Charming Suzhou & Wuzhen: 2-Day Cultural Retreat

DAY 1 Zhuozheng Garden - Tiger Hill

Your day tour will start in the morning from your hotel in Suzhou, where your guide will meet you in the lobby(Our guide will contact you in advance to confirm the pickup time).After a short drive, you will arrive at one of the most famous and spectacular gardens in China, the Humble Administrator's Garden.

The Humble Administrator's Garden is a famous garden in Suzhou, centered around water, surrounded by a staggered arrangement of artificial hills and exquisite courtyard buildings, with abundant flowers and trees. This exemplary Jiangnan garden is renowned alongside the Summer Palace in Beijing, the Mountain Resort in Chengde, and the Lingering Garden in Suzhou, collectively known as the "Four Great Gardens of China," and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The design of the entire garden is exquisite, and touring it can be described as "a scene at every step," reflecting the charm of the water towns in the Jiangnan region. The paths in the garden are winding, with layers of porches, intricately designed stone walls, and each pavilion and window being unique. They are perfectly complemented by the surrounding trees and flowers, creating picturesque landscapes, allowing you to spend a lot of time taking photographs.

The main attractions of the Humble Administrator's Garden include the Lanxue Hall, Hanqing Pavilion, Yuanxiang Hall, Xiangzhou, the Thirty-Six Mandarin Duck Pavilion, and the Bonsai Garden, among others. There are also two very interesting famous sights. First is the "Beisita Borrowed Scenery." Standing in the East Garden and looking west, you can see the Beisita Tower, which is about 1 kilometer away, as if it is right within the garden. This view is a popular spot for many tourists to take photos, and the technique of borrowed scenery can be seen throughout the garden, providing an immersive experience while visiting. The second sight is the "Corrugated Bridge and Small Flying Rainbow" located in the Central Garden. The vermilion bridge railing reflects in the water like a flying rainbow, and the scenery centered around this bridge is particularly beautiful.

After visiting the Humble Administrator's Garden, your private driver will take you to Tiger Hill.

Although Tiger Hill is just a small hill, it features natural landscapes such as cliffs and ravines, and due to construction over the ages, it has formed numerous cultural attractions. The buildings and plants within the park complement each other, showcasing the exquisite style of Jiangnan gardens. Here, you can learn about stories from the Spring and Autumn period and admire the leaning Yunyan Pagoda as a landmark.

DAY2 [Suzhou → Wuzhen] Hanshan Temple - Head to Wuzhen - Tour Xizha - Stay in Wuzhen (Hotels in/out of the scenic area available)

Start your day beautifully with breakfast, whether it includes a meal is based on your chosen room type.

After enjoying breakfast, we will drive to Hanshan Temple.

Hanshan Temple is located in the western suburbs of Suzhou and has a history of more than fourteen hundred years. It is famous worldwide due to a famous line from the Tang Dynasty poet Zhang Ji's poem "Night Mooring by the Maple Bridge," which reads, "Outside the city of Suzhou, Hanshan Temple; at midnight, the sound of the bell reaches the guest boat." Hanshan Temple is a well-known place for praying for blessings, with countless pilgrims coming every day to ring the bell, offer incense, and pray for peace.

Hanshan Temple is mainly composed of several buildings, including the Mahavira Hall, the Bell Tower, the Stele Gallery, and the Scripture Library. Inside the Mahavira Hall, the towering Sumeru pedestal is meticulously carved from Han white marble, upon which sits a golden statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. Along the walls on either side, there are eighteen ornate iron statues of Arhats that were cast during the Ming Dynasty's Chenghua period, originally from the Buddhist sacred site of Mount Wutai. In the Stele Gallery, remnants of inscriptions written by the "Four Great Talents of Jiangnan," such as Wen Zhengming and Tang Yin, can be found, along with poetry stele by famous figures like Yue Fei and Kang Youwei. Additionally, the poetry stele "Night Mooring by Maple Bridge," penned by the well-known scholar Yu Yue in the late Qing Dynasty, stands out as a classic within Hanshan Temple.

The bell tower in the temple is the source of the "Midnight Bell Sound." The resounding and melodious chime symbolizes Hanshan Temple. Every year on December 31st, Hanshan Temple holds a New Year's Eve bell-ringing ceremony, striking the bell 108 times to signify the elimination of troubles in the coming year. Although the current bell is no longer the one described in Tang poetry, but rather a relic from the late Qing Dynasty, it is a rare giant bell that requires three people to embrace it.

Lunch recommended restaurant:Yidizhai Vegetarian (Hanshan Temple Branch)

Private car to Wuzhen

Xizha is the essence of Wuzhen. Although it is a major tourist area like Dongzha, it lacks the bustling atmosphere of Dongzha. Everything here has been renovated and designed, with caf￩s and bars lining the streets, exuding an artistic vibe. Taking a boat ride at night in Xizha is highly recommended; the charming scenery of the Jiangnan water town is particularly enchanting under the light and the sound of the oars.

The Xishi River runs through the east and west of the West Zha, with numerous winding little waterways dividing it into many small islands, and each part connected by dozens of uniquely designed ancient stone bridges. The old buildings are situated by the water, showcasing the typical scenery of small bridges and flowing water found in southern Jiangnan. In addition to the attractions open for visitors, there are also many exquisite small shops, cafes, and bars within the scenic area, perfect for taking a leisurely stroll.

In Xizha, you can explore on foot, take the scenic area’s shuttle bus, or ride a boat. If it’s daytime, stroll along the Xizha Street on the north bank. The Zhaoming Academy is where Prince Zhaoming, Xiao Tong, studied. It is now a library, where you can read for a while or leave a note on the message wall at the entrance to share your feelings; the Three-Inch Golden Lotus Museum showcases hundreds of pairs of bound-foot shoes.

From the east side of the South Bank, you can smell the aroma of soy sauce from Xuchang Soy Sauce Factory long before you arrive. In the courtyard, you can see large outdoor jars used for making soy sauce, or you can buy some soy sauce as a souvenir. Near Qianshan Bridge, there is a street called Nühong Street with many specialty shops selling handmade products like embroidery and scarves. Girls might consider coming here to pick up some trinkets, and then heading to the old post office across the river to send a postcard with the Wuzhen old post office stamp to friends and family—a charming and romantic gesture.

The night scene of Xizha is the reason many people are fond of this place. In the evening, the bridges and houses in the ancient town are illuminated, and riding a small boat on the reflections feels wonderful; the photos taken here have their own unique charm. In addition, there are several experiential activities to participate in. On clear nights, classic black and white films such as "The Wandering of San Mao" and "Tunnel Warfare" are screened using vintage projectors in the Grand Theater Square, and sitting on the long benches while watching movies feels quite special. If you are interested in traditional arts, you might want to go to the water market to listen to hua gu xi, or visit the Grand Theater to enjoy ping tan.

You can try a boat cruise, and the ticket is self-funded.

If you are staying in the Xizha Scenic Area, please proceed to the hotel on your own.

If you stay outside the Xizha Scenic Area, the driver will take you back to your hotel after the tour.