杭州旧市街ミニハイキングツアー（文化研究者同行）

Wonderful & kind tour operator. Wen went out of her way to make sure I had a great time and ate all the great food Hangzhou markets have to offer. The view from the City God temple on top of the hill was perfect. Wen timed this so we were there around Sunset. A+++ reccomend

Hangzhou feels familiar yet so different As someone who grew up in Singapore, I’m used to seeing green everywhere — our parks, trees along the roads, even rooftop gardens. But the greenery in Hangzhou got a very different feel. It’s not the same kind of curated city green we have back home — here it’s more wild, natural, and somehow calming. Just a short walk from the busy street, and suddenly you’re surrounded by tall pine trees and old stone steps, like stepping into another world. I joined this mini hike and cultural tour with my cousin, and we were really lucky to catch the sunset that day — the golden light over the lake and hills was so beautiful, it didn’t even feel real. West Lake is famous lah, but seeing it from this insider’s route gave us a whole new perspective — quieter, more personal. What surprised me was how everyday culture in Hangzhou still keeps a lot of traditions alive. In the market, people write price tags with calligraphy brushes. The TCM museum had herbs I’ve never seen before. Even though we Chinese Singaporeans also celebrate things like tea and TCM, this experience made me realise how every city in China expresses it differently. Got same roots, but very different flavour. Really a special experience - not just sightseeing, but feeling the heart of the place.

I joined this tour during a short trip to Hangzhou, and it turned out to be the absolute highlight of my stay in China. As someone deeply interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine and local food culture, I was absolutely fascinated by the visit to the herbal museum and local market. I saw ingredients, herbs, and vegetables I had never encountered before — the kind of things you’d never find in a regular tourist itinerary. The guide provided cultural and medicinal context that brought everything to life, making it both educational and immersive. I initially thought the hike would be far from the city, but to my surprise, the starting point was just minutes away from the bustling downtown. And yet, as soon as we began walking uphill, it felt like entering a completely different world — quiet, lush, and serene. The trail was easy to follow, and we were soon rewarded with panoramic views of West Lake and the urban skyline below. It’s rare to experience such a dramatic shift in atmosphere within such a short distance. What impressed me most was how well-curated this entire experience was. It wasn’t just a checklist of locations — every stop and transition felt intentional, thoughtful, and full of insight. This is not your average sightseeing tour. It felt like being guided through the city by someone with a true artistic and cultural lens, who really understands how to reveal hidden layers of Hangzhou. Highly recommended for anyone who wants more than just surface-level tourism. This is an incredible and authentic experience I’d recommend to all my friends!

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