Gardens, Water Towns & Misty Peaks

Cultural Journey Through the Yangtze Delta & Huangshan Mountains

Shanghai, Hangzhou & Eastern China

Duration: 10 nights

Price: From £6,050 per person in low season based on two adults travelling together and including all flights in economy class, accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, train transportation, experiences as stated, private transfers and taxes

Discover the ‘real’ China, and get off the beaten track to explore several of the country’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed gems, from the classical gardens of Suzhou to the beautiful West Lake in Hangzhou. You’ll also get to experience the mountains of Huangshan and immerse yourself in Shanghai’s intoxicating blend of historic charm and modern style. Along the way, you’ll stay in traditional, historic hotels which offer plenty of character and beautiful countryside views as well as stylish luxury.

Perfect forThose who want to see the China immortalised in art and literature over the centuries.

In the knowExtend your holiday in China to visit the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, whose subtropical forests and distinctive karst pinnacles inspired the film Avatar. The park is also home to wildlife such as macaques, Chinese water deer and clouded leopards, as well as thousands of species of plants and flowers.

Best for

Landscapes & Scenery
Cultural Immersion
Off the Beaten Track
History & Heritage

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Itinerary details

3 nightsSHANGHAI

You can’t fail to be swept up in the irresistible buzz of Shanghai. Visit temples and museums, catch a dazzling acrobatics show or do as the locals do and experience some early-morning tai chi in one of the tranquil parks. During your time in Shanghai, enjoy a half-day tour of the city, including the historic Bund waterfront, which stretches alongside the Huangpu River and is lined with architectural landmarks, and offers panoramic views over the skyscrapers of Pudong. You’ll also visit the beautiful Yu Garden, a classical Chinese garden dating from the 16^th century, which is dotted with pavilions, pagodas and lakes.

Stay at the Capella Shanghai, whose luxury villas are housed in traditional Shikumen buildings, and enjoy the gourmet French restaurant, award-winning spa and secluded gardens. A notable landmark is the Water Tower, a former water source which is now a light installation.

2 nightsSUZHOU

Your next stop is Suzhou, which is known as the ‘Venice of the Orient’, thanks to its impressive network of canals and bridges, interspersed with UNESCO World Heritage-listed classical gardens. Discover its many delights on a tour which takes in the Lingering Garden, the Humble Administrator’s Garden and the Grand Canal. These are some of the most famous gardens in China, and display a typical Chinese style in their ornate pavilions and pagodas, rock formations and tranquil lakes. The Grand Canal (also UNESCO-listed) is known as the ‘golden waterway’. It crosses the city centre, and its banks are lined with both ancient pagodas and modern skyscrapers.

The Tonino Lamborghini Suzhou is a stylish base in a beautiful setting on the shores of Jinji Lake, yet still within easy reach of the city's many attractions.

3 nightsHUANGSHAN

Huangshan is steeped in Chinese myths and legends – according to local folklore, the ethereal Yellow Mountains are the home of the Yellow Emperor, the ancestor of the Chinese. The luxurious Banyan Tree Huangshan is nestled amongst the mountains, so you will be able to enjoy gorgeous countryside vistas from your room.

As well as experiencing sunrise and sunset views of the jagged mountain peaks, you can visit ancient villages and temples and bathe in hot springs. To get the adrenaline pumping, hike up Huangshan Mountain and refuel with a scenic picnic lunch, or go whitewater rafting along the river.

2 NIGHTSHANGZHOU

Take the bullet train to Hangzhou for more quintessential Chinese landscapes, which have inspired artists, writers and emperors for centuries – and it’s easy to see why. Hangzhou is home to the West Lake, known as ‘Heaven on Earth’, which is dotted with islands, temples and pagodas, flanked by green mist-covered hills. Around the city you can discover more ancient pagodas and secluded temples.

Your hotel, the Chaptel Hangzhou, is just a short walk from the West Lake, and you can enjoy the views from the terrace.