Oriental Culture Travel › Hangzhou

Hangzhou Private Tours

Hangzhou with Oriental Culture Travel: a private trip designed around you, with your own car and driver, a licensed guide who speaks Arabic or English, halal meals on request and time for prayer. Highlights include West Lake, Longjing tea villages, Lingyin Temple and the Phoenix Mosque.

Plan your private Hangzhou trip on WhatsApp

Hangzhou at a glance

Best time to visit
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Arrive at
Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH) / Hangzhou East high-speed rail
Guides
Private licensed guide in Arabic or English
Booking
Free tailor-made quote within 24 hours; no deposit, 80% paid on arrival and 20% when the trip ends

Halal food and mosques

Hangzhou's Phoenix Mosque is counted among China's oldest mosques, with roots in the Tang and Song era. Hui-run noodle houses and Xinjiang restaurants serve halal food; skip Dongpo pork, the city's famous braised pork belly.

What to see and do in Hangzhou

Paradise on earth

Above, there is heaven; below, Suzhou and Hangzhou. Chinese proverb 上有天堂 下有苏杭

Two great travellers, one verdict.

“The finest and noblest city in the world.” Marco Polo, on Hangzhou, 13th century

“The finest and noblest city in the world.”

“The biggest city I have ever seen on the face of the earth.” Ibn Battuta, who called it al-Khansā, 14th century

“The biggest city I have ever seen on the face of the earth.”

1 h from Shanghai by bullet train

3 UNESCO World Heritage sites: West Lake, the Grand Canal, Liangzhu

2023 host of the Asian Games

West Lake

The water shimmers: in sunshine it is perfect; the hills blur in mist: in rain they are wonderful too. Su Shi, 1073 水光潋滟晴方好 山色空蒙雨亦奇

Your own boat on the lake.

A hand-rowed wooden boat for your family only, gliding past willows to the island of Three Pools Mirroring the Moon. Your guide tells the old love stories as you go.

Su Causeway at dawn, before the crowds

Leifeng Pagoda and the Broken Bridge

Electric cart or bicycle around the shore

Huxin Pavilion

I cannot bring myself to leave Hangzhou; half of what keeps me here is this lake. Bai Juyi, governor of Hangzhou, 824 未能抛得杭州去 一半勾留是此湖

When the lake lights up.

As the sun goes down the pavilions glow and the water turns to glass. Take an evening boat, watch the musical fountain, or see Impression West Lake, an open-air show staged on the water itself.

Longjing village

Do not laugh at my playful little poem: fine tea has always been like a lovely face. Su Shi 戏作小诗君勿笑 从来佳茗似佳人

Pick tea with a farming family.

China's most famous green tea grows in the hills above the lake. Spend a morning in the rows with a family who have farmed here for generations, then roast your leaves by hand in a hot wok and drink the first cup on their terrace.

Best from late March to May, when the new leaves are picked

Take home tea bought straight from the farm

Tea hills above West Lake

Brew a glass.

Lingyin Temple

In the mountain temple, by moonlight, I searched for falling osmanthus seeds. Bai Juyi, remembering Hangzhou 山寺月中寻桂子

A temple in the forest.

Founded in the year 328, Lingyin is one of China's great temples. On the path to it, hundreds of Buddhas are carved into the limestone cliffs of Feilai Feng, some over a thousand years old.

Carved Buddha, Feilai Feng

Phoenix Mosque

Seek knowledge, even as far as China. Old Arabic saying

A mosque seven centuries old.

Phoenix Mosque, rebuilt in 1281, is one of the four great ancient mosques of China, a short walk from West Lake. Friday prayers are held here, and we arrange halal meals for every day of your stay.

Halal restaurants and Hui noodle houses near the mosque

Lakeside dishes made halal on request: West Lake fish, Longjing shrimp

China's Silicon Valley.

Home of Alibaba, DeepSeek and Unitree's robots. At night the towers of Qianjiang New City light up the river in a synchronised show.

