shanghaisheila

Hi, I am finalizing my October China trip. Before the tour starts, I will have an evening, full day and most of another day in Beijing. The tour covers the Great Wall, Summer Palace, Forbidden City, hutongs, Drum Tower, and Olympic sites. Any suggestions as to how I should spend the "alone time?"

Also, when the tour finishes in Shanghai, I am planning to go to Suzhou and may stay there overnight or go on the overnight trip on the canal to Hangzhou. Does anyone have any suggestions about a moderate priced hotel in Suzhou or the canal trip? Sounds interesting, but is it?

Thanks again for your earlier help - I've given up on the pricy guide in Shanghai.

Nutella

Without a doubt, Temple of Heaven Park!

Binthair

Lama and Confucius Temples (take a half day). Wander down Wangfuxing street one night and visit adjacent night market. Also agree with Temple of Heaven, but I cannot imagine a tour does not include this.

Shanghainese

Binthair -- Tours used to include Temple of Heaven if it had more than 2 days in Beijing, guess they drop it now for Drum Tower and Olympic sites.

shanghaisheila

Thanks for your replies. My tour has three full days in Beijing - and I discovered it does go to the Temple of Heaven Park, but not to the Lama or Confucius temples. So I'll do the things before the tour that the tour doesn't do.