Why visit Hangzhou?
Hangzhou is known for its poetic scenery, where lakeside views, green hills, and historic streets sit alongside a fast-growing modern city. You can expect calm walks by the water, leafy parks, and a relaxed pace that contrasts with the energy of nearby major urban centres.
What to expect
At the heart of Hangzhou is West Lake, surrounded by causeways, gardens, and viewpoints that shape most visits. Beyond the waterfront, you will find tea-growing hills, riverside paths, and newly developed districts with high-tech offices, galleries, and stylish cafés that showcase the citys contemporary side.
Plan your trip
Hangzhou is an ideal first stop for exploring eastern China, with high-speed rail and road links to many nearby cities. You can base yourself near West Lake for sightseeing, then use the city as a comfortable gateway to surrounding tea villages, scenic reservoirs, and coastal or inland destinations.