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How to enjoy a 3-day and 2-night Hangzhou tour, a comprehensive itinerary planning guide!

Travellers Magicians

Sep 17, 2025

Contents

Trip Planner
Hangzhou Itinerary Planning Overview
Hangzhou Day 1
- Lingyin Temple
- Quyuan Fenghe
- Fish watching in Huagang
- Su Causeway
- The Moon Mirrored in Three Pools
- Leifeng Pagoda
Hangzhou Day 2
- Xixi National Wetland Park
- Qinghefang Street
Hangzhou Day 3
- Hangzhou Songcheng
- Qiantang River Cruise

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This guide carefully plans a perfect 3-day and 2-night trip in Hangzhou for you. Covering local attractions, authentic food and popular shopping areas, you can easily travel around Hangzhou and enjoy a worry-free holiday. Whether it is an in-depth exploration of history and culture or a fashionable check-in in a modern metropolis, this guide can meet your needs. Come and start your wonderful trip to Hangzhou!

Visit Lingyin Temple to find the place where Jigong became a monk, watch fish at Huagang and feed red carp, stroll along Su Causeway to Leifeng Pagoda and enjoy the panoramic view of West Lake.
Take a boat trip to explore the reed maze in Xixi, eat Dingsheng cake in Qinghefang, watch the Eternal Love in Songcheng and cruise along Qiantang River at night.

Date	Journey
Day 1	Lingyin Temple->Quyuan Fenghe->Huagangguanyu->Su Causeway->Three Pools Mirroring the Moon->Leifeng Pagoda
Day 2	Xixi National Wetland Park->Qinghefang Street
Day 3	Hangzhou Songcheng-> Qiantang River Cruise

Lingyin Temple, also known as "Yunlin Temple", is located at the foot of Lingyin Mountain west of West Lake. The temple has a quiet environment and is the earliest famous temples in Hangzhou. It preserves many exquisite cultural relics from various dynasties. This is the place where Jigong became a monk. It is said that wishes are very effective, and there is an endless stream of pilgrims coming here to pray every day.

After 1,700 years of ups and downs, Lingyin Temple has become a treasure house of history and culture: the plaque "Yunlin Zen Temple" hangs on the Heavenly King Hall, which was inscribed by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty; the stone pagoda in front of the Main Hall and the stone pagoda in front of the Heavenly King Hall are both relics from the Wu Yue period of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms; the Buddhist cultural relics collected in the temple include ancient palm leaf manuscripts, Eastern Wei gilded Buddha statues, Ming Dong Qichang's handwritten copy of the Diamond Sutra, Qing Yongzheng woodcut Dragon Collection and other precious treasures. Lingyin Temple is also the temple where monk Dao Ji, also known as "Jigong", became a monk. The Buddha statue enshrined in the Zen Master Dao Ji Hall, who holds a broken fan in his right hand, a rosary in his left hand, and his right foot resting on a wine jar, is the statue of Jigong.

Lingyin Temple is backed by Beigao Peak and faces Feilai Peak. Although Feilai Peak is not high, there are many fantastic and varied caves on the mountain. There are more than 340 Buddhist cave statues from the Five Dynasties onwards. It is a rare ancient cave art treasure in Jiangnan, my country. The temple is always crowded with people, especially on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month or on Buddhist holidays, when believers come from all directions.

Address: No. 1, Fayun Lane, Xihu District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province

Opening hours: 06:30-18:00 (no admission after 17:30)

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I went to Lingyin Temple some time ago and was really amazed! Before entering the temple, you can see the palaces surrounded by mountains from afar. They are well-arranged, simple and solemn. As soon as I stepped into the temple, the lingering scent of sandalwood instantly calmed my restless heart. The Main Hall is majestic. The statue of Sakyamuni Buddha inside the hall shines with golden light and has a solemn appearance, which makes people feel awe unconsciously. In the Hall of Five Hundred Arhats, the five hundred Arhats have different expressions, and each one seems to be telling a story. There are towering old trees in the temple, with sunlight filtering through the branches and leaves, creating dappled shadows that are as beautiful as a painting. Walking along the path, listening to the gurgling water, I felt completely isolated from the world.

Quyuan Fenghe is located on the right side of Su Causeway and in front of Yue Temple, close to Beishan Road. It is famous for viewing lotus in the wind in summer and is one of the ten scenic spots of West Lake. There are hundreds of varieties of lotus planted in the large and small lotus ponds in the park, among which the Fenghe Scenic Area is particularly charming. There are famous varieties of lotus flowers, including red lotus, white lotus, double-layer lotus, golden lotus, twin lotus, etc. Ancient pavilions are built on the shore, and small bridges of various shapes are built on the water.

Address: No. 89 Beishan Street, Xihu District, Hangzhou

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, all year round

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One of the ten scenic spots of West Lake, opposite Yue Temple and closest to the west of the city, you can see Zhusu Garden and Zhouyun Peak, one of the three strange rocks in Jiangnan. In summer, the lake is full of lotus flowers, which are very beautiful.

Huagangguanyu is located in the south of West Lake. This used to be a private residence, but now it is a beautiful free park, listed as one of the "Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake". Huagang Fish Viewing Park is named after the schools of red carp in the red fish pond. There are always adults and children feeding the fish with feed and bread crumbs, and they have a lot of fun. To the west of the Red Fish Pond is the peony garden, where many peonies and herbaceous peonies are planted.

Address: No. 5-1 Xishan Road

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, all year round

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The history of Huagang Fish Watching can be traced back to the Southern Song Dynasty, when it was the private garden of the eunuch Lu Yunsheng. Because the stream from Huajiashan flows into the West Lake, it was called "Huagang". Later, Lu Garden was abandoned, and the scenery declined. When Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty was on his southern tour, he rebuilt a pond for raising fish, built pavilions and gardens on the former site of Dingxiang Temple between Yingbo Bridge and Suolan Bridge on the Su Causeway, and erected a stone tablet with the four characters "Huagang Watching Fish" inscribed on it. The main attractions of Huagang Guanyu Park include the red fish pond, peony garden, flower harbour, large lawn, dense woodland, etc. The Red Fish Pond is the central area for sightseeing in the entire park. Earth is piled up in the middle of the pond to form an island, and a curved bridge is built over the pond. Leaning on the bridge railing and looking down, you can see thousands of golden-scaled red fish swimming in groups, splashing and playing in the water. The Peony Garden is home to various precious peonies and numerous bonsai, and is one of the wedding photography locations in Hangzhou.

Su Causeway runs through the north and south of West Lake. It was built by Su Dongpo when he was an official in Hangzhou and is also called "Su Gong Causeway". Because of its charming spring scenery, it is also called "Su Causeway Spring Dawn". The Su Causeway is nearly 3 kilometers long, with willow trees lining both sides of the asphalt road. You can take a stroll to enjoy the beautiful scenery of West Lake, such as the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon and Leifeng Pagoda. It is also nice to ride a bicycle when there are fewer people. The Su Causeway is charming in spring and is suitable for walking and photography; in summer, you can enjoy large areas of lotus flowers on the west side of the Su Causeway. It is very pleasant to walk on the lakeside paths on both sides of Su Causeway and enjoy the lake view. If you are tired, you can take a rest on the bench.

Address: No. 1, Longjing Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, West Lake Scenic Area

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, all year round

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We came here on the second day of our three-day tour. Next to it is Su Xiaoxiao’s tomb, Gushan, and Louwailou! Yellow building! The weather here changes quickly, so it’s best to bring an umbrella!

Three Pools Mirroring the Moon refers to the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon Island, also known as "Xiaoyingzhou", and also refers to the three water towers in the West Lake that measure the water height. It is one of the ten scenic spots of the West Lake. The Moon Mirroring in the Three Pools Island is one of the few islands in West Lake that can be visited. To visit the island, you must take a West Lake cruise. The island's cultural landscape is concentrated in the north of the island. There are three stone pagodas on the lake, which are also the highlight of the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon.

Address: No. 1, Longjing Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area

Opening hours: 08:00-17:00

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It was great. Lingyin Temple was very popular. I hope our wishes will come true. The West Lake was beautiful. We checked in at the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon and took some great photos. The breeze on the lake was cool. It was a good experience. The air environment in Hangzhou is also great👍🏻

Leifeng Pagoda is one of the ten scenic spots of West Lake in Hangzhou, located on Xizhao Mountain on the south bank of West Lake in Hangzhou. Whenever the sun sets, the tower's shadow stretches across the sky, creating a unique charm, hence the name "Leifeng Sunset". Many people's "Leifeng Pagoda complex" originates from the legend of the White Snake. Although the old pagoda collapsed in 1924, this new pagoda was rebuilt on the original foundation, retaining the pavilion-style structure of the old pagoda before it was burned down. It completely adopts the style, design and size of the reconstruction in the early Southern Song Dynasty, and there are elevators and air conditioners inside.

