Zhejiang Province Grand Loop Road Trip

A grand loop covering Hangzhou, southwestern Zhejiang, Lishui, Wenzhou, Taizhou, and Shaoxing, taking you through the province's finest landscapes and cultural heritage.

An extended itinerary adjusted from multiple loop road trip plans, running clockwise through Hangzhou, the upper reaches of the Qiantang River, Quzhou, Lishui, Nanxi River, Yandang Mountain, Tiantai, and Shaoxing, before returning to Hangzhou. The daily driving time is mostly within 3 hours, with a few longer days when crossing municipal boundaries. Zhoushan, Cangnan, and Jiaxing are excluded from the loop to keep the trip under two weeks. It is ideal for travelers with a full holiday who have already visited Hangzhou or wish to see the entire province.

July to September is the typhoon season; pay attention to weather warnings along coastal and mountain roads, and avoid driving during storms.

Day by day

Day 1 · Stroll Along West Lake

Central Hangzhou（Broken Bridge & Bai Causeway、Su Causeway、Leifeng Pagoda）

Upon arrival in Hangzhou, take the metro to Longxiangqiao, walk along the lake, and take a cruise. Keep the car rental for Day 3.

Stay: Hubin / Longxiang Bridge

Day 2 · Lingyin Temple and Longjing Tea Village

Central Hangzhou（Lingyin Temple & Feilai Feng、Longjing Village、Hefang Street & Southern Song Imperial Street）

Take a taxi from the lakeshore to Lingyin Temple, proceed to Longjing Village, and return to Hefang Street in the evening.

Stay: Hubin / Longxiang Bridge

Day 3 · Fuchun River to Xin'an River

Tonglu（Fuchun River & Yan Ziling Fishing Terrace） → Jiande（Xin'an River Mist & Baisha Bridge）

Pick up your rental car in Hangzhou and drive about 1.5 hours to Yanziling Fishing Platform, then drive about 1 hour to Jiande Xin'an River.

Stay: Xin'an River Urban Area

Day 4 · Zhuge Village to Longyou Grottoes

Jinhua City & Lanxi（Zhuge Bagua Village） → Quzhou & Longyou（Longyou Grottoes）

Drive from Jiande for about 1 hour to Zhuge Eight Diagrams Village, visit the Longyou Grottoes in the afternoon, and arrive in Quzhou in the evening.

Stay: Shuitingmen

Day 5 · Southern Confucian Ancient City to Jianglang Mountain

Quzhou & Longyou（Southern Kong Family Temple、Shuitingmen Historic Block） → Jiangshan（Mount Jianglang）

Explore Shuitingmen and the Ancestral Temple on foot in the morning, and drive about 1 hour to Jianglang Mountain in the afternoon.

The Southern Confucian Ancestral Temple is closed on Mondays; adjust your dates accordingly.

Stay: Around Jianglang Mountain Scenic Area

Day 6 · Xianxia Pass to Nianbadu

Jiangshan（Xianxia Pass & Ancient Road、Nianbadu Ancient Town）

Drive south along G205 for about 1 hour to Xianxia Pass, proceed to Nianbadu, and stay overnight in the ancient town.

Stay: Nianbadu Ancient Town

Day 7 · Drive Over the Mountains to Songyang Ancient Villages

Lishui Green Valley（Songyang Ancient Villages (Yangjiatang)、Songyang Old Street）

Drive from Nianbadu via the highway and mountain roads for about 3 hours to Songyang, and visit Yangjiatang in the afternoon.

This is a long driving day across municipal boundaries; check road conditions before setting off.

Stay: Songyang Old Town · Yangjiatang

Day 8 · Sunset at Yunhe Rice Terraces

Lishui Green Valley（Yunhe Terraces）

Drive from Songyang via the highway and mountain roads for about 1.5 hours to Yunhe. Stay halfway up the mountain to watch the sunset and sunrise.

Stay: Yunhe Terraces

Day 9 · Guyan Huaxiang to Xiandu

Lishui Green Valley（Guyan Huaxiang & Tongji Weir、Xiandu Scenic Area & Dinghu Peak）

Drive from Yunhe for about 1.5 hours to Guyan Huaxiang, then drive another 1.5 hours to Xiandu.

Stay: Xiandu Scenic Area

Day 10 · Xiandu to Shenxianju

Lishui Green Valley（Xiaochibi (Xiandu)） → Xianju（Gaoqian Ancient Village）

Watch the morning mist at Xiao Chibi, drive about 1.5 hours to Baita, and visit Gaoqian in the afternoon.

Stay: Baita Town

Day 11 · Shenxianju to Nanxi River

Xianju（Shenxianju Scenic Area） → Wenzhou & Nanxi River（Yantou Lishui Street、Cangpo Ancient Village）

Explore Shenxianju in the morning, and drive via the Zhuyong Highway for about 2 hours to Yantou in the afternoon.

The cable car at Shenxianju may be suspended during strong winds, heavy rain, or thick fog.

Stay: Yantou Town

Day 12 · Shiweiyan to Yandang Night Views

Wenzhou & Nanxi River（Shiweiyan (Stone Mast Rock)） → Yandang Mountains（Yandangshan Lingfeng Scenic Area、Lingfeng Night Silhouettes）

Drive from Yantou along mountain roads for about 1.5 hours to Shiweiyan, then drive about 2 hours to Yandang Mountain.

The mountain road to Shiweiyan has many sharp bends; drive with caution on rainy days.

Stay: Xiangling Tou Area near Lingfeng

Day 13 · Dalongqiu to Linhai Ancient City

Yandang Mountains（Yandangshan Lingyan Scenic Area、Dalongqiu Waterfall） → Taizhou & Linhai（Ziyang Street、Taizhou Fucheng City Wall）

Visit Lingyan and Dalongqiu in the morning, and drive via the Shenhai Highway for about 1.5 hours to Linhai in the afternoon.

Stay: Ziyang Street Old Town

Day 14 · Guoqing Temple to Shaoxing

Mount Tiantai（Guoqing Temple） → Shaoxing（Lu Xun's Hometown、Shen Garden）

Drive from Linhai for about 1 hour to Tiantai Guoqing Temple, and drive about 1.5 hours to Shaoxing in the afternoon.

Admission to Lu Xun's Native Place is free, but you must reserve a time slot in advance.

Stay: Cangqiao Street & Luxun's Former Residence

Day 15 · Lanting and Return to Hangzhou

Shaoxing（Lanting (Orchid Pavilion)）

Drive from Shaoxing for about half an hour to Lanting, then drive about 1 hour back to Hangzhou to return the rental car.