7-Day Shanghai, Hangzhou & Huangshan Tour with West Lake, Longjing Tea & Hongcun

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Shanghai

   Welcome to Shanghai! Upon arrival, your guide will transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

   If you arrive early, feel free to explore the neighborhood around your hotel, stop by a local restaurant for dinner, enjoy a cup of coffee, or simply take a leisurely stroll to get your first taste of Shanghai.

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   4-star hotel in Shanghai
2. Day 2: Shanghai City Exploration
   Iconic Sights, Local Flavors & Huangpu River Cruise

   After breakfast, head to Shanghai Tower, China’s tallest building at a height of 632 meters. You'll ride the elevator to the 118^th-floor observation deck to overlook Lujiazui, the Huangpu River and the Bund from above.

   Continue to the Bund for a stroll along the Huangpu River to admire European-styles buildings on one side and the towering skyscrapers on the other. Your guide will share the stories behind the iconic architecture, which offers you a glimpse into the city’s development from a fishing village to a metropolis.

   

   For lunch, try authentic Shanghai snacks, such as Shengjianbao (pan-fried buns) and Xiaolongbao (steamed soup dumplings).

   Visit Yu Garden in the afternoon, a traditional Jiangnan garden built over 400 years ago. Your guide will lead you through pavilions, corridors, ponds and rockeries while explaining its well-designed layout. After that, explore the nearby old streets check out some of the fine cultural creative products and local specialty souvenirs.

   At dusk, take a relaxing cruise on the Huangpu River. As the lights on both sides of the river, enjoy the night views of historic and modern buildings from the water.

   

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   4-star hotel in Shanghai
3. Day 3: Shanghai to Hangzhou by High-Speed Train
   City Walk & Futuristic Tech Experiences

   Today you will discover a relaxed side of Shanghai, starting with a walk on Yuyuan Road. Along the tree-lined street, appreciate the old buildings, browse the design shops and gain an insight into the daily life in the neighborhood.

   

   Step into the META500 Technology and Art Space on the road. Depending on the current program, you may experience XR, AI-powered interaction or digital art. Housed in a historic building, this creative space offers a contrast.

   At noon, have lunch at a nearby restaurant and then take a break at a cafe. Savor a cup of coffee in Shanghai before heading to Hangzhou for a cup of Longjing tea.

   Transfer to the railway station for a high-speed train to Hangzhou, a journey of about 1 hour. Upon arrival, your local guide and driver will pick you up and take you to your hotel. The evening is free for you to relax or walk around at your own pace.

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   4-star hotel in Hangzhou
4. Day 4: Hangzhou City Highlights
   Scenic Lake Boat Ride, Ancient Temple Visit & Tea Culture Experience

   Start your exploration of Hangzhou at West Lake. First, take a boat tour on the lake to enjoy the picturesque scenery from the water. Then get ashore and wander along the lake. You can watch the koi fish at Flower Pond, visit Jinci Temple and see the Leifeng Pagoda in the distance. There's no need to rush to from one attraction to the next, just at a relatively relaxed pace.

   

   Move to Lingyin Temple, one of Hangzhou’s best-known Buddhist temples. Explore the temple grounds and surrounding wooded hills while learning about the city’s long Buddhist culture. The cliff carvings of Feilai Peak are a highlight, where you can see Buddha statues from the Five Dynasties (907 - 960) period to the Song (960 - 1279) and Yuan (1271 - 1368) Dynasties.

   Follow the local tea farmers into a Longjing tea garden in the afternoon, where you can get to know the tea. During the picking season, try picking tea leaves and listen to the farmers explain its traditional production process. Afterwards, learn how to brew and taste a cup of freshly prepared Longjing tea.

   

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   4-star hotel in Hangzhou
5. Day 5: Hangzhou to Huangshan by High-Speed Train
   A Tranquil Huizhou Village Stroll

   In the morning, take the high-speed train to Huangshan, which takes about 1.5 hours. Today, you will not go up the Mount Huangshan. The local guide and driver will pick you up at the railway station and escort you to Hongcun Village, a Huizhou-style village.

   Follow the village’s waterways and narrow lanes, passing South Lake, Moon Pond and traditional residences along the way. See the distinct Huizhou-style architecture featuring white walls, black tiles, stepped gable walls and courtyards.

   After visiting the main sights, have some free time to browse the small shops in the village, take a break at a teahouse, or walk through the quiet alleys.

   

   Head to Huangshan City and check in to your hotel for the evening.

   Tip: For tomorrow’s mountain adventures, you are suggested to pack a small bag with just the essentials for your overnight stay on Huangshan. Bring non-slip walking shoes, a light jacket, and lightweight rain gear.

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   4-star hotel in Downtown Huangshan
6. Day 6: Huangshan Mountain
   Mountain Hiking and Sunset View

   Spend the full day exploring Huangshan Mountain. After entering the scenic area, transfer to the sightseeing bus to Yungu Temple and take the Yungu Cableway up the mountain. From there, visit Beihai Scenic Area and Shixin Peak to appreciate the distinctive pines, grotesque rock formations and peaks.

   

   Huangshan involves many steps, so your guide will set a walking pace that suits your fitness level. The route will also be flexibly adjusted base on the weather and cable car operation on the day.

   If the weather and your energy level permit, go to a viewing platform at dusk to see the sunset.

   Stay overnight at a hotel on the summit of Huangshan.

   Travel Tips: The weather on the mountain changes rapidly. Even in summer, it is recommended to bring a light jacket. If the weather forecast looks favorable for the next morning, you can get up early to see the sunrise.

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   4-star hotel on Mount Huangshan Summit
7. Day 7: Huangshan Departure
   Mountain Sunrise and Old Street

   If the weather permits, enjoy the sunrise over Mount Huangshan at dawn. Continue walking around the summit area to see the peaks and valleys along the way. Monkey Watching the Sea is a famous rock you can not miss. It is about 3 meters high and looks like a stone monkey squatting on the peak and quietly watching the surging sea of clouds.

   Your route will depend on the day’s conditions and your pace. After sightseeing, take the cable car back down.

   

   If your departure schedule allows, head to Tunxi Old Street. It is reputed as a living Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival, a famous Chinese scroll painting depicting the daily life during the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127).

   Walk along the old lanes to admire the Huizhou-style buildings, tea houses, and local shops. You can also try some local snacks, such as Huangshan sesame seed cake and pan-fried hairy tofu.

   

   After the visit, you will be taken to the airport or railway station, ending your 7-day Shanghai, Hangzhou and Huangshan tour.

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