City Introduction
Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province, located on China's southeast coast, is an important city in the Yangtze River Delta. Since ancient times, Hangzhou has been renowned worldwide for its beautiful natural scenery and profound cultural heritage, known as 'paradise on earth.'
West Lake is Hangzhou's most famous landmark, with its pattern of one lake, two pagodas, three islands, three causeways, and ten scenic spots forming a unique landscape system. Throughout history, literati have left countless poems and songs here, making West Lake an important symbol of Chinese culture.
Hangzhou is an important birthplace of Chinese tea culture, with Longjing tea famous worldwide. It's also an important starting point of the Silk Road, with Hangzhou silk renowned globally for its exquisite craftsmanship.
Today's Hangzhou maintains traditional cultural characteristics while being an important center of China's digital economy, where tech companies like Alibaba have grown and thrived, demonstrating unique charm of ancient and modern fusion.
3-Day Day Itinerary Overview
Day 1
West Lake Classics - Lake and Mountain Scenery
Focus on touring West Lake's core scenic area, experiencing Hangzhou's most classic lake and mountain scenery and profound cultural heritage.
Day 2
Tea Culture and Natural Beauty
Experience Hangzhou's tea culture and natural scenery, feeling Jiangnan's poetic lifestyle among mountains and waters.
Day 3
Ancient and Modern Fusion - Cultural Exploration
Experience Hangzhou's historical culture and modern development, feeling the city's charm of ancient and modern fusion.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: West Lake Classics - Lake and Mountain Scenery
Focus on touring West Lake's core scenic area, experiencing Hangzhou's most classic lake and mountain scenery and profound cultural heritage.
08:00-12:00
West Lake Scenic Tour
Start from Broken Bridge, stroll or rent bicycles around the lake. Visit Su Causeway, Bai Causeway, enjoy Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, Flower Harbor Park. Spring brings cherry blossoms and willows, summer offers lotus blooms.
12:00-13:00
Lakeside Lunch
Enjoy Hangzhou cuisine lunch at West Lake restaurants, tasting West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy, Dongpo Pork and other specialties.
13:00-15:30
Lingyin Temple Visit
Visit Lingyin Temple, tour this thousand-year-old temple, explore Feilai Peak stone carvings, experiencing Buddhist culture's solemnity.
15:30-16:00
Transportation Rest
Return from Lingyin Temple to West Lake scenic area
16:00-17:30
Leifeng Pagoda Climb
Climb Leifeng Pagoda for West Lake panoramic views, learn about White Snake legend, watch sunset beauty.
17:30-19:30
West Lake Night Scene
Stroll along West Lake, admire evening lights, experiencing West Lake's beauty that's 'beautiful in light or heavy makeup.'
Day 2: Tea Culture and Natural Beauty
Experience Hangzhou's tea culture and natural scenery, feeling Jiangnan's poetic lifestyle among mountains and waters.
08:00-10:00
Longjing Tea Garden Experience
Visit Longjing Village, tour tea gardens, learn about Longjing tea production process, taste authentic Longjing tea, purchase tea souvenirs.
10:00-11:00
Travel to Thousand Island Lake
Drive to Thousand Island Lake scenic area (about 1.5 hours)
11:00-17:00
Thousand Island Lake Boat Tour
Take boat tours of various characteristic islands like Meifeng Island, Monkey Island, Longshan Island, enjoying lake and mountain scenery, experiencing island charm. Lunch on boat.
17:00-18:00
Return to Hangzhou
Drive back to Hangzhou city
18:00-21:00
Songcheng Eternal Love Show
Visit Songcheng theme park, watch the large-scale show 'Songcheng Eternal Love,' learning Hangzhou's history and culture, dine within the park.
Day 3: Ancient and Modern Fusion - Cultural Exploration
Experience Hangzhou's historical culture and modern development, feeling the city's charm of ancient and modern fusion.
09:00-11:00
Hefang Street Cultural Experience
Stroll Hefang Street, purchase traditional handicrafts, taste Hangzhou snacks like Dingsheng Cake, lotus root powder, experiencing old Hangzhou's market atmosphere.
