Grand Canal

Day 1: Arrival in Beijing Morning: Arrive in Beijing, the northern starting point of the Grand Canal, and check into your accommodation. Afternoon: Visit the Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China's most famous imperial gardens. Explore the palace complex, pavilions, temples, and lakeside gardens, and take a boat ride on Kunming Lake. Evening: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, sampling Beijing cuisine specialties such as Peking duck, dumplings, and hotpot. Take a leisurely walk around Houhai Lake, a popular nightlife area known for its bars, cafes, and traditional courtyard homes.

Day 2: Beijing to Suzhou Morning: Take a high-speed train from Beijing to Suzhou, a historic city located along the Grand Canal in Jiangsu Province. Afternoon: Visit the Suzhou Museum, designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei, and explore exhibitions on Suzhou's history, art, and culture. Stroll through the nearby Pingjiang Road Historic District, known for its traditional architecture, canals, and historic landmarks. Evening: Check into your accommodation in Suzhou and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, sampling Suzhou cuisine specialties such as sweet and sour mandarin fish, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, and braised pork belly.

Day 3: Suzhou to Hangzhou Morning: Take a boat cruise along the Grand Canal in Suzhou, passing through historic neighborhoods, traditional water towns, and scenic countryside. Afternoon: Visit the Lingering Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest classical gardens in China. Explore pavilions, rockeries, winding pathways, and tranquil ponds, admiring the garden's traditional Chinese landscaping and architecture. Evening: Take a high-speed train from Suzhou to Hangzhou, another historic city located along the Grand Canal in Zhejiang Province. Check into your accommodation and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, sampling Hangzhou cuisine specialties such as West Lake fish in vinegar sauce, Dongpo pork, and Longjing shrimp.

Day 4: Hangzhou Morning: Visit West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China's most famous natural attractions. Take a boat cruise on the lake, passing by scenic islands, temples, and pavilions. Visit attractions such as Leifeng Pagoda, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, and Su Causeway. Afternoon: Explore the Hefang Street Historic District, known for its traditional architecture, antique shops, and street food stalls. Visit the China National Silk Museum to learn about the history, culture, and production of silk in China. Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Hangzhou, sampling regional specialties and reflecting on your journey along the Grand Canal.