Seven-Day Autumn Tour Guide in Hangzhou: Following the Fragrance into Dreams, Exploring the Seven Layers of Autumn in the Southern Song Dynasty’s Painted Scenery

Core Idea: Using "smell" as the lead and "painted scenery" as the framework, each day revolves around a unique "autumn experience," blending natural landscapes, history and culture, local cuisine, and immersive activities. Avoid stacking attractions; pursue spiritual resonance.

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Itinerary

Layer One: Osmanthus Rain Soaking the City · Awakening the Sense of Smell

· Morning: Arrive in Hangzhou and check in. It is recommended to stay in a guesthouse near Longjing Village or Manjuelong in the West Lake District. After settling in, head straight to Manjuelong. This is a classic spot in China for appreciating osmanthus. In autumn, the entire mountain path is immersed in the sweet scent of osmanthus flowers. Don’t just stay on the main road; wander into a small alley to find century-old osmanthus trees.
· Afternoon: Find a teahouse in Manjuelong and taste a cup of “Osmanthus Jiuqu Hongmei” tea. Let the fragrance of osmanthus blend with the richness of black tea in your mouth—this is the right way to open the autumn of Hangzhou.
· Evening: For dinner, try Hangzhou cuisine, with must-orders like “Osmanthus Sugar Lotus Root” and “Yam Osmanthus Cake,” letting the sweetness of autumn spread from your nose to your taste buds.
· Highlight: Today’s theme is “fragrance.” Carefully note the osmanthus scent you smell—is it sweet or rich? Try buying a small jar of candied osmanthus as the starting point of your olfactory memory on this trip.

Layer Two: Ink-Wash Gushan · Setting the Visual Tone

· Morning: Avoid the crowds and visit Gushan (Solitary Hill). This is the “eyebrow and eye” of West Lake, with autumn colors as delicate as a meticulous painting. Ginkgo leaves turn yellow, phoenix tree leaves fall, dyeing the Fanghe Pavilion and Xiling Seal Art Society in warm hues. Focus on visiting the Zhejiang Provincial Museum (Gushan Branch), which houses replicas of the “Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains” and other works, laying the aesthetic foundation of Song Dynasty paintings for your journey.
· Afternoon: Stroll from Gushan to Baidi Causeway. In autumn, Baidi transforms from “a willow and a peach tree” to “a phoenix tree and yellow leaves,” with a unique charm. Have tea at the “Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake” pavilion, enjoy the lake and mountain views, and imagine Southern Song literati composing poetry here.
· Evening: Dine in the Hubin area, then watch the “Most Memorable is Hangzhou” water show, reliving Zhang Yimou’s poetic West Lake through sound, light, water, and electricity.
· Highlight: Learn to appreciate scenery with the concept of “leaving blank space.” The layout of Gushan is well-balanced with density and emptiness, just like a Song Dynasty painting emphasizing negative space.

Layer Three: Zen and Tea as One · Tasteful Reflection

· All day: Deep dive into Meijiawu or Longjing Village. Autumn is a great season for tasting new tea. Though not as tender as spring tea, autumn tea has a mellow flavor. Find a tea farmer, sit by the tea garden, watch the pickers at work, and listen to the owner’s stories about Longjing tea. Try hand-frying a batch of tea (some farmers offer this experience) to feel the transformation from raw leaves to fragrant tea.
· Lunch: Enjoy an authentic “Farmhouse Tea Feast” at the tea farmer’s home, such as Longjing shrimp and tea-flavored chicken, each bite filled with the essence of the mountains and fields.
· Afternoon: Take a light hike along the ancient “Ten-Mile Langdang” path, overlooking the tea fields and valleys dyed in autumn colors from above. The crisp autumn air refreshes the mind.
· Highlight: Today’s theme is “taste” and “tranquility.” Slow down your busy pace and spend the whole day just “drinking tea,” experiencing the leisurely spirit inherent in Hangzhou.

