Hangzhou 2-Day Itinerary: West Lake, Lingyin Temple & Dragon Well Tea

Few cities reward a short visit like Hangzhou. Just 45–60 minutes by high-speed train from Shanghai, this lakeside capital of Zhejiang pairs the serene beauty of West Lake with green tea hills, Buddhist grottoes, and one of China's most walkable old streets. Two days is enough to see the highlights at a relaxed pace — this itinerary is built for first-time visitors who want classic scenery, real tea culture, and easy logistics.

Who it's for: couples, solo travellers, and anyone pairing Shanghai with a slower, greener escape. Best season: late March–May (blossoms) and September–November (crisp, clear skies); summer is hot and humid, winter is quiet but misty-pretty. Pace: moderate, with plenty of walking around the lake.

Getting to Hangzhou

From Shanghai, take a high-speed train (G-series) from Shanghai Hongqiao to Hangzhou East — trains leave every few minutes and the ride is about an hour. From Hangzhou East, Metro Line 1 reaches the lake area in 25–30 minutes. If you are arriving from further afield, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport links to the city by metro and airport bus. For booking tips and seat classes, see our guides on booking China train tickets and China's high-speed train types.

Day 1 — West Lake & Lingyin Temple

Morning — West Lake causeways. Start early at West Lake, the UNESCO-listed centrepiece that has inspired Chinese poets for a thousand years. Walk the willow-lined Bai Causeway from Broken Bridge, then take a public ferry to the island of Three Pools Mirroring the Moon. The lake is free and open around the clock; mornings are calmest before tour groups arrive.

Late morning — Leifeng Pagoda. Cross to the southern shore for Leifeng Pagoda, rebuilt over the ruins made famous by the Legend of the White Snake. Escalators carry you up, and the top tier gives the classic postcard view back across the water.

Afternoon — Lingyin Temple & Feilai Feng. A short taxi or bus ride west brings you to Lingyin Temple, one of China's oldest and wealthiest Buddhist monasteries. Before the halls, the limestone cliff of Feilai Feng is studded with hundreds of carved Buddhas, some nearly a thousand years old.

Evening — Qinghefang Old Street. End the day at Qinghefang Old Street, a restored Qing-era lane of medicine halls, snack stalls, and souvenir shops. Try dongpo pork, beggar's chicken, and West Lake vinegar fish at a local restaurant nearby.

Day 2 — Dragon Well Tea & the Qiantang River

Morning — Longjing (Dragon Well) tea. Take a taxi into the hills southwest of the lake to the Longjing tea plantations. Walk the terraced rows, visit the National Tea Museum (free), and sit down for a cup of Hangzhou's celebrated green tea straight from the source.

Midday — Six Harmonies Pagoda. Head south to the Six Harmonies Pagoda, a 1,000-year-old tower overlooking the Qiantang River and its famous tidal bore (best seen around the autumn equinox).

Afternoon — wetlands or canal. Choose your finish: the tranquil boardwalks and boat channels of Xixi National Wetland Park, or the living history of the Grand Canal at Gongchen Bridge, the southern terminus of the world's longest artificial waterway. Either way, you can be back at Hangzhou East in time for an evening train to Shanghai.

Where to stay

Base yourself near West Lake for the easiest access. The eastern and southern shores (around Nanshan Road) put you within walking distance of the water and the metro; budget travellers will find better value one or two metro stops back from the lake. For neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood advice, see where to stay in China.

Practical tips

• Buy a transit QR pass in Alipay or WeChat before you arrive — Hangzhou's metro, buses, and ferries all accept it.
• West Lake is huge. Rent a shared bike or use ride-hailing to cover the gaps; walking the whole shoreline takes most of a day.
• Tea pricing. Buy Longjing from the government tea museum shop or a reputable vendor; roadside "fresh from my farm" deals are often overpriced.
• Crowds. Avoid Chinese public holidays (especially the October Golden Week), when West Lake is shoulder-to-shoulder.

FAQ

Is two days enough for Hangzhou? Yes — two days covers West Lake, Lingyin Temple, the tea hills, and one extra sight. Add a third day if you want to slow down or visit Xixi Wetland and the Grand Canal both.

Do I need to book West Lake or Lingyin Temple tickets in advance? West Lake itself is free and needs no ticket. Lingyin Temple charges a modest combined entry (Feilai Feng scenic area plus the temple); buy on arrival or via the official mini-program. Longjing's tea museum is free.

Can I do Hangzhou as a day trip from Shanghai? You can see West Lake in a rushed day, but staying overnight lets you enjoy the lake at dawn and dusk — the best light — and fit in the tea hills.

What is the best way to get around? Hangzhou's metro reaches the lake and major hubs; for the hills (Longjing, Lingyin) use ride-hailing or taxis, which are inexpensive.

Plan it in My Trip

Ready to lock in your route? Save these stops in the My Trip planner to turn this itinerary into a drag-and-drop, day-by-day plan with map pins and navigation links — then adjust the order to match your train times.