Suzhou not only have the elegant classical gardens, the old - fashioned houses and delicate bridges, but also famous for the silk products. So, during your travel in Suzhou, we will take you to the Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory, where you can see the process of silk manufacturing from silkworm to silk. An unforgettable touch learning experience you will enjoy. Silk fabric was first developed in ancient China, possibly as early as 6000 BC and definitely by 3000 BC. Silks were originally reserved for the Kings of China for their own use and gifts to others, but spread gradually through Chinese culture and trade both geographically and socially, and then to many regions of Asia. Silk rapidly became a popular luxury fabric in the many areas accessible to Chinese merchants because of its texture and luster. Silk was in great demand, and became a staple of pre-industrial international trade. Silk trade was so extensive that the major set of trade routes between Europe and Asia has become known as the Silk Road. The so-called "Silk Routes" were not only conduits for silk, but also for many other products. They were very important paths for cultural and technological transmission by linking traders, merchants, pilgrims, monks, missionaries, soldiers, nomads and urban dwellers from China to the Mediterranean Sea for thousands of years. The No.1 Silk Factory was founded in 1926 as a state-owned factory. With this tour, firstly you can get the knowledge of the whole life of a silk worm. How amazing about the process is that the silkworm creates its cocoon out of a single silk thread that is continuous for approximately 3,600 feet. Then you will see how the people produce silk with the old style machine, and the making process of hand made silk quilt. This activity is only available for those who visit Suzhou. This Silk Workshop and lecture in The First Silk Factory in Suzhou will give you a completely picture of “Silk” which always be considered one of the symbol of China. Green tea is a type of tea made solely with the leaves of Camellia sinensis, that has undergone minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea originates from China and has become associated with many cultures in Asia from Japan to the Middle East. Recently, it has become more widespread in the West, where black tea is traditionally consumed. Over the last few decades green tea has been subjected to many scientific and medical studies to determine the extent of its long-purported health benefits, with some evidence suggesting regular green tea drinkers may have lower chances of heart disease and developing certain types of cancer. Green tea has also been claimed useful for weight loss management. Longjing tea or Dragonwell is a famous variety of green tea from Hangzhou local, Zhejiang Province, China where it is produced mostly by hand and has been renowned for its high quality, earning the China Famous Tea title. Longjing is divided into seven grades: Superior, Special, and then 1 down to 5. And the Long Jing is often called the national drink of China and is frequently given to visiting heads of state. It is also a favorite tea of today's top leaders, with a portion of production reserved for government customers. The name of this tea literally means "dragon well", a well that contains relatively dense water, and after rain the lighter rainwater floating on its surface sometimes exhibits a sinuous and twisting boundary with the well water, which is supposed to resemble the movement of a traditional Chinese dragon. During the trip, we will specially arrange a Tea Mountain and Farmer Tea House visiting where the place called Mei Jia Wu. This is a wonderful place with heavily forest and clean spring water which bring the local tea with a special taste. Students will join the special lecture in Farmer Tea House and also learn how to make tea. Great Fun for many special local folk arts: One of the best Hundred Bed Museum in China in town and will give you an answer why BED is such an important thing for Chinese people and what is the secret element in Chinese culture; Special local performing arts - Shadow Play which played by local old artists be considered the real culture heritage. Rice Wine Workshop will introduce all the process of making the quite unique and sweet local rice wine which take you back to the ancient time. Also quite fun in Hongyuantai Dye House and then handicraft try with Black Potteries, a Chinese ancient art and culture--- People call it Wu Tao. Pure the soul –Praying ceremony for drifting lotus flower lamp in canal In ancient town and on the most beautiful canal, we offer special chances of praying for the best with lotus flower lamp. The ancient ceremony and workshop for calming and pure people's soul will give you a quite special memory in your life. The charming lake is a pearl that lay by the city. There are two brocade-ribbon-like causeways inside the lake, namely Bai Causeway and Su causeway, and they divide the lake into five parts. Three man-make islands named Three Pools Mirroring the moon, Mid-lake Pavilion and Mr. Ruan TYuan's Mount stand elegantly in the outer lake. In a beautiful afternoon, we will offer a relaxing bicycle tour around the lake which make the trip more enjoyful. The picture of "Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon" was printed on the backs of both the foreign exchange certificate one yuan bill issued by the government in 1979 and the fifth version of RMB one yuan bill issued in 2004, indicating the status of West Lake in China. Hangzhou cuisine is the representative of Zhejiang Cuisine, one of China’s eight cuisines. And it wins reputation for freshness, tenderness, softness, smoothness of its dishes with mellow fragrance. A great poet of Song Dynasty once praised it as follows: there’s no food that can compare with the Hangzhou cuisine. Famous dishes like West Lake Sour Fish, Dongpo Pork, Longjing Shrimp Meat, Jiaohua Young Chickens, Steam Rice Flower and Pork Wrapped by Lotus Leaves, Braised Bamboo Shoots and Lotus Root Powder are widely known and popular among both local people and tourists.