2010 China tour
“The Poets’ Trail”
Shanghai and the Water-towns of South-east China
(Suzhou, Wuxi, Yixing, Yangzhou, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Ningbo, Wuzhen)
18th September to 28th September 2010
The natural beauty of China’s south-eastern provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang has inspired generations of scholars and artists, whose works form part of the nation’s great cultural legacy. Our tour will follow the Poets’ Trail and take us to some of the best-loved scenic spots along the tributaries of the Yangtse River (Changjiang), which, with its access to Shanghai and other coastal cities, have also spawned diverse handicraft industries, such as silk and lacquer.
Sadly, many of these artisanal skills, along with edifices of cultural value, are being lost in the name of modernisation. As China expands her tourist industry, conservationists are being called upon to undo some of the damage and revive the region and its traditions.
The focus of our tour will therefore be conservation and we will invite renowned urban planner Professor Ruan Yisan, of Tongji University in Shanghai and winner of UNESCO’s Award of Distinction for Conservation, to talk about his projects in Suzhou, Shaoxing, Wuzhen and the Grand Canal, amongst others. We will start in the grand metropolis of Shanghai, now centre stage for Expo 2010, but formerly renowned as a city of gangsters and revolutionaries, Eastern exoticism and Western decadence. Prof Ruan will take us on a guided tour of streets and buildings that he has helped bring back to their former glory in a bid to preserve a significant part of China’s cultural heritage.
(K-Shanghai, B-Suzhou, C-Wuxi, D-Yixing, E-Yangzhou, F-Nanjing, G-Hangzhou, H-Shaoxing, I-Ningbo, J-Wuzhen)
Part One
ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION
Special Prices for Meridian Society Members, SACU Members and Meridian School Students only
- £798 per person for shared twin room
- £998 per person for single room
Prices for Non-members
- £845per person shared twin room
- £1045per person for single room
Airfare from London to Shanghai return is not included in the above prices
Note: It is mandatory to take out individual travel/medical insurance for the entire duration of your stay in China including your Departure and Arrival back to London.The Society has the right to cancel the tour by1st July if insufficient members have booked to operate thetour.
For terms and conditions and how to join the Meridian Society, please visit our website Please see Part Two for booking form and method of payment.
Useful websites for purchasing international airfares,China visa and travel insurance:
ITINERARY
Day 01 Sep 18th: Shanghai
Group will assemble at Hotel lobby at 08:30 / Tour to begin at 09:00 hrs.
Visit Shanghai Expo to view the international pavilions and exhibitions based on this year’s theme: “Better City, Better Life”.
Meals provided–B, D.
Accommodation: To be confirmed
Day 02 Sep 19st: Shanghai
Professor Ruan Yisan of Tongji University will conduct the day’s tour, including a visit to the Shanghai UrbanPlanning Museum; the colonial buildings of the Bund; Nanjing Road – once Asia’s foremost commercial district; converted warehouses along Suzhou creek; the French concession and an old residential district in Puxi, the art deco Paramount Dance Hall, famed for the country’s legendary jazz band.
Meals provided–B, L, D.
Accommodation: To be confirmed
Day 3 Sep 20th: Shanghai to Suzhou by Coach.
Boat ride along Huangpu River to view Shanghai’s development from old port to new financial centre. Visit to Oriental Pearl TV Tower for aerial vista of city, followed by coach ride around Pudong, Shanghai’s economic miracle, including the iconic Jinmao Tower and other buildings of innovative design. Tour of old Shanghai to observe the architectural diversity of Xintiandi (site of original Communist Party HQ) and tea-house district of Chenghuangmiao. Travel to Suzhou (1.5hrs)
Meals provided–L, D.
Accommodation:Snowy Sea Hotel
Day 04 Sep 21nd: Suzhou to Wuxi by Coach.
Visitto Humble Administrator's Garden, one of China’s four most famous gardens; Hanshan Temple, where many great poems have been composed; Feng Bridge at the entrance of the Grand Canal; silk factory to observe the process of making Su silk; Suzhou Industry Art Museum to see how fans are made. Travel to Wuxi (1hr).
Meals provided–B, L, D.
Accommodation:Ramada Wuxi
Day 05 Sep 22rd: Wuxi to Yixing to Yangzhou by Coach.
