Hangzhou Travel Guide: Classic and Unique Ways to Experience Paradise on Earth

Recommended travel time: March–May (spring cherry blossoms, Dragon Well tea season), September–November (autumn osmanthus, red leaves), avoid the plum rain season in June–July. --- 📌 Itinerary (3 days, 2 nights classic route) Day 1: Classic West Lake Loop Morning: - West Lake's Top Ten Scenic Spots: Start from Broken Bridge and Remaining Snow, walk to Bai Causeway (peach blossoms and willows in spring), visit Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake, Zhejiang Provincial Museum (free). - Boat tour: Take a boat from Hubin Pier to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (featured on the 1 RMB note), return to Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor Pier. Afternoon: - Leifeng Pagoda (ticket: CNY 40): Climb the pagoda for a panoramic view of West Lake. The elevator inside the pagoda is senior-friendly. - Jingci Temple (CNY 10): Less crowded and peaceful, listen to the Evening Bell Ringing at Nanping Hill. Evening: - West Lake Musical Fountain (free shows at 19:00/20:00), or stroll around Hubin Yintai in77 (shopping + food). --- Day 2: Lingyin Temple Zen + Dragon Well Tea Fragrance Morning: - Lingyin Temple (ticket: CNY 45 + incense voucher: CNY 30): - First go to Feilai Feng Scenic Area to see the stone carvings, then enter Lingyin Temple to burn incense and pray. - Recommended vegetarian noodles at Vegetarian Restaurant Shifangyuan (CNY 20). - Yongfu Temple (included in the Feilai Feng ticket): Less crowded and beautiful, known as "The Most Blessed Place in Qiantang". Afternoon: - Longjing Village (free): Hike through the Nine Streams and Eighteen Gullies (tea gardens + streams, stunning red leaves in autumn), taste pre-Qingming Dragon Well tea. - Meijiawu: Take photos in the tea fields, recommended restaurant: Xiangfu Minglou (local chicken soup, tea-flavored shrimp). Evening: - Impression West Lake (directed by Zhang Yimou, night show, tickets from CNY 300). --- Day 3: Xixi National Wetland Park or a Journey Through Song Dynasty Town Option A: Nature Lovers - Xixi National Wetland Park (ticket: CNY 80): - Take a sculling boat (CNY 100/hour) through the reed marshes, visit Gao's Villa (Qing Dynasty garden). - Visit the filming location of If You Are the One, the persimmon festival in autumn is super fun. Option B: Culture Enthusiasts - Song Dynasty Town (tickets from CNY 320): - Wear Hanfu and stroll through the ancient-style streets, watch the 5D live show Romance of the Song Dynasty (a must-see!). - Recommended interactive shows such as The Great Earthquake and Throwing the Embroidered Ball. --- 🍜 Hangzhou Food Recommendations - Must-try dishes: Dongpo Pork, Dragon Well Shrimp, Pian Er Chuan Noodles. - Snacks: Cong Bao Hui (Scallion Pancake Roll), Dingsheng Cake, Cat Ear Noodles (Grandma Sun's Cong Bao Hui in Hefang Street). - Desserts: Lotus Root Starch (freshly made by West Lake), Osmanthus Sweet Rice Cake. --- 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations - By West Lake: Hubin Road, Nanshan Road (convenient but expensive), recommended: West Lake State Guest House, Grand Hyatt Hotel. - Lingyin/Longjing: B&Bs (such as The Peach Courtyard), listen to the bells and breathe in the fresh air in the morning. - Cost-effective: Near Wulin Square or Fengqi Road subway station. --- 💡 Unique Experiences & Tips - Avoid crowds: Visit West Lake before 7am, or go to Maojiabu (a secret spot known by locals). - Free attractions: Baoshi Mountain Sunrise, Taiziwan Park (tulips in March), China Academy of Art Xiangshan Campus (stunning architecture). - Tips to avoid scams: - Don't trust the "free tour guides" by West Lake, taste the tea before buying it in Longjing Village. - During holidays, Broken Bridge is crowded, it is recommended to visit in the opposite direction (starting from Yanggong Causeway). --- Hangzhou is a city of "half mountains and waters, half poetry". Slow down and feel its charm.