[Important] Breaking news! China has resumed the issuance of all types of visas(Including tourist visa) for foreigners since March 15, 2023. Read more »

You are here: Home » Destinations » Suzhou Tours » 2 Days Relaxing Suzhou Vacation with Tongli Water Town

2 Days Suzhou Essence Tour with Water Town

Relaxing Suzhou Vacation

How to spend 2 relaxing days in Suzhou? Here is the best way!

Suzhou is a charming city as his history, a laid-back place where you can explore in a laid-back way too. It is definitely worth spending 2 days there to admire the spectacular architecture, experience the laid-back atmosphere of local living and discover heritage sites.

Soak up all the best highlights of Suzhou – water town, silk and classic garden with a comfortable and valuable private tour package instead of wasting hours squeezing into crazy public transportation and long line of tickets window. Traveling with us, we sort out for you the best ones of Suzhou’s water towns, silk sites and gardens, which costs a lot of time and energy for independent travelers to finish the same homework. At the same time, we try our best to make your Suzhou trip unique by designing some interesting activities into your itinerary, including boat cruise, folk opera, silk culture experience, etc. This tour can be started either from Suzhou, or nearby Shanghai and Hangzhou. Tell us your plan, and we will take care of the rest.

  • Type : Private Tour
  • Tour Code : CD-SZTLT-02
  • Price : from
    1. 1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one double-bed room in a 4-star hotel and traveling in low seasons;
    2. 2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate.
  • Theme : History / Culture / Architecture
  • Physical Demands :

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR

  • Visit a real local silk factory in Suzhou to find out how the worms transform leaves to fancy silk, gain some history and culture of Silk and appreciate some fabulous silk itmes;
  • Walk on the old stone-paved streets and ride a scenic boat through the zigzag water canals of Tongli Water Town, one of the most beautiful water towns in China;
  • Witness the highest gardening skills of ancient China in Lingering Garden, the best of Classical Garden of Suzhou;
  • Appreciate delicate Suzhou Museum, one of the most beautiful museums in the world, designed by the world famous architect I. M. Pei.
Itinerary Day by Day (Can Be Customized)
Expand all

Day 1 Suzhou Tour

Today's highlights: Lingering Garden, Shantang Ancient Street, Tiger Hill, Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory

In the early morning of today, you will be picked up from the train station or your hotel lobby by your private tour guide and driver, then set out for today's exciting things to do.

Start with an interesting visit to Lingering Garden, one of the Four Greatest Gardens in China as well as the perfect representative of traditional Suzhou Gardens. The Lingering Garden has synthesized almost all the classic features of Suzhou gardens. It is composed of residential areas, shrines, family temple and garden, making fully use of the changings between big and small, bend and straight, bright and dark, tall and low, tight and disperse, with the surrounding landscapes, such as trees, flowers, lake, sky, as backgrounds to create an ingenious system of space. Stepping into the garden, you will find the buildings, rockeries, corridors, pavilions, ponds and trees in Lingering Garden are all standing in the best place, neither too crowded nor too sporadic. The most incredible thing is that, in the same place, looking from different angles, you can enjoy different scenery. Making a step, you will get another feeling of another kind of scenery. After visiting Lingering Garden, move on to next site Shantang Ancient Street, a wonderful place for a relaxing walking. It used to be an important trade and culture center during Ming and Qing Dynasties, and now is famous as “the miniature of old Suzhou and the window of Wu culture”. Enjoy the ornate water-town style architectures, marvel at the bustling streets and savor at local snacks.

In the afternoon, you will go to explore the most historical site in Suzhou Tiger Hill. The famous Chinese poet in Song Dynasty (960-1279), Su Shi, once said, “It is a lifelong pity if having visited Suzhou you did not visit Tiger Hill.” He was definitely right. The hill is only 36 meters in height, but covers about 3.5 acres areas with a number of historical sites some of which have history over 2,500 years. The most famous sites include the Yunyan Pagoda which is an over-1000-year-old pagoda with seven stories in height and famously leans much like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Sword Pool where the King of Wu, He Lu, tested and buried his treasured swords about 2500 years ago. Apart from the history, the Tiger Hill is also an amazing place to go for a walk, enjoy natural scenery and experience local custom. Next, transfer from Tiger Hill to Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory where you could not only see how the silk is processed from worm to the final product, but also learn some history and culture of silk in China.

Note: All attractions can be customized according to your arrival and departure arrangements, the lowest price & best-value guaranteed. Please feel free to contact us at any time.

