Hangzhou has been called “Paradise on Earth” for nearly a thousand years, a title earned by its misty West Lake, willow-lined causeways, and green tea hills. Marco Polo praised its beauty; emperors and poets came here to dream. Today, that same poetry meets modern China—sleek subway lines, inventive cuisine, and a thriving café culture.

Anchored by UNESCO-listed West Lake, Hangzhou excels at slow travel: wooden boat rides, temple bells at Lingyin, bamboo trails at Yunqi, and village lunches among Longjing tea terraces. Museums—the National Tea Museum, National Silk Museum, and Zhejiang Museum—add depth and context to every view.

Practical notes: Spring and autumn bring ideal hiking weather; summer is lush but warm. Local specialties worth seeking out include Dongpo pork, Beggar’s Chicken, West Lake vinegar fish, and “Pian’er Chuan” noodles. Payment is mostly digital; carry a card and some cash for small vendors. Subways and Didi rides make the city easy and budget-friendly.

Hangzhou

West Lake is the heart: a mirror for pagodas, causeways, and seasonal blooms. Beyond it, discover living tea culture in Longjing and Meijiawu, serene waterways in Xixi Wetland, and the photogenic lanes of Hefang and Gaoyin Streets. Day trips widen the lens to Wuzhen’s arched bridges and twilight canals.

• Top sights: West Lake boat cruise, Lingyin Temple & Feilai Peak grottoes, Leifeng and Baochu pagodas, China National Tea Museum, Xixi National Wetland Park.
• Active outdoors: Hike Jiuxi (Nine Streams), Yunqi Bamboo Trail, Baoshi Hill to Baochu Pagoda (sunrise/sunset photos), tea-terrace walks in Longjing.
• Local flavors: Grandma’s Home (Waipojia) for homestyle Hangzhou cooking; Green Tea Restaurant (Lǜchá) for value and lake views; historic Lou Wai Lou for icons like West Lake vinegar fish and Beggar’s Chicken.
• Fun fact: The “Enduring Memories of Hangzhou” water show on West Lake debuted for the 2016 G20—music, light, and choreography performed on the lake’s surface.

Where to stay (mid-budget friendly): For West Lake sunsets and easy walking, base yourself near Hubin/Gushan. For contemporary skyline vibes and quick subways, pick Qianjiang New City. Browse options on Hotels.com (Hangzhou) or apartment-style stays via VRBO (Hangzhou).

Getting in and around: Fly into Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport or arrive by high-speed rail. Compare flight fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. If you’re coming from Shanghai, the bullet train to Hangzhou East takes about 45–60 minutes (~$12–20); check schedules on Trip.com trains. Taxis/Didi from the airport to West Lake take 40–60 minutes (~$20–35); the metro is efficient and budget-friendly.

Day 1: Arrival, First Look at West Lake

Afternoon: Land in Hangzhou and check in near Hubin or Gushan for easy lake access. Shake off travel with a lakeside loop: start at Broken Bridge, stroll the Bai Causeway, and photograph willows reflected in the water. Coffee at % Arabica (Hubin Yintai) or a flat white at Manner Coffee nearby keeps you going.

Evening: Classic Hangzhou dinner at Grandma’s Home (Waipojia)—expect Dongpo pork, stir-fried river shrimp, and lotus root with osmanthus. For street snacks and a local buzz, wander Gaoyin Street off Hefang: try scallion pancakes, stinky tofu, and sesame cakes. Night shots from Lakeside Zhongshan Park capture Leifeng Pagoda glowing across the water.

Day 2: West Lake Icons and Hidden Alleys (Full-Day Guided Experience)

Make the most of your first full day with a private, customizable city tour that bundles the essentials—ideal for photography, history, and efficient transport between sights. This 8-hour experience typically covers a West Lake boat cruise, Lingyin Temple, Leifeng Pagoda, and tea villages, with lunch included. Book here:

Hangzhou Private Flexible Day Tour with West Lake Boat Cruise

Evening: Celebrate at Lou Wai Lou on Solitary Hill for time-honored dishes—West Lake vinegar fish and Beggar’s Chicken pair beautifully with dusk views. Alternatively, Hubin 28 (at the Hyatt) puts a refined spin on regional flavors with lake breezes.

Day 3: Gushan Museums, Tea Culture, and a Night on the Water

Morning: Start at the Zhejiang Museum (Gushan) to frame Hangzhou’s past—bronzes, calligraphy, and rotating exhibits. Pop into the Xiling Seal Engravers’ Society nearby to watch artisans carve stone chops. Coffee break at Seesaw Coffee (around Hubin/In77) or a jasmine latte at Manner.

Afternoon: Head to the China National Tea Museum (Shuangfeng) for living tea culture—drying pans, tasting rooms, and terraces that roll toward Longjing Village. Walk a gentle section of the Longjing tea trail into the fields; lunch at a farmhouse kitchen in Longjing or Meijiawu (try tea-smoked chicken and stir-fried Longjing tea leaves).

