This one-day tour from Shanghai to Hangzhou’s tea gardens and West Lake was exactly what I needed to escape the city bustle. The company was great from start to finish: I asked if we could visit a less crowded tea garden, and they quickly adjusted the plan—no hassle, just a confirmation that they’d secured access to a family-owned plot.

The guide was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. At the tea garden, he explained how Longjing tea is grown and processed, then walked me through a casual tea tasting where I learned to distinguish between different grades of leaves. At West Lake, he took me to a quiet pier instead of the busy main areas, sharing stories about the lake’s myths while we watched ducks glide across the water. He even helped me take beautiful photos of the lake at golden hour.

The driver and car were top-notch: the vehicle was clean and comfortable, and he drove smoothly, making the 2-hour trip fly by. He also stopped at a small bakery on the way back so we could pick up Hangzhou’s famous sweet osmanthus cakes—such a thoughtful touch.

The itinerary was perfect: no rushing, just enough time to enjoy both the tea garden’s calm and West Lake’s beauty. This tour turned a short day trip into a memorable escape, and I’d book it again in a heartbeat.

Reviewed to: Discover Natural Beauty with Day Trips from Shanghai to Hangzhou: Tea Fields & West Lake