10-Day Huangshan, Jingdezhen, Hangzhou, and Shanghai Artisan Tour

Welcome to Shanghai! To ensure your arrival is stress-free, your private tour guide will meet you in the arrivals hall and transfer you to your hotel in a private car. Your luggage and hotel check-in will be taken care of.

Let's start from ancient Shanghai today in the morning. Yu Garden was originally a private garden for a government official in Ming Dynasty over 400 years ago. Its name "Yu" means peace and joy, which perfectly reflects the Garden's serene atmosphere.

Step into Shanghai's modern history with a guided walking tour of the Former French Concession. This charming district is characterized by its elegant, European-style buildings and tree-lined avenues, which served as residences for many of China's most influential historical figures. Your guide will lead you on a thoughtfully designed route, sharing the rich stories that make this area a crucial part of Shanghai's heritage.

From the observation deck of China's tallest building, the Shanghai Tower, you can see Shanghai's modern identity spread out before you. Gaze down at the city's famous skyscrapers and take in a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view. You'll be able to spot iconic landmarks like the Bund and the Lujiazui Financial District, and truly appreciate the vastness of Shanghai's urban landscape.

Shanghai Museum East is widely considered a must-see, especially for those interested in Chinese history and culture. The museum's collections focus on a different aspect of ancient Chinese art and history, including 144,000 rare treasures, such as ancient bronze, ceramics, calligraphy and painting, etc.

In China, daily life is also considered an art form. Your guide and a local host will take you to a bustling fresh food market, where you'll uncover the secrets of authentic Shanghainese cuisine. After gathering your ingredients, you'll learn to prepare classic dishes, including delicate wontons, and then enjoy the delicious meal you've cooked yourself.

It takes about 1.5 hours to drive from Shanghai to Suzhou, where you can admire the city's elegant Jiangnan-style gardens and hills.

The Lingering Garden is a celebrated example of a classical Chinese garden and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The garden seamlessly blends natural scenery with man-made structures. As you move through the garden, different and new scenes are constantly revealed to surprise you.

Shantang Street is a historic pedestrian street that beautifully captures the essence of a traditional Chinese water town. Its well-preserved Suzhou-style houses with whitewashed walls, black tiles, and red lanterns offer a glimpse into the city's past.

Heading to Tiger Hill to enjoy walking in a peaceful park. The most famous landmark here is the Leaning Cloud Rock Pagoda, which was build in the 10th century. Its unique tilt and ancient brick structure make it a captivating sight.

A night visit to the Master of Nets Garden may be the highlight of today. As you walk through the garden, you will encounter different pavilions and halls, each hosting a live performance of traditional Chinese arts. At night, the garden is transformed by lighting, which creates a magical and romantic atmosphere that offers a completely different feel from its daytime appearance.

Time to take a high speed train to another wonderland - Hangzhou, the most poetic city in China's ancient history.

Begin the day with a relaxing boat cruise on the iconic West Lake. Admire the misty scenery, traditional pagodas, and lush causeways from the water.

Travel to the west of the lake to visit one of China's most significant Buddhist temples, Lingyin Temple. Explore the ancient halls and admire the intricate rock carvings and grottoes of Feilai Feng Peak.

After lunch, head to a nearby tea plantation, the birthplace of the renowned Dragon Well tea. Stroll through the terraced tea fields, learn about the tea-making process, and enjoy a traditional tea tasting session.

Oiled-paper umbrellas were once a practical part of daily life in China. However, their intricate craftsmanship and beautiful hand-painted designs have transformed them into a celebrated art form. You'll have the opportunity to paint your own umbrella and take home a beautiful, handmade souvenir. A local master will guide you through the process of painting.

A morning high speed train ride takes about 1.5 hours from Hangzhou to Huangshan. Your tour guide will transfer you directly to Huangshan Scenic Area after lunch. Take a cable car to ascend to the top of Huangshan.

After exiting the cable car, you will take a mostly downhill, 30-minute walk to your hotel, passing scenic sights like Umbrella Pine and Black Tiger Pine along the way. Then you will begin a 3-hour hike through West Sea Grand Canyon. If time and energy allow, you can continue to the Flying-over Rock and watch the sunset from Bright Top.

Start your day with an early rise to capture the sunrise from Refreshing Terrace, a spot highly recommended by our local expert guide. After breakfast at hotel, you will hike to Lion Peak to see Dawn Pavilion, Stone Monkey Watching the Sea, and unique pine trees scattered throughout the North Sea area.

Your journey on the Yellow Mountains will conclude with a scenic ride down the Yungu Cable Car. Then you'll travel to Nanping Village, where you can immerse yourself in the local rural experience.

Nanping Village is a living museum of Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, with over 300 dwellings still standing. It is often called "China's movie village" because it has served as a backdrop for numerous famous Chinese films, such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Judou.

Besides, the village's abundant bamboo resources have long supported a tradition of weaving household items. While this ancient skill is becoming increasingly rare, a dedicated bamboo weaving artisan still practices the craft. He will share his expertise and teach you how to transform bamboo strips into various designs.

Experience the enduring legacy of Huizhou mulberry bark paper before you journey to Jingdezhen. Once revered as "paper more valuable than gold," this ancient craft faded in prominence after the Qing Dynasty but was rightfully recognized as an intangible cultural heritage in 2018.

At the mulberry bark paper factory, you'll witness a blend of traditional expertise and modern innovation as artisans create new products. Under the guidance of a master artisan, you will get to craft and customize your very own piece of mulberry bark paper, designing it with your favorite patterns. It's an opportunity to create a truly one-of-a-kind souvenir to take home.

After lunch, transfer to Jingdezhen, a city with a rich history of ceramic production. You will follow your guide to visit Sanbao International Ceramic Art Village for quiet exploration and appreciation of the craft in a rustic setting.

Jingdezhen offers a wide range of porcelain markets, each with a unique character and operating schedule. For example, the Pottery Workshop Creative Market features crafts from young artists at affordable prices, while the Ghost Market displays antiques, ancient relics, and old porcelain. Your tour guide will lead you to the one that is open based on the day's schedule.

The China Porcelain Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in the artistry of Chinese ceramics. Its vast collection of over 20,000 pieces covers a remarkable span of time. You will find masterpieces from different dynasties, each reflecting the pinnacle of ceramic art during that period.

The second spot will be the Ancient Kiln Folk Exhibition Area. Unlike a museum that displays finished pieces, this area brings the history and craftsmanship of Jingdezhen to life. It is home to restored ancient kilns from different dynasties, and also the folk culture surrounding porcelain industry.

Conclude the day with the vibrant Taoxichuan Ceramic Art Avenue. Explore the beautifully restored industrial architecture of art galleries, studios, and shops. If your tour aligns with a weekend, immerse yourself in the lively Taoxichuan Creative Market, where local artists sell their unique handmade ceramics.

The process of making porcelain in Jingdezhen is a complex and highly specialized craft that has been refined over centuries. You will experience preparing the clay and forming the shape under the guidance of a local expert. If you would love to decorate it to bring back home, don't hesitate to tell your guide to make arrangement.

For the final day of your tour, a 4-hour high-speed train will take you to Shanghai. From there, you have the option to either stay an additional night in the city or transfer directly to the airport for your return flight home. Your dedicated trip advisor and tour guides will handle all arrangements, ensuring your departure is seamless and stress-free.