4 Days Hangzhou Essence Tour with Scenic Wuzhen & Puyuan Water Towns

Day 1 Hangzhou Arrival & Hangzhou (L)

Today’s highlights: The Former Residence of Hu Xueyan, Hu Qing Yu Tang, Hefang Street

Welcome to Hangzhou! Upon your arrival at Hangzhou airport/train station, your local travel guide and driver will greet you, then begin your half-day exploration of Hangzhou historical area.

First, visit the Former Residence of Hu Xueyan, a celebrated Qing Dynasty merchant. This opulent complex, hailed as "China's Finest Tycoon Residence". Recognized as Constructed around 1875, this architectural marvel cost 3 million taels of silver - equivalent to approximately 450 million RMB today. It uniquely blends Jiangnan-style garden architecture with Western craftsmanship, featuring exquisite elements like German stained glass installations and Italian imported floor tiles.

Then, walk to the century-old Chinese pharmacy on the street - Hu Qing Yu Tang, which is also known as Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum and was built by Xueyan Hu, a famous merchant in late Qing dynasty. Many locals still visit senior doctors there for treatment today. Marvel at the magic of traditional Chinese medicine by looking at the countless traditional Chinese medicines and herbs, various traditional tools and watch the live processing of medicines.

After visiting Hu Qing Yu Tang, enjoy a historically significant stroll along Hefang Street, a unique pedestrian street to see the typical old and prosperous Hangzhou in South Song era. Stroll to admire the ornate old styled Chinese architectures, interesting local handicrafts, delicious snacks, etc. If time permits, you could continue your exploration to the adjacent blocks of Nansongyu Street. This historic pedestrian lane blends Song Dynasty heritage with today's cultural life through its stone-paved path and artisan workshops.

After the visiting, your guide and driver will escort you to your hotel and help you with the check-in procedure.

• Hefang Street
• Back Garden, The Former Residence of Hu Xueyan
• Hu Qing Yu Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum

Day 2 Hangzhou - Puyuan - Wuzhen (B, L)

Today's highlights: Puyuan Fashion Ancient Town, Wuzhen Water Town

After your breakfast at your hotel in Hangzhou, your guide and driver will meet you in the lobby and take you on a scenic drive to Puyuan Fashion Ancient Town. The journey takes about 1.5 hours, offering picturesque views of the surrounding landscapes.

Upon your arrival, take your time to fully indulge in the charm of Puyuan—a harmonious blend of Jiangnan water town elegance, delicate garden aesthetics, and modern fashion innovation. It has origins tracing back to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 AD) and is known as one of Jiangnan's five major towns during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1840 AD). Wander along meandering canals, across ancient bridges, and past charming dwellings; every corner, like the tranquil Shufang Zen Garden, presents a picture-perfect view. Uncover the intricate architecture of Xiangyun Taoist Temple and the grand Fushan Temple, rare gems in Jiangnan. Of course, no missing unique knitting hands-on experiences at this "Capital of Chinese Wool Sweaters", local operas, and authentic cuisines here.

After visiting Puyuan, head for the West Scenic Area of Wuzhen Water Town. Wuzhen with over 6,000 years old is one of the four great water towns at the region south of the Yangtze River and one of the ten most charming famous towns in China. Praised as the “last town resting on water in China” and a land flowing with milk and honey, Wuzhen is the top popular place to see the typical look of water towns in south China. The West Scenic Area of Wuzhen is most popular among international visitors with over 20 scenic spots telling the culture, history and folk custom of Wuzhen and terrific night lights sightseeing. Stroll leisurely along the well-preserved streets and lanes to visit the remained dyeing workshop with herbs and hanging cloths, “three-inch “golden lotuses” with over 800 pairs of various foot binding shoes, old post office operating for more than 110 years, etc. Of course, you will not miss the Bailian Pagoda, Tongji Bridge and Renji Bridge, large classic garden, ancient academy, soy sauce workshop, plentiful of old constructions from Ming and Qing era, and various shops and stores selling local handicrafts and snacks.

As night comes, admire the charming night view of Wuzhen with various colored neon and lights drawing the outline of such an antique and elegant water town with rich South Chinese flavor and enjoy the peace of the hidden place. (Optional activity: you can get on a sculling boat to admire the water town sightseeing from a different angle along the little river, which needs extra payment.)

