Enjoy an easy, flavor-filled day from Hangzhou to Cixi, combining old-town charm, gentle scenery and the joy of picking sweet summer bayberries. Your private car and English-speaking guide collect you from your hotel, so the day begins in comfort with no group meeting point.
First you arrive at Minghe Old Town, a thousand-year-old water town rich in history and laid-back atmosphere. Stroll its lanes in the sunshine and soak up the unhurried, original character of the place. Minghe is famous for its street food, so your guide helps you hunt down local favorites like the celebrated niangao dumplings, a relaxed grazing lunch of small bites.
Next you head to the green slopes of Kaolao Mountain. A gentle scenic path follows streams and small waterfalls up to a viewpoint where you can take in Du Lake and Shanglin Lake spread out below, the spot locals nickname 'Ningbo's Rio de Janeiro' for its sweeping panorama. Nearby is the pretty Baiyang Waterfall. This is comfortable scenic walking on a good trail, with plenty of stops for photos and rest, not a strenuous climb.
When bayberries are in season, the day's sweet finale is a local orchard. Cixi's dark-red bayberries are known for their juicy, thin-skinned fruit. If fruit is available, you can pick and taste it before the drive back to Hangzhou.
With a private vehicle, dedicated guide, flexible timing and a pet-friendly welcome, this is authentic rural Zhejiang at an easy, enjoyable pace, great for families and couples alike.
