Hangzhou Private Tour: West Lake, Bamboo Forest & Tea Village

Seven hours through Hangzhou's landmarks, from lakeside temples to a bamboo forest and a Qing dynasty garden house

A full-day private tour of Hangzhou with a local guide and driver, visiting West Lake (a UNESCO site), walking through Yunxi Bamboo Forest, learning tea culture at a dragon well green tea village, and exploring the Former Residence of Xueyan Hu, a luxury garden house from the Qing dynasty. Hotel pickup is included. Lunch with local dishes and authentic green tea is available as an add-on. The guide speaks English or Chinese.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Hangzhou's nature and culture

• Pick up from Hangzhou hotel
• Visit West Lake and explore shore
• Optional boat cruise on West Lake
• Walk through Yunxi Bamboo Forest
• Tour Dragon Well green tea village
• Lunch with authentic green tea
• Visit Former Residence of Xueyan Hu
• Drop off at Hangzhou hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Hangzhou hotel or train station. Your guide takes you first to West Lake, the iconic UNESCO site at the heart of the city. You explore the shoreline on foot, visiting the ten most significant spots: Flower Harbour, Lotus Park, and Spring Dawn at Su Causeway among them. The guide shares local folklore and history as you take in the water and mountain views. If you book the cruise option, you'll board a boat to the middle island, passing the famous Leifeng Pagoda and the "Three Pagodas Mirroring the Moon" scenery (the image printed on the Chinese one Yuan note).

From the lake, you walk through Yunxi Bamboo Forest along a paved path lined with bamboo and lush green growth. The forest walk is easy and pleasant, with the sound of nature as your backdrop. You then continue to a local dragon well green tea village, where the famous green tea is grown and produced. Your guide leads you through the tea plantation and fields. You learn how to pick tea leaves and the history behind the tea culture. If you've booked the lunch option, you'll eat local dishes here and drink authentic green tea, with your guide recommending meals based on your dietary preferences.

The final stop is the Former Residence of Xueyan Hu, a private garden house built by one of the wealthiest merchants during the Qing dynasty. You walk through different areas, seeing classic rockeries, ponds and stone bridges while your guide explains the history and architecture. After the tour, you're dropped off at your hotel or another downtown location of your choice.

What’s included

• Private experienced driver with air-conditioned vehicle.
• entrance fees to Yunxi Bamboo Forest and the Former Residence of Xueyan Hu.
• local guide in English or Chinese.
• hotel or train station pickup and return to your hotel or downtown location.
• tasty local lunch with authentic green tea (if Private Tour with Lunch option is selected).

Options for this experience

2 options

Private Tour OnlyGuide in English or Chinese · 7 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 12:00A knowledgeable guide and a driver with a car are provided, and entrance fees are all covered. Includes pickup.

Private tour including lunchGuide in English or Chinese · 7 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 12:00Tour including lunch: a knowledgeable guide, a driver with a car, entrance fees and lunch are all covered. Includes pickup.

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 12:00

AgesAdult (3 to 84 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sunny Private Tours

Is this one for you?Book the Private Tour with Lunch if you want to taste the local food and learn about tea culture over a meal. Choose Private Tour Only if you prefer to eat elsewhere or travel lighter through the day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 3): free.

What is West Lake and why is it on this tour?

West Lake is a UNESCO site and the iconic landmark of Hangzhou. The tour spends time exploring its shoreline, visiting ten significant spots including Flower Harbour and Lotus Park, where your guide shares local folklore and the history of the area.

Can I add a boat cruise on West Lake to this tour?

Yes, a cruise option is available. The boat takes you to the middle island, where you see the Leifeng Pagoda and the "Three Pagodas Mirroring the Moon" scenery that appears on the Chinese one Yuan note.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch with local dishes and authentic green tea is included if you book the Private Tour with Lunch option at checkout. If you book Private Tour Only, lunch is not included but available to purchase separately.

What is the Former Residence of Xueyan Hu?

It is a luxury private garden house built during the Qing dynasty by one of the wealthiest merchants in Hangzhou. The residence features traditional architecture with classic rockeries, ponds and stone bridges, and your guide explains its history and design as you walk through.

How long does this tour take?

The tour runs seven to eight hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, covering West Lake, Yunxi Bamboo Forest, the tea village, and the Former Residence of Xueyan Hu.