Hotels with May Day Selection Near Daming Hall

Hangzhou Chaoshan Resort Hotel is highly recommended for its serene location just steps from Daming Hall and the scenic meadow gardens. The hotel features traditional Chinese courtyard rooms with views of blooming plum trees in winter. Free parking and shuttle services are available, making it ideal for cultural travelers seeking tranquility. Nearby boutique options like Meixiangju Inn offer authentic Hangzhou-style architecture blended with modern comfort, perfect for immersing in the region’s poetic countryside ambiance.

Take Bus 7401 from Chao Mountain Scenic Area directly to Linping Bus Station, then transfer to Line 1 Metro heading toward Wulin Men or Qiantang New Town—total journey around 50 minutes. For convenience, a taxi ride takes about 25 minutes (15 km) to central Hangzhou, including West Lake. Use apps like Gaode Map or DiDi for real-time routing, especially avoiding rush-hour traffic. Additionally, nearby e-bike rental stations allow short trips through rural villages and rice paddies, offering a peaceful way to explore the local landscape.

Visit during the annual Plum Blossom Festival, held from late December to early February, featuring traditional ceremonies, calligraphy workshops, and tea art performances that reflect Southern Song dynasty elegance. Inside Daming Hall, the Ancient Architecture Exhibition Hall uses interactive projections and scale models to narrate over a thousand years of regional history. On weekends, join the "Plum Shadow Sketching" workshops led by artists, where you’ll capture the garden’s beauty through brushwork—an immersive experience in intangible cultural heritage.

Yes, the Chao Mountain Kids’ Nature Park offers child-friendly activities such as hands-on farming zones, bamboo maze trails, and guided nature walks through the forest. Take the Plum Grove Mini Train, which runs twice daily through the blooming orchards in vintage wooden carriages, providing panoramic views of the flower fields. Families can also visit the Hangzhou Cuisine Museum, where kids can taste handmade plum soup dumplings and learn to make traditional snacks—a fun, educational outing that fosters lasting memories.

Try Meixiang Restaurant at Daming Hall, a century-old eatery famous for West Lake Lotus Root Powder Tangyuan and Longjing Shrimp made with fresh local ingredients. Another must-visit is Shanye Kitchen, serving rustic dishes like bamboo tube rice and wild mushroom stew chicken in a wood-paneled courtyard setting. For a special evening, book the monthly Plum Light Banquet, combining lantern displays, Yue Opera performances, and eight-course Hangzhou delicacies—perfect for a full sensory immersion in local culinary culture.

The optimal visit period is from late December to early February, when thousands of plum blossoms bloom across the East Garden, creating a fragrant, pink-and-white sea. Early morning between 6:30–8:30 AM offers the most stunning light for photography, with mist drifting over the ancient hall’s rooftops—resembling a classical Chinese painting. Avoid major holidays like National Day or Labor Day for quieter access. Guided tours with historical commentary are available daily, enhancing your understanding of the site’s architectural and cultural significance.