Crazy hidden spots around Hangzhou unlocked for 150 RMB per person to visit 3 "less crowded and beautiful" secret places
Hey guys! Tired of the crowds at West Lake’s Broken Bridge and Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou? Actually, within 1-2 hours’ drive around the city, there are many hidden gems! So few people you can enjoy the entire landscape alone, with a 200% photo success rate. You can also dig for bamboo shoots, pick tea, and play in the streams. Save this detailed guide now and head out this weekend!
1. Huzhou · Anji White Tea Viewing Platform (Healing Tea Mountain Secret Spot)
✨ Why recommend?
Ten times quieter than Meijiawu! The thousand-acre white tea garden looks like a green velvet carpet. The mountaintop viewing platform overlooks the entire tea mountain and bamboo sea. The wind rustling through the tea trees and the air itself is sweet and fresh~ Best of all, it’s free! Parking only costs 10 RMB, perfect for zoning out and shooting forest-style photos.
📍 Detailed address
Huangdu Village, Xilong Township, Anji County, Huzhou City (Navigate directly to "Anji White Tea Viewing Platform," 1.5 hours drive from Hangzhou, highway toll about 50 RMB)
📝 Precise 1-day itinerary
- 09:00-10:30 Departure + Tea Mountain Walk
Leave early to avoid weekend rush. Upon arrival, stroll the trail beside the viewing platform through the tea mountain (wear light-colored dress + white sneakers, the wooden plank path in the tea garden is very photogenic). Every snap looks like "Little Switzerland" 📸
- 11:00-12:30 Eat local dishes
Go down the mountain to the "White Tea Family" farmhouse restaurant at the village entrance. Must-try dishes: white tea scrambled eggs (strong tea aroma), bamboo shoot and braised pork (spring bamboo shoots are very tender), stone pot fish. About 50 RMB per person to eat until full, and the owner offers free white tea to drink~
- 13:30-15:30 Tea picking experience + Bamboo sea visit
For interactive fun, book tea picking with the farmhouse owner in advance (50 RMB/person, includes tea picking tools + tea frying lesson). You can take home the tea you pick. If you don’t want to pick tea, visit the nearby "China Bamboo Sea" (ticket 58 RMB), walk the bamboo forest trail and listen to the wind—super healing!
- 16:00 Return trip
Buy a bag of white tea at the village entrance (200-300 RMB per jin, cheaper than scenic spots). No traffic in the evening, 1.5 hours back to Hangzhou.
⚠️ Tips to avoid pitfalls
- Don’t wear high heels! The tea mountain trail has small stones; sneakers are more comfortable;
- April-May is peak tea picking season. Book one day in advance if you want to experience it. Weekends are busier, weekdays recommended;
- No convenience stores near the viewing platform, remember to bring a bottle of water.
2. Shaoxing · Keqiao Ancient Thread Road (Thousand-year-old Water Stone Slab Road)
✨ Why recommend?
80% fewer people than Wuzhen and Zhouzhuang! The ancient thread road stretches over the canal, with bluestone slabs just above the water. On both sides are rapeseed flowers (March-April) or reeds (October-November). Riding a black-awning boat here feels like stepping into an ancient poem. Plus, the boat ride costs half the price of Wuzhen!
📍 Detailed address
Ancient Thread Road Scenic Area, Keyan Street, Keqiao District, Shaoxing City (1 hour drive from Hangzhou, or take high-speed train to Shaoxing North Station then taxi 30 minutes, about 40 RMB)
📝 Precise 1-day itinerary
- 09:30-11:00 Walk the ancient thread road + take photos
Enter from the scenic area entrance, walk along the ancient thread road (bluestone slabs can be slippery, wear non-slip shoes). Focus on the "water stone bridge" section. When sunny, the water reflects the stone slabs, creating a great atmosphere. If you don’t want to walk, take the black-awning boat (80 RMB/boat, seats 2, 20 minutes ride, the boatman rows slowly).
- 11:30-13:00 Eat Shaoxing cuisine
Must-eat at the nearby "Old Shaoxing Restaurant"! Recommended dishes: braised pork with preserved vegetables (fatty but not greasy), drunken chicken (strong wine aroma), yellow wine pudding (sweet but not cloying). About 60 RMB per person. You can also order a pot of yellow wine (15 RMB/pot) to taste local flavor~
- 13:30-15:30 Visit Keqiao Ancient Town
Taxi 10 minutes from the thread road to Keqiao Ancient Town (free entry). Less crowded than Shaoxing Old Town. Explore Ming and Qing architecture, see the canal wharf, and buy Shaoxing fermented bean curd and fennel beans as souvenirs (10-20 RMB per pack). For quiet time, find a riverside teahouse to sit for a while (30 RMB per cup of tea, can sit all afternoon).
