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
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 (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 (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 (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 (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...
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” (印象·西湖) draws its inspiration from the rich historical and cultural heritage as well as the breathtaking natural scenery...
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, 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 (浴鹄湾), situated in an advantageous location east of Yanggong Causeway and west of Santai Mountain Road, stretching from the Santai Dreamland Scenic...
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 (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 (黄龙洞), also known as “Wumen Cave” or “Flying Dragon Cave,” is a marvel of creativity nestled in the picturesque...
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...
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 (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...
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...
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 (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...
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...
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 (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, also known as Baita Park (白塔公园）, is a cultural landmark situated in Hangzhou, with its core centered around the nationally significant...
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...
Nestled at the northern foot of the picturesque Wushan Mountain in Hangzhou, stands the magnificent and resplendent architectural complex known far and...
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...
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 (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...
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 (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...
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 (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 (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...
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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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)”...
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 (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 (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...
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, also known as Western Zhejiang Heaven Lake (浙西天池), is located within the Zhejiang Qingliangfeng National Nature Reserve, serving...
The China Umbrella Museum (中国伞博物馆) in Hangzhou comprehensively showcases Chinese umbrella culture, history, stories, umbrella-making craftsmanship, and...
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) (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 (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...
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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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...
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...
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West Lake is really crowded. There are so many people that just walking a little makes you break a sweat!
And there are a lot of those green flying bugs too!!
However, you can enjoy the lotus flowers and go boating.
Hangzhou’s West Lake reached a scorching 39 degrees Celsius; I feel like I’m melting!
The accommodations near West Lake can be generally divided into three main areas: In the East area of West Lake, the transportation is convenient and it is close to Hangzhou Station but prices are higher. In the North area of West Lake, around Beishan Street, there are many famous attractions nearby but prices are slightly higher. In the South area of West Lake, near the zoo and Hu Pao Spring, accommodations are more affordable. Nine recommended Hangzhou dishes restaurants: –… Read more »
Must-visit attractions in Hangzhou: West Lake I believe no one would miss West Lake, right?! Feel the lake breeze, admire the big fat squirrels and pigeons , and don’t miss the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, Leifeng Pagoda in the Sunset, and Pinghu Autumn Moon and other scenic spots! Lingyin Temple Lingyin Temple not only offers a good place for incense and worship but also presents beautiful scenery inside, where incense will be given upon entering. Xixi Wetland The only… Read more »
In Hangzhou, there are three train stations: East, West, and South. East Station and Hangzhou Station are close to the West Lake. Xiaoshan Airport is a bit far from the city center, but there are buses and subways available at the airport.
The mountains around the West Lake (西湖) may not be very high, but climbing them often brings surprising and interesting experiences. The lush greenery is not only pleasing to the eye, but also complemented by pavilions and towers scattered around, streams gently flowing by the paths, and many historical sites, stone carvings, or celebrity tombs along the way. At certain viewpoints, you can see the tea fields on the hills, different perspectives of the West Lake and Qiantang River, the… Read more »
✅Itinerary DAY1: (Broken Bridge in Snow) → (Bai Causeway) → (Solitary Hill) → (Louwailou) → (Quyuan Fenghe) → (Su Causeway) → (Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor) → (Wushan Square) → Musical Fountain in the Scenic Area. ✅Travel Tips Morning: Start from the Broken Bridge, pass by Bai Causeway, Solitary Hill, Quyuan Fenghe, and continue cycling to Su Causeway. Lunch: Taste the delicious Hangzhou cuisine at Louwailou. Afternoon: Visit the Flower Harbor to watch the fish, then enjoy the scenery at… Read more »
Top 7 must-visit attractions in Hangzhou for newcomers! Make sure to read this travel guide! 1. West Lake (西湖): No one would miss West Lake, right? “To compare West Lake with Xi Shi, both are equally lovely with light makeup or heavy painting!” Enjoy the lake breeze, admire the chubby squirrels and pigeons , and don’t miss famous spots like Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, Leifeng Pagoda Sunset Glow, and Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake for a check-in! 2.… Read more »
Really a life-saver! It started to rain heavily in Hangzhou today, luckily some attractions can be reserved on-site! Otherwise, it could have been a wasted trip – 【Attractions】 ❄️ Broken Bridge with Lingering Snow: free admission, take bus 7/51, and enjoy a rowboat ride for 180/hour. The ancients did not deceive me; I truly felt the saying “West Lake is not as beautiful as Rainy West Lake.” Encountering a downpour added to the charm, with peach blossoms and willow trees… Read more »
Traveling to Hangzhou Checklist ✨ Documents: ID card (must bring), student ID or other discount cards ✨ Electronics: charger, power bank, selfie stick, camera ✨ Daily essentials: tissues, personal hygiene products, disposable toilet seat covers, slippers, compressed towels Transportation Guide Airplane: Xiaoshan International Airport, 27 km from the city center ☑ Airport shuttle bus: Gate 8 in the arrival hall ☑ Subway: Line 7 to city center, operating from 06:16 to 22:50 ☑ Didi (ridesharing app): Taxi or online ride-hailing… Read more »