Hangzhou

Understand

Hangzhou, known for its natural scenery, including West Lake (西湖; Xīhú), has been celebrated by poets and artists throughout history. The city served as the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty from 1127 until the Mongol conquest in 1276. During this period, its population is estimated to have reached around one million, making it one of the largest cities in the world at the time. Marco Polo visited the city, describing it as one of the finest in the world. In 2011, the West Lake Cultural Landscape was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over time, as the city's harbor silted up, much of its trade and industry shifted north to nearby Shanghai. However, Hangzhou remains a bustling city with a population of approximately 8.7 million and continues to be one of China's most popular tourist destinations.

Climate

Getting there

By plane 1 Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH IATA). serves domestic and international flights. There are frequent services to Beijing, Hong Kong and other Chinese cities. The only European destination is Amsterdam with KLM. HGH also has flights from airports in the United States, such as San Francisco and Los Angeles. There are a few cities in other parts of East Asia and South East Asia with direct connections. Hangzhou airport charges lower landing fees than nearby Shanghai, so a few budget airlines fly there.

Airport transfers The airport is located approximately 30 km east of Hangzhou's city center, and the journey by taxi typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes. The fare for a taxi ride to or from the airport is around ¥90. When returning to the airport, it is a good idea to confirm with the driver if they are willing to take the trip before loading your luggage. The standard metered fare applies, with no additional fees for airport travel. A shuttle service (¥20) to/from the Xiaoshan Bus ticket office on Tiyuchang Road next to the KFC just west of Wulin Square. The shuttle bus also stops at the main railway station en route. Buses run every 30 minutes during the daytime and take about an hour; join the queue for your ticket at the booth just outside the exit before boarding the bus. Buses from the airport run

07:30 — 09:30: every 30 minutes 09:30 — 17:00: every 15 minutes 17:00 — 21:00: every 20 minutes After 21:00: every 30 minutes The times refer to waiting time from the first passenger boarding the bus. After all the seats are taken, the bus takes off within 30, 20 or 15 minutes. The Shangri-La Hotel also has a shuttle service to/from the airport for ¥50.

Shanghai Airport The main international airport for the region is Pudong International Airport in Shanghai. There are direct buses to Hangzhou, which take a couple of hours, or alternatively, you can take a train to Shanghai and then use the metro or a taxi to reach the airport. Buses to Hangzhou depart every 90 minutes from 10:30 to 19:00 from the second-floor parking lot across from Gate 15 of Pudong Airport, with a fare of ¥100. These buses arrive at the Hangzhou Yellow Dragon Sports Center, located about 3 km west of the city center. The reverse trip, from Hangzhou to Pudong Airport, is also available, with buses departing from the Yellow Dragon Sports Center and the Hangzhou Xiaoshan Bus Ticket Office on Tiyuchang Road, near Wulin Square, next to KFC. Shanghai's other airport, Hongqiao, primarily serves domestic flights and is located adjacent to Hongqiao Railway St

Getting around

By metro

The easiest way around Hangzhou is the metro system, with 13 lines and 270 stations operational, covering 516 km as of August 2024.

By bus Hangzhou has an extensive bus network. Bus schedules, routes, and on-board announcements are all in Chinese. There are a number of bus types. As of 2012, these include:

Routes without a letter prefix generally have no air conditioning (though there are some exceptions, like route 900) and should be avoided May–September. They are heated during winter. These generally cost ¥1-2. Routes with a "K" prefix are air-conditioned May–September, and heated December–February. These cost ¥2-3, except when both the air-con and heat are off, during which time the fare is halved. Routes with a "Y" prefix are designated tourist buses, and will take you to or from a tourist destination for ¥3-5. Routes with a "B" prefix are part of the new Bus Rapid Transit system. These are articulated buses that stop at dedicated BRT stations, which allow you to transfer to other "B" routes without paying an additional fare. The fare of ¥4 is paid on entering the station. These buses are roomier than the usual municipal buses, but are not much more rapid. Night routes (which have blue signs and are numbered K2xx) are ¥2.5. Most start running at 21:00 and end around 06:00. For those arriving in Hangzhou by train, note that bus K7 goes from the Hangzhou Rail Station to the West Lake for ¥1. Fares can be paid in cash (coins or bills, no change given), by using a dedicated bus card, or by tapping the same card used to rent bikes (see below). The fare will be displayed on the bus stop and on the farebox. You are expected to board via the front doors and leave through the rear (with the exception of the B routes). Buses have very little empty space even when they are not full (which is not common), so do not plan on bringing baby strollers or other cumbersome items. Be prepared at all times for fast turns and sudden braking. The suspension usually is not up to modern standards, and the driving can be aggressive.

