We woke up around 9 am and left around 10:30 am in order to not waste any time.

Instead of going to the Lingyin Temple like my four other friends are, we decided to go the Pagoda of the Six Harmonies. We took the 308 bus since the bus stop was near our hostel and it took only 40 minutes.

First Stop: Pagoda of the Six Harmonies

Not knowing how steep the stairs were, we were quite excited as we walked towards the pagoda. Once we stepped inside, we realized it was going to be a workout for us. We hiked up seven floors of steep stairs until we finally reached the top.

People say coming down would be easier but in this case, it's not. The stairs were so steep, i had to slowly walk down step by step because one misstep, I am rolling down those steps until I reach the ground floor.

Next Stop: Longjin Tea Plantation​

Afterwards, we decided to go to Fei Lai Feng to meet up with our friends who went to the Lingyin Temple. Once we got into a taxi, the driver asked us if we went to the Longjin Plantation yet. We told him we haven't and he offered to take us there and then to the silk shop before heading to Fei Lai Feng for only 50RMB. It was a great deal since he would have to wait for us as we spend our time at each location.

He was super friendly and informative: he talked a lot about Hangzhou's culture and history and I learned from him the three treasures of Hangzhou.

The drive into the plantation was a bumpy ride. The narrow path seems to be a one-way but it's actually a two-way so if there are two cars from opposite direction, one car must stop and wait.

​Nonetheless, it was a fun ride through the plantation since I wasn't the one driving and I got to see the plantations and the numerous couples taking their wedding photos there.

We stopped near at a town and the driver helped us fill a pail of water up from one of the Longjin well. He told us we should dap the water on our face three times and make three wishes as we do so.

Afterwards, an old woman brought us into her home and made us some tea using different quality of tea leaves. She taught us how to make tea and explains the distinctions between the tea leaves. She was very friendly and we started having a conversation as I asked her about her family.

Next Stop: Jinsheng Silk Shop

The stores along Hefang Street that sells silk are fake and from the driver we went to one of the big names that sold authentic silk. I actually bought a silk qipao since I wanted a qipao from the start. My friend went all out and bought herself and her whole family a piece of silk clothing.

Next Stop: Fei Lai Feng

We got hungry and ate brunch here at a noodle shop and I ordered a very tasty beef noodle soup. We walked around and took pictures as we walk past many statues of gods and goddesses. After, we started hiking up the mountain until we reach the peak. It was tiring but once we reached the top, I felt accomplished. As we rested, I wondered if the man that sells water and souvenir up at the peak had to carry his things up every morning.

Last Stop: West Lake

​After Fei Lai Feng, we wanted to go back to the West Lake. One reason was to see the sunset and the other was because we left our stuff at the hostel's luggage storage so we have to go back anyways. It was difficult to grab a taxi at that time since it was the time when people are all leaving and one path is "conveniently" blocked off for I don't know whatever reason. We finally decided to accept an offer of 50RMB for a taxi van to take us and also a family of four (which made me felt safer).

​Seeing the sunset was amazing but what made it even more amazing was being able to take the boat across the West Lake and watch the sun slowly set and as day turns into night.

This was the last thing we did in Hangzhou. Afterwards, we took a taxi to the railway station and headed back to Shanghai. I would definitely want to go back because unlike Guilin, it's not as commercialized. Hangzhou has sceneries that Shanghai lacks and it's very nice to have the opportunity to see all of these in one day.

Best part of the day: Meeting the taxi driver who was nice enough to give us a tour and wait for us as we explore each destinations