Overview
This Hangzhou journey blends tranquil landscapes, ancient heritage, and modern creativity. From West Lake's willow-lined shores and Buddhist temples to the Grand Canal's living history, every step reveals the city's cultural depth. Stroll through classical gardens, wander historic streets, and enjoy boat rides on shimmering waters. With options to explore wetlands, pandas, or Hangzhou's cutting-edge tech scene, this itinerary balances tradition and innovation—capturing the city's soul as both a timeless Jiangnan retreat and a dynamic modern hub.
Highlights
- West Lake Wonders – Boat rides, night cruises, and lakeside strolls with iconic pagoda views.
- Lingyin Temple & Feilaifeng – Discover sacred Buddhist carvings and statues amid karst peaks.
- Grand Canal Heritage – Learn 2,000 years of history at the Grand Canal Museum.
- Historic Streets – Explore Xiaohezhijie’s Qing-era houses and folk traditions.
- Modern Hangzhou – Optional visits to Dream Town, Future Sci-Tech City, and thrilling OMG Heartbeat Park.
Itinerary
Rowboats glide across West Lake, willows brushing the water as incense curls from Lingyin's halls. Dusk sets Xiaohezhijie aglow with lanterns, before towers of glass rise in Future Sci-Tech City—so travellers feel Hangzhou rooted in history yet alive with modern vitality.
Upon arrival in Hangzhou, meet your driver at the airport or train station and transfer to the hotel for check-in. In the late afternoon, We recommend head to lakefront in77, It is located in the most bustling area of Hangzhou and is divided into five sections, including luxury goods, fashion, dining, cosmetics, and a vintage district. in77 has surpassed traditional shopping malls, becoming the heart of Hangzhou's "Youth Power Universe" — a hub for trendy collectibles. If you want to experience the cutting-edge urban youth culture, this is undoubtedly a must-visit spot.
For dinner, we recommend Lan Gui Jiangnan in Zone E, offering authentic Hangzhou cuisine. Opt for a window-side seat to enjoy a beautiful view of West Lake.
As evening falls, take a lakeside walk along the West Lake, West Lake is a must-visit destination in Hangzhou. Its natural scenery forms the foundation of its beauty, with willow trees swaying by the lakeside. The area is rich in historical and cultural heritage. It also showcases the cultural development of Buddhism and Taoism, with landmarks such as Leifeng Pagoda and Liuhe Pagoda. You can also try taking a night cruise on West Lake, where you can enjoy the stunning views of the lake from the boat.
Meals: /
Destination: Hangzhou
Accommodation: Hotel near the West lake

Our first stop in the morning is the Feilaifeng Scenic Area. Feilaifeng is made of limestone and has formed unique karst landforms over millions of years of weathering. It is home to the largest collection of grottoes and cliff carvings in the Hangzhou area, blending the artistic styles of both Han and Tibetan Buddhism.
Within the Scenic Area is the Lingyin Temple. Its architecture combines traditional Buddhist styles. The main hall features a towering statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, nearly 20 meters high, with intricately carved details that are vivid and lifelike. Standing before the Buddha, one feels small in comparison. The temple is bustling with incense and devotion, with worshippers expressing their faith through prayer, chanting, and meditation. In the temple, you can also purchase Buddhist-related items such as prayer beads and amulets.
After visiting the solemn temple, we head to the tranquil West Lake, a place that truly helps you relax. The daytime views of West Lake are magnificent, and we take a boat ride to fully immerse ourselves in its beauty. Along the way, we can enjoy both natural landscapes and historical buildings. Among them, the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon is the most famous, and it's the scenery featured on the one yuan banknote.
For lunch, we recommend Wanghu Xiaoguan, a restaurant that has been serving delicious meals near West Lake for 28 years. Their Jiangnan pastries and Longjing shrimp are must-try dishes.
In the afternoon, we visit the Grand Canal Museum, the first large-scale museum dedicated to canal culture, with an exhibition area of over 5,000 square meters. It chronicles the history of the Grand Canal's construction, management, and the development of its transport system over the past 2,000 years, and tells the story of how Hangzhou thrived because of the canal. In the digital experience zone, you can also try the Grand Canal digital cockpit.
Alternatively, you can choose to visit the Hangzhou Museum, a comprehensive cultural museum. With an exhibition area of 7,000 square meters, the museum is divided into two sections: the North Hall, which displays valuable artifacts unearthed in Hangzhou, including the famous Warring States crystal cup, Yingqingyoulihong stem cup, and the South Hall, which presents a chronological exhibition of the city's history.
In the evening, we stroll along Xiaohezhijie, a street with a history dating back to the Southern Song Dynasty. The area preserves many traditional Jiangnan-style houses from the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, featuring intricate carved wooden pillars, lattice windows, and wooden staircases. These elements are typical of the architecture of the Jiangnan water towns. The street is also rich in traditional folk customs, such as sugar figurine making and the weaving of Hangzhou baskets.
Meals: B
Destination: Feilaifeng Scenic Area
Accommodation: Hotel near the West lake – Grand Canal Museum – Hangzhou Museum

Enjoy a free day to explore Hangzhou at your own pace. We recommend two popular options: Hangzhou Zoo – A family-friendly park where you can see China's most beloved national treasure, the giant panda, along with a variety of other wildlife. Xixi National Wetland Park – Home to over 600 species of wetland plants, this scenic reserve features ponds, marshes, and swamps, as well as rare wildlife such as the White-tailed Sea Eagle and Oriental White Stork.
Then transfer to the airport or train station for your onward journey.
Meals: B
Destination: Hangzhou airport
Accommodation: /

Cost
Includes
- Based on a private tour for 2 people;
- Price varies depending on program, travel date, number of people and chosen hotel;
- Professional licensed English-speaking guide;
- Admission tickets for all attractions listed in the itinerary;
- Accommodation as listed in the itinerary (4-star or 5-star standard);
- Domestic flights (economy class) and high-speed trains (second class) as listed in the itinerary;
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space;
- Airport (and train station) pick up and drop off;
- Luggage Transfers: between airports (railway station) and hotels;
- All meals as listed ("Breakfast" for Chinese and Western breakfast buffet in your hotel; "Lunch" for Chinese Lunch in local restaurant; "Dinner" for Chinese dinner in local restaurant.);
- Our service charge, including tour planning, handling, operational and communication charges.
Excludes
- China visa;
- International flights to and from China;
- Personal expenses;
- Accommodation not listed in the itinerary;
- Tourist sites which are not listed in the itinerary;
- Recommended optional activities;
- Flights or trains not listed in the itinerary;
- Excess Baggage Charges.