11:00-11:30
Transportation
Travel to Xixi Wetland Park
11:30-14:30
Xixi Wetland Exploration
Tour Xixi National Wetland Park, take traditional boats through waterways, observe wetland ecology, experiencing 'one bend of stream, one bend of mist' poetic scenery.
14:30-15:00
Lunch Break
Lunch at wetland park restaurant
15:00-17:00
Grand Canal Boat Tour
Take canal cruise, learn about thousand-year canal culture, visit Gongchen Bridge, Qiaoxi Historical District, feeling Hangzhou's canal heritage.
17:00-19:00
Qiantang River Night Scene
Visit Qianjiang New City, stroll along Qiantang River, admire Hangzhou's modern skyline and Qiantang River night views, concluding the three-day Hangzhou journey.
Attraction Details
West Lake
Hangzhou's symbol and essence, praised as 'paradise on earth.' The mirror-like lake surrounded by mountains on three sides features ten classic scenic spots: Su Causeway Spring Dawn, Crooked Courtyard Lotus in Summer Breeze, Autumn Moon over Calm Lake, Broken Bridge Remnant Snow, etc. Each season offers different charms.
Lingyin Temple
One of China's most famous Buddhist temples, founded in the Eastern Jin Dynasty with over 1,600 years of history. Ancient trees tower within, incense burns vigorously, and the Feilai Peak stone carvings are precious cultural relics.
Leifeng Pagoda
One of West Lake's ten scenic spots 'Leifeng Pagoda in Evening Glow,' closely connected to the Legend of White Snake. Now a reconstructed modern tower, climbing offers panoramic views of West Lake, with interior displays of Leifeng Pagoda's history and culture.
Longjing Tea Garden
Origin of Longjing tea, China's premier tea, located in the mountains southwest of West Lake. Tea garden terraces cascade beautifully, especially during spring tea-picking season. Experience tea culture through tasting and scenic viewing.
Thousand Island Lake
An artificial lake named for its 1,078 islands. Crystal-clear waters with scattered islands, known as 'the world's most beautiful water.' Take boats to visit various characteristic islands.
Songcheng
A large historical and cultural theme park recreating Song Dynasty urban style. 'Songcheng Eternal Love' is a must-see large-scale song and dance performance telling Hangzhou's historical and cultural stories, praised as 'a show you must see in your lifetime.'
Hefang Street
Hangzhou's historical and cultural district preserving late Qing and early Republican architecture. Street shops abound with traditional handicrafts, specialty snacks, and time-honored brand stores, perfect for experiencing Hangzhou's folk culture.
Xixi Wetland
China's first national wetland park integrating urban wetland, agricultural wetland, and cultural wetland. Known as 'Hangzhou's kidney,' it offers different seasonal scenery and excellent bird watching and photography opportunities.
Grand Canal
A World Cultural Heritage site where you can experience thousand-year canal culture by boat in Hangzhou's section. Along the banks are attractions like Gongchen Bridge and Qiaoxi Historical District, showcasing Hangzhou's historical status as the canal's southern terminus.
Qiantang River
Hangzhou's mother river, famous worldwide for the Qiantang River tidal bore. The riverside features beautiful parks and modern building complexes with spectacular night views. Qianjiang New City symbolizes Hangzhou's modern development.
Local Specialty Foods
West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy
Hangzhou's traditional famous dish using West Lake grass carp, tender meat with sweet and sour taste, embodying Hangzhou cuisine's light characteristics.
Louwailou, Zhiweiguan, Zhangshengji
Dongpo Pork
Famous dish created by Su Dongpo in Hangzhou, fatty but not greasy, soft like tofu, fragrant and sweet, representing Hangzhou cuisine.
Louwailou, Kuiyuanguan, Huangfaner
Longjing Shrimp
Made with Longjing tea leaves and fresh shrimp, tender shrimp with elegant tea fragrance, typical dish combining Hangzhou's tea culture with cuisine.
