Hangzhou offers calm lake views, tea-covered hills, and a blend of historic streets and modern life. You will find a laid-back yet refined atmosphere ideal for slow exploration.
Discover Hangzhou
Discover Hangzhou
Why visit Hangzhou?
What to expect
Expect tree-lined streets, a compact city centre, and neighbourhoods that wrap around West Lake and the Grand Canal. The pace is relaxed, with parks, cafés, and waterfront paths shaping daily life.
Plan your trip
Hangzhou works well as a stand-alone city break or as a starting point to explore eastern China, including nearby Shanghai. Give yourself a few days to enjoy the lake, hills, and old town streets.
Top sights in Hangzhou
West Lake
Stroll or cycle around this UNESCO-listed lake, dotted with small bridges, islands, and pavilions, especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset.
Leifeng Pagoda
Climb or ride the lift to the top of this lakeside pagoda for wide views over West Lake, the city skyline, and distant hills.
Lingyin Temple area
Explore the historic temple complex and its surrounding forested hills, carved stone grottoes, and quiet walking paths.
Longjing tea plantations
Visit the terraced tea fields in the Longjing area to walk between the rows, learn about local tea traditions, and enjoy a cup overlooking the hills.
Grand Canal waterfront
Head to the sections of the ancient canal lined with warehouses and restored houses, now home to museums, galleries, and riverside walks.
Qinghefang Ancient Street
Wander along this preserved street, where traditional façades house shops, teahouses, and small museums that hint at Hangzhou’s past.
Xixi Wetland Park
Take a boat ride or follow wooden walkways through this urban wetland, where quiet waterways and reeds sit surprisingly close to the city.
Experience Hangzhou’s everyday rhythm
Getting around
Use the metro and buses for most journeys between the airport, city centre, and West Lake. For a different view, rent a bicycle or join a boat on the lake, then rely on taxis or ride-hailing for late-night or last-mile hops.
Local life & culture
You will see residents practising tai chi by the lake, chatting in teahouses, and enjoying evening strolls on the promenades. Around the historic streets, traditional crafts, storytelling, and local opera mix with modern cafés and galleries.
Where to unwind
Relax on the shaded paths around West Lake or in smaller gardens tucked between the lakeshore and nearby hills. Xixi Wetland Park and the tea villages offer calm spots best enjoyed in the early morning or late afternoon when the light softens.
A taste of Hangzhou
Street food & local specialties
Seek out neighbourhood stalls and small eateries near Qinghefang and around the lake for classic Hangzhou dishes and quick snacks, from handmade noodles to seasonal lake fish and delicately prepared vegetables.
Casual & modern dining hubs
In busy commercial districts and malls, you will find convenient food courts, cafés, and casual restaurants serving regional Chinese cooking as well as Asian and Western favourites, with portions that make it easy to try several dishes to share.
Signature & scenic dining
For a memorable meal, choose restaurants overlooking West Lake or perched on nearby hills, where you can pair refined Hangzhou cuisine with water or city views, especially atmospheric in the evening.
Retail therapy in Hangzhou
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Central Hangzhou offers modern shopping centres that combine international brands, local designers, cinemas, and dining, making them easy places to spend a relaxed afternoon indoors.
Markets & local crafts
Browse streets near Qinghefang, the Grand Canal, and traditional neighbourhood lanes for silk pieces, tea, paper goods, and small handicrafts that reflect Hangzhou’s artisan heritage.
Evening retail scene
After dark, illuminated shopping streets and lively commercial areas stay open late, with many shops and snack stalls catering to night-time walkers and families, easily reached by metro or short taxi rides.
Best time to visit Hangzhou
Spring (March to May, shoulder season) is mild, with average temperatures around 15–22°C (59–72°F) and blooming trees around West Lake. Summer (June to August, peak season) is warm and humid, about 26–32°C (79–90°F), with lush greenery and occasional rain showers. Autumn (September to November, shoulder season) is comfortable, around 18–25°C (64–77°F), with clearer skies and colourful foliage. Winter (December to February, low season) is cool and often dry, around 4–10°C (39–50°F), with fewer crowds and a quieter lakeside atmosphere.