A boat on West Lake, then the Longjing tea fields. Stop for a coffee at Longjing 82, a café right in the middle of the tea. West Lake → Tea fields →
Things to do in Hangzhou
Hangzhou is built around a big lake with tea fields on the hills, and it's also home to the green lake everyone's posting. Take it slow, it's made for that.
Day 1: the lake and the tea
Day 2: Qingshan Lake
The "matcha lake". It's a forest growing out of green water, and you can kayak between the trees. Take a Didi, it's about an hour from the city and it doesn't cost much. The green comes from tiny water plants, so it's best in the warm months. See it →
Where to sleep
By the lake. These are the hotels I'd pick.
Quick answers
Where is the green lake near Hangzhou?
Qingshan Lake, about an hour from the city by Didi. You can kayak between the trees.
When is Qingshan Lake green?
In the warm months. The color comes from tiny water plants.
How many days in Hangzhou?
Two: one for West Lake and the tea fields, one for Qingshan Lake.