Hangzhou Travel Guide
Hangzhou is famed for the serene West Lake, Longjing tea plantations, and ancient Buddhist temples.
Featured Tour in Hangzhou
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Hangzhou has been celebrated by poets and emperors for over a thousand years. Marco Polo described it as "the most beautiful and splendid city in the world." West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the centerpiece, surrounded by gardens, pagodas, and willow-lined causeways. The surrounding hills produce Longjing (Dragon Well), China's most famous green tea.
Why Visit Hangzhou?
Top Attractions in Hangzhou
West Lake
A UNESCO World Heritage site, surrounded by gardens, pagodas, and hills. Best explored by boat, bike, or on foot.
Lingyin Temple
One of China's largest and wealthiest Buddhist temples, founded in 326 AD, set in forested hills with cave carvings.
Longjing Tea Village
Terraced tea plantations producing China's most famous green tea. Visit in spring for the tea harvest.
Pagoda of Six Harmonies
A 60m octagonal pagoda on the Qiantang River, offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
Hefang Street
A pedestrian street recreating Southern Song dynasty atmosphere, with traditional crafts and snacks.
Xixi National Wetland Park
A vast urban wetland park with boat tours through reed marshes, ponds, and traditional villages.
Day Trips in Hangzhou
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Hangzhou at a Glance
- Country
- China (People's Republic of China)
- Best time to visit
- March-May and September-November. Spring brings blossoms and fresh tea harvest, autumn offers clear skies and comfortable temperatures.
- Getting there
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport connects to major cities. High-speed rail reaches Shanghai (1h), Beijing (5h), and Nanjing (1.5h).
- Top highlights
- West Lake, Tea Culture, Lingyin Temple
- Local cuisine
- Beggar's Chicken (clay-baked), West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce, Dongpo Pork
Getting Around Hangzhou
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport connects to major cities. High-speed rail reaches Shanghai (1h), Beijing (5h), and Nanjing (1.5h).
Travel Tips for Hangzhou
- Rent a bike around West Lake
- Visit tea village in April
- Watch the Impression West Lake show
- Try Dongpo pork at Louwailou
- Explore Xixi wetland by boat
Hangzhou Travel Guide
Hangzhou Itinerary Planning
Hangzhou is best explored over 3-4 days. Day 1: West Lake — walk or bike the Su Causeway and Bai Causeway, visit the Broken Bridge and Leifeng Pagoda, and take a boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon. Day 2: Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak carvings in the morning, Longjing Tea Village in the afternoon, and Hefang Street in the evening. Day 3: Xixi National Wetland Park (boat tour through reed marshes), followed by the China National Silk Museum. Day 4: Day trip to a nearby water town (Wuzhen or Xitang, 1.5 hours) or the Qiandao Lake (Thousand Island Lake). For a romantic evening, watch the Impression West Lake light show on the water.
West Lake: A Complete Guide
West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has inspired Chinese poets and painters for over 1,000 years. The lake is 3.3km east-to-west and 2.8km north-to-south, with three causeways dividing it into sections. The classic "Ten Scenes of West Lake" include: Dawn on the Su Causeway in Spring, Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard, Moon over the Peaceful Lake in Autumn, and Lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge. Rent a bicycle (free with deposit at stations around the lake) and cycle the 15km perimeter in 2-3 hours. Boat rentals (from 80 RMB/hour for a small rowboat) allow you to reach the island parks. The best viewpoints are from Baoshi Hill and Leifeng Pagoda. Visit in spring for peach blossoms and willows, summer for lotus flowers, and winter for snow scenes on the Broken Bridge.
Longjing Tea Village and Tea Culture
Longjing (Dragon Well) Village, west of West Lake, produces China's most famous green tea. The village is a cluster of tea farms and traditional houses nestled in terraced hills. Visit in April during the spring tea harvest (Mingqian tea, picked before Qingming Festival, is the most prized). You can watch tea farmers roasting leaves by hand in large woks, and taste fresh tea brewed with water from the Dragon Well spring. The China Tea Museum nearby offers comprehensive exhibits on tea history and culture. For the full experience, participate in a tea ceremony at a local teahouse, where you'll learn the proper way to brew Longjing tea — 80°C water, glass cup, and three infusions. Buy tea directly from farmers for the best quality and price; avoid tourist shops around West Lake.
Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak
Lingyin Temple, founded in 326 AD, is one of China's largest and most significant Buddhist temples. The temple complex includes multiple halls, the most impressive being the Mahavira Hall housing a 24.8m camphor-wood Buddha statue. Before entering the temple, explore the Feilai Peak (Flying Peak) carvings — over 300 Buddhist stone carvings in limestone caves and cliffs, dating from the 10th to 14th centuries. The most famous is the Laughing Buddha (Maitreya) carving. The temple is set in forested hills, making it a peaceful retreat from the city. Visit in the morning when the air is fresh and monks chant sutras. The nearby Yongfu Temple and Taoyuan Ling are less crowded alternatives. Dress modestly and be respectful of worshippers.
