Hangzhou blends tranquil lake scenery with a fast-growing modern city. You can explore historic gardens, waterways, and tea fields, then return to a lively centre of design and technology.
Discover Hangzhou
Discover Hangzhou
Why visit Hangzhou?
What to expect
Expect misty mornings by West Lake, leafy boulevards, and a walkable historic core balanced by gleaming business districts. The city feels calm yet energetic, with pockets of quiet even near busy streets.
Plan your trip
Hangzhou works well as both a short break and a base to explore nearby water towns and the wider Zhejiang region. High-speed rail and expressways make it easy to connect to Shanghai and beyond.
Top sights in Hangzhou
West Lake
Stroll or cycle around this iconic freshwater lake, dotted with causeways, pavilions, and small islands that glow softly at sunrise and sunset.
Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak
Wander past stone grotto carvings at Feilai Peak before entering the leafy Lingyin complex, known for its dramatic cliffs and forested paths.
Dragon Well (Longjing) Tea Village
Head into the hills to see tea terraces, traditional houses, and small tea shops where you can learn about local tea culture among the fields.
Grand Canal Hangzhou section
Walk or cruise along the historic canal, passing preserved warehouses, narrow alleys, and waterfront neighbourhoods that come alive in the evening.
Hefang Street and Southern Song Imperial Street
Browse traditional façades and narrow lanes lined with heritage shops, snacks, and crafts that recall Hangzhou's time as an imperial capital.
Xixi National Wetland Park
Take a boat through tranquil waterways, reed beds, and small islands that offer a quiet break from the city and a chance to spot local birdlife.
Qiantang River waterfront
Walk the riverside promenades and parks, where you can watch boats glide past and see the skyline light up after dark.
Experience Hangzhou's everyday rhythm
Getting around
Hangzhou's metro and buses link key districts, West Lake, and railway stations efficiently. For scenic journeys, rent a bicycle or use shared bikes along lakeside and canal paths, then use taxis or ride-hailing for the final stretch to your hotel.
Local life & culture
Around West Lake and the historic streets, you will see residents practising morning exercise, playing music, or meeting friends by the water. Creative districts and university areas add galleries, design shops, and performance spaces to the city's cultural mix.
Where to unwind
Find calm in landscaped lakeside gardens, tea fields in the hills, and wetlands on the city's edge. Early mornings and late afternoons are ideal, when paths are quieter and the light is soft over the water and trees.
A taste of Hangzhou
Street food & local specialties
Look for classic Hangzhou dishes and snacks around Hefang Street, neighbourhood eateries, and lakeside lanes, where small shops serve local favourites late into the evening.
Casual & modern dining hubs
In commercial districts and malls, you will find a mix of regional Chinese cuisine and international flavours in bright, modern spaces, with smaller portions that make it easy to share and sample several dishes.
Signature & scenic dining
For a special meal, choose restaurants overlooking West Lake, tea terraces, or the riverfront skyline, where large windows and terraces frame the water and hills as you dine.
Retail therapy in Hangzhou
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Central Hangzhou has large shopping centres that combine international labels, local designers, cinemas, and cafés, making them easy places to browse, meet friends, and take a break indoors.
Markets & local crafts
Explore streets around Hefang and Southern Song Imperial Street, as well as smaller neighbourhood alleys, for silk, paper goods, tea, and handicrafts made by local workshops.
Evening retail scene
After dark, lit façades, riverside promenades, and busy shopping streets create a lively atmosphere, and metro lines and taxis make it simple to reach these areas and return to your hotel.
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), ideal for lakeside walks and tea fields. Summer (June to September, peak season) is warm and humid at about 24–33°C (75–91°F), with occasional rain showers and lively outdoor evenings. Autumn and winter (October to February, low season) range from about 5–20°C (41–68°F), with cooler, quieter days and a softer light over West Lake and the hills.