4 Days Hangzhou Shaoxing Essence Tour

Day 1 Hangzhou Arrival

Pick up from airport / railway station & hotel check-in

Welcome to Hangzhou, the “Heavenly City on Earth” and capital city of Zhejiang Province! Upon your arrival, your local travel guide and driver will meet you at Hangzhou airport / train station and then escort you to your hotel in the downtown and help you with the check-in procedure. The rest of the day is on your own to discover the beautiful view of Hangzhou City!

Arrival Idea: Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport has many flights of about 1-3 hours with most domestic destinations like Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, etc. and also some direct international flights to San Francisco, Amsterdam, Madrid, Sydney, Vancouver, Rome, Singapore, etc. Besides, you can take a bullet train from Shanghai (1-1.5 hrs), Beijing (4.5 hrs), Guangzhou (6 hrs), Suzhou (1.5-2.5 hrs), Nanjing (1.5 hrs), Huangshan (3 hrs), Zhengzhou (3 hrs), Xiamen (6.5 hrs), Changsha (3.5 hrs), etc.

• Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport

Day 2 Hangzhou (B, L)

Today's highlights: West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Feilai Peak, Meijia Dock Dragon Well Tea Village, China National Tea Museum

After breakfast today, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and escort you to start today’s Hangzhou exploration!

First, 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.)

Next, 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 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 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 grower’s family and experience picking tea leaves, watching stir-drying tea leaves, enjoying tea ceremony, tasting Dragon Well tea, etc., which needs extra payment.). 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 today’s visiting, be escorted back to your hotel in Hangzhou downtown. 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.

• West Lake Summer Scenery
• West Lake Boating Experience
• Lingyin Temple at Leafy Forest
• Hangzhou Dragon Well Tea Plantation

Day 3 Hangzhou - Shaoxing - Hangzhou (B, L)

Today's highlights: Calligraphy Sage Historic Site, Bazi Qiao, Lu Xun Native Place, Xianheng Hotel, Cangqiao Zhijie

After breakfast at your hotel in Hangzhou, your guide and driver will meet you in the lobby and take you on a scenic drive to Shaoxing. The journey will take approximately 2 hours, offering picturesque views of the surrounding landscapes.

Upon arrival in Shaoxing, start your exploration at the Calligraphy Sage Historic Site. This historic area is famous for its connection to Wang Xizhi, the Sage of Calligraphy. Wander through the narrow alleys and visit the ancient calligraphy academy. The area is rich in traditional architecture and cultural relics, making it an ideal place to immerse yourself in the history of Chinese calligraphy.

Next, head to the iconic Ba Zi Qiao (Bazi Bridge), an important part of the Grand Canal of China, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This unique bridge is named for its shape, resembling the Chinese character for “eight” (“八” in Chinese). Here, you can enjoy a 20-minute Wupeng boat ride (optional, CNY/90 per boat, round trip) through the narrow waterways, taking in the picturesque views of ancient bridges and traditional architecture. This experience offers a glimpse into the “slow life” of Shaoxing, where locals enjoy a leisurely pace along the waterways.

After the boat ride, visit the Lu Xun Native Place. From Baicao Garden to Sanwei Study, this well-preserved complex includes his childhood home, study, and garden. Explore the exhibits that highlight his life and literary contributions. The area is steeped in historical significance and offers a glimpse into the life of one of China’s most famous modern writers. During your visit, you will also see many Q-version statues of Mr. Lu Xun. Be sure to take some photos with them!

From Lu Xun Native Place, make your way through the historic block, passing by the famous Xianheng Hotel, where the character Kong Yiji enjoyed his famous beans flavored with fennel. Your final stop in Shaoxing will be Cangqiao Zhijie (Caoqiao Straight Street). This charming street is lined with traditional shops and local snacks, offering a perfect place to experience the local culture and cuisine. Take a leisurely walk along the street, enjoy the lively atmosphere, and perhaps indulge in some of Shaoxing’s famous snacks, such as Shaoxing stinky tofu, yellow rice wine popsicles, and Shaoxing pancakes.

In the late afternoon, your guide and driver will take you back to your hotel in Hangzhou. The drive will take approximately 2 hours. Upon arrival, enjoy a relaxing evening in Hangzhou.

• Baicao Garden
• Sanwei Study
• Close-up View of the Bazi Bridge
• The Stone-paved Alley of Cangqiao Zhijie
• Xianning Bridge, Calligraphy Sage Historic Site
• Tishan Bridge, Calligraphy Sage Historic Site

Day 4 Hangzhou & Hangzhou Departure (B, L)

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

Good morning! After breakfast, your guide and driver will meet at your hotel and then escort you to enjoy a nice historical walk at 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. 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.

Later, visit the Former Residence of Hu Xueyan (closed on Mondays, except for Chinese legal holidays), a renowned merchant in the late Qing Dynasty. This luxurious mansion, known as the “First Residence of Chinese Tycoons,” is a masterpiece of traditional Chinese architecture and craftsmanship. Built in 1872 A.D. during the peak of Hu Xueyan’s career, the residence covers an area of over 10.8 acres and features a combination of traditional Chinese and Western architectural styles.

The residence is divided into the central axis and two side courtyards. The central axis includes the Sedan Chair Hall, the Main Hall (also known as the Hundred Lions Hall), and the Four-Sided Hall, which were used for receiving guests. The right side of the residence consists of living quarters, including the Nanmu Hall, the Yuanyang Hall, the Qingya Hall, and the Hele Hall, etc. all of which are adorned with precious woods and intricate carvings. The highlight of the residence is the Back Garden (Zhiyuan Garden) on the left side. This garden features pavilions, corridors, artificial hills, and a large artificial cave, which is the largest of its kind in China. The garden’s design is a perfect blend of nature and art, with every corner offering a unique view. Additionally, the residence showcases exquisite brick, wood, and stone carvings, as well as calligraphy works by famous artists such as Dong Qichang and Zheng Banqiao.

During your visit, you can explore the residence at your own pace, accompanied by your guide who will provide detailed explanations about the history and cultural significance of each area. The visit typically takes about 2 hours.

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!

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