The best guide for a two-day trip to Hangzhou

A travel guide that blends the romantic West Lake with a thousand-year history

Hangzhou, located on the southeast coast of China, is a city with a thousand-year history and romantic style. . As one of China's seven ancient capitals, Hangzhou is world-famous for its beautiful natural scenery and rich history and culture. For tourists who want to experience the beauty of Hangzhou, a one-day trip is far from enough. Therefore, this article will provide you with the best guide for a two-day trip to Hangzhou, so that you can fully experience the charm of this city.

Day 1: Explore West Lake

One of the iconic attractions in Hangzhou is undoubtedly the West Lake. As one of the four famous lakes in China, West Lake attracts countless tourists with its beautiful natural scenery and romantic legends. The first day's trip started from West Lake.

Morning: Visit the main attractions of West Lake

In the morning, you can choose to take a cruise to visit West Lake and enjoy the scenery of the lake and mountains. First, you can go to Broken Bridge, one of the most famous attractions in West Lake and a landmark building in Hangzhou. It is said that on this bridge, a couple in love can stay together forever without being separated. Next, you can head to Santan Reflecting the Moon, an attraction made up of three connected lakes, each with its own unique scenery and legends. Finally, you can visit Huagang Fish Viewing, a beautiful garden with a variety of flowers and fish.

Noon: Taste Hangzhou’s special delicacies

At noon, you can go to Hangzhou’s famous food street - Southern Song Dynasty Royal Street to taste local specialties. Hangzhou cuisine is known for being light and refreshing, and you can try some famous dishes such as West Lake Fish in Vinegar, Dongpo Pork, and Longjing Shrimp. In addition, you can also taste some traditional snacks such as beggar's chicken and fried shrimps.

Afternoon: Explore Lingyin Temple and Leifeng Pagoda

In the afternoon, you can visit two other famous attractions in Hangzhou - Lingyin Temple and Leifeng Pagoda. Lingyin Temple is one of the birthplaces of Zen Buddhism in China. There are many ancient buildings and cultural relics in the temple, such as Feilai Peak and the Seven Buddhas. Leifeng Pagoda is another landmark building in Hangzhou. Many precious Buddhist cultural relics are preserved in the tower. You can feel the rich historical atmosphere in these ancient temples and towers.

Evening: Taste the night and delicious food

In the evening, you can return to the West Lake and enjoy the beautiful scenery at night . The night view of the West Lake is very charming. The lights on the lake and the surrounding buildings illuminate the entire lake, creating a romantic atmosphere. You can choose to taste local delicacies at the lakeside restaurants while enjoying the night view. If you are interested in nightlife, you can also go to the night market near West Lake to experience the local night culture.

Day Two: Experience Thousand Years of History

The second day’s itinerary will give you an in-depth understanding of Hangzhou’s thousand-year history and culture.

Morning: Visit Songcheng Scenic Area

In the morning, you can go to Songcheng Scenic Area in Hangzhou, which is a theme park that recreates the style of the Song Dynasty. Here, you can travel through time and space and feel the style of Hangzhou thousands of years ago. There are many ancient buildings and performances in the scenic area, such as the large-scale live-action drama "Eternal Love in Songcheng" and the streets of the Song Dynasty, making you feel like you are in ancient Hangzhou.

Noon: Taste traditional tea culture

At noon, you can go to the famous Longjing Village in Hangzhou to taste traditional Longjing tea. Longjing tea is one of the most famous green teas in China, loved by tea lovers around the world for its refreshing fragrance and unique taste. You can visit a tea garden and learn about the tea picking and making process while tasting authentic Longjing tea.

Afternoon: Visit museums and ancient streets

In the afternoon, you can go to the museums in Hangzhou to learn about the history and culture of Hangzhou. Hangzhou Museum is one of the most important museums in China, with a large collection of historical relics and works of art. You can learn about Hangzhou's historical development and cultural heritage here. Afterwards, you can go to Hangzhou’s ancient streets, such as Hefang Street and Southern Song Dynasty Imperial Street, to admire the ancient architecture and shop.

Evening: Savor the nightlife of Hangzhou

In the evening, you can choose to participate in a traditional Hangzhou performance, such as acrobatics or Peking opera. These performances will showcase Hangzhou's traditional art and culture to you. If you are interested in nightlife, you can also go to night markets or bars in Hangzhou to experience the local night culture.

With this best guide for a two-day trip to Hangzhou, you will be able to fully experience Hangzhou’s natural scenery and thousand-year history. Whether you are admiring the beauty of West Lake, tasting Hangzhou’s food, or exploring Hangzhou’s history and culture, you will be deeply impressed. I hope you have a pleasant and unforgettable time during your trip to Hangzhou!