port
Shanghai, China
activityLevel
Strenuous Activity
excursionType
68
wheelchairAccessible
No
startingAtPrice
$1100
minimumAge
Information Not Currently Available
duration
2 days/1 night
mealsIncluded
Meals included
"The West Lake cultural landscape of hangzhou, comprising the West Lake and the hills surrounding its three sides, has inspired famous poets, scholars and artists since the 9th century. It comprises numerous temples, pagodas, pavilions, gardens and ornamental trees, as well as causeways and artificial islands."
This overnight tour will bring you to charming Hangzhou, which the great city explorer Marco Polo considered 'the most beautiful and elegant city in the world’. A lakeside teahouse, beautiful gardens, lavish temples, placid West Lake and a supply of silk and tea all have contributed to making Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province, a popular destination for visitors.
Day 1 (L/D)
Leave the ship and board an air-conditioned motor coach.
You’ll drive to the famed Yuyuan Garden and Old Town area of Shanghai. Wander among a maze of narrow alleys and cobblestone lanes. The 16th-century Yu Yuan Garden captures the essence of the landscape art and architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It has also served as the inspiration for the famous willow-pattern chinaware. High walls adorned with huge, stone dragons shelter teahouses, pavilions, rockeries and carp ponds.
Next, a 1½-hour rail journey through the countryside beyond Shanghai brings you to the paradise city of Hangzhou. Upon arrival, head to the Lingyin Temple—one of the largest temples in China. It once housed 3,000 monks who worshipped in more than 70 halls.
Continue to the Chinese Medicine Museum. Chinese medicine is based on the study, mixing and use of natural herbal treatments. This has been ongoing for more than 3,000 years, with early medical texts written before the 2nd century BC detailing long lists of herbal remedies that are still used today. Built on the foundation of a group of old buildings of an ancient traditional Chinese Pharmacy, the museum represents a style of antique architecture and houses a treasury of traditional Chinese medical science and technology.
Check in at the hotel in the early evening, with the evening at leisure and a delicious buffet dinner at the hotel.
Day 2 (B/L)
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a chartered boat cruise on West Lake—one of the scenic wonders of China and situated at the heart of Hangzhou. Surrounded by gentle green hills, the lake’s willow-shaded causeways and fragrant cover of lotus blossoms have long been an inspiration for artists.
Bidding a fond farewell to Hangzhou, you will take the train back to Shanghai and rejoin the ship in early afternoon.
Please note: All meals are included. Due to this tour's popularity, exclusivity, and strict booking conditions, tour bookings must be confirmed 30 days prior to the call at Shanghai with no cancellations allowed thereafter. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Important:
Visa requirements for these vacation enhancements may vary from those required for your cruise. It is solely each guest's responsibility to obtain (before traveling) any visas, vaccinations or tourist cards that are required for participating in overland adventures or overnights, unless noted otherwise in the description. Please be aware that you may need a visa for any and/or all countries that you will depart from and travel through as part of your overland adventure or overnight, and for the country in which you will re-join the ship. If you require further assistance, Seabourn's preferred visa service is Cibtvisas. For Cibtvisas contact information, please visit https://www.seabourn.com/en_us/faq.pre-and-post-cruise-experience.202.html. You must advise Cibtvisas of your overland adventures or overnights, as the visa requirements for these vacation enhancements may vary from those required for your cruise.