places to visit in hangzhou china

1 Day Wuzhen Trip
2 Days City Tour
5 Days Hangzhou & Huangshan
Leifeng Pagoda
Meijiawu Tea Plantation

Lingyin Temple

Six harmonies pagoda.

Tomb of General Yue Fei

Qinghefang Ancient Street

Grand Canal
Qiantang River
National Silk Museum
Performance: Enduring Memories of Hangzhou

Xixi National Wetland Park

Thousand islets lake.

Wuzhen Water Town
Xitang Water Town
Mount Putuo
Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City
Zhangjiajie

12 Best Places to Visit in Hangzhou for First-time Visitors

Hangzhou , regarded as “Heaven on Earth”, is one of the most beautiful cities in China. The stunning natural landscapes, impressive historical sites, palatable Zhejiang cuisine , and more make it a popular tourist city. This article will introduce 12 best places to visit in Hangzhou for the first-time visitors to enjoy a pleasant trip there.

Longjing Village

Zhejiang Provincial Museum

Prince Bay Park

Former residence of hu xueyan, song dynasty town.

Nanxun Water Town

Destinations

Travel Guide

Top 14 Hangzhou Attractions | Places to Visit in Hangzhou 2024

The history of Hangzhou can be traced back to more than 2,000 years in the Qin Dynasty, and the five dynasties of Wu and Yue and the Southern Song Dynasties all once set their capitals here. Known as “Heaven on Earth” since ancient times, Hangzhou boasts mountains, springs, lakes, bridges, pagodas and temples. The colors in the landscape also gradually diversified over time.

Along the West Lake , there is no absolute boundary between the city and the park. Lush trees and plant blends in with small shops. Everywhere is surrounded by the nature of green, but there is no sense of emptiness away from the city. That’s exactly what makes the city attractive and special. Moreover, Hangzhou offers much more for you to taste: retreat your soul at Lingyin Temple , have a fantastic view of Qiantang River on the top of Six Harmonies Pagoda , stroll into Dragon Well Tea Plantation to see how tea is planted, picked and processed to become fragrant liquid in your teacup…

Now, take time to check out the Top 14 attractions & places to visit in Hangzhou and plan your Hangzhou tour in 2024.

Top Recommended Hangzhou China Tour:

☛ 2 Days Essence of Hangzhou Tour

☛ 3 Days Hangzhou & Suzhou Beauty Tour by High Speed Train

☛ 5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour

No.1: West Lake - Immerse Yourself in the Beauty of the Scenery

Hangzhou West Lake

Lingering Snow over the Broken Bridge in Winter

• Type : Park, Lake

• Recommended Length of Visit : at least half a day

• Address : West Lake Scenic, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang (杭州市西湖区)

West Lake (Xi Hu) , long considered one of the scenic wonders of China, is the most famous attraction in Hangzhou. West Lake, a place of tranquility, is surrounded by hills on three sides while Hangzhou City itself is on the eastern shore.

To have in-depth exploration of the beauty of West Lake, you should not miss the “Ten Scenic Spots in Xihu”, which makes West Lake a charming fairyland with endless interests. Take a cruise for an afternoon on the water, stroll leisurely along the shady Bai and Su causeways, or bike around the lake… all are fantastic experiences.

• Recommended West Lake Tour : ✔ 2 Days Essence of Hangzhou Tour

No.2: Lingyin Temple - Visit the Oldest Ancient Temple in Hangzhou

Lingyin Temple

Buddhist Sculptures at Feilai Peak

• Type : Historic Sites, Religious Sites

• Recommended Length of Visit: 2-3 hours

• Tickets : 75 RMB/person on season; 45 RMB/person off season

• Address: No.1 Fayun Alley, Lingyin Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou (杭州市西湖区灵隐路法云弄1号)

Founded in AD 326, Lingyin Temple (Temple of Soul’s Retreat) is one of the most significant and beautiful Buddhist monasteries in China. The Ligong Pagoda at the entrance was built in honor of the Indian Monk, Hui Li, who gave the mountain its eccentric name. Hui Li though it was the spitting image of a hill in India and asked whether it had flown here. The famous Feilai Peak (飞来峰) is known for the dozens of Buddhist sculptures carved into the rock, many dating from the 10th century.

• Recommended Hangzhou Tour with Linyin Temple Visit : ✔ 2 Days Hangzhou Sightseeing Tour with Cycling Fun

No.3: Longjing Tea Plantation - Pick the Fresh Tea and Enjoy the Idyllic Life

Longjing Tea Plantation

Tea-picking at Dragon Well Tea Plantation

Tea-picking at Longjing Tea Plantations

• Type : Tea Village

• Recommended Length of Visit: 2-5 hours

• Address : Longjing Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou (杭州市西湖区龙井路)

Besides the gorgeous scenery, Hangzhou is also famous for its Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea. The Longjing Tea Plantation is a picturesque wonderland surrounded by mountains with large areas of tea trees. The tea pavilions, tea houses you could see here and there where you could relax and enjoy tea. You could also wander around the tea terraces, catch glimpses of the different stages of production – cutting, sorting, and drying – and also buy the tea. Besides, the famous Dragon Well, Royal Tea Plantation, Hutong Temple, 9 streams and 18 gullys are also the highlights. Longjing Village and Meijiawu Village are top 2 Longjing tea plantations to go.

• Recommended Hangzhou Tea Tour : ✔ 3 Days Classic Hangzhou Tour Plus Tea Plantation Exploration

No.4: Hefang Street - Enjoy Local Snacks

Hefang Street

Panoramic View of Hefang Street

• Type : Sights & Landmarks，Ancient Street

• Tickets: Free

• Address: Hefang Street, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou(杭州市上城区河坊街)

Hefang Street is the most famed street in Hangzhou City. Dating back to the time South Song Dynasty, Hefang Street was a rather prosperous business site and the center of culture and politics. Nowadays, Hefang Street is the most famous and the only well-preserved ancient street in Hangzhou. Vising this busy but interesting street, you can catch a glimpse of antique buildings and long-survived stores, taste local snacks as well as savor the beautiful artifacts.

• Popular Hangzhou Tour with Hefang Street : ✔ 2 Days Essence of Hangzhou Tour

No.5: Hu Qing Yu Tang - Learn More about Chinese Medicine

Hu Qing Yu Tang

The Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine

• Type : Theme Museum

• Tickets: CNY 10/person (ticket for the museum)

• Address: Qingbo Street, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou(杭州市上城区清波街道)

The Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Hu Qing Yu Tang) is the only state-level Chinese medicine museum in China. It consists of five parts: an exhibition hall, a hall of medicine preparation, a health care clinic, a sales department and a restaurant of medicine diets. It is more than simply a museum. You’ll know some history and development of traditional Chinese medicines, appreciate the traditional architecture and design, and buy the traditional medicine in this functioning pharmacy…

• Popular Hangzhou Tour with Hu Qing Yu Tang Visit : ✔ 2 Days Relaxing Hangzhou Tour with West Lake Sightseeing

No.6: China National Tea Museum - Explore Chinese Tea Culture

China National Tea Museum

• Type : Theme Museums, Culture

• Address: No.88, Longjing Road, Shuangfeng Village, Xihu Distict, Hangzhou (杭州市西湖区龙井路88号)

China National Tea Museum , in the southwest of West Lake, is very popular among visitors who love tea culture, and many G20 leaders' wives have visited here in September 2016. In this garden-like museum, you can learn about the tea culture and tea history from more than 4700 years ago in China, see the exhibition of tea sets in different periods from China to other countries, sample diverse kinds of tea, and enjoy wonderful tea ceremony performances in rich styles. Besides, the China National Tea Museum provides a very pleasing natural and cultural environment for you to relax and breathe the fresh aroma of tea trees that are growing around on the mountain.

• Recommended Tea Museums Exploration Tour : ✔ 3 Days Classic Hangzhou Tour Plus Tea Plantation Exploration

No.7: Former Residence of Xueyan Hu - Visit the Top Mansion in Jiangnan

Former Residence of Xueyan Hu

Qingya Hall

• Type : Historical Site，Architecture

• Recommended Length of Visit: 1-2 hours

• Tickets: CNY 20/person

• Address: No.18 Yuanbao Street, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou(杭州市上城区元宝街18号)

Former Residence of Xueyan Hu (胡雪岩故居) is the Top mansion in Jiangnan. It was first built during the Qing Dynasty and renovated in 2001. The enclosure with a height of more than 10 meters and the main gate hidden in the alley give the compound a sense of mystery. The former residence of Hu Xueyan has a large scale. After entering the door, the east and west sides of the courtyard are divided by the central axis, clearly showing the layout of the ancient residence. The most prominent feature of Zhi Garden on the west side is the sightseeing route made up of the ubiquitous fake rocks, which visitors can walk through. The former residence is located at the intersection of Zhonghe Road and Wangjiang Road. Across the Zhonghe Road from here are the Drum Tower and the Southern Song Imperial Street (Nan Song Yu Jie).

No.8: Xixi National Wetland Park - Have a Peaceful Break

Xixi National Wetland Park in Summer

Xixi National Wetland Park in Winter

• Type : Parks

• Address: No.518 Tianmu Mountain Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou(杭州市西湖区天目山路518号)

• Distance from Hangzhou City Center: 14km, takes about 35-45 minutes by car.

Xixi National Wetland Park collecting city wetland, ecological wetland and cultural wetland together, is the first national wetland park in China. With a peaceful environment and beautiful waterscapes of colorful flowers, green reeds and other plants to admire, it attracts lots of tourists to have sightseeing and relaxation.

For its amazing natural scenery and brilliant culture, Xixi National Wetland Park is recognized as a National AAAAA Scenic Area and an International Important Wetland. Many streams, moderate temperature and fresh air in Xixi National Wetland Park draw birds and animals to reside here.

No.9: Six Harmonies Pagoda - Admire the Masterpieces of Ancient Chinese Architecture

Six Harmonies Pagoda

Qiantang River Tidal Bore

• Type : Architecture Buildings, River Tidal Bore

• Tickets : RMB 20/person (Excluding the Pagoda Climbing Fee); RMB 10/person for pagoda climbing

• Address: No.16, Zhijiang Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou (杭州市西湖区之江路16号)

The Six Harmonies Pagoda is one of the true masterpieces of ancient Chinese architecture. Why is it named “Liuhe”? It is said to signify the harmony of heaven, earth, and the four directions: east, west, south and north. Standing beside the railway bridge on the northern shore of Qiantang River and on the southern of West Lake, Liuhe Tower is all that is left of an octagonal temple first built in AD 970 to placate the tidal bore. Climbing onto the top, visitors could have a spectacular view of Qiantang River and surrounding hills. Around the Mid-autumn Festival, it’s one of the best places to appreciate the magnificent wonders of Qiantang River Tidal Bore in Hangzhou.

• Popular Qiantang River Tidal Bore Tour in Hangzhou : ✔ 3 Days Charming Hangzhou Photography Tour

No.10: China National Silk Museum - Learn more about Chinese Silk

China National Silk Museum

• Address: No.731 Yuhuangshan Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou (杭州市西湖区玉皇山路731号)

Newly reopened in July 2016, China National Silk Museum (short for CNSM), located on the south side of West Lake, is not only the first state-level specialized silk museum in China, but also the largest silk museum in the world at present. China National Silk Museum displays about 5000 years silk history and culture, which is regarded as an educational and amazing window for travelers to have a better understanding of Chinese silk and the Silk Road and have a new respect and appreciation for Chinese and Western silk art and fashion.

• Recommended Chinese Silk Exploration Tour : ✔ 3 Days Charming Hangzhou Photography Tour

No.11: Enduring Memories of Hangzhou - Watch the New Version Impression West Lake

Enduring Memories of Hangzhou

• Type : Night Shows, Entertainment

In the poetic and romantic city - Hangzhou, no matter when you come, you’ll have a lot of choices to enjoy every moment. You can take the rare chance to enjoy the awesome landscape subject-live performance Enduring Memories of Hangzhou , which will show you the beautiful Hangzhou Legends, or take a night cruise to enjoy the beauty of Hangzhou from a different perspective.

Staged entirely upon the lake itself (a stage has been built 3 centimeters below the surface), Impression West Lake is a spectacle of light, music, dance and theatrics. Using the lake and its surroundings as props, lights and hundreds of actors create a sensational performance. Impression West Lake will show you the beautiful Hangzhou Legends, like “The Legend of White Snake”. Directed by Zhang Yimou (the same man who directed the 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremony), it lasts about one hour, consisting of five parts: "Encounter", "Fall in Love", "Say Goodbye", "Memory", and "Impression".

• Recommended Hangzhou Night Tour with Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show : ✔ 5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour

No.12: Grand Canal Night Cruise - Take a Cruise to Enjoy Hangzhou City from the River

Grand Canal Night Cruise

Qiantang River Night Cruises

• Type : Cruise, Entertainment

If you want to explore Hangzhou in the most relaxing way, Hangzhou is a city of water, and it is on the water where you can really experience the charm of Hangzhou. West Lake, the Grand Canal and Qiantang River all offer night cruises. Set sail at dusk and dim the lights, and get ready to enjoy the true beauty of Hangzhou scenery. The Grand Canal Cruise and Qiantang River night cruises are in service only in summer or peak seasons. Please check the availabilities with your travel consultant .

Grand Canal Cruise Route (1 hour): Wu Lin Men Pier -> West Lake Cultural Square -> Fuyi Cabin -> Xiangji Temple -> Gong Chen Bridge -> Wu Lin Men Pier

Qiantang River Night Cruises Route (1-1.5 hour): Qian Jiang Long Pier -> Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center -> Urban Balcony -> Hangzhou CBD -> Fuxing Bridge -> Qian Jiang Long Pier

• Recommended Hangzhou Night Tour : ✔ 2 Days Essence of Hangzhou Tour

No.13: Wuzhen & Xitang - Row on the River and Appreciate the Beauty of Water Town

Wuzhen Water Town (Tongxiang)

Xitang Water Town (Jiaxing)

• Type : Water Town, Historic Sites, Ancient Towns

• Recommended Length of Visit: 1-2 Days

• Top Recommended Places to Visit: Wuzhen Water Town; Xitang Water Town

Once, visiting Hangzhou, taking 1-2 days to visit Jiangnan water town will be the highlight of your trip. There are many famous water towns around Hangzhou, among which, Wuzhen (about 70km from Hangzhou, takes about 1.5hrs by car) and Xitang (about 130km, takes about 2hrs by car) are top recommended for visitors.

Wuzhen Water Town , known as one of the six famous ancient towns in South China, is at the center of a triangle formed by Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou. With a history of 1,300 years, it displays its profound culture and history.

Usually, you’ll visit Wuzhen East and Wuzhen West. In the east part of Wuzhen, you could visit the ancient bed museum, wine workshop, indigo fabric workshop, woodcarving workshop, shadow play, local opera…In the west part, you could see the soy sauce workshop, foot-binding culture museum, old post office, children’s museum and so on. In the daytime, you may find a bit crowded, yet by night less people here, you’ll immerse in the most atmospheric with the light-ups.

Xitang Water Town is conveniently located in Jiashan County. This historic ancient town was listed as the National AAAA Tourist Attraction. It is like an ancient piece of jade, glittering and translucent.

This ancient town has a history of more than one thousand years. What attracts visitors most is the easygoing lifestyle that local residents have followed for thousands of years. Unlike the ancient towns of Zhouzhuang and Wuzhen, Xitang is not a bustling village where people in the town live ordinary and peaceful lives.

• Recommended Jiangnan Water Town Tours : ✔ 3 Days Best Hangzhou Tour with Wuzhen Water Town | ✔ 2 Days Poetic Hangzhou with Xitang Water Town Tour

No.14: Qiandao Lake & Moganshan - Find a Petty Bourgeoisie Resorts to Spend a Relaxing Holiday

Mogan Mountain (Huzhou)

Thousand Islets Lake (Chun'an County)

• Type : Resorts

• Top Places to Visit: Moganshan; Thousand Islets Lake

Want to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban city life and spend a relaxing weekend with your family and friends? Why not try some famous scenic spots around Hangzhou? Moganshan and Thousand Islets Lake are top recommended destinations for your vacation.

One of the most exotic ways to spend a holiday is hiding in the mountain forest with swaying bamboo and gurgling streams. Moganshan , near Hangzhou, is a place well known internationally and with a lot of prestige. It was named one of the "45 Best Places to Visit in the World" by the New York Times, and CNN named it one of the 15 places with Chinese characteristics as well as the Great Wall. There are old houses and villas built by European and American merchants scattered in the mountains for more than 100 years and have been transformed into boutique hotels, cafes or bars nowadays. The farmhouses at the foot of the mountain are transformed into creative studios or western restaurants. High-end resorts in Mogan Mountain Scenic Area, on the other hand, promote low-carbon and minimalist ideas, encouraging guests to leave the modern lifestyle behind. People come here for novel experiences such as looking for fireflies along streams, storing water and brewing tea beside mountain springs, and biking along winding mountain trails.

Among the many lakes in Zhejiang, Qiandao Lake (Thousand Islets Lake) is almost as famous as West Lake. There are plenty of tourists coming here for the fame of the lake today. Every day, boats sail off across the clear lake. The milky white fish head soup is delicious and not to be missed. Others skip the crowded cruise boats and ride bikes through the mountains and countryside, galloping along the beautiful greenways that ring the lake, trying to shorten every inch of the distance to the water and seeing more sights that traditional routes don't have. If you still have time, head to the Southwest Lake District at the other end. Longchuan Bay Wetland (龙川湾湿地) and Qinchuan Ancient Dwellings (芹川古民居) will give you a different impression of Qiandao Lake.

How to Plan a Hangzhou Tour

Things to Do in Hangzhou: West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Longjing tea Plantation, Hefang Street, Xixi National Wetland Park, China National Tea Museum, China National Silk Museum…

How to Get to Hangzhou: International flights from Singapore (5 hrs.), Seoul (6.5 hrs.), etc., domestic flights from Guangzhou (2 hrs.), Beijing (2 hrs.), etc., or high speed trains from Shanghai (1~2 hrs.), Suzhou (1.5~3 hrs.), Huangshan (1.5~2 hrs.), etc.

