You will be transferred to Shanghai railway station to travel to Hangzhou after the morning pick up at your Shanghai hotel. Upon arrival, your English-speaking local guide and skillful driver will meet you and drive you to visit the Heaven on Earth-West Lake first, which witnessed a legendary love story between the white snake and the scholar "Xu Xian" in ancient China. Whenever you visit, it would delight you with its stunning landscapes, from lines of willows, sea of lotus flowers to carpet of fallen leaves and piece of snowy lake. What's more, absorb the elegant beauty of bluish hills and ancient pagoda in the distance as you enjoy a boat ride on the tranquil lake.

Afterwards, seek tranquility at the Lingyin Temple hidden at the lush woodlands near to the West Lake, the most visited Buddhist temple in Hangzhou. Once you arrive, you will be enchanted by a great collection of the well-preserved 345 stone statues from Five Dynasties to Yuan Dynasty carved out of grotesque grottoes in Feilai Peak. Then thread your way leading to the Lingyin Temple, the treasure house of Buddhist art mainly housing the largest wooden Buddhist statue of Shakyamuni in China and the Hall of 500 Arhats in the shape of the Buddhist swastika. Take an up-close look and marvel at its large scale and exquisite carvings with a history of more than 1,700 years.

Lunch will be left on your own for more flexibility and your guide will offer nice recommendations based on your tastes and preferences.

Tea has already been steeped in the local's daily life. It is a good chance for you to experience Chinese tea culture as you are transferred to the famous Meijiawu Tea Plantation in the afternoon. Start with identifying the varieties of tea among the verdant tea terrace. Then follow the national tea specialist to hand-pick the tea leaves, stir-fry and cook tea. At last, savor the idyllic scenery and the profound tea culture over the authentic local tea ceremony. After a delightful tea cultural time, you will be taken back to your hotel for a rest.

Peaceful West Lake with blooming lotus flowers in Hangzhou

After a sound sleep, get ready to set out for a culture tour today. Start with a visit to the Workmanship Demonstration Pavilion, a handicraft world where various crafts including oil-paper umbrella, fans, facial paintings, kites, etc. are on display. What distinguishes it from other exhibition halls is the craftsmen's live demonstration that makes you excited for China's traditional folk arts. After that, you may get deep insight of the disappearing workmanship and memorize your Hangzhou tour by making a handicraft like a kite by hand (optional). 

Lunch will be left on your own for more flexibility and your guide will offer nice recommendations based on your tastes and preferences.

Then pay a visit to the engineering wonder in ancient China- Grand Canal. Initially erected in the 5th century BC, Grand Canal was expanded into the longest man-made canal after several restorations during Sui and Yuan dynasties with a length of 1,794 km, from Beijing to Hangzhou, which contributes greatly to the cultural and economic communication between the north and south of China in ancient times. Feast your eyes on the picturesque sceneries surrounding you and the antique architectural complexes along the two sides of the Canal as you enjoy a leisure boat cruise on the peaceful water. 

In the afternoon, experience the Hangzhou street life as you idle about Dadou Road Historical Block, one of the oldest blocks where the original flavor is much preserved. Archaic architectures with chic design inside, historical former sites and traditional lanes will delight your walks and enable you to breathe the old style of Hangzhou. After strolls, it is time to say goodbye to this elegant scenic city and you will travel back to Shanghai by the high speed train. Then your local guide will pick you up and take you to your hotel in Shanghai.