Back in Jiangsu and Zhejiang: Why We Chose GreenTourAsia over Independent Travel

When traveling Jiangsu and Zhejiang again with family, first lock in the connection between your arrival in Shanghai or Nanjing and the attractions: fill out station transfers; if you want to fit the Presidential Palace, Wuzhen in Jiaxing, Lingyin Temple and Suzhou's gardens into one day, prioritize private customized travel; for multiple cities you can book a private car, for a worry-free guided route check the group tour, and for commentary you can hire a guide separately. Just leave your group size, dates and departure city to get connected.

A Jiangsu-Zhejiang trip promised 20 years ago

Before I got married, my four best girlfriends and I took a bachelorette trip from Nanjing to Suzhou and then Hangzhou. While we were young, we saw the beautiful scenery of our country, and it was the most unforgettable memory of my twenty years. In Hangzhou, we made a pact: twenty years later, we would take this same trip again to reminisce about the past and make new memories. Now our children are all independent. During Chinese New Year last year, one of my girlfriends brought it up. Since none of us had much going on that year, we thought we'd pick a comfortable time and bring our husbands along. April was the month we chose. But after so many years, tickets and scenery have changed somewhat, and we didn't want to take up our kids' time. One of my friends had previously hired a private guide named Liu when she traveled to Shanghai and found it very hassle-free, so we booked him directly this time.

Retracing our Jiangsu-Zhejiang trip twenty years later, the photo in front of Lingyin Temple's hall echoes our opening pact.

The Presidential Palace in Nanjing holds our memories

Just like back then, our first stop was Nanjing, and we chose to visit the Presidential Palace first.

I remember how novel it felt to visit the Presidential Palace in Nanjing back then. After all, it had just opened to the public, and there weren't many people. Walking into this former restricted area felt like pushing open the doors of history. Most visitors were locals or people interested in history and culture, so you could quietly soak in the historical atmosphere.

But my friends and I were neither. We were just there for the fun of it.

Our first stop was again the Presidential Palace in Nanjing, where we took a group photo at the gate to compare with our old memories.

The new entrance to the Presidential Palace in Nanjing

There are so many visitors at the Presidential Palace in Nanjing these days. The area in front of the gate tower was packed with people, and we noticed tourists holding cameras and reflectors, which left us a bit puzzled—what is there to photograph at a historical site?

Our guide explained that with information spreading so fast nowadays, people discover all kinds of unique angles and photo styles here and post them online. Over time, these spots became popular check-in locations.

We were about to head straight for the gate tower, but our guide stopped us. She told us this is no longer the entrance—the real one is further ahead. It's a shame how much has changed over the years, so we decided to join the crowd and take a souvenir photo here.

The plaque on the gate tower is still the main photo spot, but follow the on-site signs for the actual entrance.

The Presidential Palace records history—and us too

Hiring a guide is also important for another reason. Our trip back then was just a quick glance—we didn't really pay attention to the details, let alone the deeper history.

Xiao Liu seemed like a rather shy young woman, but she spoke about history with confidence. From Chiang Kai-shek's office with its angled desk to the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom ruins and the Liangjiang Viceroy History Museum, our guide shared the stories behind each one. The history we missed twenty years ago, we finally caught up on this time.

What impressed me most was when she said the Presidential Palace in Nanjing is a "living archive" of modern Chinese history, holding 600 years within its walls. I thought to myself, it's not just a "living archive" recording modern history—it's also the film reel that captured our youth.

The desk and chairs in Chiang Kai-shek's office—a guide can fill in the historical details.

New experiences traveling in Jiangsu

When we visited before, there weren't any convenient gadgets around, so after the whole trip we didn't have a single photo to remember it by. This time, we decided to keep up with the times and try what young people today call "checking in." Xiao Liu introduced us to plenty of check-in spots—the spiral staircase in Zichao Tower, the Buxizhou stone boat, and Sun Yat-sen's office. Apparently, these are all must-see places for visitors to the Presidential Palace now. We don't really understand the point of check-in spots, but taking photos in these places genuinely lifted our spirits.

The Buxizhou stone boat is a popular waterside photo spot at the Presidential Palace—use it as a reference for this route.

Revisiting 1912 Block

Turns out Nanjing has so much great food

Twenty years ago, 1912 Block had just been built. The street was lined with bars, and there was some good food too, but that afternoon we were rushing to catch a train, so we never got to explore properly—we even grabbed lunch on the go. This time, when we mentioned coming back to Nanjing, everyone insisted we had to try the local food. Looking online, many first-time visitors to Nanjing choose to eat at Nanjing Impressions. Even though this was our second visit, it felt almost like our first.

Salted duck is probably the most iconic dish in Nanjing. It has a savory, salty flavor. We're all from Sichuan, so we usually eat duck stir-fried with chili peppers. This was our first time having duck without chili or in a soup, but surprisingly, everyone except my husband—who absolutely can't live without chili—thought it tasted great. Our favorite, though, was the Meiling porridge. The promise of beauty and skincare benefits instantly won over the three of us women, and it wasn't too heavy, which really suited our tastes.