- 16:30 Return trip
High-speed train from Shaoxing North Station to Hangzhou takes only 20 minutes, ticket 19 RMB, more convenient than driving.
⚠️ Tips to avoid pitfalls
- Don’t get lured by boatmen at the scenic area entrance. Go directly to the official dock inside the scenic area to avoid being overcharged;
- March-April rapeseed flower season is busier, arrive an hour early; October-November reed season is least crowded and best for photos;
- No shade along the thread road, bring an umbrella and sunscreen in summer.
3. Lin’an · Taihu Source (Cool Water Paradise)
✨ Why recommend?
The "Little Jiuzhaigou" near Hangzhou! The stream water is so clear you can see small fish. Steep cliffs and bamboo forests line both sides. Summer average temperature is 25°C. You can step in the water, touch fish, play with water guns—super fun. There’s also a suspended glass bridge (exciting but not scary), perfect for kids or friends to have fun together~
📍 Detailed address
Taihu Source Scenic Area, Taihu Source Town, Lin’an District, Hangzhou City (2 hours drive from Hangzhou, highway toll about 70 RMB; or take Metro Line 16 to Lin’an Square Station, then taxi 1 hour, about 80 RMB)
📝 Precise 1-day itinerary
- 08:30 Departure (leave early to avoid traffic)
Weekend traffic to Taihu Source can be heavy. Recommend leaving before 8 AM and arriving before 10 AM.
- 10:00-12:00 Play in the stream + walk glass bridge
Enter the scenic area and walk along the stream trail. When you see shallow water, you can step in (bring slippers, 20 RMB/pair sold in the scenic area). The water is very cool and refreshing in summer. Walk halfway up the mountain to the suspended glass bridge (ticket included in scenic area admission, no extra cost). Standing on the bridge, you can see the whole canyon—great for photos~
- 12:30-13:30 Eat farmhouse dishes
At the scenic area entrance, the "Taihu Source Farmhouse" is a must-try. Recommended dishes: stream fish (freshly caught and cooked, tender meat), stir-fried mountain bamboo shoots with cured meat (spring bamboo shoots are very fresh), cold tofu salad (local handmade tofu). About 50 RMB per person, very generous portions!
- 14:00-16:00 Hiking + fish touching
After lunch, hike to the deep part of the scenic area called "Longxu Ditch." The trail is easy, with many shallow spots along the way. If you bring a small net, you can catch little fish (remember to release them!). For quiet time, find a rock to sit on, listen to the stream and birds—super relaxing~
- 16:30 Return trip
Afternoon traffic can be heavy. Recommend leaving before 4 PM, about 2 hours back to Hangzhou.
⚠️ Tips to avoid pitfalls
- Buy scenic area tickets online one day in advance (65 RMB/person, 78 RMB at the gate) to save 13 RMB;
- Bring a change of clothes if you have kids, stepping in water can wet pants;
- Mosquitoes are many in summer, be sure to bring mosquito repellent!
No need to squeeze into West Lake around Hangzhou! These 3 places have fewer people, beautiful scenery, and are fun to visit. For about 150 RMB per person, you can enjoy a full day. Invite friends or bring kids this weekend for easy photo ops and relaxation~ Which place do you want to visit most? Tell me in the comments!
As a must-see attraction in Hangzhou, Lingyin Temple not only boasts exquisite ancient architectural complexes but is also imbued with mystery due to the legend of Ji Gong. The Feilai Peak Grottoes behind the temple, with their statues remarkably well-preserved despite the passage of time, and the dappled light and shadow on the bluestone paths intertwined with the rising incense smoke, create a tranquil atmosphere that transcends worldly concerns.
The most popular temple in Hangzhou is always packed with people. The osmanthus flowers were already blooming before the National Day holiday. To enter, you need to buy two tickets: one for Feilai Peak and one for incense and flowers for Lingyin Temple, totaling 75 yuan. Inside the temple, you can get free incense to pray. There's a row of shops outside selling bracelets and incense, but you don't need to buy them. They also sell things like "eighteen-bead" beads inside the temple; whether they're truly blessed is unknown, but it's still more pleasant than what you see outside.
It is a great place to visit. There is a few temple to see within the scenic area and recommended to go xhs on where to go
The Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou is surrounded by green mountains and clear waters. It is a temple suitable for cleansing the soul. The Buddha statues carved in the stone caves are very beautiful. The Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou is surrounded by green mountains and clear waters. It is a temple suitable for cleansing the soul. The Buddha statues carved in the stone caves are very beautiful. The Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou is surrounded by green mountains and clear waters. It is a temple suitable for cleansing the soul. The Buddha statues carved in the stone caves are very beautiful.
Lingyin Temple is located in Feilaifeng Scenic Area. It is one of the famous ancient temples in southeastern China and is known as the "Southeast Buddhist Kingdom". Lingyin Temple was built in the first year of Xianhe in the Eastern Jin Dynasty and has a history of more than 1,700 years. There are many cultural relics in the temple, and the Buddhist culture is profound. It is an important place to study the history of Chinese Buddhism. The architectural style of Lingyin Temple is simple and elegant. The buildings in the temple, such as the Heavenly King Hall, the Great Hall, and the Medicine Master Hall, are very distinctive, reflecting the superb skills of ancient Chinese architecture. The surrounding environment of Lingyin Temple is quiet, with green trees and fresh air, giving people a sense of tranquility and peace. There is a guided tour service in the temple to help tourists understand the history of the temple and the story of the Buddha statue. There are also rest areas, catering services and other facilities in the temple to facilitate tourists to rest and eat.
Lingyin Temple, I heard that it is a very famous temple in Hangzhou, very spiritual. I came here specially, maybe it was the weekend, there were so many people... The traffic jam on the road was almost an hour. Here is a suggestion for everyone: Cost: 75 tickets to Lingyin Temple, because Lingyin Temple is in the Beigaofeng Scenic Area, so first buy a Beigaofeng ticket for 45, and then buy a Lingyin Temple ticket for 30 after entering. In fact, it is very unreasonable, but Lingyin Temple is in the scenic area, there is no way, many people may be like us, we just went to a temple, and there is no time to visit the Beigaofeng Scenic Area. Waste the 45 scenic area tickets in vain. After entering Lingyin Temple, I will pay attention to see that there is a place to get incense for free, don't forget it. Going to Lingyin Temple must be for the eighteen seeds, which are at the entrance of the temple, 49 each. Ps: Don't buy it outside, you must go to the temple to buy the genuine one, that is, the one that has been opened. The staff in the temple said that if he said it was opened, it was opened, and the monks don't lie. You can also take the eighteen seeds that have been opened and turn them around in the incense burner, which is also possible, so I went. The temple is quite big. There are 4 or 5 halls in Lingyin Temple, such as Medicine Master Hall, Jigong Hall, etc. It takes half a day to visit them all. You can consider going early in the morning. If you have enough time and good physical strength, you can go to the No. 1 Temple of the God of Wealth in the World after visiting Lingyin Temple. Wow, it is known as the No. 1 in the world, how can you not go. The ticket for the Temple of the God of Wealth is 8 yuan. ps: The Temple of the God of Wealth is at the top of the mountain. It is recommended to reserve physical strength before going. The scenery on the top of the mountain is good. You must go there to take pictures.
Lingyin Temple, located in the West Lake Scenic Area of Hangzhou, is one of the famous ancient temples in the south of the Yangtze River. It has a very strong historical heritage and religious atmosphere. When you step into the temple, you will see towering ancient trees and lingering Buddhist chants, as if you are instantly away from the hustle and bustle and step into a peaceful and peaceful world. The Mahavira Hall, Heavenly King Hall, Medicine Master Hall and other buildings in the temple are majestic and solemn, and each one reveals the traces of time and the precipitation of history. Especially the ancient bronze bell, every time it rings, the sound is thick and long, as if it can wash away the dust of the soul. In addition to the beauty of the architecture, the monks of Lingyin Temple also attract many believers and tourists with their profound Buddhist cultivation and compassionate spirit. Here, you can feel a kind of tranquility and peace that transcends the world, as if the whole world has become soft and warm. In short, Lingyin Temple is a holy place worthy of everyone to calm down and savor carefully.
I can't remember how many times I have come to Lingyin Temple. This time was special because of Typhoon Prasang. It started to rain when I was about to finish visiting Feilai Peak. When I walked into Lingyin Temple, the rain suddenly got heavier. I had to run to the Dharma circulation place next to the entrance, first bought the 18-seed bracelet, then looked at other Dharma objects, and waited for the rain to subside before visiting the various halls. Because I entered the temple early, probably around 7 o'clock, there were fewer tourists, so I could worship Buddha quietly and observe my heart. So it is recommended to go to Lingyin Temple early. I ate a bowl of vegetarian noodles when I went down the mountain. It was simple and delicious. It was my birthday that day. I saw the words "cherish blessings" on the bowl and I realized something.