Chinese Garden Hotel Short Breaks

To Americans and Europeans, China may seem a long way for a short break. But it is amazing how much one can see in a week and China is a 'must see' country for gardeners. It has one of the longest garden-making traditions in the world. You will also have time to try China's excellent cooking and see its gleaming and well-run modern cities with excellent cycle lanes. Hiring a bicycle is the best way to get around within a Chinese city and rail is the best way to travel between cities. Street names and station signs are in both English and Chinese. Travel is much easier than you might think!

China is a vast country but the famous gardens are well-concentrated, around Shanghai and around Beijing. Since China's internal rail and air services are excellent, it is perfectly possible to see China's best gardens in a single week. We recommend planning to see the following: Shanghai: Yuyuan, Taipingqiao Park. Suzhou: Lion Grove Garden, The Humble Administrator's Garden, The Surging Waves (or Blue Waves) Pavilion (Cang Lang Ting). Bejjing: Beihai Park, Forbidden City, Summer Palace. A week visiting these gardens should persuade anyone that the best gardens in China are at least as good Europe's best gardens. The best times of year for a visit (ie when there are leaves on the trees and the weather is neither too hot nor too sticky) are spring and autumn.