Hangzhou Super Comprehensive Travel Guide | This Jiangnan Trip is Amazing 😍

Hey everyone 👋, if you're looking for a place that combines historical charm with modern flair, then Hangzhou is definitely your top choice! This city is like a slowly unfolding Jiangnan ink wash painting, with every corner so beautiful it's captivating. Bookmark this super practical guide to explore Hangzhou in depth!

💰 Cost Budget
● Accommodation: Hangzhou accommodation prices vary widely. Hostel beds 50 - 100 RMB/night; economy hotels 200 - 300 RMB/night; mid-to-high-end hotels 400 - 1000 RMB/night; unique B&Bs also range from 200 - 800 RMB.
● Dining: A simple meal at a snack street 20 - 50 RMB, restaurant main meals 100 - 300 RMB per person.
● Transportation: Bus, subway one-way 2 - 5 RMB, shared bikes 1 - 2 RMB per half hour, taxi fares based on distance.
● Tickets: West Lake is free, Lingyin Temple 75 RMB, Xixi National Wetland Park 80 RMB, etc. Overall ticket budget per person 200 - 300 RMB.
Based on a 5-day, 4-night itinerary, excluding round-trip major transportation, the per-person budget is 2500 - 4000 RMB.

✈️ Travel Preparation
● Documents: ID card, student ID (for discounts), etc.
● Clothing: Prepare according to the season. Hangzhou summers are hot, so bring light, breathable clothes; winters are cold and damp, so dress warmly.
● Items: Sunscreen, umbrella, charger, camera, etc.
● Medicine: Common medicines such as cold medicine, stomach medicine, motion sickness medicine.

📌 Best Travel Time
● Spring (March - May): Flowers are blooming, and the Spring Dawn at Su Causeway and the tulips at Prince Bay Park are incredibly beautiful, perfect for a leisurely stroll and flower viewing.
● Autumn (September - November): The weather is crisp and clear, the air in Manjuelong is filled with the scent of osmanthus, and you can see the harvest scene in Longjing Village.

🏨 Accommodation Suggestions
● Around West Lake: Convenient for travel, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of West Lake at any time, but prices are relatively higher.
● Near Hubin Yintai: Many shopping and dining options, lively and bustling, also close to West Lake.
● Near Hefang Street: You can experience the charm of old Hangzhou, with a rich variety of local snacks nearby.

🚇 Transportation Guide
● Subway: Hangzhou Metro covers most attractions, making it convenient and fast to travel.
● Bus: Many routes can reach various places, but traffic jams may occur.
● Shared Bikes: Ride a shared bike through the alleys and along the lake in Hangzhou for a leisurely and free experience.
● Taxi: More comfortable for travel, but may encounter traffic jams during peak hours.

🌟 5-Day 4-Night Itinerary

Day 1: Classic West Lake Day Tour
● Morning: After arriving in Hangzhou, check into your hotel and rest. Then stroll around West Lake, starting from Broken Bridge in Winter, walking along Bai Causeway to Autumn Moon Over the Calm Lake, enjoying the lake and mountain scenery.
● Noon: Taste famous Hangzhou dishes such as West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy, Beggar's Chicken, and Dongpo Pork at Lou Wai Lou.
● Afternoon: Take a boat tour of West Lake and visit the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon island, which is featured on the back of the one-yuan banknote 😉. After disembarking, go to Viewing Fish at Flower Pond to watch the red fish playing in the water.
● Evening: Go shopping and dining at Hubin Yintai, and enjoy the West Lake Music Fountain.

Day 2: Lingyin Temple - Longjing Village
● Morning: Head to Lingyin Temple to experience the tranquility and solemnity of this thousand-year-old temple. You can have vegetarian meals inside the temple, which are quite delicious.
● Noon: Dine at a restaurant near Lingyin Temple.
● Afternoon: Go to Longjing Village, stroll through the tea plantations, learn about the process of tea picking and production, and taste authentic Longjing tea.
● Evening: Return to the city and explore Hefang Street, tasting Hangzhou specialty snacks like Dingsheng Cake and Cong Bao Hui.

Day 3: Xixi National Wetland Park
● Morning: Take an electric boat tour of Xixi Wetland, enjoying the natural scenery and ecological landscape of the wetland.
● Noon: Dine at a restaurant within the wetland and try local fisherman's dishes.
● Afternoon: You can choose to hike and visit attractions such as Xixi Thatched Cottage and Yan Shui Yu Zhuang.
● Evening: Find a restaurant near Xixi Wetland, enjoy a meal, and then return to the hotel to rest.

Day 4: Songcheng Park
● All Day: Head to Songcheng Park to experience a journey through a thousand years. Watch the large-scale performance "Romance of the Song Dynasty," which is one of the must-see shows in a lifetime, absolutely spectacular. You can also participate in various folk activities and performances, such as throwing embroidered balls and the Wang Yuanwai's daughter's marriage proposal.
● Evening: Dine in Songcheng Park and enjoy the night view of Songcheng.

Day 5: Nine Creeks in Misty Forest - Departure
● Morning: Go to Nine Creeks in Misty Forest, stroll along the stream, and feel the tranquility of "a winding path leading to a secluded spot." The air here is fresh, and the scenery is pleasant, as if you've entered a paradise.
● Noon: Dine at a restaurant near Nine Creeks, tasting farm-style dishes.
● Afternoon: Pack your luggage and conclude your pleasant trip to Hangzhou.

🍜 Food Recommendations
● Hangzhou Cuisine: In addition to Lou Wai Lou mentioned earlier, Grandma's Home and Xinbailu Restaurant are also highly cost-effective Hangzhou restaurants.
● Specialty Snacks: Xinfeng Snacks' shrimp and pork wontons, Zhi Wei Guan's Cat's Ear Noodles, and Wushan Crispy Butter Cake are all worth trying.
● Desserts: Fang Laoda Sugared Lotus Root and Man Kee Dessert's Mango Pancake are sweet to the heart.

⚠️ Notes
● West Lake Scenic Area has many tourists, especially on holidays, so plan your itinerary and time in advance.
● To enter Lingyin Temple, you first need to purchase a Feilai Peak ticket.
● Pay attention to safety when taking a boat and keep your personal belongings secure.

Hey everyone, quickly pack your bags and start a romantic trip to Hangzhou 💕! If you have any questions, feel free to ask me in the comments. Wishing you all a pleasant journey 🎉!