Best Time to Visit Hangzhou: all year around

Usually, visitors spend 2 days around to enjoy a classic Hangzhou tour to visit the West Lake Scenic Area , including the amazing West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Longjing Tea Plantations, etc. If you want an in-depth Hangzhou tour, you can also pay another half day or so to visit Xixi National Wetland Park, one day around to Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, or one day or so to Thousand Islands Lake, etc. Check all Hangzhou Tours >>

☛ 3 Days Classic Hangzhou Tour Plus Tea Plantation Exploration

Also, you can spend 1 day to take a side trip to the nearby water towns like Wuzhen and Xitang in Jiaxing, 2~3 days to Putuoshan - one of the four sacred Buddhist Mountains in China, or 1 day to the popular Nanxun Old Town in Huzhou. Check more about Zhejiang Tours >>

☛ 3 Days Best Hangzhou Tour with Wuzhen Water Town

Besides, compared with just travelling Hangzhou, most of the visitors prefer to travel the metropolis Shanghai, Suzhou Gardens and Hangzhou Lakes in One Go! Such an amazing tour will take 5~6 days .

Some visitors also ride a high speed train to Huangshan to visit the world-famous Yellow Mountain. A Hangzhou Huangshan tour needs about 5 days around .

☛ 5 Days Yellow Mountain Tour from Hangzhou

Have your preferences? Please feel free to tell us your likes and let our professional travel consultants customize a personal tour for you!

Get Inspired by Real Travel Stories of Our Customers

Since 2012, we China Discovery have helped numerous customers to visit Hangzhou and surroundings. With our fully-inclusive private tour packages, all of our customers enjoyed their trips to the West Lake, Lingyin Temple, etc. Some of them kindly shared their precious photos and stories about their Hangzhou journey, just get inspired now.

"Impression Show is a must see when visiting Hangzhou…" - shared by Nguyen (Read her entire travel story: The Pursuit of Natural Beauty with the Beloved one - 14 Days Beautiful China Exploring Tour )

"This last night in Hangzhou led us to explore a different side of West Lake, vastly changing our erstwhile bland impression of the famed tourist site…" - shared by CS from Singapore (Read her entire travel story: Delightful Journey to Poetic Jiangnan Area )

Besides the wonderful travel stories, many customers who visited Hangzhou with China Discovery also send us their first-hand feedbacks about their trip, feel free to read the Hangzhou Reviews and learn what they say about their experience. If you want to start your Hangzhou tour now, don't hesitate to contact us .

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Recommended Hangzhou Tours

Top 3 Hangzhou tours chosen by most customers to explore Hangzhou in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour

Shanghai / Hangzhou / Suzhou / Shanghai

Meijiawu Longjing Tea Plantation in Spring

3 Days Classic Hangzhou Tour (at Leisure Pace)

Wuzhen Water Town - Last Town Resting on Water in China

3 Days Best Hangzhou Tour with Wuzhen Water Town

Hangzhou / Wuzhen

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12 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Hangzhou

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Dec 27, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Pronounced "Hangchow," Hangzhou is the capital city of the province of Zhejiang and lies at the southernmost end of China's famous Grand Canal . This spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site is the world's longest canal, stretching some 1,776 kilometers and connecting the city to Beijing. Thanks to the canal and the city's location at the foot of a picturesque mountain range, Hangzhou is also one of the country's most popular tourist destinations and makes a great jumping-off point for travelers seeking a taste of Eastern China's rich cultural heritage.

Considered more tranquil than many of China's other big cities, the downtown core is built up around the beautiful West Lake with its many old shrines and temples, romantic bridges, and pagodas, all of them popular to see at night when they're lit up. Hangzhou was famously described by Marco Polo as the most beautiful city in the world.

Hangzhou is also known as the Silk City for its long tradition of manufacturing the material, a tradition that lives on in its many silk mills and markets. Today, the city is also popular for its famous Dragon Well tea (lóngjing chá), hand-picked twice a year and celebrated, like its silk production, in a variety of splendid attractions.

Explore more with our comprehensive list of places to visit and fun things to do in Hangzhou.

1. See the Famous Bridges of West Lake

2. visit the home of the general: yue fei temple, 3. pretty pagodas: liuhe, leifeng, and baochu, 4. lingyin temple and the peak that flew from afar, 5. longjing tea and the dragon well, 6. wander qinghefang ancient street, 7. the chinese national silk museum, 8. hike magnificent mount mogan, 9. tour the canals of wuzhèn water village, 10. running tiger spring, 11. things to do in hangzhou with children, 12. take a scenic drive to qiandao lake, where to stay in hangzhou for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to hangzhou.

The focal point of a visit to Hangzhou is beautiful West Lake (Xī Hú), around which much of the oldest part of the city is centered. Surrounded by hills and historic temples, this large lake covers an area of nearly six square kilometers and is divided into five sections by the Su and Baidi Causeways. These sections consist of the Outer Lake (Wai Hu), the North Inner Lake (Beili Hu), the West Inner Lake (Xili Hu), the South Lake (Xiaonan Hu), and Lake Yue (Yue Hu).

The nearly three-kilometer-long Su Causeway was built in 1089 and is itself one of West Lake's most important attractions. Linking the lake's north and south banks, it's tremendously popular for a stroll, particularly in spring when its flowerbeds and peach trees are in bloom. It's an especially pleasing sight when viewed while taking a boat ride across the lake.

It's also home to many fine old bridges, most notably the Broken Bridge (Duanqiao) linking the Baidi Causeway with the shore. Other highlights are the Pavilion of the Autumn Moon (Pinghu Qiuyue) from 1699, and the Pavilion of the Cranes built around 1300 in honor of poet Lin Hejing, who died in 1028 and whose grave lies nearby.

Also worth visiting are the Isle of the Hill of Solitude (Gushan) with its fine views and museums; Little Paradise Island with its four mini-lakes linked by the zigzagging Bridge of the Nine Arches and famous for its lotus blossoms, water lilies, pavilions, and terraces; and the Bay of Flowers (Huagang), a 50-acre park dating back to the 12th century.

Another interesting attraction here is the West Lake Museum with its many exhibits related to this important body of water and its influence on the city (admission is free). Also, be sure to catch one of the fun West Lake musical fountain performances, held each evening at 7pm.

Addreess: Location, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou

If you're only able to visit one of the many fine architectural structures on West Lake, make sure its Yue Fei Temple (Yuewang Temple). Located at the northern end of the Su Causeway , this splendid old temple was built in 1221 in honor of the much-revered General Yue Fei. Despite having successfully repelled several Tartar raids, he was falsely accused of high treason and, along with his son, was hung in 1142. Later, he was cleared of the charges and reburied on the site of the temple built in his name.

Highlights of a visit include a statue of Yue Fei in the Temple Hall, the ceiling of which is richly decorated with cranes, a symbol of immortality. The temple also contains 86 stone plaques on which Emperor Gaozong and his wife engraved classical texts by Confucius, while the most valuable treasure is a stone celestial globe dating from the time of the Five Dynasties (907-960).

Also worth a visit is the nearby 500-acre Hangzhou Botanical Gardens . Established in 1956, it's home to over 4,000 species of plants, a splendid herb garden, and numerous different kinds of bamboo.

Address: 80 Beishan Road, Xihu, Hangzhou

Just eight kilometers south of Hangzhou on the north bank of the Qiantang River, the exquisite 60-meter-high Liuhe Pagoda - also known as the Pagoda of the Six Harmonies - is well worth making the short commute to visit. Tracing its roots back as far as AD 970 to the former pagoda, believed to have stood 150 meters tall and to have served as a lighthouse, the present structure was built in 1899 with the original ancient brick core retained and covered in wood cladding. Also of interest are the many replicas of other pagodas from across China.

A climb to the top of the building, accessible via a staircase, is well worth the effort. You'll be rewarded with superb views over the Qiantang River and its 1,322-meter road-and-rail bridge, built in 1937. Also worth a visit is the city's Leifeng Pagoda (Léi Feng Ta), a splendid five-story octagonal tower overlooking West Lake, which dates from AD 975, and the ancient stone Baochu Pagoda , perched atop Precious Stone Hill.

Location: Xihu, Hangzhou

Lingyin Temple and The Peak that Flew from Afar

Another of Hangzhou's many splendid historic sites is the Lingyin Temple (Língyin Sì), the Temple of the Soul's Retreat. Dating from 326 BC, it's one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries in China. Highlights of a visit include the Hall of the Celestial Kings with its many fine 12th-century sculptures, including those of the Four Celestial Kings, and the 34-meter-high Sumptuous Hall of the Great Hero (Daxiong Baodian), famous among pilgrims for its 20-meter-tall gilded statue of Buddha made of 24 pieces of camphor wood.

Also notable here is The Peak That Flew from Afar (Feilai Feng). This attractive mountain is riddled with numerous caves and niches, the latter containing 380 Buddha statues dating from the 10th century. Among them, the three oldest examples date from AD 951 and are found in the east wall of the Qinglin Cave. To the north of the Temple of the Soul's Retreat is the North Peak (Beigao Feng) with its superb views of West Lake and the surrounding scenery.

Address: Zhejiang, Hangzhou, Xihu

Official site: http://en.lingyinsi.org

Hangzhou is famous the world over for its locally grown Longjing tea (lóngjing chá), named after the small village just three kilometers southwest of West Lake where it's grown. The picturesque village of Longjing - literally translated as "Dragon Well" - sits amid some of China's most beautiful countryside and is easily accessible from Hangzhou.

A highlight of a visit to the village and its many plantations is the chance to sample its traditional teas at source, the unique flavor of which is credited as coming from the ancient spring that provides water for the village's well, the Dragon Well. Tours take in one of the tea factories in which the fresh tea leaves are refined, processed, and packed.

Also worth a visit is the superb China National Tea Museum (Zhōngguó Cháyè Bówùguǎn). Highlights of a visit include seeing numerous exhibitions related to the production of tea, as well as the history behind the many ceremonies surrounding its consumption. Be sure to visit the remarkable viewing platform for its spectacular views - an even better experience with the addition of a tea-tasting experience.

Address: 88 Longjing Rd, Xihu, Hangzhou, Zhejiang

Be sure to allocate at least a few hours in your Hangzhou itinerary to wander the city's splendid historic district, centering on Qinghefang Ancient Street (qing hé fang gu jie). An easy walk from West Lake , this always bustling and relatively unspoiled area provides a glimpse into what city life in China must have been like in the old days.

In addition to its many traditional restaurants and teahouses, the area is a hotbed of creative culture, with countless street artists demonstrating ancient writing skills and art techniques. There are also numerous interesting boutique stores and market stalls selling everything from silk products to tea (Longjing, of course).

Be sure to take a peek into some of the many unchanged side alleys leading off Qinghefang. If you do, you'll be rewarded with a fascinating look at how Chinese tradesmen and craftsmen have lived through the centuries.

Location: Hefang Street, Hangzhou

Hangzhou's famous silk is celebrated across the city in its many markets and stores, as well as its cultural and arts facilities. However, the best place to learn more about this ancient industry's impact on the city is the superb Chinese National Silk Museum.

Located just a short hike from West Lake , this world-class facility - the largest of its kind in the world - offers a number of fascinating displays on the history of the country's most important textile through the centuries. Exhibits cover everything from its manufacture to the many products made from it. Highlights are the numerous silk relics, including works of art and clothing, as well as exhibits on silk's importance as an item of trade and the famous Silk Road.

Address: 73-1 Yuhuangshan Rd, Xihu, Hangzhou, Zhejiang

Official site: www.chinasilkmuseum.com/index_en.aspx

One of the best excursions from Hangzhou (and one that's easily accessible by public transit and tour buses) is to Mount Mogan (Mògànshan). This impressive 719-meter-tall mountain is located about 50 kilometers northwest of the city, and takes its name from a legendary couple who lived here in the 5th-century BC; both were gifted blacksmiths who devoted their lives to making two incomparably beautiful swords for the emperor.

Today, the mountain is highly regarded for its outstanding natural beauty and has long been a favorite retreat for the country's social elite (even Chiang Kai-shek had a place here). In addition to sightseeing, other popular activities include hiking and biking with many stopovers at quaint local inns or smaller hotels set up in some of the older villas built in the early 20th century. A good jumping-off point is the small town of Moganshan , home to many traditional restaurants and contemporary lodging options.

Location: Deqing County, Zhejiang

An hour's commute northeast of Hangzhou is Wuzhèn, one of China's most famous "water villages." Like a much smaller version of Venice, Wuzhèn is crisscrossed with waterways both wide and narrow, each bustling with long boats steered by locals punting along the water with large poles and carrying everything from vegetables and livestock to tourists.

This popular tourist destination is split into six unique districts, each focusing on a particular facet of the area's rich culture. These include areas dedicated to crafts and workshops, traditional housing, food and drink, arts and entertainment, as well as a shopping district.

Exploring the town is easy thanks to a variety of well-marked routes leading to whatever particular area most interests you. It's easy to spend hours wandering its many paths and bridges and exploring its many points of interest (be sure to partake in a boat ride). The town's most popular crossings are the Tongji and the Renji Bridges, famous because either can be viewed through the other's arch.

Location: Tongxiang, Zhejiang

Also known by the romantic name of "Dreaming of the Tiger Spring," Running Tiger Spring (Hupáomèngquán) is located just five kilometers south of West Lake and is one of China's best-known springs. Legend has it that the spring was discovered by a monk around AD 819 who, during a time of drought, dreamed he would be led to a source of water by two tigers.

To celebrate the discovery, a number of fine statues of tigers have been built overlooking the springs and its curative mineral waters, which flow at an impressive 80 gallons per second. It's also famous for enhancing the flavor of locally grown Longjing tea, served in a nearby teahouse and across the region. Note that the surface tension of the water is unusually high and can be tested by placing a small coin on the surface and watching it float.

Address: 39 Hupao Road, Xihu, Hangzhou, Zhejiang

Along with its many more serious attractions - it's famous for its numerous fine pagodas and temples - Hangzhou also offers a variety of fun kid-centric points of interest. Few youngsters would want to miss the opportunity to visit Hello Kitty Park , a theme park located an hour away in Anji, focused exclusively on one of Japan's most famous animated characters. It's the first of its kind to open outside of Japan (and the biggest so far). Here, you can enjoy exploring six areas, each with its own uniquely themed kids rides, character meet and greets, and, of course, merchandise.

The Hangzhou Zoo (Hángzhōu Dòngwùyuán) is another attraction that's sure to please kids. Located just a short distance from West Lake, the 50-acre site is home to more than 2,000 creatures representing some 200 species. While the highlight, of course, are the zoo's adorable giant pandas, you'll enjoy the opportunity to see other native animals, including South China tigers, golden monkeys, red-crowned cranes, and Asian elephants.

Finally, consider taking the kids to the National Wetland Museum of China . Located near the Xixi National Wetland Park, you'll be able to experience numerous displays related to the area's unique environment, as well as wetland areas from other regions around the globe.

Other notable features you'll discover as you wander the sprawling site are displays of historic dragon boats, a traditional fishing village, rare lotus flowers, and plenty of bird-watching. There's also an on-site restaurant.

Address: Tianmushan Road, Xihu, Hangzhou

If you have access to a car or aren't averse to taking a tour bus, try to add Qiandao Lake (Qiāndǎo Hú) to your travel itinerary. Located 80 kilometers southwest of Hangzhou, this manmade lake is one of the most picturesque settings in an already lovely location.

Popular among locals and tourists alike, the lake serves as a great place for hiking and water-based activities such as swimming and pleasure boat rides. It also has a stellar reputation for such adventures as diving, which is especially good around the famous Submerged city of Shi Cheng .

Location: Chun'an County, Zhejiang Province

Luxury Hotels:

Thanks to its popularity as a tourism destination, Hangzhou is home to a good number of luxury hotels that are sure to please those who enjoy a little indulgence. One of the top-rated options is the five-star Hangzhou Marriott Hotel Qianjiang , which boasts superb river views, floor-to-ceiling windows, serene room decor, as well as world-class amenities, including a full-service spa and inviting pool.
A similarly high level of service and pampering can be enjoyed at the Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake, overlooking the city's famous West Lake. Here you'll enjoy a picturesque setting with many quiet gardens in which to relax and unwind, a full-service spa, and elegantly appointed suites and rooms - all just steps away from the water.
The Banyan Tree Hangzhou is another deluxe five-star offering and is popular for its unique water-village theme set within view of Xixi National Wetland Park, a beautiful urban wetland area.

Mid-Range Hotels:

Popular mid-priced accommodation options include Courtyard Hangzhou Wulin . Part of the internationally-renowned Marriott group of hotels, this property features bright modern décor in its rooms, a casual café, and an indoor pool.
The East Hotel Hangzhou is a great choice for those seeking something a little more intimate. This affordable boutique hotel features well-appointed rooms with spacious bathrooms and great amenities including free use of bikes to explore the vicinity.
Also worth booking is the Angsana Hangzhou , a high-end property offering great prices. It's located in the Xixi National Wetland Park and is notable for its authentic Chinese water-village experience and great amenities (including an outdoor pool and yoga classes). It also offers a number of larger suites well-suited to families traveling with kids.

Budget Hotels:

Brightly decorated inside and out, the Jinjiang Inn Central Hangzhou West Lake Avenue Nansong Yujie offers excellent budget-priced accommodations within an easy stroll of the famous West Lake. Other notable features of this quiet hotel (it faces a pedestrian-only street) include free parking and polite multilingual staff.
Other contenders in this category are Huguang Hotel Hangzhou , which offers comfortable and clean rooms close to the city's top attractions, and Jinjiang MetroPolo Hangzhou East Railway Station , offering helpful staff and a great location close to public transit.

Personalized Tours of West Lake :

Widely regarded as one of China's most picturesque cities, Hangzhou is a delight to explore at a leisurely pace. In addition to its fine cityscapes, the area contains a number of important UNESCO-listed landscapes, most notably beautiful West Lake. Here, you can enjoy an idyllic cruise before strolling around the many fine parks and gardens dotted along its shorelines, including the fabled Flower Harbor Park. These and other Hangzhou attractions, such as Meijiawu Tea Village and Lingyin Temple, can be enjoyed as part of a personalized Hangzhou Sightseeing Private Full-Day Tour, which takes in the best of West Lake (and you set the pace). Other features of this fun tour include a traditional lunch with a local farming family in the picturesque village of Amanfayun (pickup and drop-off are also included).