Hangzhou Cuisine Guide
Hangzhou cuisine is one of China's eight great culinary traditions, known for its refined preparation and fresh, seasonal ingredients. Beggar's Chicken (jiao hua ji) is a signature dish — a whole chicken wrapped in lotus leaves and clay, baked for hours until tender. West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce (xihu cu yu) features a grass carp in a sweet-sour glaze. Dongpo Pork, named after the poet Su Dongpo, is braised pork belly in soy sauce and rice wine. Try these at Louwailou, the most famous restaurant on West Lake (book ahead, or expect long waits). Longjing shrimp, stir-fried with tea leaves, is a seasonal delicacy. For street food, visit Hefang Street for osmanthus cake, crispy lotus root, and dragon whisker candy. The Huxinting Teahouse on a pavilion in the lake offers tea and snacks in a historic setting.
Getting to Hangzhou
By Air
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) is 27km east of the city center, with direct flights from all major Chinese cities and international routes to Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, Amsterdam, and other cities. The airport is connected to the city by Metro Line 1 (45 minutes, 7 RMB) and airport shuttle buses (20 RMB). High-speed rail from Shanghai Hongqiao to Hangzhou East takes just 1 hour, making it faster than flying for Shanghai-origin travelers. Taxi from the airport to West Lake costs approximately 100-120 RMB.
By Train
Hangzhou East Railway Station is the high-speed rail hub, with trains to Shanghai (1h), Beijing (5-6h), Nanjing (1.5h), Suzhou (1.5h), and all major cities. Hangzhou (Main) Station serves some conventional and high-speed trains. Metro Line 1 and 4 connect Hangzhou East to the city center and West Lake area. For Shanghai day trips, trains run every 5-10 minutes. Book via 12306.cn. The Hangzhou-Shanghai high-speed line is one of China's busiest; book ahead on weekends and holidays.
By Bus
Long-distance buses connect Hangzhou to nearby water towns and cities. Buses to Wuzhen depart from Hangzhou Tourist Center (1.5 hours, 35 RMB). Buses to Xitang and Nanxun water towns also depart from the tourist center. Buses to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) take 4 hours. Express buses to Shanghai (2.5 hours) and Nanjing (3.5 hours) are alternatives to high-speed rail. The Hangzhou Tourism Distribution Center at West Lake offers direct buses to major attractions.
Local Transport
Hangzhou has an extensive metro system (10+ lines) covering West Lake (Line 1 Fengqi Road or Longxiangqiao), Lingyin Temple (Line 7), and Xixi Wetland (Line 5). Public bicycles are free for the first hour (register at any station with ID/passport). Taxis start at 11 RMB. Didi ride-hailing is widely available. The West Lake area is best explored on foot or by bicycle — cars are restricted on the causeways. Boat rentals on West Lake depart from multiple piers. The Hangzhou City Card offers transport and attraction discounts.
Plan Your Trip to Hangzhou
If you are planning a trip to Hangzhou, please feel free to email us for a more precise itinerary. We can customize the tour route and activities according to your specific requirements.
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Quick Info
Best Time to Visit
March-May and September-November. Spring brings blossoms and fresh tea harvest, autumn offers clear skies and comfortable temperatures.
Getting There
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport connects to major cities. High-speed rail reaches Shanghai (1h), Beijing (5h), and Nanjing (1.5h).
Tours in Hangzhou
Private tours with dedicated guide, driver & vehicle
Shanghai & Surroundings 6 Days
Experience the best of eastern China, from Shanghai's skyline to Hangzhou's West Lake
Visa-Free Shanghai & Hangzhou 5 Days
Visa-free transit tour covering Shanghai's skyline and Hangzhou's West Lake
Hangzhou Tea & West Lake 2 Days
Discover Marco Polo's favorite city with West Lake and Longjing tea village
About Hangzhou Travel
Hangzhou is one of China's most popular travel destinations. As a professional Hangzhou Travel Agency, QTour offers private Hangzhou tours with dedicated guides, drivers, and vehicles. Our Hangzhou travel packages cover West Lake, Tea Culture, Lingyin Temple, and more. Whether you're planning a Hangzhou city tour or combining Hangzhou with other Chinese destinations, our expert team will create the perfect itinerary for you.
Book your Hangzhou tour with QTour — a trusted Chinese travel agency with 25+ years of experience. One booking, one team: private guide, driver, and optional photographer. Contact us at info@qtour.net or WhatsApp.
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