Buddhist Culture Trip to Ningbo & Putuo

Today your private tour is scheduled with the West Lake by boat, the Lingyin Temple, the Six Harmonies Pagoda and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum. The West Lake has for long been well known for its alluring scenery. No matter what season or time it is, you could always enjoy the picturesque scenery here. One of its attraction sites, the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon has showed up on the one-RMB paper money. Besides, the West Lake Scenic Area is rich in cultural relics. Lingyin Temple and the Six Harmonies Pagoda are among them. Situated in a long valley and endowed with beautiful scenery and tranquil atmosphere, Lingyin Temple, meaning Temple of Soul's Retreat, is one of the ten most famous Buddhist temples of China. The Six Harmonies Pagoda was constructed of wood and brick. Octagonal in shape, it has the appearance of a thirteen-story structure, though actually only seven interior stories. Standing on the pagoda, you could hear 104 little bells performing pleasant concert and overlook the amazing Qiantang River. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum is based on a famous Chinese Medicine Shop. In the museum, you could not only get some knowledge about Chinese medicine, but also admire a traditional Chinese architecture complex.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

In the morning, you will take a high speed train to Ningbo. The local guide will be waiting for you at Ningbo Railway Station and then transfer you to the hotel in the downtown area. Afterwards, continue the tour to Tianyi Pavilion, Tianfeng Pagoda and Baoguo Temple. Tianyi Pavilion is the oldest private library in China. In addition to the rich and precious book collections, the pavilion is a representative construction in fire proof, damp proof and ventilation. Hexagonal in shape, Tianfeng Pagoda is the tallest ancient architecture in Ningbo as well as the landmark building of ancient Ningbo City. It is a fourteen-storey building with seven stories over ground and the other seven underground. Baoguo Temple was founded up in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25AD-220AD). Through the continuous enlargement, it becomes today's appearance. The Grand Hall is the main body of the temple, which is one of the best-preserved ancient wooden architecture in south China area.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

We will drive you to Zhujiajian and then the ferry will send you to Putuo this morning. Our guide will welcome you at Putuo pier and then transfer you to the hotel. After lunch, you will proceed to tour the Purple Bamboo Grove Scenic Area, where you could find purple stones and the Purple Bamboo Grove. The Purple Bamboo Grove Scenic Area also includes many small attractions sites. The ones you will explore are the Standing Statue of South Sea Kwan-yin and Puji Temple. The Standing Statue of South Sea Kwan-yin is a 108-feet high, golden colored statue located on the Kwan-yin Jump Hill. Puji Temple is one of the three largest temples on Putuo Mountain, whose six main halls are located on the central axis from south to north.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

The morning visit will cover Shanghai Museum and the Yuyuan Garden. The Museum houses lots of ancient art works like jade articles, porcelain, paintings and calligraphy. Yuyuan Garden is a typical south China garden boasting beautiful natural scenery and delicate traditional Chinese constructions. It is a tranquil and unique garden to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. After an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at a decent local restaurant, head to the Bund area, where you will take a short cruise along Huangpu River. The short but pleasant cruise tour will show you the best part of Shanghai urban landscape, which is a harmonious picture consisting of historical buildings and modern skyscrapers. Going ashore, you will take time to explore the Bund area, whose highlights are the 52 western style buildings left over from the colonial period of Shanghai, then visit an old cultural street.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch