6 Days | Picturesque Jiangnan Tour

Tour Overview  

Jiangnan is situated in the south of the Yangtze River, where its scenery is most prominent for gardens and ancient towns. Its basic style is characterized by the layout of "small bridges, flowing waters, and households" , and these water town villages are renowned worldwide for its whitewashed walls and black-tiled residential buildings, as well as its garden artistry.  

During this six-day trip, we will take you on a journey to Wuxi Nianhua Bay, where you can experience the awe-inspiring visual spectacle of the AI Tower's high-tech light and sound show, explore the vast bamboo forests and enjoy the pleasure by the charm of giant pandas. Wander through the Qinhuai River-Fuzi Temple Scenic Area to savor authentic local delicacies. Visit Canglang Pavilion to appreciate beautiful viwes, then step into the grandeur of Nanjing’s Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum to experience the epic legacy of the Republic of China era. Dive into the mysteries of ancient civilization at the Liangzhu Museum with 5,000-year-old artifacts. Stroll through Wuzhen, China’s most beautiful water town, and embrace the serenity of a riverside lifestyle. Finally, end your journey with a night cruise along Shanghai’s Bund, a dazzling reflection of the city’s past and present glory. 

 

Highlights of this tour:

1. Admire the AI Tower Light Show at Nianhua Bay: Experience a breathtaking visual feast!

2. Explore the stunning Nanshan Bamboo Sea: Feel the magnificent emerald green ocean rippling in the breeze.

3. Visit Canglang Pavilion: Marvel at the grotesque rockeries, towering ancient trees, and winding covered corridors. 

4. Climb the historic stone steps of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum: It appears as "ascending step by step" when viewed from below and "walking on clouds" when viewed from above.

5. Explore the Dreamlike Water Towns: Experience the ancient charm of Wuzhen Dongzha and Shaoxing’s Anchang Ancient Town.

6. Visit prestigious Shanghai Fudan University: Unveil the mysteries of this Shanghai institution with reverence.

7. Explore civilization at Liangzhu Museum: Discover the "past and present" of Liangzhu culture and appreciate this treasure spanning over five millennia.

 

Day-by-day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Nanjing

Routes: Shenzhen → Shanghai → Nanjing

First gather at Shenzhen Airport with the blue banner marked "誉江南". Our staff will assist you with check-in procedures, baggage check, and directions to the boarding gate. Later, you will take a flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, our guide and driver will meet you in the airport, then take an onward journey to Nanjing, the ancient capital of six dynasties (approximately a 4-hour drive).

Upon arrival, we will first visit Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum. It stands in the Zhongshan Scenic Area in the eastern suburbs of Nanjing, adjacent to Linggu Temple in the east and Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum in the west. The entire architectural complex is built along the mountain terrain, including the Bo'ai Archway, tomb passage, mausoleum gate, stele pavilion, memorial hall, and burial chamber, etc. Arranged from south to north along a central axis, it embodies the style of traditional Chinese architecture. The overall layout of the mausoleum resembles an "alarm bell" in shape, and it is praised as "the first mausoleum in China's modern architectural history".

Afterwards, you will have a guided tour to visit Confucius Temple, where you can enjoy the scenery along both banks of the Qinhuai River and feel the grandeur of the old saying "Jiangnan, a land of beauty; Jinling, a land of emperors". Here, you can not only see the historical buildings of the ancient capital Nanjing but also taste authentic Qinhuai-style snacks. Of course, you can also choose to pay for special snacks such as the spiced tea eggs and spiced beans from Kuiguang Pavilion; the crab shell yellow pastries, dried shredded tofu with shrimps from Yonghe Garden etc.

Meal: Dinner

Hotel: Nanjing Hotel

 

Day 2: Nanshan Bamboo Forest and Light Show Experience 

Routes: Nanjing → Liyang → Wuxi 

After breakfast, we will drive to Liyang (approximately 1.5 hours). Then, you will visit "Dream Paradise · Nanshan Bamboo Forest", which is located at the border of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces, this scenic area features bamboo culture and longevity culture as its themes. It boasts 35,000 mu (about 2,333 hectares) of lush bamboo forests, with beautiful green mountains, a vast bamboo sea, and a clear tranquil lake, allowing you to enjoy the poetry and charm of green mountains and clear waters. When the wind blows, the green waves surge like the sky. There are three steps to explore the scenic area:

STEP 1: Take the train to Shouxing Square. As you board the small train and head towards the top of the mountain, the seasonal scenery is hidden among the layers of bamboo shadows, and the lush bamboo forest, like a natural keyboard, plays wonderful melodies! 

STEP 2: Take the rail to Jiming Village. When you take the panda special train to seek for the cute giant pandas, you will be amazed by them. There are different views along the way for you to enjoy! When the cable car arrives at Jiming Village, don’t rush to leave. We will first wander around the village, which preserves the ruins of ancient dwellings from the Ming Dynasty.

