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
- 08:00
Lingyin Temple
Ancient Buddhist temple nestled in lush hillside forests (early to avoid traffic)
Instead of this
- Baochu Pagoda Hike — Quick hillside hike for panoramic views of West Lake's north shore
- China National Tea Museum — Everything about tea — history, ceremony, and free tastings
- 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 Trail — Scenic hiking path through tea terraces and bamboo groves
- Bamboo-Lined Path at Yunqi — Serene bamboo forest walk near the tea villages — feels like a film set
- 14:30
West Lake Cruise
Boat ride past Three Pools Mirroring the Moon and Su Causeway
Instead of this
- Bai Causeway Walk — Lakeside promenade with weeping willows and lotus ponds
- Flower Harbor Park — Peaceful garden with koi ponds and seasonal blooms
- 17:00
Leifeng Pagoda Sunset
Panoramic West Lake views from the legendary pagoda
Instead of this
- Broken Bridge at Dusk — West Lake's most romantic spot — where the legend of White Snake began
- Xiaoying Island — Boat to the Three Pools islet — the scene on the 1 RMB coin
Day 2 — Nature & Gastronomy
- 09:00
Xixi Wetland Park
Urban wetland reserve with boat trails and bird-watching
Instead of this
- China Academy of Art — Wang Shu's Pritzker-winning campus — stunning architecture meets lakeside green
- Hangzhou Aquarium — Underwater tunnel through tropical reefs and river habitats
- 12:00
Dongpo Pork Feast
Hangzhou's signature braised pork belly at a historic restaurant
Instead of this
- Grandma's Kitchen — Hangzhou's most famous chain for local dishes — Dongpo pork, shrimp with Longjing
- Zhiweiguan Restaurant — Century-old Hangzhou institution — try their famous cat ear noodles
- 14:30
Hefang Street
Bustling pedestrian street with crafts, snacks and traditional medicine shops
Instead of this
- China National Silk Museum — 3,000 years of silk history with live weaving demonstrations
- Baochu Pagoda Hike — Quick hillside hike for panoramic views of West Lake's north shore
- 17:00
Qianjiang New Town Skyline
Modern Hangzhou — riverside walk past the Grand Theatre and CBD
Instead of this
- Impression West Lake Show — Zhang Yimou's spectacular open-air water performance at night
- Broken Bridge at Dusk — West Lake's most romantic spot — where the legend of White Snake began
Other itineraries
- 3 Days in ShanghaiFirst-time visitors with a long weekend, and anyone connecting through Pudong.
- 2 Days in SuzhouTravellers who want gardens and canals rather than skylines.
- Shanghai + Suzhou in 2 DaysWeekend trips, and second visits to Shanghai when the Bund is already ticked off.
- Shanghai + Hangzhou in 2 DaysTravellers who want one big city and one classic Chinese landscape.
- Shanghai + a Water Town in 2 DaysVisitors on a tight schedule who still want to see old Jiangnan.
- Shanghai + Suzhou + Hangzhou in 3 DaysA first trip to eastern China when three days is all there is.