West Lake_Leifeng Pagoda

West Lake_Su_Causeway 3

Boat Cruise_Hand Rowed

West Lake_Jingci temple

Hefang Street & Dajing Lane

Qiangtang River at City Center

West Lake_Leifeng Pagoda 2

West Lake_Leifeng Pagada 3

West Lake_Jingci Temple 2

West Lake_Jingci Temple 3

West Lake_Su Causeway

West Lake_Su Causeway 2

Hefang Street 2

Hefang Street 3

Hefang Street 4

Hefang street 5

Dajing Lane

Essence of Hangzhou - 7 hours

Art, Culture, & Historical

Joined 2025

Ben W.

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Hangzhou

Chinese (Simplified) (Native), English

7 hours

Private tour (only you and Ben W.)

Up to 7 people

Hangzhou is a wonderful city that combines beauty, history and trendiness. In this tour you will experience the very essence of the whole city in just one day, including: West Lake - the symbol of the city, Buddhist culture in China, the ancient style city center in the past and the modern city center at present.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel in Hangzhou

09:30 AM

West Lake - Su Causeway

It's a long, scenic causeway on the West Lake built 900 years ago, famed for its tranquil landscape of willows, blossoms, and charming arched bridges.

10:00 AM

West Lake - Leifeng Pagoda

Leifeng Pagoda is a Buddhist pagoda located on the shore of West Lake. From the top of the pagoda, you can overlook the entire West Lake. Inside the pagoda is a museum demonstrating the relics, history and cultures about the pagoda.

11:00 AM

West Lake - Boat Cruise, Hand-rowed wooden boat

The West Lake rowing boat is a charming, old-fashioned way to see the lake. A boatman uses a single long oar to steer you through the calm water, offering a serene and authentic journey.

12:00 PM

West Lake - Jingci Temple

Jingci Temple, located by West Lake, is one of Hangzhou's most renowned ancient Buddhist temples. With its elegant architecture, ancient trees, and tranquil courtyards, Jingci Temple offers a peaceful spiritual retreat amidst the natural beauty of Hangzhou.

01:00 PM

Lunch / Dinner

Approximately from 30 to 150 RMB per person depending on your requests.

02:00 PM

Hefang Street and Dajing Lane

Hefang Street is a vibrant, bustling pedestrian street showcasing Hangzhou's history, snacks, and traditional crafts. Just a few steps away, the quieter Dajing Lane offers a more authentic and artistic atmosphere with old buildings, specialty coffee shops, and stylish boutiques.

03:00 PM

Qiantang River at city center

The wide Qiantang River is the mother river of Hangzhou. The new city center of Hangzhou is located on both banks of the river, offering views of Hangzhou's modern urban landscape.

Ending Point

Qiantang River at center or nearby bus / metro / taxi station.

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

* Guide fee

What‘s not included

* Taxi fare

* Meal for you (from 30 to 150 RMB per person)

* Entrance fee for you and the guide:

Boat Cruise: 150 RMB or 180 / hour per boat (up to 6 persons per boat)

Leifeng Pagoda: 40 RMB per person

Jingci Temple: 10 RMB per person

Tour Important Information

* We prefer to use taxi for transportation. Taxi fare is normally 3 RMB per KM per car. Excluding the round-trip hotel fare, the taxi fare for this tour is around 50 RMB. NOTICE, above taxi fare is for a 5 seaters car (for 3 tourists as driver and guide occupy 2 seats). For a 6 seater taxi (for 4 tourists) the price will be double. Taxi fares are not included in the quoted price of the tour.

* Metro or bus can also be used, but the time spent on transportation will be longer, thus 1 spot might be skipped.

* If you are interested in places that are not in the list, it is also possible. Please send me message, I will then give my opinion.

* Meeting / starting time can be adjusted too.

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Joined 2025

Ben W.

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Ben W.

I am a government licensed English-speaking tour guide in Hangzhou. I am enthusiastic about history and cultures and used to be an engineer in a Europe joint venture for almost 20 years. I chose to be a tour guide because I love making friends from all over the world and I am very happy to help you better understand China.

Hangzhou, know 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. It is a paradise for shopping and dining.

There are a lot of famous attractions in the city. You can check the Profile Gallery for pictures I took from those attractions.

I have lived in Hangzhou for over 20 years and almost know every corner of the city. If you are interested in any of those attractions, just message me! I can arrange the tour for you. I can show you the most beautiful scenic spots, and explain the story behind them; I can take you to the most authentic restaurants; I can answer all your questions and I will let you experience the most real China.

I highly recommend you make Hangzhou a stop when you visit China. I am looking forward to seeing you here in Hangzhou!