🏞️ 1. West Lake

  • Highlights: Cruise past Three Pools Mirroring the Moon islands, cycle along Sudi Causeway, and catch the nighttime music fountain show.
  • Tip: Visit at 6:00 AM for crowd-free views of Leifeng Pagoda reflections.
  • Cost: Free (boat: ÂĄ55; Leifeng Pagoda: ÂĄ40).

đź•Ť 2. Lingyin Temple & Feilai Peak

  • Experience: Explore 1,600-year-old Buddhist grottoes and serene temple halls.
  • Tip: Join the free “Zen Light Shadow Exhibition” (10:00 AM/3:00 PM daily).
  • Cost: Feilai Peak ÂĄ45 + temple ÂĄ30.

🌿 3. Xixi National Wetland Park

  • Activity: Glide through waterways on traditional rowing boats; spot egrets and fireflies.
  • Local secret: Take the route Zhoujia Village → Shen Tan Kou to hear boatmen’s folk songs.
  • Cost: Park ÂĄ80; boat ÂĄ100/hour.

🏯 4. Song Dynasty Town (Songcheng)

  • Must-see: Watch “Eternal Romance of Song” – an immersive show blending dance, tech, and history.
  • Night fun: Wear free Hanfu costumes for lantern parades after evening shows.
  • Cost: Day ÂĄ300; night show ÂĄ199.

🏝️ 5. Thousand Islands Lake

  • Adventure: Kayak or cruise around 1,078 emerald islands; hike Meifeng Island for panoramic views.
  • Food: Savor farm-fresh fish head soup lakeside.
  • Transport: 2-hour bus from Hangzhou West Bus Station.

🏮 6. Hefang Street

  • Culture hub: Taste Congbao Hui (scallion pancake rolls) and Dingsheng Gao (lucky rice cakes).
  • Avoid crowds: Dive into Dajing Alley for authentic local eateries like Yangtang Fan Dian (noodles ÂĄ12).

⛰️ 7. Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies

  • Hiking: Trek misty paths lined with tea fields from Longjing Village to Qiantang River.
  • Reward: Sip unlimited farmhouse tea (ÂĄ5) at the endpoint.

đź’ˇ 8. Qianjiang New City Light Show

  • Spectacle: Watch free light projections (7:30 PM Tue/Fri/Sat) on skyscrapers with Asian Games themes.
  • Best spot: City Balcony overlooking Qiantang River.

🚢 9. Grand Canal Night Cruise

  • Charm: Sail past Gongchen Bridge and Historic Block lanterns; ÂĄ80 for 45 mins.
  • Budget tip: Take Water Bus Line 1 (ÂĄ3) until 9:00 PM.

🍵 10. Dragon Well Tea Plantations

  • Authentic: Pick tea leaves (spring), sip Dragon Well tea at hilltop pavilions.
  • Nearby: Combine with China Academy of Art’s red-brick architecture.

✨ Traveler Tips

  • Payment: Use Alipay e-CNY (international version) – supports foreign cards for transport, tickets, and dining.
  • Beat crowds: Visit temples at opening time (6:00-7:00 AM); book popular shows online.
  • Weather: Spring (Mar-May) for blossoms; autumn (Sep-Nov) for golden gingko trees.