
Hangzhou Private Tours & Local Tour Guides
Discover Things to Do and Plan a Trip to Hangzhou, China with a Local Guide
Popular Hangzhou Tour Guides
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Scarlett H.
Hi there! I’m Scarlett, a licensed English-speaking guide based in Hangzhou and covering the gorgeous Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang region. My friends often call me a bit of a story-collector. Having graduated from Cambridge with a degree in sociology, I love going beyond the standard postcard views to help you understand the real, living pulse of China (e.g. local stories, hidden details, and quirky histories most tourists walk right past). Everything I do is entirely customized around your vibe. Whether you’re dreaming of a zen day sipping tea in mist-shrouded valleys, hunting down the best under-the-radar street eats, or chasing futuristic, cyberpunk cityscapes for that perfect shot, we can design it from scratch. We can easily explore on foot, but if you want to travel in total comfort and style, I also offer car tours with my own very cozy private wheels, perfect for escaping the summer heat or zipping between hidden spots. Oh, and you can leave the camera duty to me! I have a real passion for photography and a sharp eye for lighting and angles, so I’ll make sure you go home with a camera roll full of stunning memories. Whether you're here for a quick weekend or a deep-dive adventure, just drop me a message and let's craft your perfect trip!
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Ben W.
I am a government licensed English speaking tour guide in Hangzhou. I hold a Master of Engineering degree and used to be an engineer in a European joint venture for almost 20 years. However I am more enthusiastic about history and cultures, and I love traveling around the world making friends from different countries . I will use my professional, accurate, and extensive knowledge to introduce you to the real, interesting and insightful aspects of China, instead of just reciting those superficial descriptions of tourist attractions. Hangzhou, known as Paradise on Earth, with the poetic West Lake, is the most beautiful major city in China. It has a very long history of more than 2000 years, once being the capital of ancient China. Hangzhou is also a modern metropolis with amazing city views and a good destination for shopping and dining. I highly recommend you make Hangzhou a stop when you visit China. There are a lot of famous attractions in the city. You can check the Profile Gallery for pictures of them. I have lived in Hangzhou for over 20 years, almost knowing every corner of the city. If you are interested in any of those attractions, just message me! I can arrange the customized tour best suitable for you. Look forward to seeing you in Hangzhou!
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Jacky G.
Hello! I am Jacky, your dedicated local expert and private guide in Hangzhou. With over 15 years of deep exploration in this historical city, I specialize in delivering high-end, deeply customized, and meaningful travel experiences for international travelers. As a certified bilingual guide at the Zhejiang Provincial Museum, I don't just show you the sights; I bring Hangzhou’s rich history to life. Whether it is decoding the hidden stories of the Southern Song Dynasty, exploring the ancient temples, or introducing you to local arts and culture, I provide a deep cultural narrative that goes far beyond standard tour scripts. In addition to culture and history, I am a passionate outdoor enthusiast with 15 years of trekking experience in the lush mountains surrounding Hangzhou. I love guiding guests away from the crowds to discover hidden gems—from pristine tea plantations in Longjing to scenic, off-the-beaten-path trails in the West Hill. For your ultimate comfort and flexibility, I provide private transportation in a spacious, premium SUV, ensuring a seamless, door-to-door journey tailored 100% to your pace and interests. Let’s skip the tourist traps and create an unforgettable, authentic Hangzhou journey together. I look forward to welcoming you to my beautiful hometown
Popular Hangzhou Private Tours
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Hangzhou’s Wizard of Oz: Secret Mountain Hike
Forget the crowded West Lake promenades, this is the Hangzhou that locals keep for themselves. This trail is a magical half-day hike that leads you through three breathtakingly beautiful green spaces, each with its own unique personality.
Hangzhou’s Wizard of Oz: Secret Mountain Hike
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Essence of Hangzhou by Taxi - Taxi fare included
In this tour you will experience the very essence of Hangzhou in just one day by taxi. All the taxi fare is already included in the price! Note: Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak is not included in this tour because visiting it by taxi is very time consuming. If you would like to visit Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak, a car tour is recommended. Two days tour is recommended for better experience in Hangzhou. Please message me for 2-day tour’s itinerary.
Essence of Hangzhou by Taxi - Taxi fare included
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Hangzhou Foodie Half-Day: Morning Markets & Local Michelin Eateries
This curated morning walk takes you through the city’s last remaining traditional street markets, winding historic alleys beneath the ancient city walls, and legendary local eateries. From sizzling crispy pan-fried dumplings to the ultimate wok-heired local noodles, this is a deep dive into the flavors, history, and daily rhythms that make Hangzhou unforgettable.
Hangzhou Foodie Half-Day: Morning Markets & Local Michelin Eateries
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Buddhist and Vegetarian in Hangzhou
Hangzhou is a city with deep Buddhist roots. It's not just about religion; it's a living part of Hangzhou's beauty and culture. Lingyin Temple is the most important one where you can see magnificent temple and mystical ancient stone carvings. Because of the fame, Lingyin Tample is always crowded. So we will explore another temple with very few tourists to experience the true serenity of Buddhist. Vegetarian meal is very popular in Hangzhou because of Buddhist culture. We will experience it too!
