan culture.

Over these four days, we present not just an itinerary but a meticulously crafted travel guidebook to elevate your journey. Our curated selection of restaurants will offer menus featuring water-town feasts and Hangzhou’s classic local cuisine, ensuring a culinary adventure. This tour focuses on the highlights: the Humble Administrator’s Garden and Tiger Hill in Suzhou, the West Lake and Lingyin Feilai Peak in Hangzhou, as well as the picturesque Wuzhen Xizha and Xitang. Then you can experience the magic of lantern-lit walks on Wuzhen’s bridges, lacquer fans experience in Xitang, and tea plantation photo sessions in hangzhou, ultimately making your trip interesting and unforgettable.

Highlights of this tour:

1. Admire the beautiful scenery of Xizha Scenic Area and participate in the activity of walking across bridges with lanterns in Wuzhen.

2. Appreciate the Tiger Hill Pagoda, known as China's Leaning Tower of Pisa, and visit The Humble Administrator's Garden, a famous garden in Suzhou.

3. Tour Xitang Ancient Town and experience the beauty of new Chinese-style painted fans.

4. Visit Feilai Peak and Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou.

5. Taste famous Jiangnan dishes such as West Lake vinegar fish and salted shrimp.

6. Enjoy a special photoshoot in Longwu Tea Plantation while savoring authentic West Lake Longjing Tea. 

Day-by-day Itinerary

Day 1: Experience the magic of lantern-lit walks in Wuzhen

Upon arrival in Hangzhou, our tour guide and driver will meet you at the designated location and send you to the West Square of Hangzhou East Railway Station for gathering. You can first enjoy free activities there and we will arrange a guided tour to Wuzhen afterwards, and then you will be served a characteristic Water-Town Culinary feast arranged by us, such as Zongzi-Scented Dongpo Pork (粽香东坡肉), Steamed White Water Fish (古镇白水鱼), Wuzhen-Style Braised Duck (古镇酱鸭), Wuzhen-Style Braised Duck (古镇酱鸭) etc. 

Afterwards, you will have a guided tour to explore Xizha, the last "Pillow-Water" Village of China. As one of China's most well-preserved water towns, Xizha boasts breathtaking natural scenery and a rich cultural heritage. Here, you'll immerse yourself in the enchanting charm of ancient towns, savoring the essence of Jiangnan's riverside life—where "small bridges, flowing waters, and traditional houses" paint a timeless picture. 

Recommended routes: Entrance → Wuzhen Grand Theater → Andu Ferry Dock → Natural Color Dyeing Workshop → Water Market (feeding koi, watching Yue opera) → Dingsheng Bridge (the tallest ancient bridge with the best view) → Zhaoming Academy → Wuzhen Old Post Office (writing postcards) → Guoyue Theater (open-air movies, storytelling) → Bailian Tower → Bar Street

Recommended best photo spots in Xizha:

White Lotus Pagoda: The "brightest star" of the ancient town in the night sky, especially when its lights are reflected in the water to give people a sense of tranquility and mystery.

Xizha Old Street: The old street is brightly lit at night, and the antique buildings are more charming under the light.

Water Market: It is also the most secluded place for night scenes in the entire Xizha. When the lights are on, the scene here is exactly the same as the dream in Spirited Away.

Zhaoming Academy & Natural Color Dyeing Workshop: These are must-visit attractions in the center of the scenic area. Located at the heart of Wuzhen, these twin landmarks offer a captivating blend of culture and tradition. 

Alleys on both sides of the river, water-front benches: Full of the story style of Jiangnan water towns, which can make the photos more eye-catching.

Later, you can experience one of the special activities prepared for you, Lantern-lit walks on Wuzhen’s bridges. If Wuzhen during the day gives you the original flavor of Jiangnan water town, then Wuzhen at night will bring you a completely different style. As people often say, "Staying in Wuzhen, sleeping beside the water of Jiangnan" explains the beauty of Wuzhen's night from one aspect. When the lights are turned on one after another at night, they will make the entire Wuzhen crystal clear. Holding an exquisite flower lantern and walking through it, you will feel a strong sense of satisfaction.