Visit toYuantouzhu by cruise in Tai Lake, famed for its sculptural rocks that have adorned many Chinese gardens; Cinnabar Tea Pot Arts Museum in Yixing, pottery capital of China; Shan Juan Cave, where Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, known as the Butterfly Lovers, were supposed to have studied together. Travel to Yangzhou (2 .5hrs).
Meals provided–B, L, D.
Accommodation:Yangzhou Renjia International Hotel
Day 06 Sep 23th: Yangzhou to Nanjing by Coach.
Visit toSlender West Lake; Ge Yuan Garden, another fine example of Chinese garden design; Marco Polo Museum (the great Italian traveller was appointed governor of the city by Kublai Khan); lacquerware factory. Travel to Nanjing (1.5 hrs）
Free time in Fuzi temple, a popular open-air market by Qinhuai River at night.
Meals provided–B, L, D.
Accommodation:Yangzhou Renjia International Hotel
Day 07 Sep 24th: Nanjing to Hangzhou by Coach.
Visit to Zhongshanling, memorial to the great nationalist hero Sun Zhongshan in the splendid setting of the Purple Mountains; Nanjing’s impressive ancient city wall, one of the last intact city walls in China; Yuejiang Tower, a marvellous blend of natural and artificial landscape. Travel to Hangzhou (4 hrs).
Meals provided–B, L, D.
Accommodation: Hangzhou Zijingang Xigang Hotel
Day 08 Sep 25st: Hangzhou to Shaoxing by Coach.
Visit to West Lake, described as “paradise on earth”, including Broken Bridge, Su Causeway, Bai Causeway and Flower Pond with its giant goldfish; New Leifeng Tower for a panoramic vista; Dragon Well tea gardens to enjoy a tea ceremony. Travel to Shaoxing (1.5 hrs）and have a taste of Shaoxing Yellow Wine at dinner.
Meals provided–B, L, D.
Accommodation:Qinwang Hotel
Day 09 Sep 26th: Shaoxing to Ningbo by Coach.
Visit to Lanting, the Orchid Pavilion, and the largest collection of calligraphy in the country; Lu Xun Native Place to view the home of the great contemporary writer, as well as teahouses and shops featured in his works, Baicao Garden, Sanwei Private School and Lu Xun Memorial. Travel to Ningbo (1.5 hrs). On arrival, visit to Tianyi Tower, China’s earliest library.
Meals provided–B, L, D.
Accommodation: Yinyuan Hotel
Day 10 Sep 27th: Ningbo to Wuzhen to Shanghai by Coach.
Depart for Wuzhen via Hangzhou Bay Bridge (2.5 hrs). On arrival in the water-town, we will take a ride in a sampan along the canal and visit the residence of the literary giant Mao Dun, whose novels often centred on Shanghai on the cusp of revolution; Huiyuan Pawnshop; watch a puppet show before returning to Shanghai.
Meals provided–B, L, D.
Accommodation: To be confirmed
Day 11 Sep 28th: Shanghai to London
End of Tour.
Meals provided–only breakfast.
Included:
- Accommodation: standard room in 3 star hotels for 10 nights with breakfast.
- Meal: Chinese meals (10 pax per table with 8 dishes + 1 soup + 1 pot of tea + 1 glass of soft drink).
- Transportation: Air-condition Coach with 33 seats including luggage.
- Entrance: Boat ride on Huangpu river, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, Humble Administrator's Garden, Hanshan Temple, Feng Bridge, Yuantouzhu in Tai Lake and the cruise, Shan Juan Cave, Slender West Lake Scenic Spot, Ge Yuan Garden, Marco Polo Museum, Sun Yat-sen’s Memorial (zhongshanling), Yuejiang Tower, West Lake, New Leifeng Tower, Orchid Pavilion (lanting), Tianyi Tower, ride in sampan in Wuzhen, Mao Dun’s residence, puppet show, Shanghai Expo.
- Chinese and English-speaking local guide.
Not Included:
- Air fare from London to Shanghai return.
- China visas.
- Travel insurance.
- Return transfer from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Hotel.
- Optional tours and shows.
- Wine and drinks not mentioned above.
- Tips for driver and guide are not included. Recommended 4 pounds per day.