2 Days Hangzhou History & Scenic Wonders Tour

Qinghefang Street--Hu Qingyu Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum--Former Residence of Hu Xueyan--Southern Song Dynasty Guan Kiln Museum

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Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and drive you to Qinghefang Street, the best-preserved historic street in Hangzhou. With architecture dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, the street is a living museum of ancient Hangzhou, filled with traditional tea houses, handicraft stores, and local snacks.

Next, explore the Huqingyu Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum, located in a restored Qing Dynasty pharmacy. Here, you’ll gain insight into the philosophy, materials, and techniques of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a heritage of Chinese civilization with over 2,000 years of history.

Continue your journey into the past with a visit to the Former Residence of Hu Xueyan, once home to the wealthiest merchant of the late Qing Dynasty. The mansion is a masterpiece of traditional architecture, with intricate carvings in wood, brick, and stone that showcase the refined aesthetic and social status of Hu's time.

In the afternoon, head to the Southern Song Dynasty Guan Kiln Museum, which stands on the site of the former imperial kiln of the Southern Song Dynasty. This museum displays rare ceramics, ancient kiln structures, and cultural relics, giving you a fascinating glimpse into the art of celadon porcelain and its royal significance.

After the tour, drive back to downtown Hangzhou and enjoy the rest of your evening at leisure.

Evening Option：

Explore the vibrant Wushan Night Market, where you can enjoy local street food, pick up souvenirs, and soak in the nighttime atmosphere of Hangzhou’s Old Town.

 West Lake--Leifeng Pagoda--Lingyin Temple--Qinghefang Street--Grand Canal--Hangzhou Canal Night Cruise

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Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, depart for West Lake, one of China's most iconic and poetic destinations. Historically known by many names—Wulin Waters, Qiantang Lake, and Mingsheng Lake—West Lake gained its current name for lying to the west of Hangzhou. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is steeped in history and myth, with classical Chinese gardens, causeways, pagodas, and countless poems from ancient poets such as Bai Juyi and Su Dongpo.

Famous legends such as Madam White Snake, Jigong the Monk, and Li Huiniang have shaped the romantic and mysterious aura of West Lake. Don't miss landmarks like Broken Bridge (Duanqiao Canxue), where melting snow creates a poetic illusion of a disconnected bridge, and Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (Santanyinyue), known for the magical interplay of moonlight and reflections.

Next, visit the historic Leifeng Pagoda, first built in 971 AD by King Qian Chu of the Wuyue Kingdom. It is most well-known for its association with the Legend of the White Snake, one of China’s Four Great Folktales, which turned the pagoda into a cultural symbol of tragic love and literary inspiration.

Continue to Lingyin Temple, one of the ten most renowned ancient Buddhist temples in China. As a vital site for Chan Buddhism, it hosts regular rituals, chanting sessions, and meditation activities, attracting pilgrims and visitors from around the world who seek spiritual insight and serenity.

Optional Cultural Experiences (Self-paid):

Luxury Painted Boat Ride: Glide along West Lake in an ornate, decorated boat. Comfortable and elegant, it's a peaceful way to view the lake’s scenery, perfect for family or group travelers.

Hand-rowed Wooden Boat Ride: Let a traditionally dressed boatman or boatwoman row you through West Lake while sharing tales and legends of the area.

West Lake Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience: Visit the West Lake Community Cultural Center for hands-on workshops like Wangxingji Fan-making and Zhang Xiaoquan Scissor forging. Learn from master artisans and create your own cultural souvenir.

Travel Tip:

West Lake is vast and rich in attractions. If you're deeply interested in exploring its beauty and stories, consider dedicating a full day to a personalized West Lake City Walk.

In the afternoon, head to Qinghefang Street again, this time to stroll freely and enjoy a food-focused exploration. Discover the flavors of Hangzhou at your own pace.

Recommended Local Dishes:

West Lake Vinegar Fish, Dongpo Pork, Longjing Shrimp, Beggar’s Chicken, and Hangzhou Three Delicacies.

Afterward, proceed to the Grand Canal, an ancient engineering marvel. First built in 486 BC and expanded over centuries through the Sui, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties, the Grand Canal is the longest and one of the oldest man-made waterways in the world. It remains in use today, representing the brilliance of ancient Chinese engineering.

Evening Option:

Hangzhou Grand Canal Night Cruise. In the evening, board a night cruise at Wulinmen Pier. Your route includes highlights like the West Lake Cultural Plaza, Chaohui Bridge, Chao Wang Bridge, the Imperial Wharf, and the iconic Gongchen Bridge, known as the “First Ancient Bridge of Jiangnan.” Along the way, admire the beautiful lightscape curated by world-renowned designer Roger Narboni, capturing the charm of Jiangnan's water towns in a symphony of shadow and light.