Private Tour
Remarkable Hangzhou Day Tour Of Serenity and Beauty of Nature
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
What truly sets this tour apart is the exceptional insight and flexibility offered by your local guide, who transforms a typical visit into a deeply immersive experience. Rather than following fixed, crowded routes, your guide will thoughtfully adapt the journey in real time—leading you through quiet paths, hidden gardens, and secluded viewpoints around West Lake that most travelers never have the chance to see.
With years of local experience and a true understanding of the area, your guide knows exactly where to go to avoid the crowds while still capturing the most beautiful scenery. From peaceful lakeside corners and lesser-known cultural spots to authentic local encounters, every step is carefully curated to match your pace and interests. Along the way, engaging stories, cultural insights, and personal recommendations bring each location to life.
This is more than just a sightseeing tour—it’s a personalized journey that reveals the quiet, refined, and authentic side of Hangzhou.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Please provide round-trip train itinerary in "special requirement" block if pickup from Hangzhou Train Station is required
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
West Lake (Xi Hu)
Meet your private guide upon pickup at Hangzhou Railway Station or your hotel lobby in downtown Hangzhou and set out on a full day of sightseeing in the comfort of an air-conditioned private vehicle. Let your your guide know your interests of any particular attractions so the commentary and itinerary can be customized accordingly. Hidden West Lake Experience (Off-the-Beaten-Path) Escape the crowds and discover the quieter side of West Lake through its hidden corners and lesser-known paths. Led by your experienced guide, you’ll explore peaceful lakeside trails, secluded viewpoints, and local-favorite spots that most visitors never reach. Away from the busy tourist areas, enjoy a more authentic and tranquil atmosphere while your guide shares stories, history, and insider insights. This unique experience allows you to connect with the true charm of West Lake in a relaxed and intimate way.
Guo's Garden
Step into the quiet elegance of Guozhuang Garden, a hidden gem along West Lake known for its serene atmosphere and refined natural beauty. Unlike the more crowded scenic areas, Guozhuang offers a peaceful retreat with classical Chinese garden design—featuring tranquil ponds, graceful pavilions, and perfectly framed views of the surrounding landscape. As you wander through its shaded corridors and open courtyards, your guide will share the history and artistic philosophy behind the garden, allowing you to fully appreciate its harmony, subtlety, and timeless charm.
What‘s Included
Professional English-speaking guide
Simple tea performance and delightful tea tastings.
Anthentic Local Tasty Lunch
Bottled Water/Soda Drinks/Cold Drinks
Free WiFi: The vehicle is equipped with free WiFi. You can Share your experience in real time.
Hotel and railway station pickup and drop-off in Hangzhou downtown
Air-conditioned private vehicle
Entrance fees listed in the itinerary & Boat Ride
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
All Inclusive Package Tour
Professional guide+good behavior driver+private car service+entrance fee+authentic Hangzhou lunch are all included.
Pickup included
Reviews
9 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great tour
TXMom77345,Sep 26, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful tour guide who spent a lot of time explaining everything to us and showing us the most beautiful sights. If you’re looking for a friendly and very knowledgeable guide, please look for Tommy, you won’t be disappointed!
Picturesque.
northern 99,Jun 6, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Take your time and Slow Down and enjoy the view. Life to way to complicated. Turn OFF the cell phone, and relax for a change. Your body will like it, your mind will not as it stresses to cope with peace.
Amazing day with Bonnie
bcm2,Jul 27, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were a group of North American Faculty teaching in Shanghai. We planned a trip to Hangzhou with some of our family members and decided to hire China Private Tours because of the excellent reviews we had seen on Trip Advisor. There were 11 of us so we arranged a private tour with a bus, driver, and guide. Our day was better than we even imagined. Our guide, Bonnie was extremely knowledgeable, spoke excellent English, and was very informative answering lots of questions from a group of curious college faculty. West Lake was gorgeous, We enjoyed the walk around the grounds and boat trip on the Lake. Bonnie was very knowledgeable about the Lingyin Temple, sharing lots of information about Buddhism. We had a great time at the Longjing Tea Planation and were entertained by the "show" the sales staff put on--Home Shopping Network style. It was very informative, the tea was delicious and many of us bought some to take home. We appreciated how flexible Bonnie was. She arranged two different locations for our lunch since some of us wanted to go to the Farmers House and some to the Four Seasons. She dropped us off and picked us up and didn't miss a beat. Bonnie also brought some of us to the train station at the end of the tour and had the bus driver take the others, who were staying a second night in Hangzhou, back to the hotel. We had a great time and highly recommend that if you visit Hangzhou, you should use China Private Tours and ASK FOR BONNIE!! We gave her an A+.