Meiling porridge and dim sum on the same table — you can order to taste around the 1912 district.

Our first trip to Jiaxing was great too

Jiaxing was a new addition to our itinerary. On previous trips to Jiangsu and Zhejiang, we never considered visiting Jiaxing since we were short on time and Suzhou and Hangzhou are much more famous.

This time, my husband came across some photos of Nanhu Lake online and suggested we check it out. Since we had plenty of time, I brought it up and the other two families agreed right away.

The boats and shoreline of Nanhu Lake in Jiaxing are a new stop added to this trip.

A good guide never leaves your questions unanswered

Since we were in Jiaxing, we definitely had to see the Red Boat. This isn't just an ordinary attraction—it's where the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held, making it historically significant.

Jiajia, one of my close friends, couldn't help asking when she saw the boat: "Is this the original boat where the meeting was held? How come it's still intact after over a hundred years?" That made the rest of us curious too.

Xiao Liu explained that the original pleasure boats had disappeared during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and this memorial boat was carefully recreated based on people's memories. Hearing that, I felt quite moved. Memories really are important—physical things always change, but memories stay with us for life.

The real misty Jiangnan

Many travelers dread bad weather, especially rain. But we were actually glad it rained on this trip. Shortly after we visited the Red Boat, it started to pour. The entire Nanhu Lake was blanketed in mist, hiding the distance but revealing a hazy beauty.

Yanyu Pavilion on the lake island looked especially elegant in the drizzle. We watched the raindrops slide down the upturned eaves against the vermilion pillars—it looked just like a scene from a period drama. This must be what people mean when they talk about misty Jiangnan.

We teased each other: "With scenery like this, you should all be wearing qipao." Then it hit me—I haven't worn a qipao since having kids. So we made plans to go shopping for one next time we get a free afternoon.

The Yanyu Pavilion plaque looks even more Jiangnan in the rain — rainy weather turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

Like being on a boat in Wuzhen

People say Wuzhen is China's last waterside town, and I didn't really get it until we visited. We only went to the West Scenic Zone of Wuzhen since we planned to stay overnight, and the best night views are there.

Canals are everywhere here, along with the white-walled, dark-tiled buildings. I have to say, "waterside" perfectly describes Wuzhen. We took photos under the buildings right by the water, and it felt like we were on a boat.

A multi-city family itinerary is hard to cram into one day. Clarify your priorities and plan it together with custom travel; upon arrival, book station transfers for door-to-door service. For multiple cities, add a private car or private guide, or start with a group tour and adjust later.

GreenTourAsia's arrangements are still spot on

Lingyin Temple ticket and reservation rules are subject to the site's official announcements on the day. Before you go, check in advance whether a reservation is required; on-site rules on the day apply.

Visiting Lingyin Temple again, I have to say my mindset has changed a lot. I used to not really believe in these things; coming to Lingyin Temple was more about the ritual—after all, how can you visit Hangzhou without going to Lingyin Temple? Back then I prayed for career success and a happy family. Now that I'm over fifty, those wishes have basically come true. What I pray for at the temple now is my family's health and lifelong peace.

The "Zhi Chi Xi Tian" screen wall at the Feilai Peak entrance of Lingyin Temple makes a great backdrop for a photo as you enter the attraction.

Hearing the stories behind the Feilai Peak carvings from our guide

Last time I visited Lingyin Temple, I didn't get a good look at Feilai Peak, so I'm not sure if the carvings show more wear than before, but they definitely look weathered by time.

My best friend and I weren't that interested in the carvings. It was mostly the guys who loved them, listening intently as Xiao Liu explained their history and meaning, even discussing them among themselves. After taking some photos, we went over to listen too, and realized these silent stone figures actually have so many stories behind them. The one that stuck with me most was about Maitreya Buddha.

According to Xiao Liu, the big-bellied Maitreya we see today is based on Qici, a high monk from the late Tang and Five Dynasties period. People preferred to call him the "Cloth Bag Monk." When someone asked him what Buddhism was, he would immediately drop his cloth bag to hint at "letting go." If you still didn't understand, he would pick up the bag and walk away, hinting at "taking it up." Press him further, and he would just hold his belly and laugh out loud. With that bag and his laughter, he vividly demonstrated what it means to "let go and be free."

Before he passed away, he recited a verse revealing his true identity: "Maitreya, the real Maitreya, manifests in hundreds of billions of forms, always appearing before people, yet people never recognize him."

In other words: I am the real Maitreya Buddha, manifesting in countless forms to save sentient beings, always right beside you, yet sadly none of you recognize me. Only then did everyone realize that this eccentric Cloth Bag Monk was actually an incarnation of Maitreya Buddha! From then on, temples began sculpting Maitreya in his image.

I have to say, Xiao Liu really knows her stuff. I loved this story. At my age, you know life can't always go your way—only by "letting go" can you make the most of these 30,000 days.

Take a family photo in front of the Feilai Peak cliff face — the carving area is a great spot for a family portrait.

