Tianzhu Mountain hiking tour Hangzhou: Temples and tea village

Three ancient temples and a tea terrace walk on Hangzhou's quietest mountain.

A half-day private hiking tour from Hangzhou that follows stone paths up Tianzhu Mountain to Fajing, Zhongtian Zhu and Faxi temples, then descends to Dragon Well Tea Village to walk the green tea terraces and taste fresh-picked leaves. A local guide leads the route, hotel or train station pickup is included, and you choose morning or afternoon to fit your schedule. Lunch or dinner at a farmer's house is optional.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hiking and tea tasting in Hangzhou

• Pick up from hotel or train station
• Visit Fajing Temple and explore complex
• Hike to Zhongtianzhu Temple through green trail
• Visit Faxi Temple and make wishes
• Walk through Longjing tea fields and terraces
• Learn tea picking and culture
• Taste fresh green tea and local meal
• Drop off at hotel or downtown

The experience

The hike starts at your Hangzhou hotel or train station, where your guide and driver meet you for the ride to Tianzhu Mountain on the southwest edge of West Lake. The trail climbs through lush green forest on well-paved stone paths, passing Fajing Temple first: one of the oldest temples in the region, built over 1600 years ago. You explore the temple complex and its architecture with your guide, learning about local religious customs as you go. The route continues upward past Zhongtian Zhu Temple, surrounded by tea fields, until you reach Faxi Temple, where locals come to burn incense and make wishes. Your guide explains the significance of each site and the culture woven through them.

From the temples, the trail descends to Longjing: the Dragon Well Tea Village where this famous green tea originates. You walk the tea terraces that step down the mountainside, surrounded by vast green slopes, and your guide shows you how to pick the leaves by hand. The fresh air and countryside views are part of the experience itself. A break for tea tasting happens here, where you sample the fresh green tea. If you booked the lunch or dinner option, you eat a local meal at a farmer's house in the village before heading back down.

The whole outing runs four to five hours. Your driver drops you at your Hangzhou hotel or another downtown location you request. The guide speaks English, German or Chinese depending on your choice at booking.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to all three temples.
• local guide in English, German or Chinese.
• hotel or train station pickup and drop-off.
• fresh green tea tasting in Dragon Well Tea Village.
• lunch or dinner at a farmer's house if you book that option.

Options for this experience

3 options

Afternoon Tour OnlyGuide in English, German or Chinese · 12:00, 13:00 and 13:30Afternoon tour only: private guide and door-to-door transfer; entrance fees are included (food is not included). Includes pickup

Morning Tour OnlyGuide in English, German or Chinese · 5 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 11:30Private guide and door-to-door transfer; entrance fees are included (food is not included). Includes pickup

Morning tour including lunchGuide in English, German or Chinese · 5 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 11:30Morning departure: depart in the morning at your preferred time. 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 day8 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 13:30

AgesAdult (3 to 88 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, German 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?Choose the morning departure if you want to hike while the mountain is quietest and eat lunch in the village. Pick afternoon if you prefer a later start and a lighter meal or no meal at all.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, German and Chinese.

Can children come?

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

What are the three temples on Tianzhu Mountain?

Fajing Temple, Zhongtian Zhu Temple and Faxi Temple. Fajing is one of the oldest, built over 1600 years ago, and Faxi is known locally as a place where wishes come true: visitors burn incense there as part of the tour.

Can I choose between morning and afternoon for this tour?

Yes. You pick either the morning or afternoon departure when you book, so you can fit it around the rest of your Hangzhou schedule.

Is food included in the tour?

Tea tasting is included on every tour. Lunch or dinner at a local farmer's house in Dragon Well Tea Village is optional. You choose it at checkout, and if you book it, the meal happens after the tea terrace walk.

How difficult is the hiking?

The route is suitable for all fitness levels. The stone paths are well-paved and the pace is set by your guide, so you can move at a comfortable speed through the temples and tea fields.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes. Your guide and driver pick you up at your Hangzhou hotel or train station at the start, and drop you back at your hotel or another downtown location of your choice at the end.