The 10 Best Historical & Heritage Tours in Hangzhou, Zhejiang

January 31, 2022 Frederic Celentano

Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang Province and one of the seven ancient capitals of China. It was described by Italian traveler Marco Polo as the finest and most luxurious city in the world. The West Lake scenic area contains over 60 cultural relic sites and several attractions of natural beauty, and a cruise on the lake is a good option to view several sites. Hangzhou is also a good place to visit a tea plantation.
Restaurants in Hangzhou

1. Private Day Trip to Hangzhou from Shanghai by Bullet Train

Sunflower Tours
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

With little English spoken, Hangzhou can be hard to navigate independently. Let your private guide take the strain on a day trip to the city by high-speed bullet train, with a personal driver to ensure you cover sufficient ground. Tour West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Qinghefang Ancient Street, Leifeng Pagoda, and the Longjing tea plantations as your guide explains the city’s rich history. Please note: Tour excludes entrance fees. Tour Hangzhou’s signature sights, including West Lake, with a private guide Reach the city the speedy way, by first-class bullet train Navigate Hangzhou with ease thanks to your private driver Relax with pickup and drop-off direct from your Shanghai hotel by subway

Inclusions: Excellent English Speaking Tour Guide, Taxi and subway fare in Shanghai (within outer ring road), Hangzhou Private Driver with car service, Roundtrip bullet train seats Shanghai to Hangzhou, Entrance fees

Exclusions: Gratuities (Recommended), Lunch , Taxi fare at your own expense (Outside of outer Ring Road), Any other expenses that not listed as included

Reviewed By Mary1710

We were picked up from the ship terminal on time and Aileen was ready to show us around - our driver was really fantastic driver but did not speak English well . Aileen her English was amazing. She had studied literature and her knowledge of China, culture and history was interesting and thorough. She was loads of fun with all the answers. The drive to the Water village was quite long but all the way we saw lots of interesting things that Aileen described for us. When we arrived at the village we crossed a bridge built in the 15th century. We went into one of the houses to walk through what would have been a very wealth persons home and gardens. When inside we saw farming equipment, Aileen described how her grandparents had farmed the land and she had helped with the rice stripping etc. While in the house we saw some beautiful hand made tapestries - saw the women doing the work. Just did not buy as we could not decide what we would do with it. We went through the markets which were hectic and a little touristy - if we had more time we did find some out of the main stream areas that were very appealing for shopping. We had lunch on a balcony looking over the river(canal) it had a feeling of Venice. We liked the food but may be did not chose as well as we could - Eel was not great and the small prawns were not easy for us as we did not want to eat the shells. We travelled back into Shanghai and went to the Kezhi gardens which were beautiful not dissimilar to those at the water village - but much bigger. The Chinese markets nearby were also fabulous but time was getting away form us. The Shanghai tower was most inspiring. We wanted to drive by the Bund. Really we could have spent hours looking at the architecture of these buildings alas time ran out . The lights coming back to the ship were most impressive. It had been a busy but lovely day. Thank you Aileen

2. Hangzhou West Lake Essence Day Tour

Hangzhou Travel Agency
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

We will only show highlights of West Lake, which taken by Four Seasons Hotel. Today, you will find that your eyes will be feasted by beautiful sceneries and breath taking view.

Inclusions: Private transportation, All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Admission Tickets and Meals, Tips

Reviewed By 1988-Braham

這次旅遊,我們全家都很開心,感謝導遊的陪伴和周到的安排,我們还會回來。Wezhen is so pretty, I can't like it any more. Once you there , you never leave.

3. 4-Hour Hangzhou City Private Customized Tour with Options

Sunny Tours-Hangzhou
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

During this haf-day fully customizable, private Hangzhou sightseeing tour, you get to call the shots. Enjoy a tailor-made itinerary,designed with your unique interests in mind, visit some of city’s must-see top attractions such as West Lake, Longjing Tea Plantation, Linyin temple and Peak fly from afar etc. Choose between lunch and dinner options. Convenient and comfortable door to door transfer from Hangzhou hotel or Hangzhou train station are included.