See Suzhou's gardens in another season

In April, the Humble Administrator's Garden is full of flowers. Magnolias, crabapples, camellias—just the ones I can name were already blooming, each blossom incredibly delicate. Though this garden has stood for centuries, these plants fill it with life. A few of us are really into flowers and greenery; we all keep potted plants at home, and just looking at scenery like this lifts our spirits.

Last time I came it was autumn. The Humble Administrator's Garden was beautiful then too—the ginkgo trees and red maples changed the whole garden's colors, and the air was filled with the scent of osmanthus—but there weren't many flowers. So compared to autumn, I prefer spring here. We found a small gate where lots of young couples were taking photos, and we joined in on the fun.

The moon gate at Humble Administrator's Garden is a popular photo frame in spring. Bloom times depend on conditions inside the garden.

The Lingering Garden suits me better

Last time I visited Suzhou, I was short on time and didn't get to see the Lingering Garden. I figured that after seeing the Humble Administrator's Garden, there wouldn't be much left to impress me. But once I got here, I realized what a shame it was to have missed it last time.

The whole garden isn't as large as the Humble Administrator's Garden, but what impressed me most was the bonsai garden inside the Lingering Garden. Since I grow potted plants myself, I couldn't tear myself away from the ones cultivated by professionals. I spent about an hour in there and took plenty of photos. No wonder this bonsai belongs in a Suzhou garden—each one looks like a miniature landscape, well worth a closer look.

The pine bonsai and lattice windows in the bonsai garden at Lingering Garden are worth at least half an hour of slow viewing.

Leisure time at Xiyuan Temple

We had already visited Lingyin Temple, but we still planned to stop by Xiyuan Temple. After all, we weren't going there to pray or draw fortune sticks—we came for the famous cats. All three of our families have cats, so as soon as we heard about them, we were in. At first, I didn't agree when my daughter wanted a cat because I thought it might be dangerous. But after she brought one home, I actually fell in love with these adorable creatures.

Our guide made playing with the cats even easier

I had been worried that the cats at Xiyuan Temple might be neglected, living poorly, or too wild and likely to scratch. Instead, they were beautiful, with clean, smooth fur—clearly well cared for—and surprisingly gentle. They weren't afraid of people at all. Xiao Liu had even prepared cat treats for us in advance, and we all tried playing with them just like we would with our own cats at home.

The cats under the yellow wall at Xiyuan Temple are very friendly. Ask about temple rules before playing with them.

Guanyin noodles should be sold everywhere

We arrived at Xiyuan Temple close to noon, so on Xiao Liu's recommendation, we tried the temple's Guanyin noodles. I usually think vegetarian noodles all taste the same, but these were a pleasant surprise. The toppings were generous—a bowl packed with mushrooms and wheat gluten—and incredibly savory. We all said we'd love to eat them again, but unfortunately you can only get them inside Xiyuan Temple.

But thinking about it, you can probably only savor this flavor in the unique setting of Xiyuan Temple. If I want to eat it again next time, I'll have to make another trip to Hangzhou.

Speaking of which, if you'd like to explore Jiangsu and Zhejiang with GreenTourAsia, check out this itinerary!

The Guanyin noodles come with generous toppings, and the flavor of the vegetarian noodles depends on what's available that day.

Feelings and scenery change with the years

This trip lasted a full week. We had more loved ones with us, retraced paths we'd walked before, and even visited new places.

I have to say, tourism keeps getting better. The scenery we once knew has become far more interesting after professional upkeep, with much more to do. Thankfully, both the scenery and our bond keep improving as the years go by.

We wrapped up the trip the same way—posing for a group photo in front of the hall. Both the scenery and our mood kept getting better.

FAQs

What's the difference between GreenTourAsia and independent travel?

GreenTourAsia handles station pickups, ticket reservations, and guided commentary so you avoid booking pitfalls. Independent travel is flexible but takes more effort. For families visiting multiple cities, custom private tours or group tours are the most hassle-free options.

How should families book transportation in Jiangsu and Zhejiang?

After arriving at a train station or airport in Shanghai, Nanjing, or Hangzhou, booking a station transfer is the most reliable option. For multi-city itineraries, add a custom private tour or private car.

Do I need to reserve tickets for the Presidential Palace and Lingyin Temple?

Tickets and reservation rules for the Presidential Palace, Lingyin Temple and other sites are subject to official announcements on the day. Check in advance before departure; you can ask a private guide for help.

How do I plan a multi-city trip with seniors and kids?

We recommend one city per day or one main attraction per half day, leaving plenty of time to rest. For an easy option, choose a group tour; to set your own pace, go with a private custom trip.

Can I still see the cats and try Guanyin noodles at Xiyuan Temple?

Temple cats and Guanyin noodles are subject to availability on the day. When playing with the cats, note the temple rules; for a hassle-free trip, hire a private guide.

Sort out transport and your route before heading out: station transfers + private custom trips are the most hassle-free. For multiple cities, use a private car; for set itineraries, check group tours; for commentary, hire a private guide. Ticket reservations and opening hours are subject to the site's announcements on the day.