Hangzhou Travel Guide

Hangzhou, located in the northeastern part of Zhejiang Province, has a history dating back over two thousand years to the Qin Dynasty. It served as the capital during the Five Dynasties and Northern Song Dynasty.

Known as “Paradise on Earth” since ancient times, Hangzhou boasts a diverse landscape of mountains, springs, lakes, bridges, pagodas, and temples. Over time, the scenery has evolved, offering a rich tapestry of colors and experiences. Along the shores of West Lake, there’s a seamless blend of urban areas and parks, where lush vegetation intertwines with vibrant shops. This unique characteristic defines the charm of Hangzhou, where nature’s greenery envelops the city without diminishing its urban vitality.

In the bustling city center, modernity converges with tradition as the contemporary vibe of Wulin Square harmonizes with the ancient charm of Qinghefang. This juxtaposition creates an authentic and memorable experience, epitomizing the essence of Hangzhou.

Most Popular Hangzhou Attractions

west lake scenic area
West Lake Scenic Area - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The West Lake Scenic Area (西湖风景区) in Hangzhou covers a total area of 59.04 square kilometers, with the lake itself spanning 6.38 square kilometers and...
longjing tea village
Longjing Tea Village - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Longjing Tea Village (龙井村), renowned worldwide for its production of premium West Lake Longjing Tea, is often hailed as the “Number One Tea Village.”...
qiandao lake
Qiandao Lake (Thousand Island Lake), Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Qiandao Lake (千岛湖), also known as Thousand Island Lake, is a magnificent artificial reservoir formed by the impoundment of the Xin’an River Dam....
xixi national wetland park
Xixi National Wetland Park - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Xixi National Wetland Park (西溪国家湿地公园) in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province spans an impressive 11.5 square kilometers, with over 100 kilometers of winding rivers...
lingyin temple hangzhou
Lingyin Temple, Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Lingyin Temple (灵隐寺), located in Hangzhou, is one of the oldest and most significant Buddhist temples in the region, with its origins dating back to the...
zhejiang provincial museum zhijiang branch
Zhejiang Provincial Museum (Zhijiang Branch) - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Zhejiang Provincial Museum Zhijiang Branch (浙江省博物馆之江馆) is situated within the Hangzhou Zhijiang Cultural Center. With a total building area of 100,000...

