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Practical guest help

Useful answers,
before you need them.

First edition based on questions our international guests have asked in real life. Please check time-sensitive details with the front desk before setting out.

01

Arrival

Arriving in Hangzhou

Save our Chinese address before you travel. It is the easiest thing to show a driver or station staff.

月亮与六便士民宿
杭州市拱墅区大兜路146号

From Hangzhou East Railway Station

  1. Take Metro Line 1 to West Lake Cultural Square Station.
  2. Change to Metro Line 3 and get off at Xiangji Temple Station.
  3. Leave from Exit C and cross Xiangji Temple Square.
  4. Turn right at the second lane and walk about 80 metres to the homestay entrance.

From the airport

  1. For the simplest arrival, show a taxi or ride-hailing driver the Chinese address above.
  2. Public-transport routes can change. Please contact us through your booking platform before departure if you would like the current route.

If you cannot find the entrance

  1. Stay near Dadou Road or Xiangji Temple Square and message the front desk through your booking platform.
  2. You can show someone: 请问大兜路146号怎么走？
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02

Wi-Fi & mobile data

Getting online

If you arrive without a Chinese SIM card, please ask the front desk before trying several unfamiliar networks.

Could you help me connect to the Wi-Fi?
可以帮我连接无线网络吗？

At the homestay

  1. The front desk can help you connect to the guest Wi-Fi.
  2. Some Chinese networks require a local mobile number for verification. We can help with the verification step when possible.
  3. For security, the Wi-Fi password and front-desk phone number are not published on this page.

Buying a Chinese SIM card

  1. Bring your passport to an official mobile-operator store.
  2. Ask for a short-term plan that includes mobile data and check the total price before payment.
  3. Ask the front desk for the nearest suitable official shop; shop locations and opening hours can change.
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03

Local transport

Calling a DiDi

If you do not have a Chinese ride-hailing app or payment account, the front desk can help arrange a car.

Could you help me call a car?
可以帮我叫一辆车吗？

The simplest option

  1. Tell us your destination and preferred departure time.
  2. We will check the estimated fare in DiDi before confirming the ride.
  3. When available, paying the driver directly in cash is the clearest option for guests without WeChat Pay or Alipay.

Please remember

  1. The amount shown before departure is an estimate, not always the final fare.
  2. Tolls, waiting time, route changes or a long journey may increase the fare.
  3. If the homestay pays through its account, please agree with the front desk in advance on how any difference will be settled.
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04

Money

Paying in China

At the homestay, we accept credit cards, Alipay, WeChat Pay and cash.

Can you show me what I need to pay at the property?
可以告诉我需要在门店支付多少钱吗？

For your room

  1. Please check the payment terms in your booking confirmation.
  2. Many Chinese booking platforms collect room payment online, while some Booking.com reservations may require payment at the property.
  3. A pending card amount or pre-authorisation is not always the same as a completed room payment. We will check the reservation details with you before collecting payment.

About a card hold

  1. The release time of a hold depends on the booking platform, card issuer and bank.
  2. If the status is unclear, keep your booking confirmation and contact the platform or your bank for the exact rule.
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05

Dietary needs

Vegetarian & halal food

Tell us exactly what you do not eat. “Vegetarian”, “vegan”, “halal” and “no pork” do not always mean the same thing.

I need halal food. Could you help me check whether the restaurant is still open?
我需要清真食物，可以帮我确认餐厅现在还营业吗？

Before leaving

  1. Tell the front desk whether you need a halal-certified restaurant, a Muslim-friendly restaurant, vegetarian food or simply food without pork.
  2. We can check a map listing and, when possible, call the restaurant to confirm it is still open.
  3. Opening hours may change because of weather, holidays or temporary closure, so please check again on the day.

If the restaurant is closed

  1. We will help look for an alternative nearby and explain the transport options.
  2. If it is late, the homestay may only have simple food such as toast. Availability is not guaranteed.
  3. Our kitchen is not presented as halal-certified, so guests with strict requirements should decide whether simple food is suitable.
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06

Around Hangzhou

Exploring Hangzhou

The homestay is beside the Grand Canal and Xiangji Temple, with Metro Line 3 about 300 metres away.

