Hangzhou full-day tour with West Lake and tea village

Amanfayun is a truly unique rural retreat on the outskirts of the historic city of Hangzhou. A peaceful and luxurious hideaway surrounded by tea fields, natural forest and quaint villages it is the ideal contrast to China's large cities. Hidden in a picturesque valley, the historical Amanfayun was established during the Tang Dynasty and is comprised of 47 dwellings that originally housed villagers who tended the nearby tea fields. Once described by Marco Polo as “The City of Heaven”, Hangzhou is still today regarded as the most beautiful city in China due to its tranquil West Lake, countless pagodas, historic temples, botanical gardens and vast wetland areas.

Hangzhou is in Zhejiang Province, China. It is one of the most important tourist cities in China, famous for its natural beauty and historical and cultural heritage. It is the political, economic and cultural center of Zhejiang province as well. It's worthwhile to know that it's extremely humid in summertime, which is from early June to early September. The city was the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty from 1127 until the Mongol invasion of 1276. This historic city is a showcase for traditional medicine, religion and art as well as a shining example of China’s rapid economic development. Combining idyllic natural beauty, a grand heritage through the ages and an air of affluence, Hangzhou is one of the country’s most livable and pleasant cities to linger in.

Huagangguanyu Park is one of the ten scenic spots at the West Lake. It is located on the west side of the south section of Sudi and features flowers, harbours and fish. After the second phase of the expansion project was started in 1964, the area expanded to cover 20 hectares. The park is divided into five scenic spots: Red Fish Pond, Peony Garden, Huagang, Large Lawn and Jungle Land. It is opposite Leifeng Pagoda and Jingci Temple. The red fish pond is located in the south of the centre of the park and is the central area for the whole park. The shores of the lake twists and turns and has a curved bridge over it. There are thousands of gold-streaked red fish that swim in this pond.

You will find Lingyin Temple (Temple of Soul's Retreat) in a long, narrow valley between Peak Flown From Afar (Fei Lai Feng) and North Peak to the northwest of the West Lake at Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province. It is without doubt a premier showpiece in the West Lake environs and is notable also as one of the ten most famous Buddhist temples of China. In 1961 it was listed for protection as a key provincial historical and cultural site and is considered a leading centre for research relative to Chinese Buddhist culture. The Chinese name is translated into English as either 'Temple of the Soul's Retreat' or 'Temple of Inspired Seclusion' for the setting has a quiet and beautiful grandeur that encourages a feeling of peace and for contemplation. The main building that can be seen today is a result of the restoration that was carried out in 1974 following the ten-year Chinese Cultural Revolution.

Longjing Tea or dragon well tea of more than 1200 years old is the No. 1 tea in China. With verdant color on the leaves, strong fragrance, sweet flavor and elegant form, Longjign tea is given the reputable name of the "Green Queen" and the "Golden Card" of Hangzhou city. Since its surrounding area has fertile land, multiple high mountains and very good climate, the Longjing Tea could grow under the God-given natural condition. Therefore, you can visit the plantation to appreciate a full land of Longjing Tea and know the essence of this precious and valuable tea in Chinese culture.

Extending along Zhongshan Zhonglu in Hangzhou's Shangcheng District, Southern Song Imperial Street intersects with Hefang Street and was origianlly the central axis of Lin'an City in the Dynasty of Southern Song. After reconstruction, the place has been converted into a quaint but thriving commercial street. A large number of time-honored local shops can still be found here, such as Wanlong Ham and Mutton Soup Restaurant, etc. Southern Song Imperial Street Museum, Xiaofeng Bookstore, Phoenix Mosque are also found here.

West Lake is an iconic, symbolic sight in Hangzhou and is regarded as one of the most beautiful sights in China. Its beauty is the subject of many poems and paintings. Legends originating in West Lake add to it an aura of romance. West Lake is divided into five sections by a mountain and three causeways. Three islands stand in the lake. Two pagodas face each other across the lake. Xi Hu is a good place for observing the life-style of local people. It is the main recreational area in Hangzhou. It occupies an important place in the hearts of Hangzhou people. The construction and maintenance of West Lake involved the wisdom and effort of generations. Its beauty reflects “an idyllic fusion between humanity and nature”.