Truly a Breathtaking Paradise! Complete Guide to Zhejiang

Zhejiang Travel Guide: A Perfect Encounter of Jiangnan Water Towns and Mountain-Sea Wonders (with Money-Saving Tips) "Zhejiang is a place where you can enjoy everything from the gentle waves of West Lake to the steep peaks of Yandang Mountain, from early morning tea in Lanxi to seafood feasts in Zhoushan!" — The scenery here is more photogenic than your social media feed, the food is more delicious than your boss's empty promises, and the best part? Accommodations start at just 100+ yuan per person, making them an even better deal than milk tea at scenic spots! As a seasoned "Zhejiang wanderer," I'm serving up the hottest and freshest Zhejiang travel guide that will help you experience the province like a local, eat like a food critic, and still keep your wallet intact! From Hangzhou's West Lake to Lishui's terraced fields, from Shaoxing's yellow wine to Taizhou's seafood, let's embark on a journey filled with Jiangnan charm and spectacular mountain-sea landscapes~ 📌 Must-Visit Attractions in Zhejiang 1. Hangzhou West Lake: Romance in a Thousand-Year-Old Painting "The lake water here is clearer than your year-end bonus!" — West Lake's Ten Scenes are beautiful in all four seasons, with Spring Dawn at Su Causeway in spring, Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard in summer, Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake in fall, and Remnant Snow on the Broken Bridge in winter. ✅ Highlights: - Broken Bridge Snow: The sacred site of Xu Xian and Lady White Snake's love story, with breathtaking snow scenes in winter (but don't expect the bridge to be actually "broken"). - Leifeng Pagoda: Climb up for a panoramic view of West Lake, with dazzling night lights. Perfect for social media posts captioned "Good deed of the day +1." - Three Pools Mirroring the Moon: A small island in the lake, best explored by boat to experience the feeling of "wandering in a painting." 🎫 Admission: Free (some smaller attractions require tickets). 🍜 Nearby Food Recommendations: - Lou Wai Lou (around 100 yuan per person): West Lake vinegar fish, Longjing shrimp, classic Hangzhou cuisine. - Zhiweiguan (around 50 yuan per person): Xiaolongbao, cat ear-shaped noodles, traditional Hangzhou snacks. 2. Lanxi Youbu Ancient Town: The Ultimate Jiangnan Breakfast Experience "The morning tea here starts earlier than your alarm clock!" — Market opens at 5 AM, with soy milk, egg cakes, and fried dough sticks. Eat until you're full for just 20 yuan. ✅ Must-Experience: - Youbu Morning Tea Street: Sit at a door-panel breakfast table, enjoy salty soy milk with fried dough sticks, and feel the century-old atmosphere. - Wuma Guicao Bridge: A Ming Dynasty ancient bridge, perfect for capturing the essence of Jiangnan water towns in photos. - Glass Palace Art Bookstore: A modern-meets-traditional bookstore, ideal for Instagram-worthy photos. 🎫 Admission: Free. 3. Zhoushan Putuo Mountain: A Peaceful Journey to the Buddhist Kingdom by the Sea "The Guanyin here is more effective than your wishes!" — Putuo Mountain is one of China's four famous Buddhist mountains, with a majestic South Sea Guanyin statue. ✅ Highlights: - Puji Temple: The main temple on Putuo Mountain, with strong incense offerings, known for granting wishes for love and career. - South Sea Guanyin Buddha: A 33-meter-tall bronze statue facing the sea, magnificent and imposing. - Zhujiajian Beach: Home to the Sand Sculpture Festival, perfect for swimming and sunbathing. 🎫 Admission: 160 yuan (including round-trip ferry). 🦞 Nearby Food Recommendations: - Shenjia Men Seafood Stalls (around 80 yuan per person): Red roe crabs, scallion oil crabs, incredibly fresh seafood. 