Hangzhou City Guide

Last updated: March 2026. Verify details before booking.

Lead

Willows and pleasure boats line the shore; Broken Bridge and Bai Causeway are postcard views. In the hills west of the lake, Longjing village is tea terraces and farmhouse tea stalls. Hangzhou packs lake, temple, old street and Jiangnan flavour onto one map—not a megacity, but a clear sample of “south of the Yangtze.” The lake is free to walk; Lingyin Temple needs tickets; Hefang Street sells Dingsheng cake and lotus-root starch. Hangzhou sits on the Yangtze Delta high-speed rail grid and is often strung together with Shanghai and Suzhou. It suits anyone who wants 2–3 days to cover “West Lake + Lingyin + Longjing.”

At a Glance

Item	Details
Best time to visit	March–May, September–November (spring tea and autumn osmanthus)
Recommended stay	2–3 days
Budget per day	¥400–700 (mid-range)
Getting there	Hangzhou Xiaoshan International (HGH); high-speed rail from Shanghai ~1 hr, Suzhou ~1.5 hrs
Known for	West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Longjing tea, Hefang Street and Jiangnan old streets
Special requirements	West Lake loop on foot or by bike takes half a day or more; Lingyin requires separate Feilaifeng + temple tickets

Why Hangzhou Belongs on Your China Itinerary

Hangzhou’s identity is West Lake and “Jiangnan”—not single-spot check-ins but the combo of lake, temple, tea and old streets. Compared with Shanghai it’s slower and greener; compared with Suzhou the lake is bigger and more open. It fits anyone who wants “water town + lake views + Zen temple”: one day around the lake or a chosen section, one day Lingyin and Longjing, half a day Hefang. Easy same-day high-speed links with Shanghai, Suzhou and Nanjing, and often slotted into a multi-day Yangtze Delta trip.

Ways to Experience Hangzhou

Walk or cycle around West Lake

The lake is free; Broken Bridge, Bai Causeway, Su Causeway and Leifeng Pagoda can be done on foot or by rental bike. The loop is about 15 km; you can do a section. West Lake Hangzhou
West Lake Walk and Cycle

Lingyin Temple and Feilaifeng

Lingyin sits inside the Feilaifeng scenic area—buy Feilaifeng entry first, then the temple incense ticket at the temple gate. Temple and rock carvings can fill half a day. For prayer, fortune-seeking and temple souvenirs, see the dedicated guide. Lingyin Temple
Lingyin and Feilaifeng: Prayer and Visit

Hefang Street and Southern Song Imperial Street

Hefang is a restored commercial street: Dingsheng cake, lotus-root starch, Longjing tea and souvenirs. It connects to Southern Song Imperial Street; you can walk both in one go. Hefang Street

Longjing Village and tea terraces

Longjing village, in the hills west of the lake, is tea country: walk the terraces and stop at a farmhouse for tea and optional buying. Half a day is enough; spring picking season is busiest. Longjing Tea Village Experience

West Lake boat trips

Rowboats and motor boats run on the lake; some routes go to islets like Three Pools Mirroring the Moon. Fares depend on route and boat; good if you want to land on an islet or save your legs. West Lake Hangzhou

Top Attractions in Hangzhou

West Lake

Free loop; Broken Bridge, Bai Causeway, Su Causeway, Leifeng Pagoda and Flower Pond Park line the shore. Walk, cycle or take a boat. Allow at least half a day. Don’t miss: Broken Bridge–Bai Causeway–Solitary Hill; Su Causeway at sunset; Leifeng Pagoda for the view (separate ticket). Tip: The loop is about 15 km—choose a section or rent a bike; mornings or weekdays are less crowded in peak season. West Lake Hangzhou

Lingyin Temple

Famous temple inside the Feilaifeng area; buy Feilaifeng entry first, then the temple incense ticket at the gate. Carvings and temple together take about half a day. Tip: Arrive early to avoid tour groups; you need both Feilaifeng and temple tickets. Lingyin Temple

Hefang Street

Restored commercial street with snacks and souvenirs; links to Southern Song Imperial Street. Free to walk; very touristy. Tip: Prices are tourist-level—taste and browse rather than bulk-buying; livelier from late afternoon into evening. Hefang Street

Leifeng Pagoda

South shore of the lake; paid entry to climb. Views over the lake and city, with Broken Bridge and Su Causeway in frame.

