"Strolling Through Paradise: A Thousand-Year Date in the Misty Rain of West Lake"

"When I recall Jiangnan, I most fondly remember Hangzhou." ✨ Hangzhou, a city full of poetry and romance, has both the captivating scenery of West Lake 🌊 and the serene Zen of ancient temples 🔔, as well as the vibrant atmosphere of old streets 🔥. If you're planning a 5-day, 4-night trip to Hangzhou, keep this guide handy to fully experience the beauty of Hangzhou. Itinerary Day 1: First Impression of West Lake 🌉 - Morning: After arriving in Hangzhou, head to the West Lake Hubin business district to check in and rest a bit 😴. Stroll to West Lake, starting from Broken Bridge ❄️, where Xu Xian and Bai Niangzi met. After a winter snowfall, it's covered in silver, and you can almost see that romantic love story unfolding before your eyes 💑. Walk along Bai Causeway, admire the lake and mountain scenery on both sides, and feel the comfort of the breeze 🍃. - Noon: Enjoy authentic Hangzhou cuisine at Lou Wai Lou 🍴. West Lake Fish in Sweet and Sour Sauce has tender meat with a hint of vinegar; Dongpo Pork is bright red, fatty but not greasy, and melts in your mouth. Every bite is Hangzhou on your tongue 😋. - Afternoon: Visit Xiling Seal Art Society 📖, which is full of a rich cultural and artistic atmosphere. Admire the seals and calligraphy works of past dynasties and feel the charm of traditional art 🎨. Then go to Gushan, which has beautiful scenery and many historical sites. It is the largest island in West Lake. Walking through it is like being in a landscape painting 🖼️. - Evening: Enjoy delicious food at Hubin Yintai in77 🍜, which brings together delicacies from all over the world to satisfy your taste buds. After dinner, enjoy the West Lake Musical Fountain. With the rhythm of the music, the fountain dances gracefully, and the lights flicker, creating a beautiful scene 🎵. Day 2: Lingyin Temple and Tea Time 🍵 - Morning: Go to Lingyin Temple ⛩️, an ancient temple with a thousand-year history, quiet and solemn. Stepping into the temple gate, wisps of incense smoke linger, and the melodious Sanskrit sounds come, instantly calming the heart 🧘. Visit the Hall of Great Strength, the Hall of the Medicine Buddha, and other buildings to feel the breadth and depth of Buddhist culture 📿. - Noon: Enjoy vegetarian food at a restaurant near Lingyin Temple 🥗. The ingredients are fresh and the cooking is exquisite. Each dish contains Zen, bringing nourishment to your mind and body 🌿. - Afternoon: Come to Meijiawu, one of the main producing areas of Longjing tea 🌱. Stroll through the tea gardens, full of green and fragrant tea. You can also experience the fun of picking and making tea yourself 👩🌾 and learn about the production process of Longjing tea. Afterwards, find a teahouse to sit down and enjoy a cup of fragrant Longjing tea to experience Hangzhou's tea culture ☕. - Evening: Enjoy dinner in Longjing Village and taste authentic farmhouse dishes 🍳. Most of the ingredients are taken from the local area, fresh and delicious, full of the simple taste of the countryside. After dinner, return to your residence to rest with the fragrance of tea and the night 🌙. Day 3: Song Dynasty Town and Old Street Exploration 🏮 - Morning: Go to Song Dynasty Town 🏯, which restores the urban landscape of the Song Dynasty. Stepping into it is like traveling back in time to the prosperous Song Dynasty a thousand years ago 📜. Watch the large-scale song and dance performance "Romance of the Song Dynasty" 🎭. The wonderful performance uses modern technologies such as sound, light, and electricity to show the historical changes and cultural charm of Hangzhou. - Noon: Taste various special snacks in Song Dynasty Town 🍥. Dingsheng Cake has a soft and glutinous taste and is sweet but not greasy; Scallion Wrapped Fried Dough is crispy and delicious, with a unique flavor. Every bite is a tribute to traditional cuisine 👏. - Afternoon: Come to Hefang Street and stroll along the quaint streets 🛍️. Visit old shops such as Hu Qing Yu Tang and Wang Xing Ji Fan Store to feel the charm of traditional crafts ✨. Taste various special snacks. Stinky tofu is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a fragrant aroma; Fried Vegetable Cake is crispy and delicious, making people want more 😋. - Evening: Walk from Hefang Street to Southern Song Imperial Street, which is brightly lit and lively 🏮. Admire the antique buildings on both sides of the street and feel the prosperity of the Southern Song Dynasty. Pick out some souvenirs 🎁 to leave good memories of this trip. Day 4: Natural Wildness of Xixi National Wetland Park 🦆 - Morning: Go to Xixi National Wetland Park 🌿 and take a boat trip. The rivers here are crisscrossed, the reeds sway, and the water birds inhabit, full of natural wildness. Enjoy the unique natural scenery of the wetland, feel the tranquility and beauty of nature, and completely relax your body and mind 😌. - Noon: Enjoy lunch at a restaurant around the wetland 🍲 and taste local specialties, such as steamed white fish, with tender and original fish; Xixi dried bamboo shoots with braised pork, the dried bamboo shoots absorb the aroma of the meat, and the streaky pork is fatty but not greasy. - Afternoon: Continue to play in the wetland. You can choose to explore on foot 🚶♂️, walk along the boardwalk, and observe the wetland ecology up close; you can also participate in some experience activities, such as a sculling boat, to feel the water town customs ⛵. - Evening: Return to the city and take a walk by West Lake 🌙, admire the night view of West Lake, and feel the tranquility and romance of the night. Day 5: Free Time and Return Trip ✈️ - Morning: Sleep in 😴 and enjoy a leisurely morning. Afterwards, you can choose to visit the city's shopping malls according to your interests and preferences to buy some local products 🎁; or go to Taiziwan Park to admire the flowers 🌸 and feel the beauty of nature. - Noon: Enjoy lunch in the city and taste some of the delicacies you haven't had time to try. - Afternoon: According to the return time, pack your luggage, check out, and end your wonderful trip to Hangzhou. Accommodation Recommendations 1. Hotels in the West Lake Hubin business district ✨: Marco Polo Holiday Hotel Hangzhou (West Lake), close to Longxiangqiao subway station 🚇, convenient for travel. The hotel offers beautiful views of West Lake 🌉 and also has intelligent robot service 🤖 to add a sense of technology to your trip. The price is 500-800 yuan per night. 2. Homestays near Lingyin Temple 🏡: Qingzhilian Cuigu Homestay, 3 minutes' walk to the Botanical Garden 🌳, a few minutes' drive to the West Lake check-in spots, and two bus stops to Lingyin Temple. High cost performance, the price is 200-400 yuan per night. 3. Inns near Song Dynasty Town 🏮: Hangzhou Song Dynasty Town Romance Theme Hotel, full of Song Dynasty charm, excellent location, convenient for visiting Song Dynasty Town 🎭. The price is 300-600 yuan per night.