Hangzhou blends classical lakeside scenery with a fast-growing modern city. You experience calm temples, gardens, and tea fields alongside creative districts and new waterfront developments.
Discover Hangzhou
Discover Hangzhou
Why visit Hangzhou?
What to expect
You can stroll tree-lined promenades around West Lake, explore historic streets, then step into sleek malls, metro stations, and tech-focused neighbourhoods. The pace is relaxed, yet the city feels dynamic and forward-looking.
Plan your trip
Hangzhou works well as both a short city break and a base for exploring Zhejiang province, including tea plantations and canal towns. Its high-speed rail and airport links make it an easy addition to a wider China itinerary.
Top sights in Hangzhou
West Lake
Walk or cycle along the causeways, take a boat ride between small islands, and enjoy classic views of pagodas and pavilions reflected in the water.
Leifeng Pagoda
Climb or take the lift up this modern pagoda on an ancient site for sweeping views over West Lake and the city skyline beyond.
Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak
Wander through forested grounds dotted with halls and stone carvings, and follow trails around limestone grottoes carved into the hillside.
Meijiawu Tea Village
Visit this tea-growing village on the city outskirts to see terraced Longjing tea fields and sample fresh green tea in traditional teahouses.
Grand Canal and Gongchen Bridge
Explore the old canal-front area with restored warehouses, museums, and narrow lanes that tell the story of Hangzhou as a trading hub.
Qinghefang Historic Street
Stroll this preserved street lined with traditional façades, time-honoured shops, and small museums tucked into old houses.
Xixi National Wetland Park
Cruise along narrow waterways, walk wooden boardwalks, and watch birds and seasonal flowers in this vast urban wetland reserve.
Experience Hangzhou’s everyday rhythm
Getting around
Hangzhou’s metro and buses connect most main sights, with taxis and ride-hailing apps filling in the gaps. Cycling paths around West Lake offer a scenic way to move between viewpoints, while walking works best for the final stretch through older streets.
Local life & culture
Early mornings bring locals out for tai chi by the lake and gentle exercise in parks, while evenings see families and friends gathering along waterfront promenades. Creative parks and university districts add a youthful energy, with galleries, small studios, and performance spaces.
Where to unwind
You can relax in lakeside parks at sunset, find quiet corners in temple courtyards, or spend time in teahouses overlooking tea fields on the hills. Cooler hours in the early morning and late afternoon are ideal for outdoor walks and boat rides.
A taste of Hangzhou
Street food & local specialties
Look for neighbourhood eateries and markets near West Lake and Qinghefang for dishes such as Dongpo-style braised pork, fish cooked with vinegar sauce, and light snacks made with fresh bamboo shoots and river produce.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Shopping districts and newer neighbourhoods host casual restaurants and cafés serving regional Chinese cuisines and international options, often grouped in convenient clusters. Smaller portions and shared plates let you sample several dishes in one meal.
Signature & scenic dining
For memorable meals, choose restaurants with windows over West Lake, riverside terraces along the canal, or hillside teahouses overlooking tea terraces, where the setting enhances refined Hangzhou-style cuisine.
Retail therapy in Hangzhou
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Large malls near the city centre offer international brands, local designers, cinemas, and family attractions, making them easy places to combine shopping, dining, and entertainment in one stop.
Markets & local crafts
Historic streets such as Qinghefang and nearby alleys are good for buying tea, silk items, fans, and handicrafts, while smaller creative districts showcase independent labels and design studios.
Evening retail scene
After dark, illuminated streets and open-late malls create a lively but relaxed atmosphere for browsing, with food streets nearby for a snack break. Metro and bus services make it simple to return to your hotel after an evening out.
Best time to visit Hangzhou
Spring (March to May, shoulder season) is mild and often clear, with average temperatures around 13–22°C (55–72°F), and flowers blooming around West Lake. Summer (June to September, peak season) is hot and humid, about 25–33°C (77–91°F), with occasional showers that create atmospheric mist over the lake. Autumn (October to November, shoulder season) is usually dry and comfortable at 15–23°C (59–73°F), with colourful foliage in parks and hills. Winter (December to February, low season) is cold but rarely severe, roughly 3–9°C (37–48°F), and offers quieter sights and brisk walks by the water.