By taxi Hangzhou has a large number of taxis which allow for quick and convenient travel within the city proper. Most of the city's taxis are turquoise-green in colour, and easily identifiable by the word Taxi printed in both English and Chinese on the vehicles. Taxis for hire are marked by the green (or sometimes yellow-orange) light-up signs above the dashboard on each car. Hangzhou taxi drivers almost always use the meter as required by law. Hangzhou taxis are notoriously expensive compared to other Chinese cities. Trips st

See

West Lake (西湖 Xī Hú)

1 West Lake (The east side of the lake is easily accessed by Metro - Longxiangqiao station (line 1) or Fengqilu station (lines 1,2).). Hangzhou's most famous scenic sight. It is traditional to see the 10 Scenes of the West Lake and 10 New Scenes, and thousands of the visitors dutifully do so every year. However, these particular sites are overrated, and often seasonal (Snowfall Over Broken Bridge, etc.). Rather than make a checklist and walking back and forth looking for them, simply spend a clear day wandering the circumference of the lake and the causeways, take a ferry to the islands, and you will probably cover most of the sites anyway. The lake is quite large: the walk around it is about 12 km long. The Ten Scenes of West Lake (西湖十景) include: 2 Spring Dawn at Su Causeway (苏堤春晓 Sūdīchūnxiǎo). Almost 3 km long, the Su causeway dates from the year 1189 and has a bunch of willows and peach trees. It is long north-south causeway that starts by the Shangri-La on Beishan Road and goes all the way down to Nanshan Road. 3 Wind and Lotus at the Crooked Courtyard (in Summer) (曲院风荷, Quyuanfenghe). At the west of West Lake, just in front of the Yuemiao (岳庙), in it there are a lot of shops. 4 Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake (平湖秋月 Pínghúqiūyuè). A traditional place to see the full moon reflected in the water. 5 Lingering Snow on Broken Bridge (断桥残雪 Duànqiáocánxuě). The Broken Bridge is the most elegant and romantic site in West Lake. When it is snowing, the hole of the bridge just like the bridge is broken. The classic view of West Lake seen from the Broken Bridge is quite fascinating, and the Legend of the White Snake (a famous Chinese legend which takes place here) also brings this ancient bridge much more charm of culture and history. 6 Leifeng Pagoda in Evening Glow (雷峰夕照 Léifēngxīzhào). The pagoda (see below for full description) is lit up at night. It is best viewed from across the lake, for example from the spot indicated here. 7 Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds (双峰插云 Shuāngfēngchāyún). The view of the highest mountains north and south of the lake, which can rise above the clouds. 8 Orioles Singing in the Willows (柳浪闻莺 Liǔlàngwényīng). A large park at Qingbomen (清波门), when orioles can be heard singing. 9 Viewing Fish at Flower Pond (花港观鱼, Huagangguanyu). Its famous points are fishes, flowers and ponds. 10 Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon (Lesser Yingzhou Isle, 三潭映月 Sāntányìngyuè). Built in the early 1600s, this is the largest island on the lake. When there is a full moon, candles inside the pagodas are lit, and in the candle ligh

Do

1 Impression West Lake (印象西湖). 19:30 (winter), 19:45 (summer). Directed by the golden trio including Zhang Yimou, a love story performed with impressive special effects on the lake. There are two performances every night. Entertaining but not breathtaking, especially if you see some of the newer 'Impressions' shows. Starts from ¥260 with VIP and boat seats at even higher prices. Show lasts an hour and does not need language knowledge. From ¥260. Early morning bike ride. Start on the north side of the lake, and head west towards Zhejiang University, then down Lingyin Road past the Botanical Gardens and into Longjing Village. Keep heading West and south through the tea villages, bamboo forest, and scenic valleys to the river and cut over towards Six Harmonies Pagoda. Go back to the south end of the lake via the road right next to Six Harmonies, past the zoo, through the tunnels. Cycling is banned directly alongside the lake for about half of the way, so walking may be better if you want to see the lake. 2 Hangzhou Paradise Park, No.92, Xianghu Road, Xiaoshan District (south bank of Qiantang River, 12 km away from West Lake; you can take the No. K515 bus to get there). M-F 10:00–17:00, Sa Su 09:30–17:00. The largest travel and leisure holiday resort in Eastern China, covering an area of 80,000 m². It is the themed recreation area of World Leisure Expo Garden. Includes the Theme Park of Holland Village, the Theme Park of Marco Polo's Tour, Ecological Garden, Niton Hot Spring Holiday Village, Conference Center, Tennis Ball Club, Golf Club, Tiancheng Residential Holdings. Here, you can feel excitement and fun of the 108 meters high Sightseeing Tower which is the highest in Asia, the roller coaster, flying trapeze, ropeway, looting boat in rip current, pirate ship, etc. There are also exercises like bungee jumping, rock climbing and a space swing. ¥80. Walk around the lake. It will take you about 5 hours of slow walking. The lake is not very big and there are two shortcuts (causeways) through it. You can also hire small non-motor powered boats (¥120/hour for personal boat with driver, or use the ferry services) to take you around the lake and to the two islands, which feature some interesting sites. Go hiking in the mountains. Hangzhou has the most accessible and interesting hiking environments within walking distance of any city. Purchase a topographic map, not difficult to find. Some suggested hikes: Start with the climb up to the Baochu Pagoda from Beishan Road. The trail passes the pagoda and continues on with a rock scramble and great views to a series