Warm tips: The tour guide will notify you of the gathering time and place by text message or phone call at the latest by 21:00 the day before your trip.

Since tourists arrive by different means of transportation, such as trains, high-speed rails, planes, etc., the travel agency will arrange flexibly according to the different arrival times of the tourists.

Meal: Dinner

Hotel: Wuzhen Hotel

 

Day 2: Suzhou Tiger Hill and Humble Administrator's Garden Experience

Routes: Wuzhen → Suzhou

After breakfast, your guide will take you to Suzhou, known as the "Oriental Venice" and "City of Gardens in China". You will have the chance to visit the famous Tiger Hill Pagoda (Huqiu), which is a mountain steeped in the history of the Spring and Autumn period (5th century BCE), derives its name from a legendary tale: When King Fuchai of Wu buried his father here, a white tiger was said to have appeared on the summit three days later, giving rise to its namesake "Tiger Hill."

Today, Huqiu stands as a timeless symbol of Suzhou’s cultural legacy. Its iconic Leaning Tower is often hailed as China’s Leaning Tower of Pisa, which has withstood centuries of wind and rain and it is a silent testament to the passage of time. This UNESCO-listed site, celebrated as "the premier scenic wonder in Wuzhong", offers visitors not just breathtaking vistas but a tangible connection to the city’s ancient past.

Recommended routes: Entrance → Wanjing Villa → Sword-Testing Stone → Lengxiang Pavilion → Third Spring → Sword Pond → Tiger Hill Pagoda → Yunyan Bridge → Xie Garden → Tiger Hill Stone.

The next scenic spot is Pingjiang Road, which is a 2,500-year-old historic district preserving Suzhou’s "dual chessboard" layout—canals parallel to streets, with bridges, waterways, and ancient lanes embodying classic Jiangnan charm.

After lunch, the guide will take you to visit Humble Administrator’s Garden, one of China’s "Four Great Gardens", it features pavilions, rockeries, and serene ponds, with over a dozen meticulously designed garden vignettes unfolding classical Suzhou artistry.

Recommended Routes (Flexible)

Entrance → Lanshi Hall → Tingyu Pavilion → Linglong Pavilion → Haitang Chunwu → Yuanxiang Hall → Yiyu Pavilion → Xiaofei Rainbow → Fragrance Island → Yulan Hall → Yiliang Pavilion → 36 Mandarin Ducks Hall → Tower Shadow Pavilion → Liuting Pavilion → Fucui Pavilion → Reflection Pavilion → Bieyoudongtian → Hefeng Sizhong Pavilion → Xuexiang Yunwei Pavilion → Daishuang Pavilion → Wuzhu Youju Pavilion → Shuxiang Hall → Tianquan Pavilion → Exit.

Finally, you will have the chance to experience the Suzhou Ancient Canal Cruise (Optional activities: CNY 150/person)

You will embark on a scenic cruise along the Suzhou Ancient Canal, where you’ll glide past 10 historic city gates—including Panmen, Xumen, Jinmen, and Lumen—each reflecting Suzhou’s architectural grandeur. Along the waterway, you can admire diverse bridges, many adorned with intricate carvings beneath their arches. More surprisingly, the journey is enhanced by a live Pingtan (Suzhou folk music) performance and narrative commentary, which may immerse you in the city’s rich history and cultural depth.