STEP 3: Jiming Village — Panda House. When you finally reach the Panda House after visiting Jiming Village, you will see some cute and chubby giant pandas sleeping in their cradles! Here’s an interesting fact: giant pandas sleep for 12 to 15 hours a day, so the "awake" time of these national treasures is not much. But if you get to see them awake, it’s a real bonus! Generally, a 10-year-old giant panda is equivalent to a 30-year-old human. They eat about 25 kilograms of food every day. 

After lunch, we will drive to Wuxi (1.5 hours’ drive) to visit Nianhuawan Town. Known as China’s most Zen-like town, it is nestled by the Taihu Lake with mountains and waters surrounding it, and is also the permanent venue of the World Buddhist Forum. Every brick, stone, flower, and grass exudes a faint sense of Zen, bringing people natural tranquility and peace. Xiangyue Flower Street is the Zen-themed street of Nianhuawan and an excellent place to appreciate and experience the Zen life here, thus being called "a microcosm and perfect experience of Zen life". The corridor under the eaves by Nianhua Lake is like a fairyland in the mist. Surprisingly, Nianhua Lake looks particularly bright surrounded by colored lights, mist, and reflections at night.

After dinner, enjoy Nianhuawan Town — "Zen Walk"· Light and Shadow Show: As night falls and lanterns light up the scene, the seamless fusion of sound, light, and visuals dazzles in a breathtaking display of brilliance and radiance. With an all-new upgraded stage and lighting design, the 360° immersive dreamlike performance unfolds—every step reveals a new masterpiece, just like a living painting in motion.  

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch +Dinner

Hotel: Wuxi Hotel

 

Day 3: Canglang Pavilion and West Lake Experience

Routes: Wuxi → Suzhou → Hangzhou

After breakfast, depart for Suzhou (approx. 1.5-hour drive), known as the "City of Classical Gardens", and visit Canglang Pavilion, one of the Four Great Gardens in Suzhou. Among Suzhou’s classical gardens, Canglang Pavilion, Lion Grove, Humble Administrator’s Garden, and Lingering Garden represent the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties respectively, making them the oldest and most historically significant. With their rustic simplicity and natural elegance, these gardens epitomize the concept of "urban wilderness".

Canglang Pavilion, built in 1045 AD during the Northern Song Dynasty, was named after the poetic allusion "washing one’s cap strings in the clear water". Spanning 1.1 hectares, its design harmonizes with nature, ingeniously incorporating the Wencheng River beyond its walls through a winding corridor.

After lunch, travel to Hangzhou and explore the West Lake Scenic Area. Regarded as an icon of Hangzhou’s soul, West Lake captivates in every season: spring with blossoms along Su Causeway, summer with lotus blooms mirroring the lake, autumn with golden reflections, and winter with ink-wash aesthetics. Your guide will narrate its rich history—from the lines "Beyond the hills, beyond the towers, the West Lake revelry never ends", as well as the legendary romance of Xu Xian and White Snake.

Quyuan Fenghe (Breeze and Lotus at Crooked Courtyard), one of the "Ten Scenes of West Lake", is Hangzhou’s premier lotus-viewing spot. Legend says its name stems from a Song Dynasty winery where lotus fragrance mingled with wine, thus creating an intoxicating breeze.

Afterwards, you will have dinner at Songcheng Park. This spectacular show blends cutting-edge light, sound, and multimedia effects to portray the struggles of the Liangzhu people, the splendor of the Song imperial court, the heroism of Yue Fei’s army, and the timeless love stories of Butterfly Lovers and White Snake. There is a visual feast celebrating silk, tea, and misty Jiangnan to leave the deep impression on audiences. 

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch+ Dinner

Hotel: Hangzhou Hotel

 

Day 4: Longwu Tea Town and Anchang Ancient Town Experience

Routes: Hangzhou → Shaoxing

After breakfast, we will visit Longwu Tea Town, which has long been famed for the tea culture. When you come here, you may find that the tea villages are nestled around the West Mountain, shrouded in clouds and mist, with mountain springs gurgling and the fragrance of tea refreshing the heart. For generations, the people of Longwu have been engaged in tea cultivation, and this place is the origin of Hangzhou's "one red and one green" teas — West Lake Longjing, with a history of 1,200 years, and Jiuqu Hongmei (Nine-Curved Red Plum), with over 200 years of history. Deep in the cloud-kissed mountains, you can wander in the tea gardens, explore tea culture, seek spiritual insights, take photos, and experience the unique charm of Hangzhou.

During the tour, you can participate in the Tea Garden Feast. Amidst the rustic charm of the tea forest, you can savor the farmhouse feast and pure Longjing tea to feel the leisurely vibe of Hangzhou.