Inclusions: Great local guide, Comfortable car with experienced driver, Local tasty lunch ( If "Morning Tour with Lunch is booked"), Local tasty dinner(If " Afternoon Tour with Dinner is booked")

Exclusions: Gratuities, Entrance fees to the selected sites, Food or drinks ( If "Morning Tour with Lunch" or " Afternoon Tour with Dinner" is not booked)

Reviewed By amalreplace

First Hangzhou was an amazing city and exceeded my expectations and Iam sure it has a lot more to it that needs to be explored. Sarah our tour guide was amazing and extremely knowledgeable and she managed to show us so much in the time given without feeling rushed out,I highly recommend her to everyone going there. The tea plantation was awesome and we had lunch in one of the farmers houses and it was wonderful with an awesome view.

4. Private Tour: Hangzhou Tea Culture Day Tour

China Private Tours-Day Tour
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4.9 based on 17 reviews

There is no better place to experience the best green tea, Longjing in Hangzhou than other places in China. Hangzhou is the home of tea and silk. Longjing tea is considered the best green tea in China. Enjoy a 6-hour tour accompanied by your knowledgeable guide and skillful driver, visit the National Tea Museum, Tea Plantation, Meijiawu Tea Village, try the Longjing Tea and talk with tea famers. You'll not only learn about Chinese tea culture, also immerse yourself in the process of tea-making and beautiful scenery. You have the option to have an authentic home-cooked meal at a local famer's home. To make your trip comfortable and easy, we provide FREE WI-FI, PHONE CHARGER, COLD DRINKS AND UMBRELLA (no extra charge). Note: If you come from Shanghai by train, recommend timing: Arrival: Around 9:30am; Departure: Around 18:00pm. Both Hangzhou East train station and Hangzhou railway station are work for this tour. Free charge of train station pick up & drop off service.

Inclusions: Hotel and railway station pickup and drop-off in Hangzhou downtown, Admission Fee & Boat Ride on West Lake if you book the package tour, Professional English & Chinese Speaking Tour Guide, Air-conditioned vehicle, Bottled Water/Soda Drinks/Cold Drinks, Lunch if you book the all inclusive tour option

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By TSY89

The tour organisers were really accommodating of our changes in timing and we all had a wonderful day out of the city experiencing the natural environment around. Bonnie was a great guide and told us many stories and also lots of additional information on what to see in the different seasons in hangzhou

5. Full-day Xitang Water Town Tour from Hangzhou

Variarts Travel - Shanghai
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4.0 based on 1 reviews

Discover one of the most wonderful water villages in China, the town of Xitang on this 8-hour private tour. Explore the picturesque water town with its stone pavements winding between antique buildings and ancient stone bridges that cross scenic water pathways.

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Professional and friendly English speaking guide, Traditional Chinese cuisine lunch, Transport by vehicle or minivan

Exclusions: Drinks, Gratuities

Reviewed By 11albertc

Engaged a taxi for whole day to bring us to Laoshan mountain sightseeing. Did a few stop-over to visit temples and tea tasting. Very relaxing if you have time to spare.

6. Hangzhou Your Way: Flexible Private Hangzhou City Highlights Tour

China Private Tours-Day Tour
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4.0 based on 1 reviews

Discover some of Hangzhou's highlights, enjoy all the flexibility but none of the language hassles on this private customized full-day tour. Pick four or five attractions and explore these sites at your own pace to avoid the crowds on public transport. Instead you'll have a private & spacious vehicle with a skillful driver and an expert guide lead you to learn Hangzhou culture, nature and history. Entrance fee, bottled water are inclued as well. Lunch could be arranged at the local tea famer's house to try the home-made dishes, which is a unique experience. Or you can choose the restaurant by your own with free transfer service. Lunch is optional.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Pickup & drop-off at Hangzhou downtown hotel or Hangzhou train station, Professional English & Chinese speaking tour guide, Bottled water, Entrance Fee for maximum five attractions

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By TSY89

The tour organisers were really accommodating of our changes in timing and we all had a wonderful day out of the city experiencing the natural environment around. Bonnie was a great guide and told us many stories and also lots of additional information on what to see in the different seasons in hangzhou

7. Private Day Tour of Hangzhou City Highlights From Shanghai

China Theme Tour Shanghai

This private day trip is customized for travelers in Shanghai with a tight schedule, spend one day to visit the highlights in Hangzhou and to understand its time-honored fame as 'Heaven on Earth'. Escorted by private tour guide and driver, you will enjoy the amazing scenery at renowned West Lake, visit the Red Carp Pond in the south of the Flower Harbor Park and explore the splendid Lingyin Temple.

