A Local's Guide to a Two-Day Trip in Hangzhou: Avoiding Common Pitfalls
I was born and raised in Hangzhou, and I really hate hearing people say, "West Lake is just crowded."
Before National Day, friends from other places asked me for an itinerary, so I decided to write down my two-day exploration process. Just copy this, no detours, no missed opportunities, and no waking up early to suffer. The whole trip is by subway and walking, just drop your luggage at the hotel and head out—I've tried it myself, and it's super comfortable.
My 48-Hour Itinerary
Day 1 08:30
Take Line 1 of the subway to Ding'an Road Station. The hotel is right outside the exit, checked in within 3 minutes, left my suitcase, and went out with just my camera.
09:00 Liu Long Wen Ying
The morning sun casts shadows of trees, the lake surface looks like freshly cleaned glass, and the reflection of Leifeng Pagoda is crystal clear. Every shot you take can be a wallpaper.
09:40 Changqiao
A bunch of newlyweds are waiting to take wedding photos, I borrowed their reflector and helped my friend snap a “Butterfly Lovers”-style shot from behind, the story vibe just skyrocketed.
10:30 Leifeng Pagoda
The elevator takes 40 seconds to go to the top, the AC is perfect, overlooking West Lake, it’s like a jade piece sitting in the center of the city. It's the coolest place when the sun is blazing at noon.
11:30 Su Causeway
I rented a shared bike, only rode 1.5 kilometers to Huagang Guanyu, and I found plenty of empty benches along the causeway, sat down with an iced Americano—felt chill, even with the wind blowing my bangs to the side.
12:30 Water Bus
Used 5 yuan to scan and hop on, the captain drives it as smoothly as a bus. It took about 30 minutes to get back to Liu Long Wen Ying, and I grabbed a cup of osmanthus latte on the way—the osmanthus sinks to the bottom, stirring it mixes in the flavors of autumn.
Day 2 07:00 Da Ma Lane
The alarm went off, and I dashed out, oil dumplings for 3 yuan each, crispy on the outside and sweet radish filling, I was standing by the roadside devouring them, burning hot!
08:00 South Song Dynasty Street
Hit the fresh market before it closed, got a packet of freshly ground lotus root powder for 15 yuan. The owner brewed me a sample to try—the taste of lotus and osmanthus sugar, instantly turned into the “childhood flavor” for a Hangzhou person.
09:00 Drum Tower
Free entry to climb the small city wall, the red walls and gray tiles, the rooftops along the street look like open books. Just shoot vertically on your phone, it’ll come out great.
10:00 City God Temple
30 yuan entrance fee, take the elevator up 2 more floors, get a view of West Lake, City God Temple, and Wushan all in one frame. It was the first time I realized “Heaven on Earth” isn’t just a saying.
11:30 Hubin in 77
One subway station back to Longxiang Bridge, I took an online queue for “Old Man’s Oil-Fried Shrimp”, wandered around two floors just in time for my number to be called. After eating, I went back to the hotel to grab my luggage and checked out at 12:30—timing was spot on, not a second wasted.
Super Essential 2-Day 1-Night Itinerary
| Time Slot | Location | Key Actions | Cost | Tips to Avoid Pitfalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00-09:30 | Liu Long Wen Ying | Take photos of the Leifeng Pagoda reflection | 0 | Don’t arrive after 10 AM on weekends; it gets crowded. |
| 09:40-10:10 | Changqiao | Sneak a spot to shoot wedding photos | 0 | Shoot against the light for a cleaner silhouette. |
| 10:30-11:15 | Leifeng Pagoda | Elevator up + AC revival | 40 | Bring a student ID for half-price, e-tickets are accepted. |
| 11:30-12:00 | Su Causeway | Bike ride 1.5 km | 1.5 | Don’t lock shared bikes on the causeway; security will kick you out. |
| 12:30-13:00 | Water Bus | Return and grab coffee on the way | 5 | Last service at 16:00, every half hour; plan appropriately. |
| 07:00-08:30 | Da Ma Lane | Oil dumplings + crispy fish + scallion pie | 20 | They clear out after 10 AM; come early on an empty stomach. |
| 08:45-09:30 | South Song Dynasty Street | Buy lotus root powder + take photos of vintage doors | 15 | Shops open fully at 10:30; come early for photos with fewer people. |
| 09:40-10:10 | Drum Tower | Climb city wall for views of South Song Street | 0 | The red walls look best, even on cloudy days. |
| 10:20-11:00 | City God Temple | Overlook West Lake + Wushan | 30 | The elevator goes to the 5th floor; climb 2 more for better views. |
Where I Stayed: Atour Hotel Hubin Ding'an Road
Location: 20 meters from Exit A of Ding'an Road Station on Line 1, no road crossing with your suitcase.
Hidden Benefits:
- Upon checking in, they give you a cup of hot osmanthus tea; you can take the cup with you once you finish.
- Free congee and a few dishes from 23:00 to 24:00—if you wake up hungry, just head downstairs.
- Late check-out until 14:00, free luggage storage, and you can wash up when you come back.
- All free soft drinks in the mini bar—I downed an ice-cold coke as soon as I got back to my room.
One-Stop Eating and Shopping: Longxiang Bridge in 77
- B1 Floor: Bao Shifu, Luxihe, Heytea, pre-order on the mini program, ready when you get there.
- 4th Floor Restaurant: Old Man’s Oil-Fried Shrimp, Green Tea, Grandma’s Place, online queueing is 30 spots faster than waiting in line during holidays.
- Subway Passage: West Lake Cultural Creative Store, fridge magnets for 15 yuan for 3, half the price of the tourist area.
Last 3 Truths from a Local
- The water bus stops at 16:00, the 15:30 one is the most crowded, get on before 15:00 for guaranteed space.
- The earlier you go to Da Ma Lane morning market, the fresher the food. Oil dumplings taste best within 3 minutes of being made, standing and eating is crisper than taking them to-go.
- The whole route has cobblestone and slopes, wear soft shoes, high heels might get stuck in the gaps of the cobblestones, don’t ask how I know.
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