Discover the essence of Zhejiang Province through a captivating 5-day journey that weaves together the heavenly landscapes of Hangzhou, the timeless water town charm of Wuzhen, and the cinematic magic of Hengdian.
Your adventure begins in Hangzhou, where ancient poetry comes to life along the legendary West Lake. Glide through misty waters, wander through historic temples, and lose yourself in the city’s timeless charm. Next, step into the past in Wuzhen, one of China’s most enchanting water towns. With its ancient bridges, narrow alleys, and traditional workshops, Wuzhen offers a glimpse into the soul of rural China. The journey then takes you to Hengdian, known as “China’s Hollywood,” where you can explore the sets of iconic Chinese dramas and movies, experience the thrill of movie-making, and fulfill your acting dreams.
Designed as a comprehensive exploration, this tour removes every travel barrier. Expert guides, carefully selected accommodations, and thoughtfully planned transfers ensure an immersive journey that lets you dive deep into China’s amazing destinations.
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 (or your hotel), your local travel guide and driver will greet you and we’ll begin our half-day exploration of Hangzhou.
First, 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.
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.
After the visiting, your guide and driver will escort you to your hotel and help you with the check-in procedure.
Hefang Street
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.
Day 3 Hangzhou - Wuzhen - Hangzhou (B, L)
Today's highlights: Wuzhen 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 - Hengdian (B, L)
Today's highlights: Hengdian World Studios
After breakfast at your hotel in Hangzhou, your guide and driver will meet you in the lobby and take you to Hengdian, a 2.5-hour drive away. Once there, you’ll explore the Hengdian World Studios, known as “China’s Hollywood.” This massive film and TV production base covers over 30 square kilometers and features 8 large-scale theme parks that bring different historical periods and settings to life. Iconic Chinese dramas like “Empresses in the Palace,” “Nirvana in Fire,” “Joy of Life,” and “The Untamed” were filmed here. Stepping into Hengdian World Studios, you can wander through the pages of Chinese history, encounter different social scenes, learn more about movie production, and turn your acting dreams into reality.
How to Enjoy Your Day at Hengdian World Studios
Hengdian World Studios is expansive that it's recommended to focus on 2-3 scenic areas per day. Each area features distinctive landscapes and a variety of exciting shows, interactive experiences, and entertainment facilities to ensure a fun-filled visit. You can select a one-day pass that provides access to 2/3 chosen scenic areas, allowing you to personalize your experience according to your interests. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a movie/drama fan, a celebrity follower, or a thrill-seeker, Hengdian has something to offer everyone.
- Hengdian World Studios Ticket Price Reference
- ♦ Ticket Packages: One-day pass for 2 scenic areas start from CNY 338/pp, One-day pass for 3 scenic areas start from CNY 358/pp, Two-day pass for 4 scenic areas start from CNY 498/pp;
- ♦ Single-attraction Tickets: The ticket prices for the main scenic areas of Hengdian World Studios, except for Dream Valley, range from CNY 185/pp to CNY 195/pp for a single-attraction ticket. The ticket price for Dream Valley alone is CNY 295/pp.
- ♦ Notice: 1.The ticket prices provided above are for adults and for reference only. The actual ticket prices may vary depending on the official prices on specific dates. 2. You can inform us of the type of ticket you would like to choose based on your preferences and needs, and we will help you purchase the tickets in advance.
Recommended Scenic Areas, Visiting Time & Highlights of Hengdian World Studios
- 【The Palace of Emperor Qin, 1.5-3 hours】Constructed in 1997 for the filming of "The Assassin," this site is also known for being the birthplace of films such as "Hero" and "The Forbidden Kingdom." Modeled after the main palace of the Qin Dynasty—Xianyang Palace—it is renowned for its grand scale, complex structure, and rigorous layout.
- 【Qing Ming Shang He Tu, 2-4 hours】Based on the masterpiece "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" by the Northern Song Dynasty painter Zhang Zeduan, this area captures the spirit of the painting and combines it with the social background, customs, and architectural characteristics of the Northern Song period. The site features over 120 houses, 6 bridges, 9 docks and 14 archways, recreating the bustling scenes of the Bian River's grain transport and the daily life and folk customs of the Northern Song capital Kaifeng a thousand years ago.
- 【Ming and Qing Palace, 2-4 hours】A 1:1 replica of the Forbidden City, this site gathers 4 major architectural series: imperial palaces, royal gardens, government offices, and residential lanes, authentically restoring the original appearance of the Ming and Qing palaces and traditional Beijing Hutongs.
- 【Dream Valley, 2-5 hours】Amusement Park, open after 13:00/15:00: Comprising five major areas—Dream Culture Village, Water World, Children's Dream Factory, Jiangnan Water Town, and Dolphin Bay—this large-scale night-time film and television experience theme park mainly showcases natural phenomena like volcanic eruptions and flash floods, as well as various amusement facilities and performance activities. Suitable for family travel with teenagers and those who seek thrills.
