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Hangzhou & West Lake — 10-Hour Private Day Trip from Shanghai

Marco Polo called Hangzhou paradise on earth. Spend one unhurried day seeing why — a slow boat across West Lake, incense drifting at Lingyin Temple, and Dragon Well tea tasted in the hills where it grows.

🕐 10 hours · 09:00 – 19:00 · flexible start🚘 Private car & driver🏨 Hotel pickup included💵 from $279 per car

The day

What This Day Feels Like

Hangzhou has been China’s poster for natural beauty for a thousand years — emperors built causeways here, poets retired here, and the whole city still moves at the pace of its lake. This day gives you the essentials without the rush: water, temple, tea.

Your driver threads the timing so the boat is calm, the temple is quiet and the tea terraces catch the afternoon light — and because the car is yours, every stop can stretch or shrink to match your mood.

Good to know

Before You Go

The drive is about two hours each way — an early start buys you the quietest lake.
West Lake boats run daily; your driver arranges tickets on the spot (about ¥55–70 per person).
Lingyin Temple uses two tickets: the scenic area (about ¥45) and the temple itself (about ¥30).
Wear comfortable shoes — lakeshore paths and tea terraces are made for walking.
Prefer the high-speed train? Door-to-door by private car usually wins once station queues and transfers are counted.

Hour by hour

A 10-Hour Day, Planned to the Minute — and Flexible by the Minute

09:00

Hotel Pickup in Shanghai

About two hours southwest by expressway — settle in, the tolls and routing are handled.

11:00

West Lake Cruise

A slow boat across the water Marco Polo called paradise: island pagodas, stone causeways, misty hills.

12:30

Lunch by the Lake

Hangzhou classics at a lakeside table — Dongpo pork, beggar’s chicken, West Lake fish in sweet vinegar.

14:00

Lingyin Temple & Feilai Feng

One of China’s great Buddhist temples, guarded by centuries-old carvings in the cliff face.

15:30

Longjing Tea Village

Terraced tea fields in the hills — taste Dragon Well green tea metres from where it is picked.

16:45

Hefang Street

A lively old-town lane for silk, fans and sweets before the road home.

17:15

Drive Back to Shanghai

Doze off to lake views; the expressway does the rest.

19:00

Hotel Drop-Off

Paradise, done in a day.

This is a private trip — every timing above flexes to your pace, your appetite and your energy.

The Essentials

What’s Included

Included in the Price

Private car and professional driver for 10 hours
Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Shanghai
Tolls, fuel, parking and bottled water
WhatsApp, Email and WeChat Support

Not Included

Meals
Admission Fees
Tour Guide (Available on Request)

Groups & Vehicles

A Vehicle for Every Group Size

✓ Vehicles for Small and Large Groups of All Sizes ✓ Child, Elderly and Wheelchair-Friendly Touring ✓ English-Speaking Drivers Available, Subject to Availability

5-Seater Sedan (BYD Han) — 5-Seater SedanBYD Han · 1–3 guests

7-Seater MPV (Buick GL8) — 7-Seater MPVBuick GL8 / Denza D9 · 4–5 guests

9-Seater Van (Mercedes-Benz Vito) — 9-Seater VanMercedes-Benz Vito · 6–7 guests

Toyota Coaster mini coach — 18–23 Seater CoasterToyota Coaster · up to 21 guests

38-seater midi bus — 38-Seater BusBig groups · 22–35 guests

45-seater touring coach — 45-Seater CoachLarge groups · 36–42 guests

Vehicle	Ideal For	Guests	Large Bags	Price · This Day Trip
5-Seater Sedan (BYD Han)	Couples & solo travellers	1–3	2	$279
Luxury 5-Seater Sedan	Executive travel	1–3	2	Quote on request
7-Seater MPV (Buick GL8 / Denza D9)	Families & small groups	4–5	5	$309
9-Seater Van (Mercedes-Benz Vito)	Premium group travel	6–7	4	$325
18-Seater Coaster (Toyota)	Larger groups & tours	13–16	10	$390
23-Seater Coaster (Toyota)	Big groups & events	17–21	15	$435
38-Seater Bus	Big groups & delegations	22–35	28	$530
45-Seater Coach	Large groups & corporate	36–42	35	$560

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All prices are per vehicle for this day trip and include highway tolls, parking, fuel and driver meals.

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Check Dates & Prices for This Day Trip

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Tell us your date and hotel — we confirm your driver within hours. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup.

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