Hangzhou itinerary 3D

3 Days Hangzhou Travel Itinerary, Plan a 3 Days Trip in Hangzhou

Lenn Liu
1528 Words/6 Minutes, By Lenn Liu, Updated February 18, 2025

3 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 three 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 three-day trip, ensuring that you can explore Hangzhou to the fullest without missing out on its wonders.

3 Days Hangzhou Itinerary for Family with Kids

Day 1: Immerse in the mountains and wilderness

Upon arriving in Hangzhou, take a short rest before visiting Lingyin Temple, where you can pray for blessings for the upcoming trip and admire the diverse Buddha statues at Feilai Peak. In the afternoon, head to Longjing Village for a hike in the “Nine Creeks in Misty Forest”. 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. In the evening, climb Leifeng Pagoda to enjoy the famous sunset and then take in the night view of West Lake. At night, explore Hefang Street's snack street and satisfy your cravings for local delicacies.

Day 2: Experience West Lake and Song culture

Head straight to West Lake in the morning, the soul of the city. It's recommended to start your journey at the Broken Bridge, stroll along Su Causeway, and enjoy classic views like the Baochu Pagoda and the Calm Lake. Rent a sculling boat to Lesser Yingzhou and let the breeze gently brush your face as you drift across the water. In the afternoon, visit Song Dynasty Town and wear ancient attire to feel like you've traveled back to the Song Dynasty. Watch The Eternal Love of Songcheng, which will take you through the thousand-year history of Hangzhou. In the evening, whether enjoy the West Lake Music Fountain or take a cruise on the Qiantang River could be a good idea.

Day 3: Play the water in the wetlands and canals

In the morning, head to Xixi Wetlands and take a rowboat to explore the serene beauty. Pass by Deep Pool Mouth and observe the wetland ecology with your children, watching the waterfowl joyfully. In the afternoon, visit the Grand Canal, and take a boat tour along the water. On the riverbanks, modern skyscrapers and ancient buildings stand side by side, which offers a completely different boating experience compared to West Lake.

3 Days Hangzhou Itinerary for Seniors with Slow Travel Pace

Day 1: Take a loop tour of the West Lake

Check into your hotel for a rest, then head to 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, which is within walking distance. From the tower, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the West Lake sunset. In the evening, 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 items.

Day 2: Stroll among ancient building

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. In the afternoon, take a bus to Song Dynasty Town. The streets are filled with performers in traditional costumes, and the performance The Eternal Love of Songcheng is highly recommended.

Day 3: Explore wetland and water town

In the morning, visit Xixi Wetland, a place of beautiful natural surroundings and fresh air, ideal for a leisurely walk or a boat ride. After exploring, take the water bus to Xiaohe Street. This historic district, rich in Jiangnan water town charm, is located near the Grand Canal. Here, you can experience the peaceful and picturesque beauty of Jiangnan, taste local snacks, and enjoy the unique cuisine.

3 Days Hangzhou Itinerary for Young Travelers

Day 1: Play with Hangzhou water

Upon arriving in Hangzhou, head to Jingshan Town 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". In the afternoon, return 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.

Day 2: Have fun in water and islets

Take a high-speed train to Thousand Islet Lake, where you can spend one day at the water park, enjoying the fun of kayaking, 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. In the evening, you can stay there or return to the city area, explore delicious snack in Hefang Street.

Day 3: Enjoy the various 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.

3 Days Hangzhou cultural Immersion Itinerary and Leisure

Day 1: Encounter Hangzhou famous sights

In the morning, head to West Lake and start your journey at the Broken Bridge, visiting the ten famous scenic spots of West Lake. In the afternoon, visit Lingyin Temple, Hangzhou's Buddhist sanctuary, where you can admire its long history and bustling incense offerings. Not far from the temple is Feilai Peak, with its stunning stone carvings of Buddha statues in various forms. In the evening, take a boat ride to explore the islands of West Lake and enjoy the beautiful sunset over the lake.

Day 2: Visit the ancient towns of Hangzhou

In the morning, start by visiting the Hangzhou Museum to learn about the history and cultural background of West Lake. If time permits, it's highly recommended to visit Nanxun Ancient Town in the afternoon, where you can experience the unique charm of a water town and feel like you've traveled back a thousand years. Instead, you can explore Song Dynasty Town and enjoy some fantastic performances. When night falls, you may wish to visit the Hangzhou Grand Theatre to enjoy a wonderful performance and feel the unique charm of Hangzhou modern art.

Day 3: Explore ancient streets and tea culture

In the morning, take a leisurely stroll through Qing Hefang Street and Southern Song Imperial Street, savor traditional Hangzhou snacks, and shop for handmade crafts while enjoying the rich historical and cultural atmosphere of the Ming and Qing-style architecture. In the afternoon, head to Longwu Tea Village to admire the picturesque tea gardens and experience the joy of tea picking, learning about tea culture and taste authentic Longjing tea.

Customize Your Unique Hangzhou Tour

Hangzhou Itinerary

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.

Alternatively, if you would like to customize your Hangzhou Tour, please visit our Hangzhou Tour Customized Center. We assure you that you will receive a reply within 24 working hours.

Informative Articles for Your Hangzhou Trip

Hangzhou Itinerarythe West Lake
Lenn Liu

Hi, I’m Lenn Liu, if you like my article, please share it with your friends. Any sugguestions on this article, please contact me. Thanks!

Want to plan a private Hangzhou tour? CREATE NOW

GREAT FAMILY CHINA TOUR

JULY 2024 We wanted to thank Grace at China Culture tour for organizing a great tour of China. We enjoyed our Beijing - Xian-Chengdu -Guilin -Yangshuo - Shanghai trip. Our local guides Bruce in Beijing, Susan in Xian, Jane in Chengdu, Mike in Guilin and Mary in Shanghai took care of us…read more details »

Teng Han L from SINGAPORE

Ready to Create a Unique Dream Travel?

Create My Vacation