Discover Hangzhou: Your Ultimate Hangzhou Travel Guide for 2026

Morning mist over a mirror-still lake, the scent of roasted Longjing tea, and a city that balances silk-and-temple heritage with forward-looking design. Hangzhou blends poetry and practical travel comfort in a way that wins over first-timers and repeat visitors alike. Whether you fly into Xiaoshan Hangzhou for a quick city break or build a longer circuit through Zhejiang, you will find easy transport, clear signposting, and one of China’s most photogenic urban landscapes.

Planning Your Trip to Hangzhou

Hangzhou City in Zhejiang is compact enough to feel approachable, yet rich enough to fill a week. Most travellers pair West Lake with tea villages, a temple or two, and an evening on historic streets. That mix keeps the pace varied and the views changing.

How Many Days to Spend

Three to four days gives you time for Hangzhou West Lake, key cultural sites, and a taste of nature.

• Day 1: West Lake in Hangzhou. Stroll the Su Causeway and Bai Causeway, visit Leifeng Pagoda for sunset, finish with Hefang Street snacks.

• Day 2: Lingyin Temple Hangzhou, Feilai Feng grottoes, then a tea walk in Longjing Village. Sip freshly roasted Dragon Well in the terraces.

• Day 3: Xixi National Wetland Park by boat, Grand Canal area museums, evening lake cruise on Xi Hu Hangzhou.

• Day 4: Side trip to Wuzhen or Nanxun water towns, or stay local with the China National Silk Museum and a canal-side dinner.

Short on time? Two days still works: focus on West Lake Xihu Hangzhou China, Lingyin, and a tea garden amble.

Three Bears Travel can tailor your days around crowd patterns, sunrise or blue-hour photography, and seasonal blooms. If you want a streamlined plan that matches flight and train schedules, this is a handy way to lock in the highlights without faffing about with multiple tickets on the day.

Transportation Tips

Getting in and getting around is straightforward.

• Flights: Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH), often called Hangzhou Airport, serves major hubs in Asia and many Chinese cities.

• Metro: Clean, bilingual signage, and efficient. The airport is connected to the metro network, and lines reach Hangzhou East Railway Station, Hangzhou Railway Station, and central districts close to West Lake.

• Trains: High-speed services link Hangzhou City Zhejiang with Shanghai Hongqiao in about 45 to 60 minutes. Hangzhou East is the main high-speed hub.

• Taxis and ride-hailing: Metered taxis are reliable; Didi has an English interface in many cases. Carry your hotel details in Chinese.

• Buses and bikes: Comfortable air-conditioned buses reach most Hangzhou tourist attractions. Bike-share is plentiful, with cycle paths around the lake.

Quick planning tips:

• Save a Hangzhou City map offline, mark metro stops near your hotel in Hangzhou, and drop pins for Lingyin, Leifeng Pagoda, and key ferry piers.

• Allow 60 to 90 minutes from Xiaoshan Hangzhou airport to central West Lake, depending on the mode and time of day.

• Golden Week and peak weekends bring heavier foot traffic near West Lake in Hangzhou. Start early to stay ahead.

Accommodation in Hangzhou

The right base shapes your trip. Stay by the lake for sunrise walks, opt for the tea hills for a village feel, or choose a CBD address for quick metro access.

Best Hotels Near West Lake

If your priority is to wake up steps from Xi Hu Hangzhou, focus your search on the northern and western shores. There is a wide mix of Hangzhou Hotels, from iconic lakeside grande dames to quiet boutiques.

• Luxury stays

• Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake: garden pavilions and impeccable service on the quieter north side.

• Banyan Tree Hangzhou: villa-style living in wetlands-inspired surrounds, good for a resort feel within city limits.

• Hyatt Regency Hangzhou or Shangri-La Hangzhou: classic West Lake frontage and lake-facing rooms where you can watch the evening lights.

• Boutique favourites

• Tea Boutique Hotel West Lake: a cosy base near the tea hills, with friendly staff and warm interiors.

• Pins de la Brume: serene, tasteful rooms near Lingyin, ideal for temple and forest walks.

• Azure Qiantang, a Luxury Collection Hotel: river views a short ride from the lake, refined design and spacious rooms.

• Smart-value options

• Central mid-range business hotels close to Longxiangqiao or Fengqi Road metro stations put you within a quick stroll or short ride of the lake.

• Design-led local brands offer clean rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, and helpful staff, often with breakfast included.

If you want the Best Hotel in Hangzhou, the answer depends on your taste. For classic lakeside grandeur, pick a heritage name on the shore. For space and tranquillity, try a villa in the wetland or tea hills. For convenience, choose a Hotel in Hangzhou near a metro hub that still places you within a 10 to 15 minute ride to West Lake Xihu Hangzhou China.

Tips for Booking

• Check seasonal rates: spring blossom weeks and autumn foliage push rates up. Winter brings better value around the lake.

• Look for proximity to Hangzhou tourist places on your shortlist: Lingyin, Leifeng Pagoda, Xixi, and the Grand Canal.

• Read recent reviews for comments on renovation status and breakfast quality.

• Compare Hangzhou Hotels across platforms, then message the property about early check-in or lake-view room availability.

• If you favour quiet mornings, choose the west or north side of the lake rather than the busy east bank.

Where to base yourself

• West Lake north shore: walkable, photogenic, near causeways and museums.

• Lingyin and tea villages: calm, green, ideal for walkers and tea enthusiasts.

• Wulin Square and CBD: fast metro links, good shopping and dining.

• Qianjiang New Town: river skyline, stylish restaurants, modern art spaces.

Seasonal Travel & Weather Guide

Hangzhou Weather runs on a classic East China rhythm: mild springs, warm and humid summers, crisp autumns, and a cold, damp winter. Timing your visit makes a real difference to comfort, photos, and crowds.

Weather Overview

Hangzhou Zhejiang China weather is shaped by the monsoon. Late June to early July often brings the plum rain season, with steady showers and fog that can look dreamy over the lake. Late summer can see occasional typhoon influence, usually short-lived in the city itself. Winter is dry but chilly.

• Best months to visit: March to May, late September to November

• Summer: hot and humid, plan early starts

• Winter: bundle up, then warm your hands on a cup of Longjing

Temperature in Hangzhou December usually sits around 3 to 11 degrees, with the dampness making it feel colder. A good coat and waterproof shoes help.

Seasonal snapshot

Seasonal Activities

• Spring

• Cherry and peach blossoms across parks and temple grounds.

• Longjing tea picking and tasting in Meijiawu and Longjing Village.

• Photographers love the soft light on the Su Causeway.

• Summer

• West Lake boat tours and breezy evening strolls.

• Shady paths near Lingyin and Feilai Feng keep you cooler at midday.

• Ice desserts around Hefang Street and cool museums in the afternoon.

• Autumn

• Foliage around the lake and at Quyuan Fenghe Park is superb.

• Crisp mornings for cycling the causeways.

• Seasonal dishes featuring river crabs and wild mushrooms.

• Winter

• Cultural walks through ancient halls at Lingyin and the Grand Canal museums.

• Tea tasting sessions, warm and aromatic.

• Quieter city streets and easier photo angles at classic viewpoints.

Crowd calendar tips

• Chinese New Year moves each year, with many attractions open but operating on reduced hours. Check ahead.

• The first week of October is National Day Golden Week. Start very early, or consider lesser-known canals and tea paths during peak hours.

Things to See & Do

There is a deep list of Hangzhou Things to Do that live up to their reputation. Start with the blue-chip sights, then add a few personal picks to round out your days.

City & Nature Highlights

• West Lake, also written as Xihu Lake or Xi Hu Hangzhou

• Walk the Su and Bai Causeways, stop on the little stone bridges, and take in the reflections.