Green hills beyond green hills, towers beyond towers: when will the songs on West Lake ever stop? Lin Sheng, 12th century 山外青山楼外楼 西湖歌舞几时休

Dinner by the lake.

西湖醋鱼 West Lake fish in vinegar Poached and glossy, a local classic.

龙井虾仁 Longjing shrimp River shrimp, stir-fried with Dragon Well tea leaves.

松鼠鳜鱼 Sweet-and-sour mandarin fish Scored, fried crisp and glazed.

SUMMER LOTUS, BY THE LAKE

West Lake in high summer is like no other time: lotus leaves meet the sky in endless green, lotus flowers blush a different red in the sun. Yang Wanli, 1187 接天莲叶无穷碧 映日荷花别样红

West Lake, four ways.

Cool, clear days and the sweet scent of osmanthus.

Water towns and a thousand islands.

Wuzhen water town

Stone bridges, canals and wooden boats in a town that still lives on the water. Stay for the evening, when the lanterns come on.

Qiandao Lake

More than a thousand green islands scattered across clear water. Cruise between them, or watch from a lakeside villa.

Stone lanterns of Three Pools Mirroring the Moon glowing on West Lake at dusk
Stone lanterns of Three Pools Mirroring the Moon glowing on West Lake at dusk
A pavilion on West Lake at sunset
A pavilion on West Lake at sunset
A boatman rows a wooden boat across West Lake
A boatman rows a wooden boat across West Lake
A lit pavilion reflected in West Lake at night
A lit pavilion reflected in West Lake at night
Tea pickers in conical hats in a Longjing tea garden
Tea pickers in conical hats in a Longjing tea garden
Tea hills above West Lake
Tea hills above West Lake
Rooftops of Lingyin Temple among green hills
Rooftops of Lingyin Temple among green hills
Carved Buddha, Feilai Feng
Carved Buddha, Feilai Feng

Hangzhou travel questions

Can we have an Arabic-speaking guide in Hangzhou?

Yes. We arrange a private, licensed guide who speaks Arabic or English for your whole stay in Hangzhou, with your own car and driver.

Is halal food easy to find in Hangzhou?

Hangzhou's Phoenix Mosque is counted among China's oldest mosques, with roots in the Tang and Song era. Hui-run noodle houses and Xinjiang restaurants serve halal food; skip Dongpo pork, the city's famous braised pork belly.

When is the best time to visit Hangzhou?

The most comfortable months are Mar–May, Sep–Nov. We plan around the weather, Chinese holidays and crowds so you see Hangzhou at its best in any season.

Which airport do I fly into for Hangzhou?

Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH) / Hangzhou East high-speed rail. Your driver meets you at arrivals; airport transfers are included.

How do I book a private trip to Hangzhou?

Message us on WhatsApp at +971 50 465 8408. We design the trip around you and send a free quote within 24 hours. No deposit: you pay 80% on arrival and 20% when the trip ends.

WhatsApp +971 50 465 8408

More destinations in China

Beijing · Shanghai · Xi'an · Guangzhou · Chengdu · Chongqing · Guilin & Yangshuo · Zhangjiajie · Yunnan

Travel guides

FAQ · Halal food in China · China visa rules 2026 · How to pay in China · About us

Oriental Culture Travel东方文化旅游
Tailor-made China journeys, rooted in culture

China, beyond the guidebook.

Snow peaks in Yunnan, stone pillars in Zhangjiajie, the Li River in Guilin. Private, tailor-made journeys with your own car and licensed local guides, for travellers who want more than the big cities.

Get a free quote
  • Private car & licensed guidesJust your group, every day
  • Multilingual guidesArabic-speaking guides available
  • Halal meals on requestPrayer-friendly schedules
  • Free quote in 24 hoursReply on WhatsApp within the hour
Destinations

Choose where your journey begins

Tap “Add to my enquiry” on any place you like, then message us. We design the rest privately for you.

Scroll to travel
Immersive culture

Live it, don't just see it

Hands-on experiences with local families, artists and masters can be added to any journey. A few of our favourites.

