Qiandao Lake: Underwater City & Lantern Craft Private Tour

Discover the fascinating heritage of the Qiandao Lake area on this easygoing private day tour from Hangzhou. Travel in comfort with hotel pickup and a private vehicle, accompanied by your own English-speaking guide.

Your first stop is the Chun'an County Museum, where you trace local history from the Neolithic era through the Ming and Qing dynasties. The highlights are the recreated views of the legendary 'Lion City' and 'He City' - two ancient towns that were submerged in 1959 when a hydropower reservoir was built, displacing 290,000 residents. The migration hall tells this moving human story, while the intangible-heritage gallery showcases local folk arts such as triangle opera and bamboo-horse dance.

Next, drive into the hills to Lishang, a peaceful village known as the home of a famed Song-dynasty empress and a celebrated Ming-dynasty scholar-official. Stroll the old street, browse well-preserved Ming and Qing buildings, and enjoy a relaxed local lunch of the village's traditional 'eight bowls' or farmhouse dishes.

In the afternoon you take part in a hands-on cultural experience: making a Lishang blessing lantern (Shanglu lantern), a 500-year-old folk craft. After learning the story behind these scholar lanterns, you create your own using the traditional needle-pricking technique and take this symbol of good fortune home with you.

The whole day is unhurried, cultural and comfortable - perfect for travelers who enjoy museums, village life and authentic hands-on traditions. Your guide handles everything, then you are driven back to your hotel in Hangzhou.

Easygoing private day from Hangzhou. Discover Qiandao Lake's submerged ancient cities at Chun'an Museum, visit a scholars' village, and craft a blessing lantern with an English guide.