Hangzhou: Lingyin Temple, West Lake, & Canal Tour

Discover Hangzhou: meditate at Lingyin Temple, taste classic vegetarian dishes, drift across West Lake, uncover Grand Canal history, and wander Southern Song Street before returning to your hotel.
Begin your day with a warm hotel pickup between 09:00 and 09:30. Your professional guide will greet you in the lobby and accompany you throughout the day, sharing highlights and helpful tips as you embark on an immersive cultural journey. From 09:30 to 11:30, explore Lingyin Temple, the most renowned Buddhist temple in Jiangnan. Step into centuries of tranquility as incense fills the air, and discover the majesty of the Song dynasty architecture at the Grand Hall. Marvel at the lifelike sculptures in the Hall of Five Hundred Arhats, while your guide explains Buddhist stories and Zen wisdom, offering a moment of spiritual cleansing amidst the serene morning bell.

At 11:45, enjoy a vegetarian lunch at a hidden restaurant near the temple, where you can savor traditional “intangible cultural heritage” dishes. Delight in specialties like Dongpo Vegetarian Meat, a creative combination of tofu skin and mushrooms, and Dragon Well Tea-infused Tofu, blending local tea with delicate tofu for a unique taste. (Lunch cost is not included, but the culinary experience is invaluable.)

From 13:00 to 14:30, embark on a poetic boat ride on West Lake. Glide across the water on a hand-rowed boat, passing the iconic Su Causeway and its six bridges to experience the charm of “Dawn on Su Causeway.” View the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon up close, the famous site featured on China’s one-yuan banknote. Sip fragrant Dragon Well tea while listening to the legend of Lady White Snake, truly understanding why West Lake is compared to the beauty Xi Zi.

Between 14:45 and 16:15, discover the thousand-year history of the Grand Canal. Walk along its living cultural heritage, touching the historical textures of the Ming Dynasty stone arch at Gongchen Bridge and exploring the Canal Museum to decode 2,500 years of canal trade. Wander through cobblestone alleys and feel the vibrant daily life of riverside communities.

From 16:30 to 18:00, enjoy free time at Hefang Street, the South Song Imperial Street, a treasure trove for food and souvenirs. Sample local specialties such as scallion pancakes praised by Emperor Qianlong or Ding Sheng cakes, once a symbol of good luck for departing soldiers.

Finally, at 18:00, return to your hotel or city center by private car, while your guide recounts today’s highlights and recommends the best spots to enjoy Hangzhou’s night scenery, leaving you with lasting memories of this rich cultural adventure.

为了保证可用性，请尽早预订。特别是在公共假期或周末等旺季期间计划旅行时，提前预订是值得考虑的。

此游览您可以在旅行开始前24小时内免费取消。如果您在24小时后取消或未出现在游览中，您仍将被收取活动的全额费用。迟到接送或出发将被视为未出现。