Hangzhou Day Trip from Shanghai: Private Bullet Train Tour

A full day in Hangzhou without the planning: your guide shapes the route to what interests you most.

A private day trip from Shanghai to Hangzhou by high-speed bullet train, led by a local English-speaking guide and including round-trip rail tickets, hotel pickup, all attraction entry fees and lunch. The itinerary is flexible: you choose whether to focus on culture, scenery or local experiences, and your guide tailors the stops and pace to match. Lunch is at a handpicked local restaurant, or you can opt to cook with a tea farmer's family for an additional cost. Options range from second-class to business-class rail tickets, with or without Shanghai hotel transfers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private Hangzhou Day Trip from Shanghai

• Meet driver at Shanghai hotel
• Travel to Shanghai train station
• Board bullet train to Hangzhou
• Meet private guide at Hangzhou station
• Boat ride on West Lake
• Stroll in Huagang Park
• Visit Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak
• Walk to Amanfayun Village
• Lunch at local restaurant or tea farmer's home
• Visit Meijiawu Tea Village
• Walk Song Dynasty Imperial Street
• Return to Hangzhou train station
• Train ride back to Shanghai
• Driver transfer to Shanghai hotel

The experience

The bullet train leaves Shanghai in the morning, and you spend roughly an hour aboard a high-speed rail car before arriving in Hangzhou. Your private guide meets you at Hangzhou Railway Station and takes over from there. The train tickets are booked in advance, and you simply present your passport at the station for priority entry. A professional driver handles all the driving, so you can settle in and let the day unfold. The tour runs 10 to 12 hours total, and because it's private, only your group participates.

The day centers on West Lake, a UNESCO site ringed by pagodas, arched bridges and gardens. You'll take a 35-minute boat ride across the water, then walk through part of Huagang Park: a 54-acre stretch where a clear stream flows down from Huajia Hill, lined with blooming flowers and the Red Carp Pond. From there, the route moves to Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak, where ancient tree roots climb the stone face and Buddhist palaces and pavilions hold centuries of carved figures. Your guide explains the history and spiritual significance as you move through the grounds. Next comes a walk along a cobblestone path into Amanfayun Village, a restored settlement tucked into forest, with traditional homes and tea fields surrounding it.

Lunch is your choice: eat at a local restaurant serving genuine Hangzhou cuisine, or arrange ahead to cook with a tea farmer's family (additional cost applies). Afterward, you visit Meijiawu Tea Village at the West Lake foothills to watch the process of making Xihu Longjing, Dragon Well tea, and taste it fresh in the setting where it's grown. The final stop is Song Dynasty Imperial Street, a 400-meter road lined with snack bars, antique shops and silk vendors, leading toward the old imperial palace grounds. Your driver then takes you back to Hangzhou Train Station for the return journey to Shanghai, arriving at your hotel in the evening.

What’s included

• Round-trip high-speed rail tickets in your chosen class.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Shanghai (all-inclusive options only).
• private local English-speaking guide for the full day.
• entrance fees to West Lake boat ride, Lingyin Temple, Feilai Peak, Huagang Park and Song Dynasty Imperial Street.
• authentic Hangzhou lunch at a handpicked local restaurant.
• Xihu Longjing tea tasting at Meijiawu Tea Village.
• bottled water throughout the tour.
• WiFi onboard the train.
• air-conditioned vehicle with panoramic windows for sightseeing between attractions.

Options for this experience

6 options

Second Class, No Transfer in SHGuide in English · 7 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 09:00Second-class train tickets: Booked through our online system, round-trip second-class tickets allow easy station access with passport check-in and check-out. Duration: 12 hours. Approx. 12 hours: Enjoy a flexible full-day itinerary, with timing adjusted to your pace, interests, and sightseeing needs. Local cuisine experience: Enjoy authentic Hangzhou flavors, with flexible meal options tailored to your preferences and dietary needs. No transfer in Shanghai: Hotel or train station pickup and drop-off is not included in Shanghai. Transportation is easily manageable by taxi or subway. Private spacious vehicle: Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned car with large windows, ideal for enjoying scenic views along the way. All included in Hangzhou: Experience Hangzhou effortlessly, with a private guide, vehicle, lunch, attraction tickets, and transfers all included.

First-class option, transfer not included, in SHGuide in English · 7 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 09:00First-class train tickets: Booked through our online system, round-trip first-class tickets allow easy station access with passport check-in and check-out. Duration: 12 hours. Approx. 12 hours: Enjoy a flexible full-day itinerary, with timing adjusted to your pace, interests, and sightseeing needs. Local cuisine experience: Enjoy authentic Hangzhou flavors, with flexible meal options tailored to your preferences and dietary needs. No transfer in Shanghai: Hotel or train station pickup and drop-off is not included in Shanghai. Transportation is easily manageable by taxi or subway. Private spacious vehicle: Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned car with large windows, ideal for enjoying scenic views along the way. All included in Hangzhou: Experience Hangzhou effortlessly, with a private guide, vehicle, lunch, attraction tickets, and transfers all included.