A World of Water in Wuzhèn :

Another big draw is wonderful Wuzhèn Water Village. Located an easy one-hour drive northeast of Hangzhou, Wuzhèn is probably the best-known (and certainly the most visited) of China's many "water villages," idyllic communities built around a network of canals, which have, in many respects, remained untouched over time. In order to ensure you can make the most of a visit with a minimum of fuss (someone else gets you there and takes care of admissions, etc.), consider booking the services of a professional tour guide. A great option is the splendid Wuzhen Water Town Day Tour from Hangzhou . In addition to getting you to and from the village, these full-day guided tours (English-speaking guides provided) cover such highlights as the fascinating Hundred-Bed Museum, Hongyuan Tie Dye, and traditional cultural activities such as a shadow puppet show. Lunch is also provided.

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The 10 BEST Things to Do in Hangzhou, China (2024 Guide)

Last Updated: February 6, 2024

From ancient temples to drinking tea, here are the best 10 things to do in Hangzhou!

The Carved Buddhas Were One Of My Favourite Parts Of Visiting This Area - Things To Do In Hangzhou

An hour away from Shanghai on the high-speed train is the beautiful, diverse, and vibrant city of Hangzhou. Hangzhou took the spotlight in 2016 as the host of the G20 Summit.

Spring and Autumn are the best times of the year to visit, but try to avoid national holidays as they can make the city extremely busy. In the winter, pollution can get very bad and it can get very cold. Summer can be scorching and (once again) full of tourists.

The View From Our Window On A Polluted Versus Clear Day - Things To Do In Hangzhou

Table of Contents

1) The West Lake

2) baochu pagoda, 3) drink longjing tea, 4) leifeng pagoda, 5) lingyin temple and the carved buddhas, 6) qīnghéfāng old street, 7) gongchen bridge and the grand canal, 8) eat at grandma’s kitchen, 9) shengli river food street, save this pin for later, top 10 things to do in hangzhou, china.

There is so much to see and do in Hangzhou and this post has some of the essentials.

You can’t go to Hangzhou and miss the West Lake. It would be like going to Disneyland and not seeing the Magic Castle.

View Of The West Lake From Near Baochu Pagoda - Things To Do In Hangzhou

The good news is, there is no chance that you will miss it as it’s 6.5 km² and hosts an array of Hangzhou attractions in the surrounding area.

There are a plethora of companies which offer boat trips on the lake. If a boat trip doesn’t take your fancy, grab a seat at one of the many cafes overlooking the lake and soak up the atmosphere. Seriously, it’s one of the best things to do in Hangzhou!

Book the ultimate Hangzhou sightseeing tour that will not only take you to West lake but other important landmarks such as Lingyin Temple, Flower Harbor Park and Meijiawu Tea Village.

It’s a worthwhile walk up to Baochu Pagoda to get a spectacular view of the city. On a clear day, you can get panoramic views of the lake and the ever growing city. It’s one of the most beautiful things to see in Hangzhou.

Take in the combination of urban and natural surroundings and don’t hurry down in a rush. If you’re feeling adventurous, there are some rocks to climb across for the best views.

Address: Baochu Rd
Opening hours: 24/7
Price: Free of charge

This green tea is grown locally and is a specialty of Hangzhou. However, you might find it at an inflated price, especially if you’re at a fancy café by the West Lake. For some insight into the tea of Hangzhou, check out the National Tea Museum.

Take time for a relaxing cup of Longjing tea, it’s a part of the Hangzhou sightseeing experience.

Check out this amazing tour where you will learn over a cup of tea all about Hangzhou culture and of the local tea farmers’ ways of producing their famous tea.

At the south of the West Lake is the impressive Leifeng Pagoda. An original pagoda was built on this site over 1,000 years ago but it collapsed in the early 1920s.

View From The Top Of Leifeng Pagoda. The Pollution Is Bad But It Makes The Sunset Weirdly Beautiful - Things To Do In Hangzhou

The new version was built in 2002 with a lift to take you to the top and steps to the bottom where you can see some of the remains of the original pagoda. It offers stunning views over the city and the West Lake.

Address: 15 Nanshan Rd
Opening hours: Mid March – April from 8 AM – 7 PM, May – October from 8 AM – 8 PM, November – Mid March from 8 AM – 5:30 PM
Price: CNY 40

You’ll need to get a bus or taxi here as it’s not in the centre. Nevertheless, it’s well worth a visit as there are there are two other attractions in the area near Lingyin Temple.

After you pay your initial entrance fee, you will walk into the area and be greeted by many different depictions of Buddha carved into the stone. They are all varying shapes and sizes and English descriptions can offer details about each one.

Then there is Lingyin Temple itself. You’ll find many locals and Chinese tourists here lighting incense and saying a prayer as it’s one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the country. The smell of incense wafts up your nose as you enter and you feel a sense of spirituality and tranquility, which is often hard to find in the bustling city. The temple is one of the places to visit in Hangzhou for an unmissable experience.

After wandering around the temple, take your final stop at the viewpoint. You can take some very old and shabby looking cable cars up to the top. At the top you’ll be greeted with an amazing view across the city (if it’s a clear day), and will be one of the rewarding things to do in Hangzhou.

Want to visit Lingyin Temple and other Hangzhoi highlights in a day? Check out this awesome guided day-tour of Hangzhoi on Get Your Guide !

Location: 1 Fayun Alley, Lingyin Road, Xihu District
Opening hours: every day from 7 AM – 6 PM
Price: CNY 45

Check out our ultimate destination guide all about travel to China!

Market stalls, shops, and an array of places to eat make Qīnghéfāng street a delight. A perfect place to buy some souvenirs and try some of the famous local tea.

In the north of the city lies Gongchen Bridge: a spectacular stone walkway which stretches over the Grand Canal. Cafes and restaurants run along the canal and offer a picturesque view of the bridge in exchange for a meal, a beer, or a coffee.

The Grand Canal And Gongchen Bridge - Things Do To In Hangzhou

My one piece of advice if you visit is to take the water bus. You can hop on near Wulin Square and sail all the way to Gongchen Bridge. It takes a leisurely 15-20 minutes.

Other Chinese cities have the famous Grandma’s Kitchen, but it originated in Hangzhou. Offering lots of local dishes, it’s a popular spot for Hangzhou people and tourists alike.

You’ll need to go early or late to avoid waiting for a table, but there are numerous Grandma’s Kitchens around the city. Even if you do end up waiting for a table, it’s totally worth it. In true Chinese style, order lots of dishes and try a bit of everything.

Shengli River food street is a bit out of town, but this lovely street runs along one of the many canals in the north of the city. It’s not a massively touristy street so you’ll need a Mandarin speaking friend or some knowledge of Chinese to order food.

Shengli River Food Street Illuminates At Night - Things To Do In Hangzhou

The food on Shengli River food street is delicious. There are an array of food eateries and if you go at night you’ll be greeted with lanterns and a vibrant atmosphere.

10) A Night Out in Hangzhou

If you’re up for partying, there are a few bars and nightclubs to check out. If you fancy some live music and imported beers, Eudora is the place to be.

With a rooftop bar and outdoor seating downstairs too, it’s perfect for the summer months, while the inside is cosy and warm in the winter. The regular band are pretty good and get the crowd going.

If you want a truly authentic Chinese night out, then you’ll need to head to KTV. These are all over China and they are in a plethora of locations in Hangzhou.

KTV is a karaoke bar but not how Westerners might imagine a karaoke bar to be. You pay for a private, soundproofed room for a given amount of hours. You can order food and drink to the room. Then, you sing, drink, and eat to your heart’s content all night long.

There are so many other great attractions in Hangzhou. I’d recommend spending about a week in the city to see everything. If it’s your first time in China, you might feel a slight culture shock. However, Hangzhou is the perfect city for a blend of spectacular scenery, delicious food, and a bustling city atmosphere.

Need accommodation in Hangzhou? Book here with Booking.com or Agoda.com

We hope you enjoyed this list of the top 10 things to do in Hangzhou, China! Have you been? What would you recommend? Leave a comment below and tell us.

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

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26 AWESOME Things to Do in Beijing, China (2024 Guide)

The perfect 3 days in taipei itinerary [2024 guide], related posts, lijiang – china’s disneyland (without the rides), getting a chinese visa in hanoi, vietnam, 4 thoughts on “the 10 best things to do in hangzhou, china (2024 guide)”.

This is a very good article about things to do in Hangzhou. Perhaps is in this context our route planner for the metro/subway in Hangzhou useful as well. https://www.metrocazar.com/hangzhou/

Hi, lovely article but it probably needs some updating as the restaurants that you recommended have all closed down 🙁

Went there in 2015, need to get back soon. Really loved the place.

Glad you had a great time Dan. 🙂

Must-see attractions in Hangzhou

The very definition of classical beauty in China, West Lake is utterly mesmerising: pagoda-topped hills rise over willow-lined waters as boats drift…

Lingyin Temple

Hangzhou’s most famous Buddhist temple, Lingyin Temple was originally built in AD 326, but has been destroyed and rebuilt no fewer than 16 times. During…

Longjing Tea Village

The lush, green scenery around this tea village up in the hills southwest of West Lake makes for a wonderful break from the bustle of Hangzhou. Visitors…

Jingci Temple

The serene yet monastically active Chan (Zen) Jingci Temple was built in AD 954 and has been fully restored. The splendid first hall contains the massive,…

Six Harmonies Pagoda

The 60m-high octagonal Six Harmonies Pagoda, dating from AD 1165 in its current form but first built in AD 960, is a stout pagoda that once served as a…

Qinghefang Old Street

At the southern end of Zhongshan Zhonglu is this touristy, crowded and bustling pedestrian street, with makeshift puppet theatres, teahouses, and gift and…

Huqing Yutang Chinese Medicine Museum

The Huqing Yutang Chinese Medicine Museum has a dispensary and clinic adjoined to the museum. Established by the Qing dynasty merchant Hu Xueyan in 1874,…

Xiaoying Island

Wooden cruise boats shuttle visitors from a number of points on the banks of West Lake to the Mid-Lake Pavilion and Xiaoying Island, which has a fine…

China National Silk Museum

This vast museum is devoted to all things silk, covering fashion, craftsmanship and the historic Silk Road in great depth. Extensive galleries showcase…

Baopu Taoist Temple

In the forested hills above West Lake, reachable by a pleasant hike, is the striking tiled-roof, yellow-walled Baopu Taoist Temple. The temple’s first…

Leifeng Pagoda

Topped with a golden spire, the eye-catching Leifeng Pagoda can be climbed for fine views of the lake. The original pagoda, built in AD 977, collapsed in…

Confucius Temple

A repository of silence and calm, Hangzhou’s Confucius Temple is worth exploring for the main hall and the fabulous painted woodwork of its beams and…

Baoshi Hill

Baoshi Hill is one of the loveliest places in Hangzhou to take a hike. Numerous well-kept paths wind through the forest, taking you up steep slopes and…

Hangzhou Botanical Garden

With huge tracts of towering bamboo, flowering magnolias and other delightful plants and trees, these vast gardens make for lovely walks to the northwest…

Taiziwan Park

This exquisite and serene park just south of the Su Causeway off West Lake offers quiet walks among lush woodland, ponds, lakes, rose gardens and lawns…

Three Pools Mirroring the Moon

From Xiaoying Island, you can look over at Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, three small towers in the water on the southern side of the island; each has…

Catholic Church

This Catholic church has lovely stained glass windows and a compassionate effigy of Mary above the door. It's got quite the history – dating back to 1659,…

Quyuan Garden

On the northwestern shore of West Lake, this lovely collection of gardens spreads out over numerous islets and is renowned for its fragrant spring lotus…

Mid-Lake Pavilion

A Ming dynasty Chinese pavilion sits on this small islet in the West Lake. Many of the cruise boats pass close by it, but it's not accessible to tourists.

Zhongshan Park

Park located on Gushan Island.

Hangzhou Old City Wall Exhibition Hall

Hangzhou is famed for its lake, but the lake was once only a (glorious) appendage to a flourishing and magnificent city. The historic city of Hangzhou –…

China National Tea Museum

Not far into the hills of Hangzhou, you’ll begin to see fields of tea bushes planted in undulating rows, the setting for the China Tea Museum – 3.7…

Wengjiashan Village

In the hills near Dragon Well Village, Wengjiashan Village is an alternative place in which to enjoy lóngjǐng tea at one of the village's many teahouses…

Santai Pavilion

This pavilion was a popular feature in Ming dynasty (1368–1644) paintings of West Lake. Located at the top of Santai Hill, in the West Lake Scenic Area, a…

Yanxia Cave

Accessed via a trail from the road heading east out of Wengjiashan Village, this naturally formed limestone cave features Buddhist statues carved into the…

China National Tea Museum – Lóngjǐng Scenic Area

This second branch of the China National Tea Museum, which opened in 2015, enjoys stunning views of the surrounding tea plantations and is set amid…

Big Buddha Temple

The remains of this historic temple on the western slope of Baoshi Hill north of West Lake only run to a weather-beaten and dilapidated vast stone head of…

Su Xiaoxiao's Tomb

Near Xiling Bridge (Xīlíng Qiáo) on West Lake, this is the tomb of a 5th-century courtesan who died of grief while waiting for her lover to return. It’s…

Chinese Academy of Art

On the eastern shore of West Lake, housed in the Chinese Academy of Art (中国美术学院, Zhōngguó Měishùxuéyuàn) is this free art gallery. Exhibitions are all…

Sunrise Terrace

Vantage point on Baoshi Hill with a pavilion. The balcony here is a mere 125m high, offering not-so-lofty-views of West Lake.

Baochu Pagoda

Visiting this charming pagoda overlooking West Lake makes for a lovely walk in the hills north of the lake.

A 100m deep cave located on the slopes of Baoshi Hill. There are three stone Buddha statues on the wall.

Ming Dynasty Effigies

These ancient effigies are carved into the cliff-face not far from Baochu Pagoda.

Red Carp Pond

Home to a few thousand red carp, just west of the Su Causeway.

Mausoleum of General Yue Fei

Commander of the southern Song armies, General Yue Fei (1103–42) led successful battles against northern Jurchen invaders in the 12th century. Despite…

Seal Engravers Society

Connected to West Lake’s northern shores by the Bai Causeway is Gushan Island (孤山, Gū Shān), the lake’s largest island. You’ll find the intriguing Seal…

Zhejiang Provincial Museum

Connected to West Lake’s northern shores by the Bai Causeway is Gushan Island ( 孤山, Gū Shān), the lake’s largest island and the site of the modest…

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10 ways to experience Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou is China’s city of poetry. Chinese school children still read odes to the willow-fringed West Lake, and many of Hangzhou’s imperial governors were revered poets, with both Su Dongpo and Bai Juyi building causeways across the lake to better contemplate the waters that Bai compared to ‘the sash of a blue damask skirt’. Marco Polo concurred with the old proverb that Hangzhou was Earth’s answer to Heaven, declaring it ‘without a doubt the finest and most splendid city in the world’.

Now just 40 minutes by bullet train from the skyscraping intensity of Shanghai , the gardens and pagoda-specked hills around the West Lake are barely changed from what the Venetian explorer came across in the late 13th century. Visitors still cross the lake in sampan wooden boats and eat quivering Dongpo braised pork belly with Longjing green tea under the pagoda eaves, the lapping of the lake echoed by the tranquil notes of the guqin .

But although Hangzhou remains one of the most evocative cities in the Middle Kingdom, with its Buddhist temples in the forest, it is much more than an imperial reverie. China’s answer to Silicon Valley is the birthplace of gaming giants NetEase and e-commerce pioneers Alibaba, whose Dream Town hub is already home to hundreds of tech start-ups. The calligraphers of Hangzhou lore have been joined by fresh-thinking digital artists such as the painter-animator Wu Junyong and video artist Zhang Peili, who has shown at New York’s Guggenheim and MoMA museums. The city’s new breed of fashionistas include Kate Han, of fashion brand Muzkin, whose irreverent riffs on imperial motifs and Tiger Balm logos have wound up on London catwalks and in Gigi Hadid’s wardrobe.

This is the thrilling mish-mash of modern Hangzhou, where locals travel across Bai’s Causeway on China’s first bike-share scheme; where millennial-pink cafés are serving WeChat-ordered flat whites in ancient lǐlòng laneways; and the famous stone carvings of the Lingyin Temple have been joined by modern monuments including Henning Larsen’s iceberg-like Hangzhou Yuhang Opera House. Another old proverb has it that the past remembered is a good guide for the future. Hangzhou is living that truth, and gliding forwards like a sampan on the shimmering water.

Glide along the West Lake

Bike or boat are the best ways to see the West Lake’s beauty spots, 10 of which have their own epithets – including Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, a little island where visitors sometimes stop with picnics. Many hotels have bikes for hire, and the city is home to China’s original and most successful bike-share scheme. You can rent sampan boats all around the lake, driven by boatmen who will take you around the lake and under ornate bridges, with just the sound of their single oar tapping on the gentle waters. For a classic view across the lake, hike up Wushan hill to the Chenghuang Pavilion, its large red vision emerging through the trees.

Go traditional

The Four Seasons Hangzhou is set in a complex of imperial-inspired Jiang Nan pagodas and Chinese gardens right on the West Lake, and guests are encouraged to arrive on a rustic wooden boat, with a pot of Longjing tea onboard. Up in the bamboo-filled hills just out of town, Amanfayun is the result of late architect Jaya Ibrahim’s sensitive conversion of an entire Tang-dynasty tea-farming village. The 51 stone courtyard dwellings have an elegantly monastic vibe, and orange-clad monks from the seven surrounding temples (including Lingyin Temple) often glide along the dappled pathways, adding to the serenity of the place. The Banyan Tree Hangzhou has a similarly magical setting: a water village of arched bridges and wing-tipped pagodas inside the Xixi Wetlands Nature Reserve, with lily ponds and soaring egrets.

