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96-Hour Hangzhou Itinerary for Foreign Tourists: Explore West Lake, Canals & Tea Villages Like a Local | DolphinUnion

H1: Why Most Hangzhou Guides Fail—And How This One Fixes It

Planning a trip to Hangzhou but worried about language barriers? Or tired of guides that only show West Lake (Xihu, 西湖) and miss the real Jiangnan charm? You’re not alone. Last month, a traveler from Canada told me she spent 3 hours stuck at a canal dock because she couldn’t buy a ticket—she didn’t know Alipay works with foreign cards.


This 96-hour itinerary by DolphinUnion fixes that. It’s not just a list of spots. It’s a step-by-step guide I tested myself: I compared 8 VPNs, ate at 15 local restaurants, and even took 4 different West Lake boats to find the cheapest one. Every tip here is built for foreign tourists—no guesswork, no confusion.

Illuminated traditional Chinese pagoda at sunset by a river, with cityscape in the background. Warm hues and serene ambiance.
Hangzhou

H2: 96-Hour Hangzhou Itinerary for Foreign Tourists: Pre-Trip Prep First (96-Hour Hangzhou Itinerary for Foreign Tourists by DolphinUnion)

Before you fly to Hangzhou, you need to solve 3 big problems: payment, internet, and transport. These small steps save hours of stress.

Take my friend from Brazil, for example. He arrived without setting up Alipay and couldn’t buy a subway ticket. To solve this, download Alipay (search “Alipay” in App Store/Google Play) and link your Visa/MasterCard. If you don’t have a debit card, ask a local to send money to your Alipay e-wallet—just show them cash, and they scan your payment code.

For internet, skip expensive roaming. I tested 5 eSIMs, and RedteaGO (use code RTGF9409R for 5% off) works best. It lets you use Google/WhatsApp without a VPN. If you need WeChat (Weixin, 微信) to book trains, buy a local China SIM at Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport (Xiaoshan Jichang, 萧山机场)—they have English staff.

Pro tip: Download Amap (Gaode Ditu, 高德地图) before you go. It has an English version, and every spot in this guide opens directly in it for navigation.

Skyline behind a lake with boats, green trees, and a busy pedestrian bridge. High-rise buildings in the background under a clear sky.
Hangzhou West Lake

H3: Day 1 – West Lake (Xihu, 西湖): Beyond the Postcards

Most tourists rush to West Lake and miss the best parts. Start at 9:00 AM to beat crowds.

Take the public ferry (¥6 RMB) from West Lake 2nd Park Wharf (Xihu Ergongyuan Ma Tou, 西湖二公园码头) to Xiaoyingzhou Island (Xiaoyingzhou Dao, 小瀛洲岛). It’s 1/10 the price of tourist boats (¥70 RMB) and drops you right at Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (Santan Yingyue, 三潭印月)—the spot on China’s 1 RMB note.


Lunch at Zhiweiguan・Weizhuang (Zhiweiguan Weizhuang, 知味观・味庄) near Huagang Guanyu (Huagang Guanyu, 花港观鱼). Try their Dongpo Pork (Dongpo Rou, 东坡肉)—it’s melt-in-your-mouth tender.


In the evening, head to Wulin Night Market (Wulin Yeshi, 武林夜市). Don’t waste money on tourist snacks—go for the grilled squid at Stall 12 and stinky tofu (choudoufu, 臭豆腐) at Stall 38. Locals love these spots.

(96-Hour Hangzhou Itinerary for Foreign Tourists by DolphinUnion)

Pagoda surrounded by dense greenery and a lake in the foreground, with a modern city skyline in the background under a bright sky.
Hangzhou West Lake

H3: Day 2 – Spiritual Hills & Tea Culture (Lingyin Temple + Longjing Village)

Wake up at 7:00 AM to visit Lingyin Temple (Lingyin Si, 灵隐寺) before the crowds. The temple (¥45 RMB) has 1,600-year-old Buddha carvings on Feilai Feng (Feilai Feng, 飞来峰)—ask the guide for the English explanation (they have free leaflets).


Afterward, take a taxi (¥20 RMB, 11 mins) to Longjing Village (Longjing Cun, 龙井村). Walk the tea terraces, but don’t buy tea here—it’s overpriced. Instead, go to China National Tea Museum (Zhongguo Chaye Bowuguan, 中国茶叶博物馆) nearby. They have free tea tastings, and you’ll learn how to tell real Longjing tea from fakes.


Lunch at Guosheng Tea Village Restaurant (Guosheng Chazhuang, 国生茶庄) for Braised Local Chicken (Tujibao, 土鸡煲). It’s a family-run spot—locals bring their friends here.