  • Lingering Garden Spring Lingering Garden Spring
  • Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory
  • Suzhou Tiger Hill Suzhou Tiger Hill
  • Shantang Street Shantang Street

Day 2 Suzhou - Tongli - Departure (B, L)

Today's highlights: Suzhou Museum, Tongli Water Town

Today after breakfast, you guide and driver will pick you at your hotel to visit the most outstanding museum in Suzhou - Suzhou Museum which is the masterpiece of the world-famous architect I. M. Pei who has built Louvre's pyramids in Paris, Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, the Miho Museum in Japan and many extraordinary buildings all over the world. While he was designing the Suzhou Museum, he combined the features of classical Suzhou Gardens with modern and fashionable characteristics. The museum has collected more than 40,000 decent items of ancient Chinese art, ancient Chinese paintings, calligraphy, porcelains, jade wares, handmade crafts, etc., from bronze ages to Ming and Qing Dynasties.

After about 2 hours' Suzhou Museum visit, you will be transferred to explore Tongli Water Town, 25 kilometers away from Suzhou downtown (40 minutes). This charming typical water town in China is very ancient of over 1,000 years old and well keeps its authentic old buildings, antique bridges and pure folk customs. Visit Retreat & Reflection Garden (World Cultural Heritage Site), Gengle Hall, the Three Bridges, the Pearl Tower, and other featured sights that are the highlights of Tongli Water Town. Afterwards, wander on the old lanes and walk on the stone bridges to get numerous wonderful sceneries of the ancient Tongli, also ride a scenic boat through the zigzag water canals of the water town.

After the tour, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel in Suzhou City or directly to take your train/flight to the next destination. Our service ends.

  • Tongli Water Town Tongli Water Town with Poetic Charm and Tranquil Charm
  • Suzhou Museum Architecture Suzhou Museum

Recommended Add-on Options

+2 more days to explore the heavenly city - Hangzhou

Explore the heavenly city - Hangzhou.

Spend two days to collects the essence of Hangzhou natural scenery and profound history, including cruise leisurely on West Lake to enjoy the tranquil lake views as well as the ancient pagodas, traditional arched bridges, tree-lined walkways, beautiful hills, green islands and lush gardens; experiencing the peaceful Buddhism atmosphere and breath the fresh tranquil air at Lingyin Temple; learning about authentic traditional Chinese tea culture and enjoy a cup of best Dragon Well Tea...

West Lake Cycling Experience

The quotation for this trip is from Per Person

1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in a 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons.
2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels.
3. This price is only valid to March 31, 2023.
4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1=RMB 6.85. The final quote is based on current exchange rate. It may change according to the currency fluctuation, while the RMB quotation will be remained the same.

What's included?

  • Professional licensed English-speaking guide;
  • Admission tickets for all attractions listed in the itinerary;
  • Accommodation as listed in the itinerary (4-star standard);
  • Necessary vehicle transfers as listed in the itinerary;
  • Domestic flights (economy class) and high-speed trains (second class) as listed in the itinerary;
  • Airport (and train station) pick up and drop off;
  • Luggage Transfers: between airports (railway station) and hotels;
  • All meals as listed(“B” for Chinese and Western breakfast buffet in your hotel; “L” for Chinese Lunch in local restaurant; “D” for Chinese dinner in local restaurant.);
  • Accident insurance;
  • Our service charge, including tour planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

What's excluded?

  • China visa;
  • Personal expenses;
  • Accommodation not listed in the itinerary;
  • Single Room Supplement;
  • Tourist sites which are not listed in the itinerary;
  • Recommended optional activities;
  • Flights or trains to/off Suzhou;
  • Excess Baggage Charges;
  • Optional tips to guides, drivers, etc.

Check What our delighted customers are saying about our services.

Hi Wonder,

We are safely back in Guangzhou. Wonderful experience. All the planned events were highlights and the little extra side trips were a plus. Thank you for all your careful planning.

Townsend - 2023.3.29‚ USA, March 29, 2023

Hi Leo,

This is a very short customised arrangement during which the China border is not fully opened yet.

China Discovery charges a premium though, but it delivered without fail.

The VOA is very new to even the custom officers who were on duty when I cleared the immigration check at Shenzhen as well as the HK side. I must say that the agent did his professional service by always on the call to allow on-site changes of my arrival time because immigration clearance was so unpredictable. I can be assured that someone is just outside the arrival hall to pick me up and, I could tell the immigration officer that my local contact person is just waiting outside to pick me once I am cleared with this new procedure.

It is always safer to have a local contact to guide you and make arrangements for your local transfer when language ( Cantonese instead of Mandarin) is a problem in China .

Thx for the service . Thx to Matt too.

Rgds

Lowell - 2023.3.24‚ Singapore, March 24, 2023

Rita,

thank you for your arrangement. The tour and logistics were really good. We are very happy and look forward to the next trip in China with your company.

Jack - 2023.3.21‚ Vietnam, March 21, 2023

Dear Jack,

I have tried to leave the following review with tripadvisor several times now but somehow it is not accepted, I do not know why.

