West Lake — The Soul of Hangzhou
West Lake (Xihu) is Hangzhou's heart and soul. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it has inspired poets, painters, and emperors for over a thousand years. The lake's Ten Scenes include "Spring Dawn at Su Causeway," "Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard," and "Leifeng Pagoda in Evening Glow."
Lingyin Temple — Soul's Retreat
Lingyin Temple (Temple of Soul's Retreat) is one of China's largest and wealthiest Buddhist temples, founded in 328 AD. The adjacent Feilai Feng grottoes contain 300+ Buddhist stone carvings from the 10th–14th centuries.
Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea Plantation
Visit the terraced tea fields of Meijiawu Village where Longjing (Dragon Well) tea — China's most revered green tea — has been cultivated since the Tang Dynasty. Watch tea masters hand-roast leaves and participate in a traditional ceremony.
Wuzhen Water Town
Wuzhen is the most beautiful water town in Jiangnan — a thousand-year-old settlement of stone bridges, wooden houses, and quiet canals 80 km from Hangzhou.
Xitang Water Town
Xitang is famous for a kilometer of covered walkways lining its canals and for being the backdrop of Mission: Impossible III. More intimate and romantic than Wuzhen.
Zhouzhuang Water Town
Zhouzhuang is often called China's oldest water town, famous for its Twin Bridges and well-preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture.
Tongli Water Town
Tongli is known for its classical Chinese gardens within a water town setting, especially the UNESCO-listed Retreat & Reflection Garden.
Tangqi Ancient Town
Tangqi is the closest water town to Hangzhou and the only one with free entry. Famous for its Guangji Bridge and traditional pastry shops.
Longmen Ancient Town
Longmen Ancient Town is home to the descendants of Sun Quan, a Three Kingdoms warlord. Its well-preserved Ming and Qing architecture and cobblestone lanes feel frozen in time.
Six Harmonies Pagoda
Built in 970 AD to calm the Qiantang River tidal bore, Six Harmonies Pagoda offers panoramic views of the river and surrounding hills from its 60-meter height.
Song Dynasty Town
Song Dynasty Town is a large cultural theme park that recreates the streets, architecture, and daily life of Hangzhou during its golden age as the Southern Song capital.
Qinghefang Ancient Street
Qinghefang is Hangzhou's best-preserved historic street, lined with traditional medicine shops, tea houses, silk stores, and street food vendors.
China National Silk Museum
Located in Hangzhou — China's historic silk capital — the China National Silk Museum traces 5,000 years of silk production from silkworm to finished textile.
Xiling Seal Society — Stone Seal Carving Art
The Xiling Seal Society on Solitary Hill is China's oldest and most prestigious seal-carving society, dedicated to the art of stone seal engraving.