You will experience two picturesque towns, Suzhou and Zhouzhuang, each unique in the splendors they reveal. Suzhou is one of the oldest towns in the Yangtze basin, founded in about 600 B.C. With its interconnected waterways and beautiful environment, the city is often referred as “The Venice of the East”. Suzhou was one of the few cities in China to escape the ravages of Cultural Revolution and its famous gardens survived almost intact. The gardens embody the harmonious principles of Chinese garden construction, which dictate that gardens should attempt to create a microcosm of the universe in a confined space.

Zhouzhuang is well known for its beautiful environment and simple architecture, well preserved for over 900 years. The majority of the town's residences were built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and nearly 100 classic courtyards and 60 carved-brick archways are still in use. In this water village, locals live life on waterways, still doing everyday activities from washing clothes to shopping from vendors in boats.

Upon arrival in Suzhou, the first stop is Net Master Garden, the best and most celebrated as a model Ming Dynasty Garden in all of Suzhou. Then it's on to view the Ancient City Wall, the Grand Canal, and a tour of a silk spinning factory to see how Chinese silk has been produced since the 14th century. After lunch, we visit the water town of Zhouzhuang and board a Chinese-style gondola to cruise the waterways of the town.