Longjing Village and Nine Creeks

Longjing is tea terraces and farmhouse tea stalls; Nine Creeks is a stream path that can link Longjing toward the Qiantang. Good for walking and cycling.

What to Eat in Hangzhou

Hangzhou food is light and often sweet–sour. West Lake vinegar fish and Longjing shrimp are classics; Hefang and the old town are where snacks concentrate.

West Lake vinegar fish

Fish (grass carp or mullet) in vinegar sauce, sweet–sour. Old names like Louwailou are famous; many restaurants around the lake do it. Where: Lakeside local restaurants and old-name houses; often paired with Longjing shrimp and beggar’s chicken.

Longjing shrimp, Dingsheng cake and lotus-root starch

Longjing shrimp: tea and river shrimp stir-fried, light. Dingsheng cake is rice cake; lotus-root starch is drunk as a paste. Common on Hefang and in old-town snack shops. Where: Order Longjing shrimp at local restaurants; Dingsheng cake and lotus-root starch at Hefang and near Drum Tower.

Pian'erchuan and beggar's chicken

Pian'erchuan: noodles with preserved veg, bamboo shoot and shredded pork—Hangzhou noodle staple, common in street noodle shops. Beggar’s chicken: whole chicken in clay, big portion, for sharing. Where: Pian'erchuan in most noodle shops; beggar’s chicken in some local restaurants—check the menu or ask.

Where to Stay in Hangzhou

[Convenience] East shore / Hubin

Close to the lake, metro and shops; good for first-timers who want to walk less. Best for: Lake loop and downtown, metro, minimal transfers. Note: Lake-side rates rise in peak season; Hubin Intime area is handy for shopping and meals.

[Quieter] West shore / near Lingyin

Near Lingyin and Longjing, quieter; need taxi or bus to downtown. Best for: Staying by the scenic area, early Lingyin or Longjing, peace and quiet. Note: No direct metro; rely on bus or taxi; fewer dining options than Hubin.

[Old-street vibe] Hefang / Drum Tower

Near Hefang and Southern Song Imperial Street; walk the old streets; noisier. Best for: Old streets and snacks, evening strolls on Hefang. Note: Very touristy; treat as a short stay or base for one night. Search by area on Booking.com or Ctrip.

Getting to Hangzhou and Getting Around

Getting to Hangzhou

By air: Xiaoshan International (HGH). Metro Line 1, Line 7 and airport buses reach the city. By rail: Hangzhou East is the main high-speed station: Shanghai ~1 hr, Suzhou ~1.5 hrs, Nanjing ~1.5 hrs.

Getting around Hangzhou

Metro covers the east side of the lake, stations and main commercial areas. The lake loop is on foot or by bike; buses and sightseeing buses stop along the shore. West of the lake, Lingyin and Longjing rely on bus or taxi. Practical tip: West Lake loop is free; Lingyin needs Feilaifeng + temple tickets. In peak season the lake and Lingyin are crowded—go early or off-peak. If your taxi app doesn’t support English, show a map or ask the hotel to write “西湖 Xīhú,” “灵隐寺 Língyǐn Sì,” “河坊街 Héfāng Jiē” for the driver.

Before You Go

How to Pay in China — Set up mobile payment before you arrive
Staying Connected in China — SIM and internet
China Visa Guide — Visa and entry Hangzhou specifics:
West Lake is free; Lingyin needs Feilaifeng then temple ticket; Leifeng Pagoda and others are separate.
Longjing and Nine Creeks suit half a day; spring tea and autumn osmanthus are peak.
Hefang is a commercial street with tourist-level prices—taste and browse, no need to buy a lot.

Hangzhou isn’t about “one shot of Broken Bridge.” It’s about collecting lake, temple, tea and old street in one trip. Feel the willows and Su Causeway sunset, the incense at Lingyin and the tea terraces at Longjing, the Dingsheng cake and lotus-root starch on Hefang. The city puts Jiangnan’s lake, temple and street life on the same map—and that’s why it deserves a place on your itinerary.

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