Buy

Hangzhou China Silk Town on Tiyuchang Road. You can also get silk at other places in the city, but most of it will just be the fabric. It is open from 08:00-17:00 and is near the Zhejiang International Hotel. Bargain hard! Night Market (夜市) off Yan'an Road near Pinghai Road (right near Wushan) every night. Here you can find Mao memorabilia, jewellery, paper fans, pipes, luggage, handicrafts and other items that most Chinese cities have. Pirated DVDs and counterfeit handbags are for sale as well. You can also find a lot of those silk-screen printed paintings/embroidery things that the silk market also has. Bargain very hard - Many stalls sell the same stuff, so be prepared to walk away. Be careful buying "antiques" because they are probably new, and pearls. Often the pearl culturing process has been very short, and in fact the "pearl" is a plastic marble with only the thinnest of cultured skin. Electronics Markets (电子产品市场 - Running west-east in north-west Hangzhou on Wensan Road are several indoor, multistory electronics shopping centers offering all manner of electronics including desktop computers, laptops, computer software (licensed and un-licensed), cellphones, mp3 players, and hundreds of peripherals and storage media. Pirated DVDs and computer games are offered as well, and if you are obviously a foreigner, vendors will shout "DVD! DVD!" at you to urge you to browse their selection. Bird and Flower Markets - Several in town, Gucui Rd and Wener West Rd in the west, another on Jichang Rd in north, the interesting one is next to Wushan Square, downtown. On 3 or 4 floors, this market is stuffed with pets and plants. Also sections selling Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with dried snake and seahorse, huge dried mushrooms and other strange things. Tea - Dragon Well/Longjing tea is famous throughout China and worth getting if you like green tea. If you are staying with a Chinese host somewhere else in China after Hangzhou, bringing them a small box (or two) of higher-end Longjing Tea would make a great gift; however, these usually cost around ¥300/box (more at tourist stands). The Longjing village and tea fields area of Hangzhou (southwest of West Lake) are where Longjing tea is grown. Besides being worth a visit for the scenic sights alone, tea can be purchased here as well - fresh from the harvesters' bags if so desired. Many places across the city also sell tea, such as informal vendors and small shops easily identifiable by the boxes displayed inside or store names such as "西湖龙井茶" (West Lake Dragon Well Tea), as well as grocery stores and supermar

Eat

Hangzhou is one of the premier places to eat in China, and its local cuisine features dishes that consist more of pork and seafood rather than beef and lamb, as those are typically found in the north and west of China. Typical Hangzhou specialties include dongpo rou (东坡肉 dōngpō ròu), an extremely fatty chunk of pork in a syrupy sauce, and cùyú (醋鱼 cùyú), which is fish with a vinegar sauce. There are some characteristic local snacks: for example, small steamed buns (小笼包 xiǎolóngbāo), Xiaoshan dried turnip (萧山萝卜干 xiāoshān luóbo gān), and noodles with preserved vegetables (片儿川 piàn'ér chuān). In Wushan Square, you can find lots of food; the prices are cheap and the quality fine. If you do not like Hangzhou cuisine, you can find plenty of excellent Sichuan, Shanxi, and Xinjiang restaurants throughout the city. There are also some Western restaurants, but those tend to be expensive.

