Hangzhou itinerary 1 day: Slow Living in the Tech City with 1 day in Hangzhou

Hangzhou – China’s leading tech city – still retains the quiet features of Jiangnan. Amidst the scent of Longjing tea and the scenery of West Lake, we spent a whole day relearning how to live slowly, where technology and poetry meet. So, what to do in 1 day in Hangzhou? Let’s check out our suggested Hangzhou itinerary 1 day (Hangzhou 1 day itinerary, Hangzhou one day itinerary) in this blog to find out the answer!

Shanghai to Beijing train

In the city considered the heart of China’s technology, everything happens so fast that people easily forget what it feels like to “live slowly”. However, amidst the glass buildings and bright billboards, Hangzhou still has its own peaceful moments.

A day here, we temporarily put down our phones, to feel every breath of the city – where technology and poetry still go hand in hand in a peaceful rhythm.

Hangzhou – Where Technology & Poetry Meet

[Round Trip from Hangzhou/Shanghai] Suzhou Humble Administrator’s Garden/Lion Grove Garden…

Only two hours from Shanghai by high-speed train, Hangzhou is an easy-to-reach stopover that is different enough to make anyone want to stay longer. This capital of Zhejiang province was once a prosperous capital of the Song Dynasty, and is now both a leading technology center and a peaceful Jiangnan land of tea, silk and willow trees reflecting on the lake.

The interesting thing about Hangzhou is that although technology has penetrated every aspect of life – from electronic payments to self-driving cars – the city still retains a rare quietness. In a short day, you can step out of a smart cafe and just a few minutes later stand in front of a centuries-old ancient temple.

A one-day itinerary in Hangzhou will go through two main highlights: West Lake & Longjing Village, along with activities to explore the city that blends tradition and modernity. If you are looking for a “deep” travel experience, this article is for you.

Hangzhou itinerary 1 day: Morning by West Lake – Start Your “Slow Life” Journey in Hangzhou

West Lake is the perfect starting point for a day in Hangzhou. The lake is located right in the city center, but once you step through the gate, you seem to have left all the noise behind. The entire lake is about 6 km² wide, surrounded by hills, temples, pagodas and willow-lined paths. It has inspired hundreds of poems, paintings, and even classical Chinese garden styles.

The most ideal way to experience West Lake is to walk or cycle around the lake in the early morning. Hangzhou people often wake up early to practice tai chi, stroll or drink tea by the water. The air is clear and cool at this time, the sunlight reflecting through the mist makes the scene seem strangely quiet. If you are not in a hurry, you can stop at Bai Juyi Embankment or Su Dongpo Embankment, the two most famous embankments of the lake, named after poets who once lived in this land.

Half-Day Immersive Hangzhou West Lake Longjing Tea Culture Experience…

On that journey, do not miss Leifeng Pagoda – the tower associated with the legend of “The Legend of the White Snake”. Climb to the top floor, and you will see the panoramic view of West Lake unfolding right below your feet, with the outline of the city hazy in the mist. On a sunny day, the early morning light covers the water in a jade green color, reflecting the weeping willows and curved stone bridges – an image that is unforgettable for anyone who has ever been there.

If you like to admire the scenery from the water, you can rent a small wooden boat to slowly cruise around the lake. The boatmen are usually locals, telling stories in a warm Jiangnan accent, sometimes humming a few folk songs. The short journey of about 30-40 minutes, but enough to see a completely different Hangzhou – quiet, gentle, and strangely close.

One-Day Tour from Shanghai to Hangzhou West Lake + Leifeng Pagoda + Lingyin Temple…

When the sun rises higher, stop by a teahouse by the lake – where you can enjoy freshly brewed Longjing with traditional cakes. Each sip of tea has a slightly bitter taste, a refreshing aroma, as if reminding people that sophistication always lies in the smallest things.

Hangzhou one day itinerary: Noon in Longjing Village: Leisurely Enjoying Delicious Tea

The air in Longjing is gentler and cooler than in the city. The whole village is nestled among the layers of tea hills, so green that it seems to have no end. The small stone-paved path, narrow enough for two people to walk, takes visitors through the rows of young tea. Here, the tea picking season lasts from March to May, when the first tea buds of the season are carefully selected to create the characteristic light Longjing aroma.

If you come in the right season, you can sign up to experience tea picking with the locals – an interesting and very “real” activity. Touching the young leaves still covered in dew, you will understand why the tea makers in Hangzhou are always calm. Every movement they make is slow, precise, and unhurried, as if time here has absorbed the aroma of tea and slowed down.

Hangzhou Longjing Tea Garden Light Hike 5km: Jiuxi Yanshu + Jiuxi Waterfall…

At noon, when the sun rises, the tea village is covered in a shimmering green color. You can visit Ho Lung Yin Tea House or Meijiawu Tea House, two famous stops to enjoy the original Longjing tea. The way to make tea seems simple: pour 80-degree water, let the leaves rotate and spread the fragrance, but in that simplicity is an art. The first taste of Longjing tea is a little bitter, then turns sweet, leaving a cool aftertaste on the tip of the tongue.

1 day in Hangzhou: Afternoon: Explore Hefang Old Town

As the sun begins to tilt over the lake, Hangzhou shifts to a different rhythm – slower, warmer, yet also subtly modern. From West Lake, it’s just a few minutes’ drive to Hefang Street – where the past and present seem to be in conversation.

