Hangzhou, China: travel guide
A willow-fringed West Lake, tea hills and temples an hour from Shanghai
A byword for Chinese beauty for a thousand years, Hangzhou wraps around the willow-fringed West Lake, tea terraces of Longjing and the temples of Lingyin.
About Hangzhou
Hangzhou is built around West Lake, a landscape of causeways, pagodas and willow-lined shores that Chinese poets and painters have celebrated for centuries. It is easily reached from Shanghai by high-speed train, which makes it a natural weekend break.
Things to do in Hangzhou include walking the Bai Causeway and Broken Bridge, visiting Lingyin Temple, and strolling Hefang Street for snacks and crafts. The hills at Longjing are famous for green tea, and you can sit in a plantation teahouse, while Xixi National Wetland Park offers quiet waterways.
The city suits slow travellers and tea lovers. Spring, when new tea is picked, and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for a visit.
- Country
- China
- Currency
- CNY
- Time zone
- Asia/Shanghai
- Nearest airport
- HGH
Last updated
Top places to visit in Hangzhou
West Lake (Xi Hu)
scenic lake · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
The lake that has inspired Chinese poets and painters for a thousand years, ringed by causeways, arched bridges, pagodas and tea hills. A UNESCO cultural landscape; free to roam.
Lingyin Temple
buddhist · about 2 h · entry ¥45 (≈ ₹640)
One of China's largest and most revered Buddhist monasteries, founded in 328 AD, set among forested hills beside the Feilai Feng carvings.
Leifeng Pagoda
pagoda · about 1 h · entry ¥40 (≈ ₹570)
A rebuilt lakeside pagoda wrapped around the ruins of the original, famed in the Legend of the White Snake and giving golden-hour views over West Lake.
Broken Bridge & Bai Causeway
causeway · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The most romantic corner of West Lake, where the Bai Causeway meets the 'Broken Bridge' of snow-melt legend, lined with willows and peach trees.
Su Causeway
causeway · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A 2.8 km willow-and-peach-lined causeway across West Lake built by the poet-governor Su Dongpo, with six arched bridges — a classic walk or cycle.
Hefang Street (Qinghefang)
old street · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Hangzhou's restored old commercial street below Wushan Hill, lined with traditional pharmacies, silk shops, snacks and craft stalls.
Longjing Tea Village
tea plantation · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The terraced hills where China's most famous green tea, Longjing (Dragon Well), is grown; villages and the National Tea Museum offer tastings among the plantations.
Six Harmonies Pagoda
pagoda · about 1 h · entry ¥30 (≈ ₹430)
A majestic 59 m Song-dynasty pagoda overlooking the Qiantang River, historically a landmark for river navigation.
Xixi National Wetland Park
wetland park · about 3 h · entry ¥80 (≈ ₹1,140)
A tranquil expanse of ponds, reed beds and waterways on the city's western edge, explored by electric boat — a haven for birds and slow afternoons.
Feilai Feng Grottoes
buddhist carvings · about 1.5 h · entry ¥45 (≈ ₹640)
The 'Peak that Flew Hither' beside Lingyin Temple, its limestone cliffs and caves carved with hundreds of Buddhist figures from the 10th-14th centuries.
Wushan Square & City God Pavilion
hilltop pavilion · about 1 h · entry ¥30 (≈ ₹430)
A hill-top temple pavilion above the old town giving one of the best panoramas over West Lake and the city rooftops.
Things to do
- West Lake Boat Cruise Cruise · 1.5 h · from CNY 120 per person
- Longjing Tea Village Tour & Tasting Cultural · 3 h · from CNY 200 per person
- Lingyin Temple & Feilai Feng Tour Tour · 3 h · from CNY 220 per person
- West Lake Cycling Tour Adventure · 3 h · from CNY 150 per person
- Impression West Lake Evening Show Show · 1.2 h · from CNY 320 per person
Day trips and tours
- West Lake & Lingyin Temple Day Tour 8 h · from CNY 480
Where to stay in Hangzhou
- West Lake (Xihu) about CNY 900 per night
Lakeside hotels and lanes putting Hangzhou's signature scenery on your doorstep.
- Wushan & Hefang Street about CNY 600 per night
Old-town pedestrian streets and traditional shops near the lake's south-east.
Hotels
- Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake 5-star · CNY 2,500 to CNY 5,500 per night
- Hyatt Regency Hangzhou 5-star · CNY 1,200 to CNY 2,400 per night
- Jinjiang Inn West Lake 3-star · CNY 400 to CNY 650 per night
- Wushanyi International Youth Hostel 2-star · CNY 70 to CNY 240 per night
- Amanfayun 5-star · CNY 4,000 to CNY 9,000 per night
Where to eat
- Grandma's Home (Wai Po Jia) Chinese, Hangzhou, Zhejiang · about CNY 80 per person
- Louwailou Chinese, Hangzhou, Zhejiang · about CNY 200 per person
- Green Tea Restaurant (Lü Cha) Chinese, Hangzhou, Zhejiang · about CNY 100 per person
- Zhiweiguan Chinese, Hangzhou, Dim Sum · about CNY 60 per person
Getting to Hangzhou
Airport: Hangzhou (HGH)
Getting around
- Bicycle
- Bus
- Metro
- Ride Hail
- Taxi
- Walking
More in China
Frequently asked questions about Hangzhou
- What are the main places to visit in Hangzhou?
- Places covered in our Hangzhou guide include West Lake (Xi Hu), Lingyin Temple, Leifeng Pagoda, Broken Bridge & Bai Causeway, Su Causeway.
- Where should I stay in Hangzhou?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Hangzhou: West Lake (Xihu), Wushan & Hefang Street.
- How do I get around Hangzhou?
- Ways to get around Hangzhou covered in our guide: Bicycle, City bus, Metro, Ride-hailing app.
- Which airport is nearest to Hangzhou?
- The nearest airport to Hangzhou has the code HGH.