5-Day Hangzhou Tour | Classic Combination of West Lake and Lingyin Temple・A Guide for All Travelers

Hangzhou, a paradise on earth by the Qiantang River, boasts the subtle beauty of West Lake, the serene tranquility of Lingyin Temple, and the picturesque reed-filled waterways of Xixi Wetland. Take a stroll along Su Causeway with your elders, watch a show at Songcheng with your children. Here, every day you can encounter the gentle embrace of poetry and vibrant life. 🗓️Itinerary Overview D1: Arrive in Hangzhou → West Lake (Broken Bridge in Winter → Autumn Moon Over the Calm Lake → Leifeng Pagoda) → Hefang Street D2: Lingyin Temple → Feilai Peak → Longjing Village → Nine Creeks in Misty Forest D3: Xixi National Wetland Park → Songcheng D4: Qiandao Lake Central Lake Area → Meifeng Island → Yule Island D5: Qinghefang Ancient Street → Hangzhou Museum → Departure 🌊Day 1: Dreamy West Lake・Ancient Street Charm 📍West Lake (Free, Leifeng Pagoda 40 CNY) Key Highlights: "Three Sides of Mountains, One Side of City", Broken Bridge is a landmark of love, Autumn Moon Over the Calm Lake is best for moon viewing, and climbing Leifeng Pagoda offers panoramic views of West Lake. Elders can save energy by taking the lake-circling sightseeing bus (40 CNY/person), while children can feed red carp at "Viewing Fish at Flower Pond" (10 CNY/bag). The peach blossoms on Su Causeway in spring and the sweet osmanthus rain in Manlong in autumn are incredibly beautiful. 🕙Suggested Time: 9:00-16:00 📸Photo Spots: Broken Bridge in Winter (capture people with the bridge, fewer crowds in the early morning), top floor of Leifeng Pagoda (for panoramic views of West Lake) 💡Tips: Cycling around the lake (bike rental 30 CNY/day) offers more freedom; for elders, consider a West Lake cruise (55 CNY/person) for sightseeing. 📍Hefang Street (Free) Key Highlights: A Southern Song Dynasty ancient street with time-honored brands like Hu Qing Yu Tang and Zhang Xiaoquan Scissors. Elders can watch dough figurine making (20 CNY/piece), and children can buy Ding Sheng Gao (victory cake) (5 CNY/piece). When the lanterns light up at night, it feels like traveling back in time. 🕙Suggested Time: 18:00-20:00 🍜Recommended Dining: "Zhi Wei Guan" on Hefang Street. Must-try dishes include West Lake Vinegar Fish (68 CNY/portion), Dongpo Pork (30 CNY/piece), and Cat's Ear Noodles (15 CNY/bowl). Average cost per person is 60 CNY, classic Hangzhou cuisine. 🏨Recommended Accommodation: "Grand Hyatt Hangzhou" by West Lake (5-minute walk to Broken Bridge, with family rooms), prices 800-1200 CNY/night; for budget-friendly options, choose "Home Inn Selected" (300-400 CNY/night, near subway). 🗼Day 2: Serene Zen・Fragrant Tea Stroll 📍Lingyin Temple (4A, Feilai Peak 45 CNY + Lingyin Temple 30 CNY) Key Highlights: Hangzhou's oldest Buddhist temple, where Ji Gong became a monk. The Sakyamuni Buddha statue in the Grand Hall is 19.6 meters tall. Elders can pray for health and peace in the Medicine Buddha Hall, while children can see the stone carvings on "Feilai Peak" (over 100 Buddha statues). Ancient cypresses tower within the temple, creating a strong Zen atmosphere. 🕙Opening Hours: 7:30-17:00, suggested 9:00-11:30 💡Tips: Long pants are required to enter the temple; each person receives 3 free incense sticks, do not buy overpriced ones. 📍Longjing Village (Free) Key Highlights: Known as the "Hometown of Chinese Famous Tea," you can experience tea picking (50 CNY/person, stir-fry tea to take home). Elders can dine at a tea farmer's house (Longjing Shrimp 88 CNY/portion), and children can identify tea trees and pick tea leaves, experiencing tea culture. 🕙Suggested Time: 13:30-15:30 📍Nine Creeks in Misty Forest (Free) Key Highlights: Known as "Little Jiuzhai," streams flow through the forest with "Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies." Elders can stroll along the stone paths, and children can play in the shallow water (bring spare shoes). In autumn, the red leaves and streams create a picturesque scene. 🕙Suggested Time: 16:00-17:30 🌿Day 3: Wetland Boating・Songcheng Carnival 📍Xixi National Wetland Park (5A, entrance ticket 80 CNY + electric boat 60 CNY) Key Highlights: The "Kidney of the City," filming location for "If You Are The One." Take an electric boat to explore "Three Causeways and Ten Scenic Spots." Elders can listen to Yue Opera at "Yan Shui Yu Zhuang" (free), and children can chase butterflies on "Green Causeway." The Flower Festival in spring is very lively. 