Evening: Experience Hangzhou’s signature water show—music, light, dance, and reflections performed on West Lake itself. VIP seats and hotel transfers make it easy:

Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer

Before or after the show, grab a casual dinner at Green Tea Restaurant—crispy roast pork, bamboo shoot casseroles, and wallet-friendly prices with lake-adjacent seating.

Day 4: Jiuxi Streams Hike and Yunqi Bamboo Forest

Morning: Lace up for the Jiuxi (Nine Streams) walk—stone paths cross shallow brooks under maples and camphors south of West Lake. Continue to Hupao (Running Tiger) Spring, famous for silky water and serene pavilions. Breakfast beforehand at Zhi Wei Guan (snack platters, xiaolongbao, sweet osmanthus rice cakes) fuels the trek.

Afternoon: Immerse in a guided bamboo-and-tea escape—easy walking among emerald groves and a tea plantation visit that’s great for photography and fresh-air therapy:

Half-Day Hangzhou Yunxi Bamboo Forest and Tea Plantation Experience

Evening: Return to the lakefront for a relaxed dinner. Try a budget-friendly bowl of Pian’er Chuan noodles topped with sliced pork and preserved greens, then take a blue-hour photo walk along the Su Causeway—lotus leaves, arched bridges, and lanterns make for dreamy frames.

Day 5: Day Trip—Wuzhen Water Town

Trade tea hills for canals on a full-day excursion to Wuzhen, one of the Yangtze Delta’s classic water towns. Expect stone bridges, wood-beam houses, small museums, and reflections perfect for your lens. A riverside lunch is included.

Wuzhen Water Town Delight Tour With Riverside Lunch Experience

Evening: Back in Hangzhou, cap the day with a skyline drink at Xuan Bar (Park Hyatt Hangzhou) overlooking Qiantang River’s lights, or unwind with a pot of Longjing at a lakeside teahouse. Late snack: sesame flatbreads or fried dumplings on Hefang Street.

Day 6: Xixi Wetland, Silk Heritage, and Old Streets

Morning: Explore Xixi National Wetland Park, a serene matrix of waterways and reed beds west of town. Ride a punt boat through narrow channels, stop at thatched islets, and photograph fishermen’s nets. Breakfast before entry: soy milk and youtiao at a neighborhood stall, or grab a cappuccino at Manner Coffee (Xixi InCity).

Afternoon: Dive into fabric and fashion history at the China National Silk Museum—looms, dyes, and exquisite robes tell the story of Hangzhou’s ancient industry. Continue to Wushan Scenic Area for hilltop pagodas and city views. Lunch ideas: a simple set meal inside Xixi or homestyle Hangzhou dishes at a nearby Grandma’s Home branch.

Evening: Eat your way down Hefang and Gaoyin Streets: skewer-grilled squid, scallion pancakes, and sweet osmanthus cakes are local favorites. For a sit-down finale, try crisp river shrimp, Dongpo pork, and seasonal bamboo shoots at a mid-priced Hangzhou kitchen along the strip.

Day 7: Sunrise, Last Sips of Tea, and Departure

Morning: Catch sunrise light from Baoshi Hill’s Baochu Pagoda—short, steep steps reward you with West Lake and city panoramas. Celebrate with a final cup of Longjing in Meijiawu or a lakeside espresso at % Arabica. Brunch on Beggar’s Chicken buns and congee at Zhi Wei Guan if you prefer savory comfort.

Afternoon (departure): Souvenir stop for vacuum-sealed Longjing tea and hand-printed silk scarves. Head to the airport or rail station; taxis take ~40–60 minutes to HZH airport depending on traffic, while the metro connects efficiently to Hangzhou East for bullet trains. Check live schedules and fares on Trip.com flights or Trip.com trains, and compare alternative routes on Kiwi.com.

Extra Options (if you want more)

• Tea deep-dive: For hands-on plucking and tasting with a farmer lunch, consider a dedicated session like the Tea Culture Experience on another day.
• Even more city highlights: Prefer a shorter sampler? A half-day customizable tour can focus on two or three favorites efficiently.

Good to know (Costs & logistics): Mid-range meals run $6–15 per person; teahouses vary by leaf quality. West Lake wooden boat rides are budget-friendly; private boats cost more but are great for photos. High-speed trains from Shanghai are the fastest, cheapest intercity option; flying is best if you’re connecting from further afield like Chengdu or Beijing.

Handpicked Viator experiences referenced in this itinerary (with images) are above on Days 2, 3, 4, and 5. For stays, compare rates and neighborhoods on Hotels.com (Hangzhou) and VRBO (Hangzhou), and check routes/availability on Trip.com flights, Trip.com trains, and Kiwi.com.

Recap: In seven days, you’ll boat West Lake, hike bamboo and tea trails, savor Hangzhou flavors, and drift through Wuzhen’s canals. With easy transport, mid-budget eats, and photo-rich landscapes, Hangzhou rewards the adventurous traveler who likes a little poetry with their plans.