Enjoy a private lesson on the forested banks of West Lake with the current Master of Shen Gong, the oldest and most difficult form of Tai chi. Best practiced in the morning (when the Lake is quiet), our Master will teach the principles behind Tai chi and demonstrate the three main styles. He will then teach the technique to participants – don’t be surprised if you have an audience by the end!

You can visit Longjing Village and the Dragon Well Tea Plantation. Tasting, sampling and trying tea is best done with a Mandarin-speaking guide, as the subject is fascinating and you will have a lot of questions for the growers and producers. If you are visiting the TCM, you can also have a tasting at the tiny tea shop right across from the entrance of the pharmacy, where you can sample such teas as oolong and ginseng, along with the region’s green tea (tip: the best time to buy green tea is in the spring, and Chinese never consume green tea in winter, as it is considered to have cooling properties.)

Also part of the Old Town is the renowned Hu Qing Yu Tang Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine, called TCM by most everyone, which is housed in a beautifully restored ancient building. Don’t miss the working pharmacy where Hangzhou locals still come to pick up herbal concoctions based on medical prescriptions in a soaring central hall complete with intricate architectural details. Afterwards visit a local medical clinic with a local doctor who can explain how Chinese medicine is practiced currently in China.

A lot of the Hangzhou action centers around the lake, though be aware that this main attraction draws throngs of tourists. The best resorts, like the Amanfayun and Four Seasons West Lake can arrange boating when the lake’s shores are still relatively serene and you can watch older Hangzhou locals practice Tai Chi. Another option is to ride atop the Lake and its canalways with an expert local guide and learn about its history. Traditional wooden boats are rowed like gondolas and come with built in tables so picnics or canapés are encouraged. For romantic occasions a second boat with a Chinese harpist and guitarist can be hired.

Hangzhou’s main “old” thoroughfare is Hefang Road and in between the tchotchke and trinket shops, you can still see traditional businesses, like the ones selling hand-sewn down comforters, traditional instruments or scissors, and an artisan bakery for peanut candy made on-site (definitely try it). It’s also a fun place to shop for gifts to bring back home, just know that the quality of the silks and cashmeres on sale here is less-than-stellar and go for small finds, like bracelets, Chinese purses and the ubiquitous tea.

Those interested in the Chinese temples should consider staying at the gorgeous Amanfayun, which is literally surrounded by a circuit of seven Buddhist and Taoist temples. The most famous is Lingyin Temple, the Temple of the Soul’s Retreat and one of China’s largest and wealthiest Buddhist temples. Its stunning pagodas and Buddhist grottoes draw a massive crowd of tourists, so another advantage to staying at Amanfayun is that you can beat the crowds and walk there right when it opens. Another one not to miss is the smaller, but equally beautifully and perhaps more serene Yongfu Temple, whose monks have a special relationship with Amanfayun and invite guests to join in their morning and evening prayers.