5 Days Hangzhou Travel Itinerary, Plan a 5 Days Trip in Hangzhou

5 Days Hangzhou Travel Itinerary

“Above there is heaven, below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou.” Hangzhou, a city that has long been praised as a paradise on Earth, holds countless reasons that make it a place people yearn to visit. If you only have five days to explore Hangzhou, how can you make the most of your time and fully experience its allure? This guide will provide you with a detailed itinerary for an unforgettable five-day trip, ensuring that you can explore Hangzhou to the fullest without missing out on its wonders.

5 Days Hangzhou Itinerary for Family with Kids

Day 1: One-day tour at West Lake

After arriving in Hangzhou, take a short rest at the hotel, then head to West Lake for a romantic day tour. Take a yacht to the small island in the center of the lake, and climb to the top of Leifeng Pagoda for a panoramic view of the magnificent West Lake. Don’t miss the breathtaking sunset at West Lake. In the evening, watching the West Lake Music Fountain and taking a night cruise along the Qiantang River are both great options.

Day 2: Activities around West Lake

Head to Longjing Village for a hike in the “Nine Creeks in Misty Forest” in the morning. Bring a water gun to have some fun splashing in the shallow streams, and the path towards Yangmei Ridge Village offers picturesque views of the tea fields. Then learn about the Chinese tea culture, its production process and tea ceremony. In the evening, there is many delicious food and snacks in Wulin Night Market waiting for your exploration.

Day 3: Ancient building and culture

In the morning, visit Lingyin Temple, where the tranquility and grandeur of this ancient temple will inspire reverence, and then explore the Feilai Peak scenic area, including Taoguang Temple and Yongfu Temple. At noon, have lunch and stroll among Xiaohe Street, where filled with authentic Hangzhou atmosphere, with opportunities to interact with the local cats. After that, head to Song Dynasty Town to experience ancient entertainment activities, and enjoy the heart-stirring performance of The Eternal Love of Songcheng.

Day 4: Fun in Thousand Islet Lake

Drive or take a high-speed train to Thousand Islet Lake, where you can look at or play with lively monkeys and admire the tranquil beauty of Tianchi Island. Climb Huangshan Peak for a panoramic view of the entire Thousand Islet Lake. In the afternoon, head to the central area to visit Meifeng Island, Yule Island, and Moonlight Island, and enjoy various recreational activities. Cycling around the lake is a great option, offering a refreshing breeze and making it a perfect choice for a family outing.

Day 5: Encounter with birds and animals

In the morning, visit Xixi Wetlands and take a sculling boat on the streams, see agile birds playing on the wetland. At noon, head to Hangzhou Zoo, one of the top seven zoos in China, where you can see pandas, elephants, and Siberian tigers—some adorable, some majestic. In the afternoon, visit Hefang Street, where you’ll find a variety of delicious food, handcrafted goods, and museum collections, making it the perfect place to pick up souvenirs.

5 Days Hangzhou Itinerary for Seniors with Slow Travel Pace

Day 1: Take a loop tour of the West Lake

Your first stop certainly is the West Lake. Take a public boat tour around the lake and disembark at Maojiafu Scenic Area or Flower Pond, both of which are perfect for a scenic walk. As dusk falls, stroll to Leifeng Pagoda, with the elevator to the top. From the tower, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the West Lake sunset. In the evening, the West Lake Music Fountain and Wulin Night Market are good destination to visit.

Day 2: Recognize Buddhist and tea culture

Start the day early by taking the cable car to Lingshun Temple, where you can enjoy stunning views of West Lake and Hangzhou. Then, walk to Lingyin Temple to experience the tranquility and solemnity of this ancient temple, and take some time to pray. After lunch, head to Meijiawu to visit the traditional tea gardens and learn about the tea-making process. You'll gain insight into Hangzhou's rich tea culture, taste authentic Longjing tea, and enjoy dinner in Longjing Village.

Day 3: Spend your day in Qiandao Lake

Take a high-speed train to Thousand Islet Lake and enjoy a relaxing day. Take a boat to Meifeng Island, Yule Island, and Moonlight Island in the middle of the lake, or take a cable car to get a panoramic view of the entire lake. On the islands, you can stroll along the tree-lined paths, enjoy the stunning lake and mountain scenery, and also try activities such as kayaking and fishing. In the evening, check into a lakeside resort and admire the beautiful sunset views.

Day 4: See Song style and watch shows

In the morning, head to Song Dynasty Town, feeling the charm of ancient Chinese culture and as if taken back to the style of the Song Dynasty. The streets are filled with performers in traditional costumes, and the performance The Eternal Love of Songcheng is highly recommended. In the evening, the Hangzhou Grand Theatre is also a good choice.

