My husband and I, both recently retired, wanted a gentle day trip to Hangzhou—no rushing, just savoring the sights. Booking with Guide Chen was the key to making that happen. He greeted us at the Shanghai railway station,We started at Dragon Well Tea Plantation, and Chen didn’t hurry us through the rows of green. He walked at our pace, pointing out how the tea bushes are pruned to catch the morning sun. Chen asked if we’d like to try a pot, and we spent nearly an hour there, chatting with the farmer and learning about his family’s tea-making history. When my husband mentioned his bad knee, Chen adjusted our route to avoid steep paths?

West Lake was next, and Chen suggested a gondola ride instead of the bigger boats. He sat across from us, pointing out distant hills and telling stories of the lake’s ancient poets. When we wanted to stop and take photos of the lotus flowers, he asked the boatman to glide to a calm spot—no rush, even though I’m sure he had a schedule in mind. After the ride, he led us to a bench under a willow tree and handed us bottles of cold osmanthus water he’d brought along.

Guo Garden was a highlight we hadn’t expected. Chen knew all about the garden’s layout—where the best views of the rockeries were, which flowers bloom year-round. He stopped often so we could admire the koi ponds and the intricate wooden pavilions, never making us feel like we were lingering too long. “This garden was designed for slowing down,” he said, and we couldn’t agree more. He even showed us a hidden corner with a stone table, where we sat and ate the homemade cookies we’d packed.

Yunqi Bamboo Trail felt like a sanctuary. Chen took us on a less-traveled section, where the bamboo towers overhead and the only sounds are birds and rustling leaves. He pointed out medicinal bamboo shoots and told us how locals use bamboo leaves to make tea. When we got tired, we used the folding stools he’d brought—perfect for a quick rest. He never pushed us to walk further than we wanted.

We ended at Hefang Street, and Chen gave us a list of his favorite old-fashioned shops: a herbal tea store that’s been run by the same family for 100 years, a woodcarving shop where the owner demonstrates his craft. He said he’d wait at a nearby tea house so we could browse at our leisure.

On the way back to Shanghai, we talked about how the day had felt like a gift—no stress, just good company and beautiful sights. Chen’s flexibility and kindness made all the difference. He understood that we wanted to take our time, and he adjusted the trip to fit our rhythm. We’d recommend him to any retirees looking for a peaceful day trip to Hangzhou.

Reviewed to: Scenic Day Trip to Hangzhou from Shanghai: Explore West Lake & Tea Plantations