- 【Guangzhou Street & Hong Kong Street, 2-4 hours】Night Scenic Area, open after 13:00: Originally built in 1996 for the filming of "The Opium War," this area features a network of ancient paths and the Pearl River flowing through the city, recreating the market atmosphere of Guangzhou and Hong Kong in the 19th century. The lifelike sets artistically restore the old appearance of Guangzhou and the charm of Hong Kong.
- 【Dream Bund, 2-4 hours】Night Scenic Area, open after 13:00: Themed around Shanghai in the 1920s-1940s, it features characteristic streets like Nanjing Road and Zhongshan Road, lane architecture represented by Shikumen, and a group of 34 excellent historical buildings in Shanghai, including HSBC Building, Shanghai Building, and Peace Hotel. The vintage tram operating within the scenic area is a must-try experience. Visitors can ride the tram to travel through the streets and alleys of old Shanghai.
After a full day of exploration, your guide will escort you back to your hotel in Hengdian. Have a good sleep! (Notice: If you would like to spend an additional 1-2 days in Hengdian, we can also arrange the itinerary according to your needs.)
Day 5 Hengdian Departure (B)
Drop-off at the train station
After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will escort you to the high-speed train station to continue your journey to the next destination. Tour ends!
Departure Idea: Hengdian boasts a convenient railway network with direct high-speed trains to major cities such as Shanghai (around 2.5 hours), Hangzhou (aroun 1.5 hours), and Yiwu (less than 0.5 hour).
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.
Jack,
Please meet my friend Darrell.
I have been telling Darrell what a great trip we had in Dunhuang and Xian. Also how wonderful our guides and drivers were when we were there.
Darrell is interested to do a family trip to China. I will leave you and him to connect.
Best,
Karen
Hi Elk,
We had a wonderful experience during our trip, and much of that is thanks to the excellent service provided by your guide and driver.
Guide:
• The guide was professional, and personable.
• She provided insightful background at each site, which greatly enriched our understanding and of the places we visited.
• Itinerary was handled smoothly and flexibly.
• The support throughout the trip, made the experience enjoyable and worry-free.
Driver:
• The driver was punctual, and ensured a safe and comfortable journey throughout.
Overall, both the guide and driver were professional and helpful. A special thanks to you whose support went above and beyond expectations. From the early planning stages to the end of our journey, your attentive and quick responsiveness gave us peace of mind. We especially appreciated the thoughtful gesture that truly made a difference. We would be happy to recommend CD to others.
Jessica
Dear Leo,
Frank and I have arrived safely in our respective homes and it will take us some time to digest our 4-week trip “Kashgar to Beijing”.
But I wanted to quickly email you to thank you for organising this trip for us. The whole thing ran like clockwork, your logistics were spot-on with guides and drivers always available and on-time. Inevitably – with the knowledge of hindsight – we would make some changes: some days were a bit short on activities, some attractions somewhat underwhelming,...but these details are always part of travel and we write them down to experience.
I think we certainly picked the right time for our visit; except for the grand total of 2 hours, we had sensational weather. And we have been very fortunate with relatively small crowds of tourists – the only exception was at the Mogao Caves, where we spent 2 hours queuing in a chaotic crush.
Once again, Leo, we thank you for your efforts and producing a wonderful custom-tailored trip. I will have no hesitation in recommending your great services and feel free to use this email as a reference.
All the very best
Dirk
PS I may well consider another trip in the next couple of years; if you could recommend an itinerary (South and East China), I would be happy to study it.
Hi Shirley, for sure!
We appreciate very much all the attention and excellent service provided from every local partner! It was a great experience!
Kawai
Dear Shirley,
Thank you for your message. Everything on the cruise was excellent — the staff were kind and professional, the activities well organized, and the meals very enjoyable. I had a great experience throughout.
Best regards,
Jonathan
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!
Hefang Street
The Former Residence of Hu Xueyan
Hu Qing Yu Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum
West Lake Summer
West Lake Boating Experience
Lingyin Temple at Leafy Forest
Hangzhou Dragon Well Tea Plantation
Claire - Wuzhen Water Town, Jiaxing, Zhejiang
Wuzhen Water Town - Last Town Resting on Water in China
Wuzhen Water Town West - Bailian Pagoda
Wuzhen Water Town West Night Scenery
The Palace of Emperor Qin
Qing Ming Shang He Tu
Into The Film, Guangzhou Street · Hong Kong Street
Ming and Qing Palace
Hengdian Railway Station
Shanghai / Hangzhou / Suzhou / Shanghai
Hangzhou / Wuzhen
Shanghai / Hangzhou / Huangshan / Jingdezhen / Wangxian Valley
“Very good experience”
“WONDERFUL 25 DAYS IN CHINA - PRIVATE TOUR”
“Awesome China tour from northeast to southwest”
2,190+ Reviews
