4 Days Hangzhou Highlights Tour with Wuzhen and Qiandao Lake
Best Hangzhou Nature & Culture with Thousand Island Lake
Best Hangzhou Nature & Culture with Thousand Island Lake
What are there in Hangzhou besides West Lake?
A LOT! Charming water town, verdant tea plantation, ancient streets and temples, and so forth. No omitting the fascinating Qiandao Lake (Thousand Island Lake) ! This 4 days Hangzhou itinerary takes you to explore all those best nature and culture treasures of Hangzhou like a paradise. Besides, you will have one day at Qiandao Lake to enjoy the awesome landscape with more than one thousand various emerald islets dotted on the mirror-like azure lake from diverse angles on the cruise and the peak, so precious in the whole world for your utmost visual pleasure! Take the tour to start your Hangzhou vacation with sightseeing and fun! Our all-inclusive package covering professional tour planning ideas, local guide introduction, a non-smoking comfortable licensed private car with an experienced driver, etc. will help you get under the skin of best sceneries and activities favored by locals in Hangzhou and catch the most beautiful landscapes of Qiandao Lake from the best angle. Feel free to enquire for the best price to discovery your own beautiful Hangzhou!
Day 1 Hangzhou Arrival, Hangzhou & Transfer to Qiandao Lake (L)
Today’s highlights: Lingyin Temple, Feilai Peak, Meijiawu Longjing Tea Village
Welcome to Hangzhou, the Heavenly City on Earth! Your local travel guide and driver will meet you at Hangzhou airport / train station or your hotel and escort you to start today’s Hangzhou exploration!
First, go 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 the Yangtze River. Continue to the adjacent Lingyin Temple of nearly 1,700 years old, which is the oldest and one of the most popular temples in China. Hidden in the luxurious forest, it offers a 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 Tea Village, a refreshing wonderland surrounded by mountains with a large area of emerald Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea Plantations in neat lines and curves. Walk among the tea plantations with fun and take beautiful photos (Optional activity: If you like, you can pay a visit to the local tea grower’s family and experience picking tea leaves, watching stir-drying tea leaves, enjoying tea ceremony, tasting Dragon Well tea, etc., which needs extra cost.).
After the tea village visiting, you will be escorted for about 2-2.5 hours to Qiandao Lake (Thousand Islands Lake). Check in to your hotel. The rest time is free for you to relax around this beautiful resort.
Lingyin Temple
Day 2 Qiandao Lake - Hangzhou (B, L)
Today’s highlights: Qiandao Lake (Southeast Lake Scenic Area: Huangshanjian, Tianchi Islet, Guihua Islet)
After breakfast, your guide and driver will escort you from the hotel to have a wonderful exploration of Qiandao Lake (Thousand Island Lake China), which is actually the Xinan River reservoir with 1,078 islets coming up from the water and one of the top favored dreamy waterscape sites in China. You will take a sightseeing cruise around the beautiful Southeast Lake Scenic Area, which is the essence of nature at Qiandao Lake with verdant forests and lovely water. Immerse into the dotted various little green islets passing by and the ripples on the clear peaceful lake. Following the 5-6 hours’ cruise route, you will make stops at Huangshanjian, Tianchi Islet and Guihua Islet to enjoy more different sightseeing and fun.
Huangshanjian: with about 260 meters above sea, it is the best place to have a bird eye view of the fabulous Qiandao Lake. Take the cable car up to the viewing deck to admire the awesome spectacle of all the more than 90 islets displaying like strings of green diamonds on the smooth blue silk under clear sky backdrop. Besides, you can find it also like a Chinese character of “公 (community)”.
Tianchi Islet: also called Baoshi Hill, it is featured with picturesque scenery and fresh air. Walk on the islet to find the 7 heavenly lakes from South Song dynasty and enjoy hundreds of diverse fishes swimming in and jumping to be fed. Also, you will find the enormous chessboard and encounter nice waterfalls, ravine, seasonal flowers, traditional agricultural tools, etc. to get great mood and make your visit interesting.
Guihua Islet: – Legend has it that this was where the Dragon Maiden herded sheep. The islet is named for its abundant osmanthus flowers, with most osmanthus trees uniquely growing on rocks, a signature feature of the landscape. It also boasts expansive stone forests showcasing diverse and spectacular formations. Visitors should note that a troop of monkeys inhabits the islet, and caution is advised during exploration.
