Hangzhou 3-Day 2-Night In-Depth Tour | West Lake × Lingyin Temple × Xixi Wetland Complete Guide

🚗Day 1: West Lake Classic Loop + Night Tour of Hefang Street 🌅Morning: West Lake Highlights ① Broken Bridge: Arrive before 7 AM to avoid crowds and experience the romantic setting of "Legend of the White Snake." The rowing boats in the morning mist against the lake scenery resemble a Chinese ink painting. ② Bai Causeway Stroll: Walk from Broken Bridge along Bai Causeway to Solitary Hill, passing by "Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake." Visit Xiling Seal Society (perfect photo spot with red walls and dark tiles). ③ Hand-rowed Boat Tour: Choose the "Guozhuang to Maojiabu" route (about 180 yuan/hour), glide through reed marshes, encounter ducks and water lilies, while boatmen share vivid West Lake legends. 🍜Lunch Recommendations: Lou Wai Lou (must-try West Lake Vinegar Fish and Dongpo Pork), or try Dragon Well Shrimp at "Tea Village" on Beishan Street. 🌇Afternoon: Leifeng Pagoda + Su Causeway ① Leifeng Pagoda: Climb for panoramic views of West Lake, best at sunset for amazing light and shadows. Use a telephoto lens to capture the pagoda's reflection on the lake. ② Su Causeway Cycling: Rent a shared bike to ride along Su Causeway, stopping at Flower Harbor to feed koi fish and admire lotus flowers (summer only). 🌃Evening: Hefang Street + Southern Song Imperial Street ① Hefang Street: Avoid the main street, turn into Dajing Lane to try Grandma Sun's Scallion Pancakes (10 yuan/serving) and Jiaoutan's osmanthus lotus root powder. ② Southern Song Imperial Street: When the lanterns light up, visit "Southern Song Bookstore" and "Cat's Sky Castle" to experience the blend of ancient and modern street life. 🛕Day 2: Lingyin Temple Zen + Song Dynasty Time Travel 🌞Morning: Lingyin Temple + Faxisi Temple ① Lingyin Temple: Enter before 6:30 AM to avoid tour groups. First worship at the Grand Hall, touch the temple threshold for good luck, and get free incense at the Medicine Buddha Hall. ② Flying Peak Rock Carvings: See Song Dynasty Buddha statues and Ji Gong's bed, climb to the top for a panoramic view of Lingyin. ③ Faxisi Temple: Take a sightseeing car or walk to Upper Tianzhu. Popular photo spot (right corridor of the Grand Hall) - wear plain clothes for better photos. Get the "Zen Luck" charm. 🍱Lunch Recommendations: Arhat Noodles at Lingyin Temple Vegetarian Restaurant (28 yuan/bowl), or "Zhizhu" vegetarian dumplings on Tianzhu Road. 🌇Afternoon: Songcheng Theme Park ① Immersive Performance: Must-see "Romance of the Song Dynasty" show, VIP seats offer better views to experience Southern Song culture and the spectacular Qiantang River tidal bore. ② Traditional Experience: Rent Hanfu costumes (60 yuan/hour) for photos at the Matchmaker Temple and Strange Street. Take time-travel style photos when lanterns light up in the evening. 🌃Accommodation Recommendation: West Lake guesthouses (like "Sunset Cottage") with lake views, just a 10-minute walk to the musical fountain. 🌿Day 3: Xixi Wetland Exploration + Grand Canal Culture 🌅Morning: Xixi Wetland Boat Tour ① Zhoujia Village Entrance: Take a rowing boat (100 yuan/hour) deep into the reed marshes. The reeds at Qiuxue Nunnery look like snow - even smartphone photos turn out great. ② High-altitude Helium Balloon: Rise 80 meters for a panoramic view of the wetland, recommended on clear days (180 yuan/person). 🍜Lunch Recommendation: Try free-range chicken soup and wetland vegetables at "Rula Town" in the wetland. 🌇Afternoon: Grand Canal Cultural Tour ① Qiaoxi Straight Street: Visit handicraft workshops to experience oil paper umbrella making, and check out the giant folding fan at the China Fan Museum. ② Gongchen Bridge: When the lights come on in the evening, photograph the ancient canal bridge and boat reflections, then walk along the river to Xiaohe Straight Street for coffee. 🌃Evening: Qianjiang New City Light Show Every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 PM, watch the free "Sun and Moon Shining Together" light show from City Balcony, where the architectural complex illuminates alongside the Qiantang River. ✨Pro Tips 1. Transportation: West Lake scenic area has weekend traffic restrictions! Subway + shared bikes are most convenient; taking a taxi to Lingyin Temple is recommended (about 30 yuan). 2. Avoiding Tourist Traps: Choose "hand-rowed boats" or "oar boats" on West Lake, avoid motorboats (poor experience); Silk shops on Hefang Street are mostly for tourists - buy authentic silk at "Wensli" flagship stores. 3. Money-saving Tips: Half-price admission on Wednesdays (Lingyin Temple, Xixi Wetland, etc.); Hangzhou Culture & Tourism Card (99 yuan/year) offers free entry to 50+ attractions. 4. Outfit Suggestions: Wear Hanfu/qipao at West Lake, plain clothes at Lingyin Temple, and bring mosquito repellent for Xixi Wetland. 💡Summary: From West Lake's morning mist to Songcheng's evening lights, from Lingyin's sandalwood incense to the sound of oars on the Grand Canal, Hangzhou lets you understand the poetic beauty and vibrant life of this "Paradise on Earth" in just three days!