Hangzhou & West Lake in 3 Days: Day-by-Day Itinerary

Broken Bridge, Su Causeway, Leifeng Pagoda at sunset, Lingyin Temple and Longjing tea fields — the West Lake of Chinese poetry.

Mainland ChinaCulture & historyNatureEasy paceFood
Length3 days / 2 nights
CitiesHangzhou
CurrencyCNY Chinese yuan
Best time to goSpring (Mar–May) and osmanthus season (Sep–Nov) are loveliest; Jul–Aug is scorching, winters damp.

Day-by-day overview

Day 1West Lake north shore × Su Causeway × Leifeng Pagoda

09:00🚗 Transport
Arrive in Hangzhou (1 hr by train from Shanghai, or fly)
Type / No.Train
Check visa or visa-free rules for your nationality.
10:30🏨 Stay
Check in (add your hotel)
Type / platformHotel
Check-in / out15:00 / 11:00
11:00📍 Sight
Broken Bridge, Bai Causeway & Gushan
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsFree
Shared bikes or electric carts make lake loops easy.
📸 Photo spot
13:00🍽 Food
Hangzhou dishes (West Lake fish, Dongpo pork, Longjing shrimp)
MealLunch
🍜 Must-eat🕘 Expect a queue
15:00📍 Sight
Stroll the Su Causeway
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsFree
About 3 km, prettiest with spring peach blossoms.
🚶 Lots of walking🌸 Seasonal
17:00📍 Sight
Leifeng Pagoda at sunset
Suggested time1.5 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
🌙 Night view📸 Photo spot
19:30📍 Sight
West Lake musical fountain (seasonal)
Suggested time0.5 hrs
TicketsFree
Show times change with season and weather.
🌙 Night view

Day 2Lingyin Temple × Longjing × Hefang Street

08:00📍 Sight
Lingyin Temple & Feilai Feng
Suggested time2.5 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
Buy the scenic-area ticket first, then the temple ticket.
11:30🍽 Food
Vegetarian lunch at Lingyin
MealLunch
13:30📍 Sight
Tea tasting in Meijiawu or Longjing Village
Suggested time2.5 hrs
Spring tea harvest is around Mar–Apr.
📸 Photo spot
16:30📍 Sight
China National Tea Museum
Suggested time1 hr
TicketsFree
18:30📍 Sight
Hefang Street & Southern Song Imperial Street
Suggested time2.5 hrs
🍜 Must-eat🛍 Shopping list

Day 3Xixi Wetland × home

08:30🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformHotel
Check your ID, phone and belongings; most hotels will hold luggage.
09:00📍 Sight
Xixi National Wetland Park by boat
Suggested time3 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
12:30🍽 Food
Lunch
MealLunch
LocationXixi 🧭
14:30🚗 Transport
Train or flight onward
Type / No.Train

🎟 Book these before you go

Nothing in this template strictly requires booking, but it’s still wise to check popular sights and restaurants early.

🌦 Monthly temperatures: Hangzhou

City / monthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Hangzhou
High / low
8°
2°
11°
4°
15°
8°
22°
13°
27°
18°
29°
22°
34°
26°
33°
25°
28°
21°
23°
15°
17°
9°
11°
3°

(typical averages — check the forecast before you go)

FAQ

How many days does Hangzhou & West Lake in 3 Days take?

It’s planned as 3 days / 2 nights with 16 stops (9 sights and 3 meals). Copy it and add or remove stops to suit your pace.

What should I book in advance?

Nothing in this template strictly requires booking, but it’s still wise to check popular sights and restaurants early.

How do I make this template my own?

Tap “Use this template”, enter a name and start date, and an editable copy is created. Add your flights and hotels, adjust times and stops, then export a PDF or image to share.

Make it your trip

Copy the template, add your flights and hotels, then export a PDF, image or share link.

Use this template

Note: opening hours, prices, timetables and entry rules change often — check official sources. This page offers general suggestions, not bookings or professional travel advice.

Keep exploring

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