Hangzhou 4-Day Tea Culture & Canal Tour
Hangzhou Hidden Side: Longjing Tea Plantations + Grand Canal Walk
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Broken Bridge → Bai Causeway → Su Causeway → Leifeng Pagoda
Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area - Broken Bridge
The Broken Bridge, located at the eastern end of Bai Causeway on Hangzhou's West Lake, is one of the most famous attractions on the West Lake and the site of 'Remnant Snow on the Broken Bridge,' one of the 'Ten Scenes of West Lake.' It is famous for its elegant arch and ancient legends, especially the love story of Lady White Snake and Xu Xian meeting in 'The Legend of the White Snake,' which adds to its romantic allure. After a winter snowfall, the sunny side of the bridge melts due to sunlight, while the shaded side remains covered in white snow. When viewed from above, the bridge appears to be broken yet not broken, hence its name. The Broken Bridge is an important passage connecting Bai Causeway and Gushan Island, and an excellent spot to enjoy the scenery of West Lake.
Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area - Bai Causeway
Bai Causeway, also known as Baisha Causeway, is located within the Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area, connecting Broken Bridge and Gushan Mountain, and is one of the three famous causeways of West Lake. Bai Causeway boasts beautiful scenery, with willows and peach blossoms planted along its path, making it particularly charming in spring. Since the Tang Dynasty, Bai Causeway, with its natural beauty and historical sites, has profoundly influenced Chinese poets and painters and is an important part of Hangzhou West Lake.
Su Causeway
Su Causeway is a famous north-south causeway within the Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area, and is the location of "Dawn on the Su Causeway in Spring," one of the "Ten Scenes of West Lake." The causeway is adorned with lush flowers and trees, with peach and willow trees lining its banks, creating picturesque scenery. It is one of the classic routes for touring West Lake. It was constructed under the supervision of the Northern Song Dynasty poet Su Shi when he served as the prefect of Hangzhou. The causeway is 2.8 kilometers long and divides West Lake into inner and outer parts. Su Causeway is not only a beautiful scenic line but also carries rich historical and cultural heritage, making it an important component of the World Cultural Heritage site – the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou.
Leifeng Pagoda Scenic Area
Leifeng Pagoda, located on Sunset Hill on the southern bank of West Lake in Hangzhou, is a five-story, octagonal brick and wood Buddhist pagoda. It was first built in 975 AD by King Qian Chu of Wuyue to enshrine the Buddha's hair relic and pray for national peace and prosperity. During the Ming Dynasty, the pagoda's wooden structure was burned down by Japanese pirates, leaving only the brick tower. In 1924, it collapsed due to disrepair and theft of bricks by locals. Reconstructed and completed in 2002, the new pagoda features modern facilities such as elevators and air conditioning, and preserves the original pagoda's underground palace ruins and excavated artifacts. Leifeng Pagoda is not only the main subject of "Leifeng Pagoda in Evening Glow," one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake, but is also renowned for its close association with the Chinese folk tale "Legend of the White Snake," making it an iconic attraction and an important historical and cultural heritage site in Hangzhou.
2
Lingyin Temple → Feilai Peak → Meijiawu Tea Village (or Longjing Village)
Lingyin Temple
Lingyin Temple (Temple of the Soul's Retreat), also known as "Lingyin Temple", is a renowned Chan Buddhist temple located at the foot of the Northwest Peak of West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. It is famous for its numerous pagodas and grottoes. The temple is the largest among several temples in Wulin Mountain (Wǔlínshān), which is known for its famous grottoes and religious stone carvings. According to legend, the temple was founded by the Indian monk Huili during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (328 AD). During its heyday, under the rule of the Wuyue Kingdom (907-978 AD), the temple boasted 18 pavilions, 72 halls, over 1,300 monks' quarters, and housed more than 3,000 monks. Many exquisite Buddhist stone carvings in the Feilai Peak Grottoes and surrounding mountains also date back to this period. Today, Lingyin Temple is a thriving destination for both pilgrims and tourists. It is considered one of the wealthiest temples in China.
Feilai Peak
Feilai Peak, also known as Lingjiu Peak, is located in front of Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou. It stands 168 meters high, boasting breathtaking scenery. It is composed of limestone, with rugged and strangely shaped rocks, distinct from the surrounding mountains. Legend has it that this peak 'flew' here from India, hence its name. Feilai Peak features numerous grottoes and cliffside stone carvings, especially Tibetan Buddhist sculptures from the Yuan Dynasty and Buddhist sculptures from the Song Dynasty, which are historically significant and of extremely high artistic value. The peak is riddled with caves, such as Qinglin Cave, Yurui Cave, Longhong Cave, etc., among which the 'A Ray of Sky' (Yixiantian) landscape in the main cave is particularly captivating. Feilai Peak and Lingyin Temple together form the famous Lingyin-Feilai Peak Scenic Area, a representative attraction showcasing Hangzhou's Buddhist culture and natural beauty.
