One lake, a hillside of tea, and a canal — stacked by how much time you have. Two rules baked into every version: reserve Lingyin Temple's free entry slot at least a day out, and walk the causeways, not the whole shoreline. Check the holiday crowds before you fix dates.
2 days The essential Hangzhou
Day 1 · The lake
Morning
Start on the Bai or Su Causeway from the north shore, early, before the paths fill. Here's the mistake nearly everyone makes: planning to walk the entire shoreline in one afternoon. Cut across a causeway instead — that's where the classic postcard views are, and nobody hands out medals for lapping the lake.
Afternoon
Board a boat from any lakeside dock to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (¥55 leisure boat / ¥70 painted pleasure boat, island admission included) — the three stone lanterns here are the image on the back of the ¥1 note. Last boarding is 4pm, so don't leave it late.
Evening
Climb Leifeng Pagoda (¥40) for sunset over the water — the excavated Song-dynasty ruins under glass at the base are worth a look on the way up. Dinner at Louwailou on the lakeshore: West Lake fish in vinegar gravy and Dongpo pork.
Day 2 · The western hills
Morning
Lingyin Temple and the Feilai Peak grottoes at the 7:30am opening — you reserved the free scenic-area slot yesterday, right? There is no same-day booking. Give the 380-plus Buddhist rock carvings proper time before the temple halls (separate ¥30 ticket, bought on site).
Afternoon
Carry on to the Longjing tea villages in the hills southwest of the lake. Walk the terraced rows, sit for a tasting at a farmer's house, and agree the price per 500g before any tea hits the scale. The free China National Tea Museum nearby fills in the story.
Evening
Hefang Street once the lanterns come on. Push past the souvenir stalls at the entrance — the street-food stands (stinky tofu, caramelized chestnuts) cluster at the far end.
Day 1's route in one frame — bridges, pavilions, and the hills behind. The causeway crossings put you next to views like this; the shoreline loop mostly puts you next to traffic.
3 days Add the canal
Days 1–2 as above, then:
Day 3 · The Grand Canal
Morning
Ride the public water bus (¥3–5) from Wulinmen Pier up the Grand Canal to Gongchen Bridge. This is the southern end of a 1,700km waterway that has worked for 1,400 years — and the cheapest sightseeing in Hangzhou.
Afternoon
Cross the 14th-century stone arch bridge itself — the classic photo spot — then wander the canal-side blocks, or loop back for anything you skipped on days 1–2.
Evening
Take the lantern-lit canal night cruise (¥100–120), or cash in the beggar's chicken you ordered a day ahead — the clay-baked bird needs hours in the oven, so it's strictly a plan-ahead dinner.
Day 2's afternoon in the Longjing terraces. Come in March–April and this is what you'll see; taste before you buy, and settle the price per 500g first.
Day trip Hangzhou from Shanghai
The high-speed train runs as short as 45 minutes each way — Hangzhou is the classic Shanghai side trip for a reason. Book a morning train out and an evening train back.
The one-day version
Morning
Catch a morning high-speed train from Shanghai — as short as 45 minutes, about an hour on most departures — and head straight for West Lake. Walk the Bai or Su Causeway; skip any plan that involves circling the whole shore.
Afternoon
Boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (¥55–70, last boarding 4pm), then a late lunch near the lake — Longjing shrimp if you're here in spring, or pian er chuan noodles at Kuiyuan Guan, serving since 1867.
Evening
Sunset from Leifeng Pagoda (¥40), a quick pass through Hefang Street's food stalls, then the evening train back to Shanghai.
Note what's missing: Lingyin Temple. Its free scenic-area reservation closes a day ahead with no same-day option — either book it before you leave Shanghai, or keep it as your reason to stay the night.
Yes — the high-speed train takes as little as 45 minutes each way, and West Lake, a boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, and sunset at Leifeng Pagoda fill one day comfortably. The catch is Lingyin Temple: its free reservation must be made at least a day ahead, so book before you leave Shanghai or save it for an overnight stay.
What must be booked in advance?
One thing is strict: Lingyin Temple's scenic area (Feilai Peak) needs a free timed-entry reservation via WeChat or Alipay at least 1 day ahead — no same-day booking, and daily caps mean popular dates fill up. Everything else is walk-up. The other plan-ahead item is beggar's chicken: it takes hours to bake, so order it the day before.
How many days do I need in Hangzhou?
One day covers West Lake as a Shanghai side trip. Two days adds Lingyin Temple and the Longjing tea villages. Three brings in the Grand Canal. Past that, Hangzhou works better as a slow base than a checklist.
When is the best time to do this itinerary?
March–May and September–November are the comfortable windows. March–April is the standout: the Longjing spring harvest is on, farmers are hand-picking and pan-firing leaves in the villages, and Longjing shrimp is at its seasonal best.
Verified 2026-07-29. Lingyin's reservation rules, boat schedules, and prices change occasionally — re-check before travel.