After the visiting, your guide and driver will escort you back to Hangzhou. Have a good sleep!
(Note: lunch of today will be arranged on the islet of Qiandao Lake, which is relatively simpler than that at Hangzhou downtown.)
Day 3 Hangzhou - Wuzhen - Hangzhou (B, L)
Today's highlights: Wuzhen Water Town (West Scenic Area)
After breakfast today, your travel guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and escort you to Wuzhen with about 1.5 hours driving to have a classic laid-back exploration of essence parts of Wuzhen, the West Scenic Area. (Note: the number and order of attractions can be adjusted based on your schedule and interests.)
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.
Upon your arrival, take your time to discover the West Scenic Area of Wuzhen, which 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. (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.)
After today’s visiting, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel in Hangzhou downtown. Have a good sleep!
Day 4 Hangzhou & Hangzhou Departure (B, L)
Today’s highlights: West Lake, Hefang Street, Former Residence of Hu Xueyan
Good morning! After breakfast, your guide and driver will meet at your hotel and then escort you to make the symbolic 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 45-minute leisure cruise 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, stroll or take a sightseeing vehicle leisurely around to pass the famous Su Causeway, Bai Causeway, Broken Bridge, Gushan Hill, parks of Fish Viewing at the Flower Pond, Lotus Swaying in the Breeze, Orioles Singing in the Willows, etc. (As the lake is too large, you can take the sightseeing vehicle at any place on the route to save energy. The fee is included.)
After the West Lake exploration, you'll go to 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. Nearby lies Hefang Street, a pedestrian thoroughfare that recreates Hangzhou's vibrant Southern Song Dynasty atmosphere. Wander through its lanes to discover magnificent heritage buildings, authentic handicrafts, and tempting local delicacies.
After the visiting, 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!
1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in a 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons. It will drop greatly if your group has 4 or more members.
2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, month and date. There may be huge price increasing during public Chinese holidays, school summer vacations, tourism peak seasons or some special dates. (China Public Holiday 2025 Schedule Released)
3. Other factors that may change the final tour price include group size, hotel class, tour activities, fluctuation of currency exchange rate, etc.
4. This price is based on exchange rate USD 1=RMB 7.00. The final price will be based on the exchange rate in effect at the time of agreement with our quotation.
5. This price is only valid to March 31, 2026.
6. This price is not the final price until the Confirmation Letter is sent.
7. The items included and excluded in this price are for reference only. The final services included, please refer to the confirmation letter sent to you by the travel consultant.
Hi Elk,
You are very kind, and I'll certainly be recommending you to anyone we know who is traveling to China! I've left a 5 star review on TripAdvisor also!
We really enjoyed the cruise and found it very relaxing and interesting. The rooms were really clean and comfortable, and the food was surprisingly good and varied. Some of the earlier excursions we found a little boring (we had already seen a lot of temples at that point) but the top of the Three Gorges and the trip up the smaller gorge was great!
Fergal
Dear Wonder,
Greetings from Melbourne. It feels like forever since our trip to China arranged by you. Everything went well. I look forward to having you arrange another trip for me in the future. Services are all great.
Thank you.
Best Regards,
Wong
Hi Wonder,
Yes it was excellent. Jerry is a very good guide for Huangshan. He is very knowledgeable. thx
Cheng
Hi Leo,
We’re back from our trip—thank you so much for organizing such a memorable first tour of China. My family and I had a fantastic time and truly appreciated all the arrangements.
Overall Highlights:
1. Your responsiveness to all my inquiries, along with the clear arrangements, pricing and cancellation policy, made the booking process smooth and reassuring.
2. The transfers and pickups—from Beijing to Hangzhou and then to Shanghai—were seamless. The tour guides provided clear instructions throughout the journey, and we encountered no issues.
3. The tour guides and drivers were friendly, highly professional, ensuring our safety and staying prompt and on schedule. We especially appreciated the clear communication when there were any changes due to weather or timing.
4. The food and hotel (including breakfast) arrangements were excellent—well planned and thoroughly enjoyable.
Thank you again for your outstanding service. We look forward to booking future trips with China Discovery!