Meijiawu Tea Culture Village
Meijiawu Tea Culture Village is located in the western part of Hangzhou's West Lake Scenic Area, and is one of the primary protection zones and main production areas for West Lake Longjing tea. Surrounded by green hills and layered tea mountains, with fresh air, it is an excellent place to experience Hangzhou's tea culture and taste authentic Longjing tea. Visitors can learn about the tea picking and processing techniques, savor local farm dishes, and experience tranquil rural life.
Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area - Old Longjing
Longjing Village is located within the Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area and is a famous tea producing region in China, particularly renowned for its production of West Lake Longjing tea. It is one of the original birthplaces of Longjing tea, boasting unique natural conditions, including a suitable climate, abundant rainfall, and ample sunlight, which contribute to the lush growth of tea trees and superior tea quality. Visitors can stroll through the tea plantations, learn about the cultivation, harvesting, and production processes of Longjing tea, and taste authentic West Lake Longjing tea. The village environment is beautiful, filled with pastoral scenery and a rich tea culture atmosphere.
3
Gongchen Bridge → Xiaohe Straight Street Historic Block → China Umbrella Museum
Gongchen Bridge
Gongchen Bridge is a historic stone arch bridge located on the Grand Canal in Gongshu District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China, connecting the two banks of the canal. It was originally built in the third year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty (1631) and rebuilt in the eleventh year of Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty (1885). On May 6, 2013, it was designated as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level (the seventh batch) by the State Council of the People's Republic of China. The bridge and its surrounding Gongchen Bridge West Historical and Cultural Block are an important part of the Grand Canal culture and a significant historical and cultural landmark in Hangzhou.
Xiaohe Historical and Cultural Block
The Xiaohe Historical and Cultural Block, also known as Xiaohe Zhijie, is located in Gongshu District, Hangzhou City. It is a well-preserved Jiangnan water town block that still retains the rustic charm of white walls and black tiles, small bridges, and flowing water. It showcases the unique urban life and rich historical and cultural heritage along Hangzhou's Grand Canal. The block features many time-honored shops, tea houses, handicraft workshops, and specialty restaurants, making it an excellent place to experience Hangzhou's slow-paced life and immerse oneself in Canal culture.
China Umbrella Museum
The China Umbrella Museum is the world's first museum dedicated to umbrellas, located in the Xiaohe Historical Block of Gongshu District, Hangzhou. Through rich exhibits, vivid scenes, and interactive experiences, it showcases the history of Chinese umbrellas, including their origin, development, cultural connotations, and craftsmanship. The museum collects a wide variety of traditional Chinese umbrellas and distinctive umbrellas from around the world, serving as an important window into Chinese umbrella culture and intangible cultural heritage.
4
Hefang Street → Southern Song Imperial Street → Former Residence of Hu Xueyan
Hefang Street
Hefang Street is a famous historical and cultural street in Hangzhou, located at the foot of Wushan Mountain, and is an important part of the historical character of Hangzhou's old town. It was once the center of Lin'an City during the Southern Song Dynasty, and still retains a large number of time-honored shops and traditional handicrafts. It is a great place to experience Hangzhou's history and culture, taste local snacks, and buy specialty goods.
Southern Song Imperial Street
Southern Song Imperial Street was the central avenue of Lin'an, the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty. It stretched for approximately 4185 meters and was the essential route for emperors to conduct sacrifices, receive congratulations, issue edicts, and watch folk performances. Today's Southern Song Imperial Street is a historical and cultural block rebuilt on its original site. It retains many time-honored shops and distinctive buildings on both sides, blending historical charm with modern commercial vibrancy. It is an excellent place to experience Hangzhou's history and culture, savor local snacks, and purchase cultural and creative products.
Hu Xueyan's Former Residence
Hu Xueyan's Former Residence is located at No. 18 Yuanbao Street, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou City. It is a private mansion built by Hu Xueyan, a famous 'red-hat' merchant of the late Qing Dynasty, starting in 1872 (the eleventh year of Tongzhi) and completed three years later in 1875 (the first year of Guangxu). The residence covers an area of 10.8 mu (0.72 hectares) and cost 100,000 taels of silver. The architecture combines traditional Chinese courtyard style with features of Jiangnan gardens, earning it the reputation of 'the foremost luxury mansion in Jiangnan'. Inside the residence, pavilions, terraces, towers, small bridges over flowing water, and artificial rockeries are meticulously arranged, showcasing Hu Xueyan's wealth and taste. Hu Xueyan's Former Residence is also a national key cultural relic protection unit.
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