- China National Tea Museum - Meijiawu Tea Village - Lingyin Temple - West Lake - Qinghefang Street
Welcome to Hangzhou, the “Heaven on Earth” and a cultural city with a history of over 5,000 years.
You will first visit the
China National Tea Museum, China’s only national-level tea culture museum. It has two branches: Shuangfeng (a Jiangnan-style garden near West Lake) and Longjing (hillside with tea mountain views). Explore Chinese tea history, global tea spread, and traditional techniques like Tang Dynasty tea boiling and Song Dynasty Dian Cha.
Next, head to
Meijiawu Tea Culture Village, the largest Longjing Tea producer. Stroll through Ming-Qing streets, visit tea workshops, and experience traditional roasting at Lu Zhenghao Plantation. Meijiawu, with 600+ years of tea cultivation, was visited by Premier Zhou Enlai, boosting its fame as a national gift tea source. Enjoy lunch with authentic Hangzhou cuisine here.
After lunch, explore
Lingyin Temple, one of China’s top Zen temples (founded 328 AD) inside Feilai Peak Scenic Area. Legend says an Indian monk built it facing Feilai Peak, believing it flew from a holy mountain. Admire ancient stone pagodas, Buddhist grottoes, and the Jigong Hall, where the legendary mad monk practiced.
Discover UNESCO-listed
West Lake via hiking, biking, boating, or sightseeing buses. Walk along Su Causeway (built by Su Dongpo) and visit landmarks like Broken Bridge (White Snake legend) and Leifeng Pagoda. Take a boat to Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon (featured on China’s 1 Yuan note).
End the day at
Qinghefang Street, a Southern Song Dynasty marketplace. Visit Hu Qing Yu Tang, a traditional Chinese medicine museum built by late Qing merchant Hu Xueyan.
After the tour, your guide will escort you to Hangzhou Bullet Train Station for the 1-hour return to Shanghai, concluding your 1-day cultural tour.