Hangzhou blends serene lake scenery with a fast-growing tech scene, offering both poetic landscapes and a modern skyline. You experience ancient heritage alongside a vibrant, forward-looking city.
Discover Hangzhou
Discover Hangzhou
Why visit Hangzhou?
What to expect
You can stroll lakeside promenades, explore leafy temples, and then step into buzzing districts filled with cafés, galleries, and contemporary architecture. The pace is relaxed yet energetic, with green spaces woven through the city.
Plan your trip
Hangzhou works well as both a standalone city break and a base for exploring eastern China, including Shanghai and nearby canal towns. Allow at least three to four days to enjoy the lake, old streets, and modern districts.
Top sights in Hangzhou
West Lake
Walk or cycle around this iconic lake, pausing at causeways, pavilions, and viewpoints that have inspired centuries of poets and painters.
Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak
Explore one of Hangzhou's most famous temple complexes and the nearby rock carvings, set amid forested hills and quiet stone pathways.
Hefang Street and Old Town
Wander along this restored historic street lined with traditional façades, teahouses, and stalls selling local snacks and crafts.
Grand Canal Hangzhou section
Visit the southern end of the ancient Grand Canal, where riverside walks and museums tell the story of China's historic waterway.
Longjing Tea Village
Head into the terraced hills on the city's edge to see tea fields, taste fresh brews, and enjoy sweeping views back towards Hangzhou.
Xixi National Wetland Park
Take a boat through calm waterways and reed beds in this protected wetland, a peaceful contrast to the urban centre.
Qianjiang New Town
In the evening, admire futuristic riverside architecture and illuminated landmarks along the banks of the Qiantang River.
Experience Hangzhou's everyday rhythm
Getting around
Hangzhou's metro network and buses are the easiest way to cover longer distances between the lake, old town, and new business districts. For a different perspective, rent a shared bicycle for lakeside paths, then use taxis or ride-hailing for late-night returns.
Local life & culture
Morning tai chi by West Lake, families strolling tree-lined promenades, and students gathering in cafés all reflect Hangzhou's gentle daily rhythm. Historic teahouses, bookshops, and cultural venues reveal the city's long literary and artistic traditions.
Where to unwind
Find a quiet bench along Su Causeway at sunrise, or visit tea villages in the surrounding hills for fresh air and gentle walks. Later, relax in riverside parks by the Qiantang River, where soft evening light makes a calm end to the day.
A taste of Hangzhou
Street food & local specialties
Sample classic Hangzhou dishes and snacks in areas around Hefang Street and neighbourhood lanes near West Lake, where small eateries showcase local recipes and regional flavours.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Shopping malls and new districts such as Qianjiang New Town offer convenient restaurants with Chinese regional cuisines and international options, with smaller portions and sharing plates that let you try a range of dishes in one meal.
Signature & scenic dining
Choose a lakeside restaurant or a venue with river views for a memorable meal with Hangzhou's scenery as your backdrop, or opt for higher-floor dining rooms in modern towers to see the city lights while you eat.
Retail therapy in Hangzhou
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Large malls in central Hangzhou and Qianjiang New Town bring together international labels, local designers, cinemas, and cafés, making them easy places to spend an afternoon and pick up travel essentials.
Markets & local crafts
Explore side streets around Hefang Street, Wushan Square, and other older quarters for traditional crafts, tea, and handicrafts, where small shops and stalls highlight local makers.
Evening retail scene
As night falls, central shopping streets and riverside districts glow with neon, with many stores and stalls staying open late, and metro and buses keeping these areas straightforward to reach.
Best time to visit Hangzhou
Spring (March to May, shoulder season) brings mild weather around 15–22°C (59–72°F), ideal for walking by West Lake and visiting tea fields. Summer (June to September, peak season) is warm and humid, typically 25–33°C (77–91°F), with lively evenings by the water. Autumn (October to November, shoulder season) is cooler and clearer, about 13–20°C (55–68°F), with comfortable sightseeing conditions and colourful foliage in parks and hills.