Hangzhou is known for its calm West Lake scenery, classical gardens, and old streets that blend tradition with a fast-growing modern city. You experience gentle landscapes, tea fields, and a relaxed pace beside the water.
Discover Hangzhou
Discover Hangzhou
Why visit Hangzhou?
What to expect
You find tree-lined lakeside promenades, misty hills, and historic temples set close to sleek malls and business districts. The city feels green and spacious, with many spots designed for strolling, cycling, and slow exploration.
Plan your trip
Hangzhou works well as a first stop in eastern China, with fast rail links to Shanghai and nearby cities. Allow time to explore the lake, tea villages, and museums before continuing deeper into the Yangtze River Delta region.
Top sights in Hangzhou
West Lake
Walk or cycle around this UNESCO-listed lake, crossing stone bridges and causeways while taking in views of pavilions, willows, and distant hills.
Leifeng Pagoda
Climb or ride the lift up this reconstructed historic pagoda for wide views over West Lake, the city skyline, and the surrounding hills.
Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak
Explore one of the region's most important temple complexes and wander the nearby limestone grottoes carved with centuries-old stone figures.
Longjing Tea Village
Head into the hills outside the city to see terraced tea fields and traditional villages, then relax with fresh local green tea overlooking the plantations.
Hefang Street
Stroll this preserved old street lined with shops in traditional-style buildings selling snacks, handicrafts, and local specialties in the evening glow of lanterns.
Grand Canal Hangzhou section
Visit the historic canal area, where museums, warehouses, and waterside paths tell the story of one of the world’s oldest waterways.
Xixi National Wetland Park
Take a boat or walk along boardwalks through this wetland reserve, discovering waterways, reed beds, and small heritage villages.
Qianjiang New Town light show
In the evening, watch the riverfront skyline light up with colourful displays across modern towers and cultural buildings.
Experience Hangzhou’s everyday rhythm
Getting around
Use the metro and buses to move between key districts and West Lake, then switch to shared bikes or walking for lakeside paths and older streets. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are helpful for late evenings or when travelling with luggage.
Local life & culture
You see residents practising tai chi by the lake, friends gathering in parks, and families enjoying evening walks along promenades. Traditional teahouses, theatres, and small neighbourhood squares show how the city balances old customs with modern urban life.
Where to unwind
Find quiet corners in lakeside parks at sunrise or enjoy sunset views from hilltop pavilions. For a deeper reset, wander the tea fields and wetlands outside the centre in the early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are softer.
A taste of Hangzhou
Street food & local specialties
Look for neighbourhood eateries around West Lake and Hefang Street serving Hangzhou-style dishes, snacks, and fresh river-inspired cuisine, often in simple, friendly settings.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Shopping districts and new business areas host casual restaurants, food courts, and cafés offering regional Chinese flavours alongside international options, making it easy to sample several dishes in one meal.
Signature & scenic dining
For a memorable meal, choose lakeside or riverside restaurants with picture-window views, or book a table in a hotel venue overlooking West Lake or the illuminated Qianjiang New Town skyline.
Retail therapy in Hangzhou
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Large malls in the city centre and Qianjiang New Town bring together international brands, local designers, cinemas, and family-friendly entertainment under one roof.
Markets & local crafts
Browse streets near Hefang Street, Wushan Square, and traditional quarters for silk, tea, paper crafts, and small boutiques selling regional products and souvenirs.
Evening retail scene
After dark, busy commercial streets and riverside areas glow with shopfronts, snack stalls, and illuminated façades, with metro and buses keeping these districts easy to reach well into the evening.
Best time to visit Hangzhou
Spring (March to May, shoulder season) is mild, with temperatures around 13–23°C (55–73°F) and fresh greenery around West Lake and the tea fields. Summer (June to September, peak season) is warm and humid, averaging 24–33°C (75–91°F), with lively evenings by the water. Autumn (October to November, shoulder season) brings comfortable 14–23°C (57–73°F) days, clearer skies, and colourful foliage. Winter (December to February, low season) is cool at around 3–10°C (37–50°F), with a quieter, misty atmosphere on the lake.