The 49-storey Park Hyatt Hangzhou is lofty and sleek-lined, with a Lost In Translation feel and views across the city towards the Longjing tea plantations from the black granite infinity pool. Li Xiang, the female Shanghai designer who has become a darling of blogs and Chinese social media, is behind three daring hotel projects in the city – including the surreal Park Zoo Hotel, with its Memphis-meets-zebra stripes and bright elephant and walrus sculptures.

Longjing green tea is Hangzhous most famous product prized for its light sweet mellow aroma and long associated with...

Try Longjing tea

Longjing green tea is Hangzhou’s most famous product – prized for its light, sweet, mellow aroma (and suitably expensive), and long associated with Chan Buddhist meditation rituals. In Longjing village, amid the tea plantations of the city’s southwest, traditional tea farmers peddle their wares along the roadside, with some families pouring cups of the green elixir before you buy. But for something more refined, China has recently rediscovered the art of the tea ceremony, and it’s easy to find them across the city – including at Longjing village’s China National Tea Museum, and among the pagodas and lily ponds of Guo’s Villa, a traditional Chinese garden set apart from the bustle around the West Lake. There’s also the He Cha Guan tea house in the grounds of the Amanfayun, owned by a respected lecturer who’ll serve the best Longjing tea, as well as wonderful set meals sourced fresh from the market that day.

Dive into the art scene

Hangzhou has always drawn artists, from imperial calligraphers and ink artists to Lin Fengmian, a 20th-century giant of Chinese art, who fused Eastern and Western styles, right up to modern digital artists such as Zhang Peili. Second only to Beijing as an arts centre, Hangzhou is home to the China Academy of Art with a folk-art museum that’s worth a visit just to see Kengo Kuma’s terraced modern space. The Zhejiang Art Museum gives an overview of the city’s art history, but there’s more of a contemporary buzz at the white-box Sanshang Art gallery.

Destination dining

Zhejiang, or Zhe, cuisine is one of the Eight Culinary Traditions of Chinese food – and Hangzhou’s Hangbang cooking is a big part of that. As opposed to the spiciness and richness of much regional Chinese food, dishes in Hangzhou are known for their freshness and mellow flavours, as in fried shrimp with Longjing tea or beggar’s chicken wrapped in lotus and mud and roasted on an open fire. There are a number of famous restaurants here that are known as much for their ink-painting settings as their food. Take the serene Longjing Manor, in a lush, osmanthus-filled garden in the tea-growing area. The cook and Chinese food specialist Fuchsia Dunlop is among the many who have praised chef Dai Jianjun’s 10-course farm-to-table menus which include free-range, slow-cooked Dongpo pork, a quivering cube of deep-red meat named after Song governor-poet-gastronome Su Dongpo. The original Green Tea restaurant is a series of rustic wood structures sitting on a tributary of the West Lake with an imperial log-cabin vibe and queues so inevitable for the barbecue pork and spicy West Lake fish that it opened another branch in town, and one in Beijing.

Eat the streets

For a street-food hit in the evenings, an orange-glowing section of Zhongshan Nan Lu (South Street) near the old Drum Tower has been given over to xiaochi (small bites) stalls, selling everything from fresh river shrimp to beggar’s chicken and pian er chuan pork-and-bamboo noodles, eaten on plastic tables with Tsingtao beer from large dispensers. Another cool place to seek out is Dadou Lu Food Street, a lantern-lit collection of ancient riverside buildings reached by water bus, mostly filled with home-style restaurants such as Jiang Nan Yi, where there are often queues for chef Tuzi’s flower pepper chicken and short ribs in pickled tofu sauce.

Temple hopping

Hangzhou is dotted with temples, but to really get a sense of its long connection with Chan Buddhism, it’s best to head into the Wulin Mountains within the city. A series of temples, grottos and rock carvings are scattered among the trees, mostly famously the Lingyin Temple , founded by an Indian monk in the third century AD, and next to Felai Feng, a collection of around 400 ornate Buddhas and other figures carved right into the limestone cliffs. Lingyin is a popular pilgrimage site, and tends to be crowded, but it’s possible to hike to smaller nearby temples and through the evocative old Fayun tea village, now home to the Amanfayun. On the other side of the lush tea-growing area of Hangzhou, the Song-dynasty Liuhe Pagoda is another spectacular Buddhist building, a remarkable tower looking out over the Qiantang River like an ornate beacon.

Explore modern design

Hangzhou’s most famous man-made sights tend to be ancient, but there’s contemporary design to be found too in this prosperous city of more than nine million residents. The Yuhang Opera House, which opened in summer 2019, was created by the studio of late Danish architect Henning Larsen to resemble an iceberg, with geometric window patterns like cracked ice casting shadows across the space. For something more strangely future-forward, the Star Avenue mall is home to a family theme park that looks like a Lewis Carroll fantasy in bubblegum pink and a branch of the Zhongshuge bookshop with mirrors and geometric shelves that make it appear like a library from outer space. Both were designed by Shanghai provocateur Li Xiang.

Get shopping

It’s possible to go from buying traditional herbal medicines at the ancient Hefang Street to browsing Alibaba’s Freshippo store, an online-offline ‘new retail’ store where robots serve fresh food ordered via an app, and coffee comes from a self-serve Starbucks kiosk. On Yanan Road, the customers vote on which limited-edition designs from local designers will be produced at the gallery-like D2C concept store; while most malls have a branch of JNBY, the fashion brand founded by Hangzhou-born Li Lin, which now has more than 2,000 stores across the globe and a huge Renzo Piano-designed HQ in Hangzhou. Zhejiang province is also famous for its silk production, and Wensli is Hangzhou’s most prominent maker, its elegant printed silk scarves setting it up as China’s answer to Hermès.

Find out more about Hangzhou at en.gotohz.com

Hangzhou Attractions

Of the 20 Hangzhou attractions listed here West Lake is probably the most famous, completely man-made in the imperial garden style. There is a strong Buddhist influence. Peak Flown in from Afar is famous for its thousands of Buddhist carvings, and nearby Lingyin Temple is a classic and celebrated example of a Buddhist temple.

The nearby water towns of Wuzhen, Xitang and Nanxun capture the old rural way in truly atmospheric resorts. Explore Chinese culture at the museums of tea, silk and Chinese medicine. Explore Hangzhou hassle free with our popular tours, designed to take in the top attractions.

Lingyin Temple

Mountain Putuo

Peak Flown From Afar

Ancient Village Wuzhen

Xitang Town

Qinghefang Pedestrian Street

Zhexi Grand Canyon

Hengdian World Studios

Enduring Memories of Hangzhou (Impression West Lake)

Meijiawu Tea Plantation

Song Dynasty Town

Moganshan Scenic Area

Hangzhou National Tea Museum

Xixi Wetland Park

Anji Bamboo Forests

Nanxun Water Town

Xihu Tiandi

Hangzhou National Silk Museum

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The 10 Most Beautiful Places To Visit In Hangzhou

Situated to the east, not far from the great city of Shanghai, Hangzhou is the ultimate getaway town. An escape from the bustle of the city, Hangzhou offers some of the most beautiful scenic countryside East China has to offer. Its West Lake being the main attraction, with surrounding forests, temples, and traditional restaurants. A weekend here is guaranteed to reveal the ancient spirit of China and revitalise weary travellers.

How to Get To Hangzhou

It’s actually nice and easy to get from Shanghai to Hangzhou. There aren’t any direct flights but you can take the bullet train in just one hour. It costs between 50-80 RMB and is direct. You can also take the local train if you’re travelling on a budget which will take the cost down to 25-30 RMB but will take 2-3 hours.

From Hongqiao railway station you can catch the train every 5-10 minutes so there’s no need to book in advance. They’re less frequent from Shanghai Railway Station so it’s worth checking the times online ahead of time.

Hongqiao airport is very near Hongqiao railway station. Terminal 2 of the airport is walking distance to the station and metro line 10 runs between them both.

When you arrive to the city, you can explore it on your own or book this city tour for example.

Where To Stay In Hangzhou

Ho fang international youth hostel.

The lovely Ho Fang International Youth Hostel is within a 15-minute walk of Ding’an Road Subway station and the scenic West Lake. You’re also just 1.2 miles from Hangzhou Railway station making it nice and easy to drop off your bags before exploring. There’s a shopping mall nearby and they offer bicycle rental which is perfect as Hangzhou is a biker friendly city.

The beautiful Chinese restored building makes this an incredible choice for the price and both private and dorm room options are available. They also have lots of books you can borrow. It’s located on Hefang Pedestrian Street which has lots of food and drink options nearby.

There’s a Chinese and Western restaurant on site, as well as a café, and they offer laundry service. Great location and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Perfect.

Book here : Ho Fang International Youth Hostel

Han Xuan Boutique Ho s tel

The Han Xuan Boutique Hostel suits people who are trying to escape the hustle and bustle of the city while still being close to the main attractions in Hangzhou. This tranquil hostel is near to some beautiful nature walks and is very close to Lingyin Temple, Wushan Square, and the Xixi Wetland. They also have a grill, and serve an amazing Asian breakfast.

The owners go out of their way to help guests and will accommodate early or late check-ins and check-outs to the best of their ability. There’s a shared lounge area and the beautiful, bright, and minimalist design of the rooms make this a very relaxing choice while in Hangzhou. They only have private rooms and this has more of a mid-range hotel feel than a hostel.

Book here : Han Xuan Boutique Hostel

The Mountain Hotel

The Mountain hotel is based at the top of Baileqiao, Ligyin Scenic Area, so has stunning mountain views, you’re also located just 701m to Lingyin Temple.

Luxurious rooms, private facilities, and free use of their bicycles make this a great stay if you love nature. Wushan Square and the Xixi wetlands are nearby.

Book here : The Mountain Hotel

The Best Things To Do In Hangzhou, China

1. visit the famous west lake (xihu).

Hangzhou China – Visit the famous West Lake (Xihu)

If you have to do one thing in Hangzou, it should be to visit the West Lake. Perfect for cycling around or a long walk, there are plenty of gardens, pagodas, temples, and artificial islands to explore along the way.

There were be plenty of people trying to sell you tickets to a boat trip around the lake. It’s definitely worth doing, particularly around sunset when you can get some stunning shots of the sun going down behind the mountains.

You can also watch the Impression West Lake show by booking this tour online .

You have a range of options for the boat ride, the cheapest option being a self-row boat which you can rent for an hour at 30 RMB, you can also ride the big painted dragon boats for around 70RMB. The most common option is a small group ride in a rowing boat. The driver leaves once his boat his full so don’t worry about coming as a group.

The lake has been named a UNESCO world heritage site and has ten tremendous scene or ‘ten scenic spots in West Lake’. See if you can find all ten…

2. Visit the 345 faces at Fei Lai Feng

Hangzhou China – Visit the 345 faces at Fei Lai Feng

Another must-see in Hangzhou, right next to the Buddhist Lingying Temple is Fei Lai Fang. A grand mountain at 168 metres high, the main attractions are the 345 Buddha statues which are handcrafted out of stone. The ancient statues were mainly crafted during the Song and Yuan dynasties,

The mountain is named Fei Lang (flying) because folklore states that it ‘flew’ from another place and landed there. You can take some amazing pictures here and it’s easy to squeeze this trip as you visit Lingying Temple (below).

Access : there are several tourist buses that head there and it’s also possible to take a taxi.

While I have you, if you are interested in visiting more countries in East Asia, make sur to check out this: Mongolia Travel Tips .

3. Light incense at Lingyin Temple

Hangzhou China – Light incense at Lingyin Temple

The prominent Lingyin Temple was opened in 326AD and was founded by Master Hui li, a Western Indian monk. This temple is particularly special as it’s one of the oldest and largest Buddhist temples in China. The architecture is particular impressive with its grand and scared halls – the Heavenly Kings Hall, the Mahavira Hall, and the Yaowang Hall. It’s a large temple so you can easily explore it for an hour or two, light some incense and enjoy the surrounding views.

Access : The easiest way is to take a taxi (taxis are very reasonable in Hangzhou) but there are also tourist buses which leave from the railway station.

4. Learn about Folklore at Leifeng Pagoda

Hangzhou China – Learn about Folklore at Leifeng Pagoda

Leifeng Pagoda is an antiquated five-story tower on the south of West Lake. This unique eight-sided pagoda is eye-catching and you won’t be able to miss it during your time in Hangzhou. It has some legendary history as it appears in the folktale ‘The Legend of the White Snake’ which describes a scholar and a snake demon.

The demon is meant to have imprisoned the monk in the pagoda for eternity. Thanks to this tale, it’s a very popular visiting spot for Chinese people and those who know the tale.

5. Take a walk around Xixi Wetland Park

Hangzhou China – Take a walk around Xixi Wetland Park

If you love nature then this popular place is perfect, it’s one of the most well-known tourist attractions in China and features six main watercourses. There are plenty of wild animals, natural plants, and gorgeous scenery that makes for amazing pictures. The fishing village, thatched cottage, autumn snow temple and Xixi water attic are particularly unique and picturesque. I highly recommend making time to visit here.

Access : There are free shuttle buses from the West Lake as well as a number of tourist buses available.

6. Eat Hang Dim Sim

Head to Zhi Wei Guan, a wonderful restaurant that offers traditional Hang snacks, dishes, and desserts. Opened in 1913, they have a long history that you can see in the traditional décor. You can also find a beautiful terrace where you can enjoy a view of the West Lake. There’s large range of dim sum available, from budget (20 RMB) onwards. Dishes you can try include Xihi fish in gravy and beggar’s chicken. This is a lovely way to try traditional lots of traditional dishes and enjoy one of the most scenic views in Hangzhou.

Access : No.83 Renhe Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou China

7. Explore Hefang Street

This is the best area for shopping in Hangzhou, and is also a scenic pedestrian street which is perfect for street-shots. Traditional style vendors, teahouses, souvenir shops, paper cutting stores, street food.

The scent of Chinese medicine permeates the air making this a very authentic experience in Hangzhou. You’ll also find plenty of calligraphy supplies to purchase and get your name painted in calligraphy as souvenirs. This is a lovely place to people watch so head to a tea house and just enjoy the atmosphere.

8. Hyatt 28

Taking pride of place amongst Asia’s top 50 restaurants for the past three years, Hyatt 28 is not to be passed up. The restaurant, situated in the Hyatt Hotel , is the perfect place for lunch, serving traditional Hang cuisine.

9. The National Tea Museum

China is more than just famous for its tea fields and tea-growing industry; it is very much defined by it. And here is one of the ultimate experiences for both tea-lovers and Chinese history enthusiasts. Nestled inside acres of real green tea fields, the museum teaches of the histories, traditions, ceremonies, and processes surrounding Chinese black, green, and white tea. You can also take part in a tea-tasting ceremony and enjoy the nearby teahouses to get the full Hangzhou tea experience.

10. Hangzhou Botanical Gardens

If you’ve visited a botanical garden before, you’ll know what to expect here. With one big difference: these gardens feature their own bamboo forest and a glade of over 5000 plum trees. The traditional Chinese aesthetic is something to get happily lost in.

Hangzhou is beloved by so many who live in East China, and by now you can surely see why. This paradise blend of city and country, housing China’s most famous lake, is the perfect place to discover the more traditional and peaceful side of Chinese life.

For more tips to explore China, feel free to check out these blog posts too: China Travel Blog .

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38 awesome things to do in Hangzhou

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There are many things to do in Hangzhou and after living in Hangzhou for three years, I think I am qualified to share with you the best things to do here. So, if you want to know what are the best things to do in Hangzhou, then read on…

Why visit Hangzhou?

The best things to do in hangzhou, enduring memories of hangzhou, little venice, little paris, qinghefang old street, xixi national wetland park, longing tea plantation, bamboo forest, xianghu lake, hangzhou beach, chinese national silk museum, hu xueyan’s house, leifing pagoda, lingyin temple, eight diagrams field, chenghuang pavilion, marvel at the hangzhou skyline, hangzhou safari park, crazy apple land, polar ocean park, panorama signature restaurant bar, grandma’s home, aussie kitchen, gatto matto, jason’s library, simply thai, the best bars in hangzhou, where to stay in hangzhou, things to do in hangzhou: to conclude.

Hangzhou is a beautiful city situated in the eastern part of China, known for its scenic beauty and vibrant culture. It is the capital of Zhejiang province and is located near Shanghai and Nanjing. It is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world who are looking for a unique experience. Hangzhou is steeped in history and culture, and there are plenty of things to do in Hangzhou.

Hangzhou is a picturesque city with a landscape of mountains, rivers, lakes, and canals. One of the most popular attractions is the West Lake, which is the largest lake in the city and is surrounded by lush vegetation and beautiful temples. Visitors can take a boat ride around the lake and enjoy the view of the lake and the surrounding hills. They can also visit the Lingyin Temple, one of the oldest temples in the city, or take a stroll along the picturesque Su Causeway.

Hangzhou is also known for its culinary delights. The city is home to some of the best restaurants in the country and offers a wide range of cuisines from Chinese to international. It is also known for its unique local dishes like Hangzhou Fried Rice and Dongpo Pork. Visitors can also enjoy traditional Chinese teas and snacks like Xiaolongbao and Xiaolongxia.

Hangzhou is a great place to shop. It has a range of shopping malls and markets, such as the Hangzhou International Trade Centre and the Yalong Shopping Mall. Here, visitors can find a variety of items ranging from clothes and accessories to home furnishings. There are also numerous street vendors where visitors can buy souvenirs, snacks, and other items.

Hangzhou is a great destination for a memorable holiday and there are lots of things to do in Hangzhou. It offers a myriad of attractions, from its natural beauty to its vibrant culture, and its culinary delights to its shopping opportunities. Hangzhou is a great place to visit and enjoy a unique experience.

There are several key things to do in Hangzhou. I have outlined the best for you below.

This is one of the most iconic things do in Hangzhou. The lake is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is absolutely beautiful – and very deserving of this designation. The West Lake provides amazing views of the city, and there are hand-paddled boats which are so much fun to experience.

This is a freshwater lake divided into five sections with three causeways. The lake has pagodas, temples, gardens and even artificial islands . For those looking for a romantic spot or if you are particularly interested in photography, visiting the West Lake at sunrise or sunset is an amazing way to spend some time.

