Romance of Watertown
Immerse yourself in Suzhou's rich history and culture. This tour combines visits to world-renowned classical gardens and the picturesque Tongli Water Town. Explore the classical garden and the stone bridge in China, and enjoy a serene boat ride through Tongli's tranquil canals.
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Tour 'Wow' Points
Immerse in the Timeless Elegance of Chinese Classic Gardens.
Lose yourself in the serene beauty of the Master of Nets Garden, the masterpieces of Chinese landscape architecture.


Experience Suzhou's Local Culture on a Rickshaw Ride.
Embark on a leisurely rickshaw journey through Suzhou's charming lanes, offering a glimpse into the authentic lives of its people.


Relax on a Leisurely Boat Ride along Tranquil Canals.
Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of Tongli Water Town, exploring its historic streets and waterways.


Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

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Amazing experience with Brenda in Suzhou
![]() We just had a two day tour from may 28th in Suzhou with our guide Brenda. She is very experienced and knowledgeable about the city and its history. She was always available for questions and tips online even at night. We loved how she presented the history in a comprehensive way that did not overwhelm us but rather contributed to the landscape. She was very flexible in adjusting the schedule to our needs. She picked authentic delicious restaurants for lunch just as we requested. It was an amazing experience, and we would recommend her as a guide at any time. more
May 2025, Manuel H
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A high spot of our 2-week tour in this part of China
![]() My partner and I spent two and a half days in Suzhou last week, with an itinerary arranged by China Highlights. The area in and around the city was a high spot of our 2-week tour in the region around Shanghai. Fabulous museums, ancient canals and historic gardens. Our Suzhou guide Brenda was topnotch; extremely knowledgeable about both old and new China and a lovely person to spend time with too. We preferred Suzhou to Hangzhou, I must say. more
May 2025, Howard B
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Fun 6 days private tour to Suzhou, Wuxi, Yixing and Xitang
![]() We had a fun 6 days private tour to Wuxi, Yixing, Suzhou and Xitang where MI 3 was filmed. Our tour guide Brenda is very knowledgeable about Chinese history, rearranged our schedule to avoid holiday crowds, took us to local restaurant where we got to try delicious authentic local specialties, and gave us great recommendations we requested outside our tour like restaurants in Shanghai and spa for massage. And she took many pictures for us :) Highly recommend. more
May 2025, fltnlau
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Suggested Itinerary
Your private guide will be waiting for you at your hotel. If you start from the hotel in Shanghai, you should arrive in Suzhou in about 1.5 hours, via a comfortable non-smoking vehicle. If you prefer to take a bullet train, we can arrange train tickets.
The Garden of the Master of Nets is only 1/6 of the size of the Humble Administrator's Garden, but it is the most ingenious classical garden in Suzhou. Experience the timeless beauty of the Master-of-Nets Garden. Lose yourself in its serene atmosphere, exquisite landscaping, and intricate architectural details.
Have lunch at a local Suzhou restaurant. The most famous Suzhou food is Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish. The fish is sweet and sour, cooked in the shape of a squirrel.
Take a rickshaw ride to explore the alleys of Suzhou, where local people live. You will find a hammam (a communal bathhouse), food markets, ancient wells, and stone pagodas, and you'll probably see people washing clothes by the river.
Shuangta Market is located near the Pingjiang Road. It's a trendy destination that blends traditional market elements with modern aesthetics and cultural experiences. You can find fresh fruits, vegetables, traditional Suzhou snacks and dishes. There are workshops, exhibitions, and events that showcasing local culture.
After the trip, we'll take you back to your hotel in Suzhou.
After a western-style breakfast in the hotel, you will visit Tiger Hill, also known as Surging Sea Hill. It is a large hillock, standing 36 meters high and covering an area of some 14,100 square meters. Going up the hill, you will find a number of historical sites, including some from 2,500 years ago, as old as Suzhou city itself. For bonsai lovers, there is a little bonsai garden on the hill.
We'll then drive 30 minutes to Tongli water town, often praised as the Venice of China. Take a small boat along the canal to see the old town. It's a great place for ancient architecture and traditional culture. Have lunch in a local Tongli restaurant.
After the visit in Tongli, we'll drive you back to your hotel in Shanghai and wave goodbye.
Tour Price
Price includes: