One day Getaway at Dong Shan

Connected by a causeway to the mainland, Dong Shan is quietly situated on the banks of the Tai Lake, just south of Suzhou. Dong Shan peninsula is characterized by the rural surroundings of tea plantations, and fruit orchards, plus some hidden sites of historical interest. We'll be hiking up to the peak of the highest hill in Dong Shan for a spectacular view of the Tai Lake before we descend upon a hidden ancient village dotted with fruit orchards and gardens.
Autumn is the time for harvesting of mandarin oranges, while spring is the season when the fruit trees blossom. Most fruit orchards are open to visitors at that time for fruit picking, which is something we should not miss if the opportunity arises.

Trip Specifics

Date: TBD
Duration: 8.00am - 6pm
Includes: Transportation between Shanghai and Dong Shan; English speaking trip leader; entry fee; lunch; bottled water

Level: Relaxing
Routing: Shanghai - Dong Shan - Shanghai
Participants: 6-10 people

Detailed Itinerary

08:00 - Depart Shanghai from the Jing’an Temple at 8:00 am in the morning to reach Suzhou and Dong Shan by chartered bus. Driving takes about 2 hours to reach Dong Shan. We'll first do some hiking as a group in the morning, the hike is about 2 hours, and at the end of the hike we'll end up in the ancient Luxiang Village. We shall take lunch at a local village restaurant and have our fill of farm fresh food. Then we'll take some time to explore this ancient village. Within this tiny village, there are over 30 well protected Ming Dynasty heritage houses.
16:00 – 18:00 Drive back to Shanghai.
Program ends.

Important items to bring

Sun protection; rain gear; mosquito repellent; energy snacks; prescribed medication (if any); camera; comfortable hiking shoes