• Essence Tour from Nanjing to Suzhou: History & Tongli Water Town

    ★★★★★

    4.9/5 367 Latest reviews

    Tour Code: ODY-CN-458

    Destination:Nanjing, Suzhou

Duration

5 Days

Tour Type

Private & Bespoke

Tour Style

Classic

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About This Trip

This 5-day classic exploration will take you to Nanjing and Suzhou, two of the most popular tourist destinations in China’s Jiangsu province. The Presidential Palace, the Temple of Confucius, and the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum are among the highlights in Nanjing. While in Suzhou, aside from visiting traditional gardens, you will also enjoy a leisurely trip to the nearby quiet Tongli Water Town.

Itinerary Summary

DAYPLACEHIGHLIGHTS
1NanjingArrival
2NanjingPresidential Palace, Temple of Confucius, Zhonghua Gate, Massacre Memorial Hall, Nanjing Imperial Examination Museum
3NanjingSun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Hongwu Emperor Mausoleum
4SuzhouLingering Garden, Suzhou Museum, Garden Show at Master of Nets Garden, No.1 Silk Factory, Old Town Tour with Rickshaw
5SuzhouTongli Water Town, Boat Cruise, Departure
Quick Question

Itinerary

Welcome to Nanjing, the time-honored capital of Jiangsu Province!

On arrival, your private guide will pick you up and escort you to your hotel to help you check in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and recover from jet lag.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Start your journey at the Presidential Palace, where a series of important political events took place. Entering the palace is like opening up an album of modern Chinese history. Today, it is the largest architectural heritage of modern China and the Museum of Chinese Modern History. Appreciate its exquisite Jiangnan gardens as well as modern buildings influenced by Western style.

Move on to Zhonghua Gate, which means Chinese Gate. It is the most splendid part of the ancient City Wall of Nanjing. Continue to the Imperial Examination Museum, where you’ll learn about the rigorous civil exam system that once shaped the destinies of countless scholars pursuing official careers in imperial China. Temple of Confucius will be the next. You will see a large scale of ancient Chinese architectures and get an understanding of Confucianism and the way Chinese think.

The day concludes at the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, a solemn space honoring the victims of World War II. The exhibits are moving and at times heavy, but they serve as a powerful reminder of history and the resilience of Nanjing.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Today, you will firstly visit the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the tomb of the “Father of the Nation” in the Republic of China. He has been widely revered in both mainland China and Taiwan.

Continue to visit the tomb of the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Hongwu Emperor Mausoleum, also called Ming Xiaoling. Afterward, take 1.5 hours’ high-speed train to Suzhou. Upon arrival, your private guide and driver will take care of you.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Start your day at the Lingering Garden, where elegant rocks, serene pools, and graceful pavilions capture the essence of classical China. Explore the winding pathways and enjoy a rickshaw ride through the old town, soaking in the charm of traditional streets.

Next, visit the Suzhou Museum, designed by the legendary I.M. Pei. Its modern architecture harmonizes beautifully with local cultural elements, offering a window into Suzhou’s rich heritage.

Then, head to the No.1 Silk Factory, a comprehensive site that combines a museum, production area, store, and fashion show platform. Watch how silkworms are nurtured and how delicate cocoons are transformed into lustrous silk – a fascinating blend of history and craftsmanship.

End the day with the Master of Nets Garden Show, where classic Chinese landscaping and evening illumination create a magical finale to your Suzhou experience.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Drive to Tongli Water Town, often called the “Venice of China”. Stroll along its charming canals and stone bridges, soaking in the tranquil atmosphere and catching glimpses of daily life in the Jiangnan region – you might even see locals washing clothes by the river. Experience a hand-operated boat ride for a unique perspective of this picturesque town. Late in the afternoon, transfer to the railway station for your onward journey to Shanghai or another city, concluding a peaceful day in one of China’s most enchanting water towns.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Why Choose Inner Mongolia Jiuhong Travel Service Co., Ltd.

12-Year TripAdvisor Award

Travellers’ Choice winner every year since 2013

No Commission Shopping

Zero shopping stops, zero pressure, zero hidden agendas

100% Private

Every tour is exclusively yours — no strangers, no shared buses

Expert Local Guides

Licensed, English-speaking guides with deep local knowledge

Real reviews from real travellers

  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eI highly recommend Inner Mongolia Jiuhong Travel Service Co., Ltd. The team is very easy to work with, has excellent ideas and the guides are knowledgeable and easy to be with. Very solid itineraries and execution — flexible, high quality, and great value for money.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    James T.
    Verified · TripAdvisor
  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eWe visited both Xi’an and Shanghai under Jiuhong’s arrangement and received the same first-class service in both cities. The guides were knowledgeable, flexible, and happy to discuss all aspects of modern China — giving insights difficult to obtain elsewhere. Strongly recommended.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    Greenfly
    Couples · Verified · TripAdvisor
  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eWe had a wonderful action-packed day. Fei Fei was amazing — her knowledge was very impressive and she was a real pleasure to be with. This was certainly the highlight of our stay in this beautiful city. Thanks so much.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    Ludovic V.
    Couples · London, UK · Verified · TripAdvisor

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