"Just back from our 9-day trip to Yunnan, long planned and waited for. It was our second time with China Discovery Tours. Once again they tailored the tour according to our ideas and interests - and succeeded in surprising us! Thanks to the local guides we learned a lot about history, traditions and customs, and, of course, food. We always felt in safe hands and the organization was just perfect with enough on spot flexibility. Big thanks to Jack who figured it all out so well and to the next time with China Discovery! Johannes (GER) & Elizabeth (GRC)"

Thanks again for an excellent trip, best regards, Johannes&Elizabeth

Johannes - 2023.3.20‚ Germany, March 20, 2023

Hi Jack!

It's was great, we loved it! Our tour guide Frank was very kind, informative, and funny :) We loved how easy it was and how much we got to see in a day, I will definitely recommend to our friends!

Ashton - 2023.3.16‚ USA, March 16, 2023
Read all reviews (3,270+)

Check What our customers are saying about us on Tripadvisor.com.

We are one of the few China travel agencies who have kept active and received lots of feedbacks and reviews during pandemic years

avatar
Kelly T
"Beyond expectation! It came shortly after the business trip that I and my wife decided to go on a private tour. Even with such short notice, the service was extraordinary..."
Reviewed on April 3, 2023
avatar
Kathleen C
"My husband and I visited Yunnan and Rita of China Discovery arranged every detail of the trip. We visited Kunming, Dali, Shangri-La and Lijiang. Rita booked our flights, train..."
Reviewed on March 29, 2023
Read all reviews (1,580+)

How Our Teams Serve you at China Discovery

"Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty" is the core value of each specialized team at China Discovery.

Eveyone in our company is working hard for only one goal, which is to ensure the highest level of service, luxury, and attention to detail from the minute you begin planning your trip, to the day you return home.

1-on-1 Travel Consultant

China Tour

Our travel consultants are professional, experienced and responsible, helping you from the very beginning to the end of your China trip!

After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.

Beside, he/she will keep in contact with you during your entire tour in China, continually checking if everything is going well as planned.

We're working at Chengdu Bamboo International Tours, local based in Chengdu.

Local Tour Guides

China Tour

Our local guide in every destination is not only very friendly, enthusiastic but also very informative and knowledgeable.

Once you arrive in the destination, the patient and punctual guides will pick you up and take you to get under skin of the city at your own pace. By in-depth discovery and explanation, they’ll show you more about the history, culture, customs and authentic local life. Throughout the journey, they're not only expert guides who take care of all the details but also fellow travelers who are dedicated to help you explore in comfort and style.

Our guides are passionate about what they do, and it shows all the way!

Local Drivers & Vehicle

Using our private transfer service makes you comfortable, relaxed and worry free all the way!

Our private service includes licensed drivers with many years’ driving experience and air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and well-maintained cars/vans. Drivers are local, polite, friendly and helpful, taking you to your tourist sites, hotels, airport/train stations in safety. All kinds of vehicle are offered, and yours depends on the size of your group. Usually, we offer sedan cars, SUVs, business vans (MPV) and different types of buses, all with extra space for your luggage.

Our private transfer service guarantees you the highest comfort!

Comfortable & Homelike Hotels

China Tour

In each destination, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay in a great location!

The hotels we choose are based on star rating, great locations, well-equipped facilities, cozy bed, high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot ranging from luxury 5 star, comfortable 4 star to budget 3 star. You could decide where to stay to best suit for your budget and likes. Generally, the hotels have both Western and Chinese breakfast with a wide choices.

If you have already got an ideal hotel, please feel free to tell our travel consultants and they'll book the hotel for you.

Have good sleep in our well-selected hotels in all the destinations of China.

Meals & Dining

China Tour

We can satisfy all the dietary requirements no matter you want Chinese local food, western food, vegetarian food or muslin food.

The restaurants we will take you for lunch or dinner are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. They have very good sanitary conditions and the food is prepared fresh and clean.

There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.

All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!

Photo gallery of this trip

  • Lingering Garden Spring Lingering Garden Spring
  • Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory
  • Suzhou Tiger Hill Suzhou Tiger Hill
  • Shantang Street Shantang Street
  • Tongli Water Town Tongli Water Town
  • Suzhou Museum Architecture Suzhou Museum Architecture

Recommended or Similar Tour Packages You May Also Like

West Lake Summer
5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour

Shanghai / Hangzhou / Suzhou / Shanghai

No documents found.

Customize your own China Tour

China DIY Travel
We are here to help you design your own travel experience in China which suits your specific needs best.
Start Now

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

Customize a Trip

You're inquiring about the " 2 Days Relaxing Suzhou Vacation with Tongli Water Town "

Please tell us more about your travel plans. We'll get back to you with a quotation in 0.5~23.5hrs.

Check your tour details

  • +2 more days to explore the heavenly city - Hangzhou

Tell us more about your trip

Tell us about yourself

Submit
Why Book with China Discovery