Evolution form as below:
1. YES, Leo always response promptly and answered my questions as clearly and accurately as possible.
2. Tour Guides and drivers were all professionals. Ensure our safety, prompt, timely and on schedule. Foods and hotel arrangements were excellent! Appreciate they let us know ahead if there is a change in schedule due to weather or time.
3. Based on the interaction with China Discovery (prompt response, clear arrangement, pricing and cancellation policy). I will use and recommend China Discovery again.
4. Suggestion: Inform us in advance if a particular event or attraction is out of season—for example, our visit to Meijiawu Tea Village. It seems the tea-picking season was in March or April, so there was no tea leaf picking during our visit. Had China Discovery let us know ahead of time, we would have adjusted our expectations and avoided disappointment. That said, we still enjoyed the beautiful scenery and overall experience.
Cheow
Hi Elk,
我们对此行非常满意，三餐可供选择的食品种类多，味道可口；船上有表演、有互动，中途还有观景游玩，活动形式灵活多样；房间干净、零食和饮用水的提供到位；船上的工作人员态度和蔼耐心，服务周到，特别是我们在六楼11号餐桌用餐时为我们提供服务的女生服务员做事积极、周到又细致……。总之，感谢长江2号游轮带给了我们一个愉快的旅行！
Wong
We are one of the few China travel agencies who have kept active and received lots of feedbacks and reviews during pandemic years!
"Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty" is the core value of each specialized team at China Discovery.
Eveyone in our company is working hard for only one goal, which is to ensure the highest level of service, luxury, and attention to detail from the minute you begin planning your trip, to the day you return home.
Our travel consultants are professional, experienced and responsible, helping you from the very beginning to the end of your China trip!
After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.
Beside, he/she will keep in contact with you during your entire tour in China, continually checking if everything is going well as planned.
We're working at Chengdu Bamboo International Tours, local based in Chengdu.
Our local guide in every destination is not only very friendly, enthusiastic but also very informative and knowledgeable.
Once you arrive in the destination, the patient and punctual guides will pick you up and take you to get under skin of the city at your own pace. By in-depth discovery and explanation, they’ll show you more about the history, culture, customs and authentic local life. Throughout the journey, they're not only expert guides who take care of all the details but also fellow travelers who are dedicated to help you explore in comfort and style.
Our guides are passionate about what they do, and it shows all the way!
Using our private transfer service makes you comfortable, relaxed and worry free all the way!
Our private service includes licensed drivers with many years’ driving experience and air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and well-maintained cars/vans. Drivers are local, polite, friendly and helpful, taking you to your tourist sites, hotels, airport/train stations in safety. All kinds of vehicle are offered, and yours depends on the size of your group. Usually, we offer sedan cars, SUVs, business vans (MPV) and different types of buses, all with extra space for your luggage.
Our private transfer service guarantees you the highest comfort!
In each destination, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay in a great location!
The hotels we choose are based on star rating, great locations, well-equipped facilities, cozy bed, high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot ranging from luxury 5 star, comfortable 4 star to budget 3 star. You could decide where to stay to best suit for your budget and likes. Generally, the hotels have both Western and Chinese breakfast with a wide choices.
If you have already got an ideal hotel, please feel free to tell our travel consultants and they'll book the hotel for you.
Have good sleep in our well-selected hotels in all the destinations of China.
We can satisfy all the dietary requirements no matter you want Chinese local food, western food, vegetarian food or muslin food.
The restaurants we will take you for lunch or dinner are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. They have very good sanitary conditions and the food is prepared fresh and clean.
There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.
All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!
Lingyin Temple
Meijiawu Longjing Tea Plantation in Spring
Lawson Family from UK - Meijiawu Tea Plantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang
Qiandao Lake Panoramic View at Huangshanjian
Qiandao Lake Cruise Ship
Qiandao Lake Tianchi Islet Sightseeing
Monkeys on Guihua Islet, Qiandao Lake
Wuzhen preserves the traditional wax-resist dyeing technique, using plant-based pigments - Claire
Whitewashed walls and ink-black roofs are the signature architectural feature of Wuzhen.
Wuzhen water town boating experience in April
West Lake Spring
West Lake Boating Experience
Hefang Street
The Former Residence of Hu Xueyan
Shanghai / Hangzhou / Suzhou / Shanghai
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