Winter Tales of Hangzhou & Lijiang

Day 01 (Sat, 12 Dec’26)
Singapore – Shanghai – Hangzhou
(-/-/Dinner)
Hotel: Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou At West Lake or similar

Arriving in Shanghai this afternoon, you will be transferred comfortably to Hangzhou, where the rest of the day is yours to settle in and enjoy some light exploration at your own pace.

Day 02 (Sun, 13 Dec’26)
Hangzhou
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou At West Lake or similar

The morning begins with a leisurely boat ride on West Lake, the beating heart of Hangzhou and a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its timeless beauty. Known for its willow-lined shores, pagodas, and picturesque islands, glide along the peaceful waters in a traditional sculling boat, taking in views that have inspired poets and painters for over a thousand years.

For lunch, experience traditional Chinese medicinal cuisine at Hu Qing Yu Tang, Hangzhou’s renowned centuries-old Chinese medicine establishment. A Michelin selected restaurant, dishes here are thoughtfully prepared with medicinal herbs and ingredients rooted in traditional wellness philosophy, offering a delicious and nourishing way to experience a uniquely Hangzhou tradition.

The afternoon takes you to Qinghefang Ancient Street, a beautifully preserved pedestrian street lined with traditional architecture, teahouses, and artisan shops that offer a vivid glimpse into old Hangzhou life. Then, step into the immersive world of Song Dynasty Town (Song Cheng), a sprawling cultural attraction that brings the grandeur of the Song Dynasty to life through its architecture, costumes, and atmosphere. Here you will catch the spectacular Romance of Song Dynasty, one of China’s most celebrated live performances, combining breathtaking dance, dramatic staging, and dazzling special effects to tell the story of Hangzhou’s glorious past.

Day 03 (Mon, 14 Dec’26)
Hangzhou
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou At West Lake or similar

Head over to the Lingyin Scenic Area, one of Hangzhou’s most treasured destinations. Begin at Feilai Feng, a remarkable limestone formation covered in hundreds of Buddhist rock carvings and sculptures dating back to the Five Dynasties period. Within the same grounds, Lingyin Temple is one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in China. Its grand halls rich with incense and quiet devotion, it provides the perfect harmony of nature, history and spirituality.

Later, the iconic Leifeng Pagoda awaits, perched on a gentle hill above the southern shore of West Lake. Originally built in 977 AD and rebuilt in 2002 on its ancient foundations, the pagoda is steeped in legend and offers sweeping views over the lake and city below.

Day 04 (Tue, 15 Dec’26)
Hangzhou
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou At West Lake or similar

Visit two of Hangzhou’s most compelling heritage sites this morning. The Southern Song Deshou Palace Ruins Museum brings to life the grandeur of the Southern Song Dynasty, built around the excavated ruins of an imperial palace that once rivalled the finest courts in the world. Just nearby, the Former Residence of Hu Xueyan offers a fascinating contrast. An extraordinarily lavish private mansion built by one of the Qing Dynasty’s most powerful merchants, its ornate interiors and intricate garden design are a testament to the wealth and refined taste of the era.

A peaceful afternoon follows at Xixi National Wetland Park, a rare and beautiful expanse of waterways, reeds, and ancient villages woven together on the western edge of the city. China’s first National Wetland Park, in winter, its landscape is stripped back to its quietest, most elemental form, with migratory birds, early blooming plum blossoms, and tranquil sceneries akin to Chinese ink paintings.

Complete the day with an immersive Palace Banquet set within a venue that transports you entirely into the imperial courts of ancient China. Costumed performers, graceful classical dancers, and live traditional music accompany a feast of meticulously prepared imperial-style dishes. Each course is paired with a performance, creating a deeply memorable evening that brings the history and elegance of Hangzhou’s golden age to your table.

Day 05 (Wed, 16 Dec’26)
Hangzhou – Lijiang
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort or similar

Today you bid farewell to Hangzhou and journey onward to Lijiang, a city steeped in Naxi culture and set against the dramatic backdrop of the Yunnan highlands. Spend the afternoon exploring Lijiang Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of cobbled lanes, flowing canals, and centuries-old wooden buildings. As dusk settles in, the town’s lanterns begin to glow against the crisp mountain air, lending the old streets a particularly magical atmosphere.

Day 06 (Thu, 17 Dec’26)
Lijiang – Baisha – Shuhe – Lijiang
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort or similar

Today is spent exploring two of Lijiang’s lesser-visited but equally charming ancient towns. Baisha Ancient Town is the birthplace of Naxi culture and home to a collection of remarkable Ming and Qing Dynasty murals, painted with a striking blend of Han, Tibetan, and Naxi artistic influences. Its quieter lanes offer a more authentic, unhurried glimpse into traditional Naxi life, away from the larger crowds.

By contrast, Shuhe Ancient Town carries a gentler, more relaxed charm, with willow-lined canals, stone bridges, and traditional courtyard homes that have made it a beloved retreat for centuries. Wrapped in winter sunlight, the town’s slower pace makes for a particularly pleasant afternoon of wandering.

Day 07 (Fri, 18 Dec’26)
Lijiang – Jade Dragon Snow Mountain – Lijiang
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort or similar

Today’s excursion brings you to the magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lijiang’s most iconic natural landmark and a sacred peak in Naxi tradition. Witness the mountain is at its most spectacular, its peaks blanketed in snow against a backdrop of brilliant blue sky. Ride the Glacier Park Cable Car up to towering heights for breathtaking close-up views of the glacier and surrounding alpine scenery.

Descending the mountain, Blue Moon Valley offers a striking contrast with its impossibly clear turquoise waters, set against a stunning amphitheatre of snow-capped peaks. Afterwards, weather permitting, you will be treated to Impression Lijiang, a large-scale outdoor performance directed by renowned filmmaker Zhang Yimou, featuring a cast of hundreds of local performers and set against the dramatic natural backdrop of the mountain itself.

Day 08 (Sat, 19 Dec’26)
Lijiang – Tiger Leaping Gorge – Lijiang
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort or similar

This morning, head out to Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest and most spectacular river gorges in the world, carved by the rushing waters of the Jinsha River. Take in the gorge’s dramatic scale from its viewing platforms, where towering cliffs plunge down to the churning waters below, a sight as humbling as it is beautiful.

The remainder of the day is yours to spend at leisure back in Lijiang Ancient Town, perfect for a relaxed stroll, a spot of shopping, or simply settling into a cosy teahouse to soak in the atmosphere of this enchanting mountain town.

Day 09 (Sun, 20 Dec’26)
Lijiang – Guangzhou
(Breakfast/-/-)
Hotel: Park Hyatt Guangzhou or similar

Take a flight over to Guangzhou this morning where you will have the remainder of your holiday free to enjoy shopping and eating in the vibrant city.

Day 10 (Mon, 21 Dec’26)
Guangzhou
(Breakfast/-/-)
Hotel: Park Hyatt Guangzhou or similar

Free and easy

Day 11 (Tue, 22 Dec’26)
Guangzhou – Singapore
(Breakfast/-/-)

Flight back to Singapore