Determine the travel time and budget
Travel time: Decide how many days you have for the trip. If you have a short time, like 3-5 days, you may focus on one or two cities or regions. For example, you can spend 3 days in Hangzhou to explore the West Lake, Lingyin Temple, etc. If you have more time, say 7-10 days or even longer, you can plan a more comprehensive tour covering multiple cities such as Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Ningbo, and Zhoushan.
Budget: Consider your expenses for transportation, accommodation, food, tickets, and shopping. Accommodation costs can vary greatly depending on the location and type of hotel or guesthouse you choose. Generally, big cities like Hangzhou and Ningbo may have relatively higher accommodation prices, while smaller towns or rural areas may be more affordable. Set a reasonable budget to ensure a smooth trip.
Select travel destinations
Hangzhou: Known as "Paradise on Earth," Hangzhou is famous for its beautiful West Lake, which offers numerous attractions such as Sudi Causeway, Bai Causeway, Leifeng Pagoda, and Three Pools Mirroring the Moon. In addition to the West Lake, you can also visit Lingyin Temple, a famous Buddhist temple with a long history and profound cultural connotations, as well as other scenic spots like Tianmu Mountain and Qiandao Lake.
Shaoxing: This is a city full of cultural heritages. You can visit Lu Xun's Former Residence to learn about the life and works of the great writer Lu Xun. Walk along the ancient streets such as Bazi Bridge and Cangqiao Straight Street to feel the unique charm of the water town. Don't miss the opportunity to take a black-awning boat in the East Lake or taste the famous Shaoxing yellow wine.
Ningbo: It has a rich marine culture. You can go to Tianyi Pavilion, the oldest private library in China, to appreciate ancient books and cultural relics. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Dongqian Lake, visit the ancient town of Cicheng, and experience the unique charm of the ancient city. In addition, you can also go to the seaside to taste fresh seafood.
Zhoushan: As an island city, Zhoushan has many beautiful islands, such as Putuo Mountain, one of the four famous Buddhist mountains in China, with a strong religious atmosphere and magnificent sea views. You can also go to Dongji Island to enjoy the primitive and natural island scenery, and experience the unique fishing village culture.
Wenzhou: Wenzhou is famous for its Yandang Mountain, which is famous for its unique peaks and rocks, waterfalls, and springs. You can also go to Nanxi River to enjoy the idyllic scenery of mountains and waters, and experience the slow life of the water town.
Choose transportation methods
By plane: Zhejiang has several airports, such as Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, Ningbo Lishe International Airport, and Wenzhou Longwan International Airport. You can choose to fly directly to your destination according to your travel plan.
By train: The railway network in Zhejiang is well-developed, and high-speed trains connect major cities, making it convenient and fast to travel. For example, the high-speed train from Shanghai to Hangzhou only takes about an hour.
By car: If you prefer more flexibility in your journey, you can rent a car and drive by yourself. This way, you can freely explore different scenic spots according to your own schedule and stop at any place you like along the way.
Plan accommodation arrangements
Hotels: In big cities like Hangzhou and Ningbo, there are various star-rated hotels and international hotel chains to choose from, providing high-quality accommodation and services. In scenic spots or small towns, there are also many characteristic hotels and guesthouses, which can offer you a unique living experience.
Homestays: Homestays are very popular in Zhejiang, especially in some ancient towns and rural areas. Staying in a homestay allows you to experience the local lifestyle more closely, communicate with the hosts, and taste the local cuisine cooked by them. You can book homestays through online platforms such as Airbnb or Ctrip.
Popular tourist itineraries
Day 1: Arrive in Hangzhou, check in at the hotel, and then go to the West Lake in the afternoon. Walk around the lake, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains, and visit some classic attractions such as Broken Bridge and Leifeng Pagoda. In the evening, you can have dinner at a local restaurant by the lake and taste the famous Hangzhou cuisine such as West Lake Fish in Sweet and Sour Sauce and Dongpo Pork.
Day 2: Spend the whole day in Hangzhou. In the morning, visit Lingyin Temple to feel the solemn and mysterious atmosphere of the ancient temple. In the afternoon, you can go to Longjing Tea Village to learn about the tea culture, taste the fragrant Longjing tea, and enjoy the rural scenery of the tea garden.
Day 3: Take the high-speed train or bus to Shaoxing. Visit Lu Xun's Former Residence, Shen Garden, and other attractions in the morning to understand the cultural background and historical stories of Shaoxing. In the afternoon, take a black-awning boat in the East Lake to enjoy the unique scenery of the water town.
Day 4: Drive to Ningbo. Go to Tianyi Pavilion in the morning to explore the history and culture of ancient books. In the afternoon, visit Dongqian Lake, take a walk by the lake, enjoy the natural scenery, and taste the local seafood in the evening.
Day 5: Take a ferry to Zhoushan. Go to Putuo Mountain to worship Buddha, appreciate the magnificent sea views, and experience the religious culture. Stay overnight in Zhoushan.
Day 6: You can choose to go to Dongji Island to enjoy the primitive island scenery, swim, and snorkel in the sea. Return to the urban area of Zhoushan in the evening.
Day 7: Return to your departure place or continue to other destinations according to your own arrangements.
Taste local cuisine
Hangzhou cuisine: In addition to the aforementioned West Lake Fish in Sweet and Sour Sauce and Dongpo Pork, there are also other famous dishes such as Beggar's Chicken, Fried Shrimp with Longjing Tea, and Osmanthus Sweet-Scented Lotus Root Paste. You can taste these delicious dishes in local time-honored restaurants or street stalls.
Shaoxing cuisine: Shaoxing is famous for its yellow wine and pickled vegetables. You can taste Shaoxing yellow wine marinated chicken, braised pork with pickled vegetables, and other special dishes. In addition, there are also some traditional snacks such as stinky tofu and fennel beans, which are also worth trying.
Ningbo cuisine: Ningbo cuisine is characterized by its freshness and tenderness of seafood. You can taste the famous Ningbo Tangyuan, fresh abalone, sea cucumber, and other seafood dishes. In addition, there are also some special snacks such as Ningbo rice cake and red bean paste dumplings.
Wenzhou cuisine: Wenzhou cuisine is famous for its lightness, freshness, and tenderness. You can taste the famous Wenzhou fish balls, duck tongues, and other special dishes. In addition, there are also some traditional snacks such as wheat cakes and lamp shadow beef jerky.
These are just some general suggestions for planning a tour in Zhejiang. We can adapt and modify the plan according to your interests, time and budget to create a unique and memorable travel experience for you.