Inclusions: Private transportation, Professional tour guide, Bottled water, Chinese Lunch, Hotel pickup & drop-off, Entrance ticket fees

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By Sightseer790338

We visited Suzhou in September 2018 as a day trip from Shanghai. Our guide Celia picked us up at the train station and led us through the Humble Administrator's Garden, pointing out the structure of the garden and sharing the history and delightful anecdotes associated with it. The bonsai here impressed me most. Next we visited the Silk Museum. Celia (a native of Suzhou) is very knowledgeable about making silk, and she demonstrated some of the steps in the fascinating process herself, explaining other steps in detail. This was really the highlight of the day. Next Celia took us to a favorite local restaurant for a delicious lunch (the lotus root fritters were outstanding), where we were the only westerners. Lastly we went to ZhouZhuang water town, exploring the beautiful canals and shops. It's a lovely place, but perhaps a little too commercial. Finally Celia insisted on securing our return train tickets to Shanghai when she learned that we had not yet done so. Overall, Celia was an excellent guide. She did not push us to buy anything but when I expressed interest she was very helpful with information and advice, especially about silk products but also other items. The only reason for a 4 instead of 5 rating was that we didn't find the actual sites to be all that compelling given their UNESCO status - perhaps we were travel-weary after 2-1/2 weeks in China.

8. Private Hangzhou Highlights Day Trip from Shanghai

YesTrips Shanghai

This private day trip is customized for travelers in Shanghai with a tight schedule, spend one day to visit the highlights in Hangzhou and to understand its time-honored fame as 'Heaven on Earth'.

Inclusions: Private tour, Private transportation, Professional tour guide, Bottled water, Chinese Lunch, Hotel pickup & drop-off, Entrance ticket fees

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By bechir m

clean place, many tourists , very charged place you can buy food and souvenirs make photos with original viewers

9. Amazing Hangzhou Private Day Trip by High Speed Train from Shanghai

Catherine Lu Tours Shanghai

This is a tailor-made city tour in Hangzhou from Shanghai with around high speed train. Private both transportation in Shanghai are provided. Start the tour from Hangzhou east station with the local guide and driver, immerse you into Hangzhou’s amazing highlights, such as West Lake, Lingyin Temple and Tea Plantation. All entrance tickets, delicious lunch, private English-speaking guide and driver, whole day transfer service are all included in this 8-hour tour.

Inclusions: Professional English speaking guide, Private car and driver, Round high speed train between Shanghai and Hangzhou (second class seat), Railway station pickup and drop-off in Shanghai and Hangzhou, Lunch in a local Chinese restaurant

Exclusions: Dinner, Gratuities

Reviewed By GerryGunawan

this private tour is very good. 2-3 months before I contact with jenna and make the itinerary. the response is so fast. when we arrive the driver is so polite and helpful since pick up us until drop us to flying back. Ruby, our guide is so nice. she can explain with fluently. she choose the route n place to lunch. also give us suggestion to choose dinner. overall 9/10 for the service.... ????

10. Flexible Hangzhou Private Day Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train

Amazing Jiangnan Trip

Discover beautiful Paradise City Hangzhou on a fully customized sightseeing day trip from Nanjing by bullet train. You can choose the attractions you visit and the places you see, such as Longjing Tea Village, Leifeng Pagoda, Lingyin Temple, the old Hefang Street or more. Enjoy a relaxing boat ride on West Lake. A tasty local lunch, Dragon Well tea tasting, round trip bullet train tickets, private guide and driver service are included. Upgrade to All-Inclusive Tour Package with boat ride ticket and one attraction entrance ticket at time of booking.

Inclusions: Private guide, Transport by private vehicle, Nanjing hotel pickup and drop-off, Local lunch, Tea tasting, West Lake boat ride and one attraction fee for "All-Inclusive Tour Package", Round Trip Bullet Train Ticket (2nd class)

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By EdMotion

They put together a special itinerary for me based on my interest in Zheng He maritime history as well as the transitions between the first and third Ming emperors. Fred is seriously knowledgeable as well as a polyglot - he catches various languages and cultures very easily. Overall one of the best tour teams I have come across.

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