Three Days Tour around Shanghai

　Upon your time, in the morning of first day, we will stop at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower at the first. It is 468 meters high (1,536 feet) tower which is the world's third tallest TV and radio tower surpassed in height only by towers in Toronto , Canada and Moscow , Russia . However, the view of Shanghai from this height fills you with wonder at the beauty that surrounds you, such as the Yangtze River, the Bund, and whole picture of Shanghai city. Down from the Tower, we will drive to the Bund, which also called the Zhongshan Road , is a famous waterfront and regarded as the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years. It starts from the Baidu Bridge , which is at the connecting point of the Huangpu River and the Suzhou Creek, to the East Jinling Road and winds a 1500 meters (less than one mile) length. Walking along the Bund, which is at the west shore of the Huangpu River , the Oriental Pearl TV Tower can be seen on the opposite side and also the Jin Mao Tower .

　After the noon, we have two destinations for you, one is the Yuyuan Garden , and the other is Jade Buddha Temple . Yuyuan Garden is a famous classical garden located in Anren Jie, Shanghai . The garden was finished in 1577 by a government officer of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) named Pan Yunduan. Yu in Chinese means pleasing and satisfying, and this garden was specially built for Pan's parents as a place for them to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age. Yuyuan Garden occupies an area of 20,000 square meters (about five acres). However, the small size is not a representative of the attractions of the garden. The pavilions, halls, rockeries, ponds and cloisters all have unique characteristics. And in the western part of Shanghai , a very modern and flourishing city, there is a venerable and famous Buddhist temple, Jade Buddha Temple . In 1882, an old temple was built to keep two jade Buddha statues which had been brought from Burma by a monk named Huigen. The temple was destroyed during the revolution that overthrew the Qing Dynasty. Fortunately the jade Buddha statues were saved and a new temple was built on the present site in 1928. It was named the Jade Buddha Temple . Although the history of the Jade Buddha Temple is not very long, the old-time and classical architectural style makes the temple unique and inimitable in this modern city.

　Second day, we drive you to the Shanghai Museum in the morning. Located in the center of Shanghai in People's Square, Shanghai Museum is a large museum of ancient Chinese art. The museum style and presentation surround visitors with artifacts demonstrating ancient wisdom and philosophy. The exterior design of the round dome and the square base symbolizes the ancient idea of a round heaven and a square land.The museum is divided into eleven galleries and three exhibition halls. The eleven Galleries cover most of the major categories of Chinese art: Ancient Bronze, Ancient Ceramics, Paintings, Calligraphy, Ancient Sculpture, Ancient Jade, Coins, Ming and Qing Furniture, Seals, and Minority Nationalities. Later on, we arrange you to see the first China shopping street at Nanjing Road . It was the earliest shopping street in Shanghai after the Opium War (1839-1842), but now, it become the China's premier shopping street, 3.4-mile-long, starts at the Bund in the east and ends in the west at the junction of Jingan Temple and Yanan West Street. It is a must-see metropolitan destination attracting thousands of fashion-seeking shoppers from all over the world. Last thing which we are glad to show you is Shanghai Xintiandi . Located in the center of Shanghai City south of Huaihai Zhong Lu, Shanghai Xin Tian Di has become an urban tourist attraction that holds the historical and cultural legacies of the city. Shanghai Xin Tian Di is a fashionable pedestrian street composed of Shikumen and modern architecture style. Shanghai Xin Tian Di is unique because of its concept of construction. It retains the antique walls, tiles and exterior of the Shikumen housing of old Shanghai . The Shikumen Building appeared in the mid of 1800's, and is a product of Chinese and Western architecture styles. In the early 1900's, it was the residential buildings of Shanghai citizens. The building represents modern Shanghai history and culture. On the other hand, its interior embodies a totally different world of international gallery, bars and cafes, boutiques or theme restaurants. When you walk into Xintiandi, you will get the taste both of Shanghai in the 1920's and the sonic modern lifestyle of urbanites of the 21st century. Shanghai Xintiandi is where 'yesterday and tomorrow meet in Shanghai today'. It embodies the comfortable and convenient life of the 21st century, having all conveniences such as an automatic elevator, central air-conditioner and broadband network. Its boutique keeps in pace with international fashion. Also, the typical Shikumen buildings of old Shanghai seem to be telling people beautiful stories about the history and culture of the city. If you do not want to go back hotel, by the end of tour, you could stay in Xintiandi till to night with a Shanghai western dinner, and enjoy Shanghai 's night life.

