Hangzhou blends classic lakeside scenery with a fast-growing modern city. You find peaceful temples, teahouses, and gardens sitting alongside creative districts and new business centres.
Discover Hangzhou
Discover Hangzhou
Why visit Hangzhou?
What to expect
At the heart of Hangzhou is West Lake, framed by willow trees, pavilions, and causeways that invite slow walks. Beyond the lake, you discover leafy hills, tea plantations, and lively neighbourhoods filled with cafés, galleries, and boutiques.
Plan your trip
Hangzhou works well for a short city escape or as part of a wider journey through eastern China. Excellent rail links make it a convenient base for exploring nearby cities and scenic countryside.
Top sights in Hangzhou
West Lake
Stroll or cycle around West Lake to see historic causeways, stone bridges, small islands, and gentle views that change with each season.
Leifeng Pagoda
Climb or take the lift up Leifeng Pagoda for panoramic views over West Lake, the city skyline, and distant hills.
Lingyin Temple Scenic Area
Explore Lingyin Temple and its surrounding grottoes and forested paths, a quiet green area just outside the city centre.
Tea plantations of Longjing
Head to the Longjing tea villages to walk among terraced fields, visit local tea houses, and learn how the famous green tea is produced.
Songcheng cultural park
Experience large-scale shows and themed streets that recreate aspects of Hangzhou life in ancient times, with plenty of family-friendly activities.
Grand Canal waterfront
Visit the Grand Canal area to see restored warehouses, museums, and riverside walkways that tell the story of Hangzhou as a trading hub.
Xixi National Wetland Park
Take a boat ride through this urban wetland reserve, passing reed beds, waterways, and traditional-style villages tucked among the channels.
Experience Hangzhou's everyday rhythm
Getting around
The Hangzhou Metro and public buses are the most efficient way to move between key districts, West Lake, and the railway stations. For scenic views, cycle or walk around the lake, then use taxis or ride-hailing services for the final stretch to your hotel.
Local life & culture
Morning joggers, dancers, and tai chi groups gather along West Lake promenades, while artists and students fill creative districts and cafés. In the evenings, the lakeside and Grand Canal areas glow with lights, music, and relaxed crowds enjoying the waterfront.
Where to unwind
Find calm on shaded lakeside benches, in teahouses overlooking the water, or on boat rides at sunset. For greener escapes, the hills around Longjing tea fields and Xixi National Wetland Park offer refreshing air, best enjoyed in the early morning or late afternoon.
A taste of Hangzhou
Street food & local specialties
You can try classic Hangzhou dishes such as West Lake-style fish, braised pork, and delicate dim sum in older neighbourhoods and lakeside streets. Small local eateries and simple stalls offer quick, flavourful bites from breakfast to late night.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Shopping malls and new business districts host casual restaurants, cafés, and international chains where you can mix local flavours with familiar favourites. Portions are often designed for sharing, so you can sample several dishes with friends or family.
Signature & scenic dining
For a memorable meal, you can dine in restaurants overlooking West Lake, canals, or terraced tea fields, especially beautiful at sunset. Some hotels and high-rise venues offer refined menus with city or lake panoramas as a backdrop.
Retail therapy in Hangzhou
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Large shopping centres in the city core bring together international brands, Chinese designers, cinemas, and family attractions, making them easy places to spend a full afternoon. Many also feature food courts and supermarkets for convenient everyday needs.
Markets & local crafts
Smaller streets and traditional-style lanes are good for browsing silk, tea, handicrafts, and local design pieces. Areas near the lake and historic neighbourhoods often hide small boutiques where you can find souvenirs with a Hangzhou touch.
Evening retail scene
After dark, shopping streets and riverfront districts light up with illuminated façades, busy cafés, and late-opening stores. Metro lines and frequent taxis make it easy to reach these areas in the evening and return to your hotel comfortably.
Best time to visit Hangzhou
Spring shoulder season runs from March to May, with mild days around 15–22°C (59–72°F) and flowers blooming around West Lake. Summer peak season, from June to September, is warm and humid, with temperatures of about 26–33°C (79–91°F), drawing many visitors to the lake and nearby hills. Autumn shoulder season, from October to early November, brings clear skies, comfortable 15–23°C (59–73°F) days, and colourful foliage around tea fields and parks. Winter low season, from December to February, is cool and often dry, with temperatures around 4–10°C (39–50°F) and fewer crowds.