Other Attractions in Hangzhou

Impression West Lake Show
Impression West Lake Show - Features and Location
“Impression West Lake” (印象·西湖) draws its inspiration from the rich historical and cultural heritage as well as the breathtaking natural scenery...
guo's villa hangzhou
Guo's Villa, Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Guo’s Villa (郭庄), located in Hangzhou, is one of the renowned classical gardens in Zhejiang Province. Covering an area of 9,788 square meters, it...
su causeway of west lake
Su Causeway of West Lake - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Su Causeway, formerly known as Su Gong Causeway, is a picturesque tree-lined embankment that traverses the north and south scenic areas of Hangzhou’s...
yuhu bay in west lake
Yuhu Bay in West Lake - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Yuhu Bay (浴鹄湾), situated in an advantageous location east of Yanggong Causeway and west of Santai Mountain Road, stretching from the Santai Dreamland Scenic...
broken bridge of west lake
Broken Bridge of West Lake - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Broken Bridge of West Lake (西湖断桥) stands at the dividing point between Beili Lake and Outer West Lake in Hangzhou, with one end spanning over Beishan...
yanggong causeway hangzhou
Yanggong Causeway - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Yanggong Causeway (杨公堤), located west of West Lake in Hangzhou, stretches for 3.4 kilometers. This causeway was excavated during the Ming Dynasty under...
huanglong cave hangzhou
Huanglong Cave, Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Huanglong Cave (黄龙洞), also known as “Wumen Cave” or “Flying Dragon Cave,” is a marvel of creativity nestled in the picturesque...
hangzhou arts and crafts museum
Hangzhou Arts and Crafts Museum - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Hangzhou Arts and Crafts Museum (杭州工艺美术博物馆) is a thematic museum funded by the Hangzhou Municipal People’s Government. It is situated in the...
national wetland museum of china hangzhou
National Wetland Museum of China - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The National Wetland Museum of China (中国国家湿地博物馆), designed by Shinichi Ogawa, covers an area of 20,200 square meters with a height of 30 meters and an...
xiangji temple hangzhou
Xiangji Temple, Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Xiangji Temple (香积寺), originally named Xingfu Temple, was established in the third year of Taiping Xingguo in the Northern Song Dynasty (978 AD). It was...
Zhu bingren Bronze Art Museum
Zhu Bingren Bronze Art Museum - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Zhu Bingren Bronze Art Museum (朱炳仁铜雕艺术博物馆) stands as China’s first grand residence dedicated to bronze sculpture art, crafted by Zhu Bingren...
west lake museum hangzhou
West Lake Museum, Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The West Lake Museum in Hangzhou (杭州西湖博物馆) officially opened to the public on October 1, 2005. It is China’s first thematic museum dedicated to a...
West Lake Culture Square hangzhou
West Lake Culture Square, Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
West Lake Culture Square (西湖文化广场) is situated on the north side of the canal at Wulin Square in Hangzhou, just 2 kilometers away from West Lake. It serves...
yu qian temple hangzhou
Yu Qian Temple, Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Located at the foot of Santai Mountain on the west side of West Lake in Hangzhou, Yu Qian Temple (于谦祠) is a traditional-style temple building characterized...
china fan museum
China Fan Museum - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The China Fan Museum (中国扇博物馆) is a nostalgic museum with dim lighting, offering visitors a glimpse into the world of fans. Inside the museum, visitors...
wansong academy hangzhou
Wansong Academy, Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Wansong Academy (万松书院), originally established during the Tang Dynasty (785-804) as Baoren Temple, was later known as Taihe Academy and Fuwen Academy....
white pagoda park hangzhou
White Pagoda Park (Baita Park), Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening hours, Location, and Highlights
White Pagoda Park, also known as Baita Park (白塔公园), is a cultural landmark situated in Hangzhou, with its core centered around the nationally significant...
China Knife, Scissors, and Sword Museum
China Knife, Scissors, and Sword Museum, Hangzhou - Ticekt, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The China Knife, Scissors, and Sword Museum (中国刀剪剑博物馆) covers an area of 2460 square meters for its exhibition hall and an additional 1060 square meters...
Huqingyu Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Musuem
Huqingyu Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Musuem - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Nestled at the northern foot of the picturesque Wushan Mountain in Hangzhou, stands the magnificent and resplendent architectural complex known far and...
changqiao park hangzhou
Changqiao Park, Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Changqiao Park (长桥公园), also known as Long Bridge Park, is situated in the southeastern corner of West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Renowned for...
zhejiang museum of natural history
Zhejiang Museum of Natural History - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Zhejiang Museum of Natural History (浙江自然博物院), established in 1929, spans an impressive 26,000 square meters in building area, with a permanent exhibition...
qingshan lake hangzhou
Qingshan Lake, Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Qingshan Lake (青山湖), located in Lin’an District, Hangzhou, is a large artificial lake covering an area of 64.5 square kilometers, with a water area...
southern song dynasty imperial klin museum
Southern Song Dynasty Imperial Klin Museum - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Southern Song Dynasty Imperial Museum (南宋官窑博物馆) is located at the western foot of Wugui Mountain, south of Yuhuang Mountain in Hangzhou, China. Situated...
Hubin Pedestrian Street hangzhou
Hubin Pedestrian Street - Location and Highlights
Hubin Pedestrian Street (湖滨路步行街) is situated at the boundary between West Lake and the city of Hangzhou. It not only offers panoramic views of the picturesque...
Little Three Gorges of Fuchun River
Little Three Gorges of Fuchun River - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Little Three Gorges (小三峡) span a picturesque stretch of the upper reaches of the Fuchun River, extending from Qililong in Tonglu to Meicheng in Jiande,...
manjuelong village