No matter what time of year it is, this is easily one of the most incredible things to do in Hangzhou. The lake has influenced painters and poets throughout Chinese history, simply for it’s natural beauty.

Garden designers have taken inspiration from the lake too, as it reflects “an idealised fusion between humans and nature”. There are approximately 1369 species of plants at the lake, 21 of them being rare plants listed in the first-grade station protection. You’re also very likely to see mallards, koi carp and halcyons at the lake!

If you head to the lake at sunset, plan ahead and book tickets for Enduring Memories of Hangzhou . This is an on- water show. It combines dancing, musical performances, acrobatics, special lighting effects and much more. It is breathtaking experience full of colour and magic, and described a must-see when looking for things to do in Hangzhou.

Ticket prices are as follows:

Ordinary seats

Adult: RMB 360 / USD 55

Child: USD 50

Adult: RMB 420 / USD 60

Child: USD 55

The shows are daily through most of the year, with times changing. Time and dates are below. This means there is no way you can miss the Enduring Memories of Hangzhou show!

March & April:

19:30-20:30 (daily)

May – October:

19:40-20:40 (daily)

21:10-22:10 (possible availability on Fri, Sat and holidays; check before booking)

November & December (until 16th Dec):

19:30-20:30

Visiting Little Venice is one of the most unique things to do in Hangzhou. This is effectively a ghost city that looks just like the real Venice! Take a stroll along the canals and you might spot some newly weds having their photographs taken.

Similarly to Little Venice, Little Paris is another ghost city. Taking your photo in front of the Eiffel tower is one of the coolest and most unusual things to do in Hangzhou.

Qinghefang Old Street is a historical and cultural road located in Hangzhou, China . I visit to this street is one of the most popular things to do in Hangzhou as it is one of the most important streets of ancient Hangzhou and has been around for over 900 years. Today, Qinghefang Old Street is a popular tourist destination and attracts thousands of visitors every year.

The street is located at the foot of Wu Mountain and runs from east to west, stretching from Dajing Lane to Dongpo Road. It is about 600 meters long and 4 meters wide, with a total area of about 2,400 square meters.

Qinghefang Old Street is a well-preserved ancient street in Hangzhou. It is filled with a variety of traditional stores, and features a large number of ancient buildings, including the former residence of the famous poet Su Shi, the former residence of the famous painter Gong Xian, and the former residence of the famous scholar Zheng Banqiao. In addition, there are also many restaurants and tea houses on the street, which makes it a great place to explore Chinese culture.

Qinghefang Old Street is also known for its unique architecture and beautiful scenery. The street is lined with ancient buildings and is decorated with a variety of stone carvings, which gives the street a unique charm. Furthermore, the street is surrounded by lush trees and is filled with blooming flowers, making it a great place to take a stroll and admire the beauty of Hangzhou.

It is also a great place to experience traditional Chinese culture and history , as there are many stores selling traditional Chinese arts and crafts, as well as restaurants serving traditional Hangzhou cuisine. Furthermore, the street is also home to many cultural events, such as the Hangzhou International Tea Culture Festival and the Hangzhou International Calligraphy and Painting Arts Festival.

Thus, Qinghefang Old Street is one of the most important streets of ancient Hangzhou and is a great place to experience the culture and history of the city. It is filled with a variety of traditional stores, restaurants and tea houses, and is surrounded by lush trees and blooming flowers. Moreover, it is also home to many cultural events, making it a great destination for visitors looking to experience the best of Chinese culture.

One of the best national wetland parks in China, Xixi lies in west part of the city and is one of the most popular things to do in Hangzhou.

It has six main watercourses with lakes, ponds and swamps to discover. Its 4000-year history has provided an abundance of cultural heritage; being the original site of the Chinese South Opera and the location for the traditional dragon boat contest, it is no wonder that Xixi National Wetland Park is one of the most recommended things to do in Hangzhou.

There is flora and fauna galore here, too. Pack your camera because you won’t want to miss out on the amazing shots you’ll be able to take here!

The Longjing Tea Plantation is a famous Dragon Well tea plantation found in the leafy hills in the West Lake scenic area of Hangzhou, China. The area is renowned as being one of the most important production bases of West Lake Dragon Well tea in China, making a visit here as one of the best things to do in Hangzhou.

Longjing Tea, also known as dragon well tea, is a type of green tea that has been in production for over 1200 years! It is a very famous tea throughout China and is well regarded for the bright coloured leaves, strong smell, sweet flavour and attractive appearance.

Longjing Village is found to the west side of the famous West Lake and it is the origin of Longjing Tea. The village is nestled into the hillside and is surrounded by picturesque mountains. The plantation itself stretches to over 800 acres.

Visiting the Longjing Tea Plantation allows you not only to learn about the interesting processes of tea production, but also to admire the stunning scenery- don’t forget to pack your camera!

If you want to learn more about the way that Longjing Tea is made I recommend heading over to this Lonely Planet article .

For many people, hiking is one of the best things to do in Hangzhou. There are various hiking trails that lead from both Wengjiashan Village and Dragon Well Tea Village. The trails take you up close and personal with the tea bushes- this means that you can have a good look, but also that you are at arms’ length of the swarms of mosquitos! Don’t make the mistake I made and pack the mosquito repellent (I recommend one with DEET)!

The hiking trails are really quiet and are often completely deserted, the only people that you will likely see are the tea pickers during harvesting. I visited on a weekend and only saw a handful of tourists all afternoon.

If you feel so inclined you can do some tea picking yourself during your visit to Longjing. You can experience what it is like to work in the tea fields and get a taste of local life. Be sure to book on to a tour that allows you to pick the tea though, you can’t just start picking the leaves anywhere and anytime you choose!

There are more than 160 tea houses in the area where tourists can learn about the history and culture of Chinese tea. You can also learn all about the Chinese Tea Ceremony and why this ceremony is so important to the Chinese community. Most tea houses will have staff who will show you how to prepare the tea and how to pour, smell and sip it, just as the locals do. Of course, drinking tea where it is grown is one of the best things to do in Hangzhou!

Fun fact: I’ve also found that many random things are green tea flavoured in China including toothpaste and mints! Who knew?

When visiting the Longjing Tea Plantation you can also walk to the Hugongmiao Temple at Shifeng in Longjing Village to see the ‘eighteen Emperor Tea.

Opposite the tea plantations there is a bamboo forest. This is a nice place to go for a walk and the views are pretty good too. This is a protected area so there is a small fee to enter.

Xianghu Lake is a beautiful lake situated in the southeastern part of Hangzhou in China. The lake is a popular tourist destination, with a wide range of activities to enjoy. It is a large, shallow lake with an expansive shoreline of over 3.6 kilometers. The lake is surrounded by mountains and hills, and is a great place to experience both the beauty of nature and the tranquility of the countryside.

There are many activities to enjoy at Xianghu Lake and visiting this area was one of my favourite things to do in Hangzhou on the weekends. Visitors can explore the lake and its surroundings by taking a boat ride, or they can go hiking and camping in the surrounding hills and forests . There are also several restaurants and cafes lining the shore, offering a variety of local and international cuisine.

The Xianghu Lake area is also home to a variety of wildlife and plants. The lake is a sanctuary for several different species of birds, including swans, geese, and ducks. It is also home to a variety of fish, including carp and catfish. The lake is a great place for bird-watchers and nature lovers, as it is home to some of China’s most beautiful bird species, making bird watching one of the popular things to do in Hangzhou.

The Xianghu Lake area is also home to a number of historical sites, including several ancient temples and shrines. The lake is a popular spot for wedding ceremonies and family outings. Visitors can also explore the lake’s many caves and grottoes, as well as the nearby museum.

Xianghu Lake is a great place to visit for a relaxing day or a weekend getaway because there are plenty of things to do in Hangzhou here. Many people travel from elsewhere in the country to come and stay here.

At Xianghu Lake there is a small sandy beach. This is is a nice place to hang out on a sunny day and many kids will build sand castles and fly their kites here.

There is another beach in the north of the city too. Located in the Baoshou Mountain Sceneic Area the artificial beach is generally quiet and peaceful. There are playgrounds for the kids and water activities- so plenty of fun things to do in Hangzhou for the family.

The Chinese National Silk Museum is located in the city of Hangzhou and is one of the most important museums in China and things to do in Hangzhou.

The museum is dedicated to preserving the history and culture of Chinese silk production and its impact on the world. The Chinese National Silk Museum covers an area of over 30,000 square meters and contains over 200,000 items related to silk production. The museum houses a wide range of artefacts and exhibits related to the production of silk, including looms, spinning wheels, and other tools used in the production of silk.

The museum also contains an exhibition hall that showcases various aspects of Chinese silk production, including the history of the craft, the different types of fabrics used, and the various types of garments that were created from silk. The museum also has an exhibition hall dedicated to the history of the silk trade and its impact on the global economy. The museum also contains a library filled with books and documents related to the history of silk and the Chinese silk industry.

The Chinese National Silk Museum also offers educational programs and workshops for students and visitors to learn about the history and process of silk production, which are also popular things to do in Hangzhou. These programs and workshops provide visitors with an in-depth look at the history of Chinese silk production and its impact on the world. The museum also has a gift shop where visitors can purchase silk products and souvenirs.

The Chinese National Silk Museum is a great place to learn about the history and culture of Chinese silk production and its impact on the world. It is also a great place to experience the beauty and craftsmanship of Chinese silk production. The Chinese National Silk Museum is a great place to visit and learn about Chinese silk production and its impact on the world.

While his real name was Hu Guangyong, this Chinese businessman was better known as Hu Xueyan – his courtesy name. In business during the Qing dynasty, he dabbled in real estate, banking, Chinese medicine, shipping and more. He was involved in the arms trade as well as tea, grain, salt and clothing.

He was known to be kind and generous, and you can visit his former home if you are looking for things to do in Hangzhou. It is in the Shangcheng District of Hangzhou, and is designated a provincial key cultural unit. The house has been open to the public since 2001. Like stepping back in time, this beautiful residence is so typical of late Qing dynasty architecture and style. It was built between 1872 and 1875. This is one of the popular things to do in Hangzhou.

Located on Hangzhou’s Sunset Hill, south of the West Lake, Leifeng Pagoda is a five-story tower with eight sides. It was originally built in 975 AD. This was during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, and the construction was ordered by King Qian Chu of Wuyue. The original pagoda was built from brick and wood, with a brick base.

DID YOU KNOW: the Leifeng Pagoda was one of the ‘ten sights of the West Lake’.

Japanese pirates attacked Hangzhou during the Ming dynasty. They thought the Leifeng Pagoda contained weapons so they burnt the wooden part. Just a brick skeleton remained.

As the years went on, the brick skeleton stayed. It can be seen in Ming paintings of the West Lake. But later, a superstition arose: people believed that bricks from the pagoda could repel illness and prevent miscarriage. For this reason, people stole the bridges and pavilions – Hangzhou has a lot to offer. The Leifeng Pagoda is one of the most famous parts of the city and visiting it is now one of the most popular things to do in Hangzhou.

Years later, in October 1999, the government decided it was time to rebuild the Leifeng Pagoda on the same site. The new pagoda is made of a 1400 tonne steel structure with 200 tonnes of copper parts. There are 4 sightseeing elevators, air conditioning, speakers and TVs. It was opened in October 2002.

During the rebuild, the much-debated mausoleum was found below the pagoda site. It was discovered in 2001 and excavated. Many artefacts were recovered from the mausoleum: bronze mirrors, jade figures, Buddhist relics and more.

China is not exactly famed for its accessible tourism , and the Leifeng Pagoda is no exception. There are quite a lot of stairs and escalators that are not pram or wheelchair friendly. There are some ramps around, but you will need to walk the long way around to find them (we did it).

The main reason to visit Leifeng Pagoda is for the views, in fact- admiring these views is one of the best things to do in Hangzhou. If possible, take the stairs to avoid queueing for the lift. The top floor offers an incredible 360 degree view of the entire city, so it’s definitely worth the climb if you can manage it! Ideally you want a clear and sunny day. October has the least rainfall and temperatures between 15 and 23°C making it a great time to visit – June, July and August are all hot but come with their fair share of rainy days. The smog is worst in the winter months, which can significantly reduce visibility.

The 2nd floor is home to beautiful wooden carvings, and there are things to see on each floor. Even if you take the lift up to the top to see the view, it is worth walking back down so you don’t miss anything. This is a great way of doing it! Walking down the different flights of stairs, stopping in between, is much less strenuous than climbing right the way up…

Located in north west Hangzhou, this is a Buddhist temple and one of the best things to do in Hangzhou. The name is commonly translated as Temple of the Soul’s Retreat. It is one of the largest and wealthiest Buddhist temples in the whole of China. There are numerous pagodas and plenty of Buddhist grottoes, rock carvings and more. The monastery was founded in 328 AD by an Indian monk named Huili. It has a five-hall Chan sect structure, and there is so much to see here.

The Feilai Feng rock reliefs are almost magical, and Buddhist statues dotted around are beautiful. The views and history here are amazing, and it comes as no surprise that this is one of the most amazing things to do in Hangzhou. You can access the Lingyin Temple from Fei Lai Feng Park – which in itself is well worth visiting – and pay a separate entrance fee to get into the temple. This includes a joss stick which you can use to make your prayers at the temple grounds if you want to do so!

At the south foot of the Jade Emperor Hill, the Eight Diagram Field is an ancient rice field split into eight sections. There are currently seven types of crops planted here, though historically there were nine:

Glutinous rice
Broomcorn millet
Ancient millet

The field is best viewed from a height because the sections are differently coloured due to the different crops. With the symbol of Yin and Yang in the middle it really is a site to see. If you climb the hill here, you’ll get a great view and be able to appreciate the significance of this amazing field. The greens and blues around here are just impeccable. This is one of the best things to do in Hangzhou for photographers!

If you want views, head here. The pavilion itself is an incredible piece of Chinese architecture, and it also provides an amazing view of the city and the West Lake! Bright red against the blue skies, the Chenghuang Pavilion stands out – it is also known as the City God Pavilion.

Providing a stunning birds eye view over the whole city, this is one of the most beautiful things to do in Hangzhou. This is a real central part of history and culture in the city! With hanging lanterns, views from different levels, a rooftop area to look out from, mahogany furniture and more, there is even a public tea room where stage performances are held!

One of the best things to do in Hangzhou is simply to explore the city itself.

From the shiny business district, with its skyscrapers and golden sun building, to the older buildings of Hefang Street – the city is just wonderful in every direction.

Hefang Street is good for souvenirs, and you’ll feel like you’ve taken a step back in time. The golds and reds will wow you, and it feels very traditional.

The business district, bright and modern, is great for shopping. The Alibaba group is based here, an internet industry enterprise, and the 2016 G20 summit was held here too. There is always something going on in Hangzhou, and the city has a little bit of everything- there really are so many things to do in Hangzhou.

Hangzhou Safari Park is an animal park located in Hangzhou, China. It is one of the largest animal parks in China and is visited by thousands of tourists every year It is one of the most popular things to do in Hangzhou for families.

The park boasts a wide range of animals including tigers, lions, elephants, giraffes, monkeys, pandas and more. Visitors can view the animals in their natural habitats and observe them from a safe distance. The park also offers a variety of activities and attractions such as a petting zoo, an animal show, and a safari ride.

The Hangzhou Safari Park is divided into two sections: the animal park and the zoo. The animal park consists of an enclosed area where visitors can observe and interact with the animals. This section includes a petting zoo, where visitors can pet and feed the animals. The zoo section is where visitors can observe the animals in their natural habitat. Visitors can also take a safari ride in the zoo and get up close to the animals.

The park also features a number of educational exhibits and activities . There are interactive exhibits and activities designed to educate visitors about the animals, their habitats, and conservation efforts. Visitors can also watch educational films and lectures about the animals and their habitats.

The park also offers a variety of recreational activities such as horseback riding, pony rides, and a children’s playground.

A visit to Crazy Apple Land is one of the things to do in Hangzhou that is not for the faint hearted! This is a Chinese-style theme park with all the trimmings. Be prepared for questionable safety, lots of sugar and large crowds of people!

This is China’s largest polar ocean park. Located close to Xianghu lake, Hangzhou Changqiao Polar Ocean World is a polar marine park that houses a variety of Artic and Antartic Wildlife.

Popular with families, there are various marine animals here including sea lions and dolphins. There are performances too, which are popular in China but generally unethical . Hangzhou Polar Ocean Park is currently the only place in China that has bought pilot whales.

Going to Neobeo is one of the best things to do in Hangzhou for kids. This theme-park come soft play ids absolutely huge and deserves an entire day visit. There are interactive activities, water play, dressing up games, ride on cars and so much more. This is no ordinary soft play!

The best restaurants in Hangzhou

There are plenty of restaurants in Hangzhou. Here are some of the highest recommended places to eat in the city:

This is an example of fine dining in the city, so if you’re looking for special things to do in Hangzhou then going out for dinner should be on your list. Looking over the Qianting River and beautifully decorated, this 22nd floor restaurant has delicious food and attentive staff that make for an all-round special experience. There is a buffet with impeccable options, and the restaurant are hot on making sure people with allergies are catered to. This place comes highly recommended!

Another high recommendation, this vegetarian-friendly restaurant is small and warm with plenty of delicious food on offer. It’s very popular so you may have to wait or come back later, but that just shows how good the food is. All the more reason to visit! Each dish has a story, and there is plenty of variety too.

This is a popular Mexican restaurant. Fancy some burritos? Then this is your place!

Blue Frog is a chain found throughout China. The restaurant serves a variety of Western food and is popular with foreigners. The burgers are amazing and the cocktails are pretty good too!

This is a cantonese-style Chinese restaurant that offers food that Westerners are more familiar with compared to the local cuisine. This restaurant is found in Star Avenue Mall.

Another firm favourite amongst Westerners, this Australian restaurant serves excellent quality meat and a range of other food. They deliver too.

This is one to save for date night! This Italian located in Raffles Mall serves exquisite food and the views of the city here are spectacular.

this restaurant serves delicious Middle Eastern Cuisine

This restaurant might be quite far out from the city centre, but the drive is worth it! Come here for a traditional English roast dinner or a steak and you won’t be disappointed.

