An Extensive Exploration of Suzhou

An Extensive Exploration
of Suzhou

The finest silk, charming canals and UNESCO protected gardens: Suzhou has it all. A complete
exploration of this ancient water town has become one of our most outstanding examples
of getting a complete picture of the beauty of the lower Yangtze reaches.

WHY THIS TOUR?

Suzhou, water and its immaculate gardens: almost everyone leaving Suzhou has left the city positively bewildered because of what such a city can pack on such a small area. Backed up by the people of UNESCO in giving some of its Chinese-style landmarks a stamp of protection, this ancient water city may have its eyes set into the future.

What makes Suzhou a pearl of the development of Chinese civilization meanders through the high rise and upcoming skyscrapers, and this is what we will explore on this full-day touring this old settlement at the southern side of the Yangtze River.

China

Suzhou

1 Day

Essential Trails

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TRAIL ITINERARY

An Extensive Exploration of Suzhou

08:30 - 17:00

Your English-speaking guide will welcome you at your hotel lobby at around 8.30 am and together with a driver, it is exploration Suzhou style. Comfortably seated, we start our morning heading the Master of the Nets and the Gardens of the Humble Administrator. The names may sound a bit pompous and may refer to something large but the opposite is true. Small in size, the epitome of classical garden design, these gardens are said to be what makes Suzhou so high in demand for visitors from around the world. Reason for its popularity is related to its size. The people behind the garden mastered the art of making gardens look and feel as it is much bigger.

After enjoying a local lunch at a restaurant in downtown Suzhou, we continue our trip by boat. Suzhou’s charming side is best viewed on board a wooden boat where local skippers take you on a romantic trip along with ancient building with dangling red lanterns and small gardens. New perspectives are presented as soon as you turn under one of the stone bridges or taking a turn into what’s often called the “Venice of the East”. Suzhou’s connection with the water becomes clear after disembarking your wooden boat, saying thank you to your dedicated ‘captain’ and move to the city’s silk museum. The name ‘Paradise on Earth’ as what Suzhou is often referred to is also is tied closely with the silk industry; the first references made of silk production during the Tang and Song Dynasty pointed all towards Suzhou. The museum is the most recognized museum in the world where a broad array of this fine material is on display as well gives visitors an insight in the delicate and precision work needed to come to a highly-adored material for clothing by skilful masters of the spinning wheel.

It is time to head back to your hotel as we end our tour after leaving the museum. We expect to reach the driveway of your hotel at around 5 pm.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

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INCLUSIONS

  • A full-day tour with a professional English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request and may be subject to supplementary charges
  • Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver.
  • Short boat trip through the Suzhou canals
  • All entrance fees for visits as mentioned in the description.
  • All applicable taxes and service charges
  • Lunch at a local restaurant is included (food only)

EXCLUSIONS

  • Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees and optional tours, unless otherwise stated
  • Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement.
  • Compulsory Christmas, country-specific festival and/or New Year dinner at included hotels
  • Single supplement charges for single travelers, where applicable
  • Any airline tickets, visa fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general meeting point
  • Supplements for transfers for customers arriving or departing from any airport or resorts located outside the general pick-up and drop-off locations
  • Hotel expenses of a personal nature, should an overnight be included: this includes mini-bar consumption, laundry, room service, any telephone or other communication cost not mentioned in the program
  • Travel insurance coverage for customers (highly recommendable)

GOOD TO KNOW

  • This tour is operated on full private basis with English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request / subject to availability and supplementary charges may apply
  • Return transfers for this excursion apply only / are inclusive for customers staying in and inside downtown Suzhou. Transfers outside these areas, including any accommodation outside the Central Business District, Shanghai, Wuxi, and Changzhou, train stations, cruise ports and Suzhou’s Airport are excluded. Supplements apply for customers who want to join this excursion outside one of these regions.
  • We regret to inform you that most of the museums in China are closed all day on Mondays; wherever possible, we will try to offer alternative visits for touring options on this day.
  • Customers are advised that during the Lunar Festival celebrations (celebration of Chinese New Year), excursions and tours may be subject to supplementary charges and/or may see longer waiting times than normal.
  • We will do all possible to comply with any dietary requirements during this excursion; it may not always be possible to confirm your wishes in advance based on the choice of local restaurant.
  • This excursion includes obstacles of various kinds that may not make this excursion suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The obstacles comprise of unpaved roads, small boats and cruise embarkation and disembarkation and insufficient facilities to provide a comfortable sightseeing tour. Guests are advised that some walking is required during this excursion
  • We always ensure that we take the most comfortable ways from the entrance of the sight to the sight itself.
  • We always will make efforts to confirm the exact pick-up time upon reservation. For any operational issues in which are not able to confirm the exact pick-up time in advance, we reserve the right to inform you the day before the departure of the tour.
  • Please note pick-up and drop-off services may not be confirmed for customers staying at private residences, apartment complexes, or other non-registered tourism accommodations. Customers may be asked to meet at a nearby hotel for pick-up and drop off.
  • Natural elements of any kind have a destructive effect on electronic equipment. It is the customer’s own responsibility to ensure that any camera, mobile telephone or other device is properly wrapped and protected against these elements. We cannot be held responsible in any way for negligence and/or not following suggestions for any damage related to this.
  • Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us on this tour – even when it is cloudy, the sunrays still have an immense power.
  • We reserve the right to make necessary changes to the excursion in case of unfavourable weather conditions or situations where we are forced to make alterations to guarantee the safety of our guests.
  • It is the responsibility of the customer to provide us with the correct hotel information, should pick-up and drop-off services be included in the package. Any changes in accommodation outside 24 hours will be handled accordingly: changes within 24 hours may be on request.
  • In the event of no-show or change of accommodation without prior consent and confirmation from us within 24 hours may result in the applicable cancellation charges as outlined in the terms and conditions.

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