Historical Grand Canal and Fabulous Hangzhou
Embark on a journey along the historic Jinghang Grand Canal, the world's longest ancient canal. As a key city on this waterway, Hangzhou offers a unique opportunity to delve into China's canal heritage. Explore local history, discover the fragrant Dragon Well tea plantation, and experience the tranquility of West Lake on a scenic cruise.
Let's work together to design the perfect vacation for you. Simply share your interests and needs, and we'll create a tailored itinerary filled with unforgettable experiences.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Create Your Unique Oiled-Paper Umbrella.
Discover the artistry of China's traditional oil-paper umbrellas. These intricate creations, once essential for daily life, are now prized as beautiful works of art.
Experience the Traditional Method of Picking Tea Leaf.
Immerse yourself in the heart of China's tea culture as you witness skilled tea farmers expertly harvest fresh leaves from lush plantations.
Glide across the Serene Waters of West Lake.
Taking a boat ride on West Lake allows you to appreciate its beauty from a different perspective.
Discover the Grandeur of Hangzhou's Most Revered Buddhist Temple.
The colossal statue of Buddha in the temple is one of the largest indoor statues in China. It's a breathtaking sight and a popular attraction for visitors.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Ask for Helen in Chengdu
We were in Chengdu for a good time, not a long time, and our guide Helen made sure of it. She is super interesting and fun and intuitive, and takes incredibly good care of her group at every level: I don’t think there is anything she can’t or won’t do for you. Travelling with multiple generations can be tricky, but Helen caught on to our dynamic right away and kept everyone happy and tuned-in, from the panda experience to chilling in the park. Such a fantastic experience all-around. more
Mar 2025, Susan
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Hangzhou with Derek from China Highlights
Hangzhou is a beautiful city. Our guide was Derek from China Highlights, who is a very smart and well educated person. He knows a lot not only about history but also all kind of subjects. Derek is also very very very kind, and patience. We changed a little our itinerary because we wanted to know other things, and he completely understood what we wanted. Thank you Derek!! more
Mar 2025, Cecilia Ly
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Hangzhou tour
The views at Hangzhou were amazing, Derek our tour guide from China Highlights was awsome, very knowledgeable, and loved the food at the local restaurants he suggested. more
Mar 2025, Teo O
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Suggested Itinerary
Your private guide will be waiting for you at airport/train-station arrivals.
Enjoy the Southern Song Dynasty Snacks Banquet upon arrival. The banquet includes a cup of healthy flower tea, West Lake lotus root starch, Hangzhou style cat's-ear noodles, wrapped fried bread sticks with shallots, and local moon cakes. During the banquet, enjoy a traditional stringed and woodwind instrumental performance and a tea ceremony.
After lunch, your first visit will be the Lingyin Temple, one of the most important and wealthiest Buddhist temples in China, boasting plenty of pagodas and Buddhist grottoes. Then have a relaxing visit to West Lake, one of the major landmarks of Hangzhou. Stroll alongside the lake, and take a cruise to Fairy Island.
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, we will start the day from the Meijiawu Tea Plantation – the place of origin of the best Dragon Well tea in China. Have a walk round the tea plantation, see how farmers pick tea leaves, and taste a cup of tea.
Have lunch at a local restaurant, after which we will start to explore the history of the Grand Canal!
Take the cruise on the Jinghang (Beijing- Hangzhou) Grand Canal. Imagine the scene on the canal banks in times past, and get a feeling for recent developments in the city.
Afterward, try to paint your own oiled-paper umbrella at the Workmanship Demonstration Pavilion, where the oiled-paper craftsman will teach you. In the Pavilion you can observe other traditional craftspeople working on their creations; crafting teapots, or making fans, umbrellas, or even scissors.
We will escort you to the train station/airport for your departure. Please make sure that your train/flight departs after 6 pm.
Tour Price
Price includes: