After landing at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, follow the signs for Metro Line 2—the most economical way into central Shanghai—or take a taxi if you have heavy luggage. The metro to People’s Square takes roughly 35–45 minutes, while a taxi is usually 30–60 minutes depending on traffic, typically around ¥80–150. Allow another 20–30 minutes for immigration or baggage collection if arriving internationally, then check in and keep the afternoon easy; Shanghai’s first-day traffic can be tiring.
Start with a relaxed 45-minute orientation walk around People’s Square, Shanghai’s broad civic center, where locals gather around the park’s gardens and fountains. From here, walk east along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street for about 1.5 hours. The western end is more department-store focused, while the stretch toward the river becomes brighter and livelier after dark; duck into side arcades for snacks such as shengjian buns or small cakes rather than treating the boulevard as a single shopping mall.
Continue east to The Bund, allowing 15–20 minutes on foot from the pedestrian street. Arrive around sunset for the best transition from the historic European-style buildings on the west side to the illuminated Pudong skyline across the Huangpu River. The promenade is free and open at all hours, but it can be crowded; keep phones and wallets secure and avoid accepting unsolicited “tea house” or photography invitations. After the waterfront walk, have dinner at Lost Heaven on the Bund, housed in a grand historic building with atmospheric views and richly spiced Yunnan dishes. Budget approximately ¥200–350 per person; reservations are strongly recommended, especially for a river-facing table. Expect the meal to take 1.5–2 hours, then use a taxi or Metro Line 2 from East Nanjing Road back to your hotel.
Start in Shanghai Old City, ideally around 8:30 AM, while the lanes are still quiet and local residents are heading out for breakfast. Wander around Dajing Road, Renmin Road, and the small lanes near the former city-wall area; only fragments of the old fortifications remain, but the mix of low-rise homes, neighborhood shops, and newly restored façades gives you a good sense of traditional Shanghai. Allow about an hour, and wear comfortable shoes—the lanes are much better explored on foot than by taxi. From here, walk or take a short taxi ride to Yu Garden; the gardens usually open around 9:00 AM, with admission generally around ¥30–40 depending on the season. Spend 1–1½ hours among the rockeries, ponds, and pavilions, entering early to avoid the heaviest tour groups.
Continue into the City God Temple area, where the historic temple district is busy with snack shops, souvenir stalls, and traditional-style buildings. It is touristy, but fun for a short browse—look for local pastries, tea, and small craft items rather than feeling obliged to buy at the first stall. For lunch, settle at Nanxiang Mantou Dian in the Yuyuan area for its famous xiaolongbao; expect roughly ¥30–80 per person, and queueing is common at peak lunchtime. Order a small basket first, as the soup inside is extremely hot; a spoon and a gentle bite into the skin will save you from spilling it.
After lunch, take Metro Line 10 from Yuyuan Garden to Xintiandi, or use a taxi in about 15–25 minutes depending on traffic, then walk toward Tianzifang. Spend around two hours wandering its narrow lilong lanes, where galleries, design shops, cafés, and residential doorways sit side by side. It is best treated as a slow, atmospheric stroll rather than a checklist—some passages are very cramped, and prices in the more polished boutiques are higher than elsewhere. In the early evening, continue by taxi or walk about 15 minutes to Sinan Mansions, a quieter group of restored historic villas and leafy courtyards in the former French Concession. Allow an hour here for an architectural walk and coffee or a drink; the complex is most pleasant as daylight softens, before choosing dinner nearby.
Begin at Shanghai Museum on People’s Square, arriving around 9:00 AM for the quieter first hours. Its bronzes, ceramics, jade, and Chinese paintings are among the city’s essential collections; allow about 2½ hours. Entry is generally free with advance real-name reservation, though popular time slots can fill quickly—bring your passport and check the museum’s official booking system before going. From central hotels, People’s Square Station is the easiest arrival point; leave a little time for security.
Take Metro Line 1 from People’s Square to Shanghai Circus World, then change or continue by taxi toward Shanghai Natural History Museum—roughly 20–30 minutes depending on the connection. Spend about two hours with the dinosaur skeletons, Chinese wildlife, and hands-on natural-science displays; a timed ticket usually costs around ¥30, and Monday opening-hour restrictions do not affect this Wednesday visit. Afterwards, walk or take a short taxi ride south to Jing’an Temple, where the gold-covered halls make a dramatic contrast with the surrounding towers. Allow about an hour; the usual admission is approximately ¥50, and modest clothing is appreciated.
For dinner, stroll to Wujiang Road Food Street, around 10–15 minutes from Jing’an Temple by taxi or metro, and keep the meal casual: try soup dumplings, shengjian, scallion pancakes, or grilled skewers from the small eateries. Budget ¥50–120 per person, and arrive before 6:00 PM if you prefer less waiting. After eating, take Metro Line 2 from West Nanjing Road to Lujiazui, allowing about 25–30 minutes for the ride and station walks. Go up Shanghai Tower for the city’s broadest nighttime panorama—book a timed observation-deck ticket in advance, typically around ¥180–220, and allow 1½ hours. Finish with a 45-minute walk along the Lujiazui Riverside Promenade, where the illuminated Bund glows across the Huangpu River; the riverside is open late, but keep your ticket and phone secure in the busy viewing areas.
After arriving at Hangzhou East Railway Station, take a taxi or Metro Line 1 toward Gongshu; allow roughly 25–35 minutes depending on traffic. Begin along the Hangzhou Grand Canal, where old warehouses, stone bridges, and waterfront promenades give a quieter introduction to the city than West Lake. Spend about 1½ hours walking at an easy pace, ideally around Xiaohe Historic and Cultural District and the nearby canal bridges. The public waterfront is free, and taxis or DiDi are usually more convenient than changing metro lines with luggage.
Continue on foot into Xiaohe Zhijie Historical and Cultural District, a compact canal-side quarter of preserved residences, galleries, studios, and small independent shops. It is best explored without a strict route—look down the side lanes for local snack counters and restored timber-fronted houses. Most shops open from around 10:00 AM, while the lanes remain accessible earlier; allow 1½ hours. For lunch, eat casually at one of the neighborhood noodle or dumpling shops rather than detouring elsewhere, then take a taxi toward Longjing, normally 35–45 minutes in light traffic.
Spend the afternoon at the China National Tea Museum, set among wooded gardens and tea fields in Longjing. The museum generally opens from about 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with last entry often around 4:30 PM; admission is commonly free, though real-name booking or an ID check may be required. Allow 1½ hours for the exhibition halls and landscaped grounds, and leave time for a short walk outside among the tea terraces. A taxi is the most practical connection from Gongshu and between the museum and dinner, as buses become slower on the winding Longjing roads.
Finish at Green Tea Restaurant (Longjing Branch), where the setting among tea bushes is as much part of the experience as the Hangzhou-style food. Reserve ahead if possible, especially for dinner and weekends; expect approximately ¥150–250 per person, and try tea-flavored dishes alongside seasonal vegetables and local specialties. The restaurant is outside the city center, so arrange a return DiDi or taxi before it gets late—drivers may be less readily available in Longjing Village after dinner.
Start around 8:00 AM at Broken Bridge, on the northern edge of West Lake, before tour groups fill the lakeside. The “broken” span is a viewpoint rather than a ruined bridge, with particularly lovely reflections and distant views toward the hills; allow about 30 minutes for photos. From here, follow Bai Causeway west beneath the willow trees and past lotus ponds. The walk to Gushan Island takes roughly an hour at an easy pace. A taxi or DiDi from central Hangzhou usually takes 15–25 minutes; public buses are cheaper but slower, and the lakeside roads can be congested on weekends.
Spend late morning exploring Gushan Island, a quieter pocket of West Lake with landscaped paths, old villas, and cultural buildings. The Zhejiang Provincial Museum and Xiling Seal Art Society are the main worthwhile stops if open; museum admission is generally free, but bring your passport for registration and check same-day hours, commonly around 9:00 AM–4:30 PM. Have lunch at Lou Wai Lou, one of Hangzhou’s historic restaurants, overlooking the lake. Expect about ¥180–300 per person for a comfortable meal; order local dishes such as West Lake fish in sweet-and-sour sauce, beggar’s chicken, and Longjing shrimp. It is popular, so ask the restaurant to put your name down early and expect a leisurely 1½-hour meal.
After lunch, take a boat cruise on West Lake from a nearby island or lakeside pier—staff can direct you to the next available departure, as routes and boarding points vary by season. A standard sightseeing boat generally costs around ¥55–75 per person, while smaller private boats cost more; allow 1–1½ hours including boarding. The water gives you a different perspective on the causeways, wooded hills, and pagodas, and is a welcome rest after walking. Finish at Leifeng Pagoda on the southern shore, reached by taxi or DiDi in roughly 15–25 minutes from Gushan Island depending on traffic. The pagoda complex usually operates until around 5:30 PM, with final entry earlier, and admission is commonly about ¥40; check the exact closing time before setting off. Arrive 60–90 minutes before sunset for the best elevated view across the lake, then stroll briefly through the surrounding park. For dinner, return to your hotel or use a lakeside restaurant near Nanshan Road rather than adding another major attraction—the West Lake roads become slow after dark.
Leave central Hangzhou around 7:30–8:00 AM for Lingyin Temple; a taxi or DiDi usually takes 35–50 minutes, while buses can take longer in weekend traffic. Buy the combined scenic-area and temple tickets at the entrance—budget roughly ¥75–100 per person in total, depending on the current ticket structure—and allow about two hours for the wooded courtyards, incense-filled halls, and mountain setting. Go early: Lingyin Temple is generally open from around 7:00 AM, and the atmosphere is much calmer before tour groups arrive. Temple etiquette is simple—dress respectfully, keep voices low, and avoid photographing worshippers closely.
Walk directly next to Feilai Feng Grottoes, included in the same scenic area, for another 1½ hours. The shaded paths climb gently past Buddhist carvings cut into the limestone, including the famous laughing Buddha and numerous weathered figures tucked beneath trees and rock overhangs. Wear shoes with a good grip and bring water; the steps can be slippery after rain. For lunch, eat near the Lingyin entrance rather than returning into town—small vegetarian restaurants and noodle shops are convenient, though it is worth carrying some cash because not every stall handles foreign payment apps smoothly.
Take a taxi or DiDi from Lingyin to Longjing Village, usually 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. Spend about two hours walking the narrow lanes between tea terraces, then stop at a family-run tea house for freshly brewed Longjing tea; expect roughly ¥30–80 for a simple tasting, with premium spring harvests costing considerably more. Ask to see the tea leaves before buying, and remember that a relaxed tasting is preferable to the aggressive shopfront sales sometimes found along the main road. Continue by car for about 10–15 minutes to Meijiawu Tea Plantation, where the landscape opens into broader green slopes and village lanes. This is a good place to slow down over another cup, but check the return journey before settling in—taxis are less readily available here than in central Hangzhou, so arrange a DiDi pickup or ask the tea house to call a car.
Return to the city for dinner at Zhi Wei Guan, allowing 35–50 minutes from Meijiawu in normal traffic. The restaurant is a dependable introduction to Hangzhou cooking: try beggar’s chicken, eel noodles, and osmanthus-flavored sweets, ordering several dishes to share. Budget approximately ¥100–180 per person. Branches vary, so confirm the address in your map app and choose the one nearest your hotel; most urban locations stay open into the evening, but arriving around 6:00–6:30 PM avoids the busiest dinner queue. ҡа
Keep your final morning easy and begin around 8:30 AM at Qinghefang Ancient Street. This is a good time for one last unhurried walk, before the main sightseeing crowds arrive: browse the old-style shops, traditional pharmacies, teahouses, and snack stalls, and look into the smaller lanes branching off the main street. Allow about 1½ hours. The street itself is free, though small purchases and snacks vary widely in price; taxis or DiDi are generally simplest from central hotels, while Ding’an Road Metro Station is the nearest practical metro stop, followed by a walk.
Continue on foot to the Hu Qing Yu Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum, one of the most atmospheric historic buildings in the area. The former pharmacy preserves old dispensary rooms, medicine cabinets, and traditional medical displays; allow roughly an hour. It usually opens during daytime hours, commonly around 8:30 AM–5:00 PM, but check the exact schedule before setting out. Admission is typically modest, around ¥10–20, and the building can be more interesting than the explanatory text if you do not read Chinese.
For lunch, stay around Qinghefang rather than crossing town again. Hangzhou Impressions is a convenient final stop for Hangzhou-style dishes or tea, with a relaxed meal budget of approximately ¥80–160 per person. Order something local such as West Lake fish in sweet-and-sour sauce, Dongpo pork, or longjing shrimp; if you prefer something lighter, make it a tea stop and leave time for one last look through the old street. Keep your luggage at the hotel or use a station locker where available, as the historic lanes are awkward with large bags.
For Hangzhou East Railway Station, leave central Hangzhou about 2–2½ hours before your train; a taxi or DiDi normally takes 30–50 minutes, but allow extra time for traffic and station security. For Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, plan roughly 45–75 minutes by taxi or metro depending on traffic and your starting point, and arrive at least two hours before an international flight. The metro is economical, but a car is more practical with luggage—confirm the terminal and allow extra time if travelling during the evening rush.