This ancient street has a history of more than 800 years, once a bustling commercial center during the Song Dynasty. Now, the dark-grey wooden roofs are well preserved, interspersed with tea shops, herbal medicine shops, silk shops, and even small cafes with minimalist signs, where young people sit and work on laptops amidst the scent of freshly brewed Longjing tea.

Walking along the street, you will see interesting contrasts: a QR code payment technology sign next to a hand embroidery shop; the sound of a coffee roaster blends with the distant sound of a erhu. Hangzhou has found a way to let technology not destroy the old space, but revive it – more convenient but still keeping the old spirit.

Multi-Day Guided Tour of Nanjing + Wuxi + Suzhou + Wuzhen + Hangzhou…

A worthwhile experience is to visit the Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Hu Qing Yu Tang) right on the street. This two-story wooden building is both an old pharmacy and a display of hundreds of herbs and ancient medicinal tools. Right next door, you can go to Lou Wai Lou tea shop to enjoy Longjing steamed chicken, a Hangzhou specialty – tender chicken with a light aroma of tea and ginger.

Frequently Asked Questions When Traveling to Hangzhou in China

Where is Hangzhou and Why Should You Visit It Once in Your Life?

Hangzhou is located in Zhejiang province, Southeast China, about 180km from Shanghai. It is both a leading technology center (home of Alibaba) and an ancient city of Jiangnan famous for West Lake and Longjing tea. Hangzhou is attractive for its rare balance between modern life and ancient tranquility – ideal for those who want to “live slowly” in a fast-paced world.

What is the best season to travel to Hangzhou?

• The best time to visit Hangzhou is spring (March – May) and autumn (September – November).
• Spring: cool weather, green trees, Longjing tea harvest season.
• Autumn: mild sunshine, yellow leaves covering the old town and the road along West Lake.
• Summer is quite hot (30-35°C) but the scenery of West Lake in lotus season is also very beautiful. Winter has fog and light snow, suitable for those who like quiet scenery.

How to get to Hangzhou?

From Vietnam: you can fly directly to Shanghai, then take the high-speed train from Hongqiao station to Hangzhou – only about 1 hour 30 minutes.

From other Chinese cities: the high-speed train system connects Hangzhou with Beijing, Nanjing, Suzhou, Guangzhou.

Within the city, electric buses and metro are convenient, clean and easy to use (with bilingual guides).

Must-See Destinations in Hangzhou

• West Lake: the symbol of Hangzhou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Longjing Village: the famous Longjing tea growing and processing area.
• Hefang Street: strolling around, trying specialties, exploring Song culture.
• Leifeng Pagoda: the best place to see the panoramic view of West Lake.
• Lingyin Temple: one of the most sacred ancient temples in Eastern China.

What’s Delicious in Hangzhou?

Hangzhou cuisine is light, clear and delicate – very suitable for those who love traditional dishes.

• Longjing Tea Steamed Chicken: tender chicken, fragrant with tea and ginger.
• Longjing Fried West Lake Shrimp: a must-try spring specialty.
• Sweet and sour West Lake fish: a symbolic dish of Jiangnan cuisine.
• Sesame cakes, cinnamon cakes: sold a lot in Hunan old town, suitable for enjoying tea.

Where to stay when traveling to Hangzhou?

• Near West Lake: quiet, many hotels with lake views, convenient for early morning walks.
• Wulin Center: bustling, near metro and shopping area.
• Longjing Village: suitable for those who want to relax, isolated, with homestays in the middle of tea hills.

Some Small Notes When Coming to Hangzhou

• Spring and autumn are quite crowded, so book train tickets and hotels early.
• Wear comfortable shoes because the area around West Lake is very large, mainly walking.
• Locals speak Mandarin and Wu dialect, but tourists can easily communicate in basic English.
• Try at least one cup of freshly brewed Longjing tea – it is almost a “Hangzhou greeting ceremony”.

And We Know We Will Be Back to Hangzhou Soon!

A day in Hangzhou passed quietly but full. The sunset in Hangzhou falls as softly as a silk sheet. The last rays of the day cover the surface of West Lake with a thin layer of gold, then gradually turn orange, then purple, until everything is left with only small spots of light reflecting from the boats and streets.

On the way back, we realized that there are places that don’t need much activity to make people remember – just a quiet enough space, to calm your mind. And Hangzhou, in its own way, has done that.

How will you spend a day in Hangzhou?

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Hangzhou you can refer to

• Heavenly Hangzhou Private Day Tour
• 3 Day Essential Hangzhou Private Tour
• West Lake Daytime Cruise Ticket
• Zhoushan Taohua Island Ticket Hangzhou
• Qiandao Lake (Central Lake District) Ticket Hangzhou
• Impression West Lake (Enduring Memories of Hangzhou) Show Ticket
• Tonglu Yaolin Fairyland Ticket in Hangzhou (For Mainland Chinese Citizens Only)
• 3 Days Hangzhou & Wuzhen Water Village
• West Lake and Longjing Village Private Hiking Day Tour from Hangzhou
• West Lake and Lingyin Temple Whole Day Tour with Cruise in Hangzhou (Flying Peaks Hangzhou or Three Pools Mirroring The Moon)
• Old Hangzhou Canal Life Experience Half Day Tour

Read more Hangzhou guide here.