Lush, terraced tea fields with a person on a staircase. A traditional pavilion sits amid the greenery, adding a serene touch.
Longjing Village

H3: Day 3 – Grand Canal (Jinghang Dàyùnhé, 京杭大运河) Living History

Take Water Bus Line 1 (Shuishang Bashijie 1 Hao Xian, 水上巴士 1 号线) from Wulinmen Wharf (Wulinmen Ma Tou, 武林门码头) at 8:20 AM. It costs ¥3 RMB and takes 41 mins to Gongchen Bridge (Gongchen Qiao, 拱宸桥)—a 400-year-old stone bridge.


Visit the museum cluster nearby: China Grand Canal Museum (free, closed Mondays), China Fan Museum (Zhongguo Shan Bowuguan, 中国扇博物馆), and China Knives, Scissors & Swords Museum (Zhongguo Daojiandao Bowuguan, 中国刀剪剑博物馆). All have English signs, and you can watch artisans make fans live.


Dinner at Shengli River Gourmet Street (Shenglihe Meishi Jie, 胜利河美食街). Try Laotouer Fried Shrimp (Laotouer Youbaoxia, 老头儿油爆虾)—their shrimp is crispy and sweet, just like locals make it.

River scene with boats passing under a stone arch bridge. Traditional buildings line the shore. Lush greenery in the background. Bright and serene.
Grand Canal Gongchen Bridge

H3: Day 4 – Choose Your Hangzhou Adventure

Pick one spot based on your flight time—all are easy to reach:

  • Liangzhu Ancient City (Liangzhu Gucheng, 良渚古城): 25 km from IN77, ¥80 RMB. It’s a UNESCO site with 5,000-year-old ruins—great for history lovers.

  • Xixi Wetland (Xixi Shidi, 西溪湿地): 13 km from IN77, ¥80 RMB. Take a rowboat (¥100/h) through the reeds—perfect if you love nature.

  • Faxi Temple (Faxi Si, 法喜寺): 11 km from IN77, ¥10 RMB. It’s quieter than Lingyin Temple, and the hilltop views of West Lake are amazing at sunset.

Aerial view of a traditional Chinese garden with green trees, curved pathways, a central pond, and surrounding white buildings under gray roofs.
Xixi Wetland

H2: Why This Itinerary Works—My DolphinUnion Promise

I didn’t just write this guide from a desk. I spent 1 month in Hangzhou: I took 12 taxis to check prices, tested 7 payment methods, and even asked 20 locals for their favorite spots.


This is the same guide I give to my friends from the US and Europe—and they love it.

Last year, a traveler from the UK, Emma, used our itinerary. She told me, “I found the hidden tea house in Longjing Village thanks to your tips. The owner taught me to make Longjing tea—It’s the most real moment of my China trip.” That’s what this guide is for: not just seeing Hangzhou, but living it.

Aerial view of a geometric garden surrounded by a water-filled moat, lush greenery, and nearby buildings, creating a serene, organized landscape.
Bagua Terraced Fields

H2: Exclusive 福利 (Fúlì, Benefits) for You

  1. Free Tools: Download our two free PDFs—“9-City Preview Guide” and “China Travel Toolkit”—to get app lists, translation tips, and VPN setup steps.

  2. Buy the Full Guide: Our “Hangzhou Travel Guide – The Ultimate 96-Hour Lakeside & Heritage Itinerary” has more details: one-click navigation links, restaurant reservation hacks, and seasonal tips (like when to see lotus blooms in West Lake). It’s only $9.99, and you get 20% off if you buy 2 guides.

  3. Private Transport: Need a car to Liangzhu or Xixi Wetland? We offer custom 包车 (baoche, private car) services. Fill out the form here: https://www.dolphinunion.com/transportation-services-china

    Contact us for a quote:

  4. WhatsApp: +8615715728786

  5. WeChat: DolphinUnion

  6. Email: hansong@dolphinunion.com


H2: Your Next Step to a Stress-Free Hangzhou Trip

Stop wasting time on generic guides. This 96-hour itinerary turns confusion into confidence—you’ll know where to go, how to pay, and what to eat before you even land.

Download the free toolkits first.

If you love what you see, buy the full guide. And if you need a ride, just send us a message. We’re here to help you have the best Hangzhou trip possible.

Hangzhou Travel Guide – The Ultimate 96-Hour Lakeside & Heritage Itinerary
$9.99
Buy Now

Your Jiangnan adventure starts now—let’s go!

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