Where would you recommend for a first day in Hangzhou?
第一次来杭州，您建议去哪里？

A quiet first morning

  1. Start with a short walk through Dadou Road Historic District before the city gets busy.
  2. Visit Xiangji Temple, then follow the Grand Canal and stop for a local breakfast or coffee.
  3. Return to the homestay when you are ready; a first morning does not need to become a race between attractions.

Close to the homestay

  1. Walk along Dadou Road Historic District and the Grand Canal.
  2. Visit Xiangji Temple and explore the old lanes around the square.
  3. Ask the front desk for a nearby café or restaurant that suits your plans and dietary needs.

Classic Hangzhou

  1. West Lake is the classic choice for a first visit.
  2. Lingyin Temple is best planned as a longer outing, especially on busy days.
  3. Routes, opening arrangements and reservation rules can change. Ask the front desk to check the latest information before you leave.
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07

A personal plan

Ask us to plan your Hangzhou days

Already booked your stay? Tell us how many days you have, what you enjoy and how much time you want to spend moving around. We can prepare a personal Hangzhou itinerary in English for you to use as a reference.

Could you make a Hangzhou plan for us?
可以帮我们定制杭州旅行攻略吗？

Choose your rhythm

  1. Classic West Lake days, built around the traditional West Lake Ten Scenes or a longer selection from the West Lake Thirty Scenes.
  2. A one-, two- or three-day West Lake plan for a first visit, with realistic time for walking, meals and returning to the homestay.
  3. A slower day with West Lake walking, a hill walk, cycling, old lanes, the Grand Canal or a nearby drive.

Tell us what fits you

  1. How many days you have in Hangzhou and whether this is your first visit.
  2. What you enjoy: scenery, history, food, walking, cycling, temples, photography, shopping or quiet neighbourhoods.
  3. Your preferred pace, mobility needs, dietary needs and whether you would like public transport, taxis or a self-drive day.

What you will receive

  1. Send your request through the booking platform you used or the WeChat contact on the home page.
  2. We will write a route around your stay and translate it into English for your reference.
  3. Time-sensitive details such as opening hours, reservations, tickets and restaurant availability should be checked again on the day.
  4. This is a personal suggestion from the homestay host, not a tour-guide or transport-booking service. If you need a licensed guide or driver, please tell us early so we can discuss suitable options.
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08

Made for your stay

Order a Chinese meal in advance

Our kitchen can prepare a Chinese meal for booked guests to enjoy in the restaurant or in their room. Please ask at least one day ahead so we can buy fresh ingredients and cook them properly.

Could we order a Chinese meal for tomorrow?
我们可以预订明天的中餐吗？

Menu & prices · RMB

  1. Matsutake free-range chicken rich soup · 松茸土鸡绘浓汤 · Large ¥298 / Small ¥128
  2. Guizhou slow-simmered beef clay pot · 贵州清炖牛肉煲 · Large ¥198 / Small ¥98
  3. Slow-simmered old duck clay pot · 老鸭煲 · ¥298
  4. Mint pan-seared pork ribs · 薄荷香煎猪肋排 · ¥118
  5. Abalone with braised pork · 鲍鱼红烧肉 · ¥198
  6. Spring-water tofu clay pot · 泉水豆腐煲 · ¥45
  7. Taro clay pot · 香芋煲 · ¥78
  8. Green beans with preserved mustard greens · 梅干菜四季豆 · ¥42
  9. Seasonal stir-fries · 时令小炒 · Please ask for the day's price

How it works

  1. Tell us your preferred dishes, number of guests and any allergies or ingredients you do not eat.
  2. Choose to eat in the restaurant or ask whether room delivery is available for your stay.
  3. We will confirm the available dishes, portion suggestions and price before we buy the ingredients.

Please order one day ahead

  1. The menu depends on fresh ingredients and the kitchen's current availability; not every dish is available every day.
  2. For the best flavour, we buy ingredients on the day and cook to order, so same-day requests may not be possible.
  3. If you have a strict dietary, religious or allergy requirement, please explain it clearly before we confirm the meal. Our kitchen is not presented as halal-certified.
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Still need help?

Talk to us.

After you book, send your itinerary or meal request through your booking platform, or scan the QR code with WeChat to add our homestay manager on WeCom. For booking changes or refunds, please also message us through the booking platform you used.

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Enterprise WeChat QR code for contacting the homestay manager
Scan with WeChat