Hangzhou: Lingyin Temple, Feilai Feng Buddhist Carvings & Hupao Spring Day Tour

Hangzhou's spiritual core, west of West Lake. Morning: Lingyin Temple (Soul's Retreat), founded 326 AD, one of China's wealthiest Chan Buddhist monasteries. Walk the four halls and see the 24m camphor-wood Sakyamuni Buddha. Across the path: Feilai Feng (Peak Flying From Afar), a limestone karst hill carved with 470+ Buddha images dating from the 10th century — including the famous 'Laughing Maitreya' selfie spot. Vegetarian Buddhist lunch at the temple's monastery dining hall. Afternoon: Hupao Spring (Tiger Running Spring), where two tigers were said to dig open the spring overnight — taste tea brewed from this spring, said to be Hangzhou's best for Longjing. Return to your hotel.

Hangzhou's deepest Buddhist heritage — the 1,700-year-old Lingyin Temple, 470 carved cliffside Buddhas, and Hupao Spring's 'tigers running' fountain.