A firm favourite of mine, Simply Thai is a traditional Thai restaurant with the best Thai Green Curry in town!

Whilst I did not explore the nightlife scene in Hangzhou to a great extent, I know that some people do love a good night out. Hangzhou is a big city and it isn’t always easy to find the best places to go as a foreigner. So, if you are looking for some evening drinks and maybe a bit of a dance, try these places out for size:

College Bar
Midtown Brewery

If seeing the Leifeng Pagoda is on your list, then a trip to Hangzhou is a must. Many people travel here for a couple of days from Shanghai using the high speed train. Beware that not all hotels in China will allow foreigners to stay and many will allow you to book and pay without notifying you of this! Here are some of my recommendations for places for foreigners to stay-

Rock&Wood Cozy House is a beautiful hotel. As the name suggests, there is a real cosy vibe inside – soft hues and plenty of cushions. There is free parking and free WiFi, air conditioning and 24-hour security. Leifeng Pagoda is exactly a mile away, but the area is quiet. Previous guests really praise the delicious food, fantastic host and comfortable rooms. Each room has a private bathroom with toiletries and a hairdryer, and breakfast is available on-site too.

Yuyou Hotel is great if you are looking to visit Hangzhou on a budget. Offering free WiFi, free parking, family rooms and great disabled access, this is a fantastic hotel for so many different travellers. There is a bar and restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and each room has air conditioning and a private bathroom. The hotel has a business centre too, should you be travelling for work purposes!

Floral Hotel Chatan Boutique Inn offers something a bit special. Stunning garden views and balconies with hammocks, hot tubs and beautiful decor – this is all part of the experience. Breakfast is available on site, and there is plenty of outdoor space including BBQ facilities. WiFi is free and there is air conditioning, room service and even a library!

Still not sure where to stay? Type your search dates in the box below for a full list of all available accommodation options and prices for your travel dates.

There are lots of things to do in Hangzhou, all of which I have tried and tested during my time living in China. Whether you are a family, a single adult or a student, there are plenty of things to do in Hangzhou to keep you occupied.

If you want to see what these things to do in Hangzhou look like in real life, head on over to my Instagram page to view my stories. And if you enjoyed this article on the best things to do in Hangzhou, I am sure that you will love these too:

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Hangzhou Travel Guide

As the capital of Zhejiang Province. Hangzhou is an important traffic hub in Southeast China as well as the second center city of the Yangtze River Delta Region. It is a city mixed with classic beauty and modern charm.

With its developed economy, Hangzhou has ranked second in China according to its GDP. Alibaba is one of the most recognized companies.

With a long history of over 2200 years, Hangzhou is one of the seven ancient cities in China. Known as "Heaven on Earth", Hangzhou has become a popular tourist city in China.

Hangzhou Facts

Chinese name: 杭州
Pinyin: Hangzhou
Location: Hangzhou is located in the eastern part of China, approximately 180 kilometers from Shanghai. It lies at the center of the East China region and the Yangtze River Delta, with extremely convenient transportation.

Hangzhou Weather

Hangzhou’s climate is classified as a subtropical monsoon climate with distinct seasons. Spring in Hangzhou has a variable climate, warm and humid. The summer is hot and rainy. The autumn climate is pleasant, cool, and dry while winter is cool and quite humid.

In terms of temperature, January, April, July, and October serve as dividing points for the four seasons - winter, spring, summer, and autumn - in Hangzhou. It's noteworthy that January is the coldest and is damp cold, so it's advisable to dress warmly during this period. The rainy season in Hangzhou lasts from mid-April to September, so it's advisable to remember to bring rain gear.

Best Time to Hangzhou Travel

The best time to visit Hangzhou is during the months of March to April and September to October. However, when it comes to experiencing Hangzhou, the season and weather don't matter much, as West Lake acts like a magician and can transform into a breathtaking sight in any season or weather condition.

March to May: is perfect for a leisurely stroll along the Su Causeway, surrounded by fragrant blooming trees and flowers.
June to August: Hangzhou is at the peak of the summer season with hot weather, but visitors can still enjoy the vibrant lotus flowers blooming under the bright sun around West Lake.
September to November: is ideal for tourists with crisp and refreshing air, and the sweet fragrance of osmanthus flowers lingers in the air. Mid-Autumn Festival around this time is especially enjoyable, where visitors can witness the Qiantang River Tidal Bore during the day and enjoy a moonlit lake tour at night.
December to February: It's the severe winter season when the winter-sweet blooms vyingly. Visiting three holy lands to appreciate winter-sweet is a must - Solitary Hill, Lingfeng, and Chaoshan. Also, "Broken Bridge in Melting Snow", one of the top ten scenic spots in West Lake, is at its most charming during this season.

Hangzhou History

Hangzhou, with a history of over 2200 years, has always been an important city in the Wu-Yue region since ancient times. The Wu-Yue during the Five Dynasties and the Southern Song Dynasty once established their capitals here. Numerous scholars, including Bai Juyi, Su Dongpo, and others have unabatedly praised the beauty of West Lake, spreading the scenic beauty of Hangzhou through poems, thereby marking an important position in the history of Chinese culture.

Hangzhou Culture

Hangzhou has a rich tradition of arts and culture. The famous "West Lake Ancient Architectures," "Ten Views of West Lake," and "Song Dynasty Town in Hangzhou" represent the unique cultural features of Hangzhou. In addition, traditional crafts such as Hangzhou brocade and silk are also unique cultural symbols.

How to Get to Hangzhou

As the capital city of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou has extremely convenient transportation . Convenient daily flights and high-speed trains can take you to Hangzhou from almost all cities and popular tourist destinations in the country, such as Shanghai, Suzhou, Ningbo, Nanjing, and Huangshan…

It is approximately 1125 kilometers from Beijing (4.5 hours by bullet train).
It is about 165 kilometers from Shanghai (approximately 3 hours by car).
It is about 125 kilometers from Suzhou (approximately 2.5-3 hours by car).
It's approximately 190 kilometers from Huangshan (3-3.5 hours by car).

In addition, many international flights closely link Hangzhou with several countries (regions).

Get To Hangzhou by Air

Hangzhou has an international airport Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport , with flights to and from all major cities in the country. Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport has opened 190 domestic and international air routes, including 128 domestic routes, 56 international routes, and 6 regional routes.

Get To Hangzhou by Train

Hangzhou has two important train stations - Hangzhou Station and Hangzhou East Station, with many trains from all over the country running to Hangzhou.

Hangzhou Railway Station , also known as the City Station, mainly stops at the ordinary passenger trains at the start and end of the route. It also handles passenger business for some high-speed EMU trains on the Shanghai-Kunming and Hangzhou-Ningbo lines. Hangzhou Station's originating trains are distributed in all directions nationwide, with the surrounding areas of Shanghai, Ningbo, and Wenzhou having the most. It takes just a 10-minute taxi ride to West Lake from the City Station, which is very convenient.

Hangzhou Railway East Station has originating trains to Shanghai, Ningbo, Nanjing South, Hefei, Wenzhou, Changzhou, Huainan, Jinan, Beijing, Nanchang, Fuzhou, Tianjin, Nanchang, Wuhan, Jiujiang, Zhengzhou, Cangnan, Xiamen, Qingdao, Changsha, Lu'an, Longyan, Jinggangshan, Bozhou, Wuchang, Ganzhou, Suzhou, Pingdingshan, Xinyang, Yichang, Shiyan, Huaihua, Nanning, Guiyang, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Kunming, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Zunyi, Zhanjiang, etc., primarily high-speed trains, bullet trains and fast, normal trains, with Hangzhou East Station mainly featuring high-speed trains and bullet trains.

Get To Hangzhou by Bus

Hangzhou's highway network is also considerably developed, including expressways connecting all major cities in the country. Hangzhou mainly has four long-distance bus stations, namely the Passenger Transport Center, West Station, South Station, and North Station. Based on the geographical position relative to Hangzhou, the buses at these four stations run in different directions.

1、Hangzhou Passenger Transport Center(Jiubao Passenger Station)

Mainly runs to provinces like Jiangsu, Fujian, Hubei, Shandong, Anhui, Shanghai, and other places.

Contact: 0571-87650678
Address: No. 3339 Desheng East Road, Jiubao Town, Jianggan District
Transportation: 7392, 1707, 1703, 1701, 1704, 1708, 1712, 5704, 69, 100, 104, 170, 225, 328, 365, 387, 393

2、Hangzhou West Bus Station

Runs mainly to Hangzhou's west-lying destinations, with routes radiating to Tonglu, Chun'an, Xin'anjiang, Longyou, Quzhou, Jiangshan, Changshan, Kaihua in Zhejiang Province; Shexian, Tunxi, and Huangshan in Anhui Province; and Nanchang, Jingdezhen, Shangrao, Jiujiang, Boyang, and Yushan in Jiangxi Province, along with Wuhan in Hubei Province etc.

Contact: 0571-85222237
Address: No. 357 Tianmushan Road, Xihu District
Transportation: 49, 193, 310, 382, 70, 91, 179, 193, 277, 353, 381, 596

3、Hangzhou South Bus Station

Mainly undertakes long, middle, and short-distance passenger transportation from Hangzhou southwards, radiating toward Zhejiang (Jinhua, Wenzhou, Lishui, Zhuji, and Tonglu), Guangdong, and Fujian provinces.

Contact: 0571-86075352
Address: No. 455 Wujiang Road, Southeast corner of the intersection of Qiu Tao Road and Wujiang Road, Exit D of Wujiang Road Station, Metro Line 1
Transportation: 14, 20, 44, 64, 84, 139, 315, 317, 360, 514

4、Hangzhou North Bus Station

Operates routes mainly for the northern passenger flow, mainly heading to Anhui, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Beijing, Henan, Shandong, Hubei, Chongqing, and other provinces and cities, with intra-province buses mainly for northern Zhejiang's Huzhou, Jiaxing, etc.

International Travel

International travelers may choose major routes entering China such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, and then choose to transfer by flight or train to Hangzhou. Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport also provides some direct international flights.

Read more on Travel to Hangzhou from Nearby Cities .

Top Things to Do in Hangzhou

As one of China's most renowned tourist cities, Hangzhou has numerous attractions . The most famous and iconic of all is West Lake , the heart and soul of tourism in the city. Other landmark sights include Leifeng Pagoda , Lingyin Temple , Feilai Peak, Six Harmonies Pagoda , and Xixi National Wetland Park .

If you are interested in Chinese history and culture, don't miss out on a visit to Songcheng (Song Dynasty Town) and China Silk Museum . If you like natural scenery or classical architecture, or if you are interested in Jack Ma's story and his Alibaba, Hangzhou is a must-see on your travel list.

From an iconic boat trip on West Lake to a perfect side trip to Wuzhen water town , we've listed the 5 best things you should not miss out on when traveling in Hangzhou.

1. Boat on West Lake

The West Lake is a large lake with several causeways and verdant islets and has been nationally famous for the "Ten Scenes of West Lake" (ten famous scenic spots in West Lake).

However, most of them are seasonal and you can't see all of them at one time. The best way to see most sights of the lake is to walk along the path on a clear day, take a boat ride, or take a ferry to visit one of its islets.

2. Greet the Carved Buddhas in Lingyin Temple

Located to the west of West Lake, Linyin Temple is the oldest temple in Hangzhou with a history of almost 1,700 years.

In front of the temple is Flying Peak. Along the way up you will be greeted by many different statues of Buddha carved into stones.

3. Savor Longjing at Meijiawu Tea Plantation

Renowned for planting and producing high-quality Longjing tea, Meijiawu Tea Plantation is a large and quiet place ideal for experiencing Chinese tea culture.

In Meijiawu, you can enjoy a cup of afternoon tea in a courtyard, pay a visit to the houses of local tea farmers, buy some authentic Chinese teas at reasonable prices, or more luckily, join in the work of producing tea.

4. Stay Overnight in Wuzhen Water Town

Only a 1.5-hour drive from Hangzhou City, Wuzhen Water Town is one of the best choices for travelers in Hangzhou who have one or two days for a side trip.

Blessed with well-preserved old buildings and charming night views, the over-1,300-year-old Wuzhen nowadays serves as a living water town museum with traditional workshops.

5. Visit Alibaba Campus

Besides West Lake and the water towns, Hangzhou is also the home to Alibaba, and "a city without cash" is its new name card.

One of Alibaba's huge successes is that they have built an ecosystem for a range of industries: Alibaba has set up a series of smarter and faster businesses including futuristic hotels, supermarkets, and bookstores in Hangzhou.

Hangzhou Hotels

Hangzhou offers a wide variety of accommodation choices, ranging from luxury hotels, business hotels, economical hotels to youth hostels. Luxury hotels, such as Four Seasons Hotel and Hangzhou Intercontinental Hotel by the West Lake, provide top-notch services and lake-view rooms, with prices generally exceeding 1,000 RMB per night.

For business hotels near West Lake, the price ranges from 300 RMB to 500 RMB per night, while four-star hotels generally cost between 500 RMB and 700 RMB. Mid-low-end (three-star and economical) hotels are predominantly priced between 200-300 RMB, while beds in youth hostels beloved by backpackers mostly go for about 100 RMB.

Generally, when considering accommodation in Hangzhou, options near West Lake or the city center - Wulin Square and Lakeside Business District - tend to be better. Accommodation near West Lake Boulevard is preferred as it provides convenient access to various places.

Hangzhou Food

Hangzhou cuisine , known for its exceptional quality and reasonable prices, is a highlight of Jiangnan and is one of the eight great traditions of Chinese cuisine known as Zhejiang cuisine. Described as "refreshingly unique," Hangzhou cuisine emphasizes fresh ingredients, meticulous preparation, diversity, nutritional value, and a balance between saltiness and freshness.

The average cost of a regular meal per person ranges between 50 RMB and 80 RMB, while high-end restaurants like Louwailou and Zhiweiguan cost around 100 RMB or more per person. For those who prefer street foods like noodles and pan-fried buns, meals can cost as little as 20 RMB - 30 RMB per person.

Traditional dishes: Dongpo Pork, Longjing Shrimp, Jiaohua Young Chicken, Hangzhou Soy Sauce Duck, West Lake Water Shield Soup, West Lake Vinegar Fish, Song Sao Fish Soup, Fish Head Tofu, Honey Sauce Fire Square, Deep-fried Bell, Red-cooked Rolling Chicken, White Bird Chao Feng, Chestnut Winter Mushroom, Oil Simmered Spring Shoots.
New Hangzhou dishes: Hangzhou Eight Tastes, West Lake Crab Wrapped, Tree Flower Stew Chicken, Salt and Pepper Pigeon, Dried Bamboo Shoot Stew Old Duck, Fragrant Leaf Roasted Crab, Egg Yolk Green Crab, Abalone Duck, Chicken Juice Cod, White Sand Red Crab, Hibiscus Shrimp, Hand-pulled Chicken, Qianjiang Shredded Pork, Wu Lin Stew Duck, Paper Bag Shark Fin.
Famous Hangzhou snacks: Zhi Wei Small Steamed Buns, Onion Package Stew, Cat’s Ears, Shrimp-blasted Eel Noodles, Pian Er Chuan Noodles.

Shopping in Hangzhou

Today, most people visiting Hangzhou want more than just local specialties. Hangzhou is becoming a fashion-forward city, attracting more stylish individuals for shopping . Hangzhou-style women's clothing on Wulin Road, Silk Market at Four Seasons Youth, Hangzhou Silk City, and much more will captivate female shopaholics.

Entertainment in Hangzhou

The entertainment life in Hangzhou is rich and colorful, filled with contrasts and harmony. You can taste delicious tea at Meijia Wu or Longjing village and play cards while sipping, experiencing a leisurely life rhythm. Alternatively, you can head to the bar street on Nanshan Road to let off steam and enjoy the nightlife to the fullest.

At West Lake Paradise, you can sit on a spacious patio with a cup of aromatic coffee, getting drunk on the beautiful lake view. Hubin Road pedestrian street is a dazzling place with numerous bars and clubs that will leave you completely enthralled, with music and revelry every night.

Hangzhou Transportation

Public transportation networks in Hangzhou are well-developed and convenient. The bus routes in the city area cover every corner, offering tourists a convenient and fast travel option. The subway system connects the city's major commercial and tourist areas, making it easy to travel from one place to another. Apart from that, taxis and shared bikes are very common modes of transportation. Whether you want to travel quickly or explore Hangzhou's cityscape while cycling, you can always find a suitable way to travel.

Visiting Hangzhou with China Travel

Our experienced team of travel consultants is prepped to cater to your unique preferences. We focus on delivering only the very best of travel experiences. We are proud to serve millions of happy customers. If you are planning a tour of Hangzhou, see our most popular Hangzhou tour for inspiration o contact us to customize your Hangzhou tour .

1-Day West Lake Walking Tour
2-Day Essence of Hangzhou Tour
3-Day Suzhou and Hangzhou Tour from Shanghai

The Top Things to Do and See in Hangzhou, China

West Lakes pagodas are some of the most impressive sights in Hangzhou

One of the China’s seven ancient capitals, Hangzhou’s exquisite heritage sites – from the pagodas of West Lake to Lingyin Temple – have been immaculately preserved. It’s not all pure serenity though: this prosperous city also offers lively shopping streets, renowned restaurants and even a Song Dynasty theme park. Check out our guide for the best things to see on your trip.

Walk around the west lake (xihu).

The 6.4sqkm West Lake is a Unesco World Heritage Site, thanks to its influential design of pagodas, temples, causeways and artificial islands. It’s best known for the Xihu Shi Jing, or Ten Scenic Spots in the West Lake – a series of beautiful views that are each marked with a four-character epithet, written in Chinese calligraphy. These include “Two Peaks Piercing the Clouds” and “Fish Viewing at the Flower Pond”.

Take in the tranquillity of Lingyin Temple

Lingyin Temple is one of China’s oldest and largest Buddhist temples – and one of the top attractions in the region. It opened in 326 CE, during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, having been founded by the Western Indian monk Hui Li. Its grounds and series of sacred halls, such as the Heavenly Kings Hall, the Mahavira Hall and the Yaowang Hall, cover an area of around 90,000sqm.

