Suzhou and Tongli Water Village Private Day Tour with Lunch

Meet your private guide and the driver at your Suzhou hotel at 9.30 am. Founded in 514 BC, the old town of Suzhou is steeped in 2,500 years of history and serves up many well-preserved relics from the past. Known as the “Venice of China,” or famed as “Garden City “, its canals, stone bridges, pagodas, and meticulously designed gardens all help to make it one of China’s top tourist attractions. The town has also been an important center for China’s silk industry since the days of the Song Dynasty, between 960 and 1279.

Spend the half day exploring Suzhou city with your own expert guide, choose to visit one of the city’s most famous gardens: The Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lingering garden or Master of nets garden based on your own preferences. With stunning example of ancient architecture from different dynasty, the amazing Suzhou gardens retains immaculate oasis features, Taihu rocks, delicate pavilions, ponds, and lush flowers and trees and different types of Bonsai. After exploring the garden, visit Suzhou’s best-known silk factory, located in the former Japanese concession and housed in what was the Japanese consulate. See the process used to produce China’s famous silk, from the tiny silkworms to the beautiful finished garments. If you have learnt the silk process you could choose to visit one of the other top attractions such as Suzhou Museum, Han Shan temple, Pan Man Scenic area or Leaning Pagoda on the Tiger Hill.

After your morning tour, enjoy an authentic Chinese lunch at a local restaurant, and then make an afternoon visit to Tongli. With its picturesque natural landscapes, classical canals, and wonderful examples of Ming- and Qing-dynasty buildings, take a stroll along the old canal streets, walk cross local lucky three ring bridges, visit the most tranquil and classic Tuisi garden built in the Qing Dynasty, enjoy a relaxing gondola boat ride along the serene and pretty canals to fully appreciate the most charming township scenery.

After the tour you will be transferred back to your Suzhou hotel.