Shanghai: Liangzhu Village & Ando Architecture Day Trip

Trade the city bustle for a calm, design-filled day just outside Shanghai. Your private air-conditioned car and English-speaking guide collect you from your hotel and drive you to Liangzhu Culture Village near Hangzhou, an area beloved for its blend of ancient heritage and contemporary architecture.

Begin at Daxiong Temple, a serene Buddhist temple first founded in the Eastern Han dynasty, set among old trees and gentle hills. Stroll the grounds at an easy pace while your guide shares the stories behind this peaceful retreat.

Next, admire the Meilizhou Church, designed by Japanese architect Akio Tsushima, whose distinctive triangular form fuses tradition with modern Zen minimalism. Visit the Big Barn bookstore, nicknamed 'Hangzhou's Aranya', a stylish space for books, design objects and coffee.

The highlight is the Big Roof Library, a luminous exposed-concrete masterpiece by Pulitzer Prize winning architect Tadao Ando. Walk through the light-filled interior, watch sunlight shift across the concrete, and pause by the reflecting pool where columns and sky mirror on still water.

Enjoy a relaxed local lunch, then explore the Yuniao Ji creative district, full of boutiques, cafes and pop-up markets, perfect for a leisurely city walk. As the day winds down, catch the famous 'blue hour' when the sky glows soft blue and violet, ideal for photos.

This is a gentle, comfortable experience with no hiking or strenuous activity. Walking is light and optional, and you can relax with a coffee at any time. Pet friendly and fully private, it is an ideal authentic-China day for couples, families and design lovers.

Escape Shanghai for a relaxed private day in Hangzhou's Liangzhu Village. See an ancient temple, Tadao Ando's Big Roof library and chic bookshops, with English guide and private car.