Brushstroke Landscapes of Jiangnan
Canal villages and cloud-wreathed mountain peaks
This classic route across China is a starting point, not a fixed script. It balances imperial history, natural wonders and the energy of its cities — and every part of it can be reshaped around you. Extend a stay, swap a city, slow a morning: your itinerary is built from your interests, pace and dates, and only confirmed when it fits.
The journey
Overview
What you'll remember
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The Bund before the crowds
A morning walk along the Huangpu, then the top deck of Shanghai Tower for the view from above.
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Gardens built for one mood
The Humble Administrator's Garden, and I. M. Pei's Suzhou Museum next door — five centuries apart, the same restraint.
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West Lake, then tea country
A skiff across the lake in the morning; an afternoon on the Nine Creeks path through the Longjing terraces.
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A night on Huangshan
Sunset over the West Sea, sunrise above the cloud, and Hongcun's ponds on the way down.
What it looks like
Route
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Shanghai
2 nightsThe Bund, Yu Garden and the old city, the plane-tree streets of the Former French Concession.
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Suzhou
2 nightsTiger Hill, the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Silk Museum, an afternoon in Zhouzhuang.
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Hangzhou
2 nightsWest Lake by boat, Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak, Longjing tea village and the Nine Creeks trail.
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Huangshan
2 nightsMountain trails and an overnight at the summit; sunrise, then Hongcun's lanes on the way down.
In / Exclusions
Inclusions
- Costs for a private, air-conditioned business vehicle throughout the tour.
- Services of a private English-speaking tour guide.
- Hotels, entrance fees to scenic spots (first gate tickets), and meals as listed in the itinerary.
- Travel insurance coverage during the tour (details available on the Insurance Policy page).
- Inter-city flights or high-speed train travel.
- 24-hour customer service support during the trip.
- Service fees, covering tour planning, handling, operation, and communication costs.
Exclusions
- Chinese Visa fees.
- Round-trip ticket. (We offer Air Ticket Booking Service, if you need it, please let us know.)
- Personal expenses.
- Meals, transportation transfers, and tourist attraction fees not listed in the itinerary.
- Optional activities recommended at scenic spots or other commercial establishments.
- Luggage overweight charges.
- Optional activities provided by the driver or guide.
- Personal Accident Insurance during Travel.
What travellers say
Scroll ›We had already done Beijing and Xi'an and wanted something quieter. Suzhou and the tea village are the parts we still talk about. The train days were easy — someone met us at every platform.
Suzhou's gardens in the rain were better than any photo. Our guide swapped the order of the day so we had them nearly to ourselves.
The tea village afternoon was my favourite — sitting with the farmer, no rushing. It felt like visiting family.
Huangshan was cloudy the first morning and I was worried, then it cleared at sunrise. Our coordinator had already moved the cable car to the best time.
Huangshan was the reason we booked, and it overdelivered, even in rain. Our coordinator moved the cable car booking when the weather turned, without us having to ask.
Frequently asked questions
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More journeys to consider
Scroll ›A Westward Odyssey Across China, Over Three Weeks
From bustling coastal shores to the roof of the world
Stories Woven Into the Streets of Shanghai
An intimate journey through old lanes and modern skylines
Living Tales from the Mountain Villages of Southwest China
Encounter ethnic traditions preserved in Guizhou's highlands
Following the Flavour Stories Along China's Southern Shores
A slow culinary pilgrimage across coastal food cities
Footsteps Through China's Imperial Past
Tracing dynasties across ancient capitals
Tell us what you have in mind
Share your travel plans. A coordinator will craft a clear, no-obligation itinerary within 24 hours.