Later, you will be transferred to visit the Liangzhu Museum, which is an archaeological museum dedicated to collecting, researching, exhibiting, and publicizing Liangzhu culture with 5,000 years. Designed by the famous British architect David Chipperfield, the museum features a minimalist architectural style that breaks away from figurative forms, hence embodying the harmonious integration of art and nature, history and modernity. With a regular exhibition area of over 4,000 square meters, it is divided into 3 exhibition halls. The theme of the regular exhibitions is the Liangzhu Site, a sacred place that testifies to China's 5,000-year-old civilization. Through the three halls — "Water Town and Marshland", "Holy Land of Civilization", and "Spirit of Jade and Soul of the Nation" — the exhibitions comprehensively and authentically display the archaeological achievements and heritage value of the Liangzhu Site and Liangzhu culture, therefore highlighting the important position and unique contribution of Liangzhu civilization in the historical process of China's "pluralistic integration" civilization.

After lunch, you will have a guided tour to Shaoxing (about 1.5 hours' drive) to visit Anchang Ancient Town, a protected area of Zhejiang's historical and cultural heritage. As one of the four famous ancient towns in Shaoxing and among the first batch of historical and cultural towns announced by Zhejiang Province, Anchang is famous for its distinctive bridges — including arch bridges, beam bridges, and pavilion bridges — which are of various styles, ancient and elegant. It has long been praised as "Clear water runs through thousands of houses along the street; seventeen rainbow-like bridges span the river". The most famous ones are the three bridges named Fulu (Blessing), Wanan (Peace), and Ruyi (Good Fortune). When a girl gets married in the ancient town, she must walk across all three bridges. Anchang's specialties, such as cured sausages and white sugar, are renowned far and wide, so the Lunar December Festival attracts a large number of visitors every year.

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch +Dinner

Hotel: Shaoxing Hotel

 

Day 5: Lu Xun's Former Residence and Wuzhen Experience

Routes: Shaoxing → Wuzhen → Shanghai

After breakfast, visit Lu Xun’s Former Residence in Dongchangfangkou, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing. This Qing Dynasty architectural complex includes Sanwei Shuwu for Study and Zhou Family’s Gatehouse, featuring a six-courtyard layout with over 80 rooms and a 4,000-square-meter back garden. It authentically preserves the living environment of Lu Xun, China’s literary giant.

After lunch, travel to Tongxiang (approx. 2-hour drive) and explore Wuzhen East Gate Scenic Area. The ancient streets (East, West, South, and North) form a cross-shaped "dual chessboard" pattern, blending waterways and architecture in classic Jiangnan style. Historically, this town produced 64 imperial scholars and 161 provincial scholars), with literary figures like Mao Dun adding to its prestige. The ink-wash aesthetic of white walls, black tiles, and stone alleys evokes traditional Chinese painting.

After dinner, you will be transferred to Shanghai (approx. 1.5-hour drive) to visit the 88th Floor Observation Deck of Jin Mao Tower and take a Huangpu River cruise, enjoying panoramic views of Shanghai’s glittering skyline, the European-style Bund, and modern Pudong district. 

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch +Dinner

Hotel: Shanghai Hotel

 

Day 6: Departure

Routes: Shanghai → Shenzhen

After breakfast, your guide will take you to visit Fudan University in Shanghai. We can also adjust the itinerary based on your request to visit other universities such as Shanghai Jiao Tong University or Zhejiang University. Established in 1905, Fudan University is the first institution of higher education established by Chinese people independently. Its founder was the renowned educator Ma Xiangbo, and Dr. Sun Yat-sen. With a long history, the university features a blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles on campus and an open and liberal campus culture, thus attracting many tourists visiting Shanghai.

After the campus tour, we will tailor the itineraries based on your schedules. For example, you can take an evening tour in the Bund, which embodies a century of Shanghai's glamour. As the starting point of modern Shanghai, the Bund contains the essence of the entire city. Since Shanghai opened its port for trade in 1843, this area has become the most prosperous part of the city. To this day, along the wide Huangpu River, the century-old international-style buildings on one side of the Bund and the urban skyline of Lujiazui on the opposite bank complement each other, instantly showcasing Shanghai's past and prosperity.

Alternatively, you may visit Chenghuang Temple Snack Street to savor the temple fair's iconic delicacies. Known for their diversity and intricate craftsmanship, these bite-sized treats embody Shanghai’s culinary philosophy: "Eat a little of many things"—affordable, flavorful, and endlessly explorable.

Finally, we will escort you to the airport, bringing an end to this pleasant trip in East China!

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

 

Tour Price ($=USD)

From $ 702 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

√ Air tickets: Round-trip transportation included;

√ Accommodation: 5 nights' accommodation in well-selected hotels;

√ Meals: It is listed in the itinerary;

√ Transportation: Local air-conditioned tourist vehicles;

√ Tickets: Entrance tickets as mentioned in the itinerary;  

√ Tour guide: Professional local tour guide service.

 

Price Excludes

√ Any optional activities inside the attractions;

√ Any item not mentioned in the itinerary;

√ Single Room Supplement;

√ Personal travel insurance premiums.