West Lake is a precious natural gift of Hangzhou, located in the western part of the city and surrounded by green hills on three sides. It’s renowned for its serene scenery, numerous historical sites, brilliant cultural relics, and local specialties.

Ancient Chinese poets praised it as "intoxicating beauty"—with calm waters and willow-lined causeways. Legend says it was a heavenly jewel fallen to earth, while pragmatists call it a lagoon—but either way, it has inspired artists for centuries. Don’t miss classic spots like Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (printed on China’s 1-yuan banknote) and Su Causeway.

Located northwest of West Lake, Lingyin Temple (also called Yunlin Temple) is one of China’s top ten ancient Buddhist monasteries, with a history dating back over 1,600 years.

The existing temple was rebuilt in the 19th century. Its main hall, the Hall of Mahavira, stands 33.6 meters tall—inside is a 24.8-meter statue of Sakyamuni, carved from 24 pieces of camphor wood. In front of the hall are two stone pagodas built in 960 AD (Northern Song Dynasty). Surrounded by majestic peaks and ancient trees, it’s a perfect blend of history, culture, and nature.

Situated on Yuelun Hill south of West Lake, Six Harmonies Pagoda is a key national cultural relic. First built in 970 AD (Northern Song Dynasty) to control Qiantang River tides, its brick-and-wood structure remains largely intact today.

The pagoda features over 200 brick carvings with motifs like lotus, phoenix, peacock, and lion—rare proofs of ancient Chinese architecture. Climb to the top for a breathtaking view of the Qiantang River, where you can see the river stretch to the misty horizon.

With a history of over 1,300 years, Wuzhen Water Town is 80 km northeast of Hangzhou and one of the "Four Great Ancient Towns" along the Yangtze River. It preserves its late Qing Dynasty layout and water system—buildings line the rivers, and waterways crisscross the town.

Even on cold, rainy spring days, Wuzhen has a unique charm (and fewer crowds). Key attractions include the Former Residence of Mao Dun (a famous Chinese writer), West Gate Old Street, and Wenchang Pagoda. It’s also known as the "land of fish and rice" for its fertile lands.

Located at the foot of Wushan Hill, Hu Qingyu's Traditional Pharmacy is China’s only state-level professional museum dedicated to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Housed in the historic buildings of Hu Qingyu Tang TCM Factory, it covers over 4,000 square meters and includes five parts: an exhibition hall (showcasing TCM history), a manual medicine preparation hall, a TCM clinic (with renowned doctors), a TCM sales department, and a medicinal food restaurant. It’s a great spot to learn about TCM culture and try healthy medicinal dishes.