I booked this tour thinking it would be great to get out of the huge city of Shanghai into the countryside for a day. In fact, Suzhou is not a country town, it is also a city, and reached after 1-2 hours of highway driving through suburbs and outskirts of Shanghai.
The gardens that we visited are very pleasant and tranquil. The silk factory tour is only a demonstration site (the real factory is out of the city) of spinning silk fabric from the silkworm cacoons, but still interesting. Expect you to buy products from the \'factory\' shop. Prices & quality is good. The \'western\' buffet lunch at the silk factory restuarant is good.
After lunch the Tiger Hill ancient site is very interesting. Remember to buy any souvenirs or take photos as you pass the colourful entrance market stalls, as the tour is one way, exiting through the back gate.
I do recommend this tour if you want to escape Shanghai for a day, but don\'t expect countryside village scenes.
My wife & I were the only ones on the tour, with a driver & English speaking guide.
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[4 of 5 Stars!]
