Hangzhou Day Tour: West Lake, Street Food, Traditional Fan-Making & Lingyin Temple

Step off the lake and into the lively heart of old Hangzhou at Hefang Street, a pedestrian heritage street lined with century-old teahouses, apothecaries, and local snack stalls. Lunch here is an adventure in itself — savor a bowl of Pian’er Chuan, the city’s beloved pork and bamboo shoot noodle soup, alongside Cong Bao Hui, a crispy fried scallion flatbread that has been a Hangzhou staple for generations. Your guide explains each dish and helps you navigate the best stalls.
This lunch experience is based on a meal budget of RMB 100 per person.

Founded in 1875, Wangxingji is one of China's most storied fan makers and a living piece of Hangzhou's intangible cultural heritage. In this hands-on workshop, you design and hand-paint your own fan using classic West Lake motifs — lotus flowers, willow branches, or the pagoda-dotted skyline — guided by a studio artisan. Your finished fan is yours to keep, an entirely personal souvenir made by your own hands.

Nestled between forested hills on the western edge of the city, Lingyin Temple — the Temple of the Soul's Retreat — has stood for over 1,600 years and remains one of the grandest Buddhist complexes in China. Walk through the ancient Hall of the Heavenly Kings, admire the 24-metre gilded statue of Maitreya Buddha, and explore the forested pathways lined with cliff carvings dating to the Eastern Jin dynasty. Your guide provides cultural and historical context that transforms a temple visit into a genuine encounter with living Chinese Buddhist tradition.