Address: No. 15, Nanshan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou

Opening hours: 08:00-20:00 (ticket sales stop at 19:30)

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Leifeng Pagoda is not to be missed! It is located on the south bank of West Lake, and the surrounding scenery is super beautiful. When you enter Leifeng Pagoda, there is an elevator inside, so it’s no problem if you don’t want to climb the stairs. Climbing to the top of the tower, you can have a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery of West Lake. The lake is sparkling, and the mountains are in the distance. The Three Pools Mirroring the Moon and the Su Causeway and Bai Causeway are also clearly visible. There are different displays on each floor of the tower, such as wood carvings, poems, and murals, which can let you understand the story of the Legend of the White Snake and the history of Leifeng Pagoda. It was an unforgettable trip!

Xixi National Wetland Park is located in the west of Hangzhou, only 6 kilometers away from Wulin Gate in the main urban area of Hangzhou and 5 kilometers away from West Lake. Xixi originated in the Han and Jin Dynasties, developed in the Tang and Song Dynasties, flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, declined in the Republic of China, and revived in modern times. In Hangzhou's history, "West Lake, Xixi, and Xiling" were collectively known as the "Three Wests". Historically, Xixi covered an area of about 60 square kilometers, and the total area of Xixi wetlands under protection is currently about 10.38 square kilometers. There are ten sceneries including "Autumn Reeds Flying Snow, Traces of Imperial Palace in Gaozhuang, Misty Rain in Fishing Village, Listening to Music on the Riverbank, Dragon Boat Festival, Searching for Plum Blossoms in the Winding Water, Persimmons Reflected in the Waves, Egrets on the Lotus Beach, Remaining Charms of Hong Garden, and Reeds Floating in the Moonlight", and three embankments including "Fu Dike, Green Dike and Shou Dike". Xixi is a rare wetland in China that integrates urban wetlands, agricultural wetlands and cultural wetlands. It is also one of the earliest national wetland parks in the country. Xixi Wetland embodies the five major cultural themes of "Buddhism, seclusion, vulgarity, leisure and wildness", and its zoning characteristics are "seclusion in the south, vulgarity in the north, bustling in the east and tranquillity in the west". The essence of Xixi culture is "one garden and five places": Hongyuan, the premier site of Yue Opera, the holy land of poets, the birthplace of Water Margin, the free and easy place for literati, and the concentrated place of folk customs. Xixi has a 300-acre plum forest, planted with many varieties including Jiangmei, Gongfen, Zhusha, Lu'e, Yudie, and Meirenmei. A good place to enjoy plum blossoms in Xixi is the Meizhu Leisure Area, where Meizhu Villa and Xixi Meishu are concentrated. There are also many plum blossoms planted along the Mei Dike from Zhoujia Village to Gaozhuang. From November and December to March of the following year, different varieties of plum blossoms bloom one after another. "Looking for plum blossoms along the winding river and exploring them by boat" is a unique way to appreciate plum blossoms in Xixi.

Address: No. 518 Tianmushan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province

Opening hours: 07:30-18:30 (ticket sales stop at 17:30; admission stops at 18:00)

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- Water tour: Rowing boat experience, starting from Zhoujia Village Pier to Meizhu Villa, Xixi Meishu, Qiuxuean, etc., 100 yuan/boat per hour, limited to 6 people; battery boat loop line, Zhoujia Village-Yanshui Fishing Village-Shentankou-Jiaolutianzhuang-return, ticket price 60 yuan/person. - Land exploration: Walking route, Zhoujia Village entrance - Meizhu Villa - Hezhu Street - Fudi - Gaozhuang - Xixi Water Pavilion, the whole journey is about 6 kilometers; battery car loop line, North Gate to Wujiawan loop line has 16 stops, 30 yuan/person for unlimited rides.

