Hangzhou, China: travel guide
A byword for Chinese beauty for a thousand years, Hangzhou wraps around the willow-fringed West Lake, tea terraces of Longjing and the temples of Lingyin.
- Country
- China
- Currency
- CNY
- Time zone
- Asia/Shanghai
- Nearest airport
- HGH
Top places to visit in Hangzhou
West Lake (Xi Hu)
Nature · about 4 h
The lake that has inspired Chinese poets and painters for a thousand years, ringed by causeways, arched bridges, pagodas and tea hills. A UNESCO cultural landscape; free to roam.
Lingyin Temple
Monastery · about 2 h · entry CNY 45
One of China's largest and most revered Buddhist monasteries, founded in 328 AD, set among forested hills beside the Feilai Feng carvings.
Leifeng Pagoda
Temple · about 1 h · entry CNY 40
A rebuilt lakeside pagoda wrapped around the ruins of the original, famed in the Legend of the White Snake and giving golden-hour views over West Lake.
Broken Bridge & Bai Causeway
Heritage · about 0.8 h
The most romantic corner of West Lake, where the Bai Causeway meets the 'Broken Bridge' of snow-melt legend, lined with willows and peach trees.
Su Causeway
Nature · about 1.5 h
A 2.8 km willow-and-peach-lined causeway across West Lake built by the poet-governor Su Dongpo, with six arched bridges — a classic walk or cycle.
Hefang Street (Qinghefang)
Market · about 1.5 h
Hangzhou's restored old commercial street below Wushan Hill, lined with traditional pharmacies, silk shops, snacks and craft stalls.
Longjing Tea Village
Nature · about 2 h
The terraced hills where China's most famous green tea, Longjing (Dragon Well), is grown; villages and the National Tea Museum offer tastings among the plantations.
Six Harmonies Pagoda
Temple · about 1 h · entry CNY 30
A majestic 59 m Song-dynasty pagoda overlooking the Qiantang River, historically a landmark for river navigation.
Xixi National Wetland Park
Nature · about 3 h · entry CNY 80
A tranquil expanse of ponds, reed beds and waterways on the city's western edge, explored by electric boat — a haven for birds and slow afternoons.
Feilai Feng Grottoes
Heritage · about 1.5 h · entry CNY 45
The 'Peak that Flew Hither' beside Lingyin Temple, its limestone cliffs and caves carved with hundreds of Buddhist figures from the 10th-14th centuries.
Wushan Square & City God Pavilion
Viewpoint · about 1 h · entry CNY 30
A hill-top temple pavilion above the old town giving one of the best panoramas over West Lake and the city rooftops.
Things to do
- West Lake Boat Cruise Cruise · 1.5 h · from CNY 120 per person
- Longjing Tea Village Tour & Tasting Cultural · 3 h · from CNY 200 per person
- Lingyin Temple & Feilai Feng Tour Tour · 3 h · from CNY 220 per person
- West Lake Cycling Tour Adventure · 3 h · from CNY 150 per person
- Impression West Lake Evening Show Show · 1.2 h · from CNY 320 per person
Day trips and tours
- West Lake & Lingyin Temple Day Tour 8 h · from CNY 480
Where to stay in Hangzhou
- West Lake (Xihu) about CNY 900 per night
Lakeside hotels and lanes putting Hangzhou's signature scenery on your doorstep.
- Wushan & Hefang Street about CNY 600 per night
Old-town pedestrian streets and traditional shops near the lake's south-east.
Hotels
- Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake 5-star · CNY 2,500 to CNY 5,500 per night
- Hyatt Regency Hangzhou 5-star · CNY 1,200 to CNY 2,400 per night
- Jinjiang Inn West Lake 3-star · CNY 400 to CNY 650 per night
- Wushanyi International Youth Hostel 2-star · CNY 70 to CNY 240 per night
- Amanfayun 5-star · CNY 4,000 to CNY 9,000 per night
Where to eat
- Grandma's Home (Wai Po Jia) Chinese, Hangzhou, Zhejiang · about CNY 80 per person
- Louwailou Chinese, Hangzhou, Zhejiang · about CNY 200 per person
- Green Tea Restaurant (Lü Cha) Chinese, Hangzhou, Zhejiang · about CNY 100 per person
- Zhiweiguan Chinese, Hangzhou, Dim Sum · about CNY 60 per person
Getting around
- Bicycle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Metro main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ride Hail main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.