Hangzhou Song Culture Tour: Deshou Palace & Southern Song Imperial Street

Your day begins with convenient pickup from your hotel, Hangzhou Railway Station, Hangzhou East Railway Station, or Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport.
Upon meeting your private guide, you'll discuss your interests and preferred pace for the day. Whether you're passionate about Chinese history, architecture, photography, archaeology, or local food, your guide will tailor the experience to create a relaxed and personalized cultural journey.

Begin Where Emperors Once Lived: Deshou Palace Museum
Your journey begins at Deshou Palace Museum, the former retirement palace of Emperor Gaozong and one of the most important Southern Song Dynasty heritage sites in Hangzhou. Built upon authentic archaeological ruins, the museum combines beautifully preserved palace foundations with immersive multimedia exhibitions that recreate the grandeur of the imperial court. As you explore the site, your guide will share the fascinating stories behind the Southern Song Dynasty and explain how this royal residence became a symbol of Hangzhou's imperial legacy.

Trace the Glorious Lin'an Marketplace: Southern Song Imperial Street & Hefang Old Street
After lunch, head to Southern Song Imperial Street, the main royal road of ancient Lin'an. Glass flooring uncovers original Song Dynasty road layers beneath your feet. Your guide explains ancient traffic rules and royal street culture. Wander white-walled, black-tiled lanes lined with time-honored shops, herbal halls and craft stalls selling fans, copperware and paper art. Connect to bustling Hefang Old Street to watch folk handicrafts and taste traditional snacks like osmanthus cakes. Capture lively ancient market scenes full of Southern Song charm.

Climb Through History at the Ancient Drum Tower
Continue to the iconic Drum Tower, one of the symbolic gateways to Hangzhou's historic old city.
Standing proudly above the surrounding neighborhoods, the Drum Tower once marked the southern entrance to the imperial capital and served as an important landmark for merchants, officials, and travelers entering Lin'an. From here, your guide will explain how Hangzhou expanded beyond the palace walls into one of the world's largest and most prosperous cities during the 12th and 13th centuries. The surrounding streets also offer excellent opportunities for photography, particularly in the late afternoon when warm sunlight illuminates the traditional architecture.

Optional Evening Experience: Deshou Palace Night Tour
If your schedule allows, consider extending your experience with the spectacular Deshou Palace Night Tour. As darkness falls, the palace transforms through carefully designed lighting, projection mapping, music, and live performances. Illuminated gardens and reconstructed palace buildings create an unforgettable atmosphere that brings the Southern Song Dynasty vividly back to life. Compared with the daytime visit, the evening experience offers a completely different perspective and is highly recommended for visitors seeking a truly immersive cultural experience.

When your day-long journey through Southern Song history concludes, your private guide and driver will escort you comfortably back to any preferred destination: your accommodation, railway station, airport, or downtown commercial districts.