Embark on an extraordinary journey through the art, architecture, culture, and natural wonders of Eastern China. Begin in Shanghai, a metropolis where futuristic skyscrapers and Art Deco masterpieces coexist, offering a visual feast for architecture enthusiasts. Then ventures into the breathtaking landscapes of Huangshan, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its dramatic granite peaks, ancient pine trees, and mystical cloud seas. Finally, escape to the idyllic Hangzhou, where you’ll explore the serene West Lake and the tranquil tea village. This tour is an artistic and natural odyssey, weaving together urban innovation with the sublime tranquility of the Chinese countryside.
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| 1-2 Shanghai | Art Deco Architecture City Walk, The Bund, Shanghai Tower, Yuyuan Garden |
| 3-5 Huangshan | West Sea Grand Canyon, Black Tiger Pine, Dream Flower Pine, Bishan Village |
| 6 Hangzhou | Boat on West Lake, Meijiawu Tea Village, Qinghefang Old Street |
| 7 Shanghai | Departure |
Or you can choose to stay in Shanghai for one more night. Tailor-make the tour anytime!
Your private guide and driver will be waiting for you when you arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Sit in a comfortable and non-smoking car and enjoy a hassle-free journey to your hotel. Check in with the help of your guide.
You will visit Yu Yuan as the first stop, a stunning example of classical Chinese garden architecture. Admire the intricate details of the Garden's pavilions, halls, and bridges.
Then you will trace Shanghai's skyward journey. Ascend to the pinnacle of the iconic Shanghai Tower, and explore the Bund's architectural gems, remnants of Shanghai's golden age.
Today's highlight is to experience Shanghai's rich history and architectural beauty with its iconic Art Deco masterpieces. Discover the captivating stories behind these historic buildings, including the works of legendary architect László Hudec. You'll learn to "read" the hidden details and design elements that make his buildings so unique.
The journey concludes at a century-old newspaper site, where you can enjoy a special Old Shanghai-style coffee. This isn't just a coffee break—it's a chance to immerse yourself in the city's vibrant coffee culture and reflect on the past.
Take the 3-hour high-speed train to Huangshan for a fast and scenic journey. The route offers stunning views of the countryside, making the trip feel like part of the adventure itself.
After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, you will head to a workshop to experience making herbal fragrance plaques, which are traditional Chinese crafts that believed to promote health and well-being.
The process involved grinding herbs into a fine powder, mixing them into a paste, and then pressing the mixture into a mold. After a period of air-drying, the plaques were ready to be used or carried.
After that, your guide will take you to Tunxi Old Street to glimpse into traditional Chinese culture and architecture. This street is a "living" museum referring to an ancient Chinese painting with well-preserved buildings, winding alleys, and traditional shops. And you will also find numerous restaurants and food stalls to sample local delicacies.
Your journey to Huangshan begins with a Yungu cable car to soar above the mist-shrouded peaks and immerse yourself in the mountain's legendary "Four Wonders": the bizarrely shaped pines, the oddly formed rocks, the breathtaking seas of clouds, and the soothing hot springs.
Guided by a local expert, who spends over 200 days annually exploring every nook and cranny of the mountain, you'll gain a profound understanding of its unique beauty and rich history.
If the weather permits, rise early to witness a magical sunrise over the legendary Yellow Mountain. Even when shrouded in mist, the mountain's ethereal beauty remains captivating.
After taking the cable car down the mountains, we'll head to Bishan village. This isn't a typical historical village; it's a creative haven where old-world architecture meets modern artistic vision.
You will encounter a couple that breathed new life into three abandoned buildings, turning a former pigsty, an old oil workshop, and a Ming Dynasty mansion into charming guesthouses. An acclaimed bookstore owner has opened a new branch inside a beautifully restored ancestral temple.
Beyond these, you will also get a behind-the-scenes look at the stories and vision behind Bishan's rural Utopia plan. There's a lot to discover!
A 2-hour high speed train takes you to Hangzhou in the morning. Your tour guide will be waiting to pick you up to have a delicious lunch at a local restaurant first, and then visit the West Lake.
You will be taking a private boat on West Lake to enjoy a unique perspective on the city's most iconic landmark. From the water, you can see famous landmarks like Leifeng Pagoda and Su Causeway from a distance.
Then you will get to the Former Residence of Hu Xueyan at Qinghefang Old Street. This is a magnificent and well-preserved mansion of one of China's richest and most influential merchants during the late Qing Dynasty.
The living museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is very close. Except learning the history and principles of TCM here, you can see experienced pharmaceutical workers demonstrating the art of manual pill-making, slicing herbs, and compounding prescriptions using ancient tools.
If you have a late flight from Shanghai today, your guide will take you to the Meijiawu Tea Village, the original home of West Lake Dragon Well tea, China's most celebrated tea, to visit a local tea farmer's home.
The tea farmer will greet you with a traditional bamboo basket and hat, and then guide you through the tea plantation. You'll learn to select and pick the best tea leaves, and then observe the stir-frying process. This technique both dehydrates the leaves and preserves their vibrant green color. Next, you'll learn the proper way to brew a perfect cup of tea.
Afterward, we'll head to a restaurant tucked away in the tea plantation for a special lunch featuring local tea cuisine.
Your high speed train will depart to Shanghai after lunch, taking only 45 minutes. Another tour guide will meet you at the exit of train station and escort you to the airport.