Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Hangzhou Arrival
   Lingyin Temple, China National Tea Museum, Qinghefang Pedestrian Street (L)

   Upon your arrival at Hangzhou airport / train station, our English speaking tour guide and driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and your exploration begins!

   The first stop will be the 1,700-year-old Lingyin Temple, one of the most significant Buddhist temples in China. Surrounded by spectacular limestone mountains and many old trees, the temple is very serene. You will follow your tour guide to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and explore the cultural relics. You may also spot squirrels jumping up and down in the trees.

   Afterwards, follow your guide to explore one of the most important cultural sights in Hangzhou - China National Tea Museum. Hangzhou is home to China’s most famous variety of green tea (long jing) and it has thousand years’ history of tea planting. For tea enthusiasts, the museum is educational and enjoyable. The Exhibition Hall displays the development of tea throughout the dynasties and traditional tea etiquette. Walking through the tea fields around main hall is several tea-houses where to sip a cup a tea and clear your mind.

   Last, stroll around Qinghefang Pedestrian Street for further culture exploration. Qinghefang was regarded as a highly prosperous area in Song dynasty. Now, this 460-meter ancient street opens the door to the city’s history and local flavor. For architecture lovers, Mansion of Hu who is a successful merchant in Qing dynasty is a must see. For foodies, choosing those time-honored brands helps you taste the authentic flavor of ancient Hangzhou.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Hangzhou

   

2. Day 2: Hangzhou
   West Lake, Su Causeway, Gushan Island, Xiaoying Islet, Colored Port View Fish Garden, Leifeng Pagoda, Meijiawu Tea Village, Bamboo-lined Path at Yunqi, Southern Song Imperial Street ( B, L )

   Today you will have an in-depth visit of the amazing Hangzhou! No doubt that the first site will be the famous West Lake. West lake, as the symbol of Hangzhou city, is one of major freshwater lake for sightseeing. The lake area has been built and restored time after time, and it is definitely a great display window of Chinese classical beauty. Since it has been famous for thousands years, the whole scenic area could be crowded with visitors. Thus taking a cruise provides the possibility to get away from main crowds and explore the gentleness and exquisiteness of southern China. The highlight of the boat tour includes visiting Su Causeway which constructed by celebrated poet Su Dongpo in the 11^th century, Gushan Island which was once the site of Emperor for entertainment in the 18^th  century as well as Xiaoying Islet where to overview the Red Crab Pond.

   Later, continue your visit to Colored Port View Fish Garden.It has been thousands of years for Chinese people to breed koi fish and gold fish. You probably noticed that a classic Chinese new year symbol is a child holding large koi fish, sometimes gold fish, and lotus flowers, as koi fish and gold fish symbolize wealth and abundance in traditional way. At the fish pond which is a part of 300 acres of the large park, it is a relax to view hundreds of colored fish swimming around and searching for food as a group.

   Next, move on to Leifeng Pagoda, standing on Sunset Hill south of the West Lake, was originally built in the year of 975 during Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. It collapsed in 1924 because of disrepair and was rebuilt in 2002. There is a moving love story concerning the pagoda between a white snake called Bai Suzhen and a man named Xu Xian.

   After lunch in a local restaurant, move forward to Meijiawu Tea Village, with a history of 600 years, this village is well known for producing high-quality Longjing tea. Here you will see layers and layers of green tea trees all over the mountains, have chance to taste authentic Longjing tea, and learn more about Chinese tea culture.

   Hangzhou is a city quite near to nature, visiting Bamboo-lined Path at Yunqi is a great chance to get closer to a natural lifestyle. There you will get the tea fields, the tea, the local food, the villages and bamboo forest. Hiking is the lush bamboo forest helps to cool you down in burning hot summertime. You could even plan to spend a whole day long to explore this place. Along the one kilometer path are some of the oldest trees in Hangzhou (the oldest ancient trees are over 1000 years old) as well as meditation pavilions and pagodas where to take a rest. It is no doubt the unique journey will reward you with a peaceful mind.

