Hangzhou
China's poetic water town, famed for the classical beauty of West Lake and Longjing tea.
⚡ Quick Facts
Best Time
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Suggested Stay
2–3 days
Airport
HGH
Train Hub
Hangzhou East
🌿 Must-See Attractions
West Lake (Xihu)
★★★ MustThe heart of Hangzhou. A stunning lake surrounded by gardens, pagodas, and temples. Inspired poets and painters for centuries. Rent a rowboat or cycle around it.
Lingyin Temple
★★★ MustOne of China's largest and wealthiest Buddhist temples, set in a lush forest. Features impressive stone carvings on the adjacent Peak Flown From Afar (Feilaifeng).
Longjing Tea Village
★★ RecommendedRolling hills of tea plantations where the famous Dragon Well (Longjing) green tea is grown. Hike the trails and enjoy a tea tasting session.
Leifeng Pagoda
★★ RecommendedAn iconic pagoda on the south side of West Lake. Rebuilt with modern amenities (including an escalator), it offers the best panoramic views of the lake.
🍵 What to Eat
Dongpo Pork
Thick cuts of pork belly braised in soy sauce and wine until it melts in your mouth. Named after the famous Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo.
Where: Zhi Wei Guan · Lou Wai Lou
Price: ¥80–120 per dish
Longjing Shrimp
Fresh river shrimp stir-fried with fragrant Longjing tea leaves. A delicate, elegant dish that represents Hangzhou's refined palate.
Price: ¥150–200 per dish
Beggar's Chicken
A whole chicken stuffed with pork and mushrooms, wrapped in lotus leaves and clay, then baked slowly. Incredibly juicy.
Price: ¥180–250 per chicken
🚇 Getting Around
Metro: Hangzhou has an extensive, modern metro system (thanks to hosting the Asian Games). Use Alipay to scan in and out.
Bicycles: Biking is the best way to explore West Lake. You can easily rent shared bikes using Alipay or WeChat.
Traffic around West Lake gets severely congested on weekends. Use bicycles or walk when close to the lake to avoid being stuck in a taxi.
💡 Insider Tips
The perfect Shanghai side-trip
Hangzhou is only 45-60 minutes away from Shanghai by high-speed train. It's incredibly easy to pair the two cities.
Escape the crowds at West Lake
The eastern shore (near the city) gets very crowded. Head to the western or southern shores for a much more peaceful experience.
Watch out for tea scams
While visiting tea villages, buy tea from established shops or the museum rather than overly aggressive street touts to ensure quality and fair prices.
Catch the 'Enduring Memories of Hangzhou' show
An incredible outdoor theatrical performance set directly on the water of West Lake, directed by Zhang Yimou. Book in advance.