Nanjing Suzhou 4-Day Tour
This carefully crafted journey unveils the essence of China’s Jiangsu province through its two most iconic cities. Begin in Nanjing’s Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, lantern-lit Confucius Temple alleys, Hongshan Zoo, and Zhongshan’s golden Wutong avenues. Suzhou’s Humble Administrator’s Garden, Pingjiang canalside teahouses, Shantang silk streets, and Hanshan Temple’s poetic chants against Jinji Lake’s skyline with “Pants Building” views.
Included with every escorted tour
Day 1: Nanjing Arrival
Arrival–Qinhuai River
4-Star Hotel
Breakfast
Morning:
Airport pickup and transfer to your downtown hotel
Settle in with a traditional Nanjing welcome tea
Afternoon:
Explore the Nanjing Museum, home to priceless artifacts from the Six Dynasties period
Admire the imperial jade burial suits and Ming Dynasty porcelain collections
Evening:
Wander through the lantern-lit Confucius Temple Quarter along the Qinhuai River
Sample local delicacies like crispy sesame cakes and savory duck blood soup
Day 2: Nanjing
Hongshan Forest Zoo–Wutong Tree Avenue–Music Terrace–Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
4-Star Hotel
Breakfast
Morning:
Visit Hongshan Forest Zoo to see playful pandas and rare species
Walk through the lush greenery of the zoo’s natural habitats
Afternoon:
Stroll down the golden Wutong Tree Avenue in Zhongshan Mountain
Experience the serene Music Terrace with its swirling doves
Explore the sacred pathways of Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, guarded by ancient stone statues
Day 3: Nanjing--Suzhou
Humble Administrator’s Garden–Pingjiang Road–Shantang Street
4-Star Hotel
Breakfast
Morning:
After breakfast, board a comfortable bullet train for a swift 1.5-hour journey to Suzhou, China’s celebrated “City of Gardens”. Upon arrival, immerse yourself in the UNESCO-listed Humble Administrator’s Garden, where 500 years of Chinese landscape design unfolds across interconnected ponds, zigzag bridges, and scholar’s pavilions. Witness how every rock placement and willow branch reflects ancient philosophies of harmony.
Afternoon:
Stroll along Pingjiang Road, a 1,200-year-old canalside lane where cobblestones lead past:
Traditional whitewashed houses with black-tiled roofs
Hidden courtyard studios selling hand-embroidered silk
Quaint teahouses serving Biluochun green tea
Continue to Guanqian Street, Suzhou’s bustling commercial heart since the Qing Dynasty, now blending time-honored tailors with trendy concept stores.
Evening:
As lanterns glow, explore Shantang Street’s 7-li (3.5km) waterway by boat or foot:
Pass under stone bridges adorned with poetic couplets
Watch artisans craft Suzhou’s famous sandalwood fans
Savor sweet osmanthus rice cakes from riverside vendors
The perfect end to your day comes with a Kunqu Opera snippet performed in a restored Ming Dynasty theater, where water sleeves flutter like the nearby canal ripples.
Day 4: Suzhou Departure
Hanshan Temple–Jinji Lake–Departure
Morning:
Begin your final day at the legendary Hanshan Temple, immortalized in Tang Dynasty poetry. As morning chants echo through ancient corridors:
Admire the iconic “Midnight Bells” pavilion that inspired poets for centuries
Trace your fingers along the Zhang Ji Stele, carved with the famous “Mooring by Maple Bridge at Night” poem
Witness devotees offering incense at the Mahavira Hall’s golden Buddha statues
The temple’s riverside location offers perfect photo ops of traditional architecture against swaying willow branches, especially from the Fengqiao (Maple Bridge) where merchants once moored their boats.
Afternoon:
Transition dramatically to Jinji Lake, Suzhou’s glittering business district where:
The “Gate to the East” skyscraper (301m) resembles a pair of tailored silk pants
Lakeside Moon Harbor provides ideal vantage points for skyline reflections
Suzhou Center Mall’s spiral roof mimics a dancing phoenix
Consider an optional visit to the Suzhou Arts Center, its geometric facade resembling a folded paper fan – a perfect metaphor for Suzhou’s blend of tradition and innovation.
Evening:
Your journey concludes with a private transfer to Shanghai Pudong Airport (approx. 2 hours) or Sunan Shuofang International Airport (30 mins).
