72-Hour Poetic Stroll in Hangzhou | Zen West Lake · Lively Canal · Healing Green Wilderness

| Zen West Lake · Lively Canal · Healing Green Wilderness. 🌿 72-Hour Poetic Stroll in Hangzhou | Zen West Lake · Lively Canal · Healing Green Wilderness

"Half landscape, half city; one bite of Jiangnan, one taste of spring."

Hangzhou's beauty lies in the millennia-old legend of Melting Snow on Broken Bridge, the morning mist over Longjing tea fields, and the lively atmosphere of a bowl of Pian Er Chuan noodles by the canal. This 3-day, 2-night itinerary covers both hidden gems and classic spots!

📝 Itinerary

**Day 1: West Lake Cultural Route**
**Morning**: Cycle around Causeway and Broken Bridge (arrive before 7:00 to avoid crowds and capture empty shots), then climb Pagoda for a panoramic view of West Lake (ticket: ¥40, opens at 8:00).
**Afternoon**: Take a rowboat through Pools Mirroring the Moon (boat ticket: ¥55). Recommended route: "Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor → Three Pools Mirroring the Moon → Maojiabu." The boatman will share secret tales of Xu Xian and the White Snake.
**Evening**: Stroll Song Imperial Street to try Dingsheng cakes and scallion pancakes, then catch the 19:00 West Lake Music Fountain show (stunning light and water display!).

**Day 2: Zen + Forest Vibes**
**Dawn**: Head straight to Temple (first buy Feilai Peak ticket for ¥45, then pay ¥30 for incense). Rub the reliefs in the Medicine Buddha Hall for blessings and enjoy a bowl of vegetarian noodles.
**Afternoon**: Ride an electric boat in Wetland (combo ticket: ¥140). Stop at to snap the banyan tree from *If You Are the One*, and don’t miss the autumn persimmon festival!
**Dusk**: Wander the artsy Straight Street. For sunset views over the canal, visit the second floor of "Hanyan Café."

**Day 3: Cultural Highlights**
**Morning**: Visit Ancient City Ruins (ticket: ¥60) to feed deer and try VR jade carving. Wear white for "Little Kyoto" photos at Mojiaoshan Palace.
**Afternoon**: Explore National Silk Museum (free! The spiral staircase is breathtaking) and try DIY tie-dye scarves as souvenirs.

🍜 Foodie Map
**Must-Try Classics**
- **Zhiweiguan (Yang Gongdi Branch)**: Longjing shrimp, cat’s ear noodles (¥120/person)
- **Grandma’s Home (Hubin Branch)**: Tea-flavored chicken, braised pork (¥80/person)
- **Fuyuanju (Hefang Street)**: Crispy intestines, oil-drenched chicken (¥65/person)

**Snack Picks**:
- Breakfast: Salty soy milk + fried dough at Youbu Soymilk (Zhongshan South Road)
- Dessert lovers: Longjing tea cream puffs at Cycle&Cycle

🏡 Stay in the Scenery
- **West Lake fans**: Hangzhou Hyatt Hotel – Lakeview rooms face Broken Bridge, with afternoon tea at the executive lounge.
- **Design lovers**: The LI Canal Hotel – Industrial-style converted granary, perfect for canal night strolls.
- **Budget-friendly**: Meihao Lizhi Hotel (Qianjiang Century City) – 4.9 stars! Smart rooms + deep-sleep mattresses, metro access to West Lake.

🚇 Transport Tips
- **Xiaoshan Airport → West Lake**: Take Metro Line 19, transfer to Line 1 (Longxiangqiao Station), 50 mins direct.
- **City travel**: Get "Hangzhou Metro/Bus Card" on Alipay. For scenic areas, bikes + walking beat traffic.

💡 Local Secrets
- **Jiuxi Stream Trek**: Wear sandals to splash! Book in May for firefly season.
- **Fayun Temple Love Luck**: Arrive at 6:00 for first incense, pose by scripture walls (yellow walls + bamboo = perfect shots).
- **Baoshi Mountain Sunrise**: 15-min climb for blue-hour views of misty West Lake 🌅.

**"In Hangzhou, travel is slow art—**
Sipping Longjing tea, meditating at Lingyin, drifting along the canal…
You’ll understand why it’s called ‘paradise on earth.’"