Hiking tour: West Lake, Hills, Pagoda, Temple, Ancient Street, Old Market and Authentic Food
Hangzhou is a safe, pedestrian-friendly city. It is perfect for hiking to experience this "garden city" rich in greenery and this historic destination with deep culture.
I have carefully curated this walking route to show you the very best of Hangzhou in just 5 hours, including West Lake, green hills, winding trails, the charming old town, bustling neighborhoods, and of course genuine Chinese food.
If you wish, we can also cover parts of the route using shared bicycles.
The tour is customizable.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
West Lake, near Su Causeway
- I will meet you at a metro station or bus station near Dama Alley. The exact location will be decided after knowing your hotel address. I will choose the most convenient station for you
Following attractions will be visited:
- Dama Alley. It is a traditional alley in downtown Hangzhou, famous for its authentic local food and old neighborhood charm. Unlike the city's modern sights, this street preserves a slice of historical Hangzhou with its bustling morning markets and traditional residential vibe.
- Wushan Hill, is a famous scenic spot with time-honored folk tales and great views of the city.
- City God Pavilion on Wushan Hill is a landmark tower overlooking West Lake
- Hefang Street, a vibrant, bustling pedestrian street showcasing Hangzhou's
- Dajing Alley, the quiet walking street offers a more authentic and artistic atmosphere with old buildings, specialty coffee shops, and stylish boutiques.
- Zhongshan Road Foodie street
As with every other tour, this tour is of course fully customizable. Please contact me to discuss this. If you would like to add a stop for lunch and/or have any special request on food style or types, please contact me. I will recommend some for you.
Nearest bus station or metro station.
I can also help call a taxi for you.
Ending Point
Nearby metro station or bus station.
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide Fee
Ticket for Jingci Temple: 10 RMB per person
Ticket for City God Pavilion: 30 RMB per person
Tour Important Information
It is pure hiking trip. Please wear comfortable shoes.
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
About Tour Guide 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 global company for almost 20 years. I am enthusiastic about history and foreign cultures. I also love traveling overeas and making friends from different countries.
As a tour guide I will not only "recite" those standard descriptions of tourist attractions. Instead, I will focus more about the history and cultural background of them. I won't tell those exaggerated legends. I will still tell you some interesting folk stories, but I will clearly tell you which ones are true history and which ones are just stories.
Instead of simply introducing tourist spot, I prefer interacting with foreign friends about everything that they are curious about China. China is a so different country. I can explain to you what are the real differences and where those difference came from.
I enjoy my job as a tour guide. I see each trip with clients as a way of entertaining friends, not just a job.
Hangzhou, known as Paradise on Earth, with the poetic West Lake, is the most beautiful major city in China. It has a history of more than 2000 years, once being the capital of ancient China. Hangzhou is a modern metropolis with amazing city views and a good destination for shopping. Hangzhou also produces the best green tea in China, high quality silk, a lot of famous handcrafts like fans, scissors, copper ware, and of cause delicious authentic Chinese food.
Hangzhou has very convenient transportation. It is only 1 hour's ride away from Shanghai by bullet train. I highly recommend you make Hangzhou a stop when you visit China.
All the tours can be flexibly customized. Don't hesitate to message me, tell me your preference and needs.
Look forward to seeing you in Hangzhou!
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!
$120/ per group
More tours by Ben W.
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1-Day Tour: Essence of Hangzhou by Public Transportation
Drifting on West Lake, visiting Legendary Pagoda, Buddhism Temple and Ancient Street, experiencing Tea Leave Picking, if you only have one day to stay in Hangzhou, this tour is just suitable for you! Public transportation is used. The cost of transportation is not included in the price. Whether by taxi, metro or bus is chosen on your preference. If you need a private car, please check my another tour, 1-Day Tour: Essence of Hangzhou by Exclusive Car. The tour can be customized. Just contact me!
1-Day Tour: Essence of Hangzhou by Public Transportation
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3-Day Tour: Full Picture of Hangzhou
In this 3-day tour, you will explore the whole Hangzhou city from different angles, including all the 3 UNESCO world heritages: the West Lake, the Grand Canal and the Archaeological ruin of Liangzhu Ancient City, and other interesting spots covering not only natural and historic sites but also cultural experience and relaxing. We will use taxi for Day 1 because parking is difficult for those attractions and use private car for the rest two days.
3-Day Tour: Full Picture of Hangzhou
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1-Day Tour: Essence of Hangzhou by Private Car
Drifting on beautiful West Lake, visiting Legendary Pagoda, exploring famous Buddhism Temple & mysterious grottoes, and experiencing interesting tea leave picking, if you only have one day to stay in Hangzhou and want to explore the city comfortably, this car tour is the best for you. My car is a full-size 6 seater luxury with two independent second-row seats and two very comfortable third-row seats, allowing 5 persons group ride comfortably. The car was newly purchased on June, 2026.
1-Day Tour: Essence of Hangzhou by Private Car
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Summer Edition of 1-Day Tour: Essence of Hangzhou by Private 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. My car is a full-size 6 seater luxury SUV with two independent second-row seats and two very comfortable third-row seats, allowing 5 persons group ride comfortably. The car was newly purchased on June, 2026.
Summer Edition of 1-Day Tour: Essence of Hangzhou by Private Car
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Hangzhou
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Grand Canal Living Heritage: Ancient Temples, Artisan Workshops & Traditional Dress-up
Step away from West Lake and journey along the UNESCO World Heritage Grand Canal, the world’s longest and oldest artificial waterway. Instead of sitting in traffic, we will travel like true locals, exploring historic neighborhoods connected by walking paths and the iconic Canal Water Bus (Water Taxi).
Grand Canal Living Heritage: Ancient Temples, Artisan Workshops & Traditional Dress-up
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1-Day Tour: Essence of Hangzhou by Public Transportation
Drifting on West Lake, visiting Legendary Pagoda, Buddhism Temple and Ancient Street, experiencing Tea Leave Picking, if you only have one day to stay in Hangzhou, this tour is just suitable for you! Public transportation is used. The cost of transportation is not included in the price. Whether by taxi, metro or bus is chosen on your preference. If you need a private car, please check my another tour, 1-Day Tour: Essence of Hangzhou by Exclusive Car. The tour can be customized. Just contact me!
1-Day Tour: Essence of Hangzhou by Public Transportation
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