Meal: Breakfast 

Hotel: Suzhou Hotel

 

Day 3: Xitang Ancient Town and Lacquer Fan Craft Experience

Routes: Suzhou → Xitang → Hangzhou

After breakfast, your guide and driver will take you to visit Xitang, which is one of the birthplaces of ancient Wu-Yue culture. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, it was the borderland between the Wu and Yue states, earning it the titles "The Root of Wu and the Corner of Yue" (吴根越角) and "The Corner of Yue’s People" (越角人家)

Recommended Routes: Entrance → Huoguo Suiliangwang Temple → Rainy Mist Corridor → Zuiyuan Garden → Huansiu Bridge → West Street → Shipi Alley → Wang Residence → Xiyuan Garden → Button Museum → Yongning Bridge → Songzi Laifeng Bridge → Exit

Highlights of photography tips:

Huansiu Bridge: Capture the townscape and boat ride while holding a fan or lantern.

Xiyuan Garden: Shoot from the second floor for a classic courtyard vibe.

Rainy Mist Corridor: Unique to Jiangnan, perfect for day or dusk shots.

Shipi Alley: Narrow "one-sky" alley for dramatic angles.

Afterwards, you will be taken to enjoy the new Chinese-style creative activity – Lacquer Fan Crafting and work with master artisans to design lacquer fans, blending water-based techniques with traditional aesthetics.

After lunch, you will have a guided tour in Feilai Peak Scenic Area, it features 340+ Buddhist carvings from the Five Dynasties era, rivaling Dazu Rock Carvings. Poet Su Dongpo praised it: "Every stream and hill offers tranquility, but Feilai Peak stands supreme."

Afterwards, you will be taken to visit Lingyin Temple, a famous temple in Hangzhou, which is a 1,700-year-old Zen Buddhist temple founded by the Indian monk Huili, famed for one of Jiangnan’s "Five Sacred Mountains".

Next, it is your time to enjoy the dinner to savor local dishes like West Lake Vinegar Fish, Clay-baked Chicken, and Braised Pork with Dried Bamboo Shoots.

More surprisingly, the evening performance such as Song Dynasty Romance Show (optional) is a high-tech spectacle displaying Liangzhu culture, Southern Song Dynasty splendor, and legendary romances. It vividly shows the silk, the tea, and the misty and rainy Jiangnan, bringing you a strong visual experience and spiritual shock. 

Meal: Breakfast + Dinner

Hotel: Hangzhou Hotel

 

Day 4: Travel Photography Experience at Longwu Tea Garden

Routes: Hangzhou → Shenzhen

After breakfast at the hotel, head to Longwu Tea Garden to experience the special themed activity: Longwu Tea Garden・Costume-Change Travel Photography. We will provide you with costume props such as tea towels, aprons, tea baskets, and also offer a complimentary tasting experience of Hangzhou West Lake Longjing tea. As a national 4A-level tourist attraction, Longwu Tea Town has long been known as the "Millennium Tea Town, Ten-Thousand-Dan Tea Village". With interdependent mountains and waters, continuous tea hills, and an extremely high concentration of negative ions, it is also called a natural oxygen bar and is a popular photo spot in Hangzhou.

Afterwards, your driver and guide will take you to visit the famous West Lake Scenic Area. As the saying goes, "There is paradise above, and Suzhou and Hangzhou below".

Hangzhou is renowned worldwide for its beautiful West Lake. The scenic wonders of the West Lake area are not limited to spring—summer brings lotus blossoms stretching endlessly across the water, autumn nights bathe the Three Pools in moonlight, and winter snow reveals the delicate red plum blossoms against sparse shadows. There are also the warbling orioles amid misty willow trees and the pavilions veiled in gentle rain. No matter when you visit, you will experience its extraordinary charm.

After touring the West Lake, your driver will escort you to the airport or train station for your onward journey. 

Meal: Breakfast 

 

Tour Price ($=USD)

From $ 736 P.P, which is based on a private tour for 2-6 people.

The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel.

 

Price Includes

√ 3 nights' accommodation in well-selected hotels;

√ Meals listed in the itinerary;

√ Private air-conditioned vehicle with licensed drivers;

√ Excellent local English-speaking tour guides services;

√ First-entry ticket for the scenic spot in the itinerary.

 

Price Excludes

√ Any optional activities inside the attractions;

√ Any item not mentioned in the itinerary;

√ Single Room Supplement;