Begin your day with a hotel pickup in Hangzhou and step into the slower rhythm of old Hangzhou — a day inspired by the lifestyle and aesthetics once enjoyed by Song Dynasty elites, scholars, and poets.

Your first stop is Lingyin Temple, one of China’s most important Buddhist sites. Explore the temple grounds and the ancient grotto carvings of Feilai Peak at an unhurried pace, allowing time to absorb the forested mountain paths, incense-filled halls, and spiritual atmosphere that made Hangzhou a cultural retreat for scholars and aristocrats centuries ago.

Next, enjoy a vegetarian meal inspired by traditional Chinese temple cuisine. Sample dishes may include vegetarian spicy “chicken” cubes, basil tofu, braised eggplant with herbs, and three-grain fried rice. Simple, balanced, and deeply connected to Buddhist food culture, the meal becomes part of the day’s overall rhythm rather than simply a lunch stop.

In the afternoon, head into the hills of Longjing (Dragon Well), China's most famous green tea region.

Instead of visiting a commercial tea house, you'll be welcomed into the home of a local tea-farming family within the government-certified core production area of West Lake Longjing tea. Share freshly brewed tea while overlooking the surrounding tea mountains, learn about tea harvesting and roasting, and gain a rare glimpse into everyday life in one of China's most celebrated tea villages.

For travelers who wish to continue the experience into the evening, an optional add-on inspired by Song Dynasty banquet culture is available: Xuyan, an immersive Chinese costume and performative dining experience combining classical dress, aesthetics, food, and live performance.

Finally, relax on the return transfer back to your hotel or preferred drop-off point — ending a day shaped by tea, temples, mountain air, and the slower elegance of old Hangzhou.