A Wonderful Day!
vacationgirl2015,Nov 26, 2017
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our family of four recently spent a full day on a private tour on Hangzhou with Sharon. We've been on tours before and may never want to go on anything but a private tour again. Sharon was like a good family friend showing us sites and personalizing our trip to our needs yet sharing details about Hangzhou that we just couldn't have known without her help. We particularly wanted to experience the "nature" of the city and Sharon effortlessly paid attention to this and led us to places that weren't as crowded with weekend visitors as others. Sharon showed us sites at the more crowded Lingyin Temple that were actually very secluded in the midst of weekend visitors. She knew the places to go and get a very special view of a very special city. Only an experienced local could know this and her attention to detail was very appreciated. It made for a memorable day that would have been utterly impossible on our own. Thank you Sharon!!
Private Two-Day Tour
B V,Nov 15, 2017
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide, Sharon, 珍珍, was excellent. Informed, polite, engaging, punctual, energetic and enjoyable to be with. She listens to questions and provides thoughtful answers - she is a genuine professional. As we only had two days, I believe we covered the majority of major attractions and sites. However, if I were to plan my trip again, I would add an extra day, just to walk around some of the areas we saw. I'd want to spend "free time" at the old shopping area, and "free time" on a long Sunday afternoon along the West Lake. Also, be sure you stay near the West Lake. Spend the extra money so that you can walk whenever you get the urge. How many times will you go to Hangzhou?
Fantastic Two days Hangzhou tour with Guide SHARON of China Merchants International Travel Company
Abdul A,Nov 13, 2017
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked a private two day tour on Saturday evening and were pleased to learn that we could schedule it for the next morning. The booking process was quick and simple and received our confirmation very fast with reasonable rates. The entire tour was great. We were picked on time at our hotel by our tour guide, Mz. Sharon and a driver in a new and spacious van. Hangzhou is a beautiful city, but what made the tour truly special was Sharon. A cheerful young beautiful girl, with deep knowledge of the Hangzhou, its present treasures and its history. We learned about History, religion and culture in a fluent English while enjoying every sights seen. For lunch she chose a good tasty restaurant with spicy food which we Indians like.. Every sight that was listed in the itinerary and I think more than she was covered which we requested in a friendly and personal way. It was a wonderful day. We strongly recommend this tour with SHARON as guide.
Accommodating, pleasurable, fun package
Nicole C,Nov 7, 2017
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My tour guide Sharon was accommodating, reliable, knowledgeable, and friendly. I booked a 3 day, day tour with the company, I contacted them with We Chat and they were prompt in answering any question I asked within a few hours. I saw the serene Yunqi bamboo forest, LIngyin Temple, LiuHe Pagoda, Lei Feng Pagoda, boat ride on the West Lake, and spent a day in Wu Zhen water village. It was fun, interactive, and Sharon created an environment as if I was experiencing the tour with a friend.
informative, pleasurable, and engaging - all in one!
freddie36,Nov 1, 2017
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide, David, was prompt, knowledgeable, and courteous throughout the tour. The tour throughout Hangzhou was given during our very first visit to the city, and David's help made the visit that much more interesting. Hangzhou is a remarkable place with several interesting site and a rich history. David's help put much of it into perspective. It was a great way to spend a day! If I return to Hangzhou, I will surely look up this tour company again.
It was a rare occasion that the sun...
Pat T,Sep 27, 2017
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a rare occasion that the sun actually shone for my day tour in Hangzhou.
Guide Bonnie met us at the Hangzhou East train station, on time and courteous.
She arranged the driver of a private car to pick us up to start the tour without any waiting in the usually crowded station. Bonnie narrated the itinerary of the trip and solicited our likes or dislikes so that she could make it better. This showed she was considerate and wanted no part in rushing us through. we first visited West Lake where we strolled at our leisure to enjoying the Gold Carp pond and the spectacular view of the lake side trails. We than took a cruise on a boat around the lake while Bonnie took time and explained to us the famous hot spots around the lake. We saw, for the very first time, the actual scenery that has been minted on the back side of the Yen 1 what she pulled out from her wallet. I of course snatched it from her hand and proclaimed it my priced possession. We stopped by a local restaurant for lunch. The restaurant was run by a tea farmer and the tea plantation was all around in that area. Lunch was home-made yet delicious. I tried the Braised Pork Belly Dong Po Rou in brown sauce. Excellent dish, Hangzhou style!
Then we visited the famed Lingyin Temple where Bonnie gave us some history of it. She mentioned that a long time ago that the Flying Peak was carried by a legendary magic eagle or vulture from India to Hangzhou. What a temple! A must see in Hangzhou!! Later she noticed my wife had some difficulty in walking and promptly changed the agenda to fit our needs. What considerations! We ended the our tour after touring Qinghefang Old Street. At the train station Bonnie repeatedly offered us her assistance if we needed to change the Bullet train schedule. Talking about Bullet train, had you ever seen a slow bullet. It was a disappointment because I strongly believe that my 500cc motor bike could out run it.
In summary, this trip was money well spent. We enjoyed it very much. We also appreciated the courtesy, knowledge, consideration and professionalism of guide Bonnie. A friendly advice for future tourists in Hangzhou: Have Bonnie, will travel!
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Operated by China Private Tours