Manjuelong Village - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Manjuelong Village (满觉陇村), also known as Manlong or Manjianong, lies to the south of West Lake in Hangzhou. Its history dates back to the establishment...
wulin square hangzhou
Wulin Square, Hangzhou - Highlights and Location
Wulin Square (武林广场) is a prominent landmark situated on the north side of West Lake in Hangzhou City, China. Its name, “Wulin,” derives from...
drum tower hangzhou 1
Drum Tower, Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Drum Tower in Hangzhou (杭州鼓楼), situated to the east of Wushan Mountain in Zhejiang Province, China, holds a significant place in the city’s history...
qian wang temple hangzhou
Qian Wang Temple, Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening HOurs, Location, and Highlights
Qian Wang Temple (钱王祠), also known as Emperor Qian Temple, is situated south of the Golden Stream in West Lake, facing Yue Temple across the lake. Originally...
lingqi cave zhejiang
Lingqi Karst Cave, Zhejiang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Lingqi Cave (灵栖洞), located in Jiande City, Zhejiang Province, consists of three main caves: Lingquan Cave, Qingfeng Cave, and Aiyun Cave, along with the...
wushan night market hangzhou
Wushan Night Market - Highlights and Location
Wushan Night Market (吴山夜市), originally located on Wushan Road but later relocated to the vicinity of Huixing Road and Renhe Road, is one of the most famous...
daci cliff hangzhou
Daci Cliff, Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Daci Cliff (大慈岩), located in Jiande City, Hangzhou, is a picturesque tourist destination renowned for its blend of Buddhist culture and stunning natural...
qingliang peak zhejiang
Qiangliang Peak, Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Qingliang Peak (清凉峰), standing at an elevation of 1784.4 meters, is the main peak of Tianmu Mountain in Zhejiang Province, China, and also the highest...
wushan tianfeng, hangzhou
Wushan Tianfeng, Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Wushan Tianfeng (吴山天风), or Heavenly Wind at Wushan Hill, stands as one of the Ten Scenes of the West Lake, located southeast of West Lake in Hangzhou,...
jingshan temple hangzhou
Jingshan Temple, Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Jingshan Temple (径山寺), located in Hangzhou, dates back to the Tang Dynasty (881-884 AD) and was originally named “Wuxing Zhengzhen Monastery (吴兴正真禅院)”...
China hangzhou cuisine museum
China Hangzhou Cuisine Museum - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The China Hangzhou Cuisine Museum (中国杭帮菜博物馆), spanning an impressive area of 12,470 square meters, stands as a testament to the rich culinary heritage...
zhinan village lin'an
Zhinan Village, Lin'an - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Zhinan Village (指南村), nestled at the foot of Tianmu Mountain in Lin’an, Hangzhou, boasts a history spanning several millennia. Situated at an elevation...
gongchen bridge, hangzhou
Gongchen Bridge - Location, History, and Highlights
Gongchen Bridge (拱宸桥), the highest and longest stone arch bridge in the ancient city of Hangzhou, is also the landmark marking the end point of the Grand...
shili langdang hiking trail
Shili Langdang Hiking Trail - Location and Highlights
The Shili Langdang Hiking Trail (十里琅珰), also known as Langdang Ridge, is a classic route for hiking enthusiasts in Hangzhou. The name “Shili Langdang”...
western zhejiang tianchi
Western Zhejiang Tianchi (Heaven Lake) - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Western Zhejiang Tianchi, also known as Western Zhejiang Heaven Lake (浙西天池), is located within the Zhejiang Qingliangfeng National Nature Reserve, serving...
china umbrella museum
China Umbrella Museum - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The China Umbrella Museum (中国伞博物馆) in Hangzhou comprehensively showcases Chinese umbrella culture, history, stories, umbrella-making craftsmanship, and...
The romance of the song dynasty
The Romance of the Song Dynasty - Ticket, Location, and Highlights
The grand song and dance performance “Romance of the Song Dynasty (宋城千古情)” is the soul of the Songcheng Scenic Area in Hangzhou. Utilizing...
zhejiang provincial museum (gushan)
Zhejiang Provincial Museum (Gushan) - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Zhejiang Provincial Museum (Gushan) (浙江省博物馆孤山馆), located at the foot of Gushan Mountain, south of the picturesque West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province,...
qinchuan ancient village
Qinchuan Ancient Village - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Qinchuan Ancient Village (芹川古村) has a history of over 700 years, dating back to when the ancestral patriarch, Wan Ning Gong, migrated to Qinchuan. Since...
City God Pavilion Hangzhou
City God Pavilion, Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The City God Pavilion, also known as Chenghuang Pavilion (城隍阁), situated atop Wu Mountain in Hangzhou, is a magnificent seven-story structure echoing architectural...
longmen ancient town hangzhou
Longmen Ancient Town, Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Longmen Ancient Town (龙门古镇), renowned for its unique collection of Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture, stands out as one of the most well-preserved mountainous...
faxi temple, hangzhou
Faxi Temple, Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Faxi Temple (法喜寺), also known as Shangtianzhu (上天竺), has stood in Hangzhou for over a millennium, tracing its origins back to the early years of the Later...
hangzhou safari park
Hangzhou Safari Park - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Hangzhou Safari Park (杭州野生动物世界) spans approximately 2600 acres and opened its gates to the public in 2002. It stands as one of the prominent wildlife parks...
Jingci Temple Hangzhou
Jingci Temple, Hangzhou - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Jingci Temple (净慈寺), located in the vicinity of West Lake in Hangzhou, is one of the four ancient temples with a rich historical legacy in the area and...
nanping evening bell
Nanping Evening Bell (Nanping Wan Zhong) - History and Highlights
Nanping Evening Bell (南屏晚钟) refers to the ringing of the bronze bell at Jingci Temple near Nanping Hill in Hangzhou, China, during the evening hours. Nanping...
zhejiang art museum
Zhejiang Art Museum - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Zhejiang Art Museum (浙江美术馆) occupies an area of 35,000 square meters and boasts 14 exhibition halls of various sizes, including 6 halls equipped with...
1 2
Subscribe
Notify of
11 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments