Hangzhou has been a strategically important location throughout much of China’s history and is famously known as the endpoint of the Grand Canal, which was completed in the year of 609. The city later served as the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty from 1132 until 1279. Because of its long history, Hangzhou features a number of ancient structures and sites of cultural importance, making it a popular destination for visitors from both within and outside China.
Things to Do and Travel Advice
Of its many attractions, West Lake is Hangzhou’s most famous. The image of this UNESCO World Heritage Site has been depicted by numerous artists throughout its history and has become so iconic that it is even featured on the back of the 1 RMB banknote. The lake is surrounded by rolling green hills and scenic pagodas, making it a beautiful setting for a lakeside stroll or bike ride. Visitors can also take a cruise on a traditional-style boat for an even more immersive experience.
Not far from West Lake is another Hangzhou’s most loved attractions, Lingyin Temple. The name of this Buddhist monastery, which translates as “Temple of the Soul’s Retreat,” couldn’t be more accurate. The surrounding scenery of tree-covered hills, combined with the smell of burning incense, lend a particularly peaceful atmosphere to this temple. The temple grounds also feature ancient grottoes with numerous Buddhist rock carvings.
For those looking to escape the crowds of Hangzhou’s more popular attractions and experience some of the area’s abundant natural landscapes, we highly recommend the Jiuxi Scenic Trail. While walking along this 4-kilometer trail, you will get a taste of Hangzhou's countryside, including scenic ponds and streams, verdant forest, and lush tea fields.
Hangzhou is famously home to one of China’s most popular varieties of tea, Longjing green tea, and there are numerous tea fields and villages surrounding the city. One of the most beautiful and famous villages is Meijiawu Tea Village, where you can walk among the idyllic hillside tea fields, try a variety of local teas, and even pick your own tea.
This area of China is also blessed with a number of ancient canal towns. Wuzhen Water Town, one of the best preserved of its kind and within just a couple hours from Hangzhou, boasts scenic waterways, beautiful ancient architecture, and exquisite arching bridges, and is well worth a visit during your stay in Hangzhou.
Eating in Hangzhou
Hangzhou’s past as a center for wealthy, cultured elites helped create its famously refined cuisine. Hangzhou cuisine is characterized by freshness, light sweetness, and complicated technique, and often incorporates ingredients from West Lake and the many other bodies of water surrounding the city. West Lake fish in sweet and sour sauce is a popular local delicacy, as are provincial specialties like Beggar’s Chicken. Many local dishes also incorporate Hangzhou’s most famous export: tea. Fried shrimp in Longjing tea is one you must try.
Popular Nighttime Activities in Hangzhou
The lakefront streets lining West Lake’s northern and eastern coast are full of bars and teahouses that are all abuzz at night. If you’d like a more leisurely evening activity, you can take a night cruise on a traditional boat around the lake and enjoy the sight of the surrounding causeways and pagoda all lit up.
One of Hangzhou’s most renowned nighttime attractions is the Impression West Lake show, an intricately choreographed performance featuring amazing lights and hundreds of performers with the lake itself as a stage.
Best Time to Visit Hangzhou
Like much of China, spring and autumn are the best times to visit Hangzhou, as temperatures are mild and pleasant. Summer in Hangzhou can be very hot and very humid, especially in July and August. Hangzhou also sees a lot of rainfall in the summer, and typhoons on the coast can cause heavy winds and rain.
Winter in Hangzhou is cold, but temperatures rarely dip below freezing. If you don’t mind the cold, winter can be a good time to visit, as there are likely to be fewer tourists.
Be sure to avoid traveling to Hangzhou during the national holiday (first week in October), or any other public holidays, as tourist sites will be packed. (Learn more about how to avoid the crowds when traveling in China here.)
Transportation
Hangzhou’s East Railway Station is one of the busiest transport hubs in China and operates high-speed trains to locations throughout the country, including Beijing (4-6 hours).
In close proximity to Shanghai, Hangzhou can be reached in about 2-3 hours by road or 1 hour by high-speed train, with dozens of trains per day running between the two cities. While a trip to Hangzhou can be done as a daytrip from Shanghai, at least one night is recommended in order to relax and take in all the sights.
Hangzhou is also home to a well-connected airport that offers regular flights to a number of nearby cities.
Hangzhou Private Tours
- Hangzhou Day Tour from Shanghai
- 4-Day Shanghai-Suzhou-Hangzhou Triangle Tour
- The Best of Hangzhou - 2-Day Hangzhou tour
- More tours in Hangzhou...