Discover two picturesque Chinese towns, Suzhou and Zhouzhuang, each with its own unique characteristics. Founded around 600 BC, Suzhou is one of the ... See more

Discover two picturesque Chinese towns, Suzhou and Zhouzhuang, each with its own unique characteristics. Founded around 600 BC, Suzhou is one of the oldest settlements in the Yangtze basin. Often referred to as the "Venice of the East," its neighborhoods and interconnected waterways are truly a masterpiece. Suzhou was one of the few cities in China to escape the ravages of the Cultural Revolution, its celebrated gardens miraculously surviving largely intact. Visit the Master of Nets Garden, Grand Canal, and a silk factory while in Suzhou.

After lunch, you'll travel to Zhouzhuang. Well known for its beautiful natural environment and simple architecture, this city has remained remarkably well-preserved for over 900 years. The majority of the town's residences were built during the Ming and Qing dynasties; nearly 100 classic courtyards and 60 carved-brick archways from those periods are still in use! Travel by boat through the city’s waterways and past classic Zhouzhuang dwellings before return to Shanghai. See less