Second-class option, fully inclusiveGuide in English · 7 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 09:00First-class train tickets: Booked through our online system, round-trip first-class tickets allow easy station access with passport check-in and check-out. Duration: 12 hours. Approx. 12 hours: Enjoy a flexible full-day itinerary, with timing adjusted to your pace, interests, and sightseeing needs. Local cuisine experience: Enjoy authentic Hangzhou flavors, with flexible meal options tailored to your preferences and dietary needs. Round-way Shanghai transfer: Seamless transfer: Elevate your experience with hotel or train station pickup and drop-off service. Private spacious vehicle: Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned car with large windows, ideal for enjoying scenic views along the way. All included in Hangzhou: Experience Hangzhou effortlessly, with a private guide, vehicle, lunch, attraction tickets, and transfers all included.

See 3 more options

First Class, All-InclusiveGuide in English · 8 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 09:30First-class train tickets: Booked through our online system, round-trip first-class tickets allow easy station access with passport check-in and check-out. Duration: 12 hours. Approx. 12 hours: Enjoy a flexible full-day itinerary, with timing adjusted to your pace, interests, and sightseeing needs. Local cuisine experience: Enjoy authentic Hangzhou flavors, with flexible meal options tailored to your preferences and dietary needs. Round-way Shanghai transfer: Elevate your experience with hotel or train station pickup and drop-off service in Shanghai. Private spacious vehicle: Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned car with large windows, ideal for enjoying scenic views along the way. All included in Hangzhou: Experience Hangzhou effortlessly, with a private guide, vehicle, lunch, attraction tickets, and transfers all included.

Business-class option, all-inclusiveGuide in English · 7 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 09:00Business-class train tickets: Booked through our online system, round-trip business-class tickets allow easy station access with passport check-in and check-out. Duration: 12 hours. Approx. 12 hours: Enjoy a flexible full-day itinerary, with timing adjusted to your pace, interests, and sightseeing needs. Local cuisine experience: Enjoy authentic Hangzhou flavors, with flexible meal options tailored to your preferences and dietary needs. Round-way Shanghai transfer: Seamless transfer: Elevate your experience with hotel or train station pickup and drop-off service. Private spacious vehicle: Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned car with large windows, ideal for enjoying scenic views along the way. All included in Hangzhou: Experience Hangzhou effortlessly, with a private guide, vehicle, lunch, attraction tickets, and transfers all included.

Night show included with the business-class optionGuide in English · 7 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 09:00Impression West Lake Show: Enjoy a spectacular evening performance blending music, light, dance, and Hangzhou's legendary lake culture. Business-class train tickets: Booked through our online system, round-trip business-class tickets allow easy station access with passport check-in and check-out. Duration: 13 hours. Approx. 13 hours: Enjoy a flexible full-day itinerary, with timing adjusted to your pace, interests, and sightseeing needs. Local lunch experience: Enjoy authentic Hangzhou flavors, with flexible meal options tailored to your preferences and dietary needs. Round-way Shanghai transfer: Seamless transfer: Elevate your experience with hotel or train station pickup and drop-off service. Private spacious vehicle: Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned car with large windows, ideal for enjoying scenic views along the way. All included in Hangzhou: Experience Hangzhou with a private guide, vehicle, lunch, attraction and show tickets, and transfers all included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 09:30

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by China Private Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the all-inclusive option if hotel pickups matter to you or if you want one straightforward price. Pick a no-transfer option if you're comfortable getting to Shanghai station on your own and prefer to save on that cost. Business-class rail adds more legroom and a quieter cabin if you value comfort on the train itself. The flexible itinerary means you don't need to commit to a fixed route before you book. Your guide will adjust based on what you want to see and how much time you want to spend at each stop.

Traveler reviews

4.93★★★★★★★★★★

91 verified traveler reviews

5 ★88

4 ★1

3 ★1

2 ★1

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 8 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What's included in the price for a Hangzhou day trip from Shanghai?

Round-trip high-speed rail tickets (class depends on your option), hotel pickup and drop-off in Shanghai (on all-inclusive options), entrance fees to West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Feilai Peak, Huagang Park and Song Dynasty Imperial Street, a full day with a private local guide, lunch at a local restaurant, bottled water throughout the day, and WiFi onboard the train. Tea tasting at Meijiawu Tea Village is included. Cooking with a tea farmer's family costs extra.

Can I customize the itinerary, or is the route fixed?

The tour is fully flexible. Your guide will ask about your interests (whether you want to focus on culture, scenery or local experiences), and can tailor the stops, timing and commentary to match. You shape the day within the framework of the main attractions.

How long is the bullet train ride between Shanghai and Hangzhou?

The high-speed train takes approximately one hour each way. You'll travel in business-class or first-class comfort depending on your ticket option, with WiFi available onboard.

What is Lingyin Temple, and why is it worth visiting?

Lingyin Temple is one of China's largest and oldest Buddhist temples, set against Feilai Peak where ancient tree roots climb the stone. The temple holds palaces, pavilions and halls decorated with intricate carved figures of Buddhist deities and is a major site for understanding Chinese Buddhism and its spiritual heritage.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to Shanghai train station, or is it included?

It depends on your option. All-inclusive packages include hotel pickup and drop-off at Shanghai train station. If you choose a no-transfer option, you arrange your own way to the station. The tour guide will still meet you at Hangzhou station on arrival.

What should I bring or wear for this day trip?

Wear comfortable shoes. You'll walk through parks, temple grounds and a village. Bring a light layer or jacket depending on the season. The itinerary operates in all weather, so dress appropriately. A passport is required for train ticket check-in.