4. Lishui Yunhe Terraced Fields: A Poetic Landscape of China's Most Beautiful Terraces "The terraced fields here are more orderly than your pay stub!" — At dawn, golden sunlight spills over the layers of water fields, creating a heavenly scene. ✅ Best Ways to Enjoy: - Qixing Dun Viewing Platform: The best spot to watch the sunrise, with sea of clouds + terraced fields, breathtakingly beautiful. - Guyan Painting Village: Oujiang River sails + thousand-year-old Tongji Weir, perfect for photography and sketching. 🎫 Admission: 80 yuan. 🍚 Nearby Food Recommendations: - Jinyun Shaobing (5 yuan each): Crispy outside and tender inside, with generous meat filling, a champion among Zhejiang snacks. 🍽️ Zhejiang Food Hit and Miss List 👍 Hit List (Must-Try) - Hangzhou Pian'er Chuan (15 yuan per bowl): Preserved vegetables + bamboo shoots + meat slices, with chewy noodles and rich broth. - Shaoxing Stinky Tofu (10 yuan per serving): Crispy outside, tender inside, perfect with sweet and spicy sauce. - Taizhou Egg White Lamb Tail (8 yuan each): Soft, sweet, and fluffy like a cloud. 👎 Miss List (Avoid) - "West Lake Vinegar Fish" at tourist spots: May not be authentic, better to eat at established restaurants. - Trendy bamboo tube milk tea (30 yuan per cup): Ordinary taste, purely for photos. 🏠 Accommodation Recommendations: Sleep Well on a Budget 1. Hangzhou Hostels (50-100 yuan per bed) - Hangzhou Carnation Youth Hostel: Near West Lake, great atmosphere, suitable for backpackers. 2. Shaoxing Homestays (150-250 yuan per night) - Shaoxing Dongli Farmhouse: Rural style, experience yellow wine culture. 3. Zhoushan Budget Hotels (200-300 yuan per night) - Home Inn at Zhujiajian: Near the beach, great value for money. Tips: ✅ Low season (November-March) prices are half off. ❌ Avoid rooms facing the street, might be too noisy for "successful meditation." 🚗 Classic 5-Day Itinerary (Budget Version) Day 1: Hangzhou West Lake - Morning: Broken Bridge → Bai Causeway → Leifeng Pagoda - Noon: Hangzhou cuisine at Lou Wai Lou - Afternoon: Lingyin Temple → Hefang Street Night Market Day 2: Shaoxing Cultural Tour - Morning: Lu Xun's Former Residence → Shen Garden - Noon: Fennel beans + yellow wine at Xianheng Hotel - Afternoon: Explore and eat at Anchang Ancient Town Day 3: Zhoushan Island Tour - Morning: Worship Guanyin at Putuo Mountain - Noon: Seafood at Shenjia Men - Afternoon: Beach activities at Zhujiajian Day 4: Lishui Terraced Fields - Morning: Watch sunrise at Yunhe Terraced Fields - Noon: Farm cuisine at Guyan Painting Village - Afternoon: Sailing experience on Oujiang River Day 5: Lanxi Morning Tea + Return - Early morning: Youbu Morning Tea Street - Noon: Jinyun Shaobing - Afternoon: Return home with a satisfied stomach ⚠️ Ultimate Survival Guide 1. Transportation Money-Saving Tips: - Zhejiang has well-developed high-speed rail: Hangzhou → Shaoxing takes 15 minutes (20 yuan), Hangzhou → Ningbo takes 40 minutes (50 yuan). - Shared bikes + walking: In old town areas where attractions are concentrated, biking is faster than taking a taxi. 2. Avoiding Tourist Traps: - Don't trust "free guides," they might be shopping tour plants. - Ask for prices before ordering at seafood stalls to avoid being overcharged. 3. Cultural Fun Facts: - Zhejiang locals call "eating" as "shi fan" and "going shopping" as "dang ma lu." - Shaoxing yellow wine is best served warm for a richer taste. Summary: Zhejiang is perfect for travelers who are "both lazy and foodie" — sightseeing in the morning, tea in the afternoon, feasting in the evening. Happiness is that simple! "Life is like Zhejiang's landscapes — there are gentle lakes and steep mountains, but there's always a place that makes you reluctant to leave." — So don't hesitate, start your Jiangnan journey now! 🏞️🍜