Zhejiang is a coastal province in eastern China, on the southern shore of the Yangtze River Delta and the East China Sea. It is one of China's smallest provinces by land area yet one of its wealthiest and most densely populated, anchored by the historic capital Hangzhou and its famous West Lake. Zhejiang is celebrated for its canal-laced water towns, sacred Buddhist mountain of Putuo Shan, tea plantations, and a coastline scattered with thousands of islands.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Wuzhen Water Town
Highlights: Hand-poled wooden boat ride along the Xizha canal · Blue Nankeen Exhibition Hall's indigo-dyeing workshop · Evening lantern lighting along the canal-side lanes · Mulian Theatre folk opera performances · Century-old pawnshop museum and wood-carving workshops
Xitang Water Town
Highlights: Nine intersecting canals crossed by dozens of stone bridges · Yanyu Corridor, a kilometre-long covered canal-side walkway · Xitang Number One Alley, a lane less than a metre wide · Evening lantern reflections along the main canal · Chenjiaci Ancestral Hall and traditional craft workshops
Shaoxing Old City
Highlights: Lu Xun's Former Residence and Memorial Hall · Cangqiao Historic Street's canal-side Ming and Qing architecture · Black-awning wupeng canal boats poled by boatmen · Shen Garden (Shenyuan), a classical garden linked to poet Lu You · Bazi Bridge, one of China's oldest surviving stone bridges
Nanxun Ancient Town
Highlights: Zhang Shiming's Former Residence, blending Chinese and European architecture · Xiaolianzhuang Garden, a classical private garden with lotus ponds · Baijian Building, a long row of Qing-dynasty riverside houses · Tongjin Bridge, the town's largest stone arch bridge · Canal boat rides past former silk-merchant warehouses
Moganshan
Highlights: Bamboo Sea (Zhuhai), a dense moso bamboo forest with walking trails · Colonial-era stone villas around Yin Shan Jie · Wuling Waterfall near the main scenic area entrance · Panoramic hiking routes to Jianzhu Peak and Tashan · Cool mountain climate, popular as a summer escape from the heat
Qiandao Lake (Thousand Island Lake)
Highlights: Meifeng Island's viewing tower with panoramic lake views · Boat tours through the reservoir's more than 1,000 forested islands · Clear reservoir water formed by the 1950s damming of the Xin'an River · Steamed Qiandao Lake fish, the area's signature dish · Lakeside promenade and pier at Chun'an town
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organized day tours from Hangzhou to Wuzhen, Xitang, or Moganshan run from around CNY 250-450 (about USD 37.26-67.06) per person including round-trip transport and a guide
- Private
- Private car with driver from about CNY 500-700 (about USD 74.52-104.32) per day, bookable through hotel concierges or apps like Didi Premier; useful for Moganshan and Qiandao Lake
- Public
- High-speed rail from Hangzhou East covers Shaoxing, Wenzhou, and Tongxiang (for Wuzhen); intercity coaches from Hangzhou's bus stations reach Wuzhen, Xitang, Moganshan, and Qiandao Lake directly
- Rental
- Self-drive rental is impractical without a converted Chinese license; hired cars with drivers from about CNY 300-500/day (about USD 44.71-74.52) work well for multi-stop canal-town or hill itineraries
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Book high-speed rail tickets on the 12306 app or Trip.com in advance for Shaoxing and Wenzhou trips - popular departure times sell out on weekends and holidays
Canal towns like Wuzhen and Xitang charge a scenic-area entrance fee - buy tickets online in advance to skip the gate queue
Weekend and public-holiday crowds at Wuzhen, Xitang, and Moganshan are heavy - a weekday visit or an early morning start is far more comfortable
Qiandao Lake and Moganshan trips work best with a hired car or driver, since the sights are spread out and public bus frequency drops outside peak season
Bring a passport for train ticket purchase and any hotel or guesthouse check-in on overnight extensions of these trips