• Three Pools Mirroring the Moon is famous at night, while Broken Bridge shines at sunrise.

• A short boat hop gets you to the lake islets for garden pavilions and tea.

• Lingyin Temple Hangzhou and Feilai Feng

• One of China’s great Buddhist temples, set among wooded hills.

• Stone carvings at Feilai Feng caves, incense in the air, chanting in the main hall.

• Pair with a forest walk and a vegetarian lunch within the complex.

• Leifeng Pagoda

• Take the lifts to the top for panoramic views of West Lake in Hangzhou and the city skyline. Sunset is lovely on clear days.

• Hefang Street and the old pharmacy museum

• Qinghefang’s preserved shopfronts house artisans, snack bars, and the Huqingyutang Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum.

• Pick up souvenirs, sip osmanthus tea, try sesame pastries, and watch candy sculptors at work.

• Grand Canal and museums

• China National Silk Museum near the lake offers hands-on exhibits and exquisite fabrics.

• The canal area hosts smaller museums and calm waterside paths.

• Xixi National Wetland Park

• Reeds, little islands, and slow boats make for a relaxing half-day.

• Birdlife and rustic bridges create a different side of Hangzhou City Zhejiang.

• Tea villages

• Longjing and Meijiawu are easy to reach by taxi. Walk terrace paths, chat with growers, then sit down for a proper tasting.

• Food to try

• Dongpo pork, slow-braised and glossy.

• Beggar’s Chicken, cooked in clay for tender meat.

• Scallion pancakes, Hangzhou-style noodles, and osmanthus-flavoured treats.

For first timers who ask, “Hangzhou What to See,” prioritise West Lake, Lingyin, and a tea village. The trio covers nature, culture, and taste in a balanced way. These are the classic Hangzhou tourist places for good reason.

Guided Tours

Time is precious, and distances between sights can surprise new visitors. Three Bears Travel runs private and small-group routes that string together West Lake Hangzhou, Lingyin Temple, tea villages, Xixi Wetland, and seasonal highlights like blossom walks or autumn foliage circuits.

What a good guide unlocks

• West Lake viewpoints in the best light, with a route that beats the crowds.

• Efficient transfers between dispersed sights like Xixi and Longjing.

• Stories behind stone carvings at Feilai Feng and context for Silk Road trade at the museum.

• Snack stops where quality matches the hype.

You can request a tea-focused day, an architectural circuit, or a family-friendly loop with short walks and boat rides. If you are arriving at Hangzhou Airport in the morning and want to squeeze in a near-complete day, a pre-set plan keeps everything on time and stress-free.

Sample 3 or 4 Day Itineraries

These plans assume a base near the north or west side of the lake for easy mornings. Tweak them to suit weather and crowd patterns.

3 days

• Day 1: West Lake loop on foot and by boat, Leifeng Pagoda late afternoon, lakeside dinner.

• Day 2: Lingyin Temple and Feilai Feng, vegetarian lunch, Longjing tea terraces and tasting, back to the lake for blue hour photos.

• Day 3: Xixi National Wetland Park by boat, Silk Museum, evening stroll on Hefang Street.

4 days

• Day 1: East lakefront and islets by boat, museum stop, casual tea house visit.

• Day 2: Lingyin and tea hills, slow afternoon in Meijiawu, early night.

• Day 3: Grand Canal walks, lesser-known temples or art spaces, sunset from a quiet lakeside garden.

• Day 4: Day trip to Wuzhen water town, or stay local with a bike ride and café-hop near the CBD.

Getting Around West Lake Efficiently

• Start early: arrive at the Su Causeway near sunrise for calm paths and soft colour.

• Mix modes: walk one causeway, then add a short lake cruise to reach an islet, and finish by bike or taxi on the return leg.

• Split the lake: do the eastern shore and islets on day one, western hills and temples on day two.

