Hangzhou blends serene lakeside scenery with a modern cityscape, offering both poetic landscapes and a thriving urban core. You experience graceful gardens, historic streets, and contemporary design in one trip.
Discover Hangzhou
Discover Hangzhou
Why visit Hangzhou?
What to expect
You find leafy boulevards, a walkable waterfront, and a compact historic centre set against rolling hills. Tech districts, creative warehouses, and quiet residential lanes give Hangzhou a calm yet confident pace.
Plan your trip
Hangzhou works well as a stand-alone city break or as a gateway to eastern China, with fast rail links to Shanghai and beyond. Allow time for both classic sights and relaxed days by the water.
Top sights in Hangzhou
West Lake
Stroll or cycle around West Lake to see arched bridges, willow-lined paths, and small islands that have inspired poets and painters for centuries.
Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak
Walk through forested hills to explore ancient halls and stone grotto carvings, surrounded by cool air and birdsong just outside the city.
Hefang Street
Wander this restored historic street lined with traditional facades, teahouses, and shops selling local snacks, crafts, and souvenirs.
Longjing tea plantations
Head into the hills to visit Longjing tea terraces, where you can walk between the rows of tea bushes and enjoy sweeping views back towards the city.
Grand Canal waterfront
Discover old warehouses and waterside paths along the Grand Canal, an area that mixes historic transport heritage with modern galleries and cafes.
Quyuan Fenghe and flower gardens
Visit these landscaped gardens on the edge of West Lake to see seasonal flowers, shaded pavilions, and quiet ponds away from busier promenades.
Leifeng Pagoda
Climb or ride up to this reconstructed pagoda on a hill by West Lake for panoramic views over the water and the city skyline, especially near sunset.
Experience Hangzhou's everyday rhythm
Getting around
The metro and frequent buses connect major attractions, with West Lake and central districts easy to reach by public transport. For a different view, rent a bicycle or take an electric boat on the lake, then use taxis or ride-hailing for late-night rides back to your hotel.
Local life & culture
Mornings bring tai chi, dancing, and music along the West Lake paths, while residential lanes hum with card games and casual chats. You can sense a strong connection to traditional theatre, silk, and tea culture alongside a growing scene of galleries and design spaces.
Where to unwind
Relax on lakeside benches under willow trees, or escape into tea villages in the nearby hills for fresh air and quiet walks. Early mornings and late afternoons offer softer light and a calmer atmosphere, ideal for gentle strolls or sitting by the water.
A taste of Hangzhou
Street food & local specialties
Look for classic Hangzhou dishes such as beggar's chicken and fish in vinegar sauce in old quarters near Hefang Street and lakeside lanes, where small eateries and snack stalls line the streets.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Shopping districts and new business areas offer bright, contemporary restaurants and food courts serving regional Chinese and international flavours, with smaller portions that make it easy to sample several dishes.
Signature & scenic dining
For a memorable meal, choose a restaurant with windows over West Lake or hilltop teahouses overlooking tea fields, where the views add a calm, atmospheric backdrop to refined local cooking.
Retail therapy in Hangzhou
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Large malls in the city centre bring together international brands, local designers, cinemas, and family-friendly entertainment, making them convenient spots to shop, dine, and meet friends.
Markets & local crafts
Historic streets and nearby alleys feature shops selling silk, tea, fans, and calligraphy supplies, while creative districts showcase independent labels and contemporary craft pieces.
Evening retail scene
After dark, shopping streets glow with signs and lively storefronts, and smaller markets stay open for snacks and last-minute souvenirs, all easy to reach by metro or a short taxi ride.
Best time to visit Hangzhou
Spring (March to May, shoulder season) is mild and fresh, with average temperatures around 15–22°C (59–72°F) and blossoming trees around West Lake. Summer (June to September, peak season) is warm and humid, typically 25–33°C (77–91°F), with lush greenery and occasional showers. Autumn (October to November, shoulder season) is cooler and clearer, around 15–23°C (59–73°F), with comfortable walking weather and changing foliage, while winter (December to February, low season) is cold but manageable at about 3–10°C (37–50°F), with quieter sights and a calmer city feel.