Hangzhou Tour: West Lake, Tea & Lingyin Temple Highlights

Eight hours, four landmarks, one guide who knows the city

A private full-day tour of Hangzhou with a local English or Mandarin-speaking guide, hotel or train station pickup, and a completely customizable itinerary. You choose which sites matter (West Lake, the Longjin tea plantation, Lingyin Temple, Feilai Peak's 300+ stone Buddhas, or Hefang old street), and the guide adjusts the route to fit your interests. Lunch or dinner at a local tea farmer's house is available depending on your departure time. Entrance fees are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. West Lake1h 10m
2. Flying Peak40m
3. Lingyin Temple1h

Explore Hangzhou city highlights

• Meet guide and driver at hotel or station
• Discuss and customize itinerary
• Walk along West Lake and Su Causeway
• See Lotus Park and Flower and Fish Pond
• Optional boat cruise on West Lake
• Visit Longjin tea plantation and hike
• Lunch at local tea farmer’s house
• Explore Lingyin scenic area and stone grottoes
• Visit Lingyin Temple complex
• Walk along Hefang old street and shop
• Drop off at hotel or downtown area

The experience

The tour runs eight hours and starts with a pickup at your Hangzhou hotel or train station, where your guide discusses which sites you want to see. West Lake, a UNESCO site, anchors most itineraries. You walk the Su causeway, see the Lotus Park and Flower and Fish Pond (a former imperial garden), and hear the folklore and history behind them. A boat cruise across the lake is optional if you want a slower pace. From there, the route typically moves to the Longjin tea plantation in the countryside, where you hike through the terraced fields, learn to pick tea leaves, and understand the local tea culture before breaking for lunch at a tea farmer's house, cooked to your dietary preferences.

The afternoon usually takes you to Lingyin, where Feilai Peak holds over 300 stone Buddhas carved into the rock around the 10th century. You walk through the caves and see the ancient craftsmanship. Lingyin Temple itself, one of China's top ten Buddhist temples, comes next. Your guide walks you through the different temple complexes and explains the religious and historical context. The day often ends at Hefang old street, designed in the Southern Song dynasty and now filled with art hawkers, candy sculptors, teahouses, and street food vendors. Your guide helps you navigate the crowds and find souvenirs.

Because this is a private tour, the itinerary is entirely flexible. If you've already seen the main sites or want something different, you can swap in the Leifeng Pagoda, Liuhe Pagoda, the China National Tea Museum, the Silk Museum, or Yunqi Bamboo Forest instead. The driver is experienced and the car is comfortable. You're dropped off wherever you request in downtown Hangzhou at the end of the day. Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak are free entry, though the operator recommends booking seven days in advance to guarantee access.

What’s included

• Private local guide in English or Mandarin.
• comfortable car with experienced driver.
• hotel or train station pickup and drop-off in downtown Hangzhou.
• lunch or dinner at a tea farmer's house if you book the morning-with-lunch or afternoon-with-dinner option.

Options for this experience

4 options

Tour only, departing in the morningGuide in English or Chinese · 7 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 12:00Morning departure, tour only: a great guide and a driver with a car are included. Your tour departs in the morning. Pickup is included.

Afternoon Departure-Tour OnlyGuide in English or Chinese · 5 departure times: the first at 12:30, the last at 14:30A great guide and a driver with a car are included. Your tour departs in the afternoon. Pickup is included.

Departing in the morning, lunch includedGuide in English or Chinese · 7 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 12:00A great guide, a driver with a car and a tasty lunch are included. Your tour departs in the morning. Pickup is included.

Afternoon Departure with DinnerGuide in English or Chinese · 12:30, 13:00, 13:30 and 14:00Afternoon tour with dinner: a great guide, a driver with a car and a tasty dinner are included. Your tour departs in the afternoon. 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 day12 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:30

AgesAdult (8 to 88 years) · Child (3 to 7 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.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Paid on siteUS$ 10

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Sunny Private Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the morning departure if you want to start at West Lake before the crowds build. Pick the afternoon option if you prefer a later start and want dinner included instead of lunch. Because the itinerary is fully customizable, this tour works whether you're visiting Hangzhou for the first time or returning to see different sites. Just tell your guide what matters to you.

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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 (3 to 7 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is West Lake like, and how much time do you spend there?

West Lake is a UNESCO site where you walk the Su causeway and see the Lotus Park and Flower and Fish Pond, a former imperial garden. Your guide shares the folklore and history as you go. Most itineraries spend the morning here, and you can add an optional boat cruise if you want to slow down and take in the water.

Can I really customize the itinerary, or is it mostly fixed?

The itinerary is completely customizable. You discuss your interests with the guide at pickup and can change the route anytime during the day. If you've already seen West Lake or Lingyin, you can substitute other sites like the Leifeng Pagoda, tea museums, bamboo forests, or historic residences instead.

What happens at the tea plantation, and do you actually eat there?

At the Longjin tea plantation, you hike through the terraced fields, learn how to pick tea leaves, and explore the local tea culture. You break for lunch or dinner at a tea farmer's house, cooked to your dietary needs. This is included if you book a tour with lunch or dinner. Otherwise, you arrange your own meal.

What are the stone Buddhas at Feilai Peak, and how old are they?

Feilai Peak holds over 300 stone Buddhas carved into the rock around the 10th century. They're the largest stone grottoes in southern China. You walk through different caves and see the ancient craftsmanship up close while your guide explains their history and significance.

Does the price include entrance fees to the temples and attractions?

Entrance fees are not included and are at your own cost. Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak are free entry, but you'll need to pay for other sites like museums or pagodas if you choose to visit them.