I've been to Hangzhou 5 times, here's my itinerary

Friends! Who gets it?! 😭 Hangzhou in May is criminally beautiful! The lotus flowers beginning to bloom at West Lake, the incense-filled air at Lingyin Temple, the fragrant Longjing tea in every alley... each spot feels like stepping into a Chinese ink painting! This painstakingly compiled guide will walk you through "heaven on earth," so save it now! 📍 Hangzhou, a city praised since ancient times as "paradise on earth" 🌆, is synonymous with the water towns of Jiangnan! The Ten Scenes of West Lake are world-renowned, the thousand-year-old Lingyin Temple echoes with bell sounds, and reeds sway at Xixi Wetland. In May, Hangzhou has comfortable temperatures and lush greenery, making it the perfect time to stroll along Su Causeway and enjoy tea with a view~ ✈️ Transportation Guide ✈️ By air: After landing at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, take Metro Line 7 or an airport shuttle to downtown, or a taxi which takes about 40 minutes 🚖. 🚄 By high-speed rail: Hangzhou East Station and Hangzhou Station offer numerous trains! It only takes 30-60 minutes 🚄 from Shanghai or Nanjing, with seamless connections to metro, bus, and shared bikes after arrival~ 🚗 By car: Very convenient to drive from nearby cities, but parking is difficult downtown and many scenic areas have traffic restrictions, so public transportation is recommended! 🗺 Recommended Itineraries Day 1: Classic West Lake Tour Broken Bridge → Bai Causeway → Solitary Hill → Three Pools Mirroring the Moon → Leifeng Pagoda Take a morning stroll on Broken Bridge to see the misty West Lake 🌫️! Enjoy Hangzhou cuisine at Hubin Intime for lunch, take a boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon in the afternoon, and climb Leifeng Pagoda in the evening to watch the sunset turn the lake red—breathtaking! Day 2: Lingyin Temple and Tea Culture Lingyin Temple → Faxisi Temple → Longjing Village Visit Lingyin Temple in the morning for blessings and experience the Zen atmosphere 🙏! Enjoy vegetarian cuisine for lunch, visit Faxisi Temple in the afternoon to pray for love, then head to Longjing Village for tea tasting 🍵 and views of the terraced tea mountains~ Day 3: Art and Local Life Xiaohe Straight Street → Xiaohe Park → Xiaohe Night Market Check out artistic boutiques and visit the retro Xiaohe Park ⛲️! In the evening, try all the Hangzhou snacks at the night market, and finally buy some silk and West Lake lotus root starch as souvenirs~ 📌 Practical Tips 🎫 Tickets: West Lake is free! Lingyin Temple's Flying Peak is 45 yuan (plus 30 yuan for temple entry), Leifeng Pagoda is 40 yuan. Book in advance on travel platforms~ ⏰ Timing: For West Lake boat tours, choose the 3:00 PM slot to enjoy both daytime scenery and sunset; Lingyin Temple opens at 7 AM—go early to avoid crowds! 📸 Photos: Wearing Hanfu at West Lake creates a great atmosphere, and light-colored clothes look beautiful against the tea mountains in Longjing Village! 🍜 Food Recommendations 1️⃣ Vinegar Fish: Tender fish with sweet and sour sauce, absolutely delicious! Lou Wai Lou serves the most authentic version~ 2️⃣ Longjing Shrimp: Springy shrimp with a subtle tea fragrance, fresh and light! A must-order at Xin Bai Lu Restaurant~ 3️⃣ Dingsheng Cake: Soft, glutinous rice cake that's sweet but not cloying, with osmanthus fragrance, available at street-side shops~ 4️⃣ Pian'er Chuan: Soup with preserved vegetables, bamboo shoots, and shredded meat, served with chewy noodles—a breakfast favorite for locals 🍜! Must try at the time-honored Kuiyuan Restaurant~ 5️⃣ Cong Bao Hui: Fried dough stick wrapped in thin pancake with sweet sauce, perfect with soy milk! Youbu Soy Milk is super popular~ 6️⃣ West Lake Lotus Root Starch: Thick and sweet, topped with nuts and dried fruits, perfect to enjoy while walking~ ⚠️ Tips 1️⃣ May in Hangzhou has frequent rain 🌧️, so bring an umbrella! Don't forget sun protection—sunscreen and sun hats are essential~ 2️⃣ For Lingyin Temple, you need to buy the Flying Peak ticket first. Wear comfortable shoes, and photography of Buddha statues is prohibited 🙅! 3️⃣ Popular restaurants (like Grandma's Home) get crowded during meal times, so get a number in advance through their WeChat account! 4️⃣ West Lake is packed on weekends—weekdays are better, and riding shared bikes around the lake is amazing~ Friends, Hangzhou's romance and delicious food must be experienced in person! Save this guide and get going! 💖