Layer Four: Buddhist Land of Mist and Clouds · Auditory Serenity

· Morning: Head to Lingyin Temple. In autumn, Lingyin is surrounded by towering ancient trees, yellow walls, and black tiles adorned with red leaves, enhancing its solemnity. Listen to the morning bell and evening drum, the lingering Buddhist chants calming your soul. Don’t miss the Song Dynasty stone pagoda and scripture pillar inside the temple.
· Afternoon: Take the cable car up to Beigao Peak for a panoramic view of West Lake and the entire city of Hangzhou. The high visibility in autumn makes the scenery especially magnificent. After descending, visit the nearby Santianzhu (Faxi Temple, Fajing Temple, and Fajing Temple), three relatively quiet temples ideal for contemplation and prayer. The popular photo spot at Faxi Temple is especially charming with autumn leaves as a backdrop.
· Evening: Enjoy a delicate vegetarian meal to conclude this soul-cleansing day.
· Highlight: Collect the sounds of the temples—wind, bells, chanting, wooden fish—these form the background music of the “painted scenery.”

Layer Five: Reed and Autumn Water · Tactile Perception

· Morning: Visit Maojiabu, a “wild charm” spot of West Lake with few tourists. In autumn, vast reed beds bloom with white reed flowers, swaying gracefully in the sunlight like a dream. Walk along the wooden boardwalk, listen to the rustling reeds, and watch wild ducks play.
· Afternoon: Walk or take a boat from Maojiabu to Guozhuang. This exquisite classical garden is known as the “crown of West Lake classical gardens.” In autumn, Guozhuang’s bonsai, rockeries, pavilions, and the autumn water and sky outside the windows form perfect framed scenes.
· Evening: Find a restaurant near Yang Gongdi and try classic dishes like West Lake Vinegar Fish.
· Highlight: Gently touch the softness of the reed flowers and feel the coolness of the autumn water. Use your sense of touch to remember the temperature and texture of this season.

Layer Six: Long Bridge’s Lingering Dream · Heartfelt Resonance

· Morning: Visit Wansong Academy. This is not only the legendary study place of Liang Zhu (The Butterfly Lovers) but also a serene and elegant garden. The autumn atmosphere adds a scholarly and romantic aura to the academy.
· Afternoon: Stroll along Nanshan Road. The tall French plane trees on both sides turn into a golden tunnel in autumn, a paradise for photography lovers. Visit the Xiangshan campus of the China Academy of Art (appointment required) to experience the perfect blend of modern architecture and traditional garden aesthetics.
· Evening: Wait for sunset at Longqiao Park, one of the best spots to view the Leifeng Pagoda sunset. Watch the sun dye Leifeng Pagoda, Long Bridge, and the entire West Lake golden, feeling the grandeur of “autumn water blending with the long sky,” giving a real-life footnote to the legend of Liang Zhu.
· Highlight: Today’s theme is “emotion.” Integrate personal feelings into the scenery—whether love, friendship, or nostalgia—making the trip an inner cleansing.

Layer Seven: Sky Light and Cloud Shadows · Memory Preservation

· Morning: Head to Jiuxi Smoke Trees. This is the essence of Hangzhou’s autumn colors, known as “Little Jiuzhaigou.” The babbling streams, red maples, yellow ginkgo, and green tea gardens weave a colorful oil painting. Walk slowly along the Eighteen Streams; every step is a scenic view.
· Afternoon: Walk from Jiuxi to Yangmeiling Village, a quiet small village where you can have a final cup of Hangzhou tea and buy some tea, silk, and other specialties as souvenirs.
· Evening: Pack up and head to the airport or train station, carrying the full scent of osmanthus and the beautiful memories of seven layers of autumn.

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Practical Tips:

· Accommodation: Highly recommend boutique guesthouses around Manjuelong, Siyanjing, and Qingzhiwu for a much better experience than downtown hotels.
· Transportation: Hangzhou’s bus system is well-developed, and shared bikes are the best companions for touring around West Lake. For longer distances, take a taxi or use the subway.
· Food: Besides Hangzhou cuisine, be sure to try snacks like scallion pancake stew and Dingsheng cake.

Hope this poetic guide leads you into a Hangzhou autumn different from any travel handbook—a truly authentic autumn experience. Wishing you a pleasant journey and a fruitful return!