Day 5: Explore more about Hangzhou

On the last day, you can visit museums and historical sites, such as China Silk Museum, Hangzhou Museum, Yue Wang Temple, etc. to deeply understand the history and culture of Hangzhou and feel the unique charm of Hangzhou. In the after, visit Hefang Street and the Southern Song Imperial Street, both filled with a charming, ancient atmosphere. You can sample local snacks and shop for unique souvenirs.

5 Days Hangzhou Itinerary for Young Travelers

Day 1: Visit Hangzhou famous attractions

Upon arriving in Hangzhou, head to Hangzhou for a stroll or bike ride around West Lake. Afterward, take a yacht to visit the “Three Pools Mirroring the Moon”, and don't miss the sunset of Leifeng Pagoda, a must-see view of West Lake. In the evening, enjoy a night cruise along the Qiantang River, with a gentle breeze and the bright lights on both shores. At night, explore local delicious snacks in Wulin Night Market.

Day 2: Experience Hangzhou Jiangnan style

Drive to Jingshan Town in the morning to explore the picturesque Shuangxi Drift Scenic Area. The area is lush with tea gardens and bamboo forests, and the fresh, pleasant air makes it a perfect escape. The drifting experience here is renowned as "the best drift in Jiangnan". Then take a bus to Wu Town, which represents the best Jiangnan water town. You can shuttle through Xizha on a boat under the night, viewing the dim lights on the edges.

Day 3: Have fun in Thousand Islet Lake

Take a high-speed train to Thousand Islet Lake, where you can spend one day at the water park, overlook islands on a helicopter, as if immersed in the midst of mountains and water. The vast, endless lake and the distant, misty green mountains create a peaceful atmosphere, making you feel incredibly relaxed and at ease. You can also enjoy thrilling activities such as riding speedboats, admiring the islands, and even trying skydiving.

Day 4: Enjoy Hangzhou characteristic activities

In the morning, visit Lingyin Temple to pray for blessings and cleanse your soul. Walk through the forested mountain paths to experience the ancient and mysterious ambiance of the temple. Then, head to Hangzhou Paradise and enjoy an exciting and thrilling afternoon. In the evening, if you are lucky, you will have the opportunity to watch the tides of Qiantang River, with the tides surging especially in autumn. Then, you can explore delicious snack in Hefang Street or Wulin Night Market.

Day 5: Relax with birds or learn tea ceremony

After a few days of exciting activities, on the last day, you can opt for a more relaxed experience. Bring your camera and head to Xixi Wetland to observe the playful and lively water birds, which will surely delight both your body and mind. Alternatively, you can visit Longjing Village to learn about the tea ceremony, taste some tea, and enjoy the fragrance of the fresh leaves.

5 Days Hangzhou cultural Immersion Itinerary and Leisure

Day 1: Encounter Hangzhou ancient town

After arriving in Hangzhou, head to the Hangzhou Museum for an introduction to the city's culture. After that, take a high-speed train to Wu Town, an ancient water town with a thousand years of history, famous for its unique water town charm and ancient architecture, enjoying the ancient buildings under the shimmering lights and embracing the rare tranquility. Stay overnight in a unique guesthouse in Wu Town, experiencing the peaceful atmosphere of the ancient town at night.

Day 2: Immerse in Hangzhou water town

In the morning, head north to Nanxun Ancient Town. Here, visit the Fuyan Temple to explore the deep influence of Buddhist culture. In the evening, arrive at Xitang Ancient Town, renowned for its stunning night views. As the sunset colors the entire town golden, you will be enchanted by the dreamlike scenery. Stay overnight in a traditional inn, experiencing the authentic water town life.

Day 3: Recognize the West Lake culture

Return to Hangzhou and visit the Silk Museum to learn about the development of Chinese silk. Then, head to Longjing Village to pick tea leaves by hand and taste authentic Longjing tea. In the afternoon, take a boat ride on West Lake, enjoying views of famous landmarks such as Leifeng Pagoda and the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, and relish a moment of leisure.

Day 4: Experience tradition and heritages

Take a water bus along the Grand Canal and admire the charm of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Right next to the canal is Xiahe Street, a historic street that will make you feel as if you've traveled back in time by a thousand years. In the afternoon, head to Song Dynasty Town to experience the culture of the Song Dynasty, where the wonderful performances will ensure your visit is truly memorable.

Day 5: Explore Hangzhou ancient culture

In the morning, visit Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak, two of Hangzhou's most important Buddhist landmarks, where you can pray and immerse yourself in Buddhist culture. In the afternoon, head to the Liangzhu Ancient City Heritage Park, where is the starting point of Chinese civilization, and get the charm of Hangzhou culture.

Customize Your Unique Hangzhou Tour

If you are interested in the Hangzhou itineraries mentioned above, please contact us, and we will be happy to customize it and provide a quote tailored to your preferences.

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