Hangzhou: A Complete 3-Day, 2-Night Guide for ¥800 Per Person

Hangzhou Travel Guide Known as "Heaven on Earth," Hangzhou is a historic cultural city that combines natural beauty with rich cultural heritage. It features the stunning West Lake scenery, the fragrant Longjing tea, and the prosperity of the Southern Song Imperial Street. Below is a detailed Hangzhou travel guide, including recommended attractions, food guide, and budget planning. I. Must-Visit Attractions 1. West Lake Scenic Area West Lake is the soul of Hangzhou, and it's recommended to spend a full day exploring it. Recommended route: Broken Bridge Snow → Bai Causeway → Peaceful Lake in Autumn → Su Causeway in Spring → Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor → Leifeng Pagoda at Sunset. You can rent a bicycle to tour around the lake and experience the beauty of West Lake that "looks lovely whether richly adorned or plainly dressed." 2. Lingyin Temple This thousand-year-old temple is built against the mountain with a serene environment. It's best to visit in the early morning to experience the zen atmosphere of temple bells. The stone carvings at Feilai Peak and the Narrow Path are worth seeing. 3. Xixi Wetland Located about 5 km from West Lake, it's a natural oxygen bar in the city. You can take a boat tour to enjoy the ecological beauty of reed marshes and bird habitats. 4. Song Dynasty Town A large theme park based on Southern Song Dynasty culture where you can watch the "Romance of the Song Dynasty" performance and experience traveling back to the Song Dynasty. 5. Hefang Street Hangzhou's most representative historical district with many Ming and Qing buildings, it's a great place to buy souvenirs and taste local snacks. II. Food Recommendations 1. Hangzhou Cuisine Highlights - West Lake Vinegar Fish (recommended at Lou Wai Lou) - Dongpo Pork (Zhiweiguan) - Longjing Shrimp (Grandma's Home) - Beggar's Chicken (Zhang Shengji) 2. Special Snacks - Green Onion Pancake (Hefang Street) - Dingsheng Cake (Southern Song Imperial Street) - Cat's Ears (Gaoyin Street) - Pian'er Chuan (Juying Noodle Shop) 3. Tea Culture Experience - Tea tasting at Meijiawu Longjing Tea Village - Learn about tea culture at China National Tea Museum III. Budget Planning (for 3 days and 2 nights) 1. Transportation - City transportation: Metro + Bus about ¥50 - West Lake cruise: ¥50-100 - Bicycle rental: ¥30/day 2. Accommodation - Budget hotels: ¥200-300/night - Boutique guesthouses: ¥400-600/night 3. Dining - Snacks: ¥20-50/meal - Regular meals: ¥80-150/person 4. Admission Tickets - West Lake: Free - Lingyin Temple: ¥45 - Xixi Wetland: ¥80 - Song Dynasty Town: ¥300 (including performance) 5. Shopping - Longjing tea: ¥100-500/jin (500g) - Silk products: ¥200-1,000 and up Total Budget: Economy style about ¥1,000-1,500/person, Comfortable style about ¥2,000-3,000/person IV. Practical Tips 1. Best travel seasons: Spring and autumn (March-May, September-November) 2. Avoid Golden Week holidays (National Day, May Day) 3. West Lake is crowded on weekends, weekdays are recommended 4. Buy Longjing tea from official tea shops 5. Hangzhou has multiple metro lines, making transportation convenient Hangzhou is a city worth savoring slowly. It's recommended to spend at least 3 days for an in-depth visit. Stroll along West Lake, enjoy a cup of Longjing tea, and experience the poetic leisure of this city.