Heavenly Hangzhou: Lakeside Serenity, Poetic Tea & Zen Charm

Hello and welcome to paradise on Earth – Hangzhou! At 1 PM, we’ll gather at the hotel for a welcome meeting, giving everyone a chance to meet and go over the journey ahead before we set off. Our first stop is the iconic West Lake, but we’ll skip the crowds and wander into its quietest corners. Perhaps we’ll stroll along the western edge of Yang Gong Causeway to Maojiabu, where reeds sway and wild ducks play, a scene straight out of a forgotten ink painting. Or we might slip through the cedar groves of Turtle Pool, watching the afternoon light dance over mossy stone steps. The highlight, however, is boarding a hand-pulled boat to explore the hidden waterways unreachable from shore – winding under arched bridges, startling egrets into flight, or drifting into secluded coves dotted with blooming water lilies. As dusk falls, we recommend heading to a lakeside restaurant for dinner. From the terrace or a window seat, the distant hills darken like ink, the shadow of Leifeng Pagoda stretches across the water, and the lake breeze mingles with the scent of lotus. There, you can savor the fresh richness of West Lake Vinegar Fish and the delicate elegance of Longjing Shrimp. If the moon is out, you might even catch the lanterns of the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon gently swaying across the shimmering lake.

Today we slow the pace and spend a full day exploring Lingyin Temple, a place that is far more than one of China’s most visited temples. This is a layered sanctuary where natural wonders, thousand-year-old stone carvings, secluded monasteries and living Buddhist culture come together in a deeply atmospheric setting. Our exploration unfolds step by step. We begin at the Feilai Feng Grottoes, pausing before cliffside carvings shaped by the Tang, Song, Yuan and Ming dynasties — weathered stone figures that seem to speak across centuries. From here, we move into the main halls of Lingyin Temple itself, where drifting incense and the rhythm of bells create a powerful sense of devotion and continuity. At midday, we sit down inside the temple for a simple bowl of Lingyin vegetarian noodles — clean, nourishing flavours that reflect the quiet philosophy of temple life. In the afternoon, we climb higher into the forested hills to visit Yongfu Temple, a tranquil retreat tucked among bamboo and streams. By the tea house beside the water, we experience a classic Zen ideal: a temple within a garden, and a garden that is itself a forest monastery. In the evening, we recommend visiting the City Balcony to see Hangzhou’s modern skyline come alive, and on Tuesday, Friday or Saturday, catch a light show that turns the riverfront into a glowing story of the city’s past and present.

Today we step onto a living timeline – the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal. Once the backbone of imperial grain transport, the canal now carries us through Hangzhou’s everyday life, from historic neighbourhoods to quiet riverside streets. We begin in the Qiaoxi Historic District, an area once filled with canal warehouses and workshops, now reimagined as an open-air craft museum. Wandering through the exhibitions, you’ll get a sense of the artisan spirit that flourished along the canal’s trade routes. A gentle walk along the water leads us into the slower rhythm of Xiaohezhi Street. Beneath grey-tiled roofs and wooden doors, independent bookshops, riverside cafes and old barbershops sit side by side. Step into a teahouse and you may find the owner brewing Longjing with canal water. Sit under the eaves, sip your tea and listen to locals chatting in the soft Hangzhou dialect – centuries of canal prosperity distilled into everyday life. Our journey ends at Gongchen Bridge, a 400-year-old, three-arched stone bridge. Watch cargo boats glide beneath as horns echo across the water – a reminder that this ‘living heritage’ is still breathing. From here, you can board a water bus at Gongchen Bridge Pier and cruise back to the city centre.

Today we venture into Hangzhou’s green heart – the Longjing tea plantations – to discover why West Lake Longjing is considered the very soul of Jiangnan. In the morning, we’ll explore the heart of the tea-growing region. Pick tender spring tea buds by hand, experience the joy of “one bud, one leaf,” and watch master tea makers skillfully roll, press, and roast the leaves. At lunchtime, we’ll stop at a countryside courtyard nestled among the tea fields. In this open-air setting, enjoy a meal highlighting local ingredients: Longjing Shrimp, with fresh river shrimp infused with the delicate aroma of spring tea, and tea-scented chicken, slow-cooked to release its subtle fragrance – a true taste of Jiangnan. Finally, gather around a traditional tea table to hear local farmers share the stories of their land and craft. The journey comes to an end here. You’re free to continue exploring Hangzhou at your own pace – we recommend ending your trip with a cultural highlight, such as the spectacular Songcheng “Forever Love” show or a visit to the China National Silk Museum to complete your Hangzhou experience.