The journey of today has come to an end. You will stay in Wuzhen. Good night and sweet dreams!

• Hand-rowed boats glide along the time-honored waterways of Wuzhen.
• lime-washed walls
• Puyuan Fashion Ancient Town Waterscape & Boat
• Puyuan Fashion Ancient Town Shufang Zen Garden

Day 3 Wuzhen - Hangzhou (B, L)

Today's highlights: West Lake, Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, China Museum of Knives, Scissors & Swords and China Umbrella Museum, Gongcheng Bridge

After breakfast at your hotel at Wuzhen, your guide and driver will meet you in the lobby and take you back to Hangzhou, with a travel time of about 1.5 hours. Today's Hangzhou exploration starts!

First, go to have an interesting cultural visit to Qiaoxi Conservation Area which is a peaceful cultural block sitting along the World Heritage Site - Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. It preserves lots of old folk dwellings and industrial sites and has a series of themed museums and exhibitions. Walk leisurely along the Canal, visit the interesting China Museum of Knives, Scissors & Swords and China Umbrella Museum, then walk up to the famous Gongcheng Bridge to enjoy a pleasant panoramic view of surroundings. (Optional activities: You can experience one of the handcrafting activities if you are interested and time permits, which needs extra payment.)

Next, make the exciting visit to the picturesque West Lake, which is the iconic site of Hangzhou and a pretty UNESCO World Heritage. Just as the famous traveler Marco Polo did and wrote: “A voyage on this lake offers more refreshment and pleasure than any other experience on earth”, you will start with a leisure cruise (about 45 mins) to enjoy the tranquil lake views as well as the ancient pagodas, traditional arched bridges, tree-lined walkways, beautiful hills, green islands and lush gardens including visit to the beautiful Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon. After the cruise, visit West Lake's highlights like Su Causeway, Broken Bridge, and scenic parks by foot or included sightseeing vehicle. You can witness a truly captivating sunset painting the sky and water in warm hues as dusk falls over West Lake. The lake's vastness makes full exploration impractical, but your guide will customize the itinerary based on your schedule and energy levels.

Lastly, be escorted back to your hotel. Have a good sleep!

Evening Ideas: 1) watch a magnificent night show - Enduring Memories of Hangzhou, a live performance by Yimou Zhang with changing lights, music and dancing on the West Lake, which usually starts at 7pm, needs extra payment; 2) feast your eyes with an amazing Music Fountain Show at Third Park, near the eastern lakeside of West Lake, free charged.

• Ink-painting bridge at West Lake
• West Lake Boating Experience
• Beijing Hangzhou Grand Canal - Gongchen Bridge Section
• China Umbrella Museum

Day 4 Hangzhou & Hangzhou Departure (B, L)

Today’s highlights: Feilai Peak, Lingyin Temple, Meijiawu Longjing Tea Plantation Village

After breakfast, transfer a short while to Feilai Peak (Peak Flying from Afar), which flew to China to spread Buddhism from India according to the legend. It features in over 300 Buddhist carvings lining the riverbanks and hillsides and tucked away inside grottoes. With over 1,000 years, it is the precious fresco treasure in the whole regions south of Yangtze River. Continue to the adjacent Lingyin Temple of nearly 1,700 year, which is the oldest and one of the most popular temples in Hangzhou. Hidden in the luxurious forest, it offers charming and peaceful landscape mixed with the strong Buddhist atmosphere among the large scaled of magnificent and antique temple clusters.

Then, drive uphill to Meijiawu Longjing Tea Village, a refreshing wonderland surrounded by mountains with a large area of emerald Dragon Well tea plantations in neat lines and curves. Walk among the tea plantations with fun and take beautiful photos (Optional activity: you can pay a visit to the local tea farmer's family and experience picking tea leaves, watching stir-drying tea leaves, enjoying tea ceremony, tasting Dragon Well tea, etc., which needs extra fee.). After that, go to China National Tea Museum to learn systematically about Chinese tea culture including the history, procession, customs and classification of tea, and admire diverse kinds of tea wares, machines, displays, etc.

After the visitings, your guide and driver will escort you to Hangzhou airport / train station to catch your flight / train to your next destination or home! Tour ends!

• Lingyin Temple at Leafy Forest
• Buddhist Carving at Feilai Peak
• Meijiawu Longjing Tea Plantation in Spring
• Tea Picking at Meijiawu Village Tea Plantation