Money, Connectivity, and Practical Info

• Payments: Alipay and WeChat Pay now accept many international cards. Carry some cash for small vendors in tea villages.

• SIM and signal: eSIMs are widely available. China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom offer strong urban coverage.

• Language: signage at major Hangzhou tourist attractions is bilingual. A few key phrases help with taxis and local eateries.

• Power: China uses Type A, C, and I plugs. A universal adaptor is best.

• Tipping: not part of daily practice, though rounding off a fare is fine.

• Safety: central areas are well lit and patrolled. Keep an eye on your belongings in crowds.

Where to Base Your Stay: Quick Comparison

Eating and Drinking: Easy Wins Near the Lake

• Book one refined dinner for classic Hangzhou dishes, then balance the rest with street snacks and casual eateries.

• Try a tea-paired lunch in Longjing Village after a terrace walk.

• Save room for osmanthus desserts in autumn.

Local snacks to hunt down

• Shengjian bao: pan-fried buns with juicy filling.

• Scallion oil noodles: simple and satisfying.

• Crispy spring rolls, sugar-coated haws, and peanut brittle along Hefang Street.

Handy Phrases for Taxis and Check-in

Show these on your phone to drivers or hotel staff if needed.

Packing List Tailored to Hangzhou Weather

• Spring and autumn

• Light layers, compact umbrella, comfortable walking shoes

• Camera or phone with a wide lens for lake panoramas

• Summer

• Breathable clothing, hat, sunscreen, electrolytes

• Small towel or handkerchief for humidity

• Winter

• Warm coat, scarf, gloves, waterproof shoes

• Heat packs for early morning lake walks

Key Reasons Travellers Love Hangzhou City Zhejiang

• The contrast: morning on a misty causeway, afternoon in a cutting-edge café.

• Tea culture you can touch, not just read about, from the field to the cup.

• Easy movement across Hangzhou City thanks to metro, buses, taxis, and bike lanes.

• A deep roster of Hangzhou Tourist Attractions, many grouped around the lake, that reward both quick visits and slow returns.

If you want an efficient, well-sequenced plan that includes Hangzhou West Lake, Lingyin, tea villages, and seasonal highlights, Three Bears Travel can organise a day-by-day schedule, tickets, and transfers that suit your arrival at Hangzhou Airport or either railway station. With the right base and a clear route, Hangzhou City Zhejiang China reveals its best side with minimal effort and maximum time by the water.

Hangzhou Travel Guide FAQ

Eager to explore Hangzhou City with confidence?

Our concise FAQ provides quick answers to make your journey seamless and unforgettable.

Is Hangzhou worth visiting?

Absolutely—Hangzhou is renowned for its breathtaking West Lake, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant food scene. It’s one of China’s most beautiful and historic cities, making it a must-visit destination.

How long should I spend in Hangzhou?

Plan to spend 3–4 days to fully experience West Lake, ancient temples, tea villages, and the city’s unique atmosphere.

How do I get to Hangzhou from Shanghai?

The fastest way is by high-speed train, which takes about 1 hour from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Hangzhou East Railway Station. Buses and private transfers are also available.

What’s the best way to get around Hangzhou?

Hangzhou’s metro, buses, and bike-share systems make it easy to explore the city and reach major attractions.

When is the best time to visit Hangzhou?

Visit in spring (March–May) or autumn (September–November) for mild weather, blooming flowers, and colourful foliage.

What are the must-see attractions in Hangzhou?

Don’t miss West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Hefang Street, and the Longjing tea plantations.

Are guided tours available in Hangzhou?

Yes, guided tours—like those from Three Bears Travel—are available and can help you discover the city’s highlights efficiently.

Are there any useful phrases for travellers?

Knowing a few phrases like “West Lake” (西湖, Xī Hú), “Thank you” (谢谢, Xièxiè), and “How much?” (多少钱, duō shǎo qián) can be helpful.

 

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