Slow Travel Guide to Paradise on Earth

✨️1. Must-Visit Attractions✨️ 1. ✨️West Lake (Free)✨️ - 💓Why Visit💓: The soul of Hangzhou, beautiful in all seasons. Best visited early morning or evening to avoid crowds. - 💓Tips💓: - Walk or cycle around the lake (shared bikes available everywhere). - Take a rowboat tour (~¥150/hour, can share with others). Recommended route: Su Causeway—Three Pools Mirroring the Moon—Leifeng Pagoda. - Must-see spots: Melting Snow at Broken Bridge, Autumn Moon over Calm Lake, Breeze-Ruffled Lotus at Quyuan Garden (stunning lotus in summer). 2. 🔹Lingyin Temple (¥45, includes Feilai Peak)🔹 - 🔸Why Visit🔸: A thousand-year-old temple with serene surroundings and vibrant incense culture. - 🔸Tips🔸: - Arrive early—free entry before 7:00 AM. - Try the temple's vegetarian meal (¥10/serving). 3. ❣️Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies (Free)❣️ - 💫Why Visit💫: A hidden hiking route with tea fields, streams, and ancient trees—a natural oxygen bar. - 💫Route💫: Nine Creeks in Misty Forest—Longjing Village (~2 hours, wear non-slip shoes). 4. 💫Xixi Wetland (¥80, free areas recommended)💫 - 💫Tips💫: - Paid area: Take a rowboat (¥100/person). - Free areas: Green Embankment (spring flower festival), Jiangcun Slow Life Block. 🍛2. Food Guide🍛 1. 🔸Must-Try Hangzhou Cuisine🔸 - 🔹Restaurants🔹: - Xinbailu (~¥50/person): Egg yolk chicken wings, ice cream toast. - Nongtangli (~¥60/person): Braised chicken feet, stir-fried rice cakes with crab. - 🍗Street Snacks🍗: - Congbao Hui (¥5/serving, widely available at Hefang Street). - Dingsheng Cake (¥3/piece, old-brand "Jiang Shunfa" at Southern Song Imperial Street). 2. ✨️Night Markets & Food Streets✨️ - 💓Wulin Night Market💓: Trendy snacks like Thai milk tea and fried potatoes. - 💓Hedong Road Late-Night Street💓: Locals' favorite for BBQ and crayfish. 🎆3. Budget-Friendly Stays🎆 1. ❣️Hostels/B&Bs (¥100-200/night)❣️ - West Lake International Youth Hostel (Nanshan Road): Prime location, great vibe. - Lazy Soul Garden (Siyanjing): Artsy courtyard, 15-minute walk to West Lake. 2. 🌠Budget Hotels (¥200-300/night)🌠 - Home Inn (Hubin Road): Near Metro Line 1, clean and convenient. - Pod Inn (Wulinmen Branch): Close to night markets, perfect for foodies. ❣️4. Practical Tips❣️ 1. ✨️Transport✨️: - Scan Alipay QR code for metro/buses (use "Hangzhou Tong" e-card). - Cycling or walking recommended around West Lake—taxis often get stuck in traffic. 2. ❣️Avoid Scams❣️: - Be cautious buying tea in Longjing Village—taste before purchasing (authentic pre-Qingming Longjing tea costs ¥800+/500g). - Hefang Street souvenirs are overpriced—window-shop only. 3. ❣️Seasonal Highlights❣️: - Spring (Mar-Apr): Cherry blossoms and tulips at Prince Bay Park. - Autumn (Oct-Nov): Osmanthus fragrance at Manjuelong Village. ✨️5. 2-Day Itinerary✨️ ☀️Day1☀️: Lingyin Temple—West Lake (Quyuan Garden—Yue Temple—Bai Causeway—Broken Bridge)—Wulin Night Market ☀️Day2☀️: Nine Creeks—Longjing Village—Songcheng (optional, ¥300 ticket but epic performances) Hangzhou's charm lies in its "slowness." Save an afternoon for Longjing tea at a lakeside teahouse (try "Lakeside Lounge") and watch the sunset paint Leifeng Pagoda gold. Such moments truly embody "paradise on earth."