Crazy hidden spots around Hangzhou unlocked for 150 RMB per person to visit 3 "less crowded and beautiful" secret places
Hey guys! Tired of the crowds at West Lake’s Broken Bridge and Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou? Actually, within 1-2 hours’ drive around the city, there are many hidden gems! So few people you can enjoy the entire landscape alone, with a 200% photo success rate. You can also dig for bamboo shoots, pick tea, and play in the streams. Save this detailed guide now and head out this weekend!
1. Huzhou · Anji White Tea Viewing Platform (Healing Tea Mountain Secret Spot)
✨ Why recommend?
Ten times quieter than Meijiawu! The thousand-acre white tea garden looks like a green velvet carpet. The mountaintop viewing platform overlooks the entire tea mountain and bamboo sea. The wind rustling through the tea trees and the air itself is sweet and fresh~ Best of all, it’s free! Parking only costs 10 RMB, perfect for zoning out and shooting forest-style photos.
📍 Detailed address
Huangdu Village, Xilong Township, Anji County, Huzhou City (Navigate directly to "Anji White Tea Viewing Platform," 1.5 hours drive from Hangzhou, highway toll about 50 RMB)
📝 Precise 1-day itinerary
- 09:00-10:30 Departure + Tea Mountain Walk
Leave early to avoid weekend rush. Upon arrival, stroll the trail beside the viewing platform through the tea mountain (wear light-colored dress + white sneakers, the wooden plank path in the tea garden is very photogenic). Every snap looks like "Little Switzerland" 📸
- 11:00-12:30 Eat local dishes
Go down the mountain to the "White Tea Family" farmhouse restaurant at the village entrance. Must-try dishes: white tea scrambled eggs (strong tea aroma), bamboo shoot and braised pork (spring bamboo shoots are very tender), stone pot fish. About 50 RMB per person to eat until full, and the owner offers free white tea to drink~
- 13:30-15:30 Tea picking experience + Bamboo sea visit
For interactive fun, book tea picking with the farmhouse owner in advance (50 RMB/person, includes tea picking tools + tea frying lesson). You can take home the tea you pick. If you don’t want to pick tea, visit the nearby "China Bamboo Sea" (ticket 58 RMB), walk the bamboo forest trail and listen to the wind—super healing!
- 16:00 Return trip
Buy a bag of white tea at the village entrance (200-300 RMB per jin, cheaper than scenic spots). No traffic in the evening, 1.5 hours back to Hangzhou.
⚠️ Tips to avoid pitfalls
- Don’t wear high heels! The tea mountain trail has small stones; sneakers are more comfortable;
- April-May is peak tea picking season. Book one day in advance if you want to experience it. Weekends are busier, weekdays recommended;
- No convenience stores near the viewing platform, remember to bring a bottle of water.
2. Shaoxing · Keqiao Ancient Thread Road (Thousand-year-old Water Stone Slab Road)
✨ Why recommend?
80% fewer people than Wuzhen and Zhouzhuang! The ancient thread road stretches over the canal, with bluestone slabs just above the water. On both sides are rapeseed flowers (March-April) or reeds (October-November). Riding a black-awning boat here feels like stepping into an ancient poem. Plus, the boat ride costs half the price of Wuzhen!
📍 Detailed address
Ancient Thread Road Scenic Area, Keyan Street, Keqiao District, Shaoxing City (1 hour drive from Hangzhou, or take high-speed train to Shaoxing North Station then taxi 30 minutes, about 40 RMB)
📝 Precise 1-day itinerary
- 09:30-11:00 Walk the ancient thread road + take photos
Enter from the scenic area entrance, walk along the ancient thread road (bluestone slabs can be slippery, wear non-slip shoes). Focus on the "water stone bridge" section. When sunny, the water reflects the stone slabs, creating a great atmosphere. If you don’t want to walk, take the black-awning boat (80 RMB/boat, seats 2, 20 minutes ride, the boatman rows slowly).