🕙Opening Hours: 8:30-17:30, suggested 9:00-13:00 📸Photo Spots: Fu Causeway (capture reed beds and wooden bridges, Hanfu attire makes for better photos) 📍Songcheng (4A, entrance ticket from 310 CNY, includes show) Key Highlights: A Song Dynasty-themed amusement park. The "Romance of the Song Dynasty" show (a must-see, 1 hour) is spectacular. Elders can watch the interactive "Throwing an Embroidered Ball to Choose a Husband," and children can enjoy "Time Travel Flash Mob" and the "Haunted House." There's an iron flower performance at night (20:30). 🕙Opening Hours: 10:00-21:00, suggested 14:00-20:00 💡Tips: Choose the 15:00 show to avoid peak crowds; for children, ancient costumes can be rented (50 CNY/set). 🏞️Day 4: Qiandao Lake Scenery・Island Fun 📍Qiandao Lake Central Lake Area (5A, entrance ticket 130 CNY + boat ticket 65 CNY) Key Highlights: "The Most Beautiful Water Under Heaven" with 1078 islands. Climb the observation deck on Meifeng Island to see "thousands of islands scattered like stars." At Yule Island, you can feed fish and eat Qiandao Lake fish head. Elders can take the cable car up and down Meifeng Island (round trip 60 CNY), and children can ride water bikes at Yule Island (50 CNY/hour). 🕙Opening Hours: 8:00-15:00 (boat schedule), suggested departure at 8 AM 💡Tips: The drive is 1.5 hours, you can take a tourist bus (60 CNY/person); food on the islands is expensive, bring some snacks. 📍Meifeng Island + Yule Island (included in ticket) Key Highlights: Meifeng Island is the iconic viewing spot of Qiandao Lake, and Yule Island is suitable for parent-child interaction. Elders can rest under sun shelters, and children can watch the "transgender show" (free). The fish head soup (120 CNY/portion) at the lake-view restaurant is a must-try. 🏮Day 5: Ancient Street Finale・Cultural History 📍Qinghefang Ancient Street (Free) Key Highlights: More tranquil than Hefang Street, with relics of the "Southern Song Imperial Street." Elders can learn about traditional Chinese medicine culture at "Bao He Tang," and children can buy "West Lake Lotus Root Starch" (20 CNY/bag) as a snack. Suitable for buying souvenirs. 🕙Suggested Time: 9:00-11:00 📍Hangzhou Museum (Free, reservation required) Key Highlights: Collections include "Goldware of the Wuyue Kingdom in the Five Dynasties" and "Southern Song Official Kiln Porcelain." The children's area offers "simulated archaeology" (20 CNY/session). Elders can visit the "History of Hangzhou" exhibition to learn about the city's millennium-old stories. 🕙Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 (closed on Mondays), suggested 14:00-16:00 🍜Recommended Dining: "Kui Yuan Guan" near the museum. Must-try dishes include Shrimp and Eel Noodles (45 CNY/bowl) and Pian'erchuan Noodles (20 CNY/bowl). Average cost per person is 35 CNY, a century-old noodle restaurant. ✨Hangzhou Survival Guide 1️⃣Transportation: Subway Lines 1-19 cover the urban area (2-8 CNY). Use Alipay to get a "Hangzhou Electronic Bus Card." Lake-circling bus route 51 (2 CNY) is convenient. To Qiandao Lake, take a high-speed train (Hangzhou East → Qiandao Lake, 45 minutes) + bus, or charter a car (300 CNY/trip). 2️⃣Clothing: In spring and autumn, wear a light jacket (windy by West Lake). In summer, wear short sleeves + sun protection clothing (strong UV rays in wetlands and Qiandao Lake). In winter, wear a down jacket + scarf (cold and damp). Bring athletic shoes (Su Causeway and Nine Creeks require a lot of walking). 3️⃣Taboos: Do not step on the threshold or make loud noises at Lingyin Temple; no fishing during West Lake's fishing ban (March-June); do not stand up and block others' views during performances at Songcheng. 4️⃣Accommodation: Stay by West Lake for the first 3 days (convenient for sightseeing). For Qiandao Lake, you can stay one night (lake-view B&B 400-600 CNY/night). For children, choose hotels with kids' toothbrushes; for elders, choose hotels with elevators (many old town buildings have stairs). 🛍️Must-Buy Souvenirs ① West Lake Longjing Tea (Pre-Qingming tea 200-500 CNY/500g, buy in Longjing Village for authenticity) ② Hangzhou Silk (Silk scarves 80-200 CNY/piece, "Du Jinsheng" is a reliable old brand) ③ Southern Song Hu Ji Pastries (Ding Sheng Gao, Lotus Flower Pastry gift box 50 CNY/box, sweet but not greasy) ④ Qiandao Lake Dried Fish (Vacuum-packed 40 CNY/bag, original/spicy flavor, popular with elders and children) The beauty of Hangzhou is the clear waters of West Lake, the wisp of sandalwood incense at Lingyin Temple, and the time-travel experience at Songcheng. Whether you're counting willows on Su Causeway with your parents, chasing dragonflies by Qiandao Lake with your children, or sharing a sugar painting with friends on Hefang Street, Hangzhou has a gentle charm that will make you want to linger. If you come to Hangzhou, would you rather visit Broken Bridge at West Lake first, or watch the Romance of the Song Dynasty show at Songcheng?