4-Day Hangzhou to Putuoshan Tour – Tea, Temples & Island Peace

This morning, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and escort you to explore Hangzhou, the “Heaven on Earth,” and a cultural city with a history of over 5,000 years.

You will first explore the China National Tea Museum, the only national museum dedicated entirely to tea culture. It houses 3,865 items, including ancient tea specimens and foreign tea sets. The museum has two branches: (1) Shuangfeng Branch - closer to West Lake, featuring a Jiangnan-style garden, a statue of Lu Yu, and exhibits on Longjing Tea and Chinese tea history. (2) Longjing Branch - set on a hillside overlooking West Lake, focusing on global tea culture, traditional tea-making techniques, and historic tea rituals such as Tang-dynasty tea boiling and Song-dynasty Dian Cha.

Continue to Meijiawu Tea Culture Village, the largest Longjing Tea-producing area. Known for receiving state leaders and foreign guests since the 1950s, the village becomes especially lively during the Qingming tea-picking season. More than 30,000 fresh tea buds are needed to produce 1 kg of premium Longjing Tea. Stroll through streets lined with Ming and Qing architecture, tea houses, and workshops. Visit Lu Zhenghao Tea Plantation to witness traditional tea roasting. If time permits, you can stop by the Premier Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall (closed Mondays). Meijiawu is also a great place to enjoy lunch featuring authentic Hangzhou cuisine and Longjing tea.

Afterward, experience West Lake (UNESCO World Heritage Site) like a local. West Lake is famous for temples, gardens, bridges, pagodas, tea houses, willow-lined paths, and literary heritage. Countless poems, legends, and love stories are tied to its beauty. Choose your way to explore: take a walk, bike (free for the first hour), take a lake cruise (self-pay), or ride a sightseeing bus (self-pay).

Walk along the Su Causeway (苏堤) and recall Su Dongpo’s famous lines:

“The shimmering ripples delight the eye on sunny days;

The misty hills are marvelous in rainy haze…”

If you’re a fan of Chinese legends, you may also explore:

• Wan Song Academy (万松书院) where Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai studied together in the “Butterfly Lovers” legend.
• Long Bridge (长桥) their farewell spot, now known for views of Leifeng Pagoda at Sunset.
• Leifeng Pagoda(self-pay) - central to the legend of The White Snake, one of China’s most beloved myths.

Fans of Dream of the Red Chamber can visit the filming site Quyuan Fenghe (曲院风荷) or take a boat tour (self-pay) to Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon, the scene depicted on the Chinese one-yuan banknote.

After enjoying West Lake, visit Jingci Temple (净慈寺), facing Leifeng Pagoda across the lake. Founded in 954, it is famous for the “Evening Bell at Nanping Hill,” one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake, and is associated with the legendary monk Ji Gong. Every afternoon after 4:00 PM, the temple bell echo across the hills. Enjoy peaceful view and feel its charm.

Later, stroll through Qinghefang Street (Hefang Street), the historic marketplace of the Southern Song Dynasty. Here you can explore traditional workshops, snack stalls, and the century-old Chinese medicine pharmacy Hu Qing Yu Tang, now also a museum (self-pay). Founded by Hu Xueyan, one of the wealthiest merchants of the late Qing Dynasty, the site displays Qing-style architecture and traditional medicine-making demonstrations. Time permitting, visit the Former Residence of Hu Xueyan.

Optional Evening Programs:

1. Impression West Lake Show (19:40–20:35)

A world-famous outdoor performance directed by Zhang Yimou, staged directly on West Lake with lights, music, dance, and breathtaking water effects. It features scenes inspired by classical poems, legends, and music including “The Butterfly Lovers,” “High Mountains and Flowing Water,” and “Memories of Jiangnan.” (Tickets must be booked in advance. Shows may be canceled due to weather or technical issues.)

1. Hangzhou Grand Canal Night Cruise (19:00/19:30/20:20; about 1 hour)

Enjoy a nighttime cruise on the world’s oldest and longest man-made canal (UNESCO). The 2,500-year-old Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is beautifully illuminated at night. See cultural squares, historic wharfs, old warehouses, and the ancient Gongchen Bridge before returning to Wulinmen Wharf. (Best time: April–October. In winter, cruise schedules may be reduced.)

This morning, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and take you to Wuzhen Water Town (Xizha Scenic Area, 西栅景区). It is located about 80 km northeast of Hangzhou (around 1-1.5 hours by car). Known as one of the most popular and best-preserved ancient water towns in the Jiangnan region, Wuzhen stands out even among the famous “Top Six Water Towns” such as Zhouzhuang, Tongli, Luzhi, Xitang, and Nanxun.