- 11:30-13:00 Eat Shaoxing cuisine
Must-eat at the nearby "Old Shaoxing Restaurant"! Recommended dishes: braised pork with preserved vegetables (fatty but not greasy), drunken chicken (strong wine aroma), yellow wine pudding (sweet but not cloying). About 60 RMB per person. You can also order a pot of yellow wine (15 RMB/pot) to taste local flavor~
- 13:30-15:30 Visit Keqiao Ancient Town
Taxi 10 minutes from the thread road to Keqiao Ancient Town (free entry). Less crowded than Shaoxing Old Town. Explore Ming and Qing architecture, see the canal wharf, and buy Shaoxing fermented bean curd and fennel beans as souvenirs (10-20 RMB per pack). For quiet time, find a riverside teahouse to sit for a while (30 RMB per cup of tea, can sit all afternoon).
- 16:30 Return trip
High-speed train from Shaoxing North Station to Hangzhou takes only 20 minutes, ticket 19 RMB, more convenient than driving.
⚠️ Tips to avoid pitfalls
- Don’t get lured by boatmen at the scenic area entrance. Go directly to the official dock inside the scenic area to avoid being overcharged;
- March-April rapeseed flower season is busier, arrive an hour early; October-November reed season is least crowded and best for photos;
- No shade along the thread road, bring an umbrella and sunscreen in summer.
3. Lin’an · Taihu Source (Cool Water Paradise)
✨ Why recommend?
The "Little Jiuzhaigou" near Hangzhou! The stream water is so clear you can see small fish. Steep cliffs and bamboo forests line both sides. Summer average temperature is 25°C. You can step in the water, touch fish, play with water guns—super fun. There’s also a suspended glass bridge (exciting but not scary), perfect for kids or friends to have fun together~
📍 Detailed address
Taihu Source Scenic Area, Taihu Source Town, Lin’an District, Hangzhou City (2 hours drive from Hangzhou, highway toll about 70 RMB; or take Metro Line 16 to Lin’an Square Station, then taxi 1 hour, about 80 RMB)
📝 Precise 1-day itinerary
- 08:30 Departure (leave early to avoid traffic)
Weekend traffic to Taihu Source can be heavy. Recommend leaving before 8 AM and arriving before 10 AM.
- 10:00-12:00 Play in the stream + walk glass bridge
Enter the scenic area and walk along the stream trail. When you see shallow water, you can step in (bring slippers, 20 RMB/pair sold in the scenic area). The water is very cool and refreshing in summer. Walk halfway up the mountain to the suspended glass bridge (ticket included in scenic area admission, no extra cost). Standing on the bridge, you can see the whole canyon—great for photos~
- 12:30-13:30 Eat farmhouse dishes
At the scenic area entrance, the "Taihu Source Farmhouse" is a must-try. Recommended dishes: stream fish (freshly caught and cooked, tender meat), stir-fried mountain bamboo shoots with cured meat (spring bamboo shoots are very fresh), cold tofu salad (local handmade tofu). About 50 RMB per person, very generous portions!
- 14:00-16:00 Hiking + fish touching
After lunch, hike to the deep part of the scenic area called "Longxu Ditch." The trail is easy, with many shallow spots along the way. If you bring a small net, you can catch little fish (remember to release them!). For quiet time, find a rock to sit on, listen to the stream and birds—super relaxing~
- 16:30 Return trip
Afternoon traffic can be heavy. Recommend leaving before 4 PM, about 2 hours back to Hangzhou.
⚠️ Tips to avoid pitfalls
- Buy scenic area tickets online one day in advance (65 RMB/person, 78 RMB at the gate) to save 13 RMB;
- Bring a change of clothes if you have kids, stepping in water can wet pants;
- Mosquitoes are many in summer, be sure to bring mosquito repellent!
No need to squeeze into West Lake around Hangzhou! These 3 places have fewer people, beautiful scenery, and are fun to visit. For about 150 RMB per person, you can enjoy a full day. Invite friends or bring kids this weekend for easy photo ops and relaxation~ Which place do you want to visit most? Tell me in the comments!