Qinghefang Street is one of the popular commercial districts in Hangzhou. The shops along the street were converted from old buildings and are quaint and antique. There are all kinds of local snacks, time-honoured brands and teahouses here. With Wushan Mountain at its back and Gaoyin Street food street nearby, it is often visited by tourists and locals alike. This commercial pedestrian street is not too big and has a wide variety of shops. It can be regarded as a microcosm of Hangzhou’s characteristics, and local specialities can be found here. In addition to snacks and shopping, Qinghefang also has many venues worth visiting. You must not miss Hu Qing Yu Tang, where you can visit the Hu Qing Yu Tang Museum.

Address: No. 180 Hefang Street, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, all year round

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You can go and have some fun at this business district, which was built based on the ancient elements of the ancient imperial road and the historical buildings that are still preserved today, and then added with modern design concepts. These include the Southern Song Dynasty Study, which combines modern culture with the culture of the Northern and Southern Song Dynasties; Qing Yu Tang, a century-old brand founded by Hu Xueyan; and speciality shops that combine the Legend of White Snake that we watched in our youth with modern tea culture.

Give me one day, and I'll give you a thousand years!

Hangzhou Songcheng is a scenic spot that travels through time and space and subverts imagination. With 20 theaters and hundreds of performances, you can’t see them all in one day. There is always something that suits you.

The scenic area is crisscrossed with East Street, West Street, North Street, Shijing Street, Hongqiao and Fenghua Lane, presenting a prosperous Song Dynasty style scene with Chinese and ancient customs. Punk Street, Song City Gate, Sky Tree, Time Tree, Acacia Tree, Cloud Ladder Walk, Performing Arts Plaza, etc., every step brings a different scene, allowing you to travel through time and space. Rafting on the Song River, you will feel like you are travelling in a painting and experience the rich Jiangnan charm. Get wild at the Forest Theatre and sing with the wind at the Cliff Theatre.

The main show, "Songcheng Eternal Love", is a must-see performance in your lifetime. It features military parades and numerous beauties. It is known as one of the "three most famous shows in the world", along with the "O" show in Las Vegas and the Moulin Rouge in Paris.

The performances such as "Lijiang Love Song", "Captain Cook", "Phantom", "Water Concert", "Cliff Concert", "Throwing the Embroidered Ball", "Gongzhuang", and "Flash Mob" have different styles. There are large-scale experience projects such as the Qingming Shanghe Tu Cinema, Light and Shadow Museum, Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio Haunted House, "Virtual Space" and "Fantasy Space", which go from heaven to earth. Live-action dramas such as "The Great Earthquake", "The Battle of Shangganling" and "Mountain Rhododendron", with landslides and flames of war, are a red journey that cleanses the soul.

Songcheng is a parent-child base where the whole family can enjoy the joy of family life. Take your children to experience the Elf Valley, challenge aerial adventures, and release their nature. The elders are looking for their childhood memories in the crowded workshops.

Everything in the scenic area is centered around tourists. The main theaters and scenic spots are connected by wind and rain corridors, providing tourists with a comfortable experience on both sunny and rainy days. It is an Internet celebrity check-in spot that integrates tourism, performances, and vacation.

The Qianguqing Hotel, located adjacent to the scenic area, provides you with a convenient holiday experience. If you purchase a scenic spot and wine package, you can enter the park multiple times and enjoy more discounts.

Songcheng, give me one day and I will give you a thousand years!

Address: No. 148, Zhijiang Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province

Opening hours: 09:30-21:00

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When I visited the Songcheng Scenic Area in Hangzhou, there were many things to do in the scenic area, especially many places to take photos and check in. There were also many performances, and I could interact with the actors. The staff were enthusiastic in service and I highly recommend it.

A night cruise on the Qiantang River is one of the special experiences in Hangzhou. You can take a yacht from the pier and dive into the Qiantang River through the canal, and enjoy the beautiful night view of the canal along the way. The Qiantang River has a tortuous course, with a mountain stream in the upper reaches and hills in the middle reaches. The lower reaches are trumpet-shaped outside the mouth of the river, and the river mouth gradually widens. Its main tributaries include the Wuxi River, Wujiang River, Puyang River, Cao'e River, etc.

Address: About 150 meters north of the intersection of Wentao Road and Jianghan Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province (west of Qianjianglong)

Opening hours: 10:00-22:00

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It is worth seeing the beautiful Qiantang River. The lights, sky and river water form a wonderful fantasy that makes people admire and dazed. The years fly by and the world is prosperous. The wonderful transformation of time and space produces a strong emotional resonance that makes people sigh.