China History 101 · Hangzhou (5 Days)

Name: China History 101 · Hangzhou (5 Days)
SKU: CH101-HZ
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.00 (6 reviews)

Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 5 customer ratings

(6 customer reviews)

$1,200.00

A 5-day Hangzhou route from Liangzhu and Song history to tea and tech China.

Program Start Date Mondays only

SKU: CH101-HZ Category: Chinese History

Details

What’s included

Living like a local (the real deal): we don’t run giant tour-bus circuits with flags—we coordinate private cars and vans the way locals move every day. It’s faster and more flexible, and you won’t look like a lost tourist.
Guides who are actually fun: you get someone who knows the material and keeps it engaging. Sometimes you’ll even get two guides—depth when the day calls for it, plus pace on a big day or a hike.
Activities & local feasts: every activity, entrance fee, and local meal listed in the itinerary is covered—we take you where the food is really good, not generic “tourist set menus.”
Safety first—insurance included: basic travel insurance is included in the published program price.
24/7 support while you’re traveling—if you’re lost, stuck, or need help on the ground, we’re a call away.

What’s excluded

Hotels are not included in the base package (“everything but the bed”). Add optional “Eddie’s Choice” lodging at checkout or arrange it on a one-on-one call—clean, comfortable, and economical by default; ask if you want a more upscale stay.
International and domestic flights and trains (getting to the city is on you).
Chinese visa—that is between you and the embassy or visa service you use.
Alcohol and personal shopping.

A quick note on the “not included” items

Even though we don’t cover the cost of your flights, trains, or visas, we’re here to help—ask us for information or advice anytime. For programs that involve traveling to another city (for example a high-speed train between cities), your guide or Eddie can even travel with you on Sunday or Monday morning so the transition stays smooth.

We’re an educational tour company—chill, flexible, and focused on real understanding and the human side of travel, not just ticking off sights.

Description

The Scholar's Paradise & Tech Frontier.

Once described by Marco Polo as the "finest and most splendid city in the world," Hangzhou remains the spiritual home of Chinese aesthetics and intellectual life. This course explores the duality of Hangzhou: the serene, mist-covered West Lake that inspired centuries of poets, and the high-tech campuses defining the future of global commerce. Live like a local "Hangzhou-er" as you trek through tea plantations and engage with the city's thriving tech community.

Course Highlights

Song Dynasty Origins. Begin at Liangzhu, a UNESCO site that predates the Great Wall, and visit the National Archives of Publications and Culture to see how China preserves its soul.
The Way of Tea. Immerse yourself in the Longjing tea gardens. Learn the ritual of Dragon Well tea from local farmers and understand why tea is the bedrock of Chinese social life.
Zen & Architecture. Hike the hills west of West Lake and visit Jingshan Temple to study Song-style Zen Buddhism and its lasting influence on East Asian culture.
Silicon Valley of the East. Step into the Alibaba campus for a rare look at China’s technological Big Bang, understanding how ancient values coexist with modern innovation.

Weekly Itinerary

Day	Focus	Experience
Mon	Ancient Roots	Liangzhu Culture intro; visit the National Archives; afternoon at West Lake.
Tue	Nature & Spirit	Hiking the West Lake hills; dining like a local by the lakeside.
Wed	Zen Philosophy	Visit Jingshan Temple; deep dive into Song Dynasty Zen culture.
Thu	Tea Heritage	Longjing Village immersion; hands-on tea art and history session.
Fri	Future China	Citywalk through Alibaba Park; corporate visit to understand China's tech evolution.

Additional information

Level	Intermediate
Theme	China History
Duration	1–10 weeks
Schedule	Mon–Fri

6 reviews for China History 101 · Hangzhou (5 Days)

Rated 5 out of 5

Toronto traveler – February 4, 2026

Hangzhou surprised us: West Lake was beautiful, but the historical context around Song aesthetics made it far more meaningful.
Rated 5 out of 5

Melbourne couple – February 16, 2026

Liangzhu and the archives gave our group a strong foundation before the rest of the week. Very well sequenced itinerary.
Rated 5 out of 5

Chicago guest – March 1, 2026

The Jingshan Temple day was one of the most thoughtful experiences in China; the Zen discussion stayed with me.
Rated 5 out of 5

Mumbai solo traveler – March 14, 2026

Longjing village was not staged at all. We met local tea growers and finally understood why Dragon Well matters culturally.
Rated 5 out of 5

Berlin art-history teacher – March 25, 2026

Alibaba park visit balanced the classical side of Hangzhou with modern innovation. Excellent East-meets-future perspective.
Rated 5 out of 5

Vancouver guest – April 7, 2026

This Hangzhou course felt academically solid but still relaxed. Great for travelers who want substance, not rushed sightseeing.