Hangzhou First Visit Highlights

West Lake circuit, Lingyin and Longjing, and the old town of Hefang Street: three days to see Hangzhou's core sights.

Arranged by area. Day one circles West Lake, passing Broken Bridge, Gushan and Su Causeway, and takes a boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon. Day two goes to Lingyin Temple in the western hills, the Tea Museum and Longjing Village. Day three visits Wu Hill and Hefang Street before you leave. The whole trip is based on the lakeside, mainly on foot, by metro and by bus, at a moderate pace. It suits first-time visitors with limited time. The Grand Canal and Xixi are saved for next time.

Spring peach and willow blossoms and autumn osmanthus are the best seasons. West Lake draws huge crowds during holidays.

Day by day

Day 1 · West Lake Circuit and Three Pools Mirroring the Moon

Central Hangzhou（Broken Bridge & Bai Causeway、Gushan Hill & Xiling Seal Engravers' Society、Su Causeway、Three Pools Mirroring the Moon、Leifeng Pagoda）

From Hangzhou East Station, take Metro Line 1 to Longxiang Bridge to leave your luggage. Walk around the lake, ride a shared bike along the Su Causeway, and take a boat from Huagang Pier to Xiaoyingzhou and back.

Boat tickets are sold at the piers. The queues to reach the island are long during holidays.

Stay: Hubin / Longxiang Bridge

Day 2 · Lingyin Temple and Longjing Tea Village

Central Hangzhou（Lingyin Temple & Feilai Feng、China National Tea Museum、Longjing Village）

Take a bus or taxi from Longxiang Bridge to Lingyin, about 25 minutes. In the afternoon, take a taxi to the Shuangfeng Tea Museum, about 15 minutes, then walk or take a taxi to Longjing Village.

Arrive at Lingyin before 8:30 a.m. The Tea Museum is closed on Mondays.

Stay: Hubin / Longxiang Bridge

Day 3 · Wu Hill, Hefang Street and Leaving Hangzhou

Central Hangzhou（Wushan Hill & City God Pavilion、Hefang Street & Southern Song Imperial Street、Deshou Palace Site Museum）

Walk from the lakeside or take the metro to Ding'an Road, then climb Wu Hill. Continue on foot along Hefang Street and the Southern Song Imperial Street. In the afternoon, take Metro Line 1 to Hangzhou East Station, about 30 minutes.

Deshou Palace requires advance online booking.

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