Meet the Buddhas of Fei Lai Feng

Beside the grand Lingyin Temple looms Fei Lai Feng, a limestone mountain 168m high. And while the sight of it is impressive enough, its real attractions are the 345 handcrafted stone Buddha figures carved from rock. They date back all the way to to the Song, the Yuan and the Five Dynasties – some from the later Liang, Tang, Jin, Han and Zhou dynasties – setting a sacred atmosphere as you walk up the trail.

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Learn the legend of Leifeng Pagoda

This five-storey, eight-sided tower on the south of the West Lake dates back to 975 CE – the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. The pagoda is famous nationwide thanks to Chinese folklore, the Legend of the White Snake . The tale is about a lake-dwelling snake spirit who falls in love with a human named Xu Xuan – at the end, the snake is eternally imprisoned by a Buddhist monk in Leifeng Pagoda.

Go bird-watching at Xixi Wetland Park

Xixi Wetland Park is one of China’s national 5A-level tourist attractions – a system for rating the quality of tourist attractions in China. Covering 11.5sqkm, six rivers flow through the park, among branching streams, fish pools and lakes. The most scenic spots include the hazy fisher village, the autumn snow temple, the anchorage thatching and the Xixi water attic. Look out for the 126 species of birds along the way, such as sparrow hawks and herons.

Eat Hang dim sum in Zhi Wei Guan

Chinese snack food is taken up a notch at Zhi Wei Guan, which has been running since 1913. Graze your way around the menu of crab steamed buns, wonton soup, dim sum and moon cakes – plus traditional Hang dishes like Xihu fish in vinegar gravy and steamed lotus root stuffed with sticky rice. Ask for a table on the terrace, so you can look out at over West Lake while you eat.

See a show at Songcheng

Billed as a theme park but more of a themed park, it’s the biggest of its kind in China – with six million visitors per year. Songcheng is an entire town modelled on the Song Dynasty: wandering around, you’ll see characters in costumes, traditional workshops and over-the-top architecture. The main attraction here is the West End-style performance of Romantic Show of Songcheng , popular for its sensational costumes and lighting during an hour of music, dancing and acrobatics.

Go shopping on Hefang Street

Hefang Street is a microcosm of traditional Hangzhou, with specialist craftspeople selling everything from feather pillows to sugar candy sculptures. Stop off at Hu Qing Yu Tang and Fang Hui Chun Tang Chinese medicine shops, the scissor store Zhang Xiao Quan or the Wan Long ham store – which are all rich in historic value. Or simply stroll around the vendors and teahouses to soak up the ancient ways of Hangzhou.

Visit the Former Residence of Hu Xueyan

This Qing Dynasty mansion, built between 1872 and 1875, was created by a second-grade officer in the Qing government, merchant Hu Xueyan. His lavish lifestyle is still evident – on display are lashings of valuable antiques, rare paintings, expensive wooden furniture and fashionable Western ornaments, revealing the Sino-Western cultural mix of the era. The garden is also fabulously ostentatious, featuring the biggest artificial cave in China and a lake.

Eat a traditional meal at 28 HuBin Road

If you’re looking for fine dining in Hangzhou, 28 HuBin Road is a safe bet – it regularly ranks in Asia’s 50 best restaurants. It’s the Hyatt Hotel’s signature Chinese restaurant, with a menu of traditional cuisine from Hangzhou, Suzhou to the north and Huaiyang to the west. Try the Dongpo pork pyramid, an exquisite dish which requires fresh ingredients and expert knife skills. Elegant, Song Dynasty-inspired decor makes the food taste all the better.

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Museum of Wander

10 Must-Do Things in Hangzhou, China (With Map)

An ultimate guide to things to do in Hangzhou, China.

Heaven on Earth. That’s what the Chinese call Hangzhou, and rightly so! Just under an hour away from Shanghai by train, Hangzhou is a stunning city with so much to see and do. Yet, it’s often overlooked or visited only on a day trip from Shanghai. This has to change.

Like so many places in China , Hangzhou is a vibrant mix of ancient, present and future. The city is one of China’s Seven Ancient Capitals, with a history going back thousands of years. As the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty, Hangzhou prospered and grew into one of the largest and most prosperous cities in the world.

Visitors to Hangzhou are in for a treat, as the city hosts marvellous cultural and natural sights to see and experience. Of all the things to do in Hangzhou, the serene UNESCO West Lake is the most famous and often the sole reason to visit.

But there is so much more to Hangzhou than the lake and the equally stunning gardens surrounding it. After spending three days in Hangzhou, we must agree: Hangzhou is heaven on earth. We just loved Hangzhou, and we’re sure that you’ll love her too.

Continue reading, and we’ll show you the best things to do in Hangzhou, where to stay, where to eat (and what to order), as well as our 3-day itinerary for Hangzhou.

Update: With Hangzhou hosting the 2023 Asian Games, this smashing city will no doubt bask in its well-deserved limelight. If you’re coming to Hangzhou for the Asian Games, you should definitely put aside a few days to explore this lovely city.

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you).

LuYu (炉鱼)

Quick Guide to Hangzhou

Visited: December Suggested time: 3-4 days Where to Stay: Haitang Yishhu or the Ji Hotel Nanshan Road Famous for: West Lake, Longjing green tea, Beggar’s Chicken Transportation: Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, high-speed rail Tip: Riding a share bike along the lakeshore is much better than sitting in a taxi. Unique experience : A sampan ride through the Xixi wetlands

Where is Hangzhou in China?

Hangzhou is located in the southern Yangzte River delta and is the capital city of Zhejiang province. Shanghai Hongqiao station is just under an hour away by bullet train. International airlines such as Qatar Airways , Singapore Airlines and KLM fly to Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport.

The city has a subtropical climate with hot and humid summers and cool winters. Autumn and spring are supposed to be the best times to visit. We visited in December, though and thought it was just grand. Visiting over Christmas is perfect if you want to avoid the crowds, as everyone will be in school or at work.

How to get to Hangzhou from Shanghai or Suzhou

Hangzhou is less than an hour away by bullet train from Hongqiao Station in Shanghai. There is a train every 10 minutes or so (incredible, I know). Trains are super modern, clean and FAST. Book your train tickets online , and just show up with your e-ticket and passport to catch your train. Tickets cost about RMB 70.

To get from Hangzhou to Suzhou by train, you will travel back to Shanghai and then continue to Suzhou. You won’t have to transfer, though, and the journey all the way to Suzhou should take less than 2 hours. Tickets cost about RMB 100 and run every 20 minutes or so. Book your Hangzhou-Suzhou train tickets online for your own convenience.

Reasons to visit Hangzhou

Hangzhou is one of the most beautiful cities in China and certainly one of the most pleasant. With a history of more than 2,000 years, Hangzhou is not only beautiful but also boasts incredible cultural and historic sights to visit. In fact, it is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (West Lake and the Grand Canal).

When Marco Polo visited Hangzhou in the late 13th century, he proclaimed Hangzhou “beyond dispute the finest and the noblest in the world.” According to a Chinese proverb, “Above is heaven and below is SuHang ( Suzhou and Hangzhou).

Today, the beauty of Hangzhou remains, and it’s easy to see why the Chinese can claim to have a piece of heaven here on Earth. The beauty of West Lake alone is a good enough reason to visit Hangzhou.

Being one of China’s wealthiest cities, Hangzhou’s sights are all kept in excellent condition; the city is clean, safe and has a world-class infrastructure.

Lakeside Hangzhou, with its ancient pagodas, temples, monasteries, tea plantations, Chinese gardens, neon lights and delicious food, is as Chinese and as vibrant as Beijing or Shanghai but much more laid-back.

It is the perfect introduction to China before moving on to the crazy big and busy mega-cities. If you’re looking to ease into China, make Hangzhou your first stop. For us, the beauty of Hangzhou is that it’s so beautiful and green that it is easy to forget that you’re in a city with more than 10 million people.

Where to stay in Hangzhou

As to be expected of a world-class city with a population of more than 10 million, Hangzhou has accommodation to suit every budget and taste. For casual visitors like you and me, the best place to stay in Hangzhou would be as near to West Lake as possible.

Now, that doesn’t really make it any easier, as there are thousands of hotels and guesthouses all around West Lake. At first, we considered the Ji Hotel , but then we found another place that we liked more. When we got to Hangzhou, we walked past the Ji Hotel, and it does indeed look like a nice hotel in a very good location.

However, we chose to stay on the opposite side of West Lake, as we thought it might be more quiet and relaxing. So, let’s tell you about the place where we stayed in Hangzhou.

We stayed at the Haitang Yishu Hostel, located on a quiet street in a whole neighbourhood full of guesthouses and boutique hotels. There is nothing hostel about the Haitang Yishu, though. Boutique guesthouse might be a more accurate description.

Our large room had a queen-sized bed, bathroom with a bathtub and shower, and a separate toilet. Breakfast is not included, but there are many cute cafes and restaurants scattered between the guesthouses. We had steamed dumplings for breakfast from the breakfast joint just across the street.

We liked how the area is green and lush. Picture bamboo forests, manicured gardens and forests. If you’re looking for a quiet place near West Lake, the Botanical Garden, Dragon Well tea plantation and Lingyin Temple, definitely consider staying here.

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Things to do in Hangzhou

Arched bridge in a Chinese garden in Hangzhou

Give yourself at least two full days in Hangzhou. Anything less than that will be an insult to Hangzhou’s beauty and laid-back charm.

Hangzhou proudly boasts the largest bike-sharing scheme in the world, and with at least 175,000 bikes, you are never too far away from a bike. Cycling between sights is the most enjoyable way to see Hangzhou.

All you need to do is to scan the QR code using Alipay, and you’re ready to roll. Alipay is an unmissable app when travelling in China, so do yourself a favour and set it up before you come to China. Read here how to install and use Alipay as a foreigner .

We really liked how most of the things to do in Hangzhou were free, and we only had to pay entrance fees to the Lingyin Temple complex.

While we visited all the places we mention in this blog on our own using a combination of bikes and Didi (Chinese Uber), it can be difficult if you don’t speak a little Chinese. After taking Mandarin lessons for more than two years, Jin’s Chinese is good enough for us to do it ourselves.

Taking an organised tour will be much more relaxing and worthwhile if you don’t speak Chinese but still want to experience the best that China has to offer. Or even better, we think (since we like to do things our way) is to get a translator who will take you where and when you want to. Jack Hangzhou is your man if you’re looking for a fixer in Hangzhou.

1. Admire the beauty of West Lake

A man rowing a boat on West Lake, Hangzhou

The serene West Lake is the most famous landmark in Hangzhou. No words or photos can really capture the beauty of it.

Beauty aside, West Lake is a UNESCO cultural heritage site for the influence it has had on garden design in China, Korea and Japan. West Lake is also believed to encapsulate the ideal relationship between man and nature.

The beauty of West Lake has inspired artists, poets and lovers for centuries. The Chinese believe that certain spots of West Lake are best appreciated for their beauty during a specific time of day or season. They are called the Ten Scenes of West Lake. While being very important cultural aspects for the Chinese, for us foreign visitors, they are just pretty to look at.

The Ten Scenes of West Lake are:

Crooked Yard and Lotus Pool in Summer
Spring Dawn at Su Causeway
Moon over the Peaceful Lake in Autumn
Melting Snow on Broken Bridge
Listening to Orioles Singing in the Willows
Fish Viewing at the Flower Pond
Sunset over Leifeng Pagoda
Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds
Evening Bell Ringing at Nanping Mountain
Three Pools Mirroring the Moon

We rode a bike to the Xiling Seal Society, then walked to the Crooked Courtyard before connecting to Su Causeway. The narrow Su Causeway, flanked by the lake on both sides, is 2.8 km long and makes for an excellent stroll surrounded by the beauty of West Lake.

Along the way, you’ll cross six arched stone bridges with poetic names such as Crossing Rainbow Bridge or Ripples Locking Waves Bridge. By the time you reach Leifeng Pagoda on the opposite side of Su Causeway, you’re most likely to be in a Zen state of mind.

Entrance Fee: Free

2. Go green at Longjing (Dragon Well) tea plantation

A 20-minute taxi ride from West Lake will take you to the village of Longjing (龙井). Beautiful Longjing is home to the Longjing green tea plantation (also called Dragon Well green tea), which is the most famous green tea in China. Longjing has been producing China’s finest green tea for over 1 200 years,

Longjing is incredibly picturesque and should definitely not be missed. Plan to spend at least half a day here, walking between the tea bushes and tasting tea at one of the many tea houses. Of course, you should also drink the Longjin green tea while you’re here.

While you might be tempted to immediately follow the sign saying Dragon Well – DON’T. Ignore that sign for now and continue walking straight down the road. This will take you to the Nine Creeks , which is really beautiful.

We walked down this road, crossing small creeks along the way, and the scenery just kept on getting better and better. You will be swimming in a sea of green, with tea bushes tumbling down the hills from every direction.

You could hike across the mountains or take the same road you came on to take you back to Longjing village. Back in the village, follow the sign to the Dragon Well for more great views. We think, though, that the scenery along the Nine Creeks is much, much better. See both and decide for yourself.

Longjin Village itself is actually very nice. It was definitely not tacky or as touristy as we expected. The ladies offering tea are friendly but not pushy. Come in winter, and you’ll see hundreds of ducks hanging outside curing, often on the same washing line as the laundry.

The fantastic Green Tea restaurant , halfway between West Lake and Longjing, should definitely not be missed. It was our favourite restaurant in Hangzhou. Stop here for dinner or lunch before heading back to Hangzhou.

3. Glide through the Xixi Wetlands on a sampan

The Xixi Wetland Park is yet another beautiful place to visit in Hangzhou. The Xixi wetlands are worth a visit not only for their natural beauty but you’ll also find ancient villages scattered between the waterways. The wetland has been inhabited for 1,800 years, and it’s in these villages that two of China’s most important cultural traditions were born: Dragon boats and South China Operas.

The absolute best way to see the Xixi wetlands is from a sampan, a traditional Chinese, flat-bottomed, wooden boat. Your boatman will not only row you along the waterways but will also offer you some of Hangzhou’s famous Longjing green tea. We can’t think of a better way to spend a few hours than quietly gliding along the waterways, surrounded by nature and quaint villages, while sipping on China’s best green tea.

We got a DiDi to the North Gate 西溪国家湿地公园 (北门). From the North Gate, it’s a nice 30-minute walk to reach Shentankou village, where you can get a sampan (follow the signs to Boat Dock). Hand-paddled sampans go for RMB 100 per hour.

Half-Day Xixi Wetland Park Tour with Boat Ride

4. Walk over the Gongchen Bridge & the Grand Canal

Everyone knows the Great Wall of China, but have you heard of China’s Grand Canal?

The Grand Canal is the world’s longest man-made waterway, stretching 1776 km between Beijing and Hangzhou. What makes this feat of engineering even more incredible is the fact that it was constructed nearly 2,000 years ago! In fact, the earliest traces of the Grand Canal date back to the 5th century BC.

The entire length of the canal, which connects the Yellow River with the Yangtze River, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The best place to see the Grand Canal is at the Gongchen Bridge (大运河拱宸桥). This three-arched stone bridge, 92 meters long and 16 meters high, dates back to the Ming dynasty and also marks the end of the Grand Canal. The Gongchen bridge is beautifully lit up at night, so come here before sunset and watch the never-ending line of barges ply up and down the canal.

Cross the bridge on foot, and you’ll enter the very charming Qiaoxi History Culture Street. Most of the old houses have been turned into little art galleries, restaurants, cafes or museums without it being tacky.

We were over the moon when we spotted Lan Fong Yuen. If you’ve been to Hong Kong, you’ll probably know how good the milk tea from this tiny teahouse in Soho is. If you haven’t been, order yourself a sweet milk tea, watch the barges slip away underneath the Gongchen bridge…and put Hong Kong on your to-do list.

Entrance: Free

5. Take Your Soul on a Retreat to Lingyin Temple

Lingyin Temple, also known as the Temple of the Soul’s Retreat , is one of China’s largest and wealthiest Buddhist temples. Grab a free pack of incense sticks at the entrance, and light it with everyone else at the sacred pot for good fortune.

The temple complex consists of several enormous halls, each containing equally enormous statues of gods and deities. The main hall houses a 19-meter tall statue of Sakyamuni sitting on a 10-meter tall lotus flower. In another hall, you’ll find hundreds of bronze statues depicting weird and wonderful Arhats (Buddhist disciples).

We particularly liked the nice temple gardens and the yellow-black-green colour palette of the temple.

Lingyin Temple is located about 4 km away from West Lake, and a DiDi or taxi should be about RMB 15.

To enter Lingyin Temple, you will first need to pay 45 RMB to enter the Lingyin Scenic Area. Then, once you reach Lingyin Temple, you will need to buy an entrance ticket to the temple, which costs 30 RMB.

For some reason bureaucracy, you can’t buy both tickets at the same time and place. Also, remember to bring your passport along. Like many other places in China, you are required to show your passport before you can buy an entrance ticket.

Entrance Fee: 45 RMB to enter the area + RMB 30 for the temple.

7. Spot the fat laughing Buddha of Fei Lai Feng

Just before reaching Lingyin Temple, you’ll get to the mountain of Fei Lai Feng (飞来峰). Translated as Peak Flown From Afar, legend has it that Fei Lai Feng flew all the all way from India and landed here in Hangzhou. Legend also has it that before landing here in Hangzhou, the mountain went on a rampage and destroyed hundreds of villages while flying around.

Carved into this mountain that flew all the way from India are hundreds of Buddhas – big and small. These Buddhas were carved into the mountain to help the mountain calm down and stop it from destroying villages again. The most famous of these Buddhas is the fat, laughing Buddha.

Why is the Laughing Buddha so fat? According to legend, the Laughing Buddha swallows all the troubles in the world and keeps them in his round belly.

Entrance to the Lingyin Scenic Area is 45 RMB. This allows access to Fei Lai Feng and some minor monasteries further away. It does not include entrance to Lingyin Temple.

Entrance Fee: RMB 45

8. Find the Best Night View of West Lake

The stunning West Lake is equally stunning at night. After the sun has set, the pagodas, bridges, pavilions and islands light up, and West Lake completely changes character. A stroll along the shore at night will not only be idyllic and romantic but is also the perfect after-dinner activity to walk off all that Dongpo pork!