Zhiweiguan, Tianwaitian, Green Tea Restaurant
Beggar's Chicken
Traditional famous dish with whole chicken wrapped in lotus leaves and mud-roasted, tender meat with rich aroma and unique rustic flavor.
Yaobudehaozushengjiān, Shanwaishan
Pian'er Chuan
Hangzhou specialty noodles with winter bamboo shoots, meat slices, and preserved vegetables, fresh soup and beautiful taste, one of Hangzhou people's favorite traditional snacks.
Kuiyuanguan, Xinfeng Snacks, various noodle shops
Dingsheng Cake
Hangzhou traditional pastry made from rice flour, exquisite appearance, sweet taste, meaning 'certain victory,' often served at celebrations.
Zhiweiguan, time-honored pastry shops on Hefang Street
Lotus Root Powder
Hangzhou specialty made from West Lake lotus roots, smooth texture, nutritious, famous traditional nourishing food.
Hefang Street, various specialty stores
Longjing Tea
Premier among China's top ten famous teas, produced in Hangzhou's West Lake Longjing Village area, elegant aroma, mellow taste, Hangzhou's cultural symbol.
Longjing Village tea gardens, various tea specialty stores
Practical Tips
Best Time to Visit
Hangzhou is suitable for tourism year-round. Spring (March-May) brings revival, West Lake spring scenery is most beautiful; summer (June-August) lotus blooms; autumn (September-November) is clear and refreshing with osmanthus fragrance; winter (December-February) offers snow scenes and plum blossoms.
Transportation
Hangzhou's metro lines continue expanding, major attractions accessible by metro + bus. Walking or cycling recommended in West Lake scenic area with public bike rental stations around the lake. Thousand Island Lake requires chartered car or group tour.
Accommodation
Recommend staying near West Lake scenic area, choose lake-view hotels for West Lake beauty. Hefang Street and Southern Song Imperial Street areas have many characteristic guesthouses. Qianjiang New City area offers modern facilities, convenient for business.
Shopping Guide
Longjing tea is must-buy specialty; Hefang Street has various traditional handicrafts; Hangzhou silk, lotus root powder, silk umbrellas are famous specialties; Wulin Road and Yan'an Road are main shopping districts.
Cultural Etiquette
Maintain silence and dress appropriately when visiting temples; savor slowly when tea tasting, appreciating tea culture essence; protect environment and avoid loud noise when enjoying garden landscapes.
Special Experiences
Recommend experiencing West Lake boat tours, Longjing tea garden picking, canal traditional boats, Songcheng performances. Spring cherry blossom festival, summer lotus festival, autumn osmanthus viewing.
Conclusion
Three days in Hangzhou let you appreciate this 'paradise on earth's' unique charm. From West Lake's scenery to Lingyin Temple's thousand-year heritage, from Longjing tea garden's fragrance to Thousand Island Lake's rippling waters, Hangzhou captivates with its poetic natural scenery and profound cultural heritage.
Hangzhou's beauty lies in its tolerance and harmony, where traditional culture and modern civilization perfectly merge. Whether enjoying leisurely tea-listening-to-rain moments or poetic boat-on-lake experiences, all let you feel Jiangnan water town's unique charm.
If you have more time, recommend visiting nearby ancient towns like Wuzhen and Xitang, or experiencing more tea culture projects. Hangzhou has many cultural attractions and natural scenery worth deep exploration awaiting your discovery.
Itinerary Highlights Summary
- 1Stroll West Lake's ten scenic spots, experiencing lake scenery that's 'beautiful in light or heavy makeup'
- 2Taste tea and discuss Dao in Longjing tea gardens, feeling Chinese tea culture's profound heritage
- 3Tour Thousand Island Lake's beautiful scenery, enjoying pure natural mountain and water pleasures
- 4Watch Songcheng Eternal Love performance, understanding Hangzhou's historical and cultural inheritance
- 5Taste Hangzhou cuisine essentials from West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy to Longjing Shrimp culinary experiences
- 6Feel ancient and modern fusion cultural charm at Hefang Street and along the canal