An 8-Day Leisurely Tour of Nanjing, Yangzhou and Suzhou
This 8-day itinerary covers Nanjing, Yangzhou, and Suzhou. Starting with arrival in Nanjing and hotel check-in on Day 1, it then features visits to various attractions like historical sites, beautiful landscapes, and cultural spots in each city over the following days. Highlights include the Plane Tree Avenue, Meiling Palace in Nanjing; the Slender West Lake, Daming Temple in Yangzhou; and the Humble Administrator’s Garden, Suzhou Museum in Suzhou. On Day 8, travelers will be taken to the airport for departure, offering a memorable exploration of the rich cultures and heritages of these cities.
Included with every escorted tour
Day 1: Nanjing Arrival
Arrival in Nanjing
4-star Hotel
None
Upon your arrival in Nanjing, our professional driver will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. You can take some time to rest and get adjusted to the local environment.
Day 2: Nanjing
Wutong Avenue — Meiling Palace — Music Terrace — Confucius Temple/Qinhuai River
4-star Hotel
Breakfast
After breakfast, we will start with a leisurely walk along Wutong Avenue, known for its canopy of towering sycamore trees planted in the 1920s. This “Emerald Corridor” offers a serene escape from the city, with sunlight filtering through leaves onto historic villas and colonial-era buildings.
Next, we explore Meiling Palace, a 1930s villa blending Chinese and Western architectural styles. Once dubbed the “World’s Most Romantic Residence” for its verdant surroundings, the palace now houses exhibits on the life of Soong Mei-ling, wife of Chiang Kai-shek, and the complex history of China’s Republican era.
Afterward, we visit Music Terrace, an open-air venue where pigeons coo and sunlight filters through colonnades onto marble steps. Originally built to host cultural events, it remains a favorite spot for locals to relax and soak in the harmony of nature and history.
Finally, we wander to Confucius Temple & Qinhuai River, a cultural nexus where ancient temples, bustling markets, and the timeless flow of the river converge. Cruise the lantern-lit waterway past Ming-era bridges, savoring local snacks like salted duck and steamed dumplings, while absorbing the vibrant atmosphere of Nanjing’s scholarly and commercial heart.
Evening Option: Return to Qinhuai River for a nighttime cruise or ascend the Zifeng Tower for panoramic city views.
Day 3: Nanjing
Librairie Avant-Garde (Wutai Mountain) — Jiming Temple — Xuanwu Lake
4-star Hotel
Breakfast
After breakfast, we immerse ourselves in Nanjing’s literary and spiritual heart.
First, we visit Librairie Avant-Garde (Wutai Mountain), a converted parking garage-turned-bookstore dubbed “China’s Most Beautiful Bookstore.” Its cross-shaped corridors and postcard walls exude artistic charm, while shelves stacked with literature and art books invite visitors to linger. Don’t miss the café and creative souvenirs like cloud-patterned notebooks.
Next, we journey to Jiming Temple, a 1,500-year-old Buddhist sanctuary that once ranked first among the “Four Hundred Eighty Temples of the Southern Dynasties.” Admire its Tang Dynasty-style architecture, climb the bell tower for panoramic views, and stroll through cherry blossom groves (best visited in March-April).
Finally, we relax at Xuanwu Lake, a sprawling urban oasis encircling Purple Mountain. Rent a swan-shaped paddleboat to glide past lotus gardens, or hike the Lovers’ Path around the lake. In autumn, the surrounding trees erupt in fiery hues, while winter fog lends the scene a watercolor softness.
Lunch Suggestion: Near Jiming Temple, try vegetarian “Buddha’s Feast” at a local teahouse, featuring dishes like gluten “duck” and stir-fried mushrooms.
Day 4: Nanjing--Yangzhou
Nanjing to Yangzhou (1h by High-Speed Rail)–Slender West Lake–Daming Temple–Grand Canal Museum
4-star Hotel
Breakfast
After breakfast, we depart for Yangzhou, a city synonymous with classical Chinese gardens and Huaiyang cuisine.
First, we arrive at Slender West Lake, a UNESCO-listed waterway where willow-lined banks, Ming Dynasty-style bridges, and blossoming lotuses frame a landscape immortalized in poetry. Cruise the lake in a dragon boat or stroll the Changdi Causeway, flanked by pavilions and tea houses.
Next, we visit Daming Temple, a sacred site housing the Jingyou Pagoda and the Pine Garden where monk Jianzhen prepared for his legendary journey to spread Buddhism to Japan. Sample vegetarian “Buddha’s Feast” at the temple’s cafeteria, a tradition dating back centuries.
Finally, we explore the Grand Canal Museum, a modern architectural marvel dedicated to the world’s longest ancient waterway. Wander through immersive exhibits, including a full-scale replica of a Ming Dynasty cargo ship and a 5D projection of bustling canal life.
Evening Suggestion: Feast on Yangzhou’s famed “Three Head Banquet” (crab-fat tofu, stir-fried river shrimp, and braised pig’s head) at a local restaurant.