Wuzhen perfectly embodies the classic charm of a Jiangnan Water Town, with its well-preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture, flowing canals, graceful arched bridges, ancient docks, riverside pavilions, stone-paved alleys, and traditional teahouses. The local residents still enjoy an authentic waterside lifestyle and unique folk customs, creating a landscape often described as a Chinese ink-painting come to life. It’s no wonder people say, “Once you come to Wuzhen, you’ll never want to leave,” as the town’s romantic, nostalgic atmosphere captures the essence of old China.

Xizha Scenic Area is composed of twelve small islands connected by more than seventy bridges and waterways, forming a well-designed, immersive experience. Upon arrival, you will stroll along the riverside and main streets - plan to spend at least 3-4 hours exploring this large area. Take your time to enjoy its beauty and local culture.

You won’t miss the charming attractions (passing by or visiting as many as possible. To save time, not every minor stop will be included) such as Indigo Fabric Workshop (草木本色染坊), Zhaoming Academy (昭明书院), Foot-binding Culture Museum (三寸金莲博物馆), Wuzhen Old Post Office (乌镇邮局), White Lotus Pagoda (白莲塔), and Guandi Temple (关帝庙), along with lively highlights like the Water Theatre (水上戏台), Xuchang Sauce Garden (叙昌酱园), and the Water Market (水上集市). As you wander through the canals and alleyways, your guide will share the stories, history, and traditions that make this region so culturally rich. Relax and enjoy the slow rhythm here.

After the tour, drive back to Hangzhou for accommodation.

Today is our big travel day! The scenic drive covers approximately 250 kilometers and usually takes about 3 hours to reach the Zhoushan pier. But don't worry—we'll manage the entire Hangzhou to Putuoshan transfer smoothly for you! Our comfortable car will take you to the Zhoushan pier. This allows you to relax and enjoy the coastal scenery. We take a short ferry ride to Putuoshan Island, and your Buddhism tour on the island begins immediately.

Welcome to Putuoshan, the "Sea and Sky Buddha Kingdom," and the sacred home of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. This special Hangzhou to Putuoshan tour invites you to leave the noise behind and enter a realm of profound compassion and peace.

First, visit Puji Temple (普济寺). It is the largest and most ancient temple on the island. It is the center of all Buddhist activities here. Before entering, you will see the Haiyin Pool (Lotus Pond). In summer, the lotuses bloom. They symbolize purity rising from the mud. Walk into the Grand Hall. You can see the majestic statue of Guanyin. It is surrounded by 32 different forms of Guanyin. This shows her ability to help all kinds of people. Many visitors like to light a stick of incense here and make a simple wish for peace, health, or happiness.

Next, move to the Purple Bamboo Forest (紫竹林) at the seaside. Here you will find the famous "Unwilling to Leave" Guanyin Temple (不肯去观音). The story is very touching. In 863 AD, a Japanese monk named Egaku wanted to take a Guanyin statue to Japan. But storms blocked his ship near this spot. He realized Guanyin wanted to stay here. So he built this shrine. This place is the origin of the whole Putuoshan pilgrimage.

Finally, visit the iconic Nanhai Guanyin Statue(南海观音像). It stands 33 meters tall. It is made of bronze and gold. The statue faces the vast ocean. It looks like it is protecting the world. Standing at her feet, you will feel a deep sense of peace. Sunset is the best time to visit. The golden light makes the statue shine.

In the afternoon, we take a relaxing walk on 100-Step Beach(百步沙滩). The sand is soft, the water is clean, and the atmosphere is quiet. It’s a lovely place to slow down, take photos, or simply sit and watch the ocean. Many travelers say this beach walk becomes one of their favorite memories of the trip.

In the evening, we check in at your island hotel. You can rest, enjoy a cup of tea, or take a short walk nearby. Nights on Putuoshan are very peaceful—only the sound of the sea remains.

Best time to visit:

April to October offers warm weather and green scenery. If you prefer quiet, avoid public holidays and Guanyin festival days (19th of Lunar February, June, or September).

What to wear:

Comfortable shoes for walking, modest clothing (cover shoulders/knees for temples), a hat for sunny days, and a light jacket - it can be breezy near the sea.

Morning on Putuoshan is especially serene. After breakfast, we head to Fayu Temple, a beautiful complex hidden among tall ancient trees. The temple has quiet pathways, elegant stone carvings, and historic halls with imperial plaques. It is a wonderful place to feel the gentle and dignified spirit of the island.

After the visit, we take the cable car up to Huiji Temple on the mountaintop. The ride offers open views of the coastline and forests. When you arrive at the top, the air is fresh and the sky feels closer. Huiji Temple is known for its calm energy, and many visitors like to spend a few minutes here just breathing and enjoying the silence.

If you enjoy walking, we can take a small pilgrimage path nearby. The trail is easy and surrounded by trees and stone steps. It’s a simple way to feel the spiritual rhythm of Putuoshan.

Around midday, your pilgrimage concludes. We take the sightseeing bus back to the pier, board the ferry, and meet your driver in Zhoushan. You are then comfortably driven back to Hangzhou. You leave the island feeling refreshed and centered. Safe journey!