Hangzhou 3-Day: West Lake & Tea Gardens

Introduction

Hangzhou, known as the ‘Heaven on Earth’, is famous for its beautiful West Lake and rich cultural heritage. This 3-day itinerary covers the essential sights.

Hangzhou works best when the days are grouped by district rather than scattered across the map. The outline below keeps travel time low and leaves room for the things that actually need a full morning.

Day 1: West Lake

• Morning: West Lake – Start with a boat tour on the beautiful lake.
• Lunch: Try authentic Hangzhou cuisine near the lake.
• Afternoon: Broken Bridge and Su Causeway – Walk along the scenic paths.
• Evening: West Lake Night View – The illuminated lake is stunning.

Most visitors base themselves centrally and build outwards, which keeps transfers short. West Lake deserves the better part of a day, and the surrounding streets are worth an unhurried evening walk.

Day 2: Temples and Culture

• Morning: Lingyin Temple – Visit the famous Buddhist temple.
• Lunch: Vegetarian food at Lingyin Temple.
• Afternoon: Feilai Peak – Explore the scenic mountain with grottoes.
• Evening: Hefang Street – Explore the historic street with shops.

Transport inside the city is straightforward: the metro and city buses covers the main sights, and taxis fill the gaps. Start early on days that include West Lake to avoid the midday crowd.

Day 3: Gardens and Farewell

• Morning: West Lake Gardens – Visit the beautiful gardens around the lake.
• Lunch: Traditional Hangzhou dishes.
• Afternoon: Leifeng Pagoda – Historic pagoda with great views.
• Evening: Farewell dinner with local specialties.

Build in slack. Two planned activities plus one flexible block per day is a realistic pace; the alternative is a schedule that collapses the moment a queue appears.

Travel Tips

• West Lake: Rent a bike for the best experience.
• Lingyin Temple: Arrive early to avoid crowds.
• Food: Don’t miss beggar’s chicken and West Lake vinegar fish.

Practical Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this outline suitable for first-time visitors?

Yes. The order is chosen so the headline sights come first and the optional stops sit at the end of each day.

How much walking is involved?

Expect several kilometres a day. Comfortable shoes matter more than any other piece of kit.

Can days be swapped around?

They can, though the sequence is designed to minimise backtracking. Keep the first day intact if you only follow part of it.

Quick Checklist

• Book the headline sight for the first morning
• Group stops by district to cut transfer time
• Keep one flexible block each afternoon
• Carry water and a charged phone

Last Updated: July 2026