Particularly scenic is the Jixianting pavilion (集贤亭), which is one of Hangzhou’s iconic scenes. The small pavilion almost seems to be floating on the lake and, with the mountains in the background, is one of the most photogenic places along the lake. There are many cool lakeside cafes and restaurants in this area, and it is also popular with Chinese singing or dancing at night.

If you can’t make it to Leifeng Pagoda for sunset (One of the famous Ten Scenes of West Lake ), then after dark is just as good. The five-story tall, eight-sided pagoda is beautifully lit up at night. The best spot to admire the view and take pictures is from the Shuangtou Bridge (双投桥). From behind the Shuangtou Bridge, you’ll see the low bridge zig-zagging towards a small pavilion, with the Leifeng Pagoda standing behind it.

If you’re in Hangzhou during the summer, you should definitely go and see the highly acclaimed Enduring Memory of Hangzhou Show that takes place every night. Everyone raves about it.

9. Make Your Mark at the Xiling Seal Art Society

Moon gate entrance of the Xiling Seal Art Society in Hangzhou

Dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Xiling Seal Art Society (西泠印社) is dedicated to the research and art of traditional Chinese calligraphy. This society is recognized on UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Before stepping through the moon gate entrance, look over across the lake to see the Moon over the Peaceful Lake in Autumn scene.

Once inside, a tranquil garden of pebbled paths, bonsais, rockeries, ponds and traditional Chinese buildings will welcome you. Displayed throughout the complex of buildings are wonderful examples of calligraphy and stamp designs.

One stamp describes how the carver had spent his day using only four characters! The art of creating the perfect stamp is to use every line to its maximum potential so that it can express an entire culture’s ideas and psyche.

Stone seals at Xiling Seal Art Society in Hangzhou

Stone seals are still used today throughout Asia instead of signatures on official documents and correspondence. For the ultimate souvenir, get your own seal made by a master carver.

A small series of steps behind the main building leads up to the carving workshop. There are countless types and shapes of stones to choose from, and the master engraver will, of course, capture you in the design.

The Xiling Seal Art Society is located on the peaceful, pedestrian-only Gushan Hill. From here, it’s a lovely walk to Su Causeway.

10. Eat Zhejiang Cuisine

As the capital city of Zhejiang province, Hangzhou is a great place to gorge on Zhejiang, or simply Zhe, cuisine. Zhe cuisine is one of China’s eight culinary traditions and as everywhere else we go, we think that food is the fastest way to connect with the culture of our destination.

Visitors to Hangzhou can look forward to some really good dining, and we think it’s in fact one of the best things to do in the city. Zhe cuisine is loved for its fresh and light flavours with a mellow aroma. It’s also not as greasy or spicy as you’ll typically expect of Chinese food.

Where to eat in Hangzhou (and what to order)

Most places in China have some kind of picture menu (accompanied by hilarious English translation more often than not). At places without picture menus or English, it can be challenging…

Two Hangzhou dishes you MUST HAVE are Dongpo pork (东坡肉)and Beggar’s Chicken (叫化鸡).

So here is our top tip : Screengrab pictures you find online and simply show them to your waiter. This has worked for us for months before Jin’s Chinese mumbles turned into speech. If all else fails, use a translator app and tell the waiter to choose something for you.

Here are the places we recommend to eat in Hangzhou (remember the screenshots, people 🙂 ).

Green Tea Restaurant (绿茶餐厅)

The best meal we had in Hangzhou was at the fantastic Green Tea Restaurant, located halfway between West Lake and the Longjing tea plantation. Sitting in the middle of a pond, this restaurant, with its wooden interior, oozes charm, and the setting is beautiful. Even more beautiful is the food.

There are also branches in the city, but for atmosphere and ambience, this setting right between the green tea fields can’t be beaten.

You can scan the QR code on your table to see the picture menu and order everything you want.

What to order?

Dongpo Pork (东坡草扎肉): A square cut of pork, consisting of equal parts fat and lean meat. The meat is braised in a clay pot until it will fall apart when you touch it with a fork. Roasted Pork with Green Tea and Chives (绿茶葱香烤肉): Another stunning pork dish! Roasted, thinly sliced and infused with green tea leaves. It is as good as it sounds. Green Tea Chicken (绿茶葱香烤鸡半只): Even more roasted meat and green tea flavours. Chinese Broccoli (油淋脆菜心): Because you can’t live on meat alone (sometimes I beg to differ).

Address: 浙江省-杭州市-西湖区-龙井路83

Hangzhou Restaurant(杭州酒家)

A great and very popular place to try Hangzhou cuisine is simply called Hangzhou Restaurant. The real reason you want to come here is to eat the amazing Beggar’s Chicken, which originated in Hangzhou.

Beggar’s Chicken is a whole chicken that is wrapped in lotus leaves and covered in clay before it is sloooooowly baked (up to 6 hours). According to legend, Beggar’s Chicken came to be after a beggar stole a chicken, but having no cooking utensils, he had to cover it in mud and bake it in the coals.

When you order the Beggar’s Chicken, the chef/ chicken man will bring the chicken to your table. He will then hand you a wooden mallet. After saying a blessing, you need to tap the clay pot with the mallet. This is repeated another two times, at which point the chicken man will open the chicken for you. Laying eyes on your chicken as it’s revealed will be love at first sight.

Beggar’s Chicken (果木泥烤叫花鸡). Come here early to get a chicken. The first night we got here at 18:00, and they were all gone already, so we had to come back the next day. Longjing Shrimp (龙井虾仁) Peeled, freshwater shrimp infused with Longjing tea leaves and Shaoxing wine. Dongpo Pork (东坡草扎肉): Not nearly as good as at Green Tea Restaurant, but still pretty damn good. Vegetables and rice to pretend that you’re not only here for the meat.

Address: 浙江省-杭州市-上城区-延安路205号(近东坡路)

LuYu (炉鱼)

Under the same management of Hangzhou’s famous Grandma’s House, LuYu has the best fish we’ve had in China so far. And I’m pretty sure it will remain our number one Chinese fish place until forever.

What to order? FISH!

Forget fish and chips. The way the Chinese do fish is quite different. First, the fish is grilled until it’s wonderfully smokey and crispy. Add extras of your choice, such as potato, mushrooms, rice cake, corn or glass noodles. Then it’s smothered in a soup of your choice, from not spicy all the way up to what were you thinking!!!???

We ordered the grilled sea bass (海鲈鱼(烤鱼) with garlic sauce (蒜香味) + less spicy (微辣), which was a match made in heaven. If you have space left at the end, get the delicious Shuāng pí nǎi milk pudding (双皮奶).

LuYu is on the 5th floor of the Kerry Mall. This address in Chinese will get you there: 浙江省·杭州市-下城区-延安路353号杭州嘉里中心F5

Things to do in Hangzhou map

3 Day itinerary for Hangzhou

Here is how we spent 3 days in Hangzhou. Our 3-day itinerary for Hangzhou is relaxed, and we surely didn’t rush from one place to the next. Feel free to adjust it to your needs.

Arrive in Hangzhou in the morning. Check into accommodation.
Go to Longjing Tea plantation.
Dinner at Green Tea Restaurant
Xiao long bao and dumplings breakfast.
Ride a share bike to Xiling Seal Art Society.
Walk along West Lake and cross Su Causeway.
Grand Canal and Qiaoxi Culture Street.
Dinner at LuYu
Starbucks breakfast outside the Lingyin Scenic area.
Buddha spotting at Fei Lai Feng
Lingyin Temple
Xixi wetlands and boat ride.
Dinner at Hangzhou Restaurant
Jixianting pavilion and Leifeng Pagoda night views.
MacMorning breakfast at the train station before catching the train to Suzhou.

And that’s how you do Hangzhou

Enjoy your time in Hangzhou. We are sure you are going to love it! Let us know in the comments below if you have any questions.

Things to Do in Hangzhou, China - Hangzhou Attractions

Things to do in hangzhou.

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Good for Kids
Good for Big Groups
Adventurous
Budget-friendly
Good for a Rainy Day
Hidden Gems
Good for Couples
Honeymoon spot
Good for Adrenaline Seekers
Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. The silk Market

2. Silk Featured Street

3. Mark night Market

4. River square Shopping Street

5. Rainbow silk Shopping Center

6. zhang xiaoquan museum shop, 7. qianjiang bird and flower market, 8. qianjiang small commodities market.

9. West Lake tea Market

10. Hangzhou cultural Centre

11. Hangzhou silk show Shopping Center

12. West Lake creative Mart

13. xinshi street night market, 14. wangjiang road farmers ' market, 15. xiasha integrated market, 16. flower market, 17. phoenix bird city market, 18. north commodity market, 19. south railway station bird and flower market, 20. rag market, 21. omi night market.

22. Dongsheng small commodities Market

23. pearl market for haberdashery market, 24. north bus station small commodities market, 25. aike change shop, 26. celebrate spring square, 27. holly bird and flower market, 28. south coast flower market, 29. doi zhejiang native produce market, what travelers are saying.

COMMENTS

12 Best Places to Visit in Hangzhou for First-time Visitors
Hangzhou, regarded as "Heaven on Earth", is one of the most beautiful cities in China.The stunning natural landscapes, impressive historical sites, palatable Zhejiang cuisine, and more make it a popular tourist city.This article will introduce 12 best places to visit in Hangzhou for the first-time visitors to enjoy a pleasant trip there.
Top 8 Things to Do in Hangzhou (Best Places to Visit)
1. Wander in the West Lake Wonderland. West Lake is Hangzhou's most famous attraction. No matter whether the weather is cloudy, rainy, snowy, or sunny, no matter whether early in the morning or late at night, West Lake always puts on a show of beauty. Walk, bike, or boat around West Lake to relax in a massive showpiece demonstrating the style ...
30 BEST Places to Visit in Hangzhou (UPDATED 2024)
1. West Lake (Xi Hu) 7,544. Scenic Walking Areas. Admission tickets from ₹5,428. Considered one of the most beautiful sights in Hangzhou, this scenic lake is sheltered on three sides by hills, with open flat land to the northeast where downtown Hangzhou is located. See full details. See ways to experience (142) 2.
THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Hangzhou
1. West Lake (Xi Hu) 7,544. Scenic Walking Areas. Admission tickets from $65. Considered one of the most beautiful sights in Hangzhou, this scenic lake is sheltered on three sides by hills, with open flat land to the northeast where downtown Hangzhou is located. See full details. See ways to experience (142) 2.
Top 14 Hangzhou Attractions, Places to Visit in Huangzhou
• Type: Park, Lake • Recommended Length of Visit: at least half a day • Address: West Lake Scenic, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang (杭州市西湖区) West Lake (Xi Hu), long considered one of the scenic wonders of China, is the most famous attraction in Hangzhou.West Lake, a place of tranquility, is surrounded by hills on three sides while Hangzhou City itself is on the eastern shore.
12 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Hangzhou
Explore more with our comprehensive list of places to visit and fun things to do in Hangzhou. See also: Where to Stay in Hangzhou. On This Page: 1. See the Famous Bridges of West Lake. 2. Visit the Home of the General: Yue Fei Temple. 3. Pretty Pagodas: Liuhe, Leifeng, and Baochu.
The 10 BEST Things to Do in Hangzhou, China (2024 Guide)
Table of Contents. Top 10 Things to Do in Hangzhou, China. 1) The West Lake. 2) Baochu Pagoda. 3) Drink Longjing Tea. 4) Leifeng Pagoda. 5) Lingyin Temple and The Carved Buddhas. 6) Qīnghéfāng Old Street. 7) Gongchen Bridge and The Grand Canal.
Must-see attractions Hangzhou, Zhejiang
Discover the best attractions in Hangzhou including West Lake, Lingyin Temple, and Longjing Tea Village. Lonely Planet. Destinations. Planning. Inspiration. Shop. Search. Saves. Open main menu. Asia. ... Hangzhou. This second branch of the China National Tea Museum, which opened in 2015, enjoys stunning views of the surrounding tea plantations ...
THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Hangzhou
1. West Lake (Xi Hu) 7,542. Scenic Walking Areas. Admission tickets from HK$520. Considered one of the most beautiful sights in Hangzhou, this scenic lake is sheltered on three sides by hills, with open flat land to the northeast where downtown Hangzhou is located. See full details. See ways to experience (142) 2.
Things to do in Hangzhou, China
Second only to Beijing as an arts centre, Hangzhou is home to the China Academy of Art with a folk-art museum that's worth a visit just to see Kengo Kuma's terraced modern space. The Zhejiang Art Museum gives an overview of the city's art history, but there's more of a contemporary buzz at the white-box Sanshang Art gallery. 5/8.
One Day in Hangzhou, China: Itinerary & Where to Go in 24 Hours
What to do in Hangzhou in 24 hours: A complete 1-day Itinerary. As with most of our travel itineraries, this Hangzhou itinerary gives you a chance to explore cultural and historical sites while tasting the local cuisine and soaking up the atmosphere.. You'll start your day in downtown Hangzhou. Fill up on some street food before checking out the lake and a few of its main attractions.
Hangzhou Attractions, Tourist Spots You Must Visit in Hangzhou
Here are our travel advisor recommended Hangzhou attractions, including the West Lake, water towns of Wuzhen and Xitang, Peak Flown from Afar and Lingyin Temple. ... 3-Week Must-See Places China Tour Including Holy Tibet; Make the most of your time. How to Plan Your First Trip to China 2024/2025 — 7 Easy Steps; Best (& Worst) Times to Visit ...
The 10 Most Beautiful Places To Visit In Hangzhou
2. Visit the 345 faces at Fei Lai Feng. Another must-see in Hangzhou, right next to the Buddhist Lingying Temple is Fei Lai Fang. A grand mountain at 168 metres high, the main attractions are the 345 Buddha statues which are handcrafted out of stone.
38 Awesome Things To Do In Hangzhou
Hangzhou Polar Ocean Park is currently the only place in China that has bought pilot whales. Neobeo . Going to Neobeo is one of the best things to do in Hangzhou for kids. This theme-park come soft play ids absolutely huge and deserves an entire day visit. There are interactive activities, water play, dressing up games, ride on cars and so much ...
THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Hangzhou (Updated 2024)
1. West Lake (Xi Hu) 7,542. Scenic Walking Areas. Admission tickets from C$90. Considered one of the most beautiful sights in Hangzhou, this scenic lake is sheltered on three sides by hills, with open flat land to the northeast where downtown Hangzhou is located. See full details. See ways to experience (142) 2.
Hangzhou Travel Guide: Classic Beauty and Modern Charm
Written by ivana Updated Nov. 23, 2023. As the capital of Zhejiang Province. Hangzhou is an important traffic hub in Southeast China as well as the second center city of the Yangtze River Delta Region. It is a city mixed with classic beauty and modern charm. With its developed economy, Hangzhou has ranked second in China according to its GDP.
The Top Things to Do and See in Hangzhou, China
Walk around the West Lake (Xihu) The 6.4sqkm West Lake is a Unesco World Heritage Site, thanks to its influential design of pagodas, temples, causeways and artificial islands. It's best known for the Xihu Shi Jing, or Ten Scenic Spots in the West Lake - a series of beautiful views that are each marked with a four-character epithet, written ...
Top 10 Things to Do in Hangzhou, China (With Map)
10. Eat Zhejiang Cuisine. As the capital city of Zhejiang province, Hangzhou is a great place to gorge on Zhejiang, or simply Zhe, cuisine. Zhe cuisine is one of China's eight culinary traditions and as everywhere else we go, we think that food is the fastest way to connect with the culture of our destination.
The TOP-RATED Things to Do in Hangzhou, China
The Hangzhou Zoo covers over 50 acres and includes more than 20 venues with 2000 rare animals. You can visit golden monkeys, tigers, chimpanzees, and Asian elephants. Of course, you'll also see giant pandas. The panda house is the most popular spot in the zoo. It currently holds two giant pandas.
Best Things To Do in Hangzhou, China. [Ultimate] Travel Guide, Tips
Chinese National Museum. Chinese National Museum Hangzhou, China / xiquinhosilva / Flickr. The tale of silk continues to be told at a museum in Zhejiang. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of China's first state-level museums, and the world's largest textile and costume museum are located in Hangzhou on the West Lake.
Things to Do in Hangzhou, China
Things to Do in Hangzhou, China: See Tripadvisor's 137,542 traveler reviews and photos of Hangzhou tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in April. We have reviews of the best places to see in Hangzhou. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.

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Top 14 Hangzhou Attractions | Places to Visit in Hangzhou 2024

No.1: West Lake - Immerse Yourself in the Beauty of the Scenery

No.2: Lingyin Temple - Visit the Oldest Ancient Temple in Hangzhou

No.3: Longjing Tea Plantation - Pick the Fresh Tea and Enjoy the Idyllic Life

No.4: Hefang Street - Enjoy Local Snacks

No.5: Hu Qing Yu Tang - Learn More about Chinese Medicine

No.6: China National Tea Museum - Explore Chinese Tea Culture

No.7: Former Residence of Xueyan Hu - Visit the Top Mansion in Jiangnan

No.8: Xixi National Wetland Park - Have a Peaceful Break

No.9: Six Harmonies Pagoda - Admire the Masterpieces of Ancient Chinese Architecture

No.10: China National Silk Museum - Learn more about Chinese Silk

No.11: Enduring Memories of Hangzhou - Watch the New Version Impression West Lake

No.12: Grand Canal Night Cruise - Take a Cruise to Enjoy Hangzhou City from the River

No.13: Wuzhen & Xitang - Row on the River and Appreciate the Beauty of Water Town

No.14: Qiandao Lake & Moganshan - Find a Petty Bourgeoisie Resorts to Spend a Relaxing Holiday

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The Best Things To Do In Hangzhou, China

2. Visit the 345 faces at Fei Lai Feng

3. Light incense at Lingyin Temple

4. Learn about Folklore at Leifeng Pagoda

5. Take a walk around Xixi Wetland Park

6. Eat Hang Dim Sim

7. Explore Hefang Street

8. Hyatt 28

9. The National Tea Museum

10. Hangzhou Botanical Gardens

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