Why travel with us

Private, simple, and clear before you pay

语
Your languageLicensed local guides who speak your language
食
Food your wayHalal, vegetarian and other diets arranged on request
全
HotelsMealsTrainsTicketsGuide
Everything arrangedHotels, trains, private car, tickets and guides in one plan
一
One contactOne trip designer on WhatsApp, before and during your journey
Our promise

No deposit. Everything arranged.

Every private trip includes all of this. You pay nothing before you arrive.

  • No deposit, free cancellationPay 80% when you arrive and 20% when your trip ends. Cancel free any time before you arrive.
  • Flexible all the wayPlans change? End your trip early and get a refund for the days you don't use.
  • 24/7 support, 30-minute responseA real person on WhatsApp day and night. Any concern is answered within 30 minutes.
  • Airport pick-upMet at arrivals and taken to departures, in every city.
  • Your choice of carPrivate car and driver: sedan, business MPV or minibus.
  • Hotels you pickChoose from our hand-picked hotel list.
  • Meals your wayWe arrange them, halal on request, or you dine on your own.
  • Multilingual guidesLicensed local guides who speak your language.
  • A gift for everyoneA local keepsake for every traveller.
  • Free photographyWe photograph your journey, free of charge.

Read the full service and payment terms →

Guest stories

What our travellers say

Real words from real guests, shared with their permission.

Visa

Many travellers now enter China visa-free

  • 50countries · 30 days visa-free
  • 29mutual visa-free agreements
  • 240 hvisa-free transit · 55 countries
PASSPORT · PASSEPORT · جواز سفر🌏Your passport
Type / النوع
P
Code / الرمز
· · ·
Passport No. / رقم الجواز
· · ·
Surname / اللقب
TRAVELLER
Given names / الاسم
HONOURED GUEST
Nationality / الجنسية
· · ·
Destination / الوجهة
PRC · 中国
Date of expiry / الانتهاء
· · ·
Your passportPASSPORTجواز سفر
ENTRY · 入境PRC · 中国
Pick your country to see the entry rules.

Rules change often and depend on your passport, not where you live. Please check the latest rules for your passport; we also confirm them with official sources for every booking.

Free itinerary

Send us your dates. Get a private route in 24 hours.

No payment and no commitment. A real trip designer replies on WhatsApp, usually within the hour.

Use the form
FAQ

Your questions, answered

Who operates the tours in China?

All ground services are delivered by licensed partner travel agencies in China, with licensed local guides. We design your journey and stay your single point of contact from first message to flight home.

How much does a journey cost?

Every journey is private, so the price depends on your dates, group size, hotel level and route. Send us your plan and we quote within 24 hours. There is no deposit: you pay 80% when you arrive and 20% when your trip ends.

Is this a good choice for a first trip to China?

Yes. Our journeys are designed with first-time visitors in mind. A private car and local guide handle the language, tickets and transfers, so you can go beyond the big cities without the stress.

Will my phone, WhatsApp and Google work?

Many foreign apps are restricted in mainland China. We arrange an international roaming eSIM or local SIM so WhatsApp and maps keep working, and your guide is always reachable.

How does payment work?

Simple: no deposit. You pay 80% once you have arrived in China and the last 20% when your trip ends. Cancelling before you arrive is free.

Can I end my trip early?

Yes, at any time. We refund the days you don't use, less a small 20% fee on those days only. If the reason is on our side, there is no fee at all.

What is included?

Airport pick-up and drop-off, a private car and driver (you choose the vehicle), hotels from our hand-picked list, licensed multilingual guides, meals arranged by us or on your own, 24/7 support, a local gift for every traveller and free photography.

Can I have an Arabic-speaking guide?

Yes. We arrange Arabic-speaking guides, and our team answers in Arabic on WhatsApp.

How far ahead should I book?

Four to eight weeks is ideal. Chinese public holidays (early October and Chinese New Year) need more notice because hotels, trains and mountain cable cars get busy.

Service and payment terms