　Last day, you should get up a little bit early and we drive you to Suzhou city for a whole day visit. When Suzhou is mentioned, the first thought in every Chinese mind is of its gardens. It is said that the gardens to the south of Yangtze River are the best in the world, and Suzhou gardens are the best among them. The history of the classical gardens of Suzhou can be traced back to 6 BC. By the time of the Ming and Qing dynasties, Suzhou City had become a garden city with more than 200 gardens. Having experienced a long history, only a part of the gardens are preserved perfectly. Because of their ingenious man-made landscape and the ideal of harmony between heaven and human beings, the gardens have gained a high reputation world wide.

　In the old Suzhou city, we will see the Lion Grove Garden . It is located on 23 Yuanlin Road , in the northeast of Suzhou -a city with profound cultural background and convenient developmental advantages. It is one of the four most famous and representative gardens of ancient classical style in Suzhou City . The other three are Blue Wave Pavilion, Lingering Garden and Humble Administrator's Garden. Built in 1342 during the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) by Monk Tianru and a group of Zen Buddhist disciples as a memorial of their master-Monk Zhongfeng, it has changed hands and renamed a number of times. Its changeable history is because Monk Zhongfeng had once apperceived the Buddhism sutras at Lion Cliff on Mountain Xitianmu in Zhejiang Province . Also there was many rocks grotesque in shapes in the garden resembling lions. This garden occupies a very important place in history, representing the diversity of cultural and architectural development in Suzhou over the years.

　Next, we will pay a visit to Cold Mountain Temple , also called Hanshan Si in Pinyin, is situated five kilometers from Fengqiao Old Town in Suzhou , Jiangsu Province. It is said that in the Tang Dynasty, a famous monk Han Shan came to take charge of the temple, hence its name. Building originally commenced during the Liang Dynasty (502-557), and was repaired again in the following dynasties. There are many more historical relics in the temple, such as the statue of Han Shan, the stone tablet inscription of the poem A Night Mooring near Maple Bridge , written by Zhang Ji, a poet of the Tang Dynasty. It described the midnight bell rings of the Hanshan Temple . Since then, the temple has become famous, especially for its bell rings and Buddhism culture. Now, every year on New Year's Eve in China 's lunar calendar, the bell is tolled to pray for the happiness and safety of the coming New Year. This festival attracts thousands of tourists both at home and abroad.Around the Cold Mountain Temple , you can also enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Maple Bridge , where Zhang Ji's boat was once moored, and get a realistic feel of the ordinary life of the people living in the Fengqiao Old Town . You can also have a look at the famous Jinghang Canal , which is the longest ancient man-made canal in the world.

　Before the end of tour, if we have the time, we will drive you to pass the new Suzhou area and have an idea of highlight of Suzhou people's new life. Otherwise, we will drive back directly to Shanghai airport, or railway station, or your hotel in Shanghai .

　Tour Quotation:

　 Remark: Tour price should be discussed during 2008 Beijing Olympic period from July to September

　Remark: the price will be based on per person

　All the quotation will be including:

　1.  Private escorted tour

　2.  All the Entrance fees listed in the itinerary

　3.  Skillful driver with private vehicle

　4.  Only lunch

　5.  Excellent local guide

　6.  Domestic transportation
　     * All the ground transfer

　7.  All the quotation is by US Dollars which is based on the rate of Bank of China

　8.  Cancellation policy: Cancellation should be informed three days before departure otherwise should have 30% penalty of total price.

　9.  Payment policy: All the payment should be three days in advance before departure when you received the final confirmation and tickets

　10.  Payment method: cash, credit card and wire transfer

　  All the quotation will be NOT including:

　1.   International ticket and domestic ticket

　2.  Hotel

　3.  Personal Expenses.

　4.  Gratuities, Tips to guides or drivers

　Notes: All the quotation would be changed due to the unexpected reason.