Buddhist and Vegetarian in Hangzhou
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New Hangzhou Private Tours
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Food tour & Chinese Dining Introduction for First-Timers
Are you feeling nervous when first time dining in a Chinese restaurant? Or would you like to learn some basic knowledge about Chinese cuisine? In this short tour, the tour guide will help you find a suitable restaurant according to your requested location, price range, taste preferences and other needs and assist you during your meal. The tour guide will not . You only need to pay for your own dining expenses. During the introduction, the guide will wear a mask throughout to ensure hygiene.
Food tour & Chinese Dining Introduction for First-Timers
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Local Life Experiencing Tour
Do you want to know what is a local people's life like in Hangzhou, China? This tour is designed for you to experience it in person. It includes visiting the old traditional market on the street, shopping in the China's biggest cloth market and the most luxurious super market in Hangzhou, enjoying massage to relax after one whole day's walk and of course taste the authentic Chinese food. I am sure you will love the life in Hangzhou! ^_^
Local Life Experiencing Tour
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Hiking tour: Hangzhou’s beauty and traditional culture, 6 hours
It is a 6 hours’s pure hiking tour around the West Lake and in the old city downtown. The route is perfectly designed so that you can experience Hangzhou city’s beauty, tradition and authentic local life without distance just in one day. I will introduce all the attractions and answer all the questions about Hangzhou and China during the walk.
Hiking tour: Hangzhou’s beauty and traditional culture, 6 hours
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Popular Hangzhou Private Cars
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Essence of Hangzhou with Car (7 seater SUV)
In this tour you will be able to experience the essence of the whole city in just one day in a clean, spacious, comfortable car. The car is a 7 seater SUV which is suitable for a tourist group with up to 6 persons. To fully explore the charm of Hangzhou, it is advisable to have a 2 days’ trip. Please message me for 2-day tour’s itinerary.
Essence of Hangzhou with Car (7 seater SUV)
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Summer Edition: Essence of Hangzhou with Car
This itinerary is specially designed to avoid the summer heat of Hangzhou. In this tour you will be able to experience the essence of the whole city in just one day in a cool, clean, spacious, comfortable car. The car is a 7 seater SUV which is suitable for a tourist group with up to 6 persons.
Summer Edition: Essence of Hangzhou with Car
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Tea Culture of China
Hangzhou has the best green tea! This tour will explore tea culture of China. We will first visit two China National Tea Museums which are both informative and very beautiful, then go to an authentic restaurant to taste delicious dishes with tea elements, finally go to a tea field to experience tea leave picking and tea processing (in case tea leaving picking is not availalbe in winter, we will instead experience experience the elegant Chinese tea ceremony). This is a car tour.
Tea Culture of China
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Discover Hangzhou's Soul: Buddhism, Tea & Traditional Chinese Medicine
Join me for an unforgettable Hangzhou adventure where culture comes alive. As a Zhejiang Museum lecturer with 15 years of local experience, I'll guide you through sacred Buddhist temples, traditional tea plantations, and ancient healing practices. My unique background in both engineering and cultural studies means you'll gain fresh, multidisciplinary perspectives on Hangzhou's heritage. This is personalized cultural storytelling at its finest.
Discover Hangzhou's Soul: Buddhism, Tea & Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Hangzhou Tour Reviews
Calvin K.
“Hangzhou Day Tour”
Bed responded quickly and efficiently to my enquiry and customized a wonderful one-day tour for us. He also arranged early registration for the Lingyin Temple visit before the tour began, which we later realized made the experience extremely smooth despite the huge crowds there. He picked us up at the hotel, and we started at Hefang Street, a beautifully preserved ancient shopping alley. We then drove to the Grand Canal, the world’s oldest man-made waterway. After that, we visited West Lake, where he thoughtfully chose two contrasting spots — one famous and lively, the other peaceful and tranquil — allowing us to experience both sides of its charm. The next highlight was Lingyin Temple and Feilai Feng, the spiritual heart of Hangzhou Buddhism, with its many well-preserved ancient Buddhist stone carvings, some carved directly into the caves. We ended the tour at a tea plantation, where he arranged for us to pick tea leaves while being filmed by a drone (my wife’s highlight of the tour). We also had the opportunity to experience making matcha tea before he drove us to our dinner venue. Throughout the day, Ben was patient, knowledgeable, and took the time to explain the history and cultural background of each site. The itinerary was compact, as per my request, but Ben arranged everything so efficiently that the day still felt relaxed and enjoyable. His car was clean, and his driving was excellent. I highly recommend Ben to anyone planning a tour in Hangzhou.
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Ben W.
Thank you very much for the kind review. Your good and long summary of itinerary also reminded me that happy day with you because we also had very happy and interesting conversation. Again, I am very glad that you recognize my arrangement and my service during the tour. Sincerely wish you and your family a happy life!
Bruce T.
“Great visit to Hangzhou”
Hangzhou is a beautiful city and Ben W. was an excellent guide. Met us at the train station and took us to all the important sites during our time there. Was very accomodative and knowledgeable. His English is excellent (you will need an English speaking guide to navigate the city). Definitely five stars.
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Ben W.
Thank you very much for your kind review. I am very glad that I could help and you enjoyed the tour in Hangzhou. I also enjoy the days with you because we had so many interesting conversations, so many happy laughs. All those happy moments will become a lifetime memory for me!
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Browse Hangzhou tour itineraries by our local professionals and book your favorite Hangzhou tour.
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Book a Hangzhou Private Car Tour
Tour Hangzhou by car or van, or hire a private guide / driver. See reviews and all car tour details.
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