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Destinations / China

Hangzhou

Hangzhou (杭州)

West Lake poetry and tea hills

naturecouplesfoodhistory
Plan your trip to HangzhouSee the top 10
11,936,010Population
Chinese (Mandarin, Wu)Language
CNYCurrency
3 daysIdeal stay
$100-170Typical day

Hangzhou is famous for West Lake, a UNESCO-listed landscape of causeways, pagodas and gardens. Longjing tea plantations climb the hills nearby. It is also a modern tech city, home of Alibaba.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

  1. A lake ringed by hills, temples and causeways, and a UNESCO site. Boats cross to islands.

    Half dayTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Walking around the lake is free; boats and some garden areas charge fees.

    Tip. Rent a bike to circle the lake.
    See on the map

  2. A rebuilt pagoda on the lake's south shore. Sunset views are lovely.

    1 hourTime needed
    about $5-8Cost
    noBook ahead

    Entry costs a few dollars; peak season may cost more.

    Tip. Visit at sunset.
    See on the map

  3. One of China's largest Buddhist temples, with rock carvings at Feilai Feng. Founded in 328.

    2 to 3 hoursTime needed
    about $10-15Cost
    noBook ahead

    Rough combined fee for the temple and Feilai Feng grounds, 2026 range.

    Tip. Go early.
    See on the map

  4. Tea terraces where Dragon Well tea grows. Farmers serve fresh tea.

    2 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Walking is free; tea tastings and purchases vary in price.

    Tip. Agree prices first.
    See on the map

  5. A tree-lined causeway built by poet Su Dongpo. It is beautiful at dawn.

    1 hourTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Walk at dawn.
    See on the map

  6. Restored old street with snacks and crafts. It is busy.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Walking the street is free; food and souvenirs cost extra.

    Tip. Evening visit.
    See on the map

  7. Wetland park with boat rides. It is green and quiet.

    Half dayTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Paid entry.

    Tip. Take a boat.
    See on the map

  8. Museum on tea history among plantations. Entry is free.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Entry is free but bring ID; tasting costs extra.

    Tip. Pair with Longjing.
    See on the map

  9. Evening show staged on the lake. It is colourful.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    recommendedBook ahead

    Walking around the lake is free; boats and some garden areas charge fees.

    Tip. Check schedule.
    See on the map

  10. Canal town of stone bridges and old houses. It is atmospheric at night.

    Full dayTime needed
    about $20-30Cost
    recommendedBook ahead

    Rough ticket price for one area, 2026 range; combined ticket costs more.

    Tip. About 1 to 1.5 hours by car or bus.
    See on the map
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Short on time?

Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

Hangzhou in three days

Lake day, temples and tea day, then Wuzhen water town.

  1. West LakeHalf day · Free
  2. Leifeng Pagoda1 hour · about $5-8
  3. Lingyin Temple2 to 3 hours · about $10-15
  4. Longjing tea village2 hours · Free
  5. Su Causeway1 hour · Free
  6. Hefang Street1.5 hours · Free
  7. Xixi WetlandHalf day
  8. China National Tea Museum1.5 hours · Free
  9. Impression West Lake show1.5 hours · Free
  10. Wuzhen Water TownFull day · about $20-30
Beyond the city

Day trips

Xitang

Canal town.

56 mi · Bus, about 1.5 hours

Moganshan

Bamboo hill resort.

37 mi · Car, about 1.5 hours

Shaoxing

Canal town known for rice wine and Lu Xun's old home.

40 mi · Fast train from Hangzhou East, about 25 minutes

Qiandao Lake

A huge man made lake with islands and boat rides.

93 mi · Bus or car, about 2h30 each way

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: March to May and September to November. Blossoms in spring and osmanthus in autumn.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

Typical inches per month

0.00.81.62.43.13.94.75.56.37.17.98.79.410.2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

47°F
Typical daily high
Average38°F
Rain3.1 in
About10 rainy days
Sun strength2.1 kWh/m²

Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

Main events

Sep

Osmanthus season

September to October

Fragrant blossoms around West Lake.

Year

Qiantang River tidal bore

Around the 18th day of the 8th lunar month

A tidal wave surges up the river.

Mar

Longjing tea harvest

Mid March to April

The first spring leaves are the most prized, and tea villages are busiest then.

Jun

West Lake Lotus season

June to August

Lotus flowers fill parts of the lake, especially around Quyuan Garden.

Sep

Osmanthus Festival

Late September to October

Sweet osmanthus blossoms scent the city, notably at Manjuelong village.

Oct

Golden Week

October 1 to 7

National holiday with huge crowds at West Lake: book well ahead or avoid.

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Know before you go

At a glance

4/5
Safety

China is at US State Department Level 2 (increased caution) due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws; Hangzhou is very safe for visitors.

4/5
Walkability

West Lake area is excellent for walking and cycling.

4/5
Public transport

Metro and buses; pay by app.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Shapes where OpenStreetMap has a boundary; dashed circles mark areas it only has a point for.
123456

1. West Lake

$$$

Best for: couples, first-timers

Lake views.

2. Hubin

$$$

Best for: shopping

Near the lake and malls.

3. Wulin

$$

Best for: budget

Central.

4. Wulin Square and Hefang Street

$$

Best for: budget travelers, food lovers

Central metro hub, night markets and lots of mid range hotels.

5. Xixi and Wen Er Road

$$

Best for: business travelers, families

Newer area near the wetlands with big modern hotels.

6. Near Hangzhou East Railway Station

$$

Best for: short stays, rail travelers

Handy for quick Shanghai day trips and early trains.

Getting there and around

Main airportHangzhou Xiaoshan International (HGH), 17 mi from the center
To the centerMetro Line 7 and the airport rail link take around 45 to 60 minutes, or a taxi or DiDi takes about 40 minutes.
Around townWalk or cycle West Lake, use metro and DiDi elsewhere.
Ride appsDiDi, Amap taxis
Taste it

What to eat

Dongpo pork

Braised pork belly.

West Lake vinegar fish

Sweet and sour fish.

Longjing tea

Fresh green tea.

Longjing shrimp

Fresh river shrimp stir fried with local green tea.

West Lake fish in vinegar sauce

A sweet and sour carp dish served at many local restaurants.

Beggar's chicken

Chicken baked in clay and lotus leaves.

Good to know

PlugsType A, C and I, 220 V
Tap waterUse bottled water
TippingTipping is not customary in China.
PaymentsMobile payments rule; set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before arrival, and carry some cash.
EtiquetteQueue patiently and avoid political topics. Keep voices low at temples.
  • Check visa-free and transit rules for your nationality before travel.
  • Google, WhatsApp and many Western apps are blocked; plan maps and messaging.
  • Carry your passport for trains and attractions.
  • Many sights need real-name advance booking.
  • Foreign visitors should check current visa rules before booking, as China has offered visa free entry to many nationalities and a 240 hour transit option; confirm for your passport.
  • Book major sights using the real name system: you usually need your passport number for tickets.
  • Peak holiday dates are chaotic: avoid West Lake on Golden Week and May Day.
  • Google, Gmail and many Western apps are blocked without a VPN or eSIM with roaming.

A short history

Hangzhou was the southern end of the Grand Canal. It served as capital of the Southern Song dynasty from 1138 to 1276. Marco Polo later praised it as one of the finest cities in the world. Poets like Su Dongpo shaped West Lake's causeways.

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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Hangzhou