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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Hangzhou & Wuzhen - new experiences with kids
Hangzhou and Wuzhen were part of our 10-day Shanghai-Hangzhou-Suzhou tour planned by China Highlights. Our local guide Susan - a Hangzhou native, was friendly, professional and shared with us the history, stories and food highlights of Hangzhou. From the boat ride on West Lake, tasting tea at Meijiawu, seeing the view from Chenghuangge, buying traditional (and modern) wares at Qinghefang street, visiting Hu Xueyan's mansion, to Wuzhen's scenic water town, Susan gave us many interesting bits of information at each place. She ordered a selection of local specialties for lunch on both days, all delicious and many we haven't tried before. Too bad we couldn't finish the food! She also gave us tips on what to buy and places to see and eat at in our spare time outside of the tour. Susan also made sure all our transfers and check-ins were smooth. Some kid-friendly experiences were fun for my 2 boys - tea brewing and tasting ceremony at Meijiawu, and clay pot making/painting at Wuzhen. We especially liked Wuzhen's picturesque vibe, with lots of interesting collated history and craft displays (e.g. lotus feet shoes, indigo cloth dye). Thanks to Susan and China Highlights for an enjoyable trip to Hangzhou and Wuzhen! more
Jun 2025, Lu W
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West Lake and Tea Village
Derek did a terrific job guiding us around the sights of Hangzhou and giving us outstanding restaurant tips. Also, my niece was not feeling well and Derek was prepared to take us to see a doctor if necessary. My niece enjoyed learning about the local education system from him. more
Jun 2025, Amy C
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Excellent personal tour of Hangzhou
We recently travelled to Hangzhou and had a fabulous time exploring the West Lake area which was absolutely beautiful. Our tour guide, Jill, was very friendly and helpful and very knowledgeable. She planned a wonderful tour around her city and took us to the old town market street and treated us to the local dumplings. We also enjoyed the Hangzhou Memories show at West Lake. That was quite an impressive evening show! The next day she drove us to Xitang and showed us all around this water town and found a great place for lunch where she helped us order lunch. Jill was very kind and thoughtful and took good care of us while in Hangzhou. more
Jun 2025, drinapete
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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: