Which ever nickname you prefer, 'Paris of the Orient' or 'Pearl of China', Shanghai captures the essence of new China, as well as its centuries of history and culture. Your tour begins with classic sights from the Ming and Qing dynasties, when you visit the enchanting Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Old Street. The tour then stops at the Bund on Shanghai's waterfront, a showcase of pre-1949 architecture. Here you'll tour the Museum of Ancient Chinese Art and its collection of more than 120,000 precious and rare works.

After lunch is a drive along the former French Concession District, characterized by beautiful, tree-lined streets and weathered European architecture. You destination is the Arts and Crafts Shop where you'll bargain for all kinds of traditional Chinese arts and crafts. Next you'll visit the Jade Buddha Temple with its priceless collection of jade statues from Burma. Finally, you'll be able to stretch your legs in Shanghai's hottest new entertainment district, Xin Tian Di. The brick buildings on these two-square blocks have been preserved and transformed into trendy clubs, restaurants and boutiques. You will have time on your own here, or can go back to your hotel with the group.

Tour Highlights:

• Bund
• Yuyuan Garden
• Shanghai Old Street
• Shanghai Museum
• Lunch
• Former French Concession District
• Shanghai Arts and Crafts Shop
• Jade Buddha Temple
• Xin Tian Di

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 BC. With its interconnected waterways and beautiful environment, the city is often referred as ?The Venice of the East?. Suzhou was one of the few city's in China to escape the ravages of the cultural revolution and its famous gardens survived almost intact. It is the gardens here, which are the most famous attraction in the city. 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.

Upon arrival in Suzhou, the first stop is Net Master Garden, one of the best preserved Ming Dynasty Gardens in all of China. Then it's on to Silk Embroidery Research Institute, famous for its traditional techniques of double-sided and double-faced embroidery. The Institute is world renowned for its stunning animals, birds, butterflies and flower embroidery. No visit to Suzhou would be complete with a visit to the Ancient City Wall and Grand Canal.

After lunch, it's on to the water town of Zhouzhuang where you'll board a Chinese-style gondola to cruise on the waterways of the city. 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.

Suzhou highlights include:

• Net Master Garden
• Ancient City Wall
• Grand Canal

• Water Village
• Boating on water ways

When the sun sets, the energy of Shanghai changes dramatically. You'll take part in all the excitement by experiencing the highlights of the city as day turns to night. We'll start our tour in old Shanghai where you'll visit Shanghai Old Street and Yu Gardens, the 400-year-old classic garden. Next you'll drive through the former French Concession District, with its tree-lined streets and European architecture, then stop at Xin Tian Di, the chic entertainment district. East truly meets West in this popular cultural center. Then it's on to see the historic treasures at the Jade Buddha Temple, filled with precious collection of jade statues from Burma. After dinner you'll board a boat and experience the Bund after dark. You'll see the sights and architectural wonders from the vantage point of the river, as the big ships work their way through the busy river port.

During your tour, you'll also stop at the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Shop to see the traditional arts and crafts, and get a chance to bargain on your favorite selections.

Highlights

• Jade Buddha Temple
• Shanghai Arts and Crafts Shop
• Yu Garden
• Shanghai Old Street
• Former French Concession
• Xin Tian Di
• Dinner
• Huangpu River Cruise
• The Bund