Day 5: Yangzhou
Heyuan Garden — Pishi Street — Dongguan Street → Suzhou (1h by High-Speed Rail)
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
After breakfast, we’ll visit the He Garden. Known for its exquisite garden design and unique layout, it combines the beauty of nature with the ingenuity of human architecture. You can wander around the garden, admire the rockeries, pavilions, and flowing water, and experience the charm of classical Chinese gardens.
Then, we’ll go to the Pi Shi Street. It’s a street full of local characteristics, with various small shops selling handicrafts, snacks, and other interesting items. You can stroll along the street, taste some local snacks, and buy some souvenirs.
Next, we’ll head to the Dongguan Street. This ancient street has a rich historical and cultural heritage, with many time-honored shops and traditional buildings. You can explore the street, feel the ancient charm of Yangzhou, and have a taste of the local folk culture.
After that, we’ll take a high-speed train (which takes about 1 hour) to Suzhou.
Day 6: Suzhou
Humble Administrator’s Garden – Suzhou Museum – Pingjiang Road – Guanqian Street
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
After breakfast, we uncover Suzhou’s artistic soul and timeless gardens.
After having breakfast, we will start our day at the Humble Administrator’s Garden, which is one of the four most famous classical gardens in China. With water as its center, surrounded by beautiful mountains and waters, elegant pavilions and halls, as well as flourishing flowers and trees, it fully showcases the unique charm of the water towns in the south of the Yangtze River. Strolling around the garden, you can admire the well-arranged layout of pavilions, rockeries, ponds, and plants, and feel the ingenious design ideas of the ancient garden designers. There are often professional tour guides providing explanations in the garden, which can help you deeply understand the historical and cultural stories behind each scene. It’s recommended to follow the guides for a better visiting experience.
After that, we can walk to the Suzhou Museum. Designed by the renowned architect I.M. Pei, this museum perfectly combines modern architectural styles with traditional Suzhou elements, making it an outstanding piece of art itself. Inside the museum, there are numerous precious cultural relics on display, covering various categories such as calligraphy and paintings, ceramics, and bronze wares. Through these exhibits, you can have an in-depth understanding of the historical changes and cultural development of the Suzhou region from ancient times to the present. Here, you can spend about one and a half hours carefully appreciating the stories behind each cultural relic and enjoying the unique scenery where traditional art and modern design complement each other.
Next, we will head to Pingjiang Road. This is an ancient street full of historical charm, retaining a large number of Ming and Qing Dynasty architectures. It winds along both sides of the river. Here, you can walk on the bluestone slabs, admire the white-walled and black-tiled houses of the southern Yangtze River along the river, and feel the cozy atmosphere of small bridges over flowing water and households beside them. There are many specialty shops along the road, selling exquisite handicrafts, traditional costumes, Suzhou-style pastries and so on. You can browse around and choose some souvenirs you like. You can also step into a teahouse by the river, sit down, order a cup of Biluochun tea, take a rest, watch the rowing boats slowly passing by on the river, and enjoy this leisurely and relaxing time.
Then, we will go to Guanqian Street. This is a famous commercial pedestrian street in Suzhou, gathering numerous time-honored shops and modern shopping malls, which is a great place for shopping, leisure and tasting delicious food. You can visit some time-honored brands like Caizhizhai and Yeshouhe, and buy some local specialties like Suzhou-style candies and pastries. You can also walk into shopping malls to choose some souvenirs or fashionable goods with Suzhou characteristics. Besides, there are various food stalls on Guanqian Street, such as Haitang Cake, Plum Blossom Cake, and Sweet Rice Porridge, allowing your taste buds to indulge in the sweet Suzhou flavor. Here, you can fully enjoy the fun brought by shopping and food, feel the liveliness and prosperity of Suzhou, and end this fulfilling and wonderful one-day tour.
Day 7: Suzhou
Tiger Hill → Hanshan Temple → Lingering Garden
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
After breakfast, we’ll visit the Tiger Hill. It’s a famous historical site with a long history and many legends. Here, you can see ancient pagodas, rockeries, and other historical remains, and explore the stories behind them.
Next, we’ll go to the Hanshan Temple. This famous Buddhist temple is famous for its poem “A Night Mooring by Maple Bridge”, which has added a romantic and cultural touch to it. You can listen to the bell ringing in the temple and feel the peaceful and solemn atmosphere.
Then, we’ll visit the Lingering Garden. It’s another outstanding classical garden in Suzhou, with its unique garden art, beautiful rockeries, and exquisite pavilions. You can stroll around the garden to appreciate its beauty and elegance.
Travel Tip: For Tiger Hill, arrive early to avoid crowds and capture the morning light on the pagoda.
Day 8: Suzhou Departure
Suzhou Departure
Breakfast
After breakfast, our driver will take you to the airport according to your flight schedule. We hope you’ve had a wonderful and memorable trip. See you next time!