   Afterwards, come to Southern Song Imperial Street for further sightseeing. It was originally the central axis of the capital in Southern Song Dynasty, the street extends from West Lake Avenue to the Drum Tower. After reconstruction, the architectures along the street is in a mix style of modern and traditional. Given the hundreds of food stalls and unique shops, it is a great place to kill one or two hours.

   Optional Night Activity: West Lake Impression Show

   After dinner, follow your guide to enjoy this amazing show on West Lake. West Lake Impression Show is a great combination of lighting, dance, theatrics and music. The narrative of the show is based on myths and legends of the West Lake. Through using the lake and its surroundings as props, hundreds of actors create a incredible performance. when you come to Hangzhou, spending a night to enjoy the dazzling show is a fantastic experience.

   Friendly Tips: The West Lake Impression Show does NOT performing in winter due to the cold weather, usually close from December 15^th until March 15^th of next year. If your travel date is near December or March, please contact your travel consultant before making the booking.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Hangzhou

   

3. Day 3: Hangzhou - Hangshan by High-speed Train
   Hongcun Ancient Village ( B, L )

   Taking morning high-speed train to Huangshan. After 2 hours train rides, you will arrive at Huangshan, the amazing city with the famous Yellow Mountain. Our local English speaking tour guide and driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name upon your arrival.

   Your exploration begins with Hongcun Ancient Village. This more than 800-year-old village is a typical representative of Hui-style building, mainly in black, white and grey colors. It was listed as World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. You will see many original residences from Ming and Qing dynasties here, among which Chengzhi Hall is an architectural masterpiece and enjoys the name of “Folk Forbidden City”. It has a lot of complex wood carvings with great artistic value. We will also stroll along the South Lake and absorb in the picturesque scenery.

   After the relaxing sightseeing, transfer to local hotel for check-in. Have a good rest for tomorrow’s mountain hiking!

   Accommodation: Overnight in Huangshan City

   

4. Day 4: Mountain Huangshan Tour
   Cloud Valley Temple, North Sea, Beginning-to-believe Peak, Cloud-dispelling Pavilion, West Sea Valley ( B, L )

   After hotel breakfast, meet your guide and drive around 1 hour to the mountain. Upon arrival, you will take the shuttle bus to Cloud Valley Temple and then take a cable car up the mountain.

   Then hike to enjoy the beautiful scenery at North Sea, Beginning-to-believe Peak, Cloud-dispelling Pavilion and West Sea Valley. There will be many staircases that go up and down, but all the tiredness of climbing will be gone when you see the breathtaking scenery. If you are still in good shape and time & weather permits, you can continue to Sky Sea Scenic Area to enjoy gorgeous sunset at Bright Summit and explore Flying-over Rock. Please do not watch your camera or phone while walking.

   Tonight you will stay at a hotel on the mountain so as to catch sunrise next day.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Huangshan Mountain

   

5. Day 5: Huangshan Departure
   Lion Peak, Stone Monkey Watching Sea, Tunxi Ancient Street ( B, L )

   If weather permits, you will get up in the early morning to witness the incredible sunrise. When the mountain is still sleeping under starry sky, you will leave the hotel to occupy a vantage point and quietly wait for the thrilling moment. With the passage of time, the color of sky will change slowly. The sun finally show its head and the peaks are bathed in dazzling gold.

   After enjoying the sunrise, follow your guide to go back to the hotel and have breakfast. Then move on to explore Lion Peak which got its name from the look like a crouching lion. You will visit Dawn Pavilion and see an interesting rock called “Stone Monkey Watching Sea”.

   Next, you will hop on cable car and descend the mountain to get back to Huangshan downtown. Then, follow your guide to explore Tunxi Ancient Street, China’s most well-preserved ancient street combining architectural style of the Southern Song Dynasty, Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty. Just stroll on the street leisurely and appreciate the Hui-style buildings. Then we will visit Hu Kaiwen Ink-stick Factory which was founded by Hu Kaiwen in 1765 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty to see how the ink stick is made. Ink stick is one of the four treasures of Chinese study (writing brush, ink stick, ink slab and paper), and the best ink stick in China comes from Anhui Province, the home of Huangshan Mountain.

   At the end of the tour, you will be dropped off at Huangshan airport / train station for departure.

   Accommodation: N/A