Hangzhou Tour: West Lake & Lingyin Temple Custom Day

Build your own itinerary with a guide who adjusts on the fly.

A fully customizable one-day tour of Hangzhou with a private English-speaking guide and driver, where you choose which attractions to visit (West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Leifeng Pagoda, tea villages, bamboo forests, or hidden local spots), and adjust your pace and stops throughout the day. Pickup from your Hangzhou hotel or train station is included. Entrance fees are optional and decided during the tour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. West Lake1h
2. Leifeng Pagoda40m
3. Lingyin Temple1h

Customizable Hangzhou sightseeing tour

• Pickup from hotel or train station
• Boat ride on West Lake
• Visit Leifeng Pagoda
• Enjoy authentic Hangzhou lunch
• Explore Meijiawu Tea Village and tea ceremony
• Relax in Yunqi Bamboo Forest
• Visit Yue Temple and learn about General Yue Fei
• Tour Lingyin Temple
• Visit Chenghuang Pavilion for city views

The experience

Most Hangzhou tours lock you into a fixed route and a fixed pace. This one doesn't. You start with hotel or train station pickup, then you and your guide map out the day together based on what actually interests you. West Lake, the UNESCO-listed centerpiece, is usually the anchor (a boat ride across its waters with views of pagodas, arched bridges and tree-lined shores), but whether you spend an hour there or three is up to you. Your guide offers real-time recommendations based on conditions and what you want to see, not a script.

The attractions themselves are what draw most travelers: Leifeng Pagoda rises from the lake's edge with views back across the water and a centuries-old legend attached to it; Lingyin Temple is one of China's major Buddhist sites, with a guide who explains the carvings, statues and rituals as you walk through; Meijiawu Tea Village sits in hills where Longjing tea grows, and includes a traditional tea ceremony and lunch with local dishes like West Lake fish in vinegar sauce. Yunqi Bamboo Forest offers a quieter stop if you want it. Yue Temple and Chenghuang Pavilion round out the cultural landmarks. You decide which ones fit your day.

The car is air-conditioned and stays with you. Your guide speaks English and Chinese. Bottled water is provided throughout. If you book the all-inclusive option, lunch at a local restaurant is included. Entrance fees for individual sites aren't bundled in. You pay them as you go and choose which places to enter. Comfortable walking shoes matter. The tour runs in all weather.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned car with your guide for the full day.
• hotel or train station pickup and drop-off.
• English and Chinese-speaking guide.
• bottled water throughout.
• complimentary WiFi onboard.
• authentic Hangzhou lunch at a local restaurant (all-inclusive option only).
• traditional tea ceremony in Meijiawu Tea Village (if you choose to visit).

Options for this experience

2 options

Private transfer with a guideGuide in English or Chinese · 5 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 11:00This option features a professional guide, a skilled driver, and flexible activities based on what you wish to see. Pickup is included.

Tour including a tasty lunch of local cuisineGuide in English or Chinese · 5 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 11:00This package provides a knowledgeable guide, an experienced driver, private transportation, and a delicious local lunch. Pickup is included.

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 day5 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 11:00

Book up to5h before

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Child (4 to 7 years) · Infant (under 4): 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 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by China Private Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to explore Hangzhou's major sites (West Lake, temples, tea villages) without committing to a fixed schedule. The flexibility means you can linger where you connect and skip what doesn't appeal, and your guide adjusts recommendations as the day unfolds based on crowds, weather and what you discover you actually want to see.

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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: Child (4 to 7 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is West Lake and why is it the main draw in Hangzhou?

West Lake is a UNESCO World Heritage site and Hangzhou's most iconic landmark, ringed by pagodas, gardens, islands and tree-lined walkways. A boat ride across its waters is usually the centerpiece of the day, and your guide points out the historical and cultural details as you float past the shoreline.

Can I really change the itinerary during the tour, or is it set in advance?

You customize it on the spot with your guide's help. You start by telling them your interests at pickup, then adjust your route, pace and which attractions to visit as the day unfolds. Your guide offers recommendations based on real-time conditions and local knowledge, so the itinerary stays flexible throughout.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food will I eat?

Lunch is included only if you book the all-inclusive option. When included, it's an authentic Hangzhou meal at a local restaurant featuring dishes like West Lake fish in vinegar sauce and Longjing tea-infused specialties. Vegetarian options are available if you request them at booking.

Do I have to pay entrance fees for all the temples and pagodas?

Entrance fees are not included in the tour price. You decide which sites to enter as you go: Lingyin Temple, Leifeng Pagoda, Yue Temple and Chenghuang Pavilion all charge separate admission. Your guide will tell you the costs and help you choose based on your interests and time.

How long does the tour last and what time does it start?

The tour runs seven to nine hours depending on which attractions you visit and how long you spend at each one. Pickup happens from your hotel or Hangzhou train station. You'll need to specify your preferred start time and provide your train itinerary if you're being picked up from the station.

What's included in the tour besides the guide and driver?

Hotel or train station pickup and drop-off; private air-conditioned car; bottled water throughout the day; WiFi onboard; and a bilingual guide. The all-inclusive option adds lunch at a local restaurant. Entrance fees, gratuities and personal expenses are separate.