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2 Days in Hangzhou

Hangzhou is a lake with a city attached, and the plan treats it that way. Day one circles West Lake — temple first to beat the traffic, tea terraces at lunch, a boat in the afternoon and the pagoda at golden hour. Day two trades the lake for the Xixi wetlands and the city's food.

Length
2 days
Cities
Hangzhou
Best for
Anyone with two spare days out of Shanghai who wants scenery over shopping.

Day 1 — West Lake & Tea Culture

  1. 08:00

    Lingyin Temple

    Ancient Buddhist temple nestled in lush hillside forests (early to avoid traffic)

    Instead of this

    • Baochu Pagoda HikeQuick hillside hike for panoramic views of West Lake's north shore
    • China National Tea MuseumEverything about tea — history, ceremony, and free tastings
  2. 11:30

    Longjing Tea Village & Lunch

    Tour tea plantations, taste Dragon Well green tea, and enjoy a farmer's lunch

    Instead of this

    • Nine Creeks TrailScenic hiking path through tea terraces and bamboo groves
    • Bamboo-Lined Path at YunqiSerene bamboo forest walk near the tea villages — feels like a film set
  3. 14:30

    West Lake Cruise

    Boat ride past Three Pools Mirroring the Moon and Su Causeway

    Instead of this

    • Bai Causeway WalkLakeside promenade with weeping willows and lotus ponds
    • Flower Harbor ParkPeaceful garden with koi ponds and seasonal blooms
  4. 17:00

    Leifeng Pagoda Sunset

    Panoramic West Lake views from the legendary pagoda

    Instead of this

    • Broken Bridge at DuskWest Lake's most romantic spot — where the legend of White Snake began
    • Xiaoying IslandBoat to the Three Pools islet — the scene on the 1 RMB coin

Day 2 — Nature & Gastronomy

  1. 09:00

    Xixi Wetland Park

    Urban wetland reserve with boat trails and bird-watching

    Instead of this

    • China Academy of ArtWang Shu's Pritzker-winning campus — stunning architecture meets lakeside green
    • Hangzhou AquariumUnderwater tunnel through tropical reefs and river habitats
  2. 12:00

    Dongpo Pork Feast

    Hangzhou's signature braised pork belly at a historic restaurant

    Instead of this

    • Grandma's KitchenHangzhou's most famous chain for local dishes — Dongpo pork, shrimp with Longjing
    • Zhiweiguan RestaurantCentury-old Hangzhou institution — try their famous cat ear noodles
  3. 14:30

    Hefang Street

    Bustling pedestrian street with crafts, snacks and traditional medicine shops

    Instead of this

    • China National Silk Museum3,000 years of silk history with live weaving demonstrations
    • Baochu Pagoda HikeQuick hillside hike for panoramic views of West Lake's north shore
  4. 17:00

    Qianjiang New Town Skyline

    Modern Hangzhou — riverside walk past the Grand Theatre and CBD

    Instead of this

    • Impression West Lake ShowZhang Yimou's spectacular open-air water performance at night
    • Broken Bridge at DuskWest Lake's most romantic spot — where the legend of White Snake began

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