Zhiweiguan (83 Renhe Rd, ¥60-120/person): Historic snack house
Hangzhou Restaurant (205 Yan'an Rd, ¥80-150/person): Local favorite
New White Deer (Multiple locations, ¥50-80/person): Budget-friendly Hangzhou cuisine
📅 3-Day Itinerary
🚶 Day 1: Classic West Lake + Leifeng Sunset
Morning (8:00-12:00)
Start at Broken Bridge (Duanqiao), legendary meeting place of the White Snake. Walk Bai Causeway (~1.5km) to Solitary Hill, passing Autumn Moon over Calm Lake. Visit Zhejiang Provincial Museum (free, closed Mondays) and Xiling Seal Art Society.
✨ Tip: Early morning Broken Bridge has fewer crowds and misty lake views.
Lunch (12:00-13:30)Louwailou — West Lake Vinegar Fish, Dongpo Pork. Book a window seat facing the lake.
Afternoon (14:00-17:00)
Take a West Lake boat (¥55/person) to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (Xiaoyingzhou), featured on the ¥1 note. Continue to Su Causeway (~2.8km), passing Fish Viewing at Flower Harbor.
Evening (17:30-19:00)
Climb Leifeng Pagoda (¥40) for panoramic sunset views — one of West Lake's Ten Scenes.
Dinner (19:30-21:00)
Explore Hefang Street and Southern Song Imperial Street for street food and souvenirs.
Afternoon (14:00-17:30)
Walk to Longjing Village via Nine Creeks (Jiuxi Shiba Jian) — a stunning 3km trail through tea gardens and streams. Taste authentic Mingqian Longjing tea at a farmer's home (¥30-50/cup).
Evening (18:00-20:00)Xixi National Wetland Park (¥80). Take a scull boat (¥100/hour) through reed marshes at dusk.
🚶 Day 3: Grand Canal + Artsy Alleys + Tea Villages
Morning (8:30-11:30)
Visit Grand Canal Museum (free), then walk Gongchen Bridge → Qiaoxi Historic Block → Xiaohe Straight Street → Dadou Road (~2.5km).
Lunch (12:00-13:30)
Eat at Xiaohe Straight Street — try Pian'er Chuan noodles (¥15-25), Hangzhou's everyday comfort food.
Afternoon (14:00-17:00)
Head to Meijiawu Tea Village (30 min from downtown), quieter than Longjing. Walk the tea terraces, try tea picking (¥50-100/person). Or visit China Tea Museum (88 Longjing Rd, free).
Evening (17:30-19:30)
Return to Hubin IN77 for shopping, watch the West Lake Musical Fountain (19:00 & 20:00, 15 min each).
Farewell Dinner (20:00-21:30)New White Deer — end your trip with affordable, excellent Hangzhou cuisine.
🎒 Practical Tips
Shoes: Lots of walking — comfortable sneakers are essential
Hangzhou Tourist Pass: ¥99+ with attraction discounts
Don't Miss
☕ Authentic Longjing tea at a tea farmer's home
🚣 Rowboat ride on West Lake
🌅 Sunset from Leifeng Pagoda
🍜 West Lake Vinegar Fish at Louwailou
📸 Dawn photo at Broken Bridge
🚶 Nine Creeks trail through tea mountains
Three days is brief, but Hangzhou's soul — the gentle waves of West Lake, the aroma of Longjing tea, the bells of Lingyin, the centuries of the Grand Canal — will stay with you forever. Paradise on earth is worth every step.