Budget For budget restaurants, even near the lake, just head into an alley and get some food from a small restaurant or street-side stand. You should judge for yourself how sanitary the food is, but you generally do not need to worry about this in Hangzhou relative to other Chinese cities. These restaurants are all quite similar. If you like dumplings and have just come down the north side of Baochu hill (past the cave and in view of the soccer stadium), one option is to continue across Shuguang Road and up Hangda Road (0.5 blocks east and 1 block north) to Tianmushan Road. At the corner of Tianmushan and Hangda Roads are 2 decent dumpling restaurants with English menus available (one is upstairs from the other). They have many of varieties of dumplings, including all-vegetable. From ¥6-18 for a plateful.

Zhōngshān nánlù (中山南路) This is one of the great street food strips in China. It is a definite must-see/taste at nighttime. It begins at the Drum Tower, only a short walk from the end of Gaoyin ancient street. Zhīwèiguān restaurant on Rénhé lù (仁和路) is well-known among Chinese in Hangzhou. It has a variety of cheap and traditional dishes. There's no English, it uses floor-ticket ordering, and the atmosphere is bustling and noisy. 1 Qiantang Chongjin Noodle Restaurant (钱塘涌金面馆), 135 Yan'an Rd. 08:00-23:30. Popular spot for Hangzhou-style noodles. ¥25. (updated Apr 2026)

Mid-range For American junk food, Hangzhou has many KFCs, several McDonalds, and an increasing number of Pizza Huts throughout town, especially near the lake. Other restaurants that are good and aren't as tourist-trappy can as Lou Wai Lou are near West Lake, usually to the east past Hubin Road in the Yan'an Ro

Drink & nightlife

The drink of choice in Hangzhou is tea, as the local Longjing (龙井, also Lung Ching, literally "Dragon Well") is the most famous green tea in China. Longjing is divided into seven grades, the two top being Superior (旗枪 qiqiang) and Special (雀舌 queshe), and the rest numbered from 1 down to 5. Prices for the very best stuff are extremely high— in 2005, a mere 100g plucked from Qing Dynasty emperor Qian Long's personal trees sold for over US$17,000 — but a few cups in a local teahouse shouldn't cost you more than a few dozen yuan. There is a wholesale market in Zhuangtang, however, most of the tea comes from trees outside of the "special" fields in Hangzhou. Prices are ¥15-1,000/500g depending on a multitude of variables. Traditionally, tea from Longjing is best served with spring water from Hupao (虎跑, "Tiger Run"), which is located next to the West Lake. You might have to purchase the tea from the tea shop in Hupao, instead of bringing your own. It's about ¥20 per cup, but you get a thermal full of hot water with the purchase. Do consider mixing the leaves with bottled water, as construction project run off introduces chemicals other than water into the streams. For bars, Nanshan Road all night every night should keep any visitor occupied. An up-and-coming part of town is on Shuguang Road has several old and new bars that are a little less hectic than those of Nanshan Road. Shuguang Road runs north from the north-west corner of the Lake. The Huanglong soccer stadium is full of dance / performance bars around the perimeter of the building.

Cafes There are an excellent number of independent cafes and plenty of domestic and international coffeeshop chains.

Reading Tree Coffee, No. 31-1 Qingnian Road, Shangcheng District. 24 hour cafe with plenty of table space, good lighting, and shelves of books.

Bars JZ Club, 6 Liuying Rd (Nanshan Road). One of the most sophisticated bars in Hangzhou, with live jazz performances every night and a range of beers, cocktails and wines. 7 Club, Shuguang Road (Behind the flower shop opposite Yellow Dragon Hotel). Small local pub popular with older drinkers. Normally contains a quieter atmosphere and specializes in hard-to-find imported bottle beers. Guinness on tap. Shamrock Irish Pub, Jiefang Rd and Jianguo Rd. More a sports bar, but without the TVs. Good pub food on the menu some live music on weeknights. Tree House (Near the KFC in Beigan Yi Yuan.). A small venue which is the main hub for foreigners living in Xiaoshan district, famous for its cheap beer and outdoor seating.

Nightclubs There are several larg

Sleep

Budget Hangzhou Garden Youth Hostel. Opened in 2006 on ZhaoGong Causeway near the Hangzhou Botanic Gardens on the western shore of West Lake. It is part of Hostelling International and consists of a beautifully restored historic courtyard building. Dorm rooms have very clean, upmarket ensuite bathrooms with 24-hr hot water. The hostel is very convenient for walking and sightseeing around West Lake, but it's far from restaurants and nightlife. It is a 15-minute walk to the bar/tea house/restaurant strip on Shuguang Road. Hangzhou International Youth Hostel, Nanshan Road (Right on the east side of the lake and just off "bar street", next to Qing Temple). Run by Hosteling International and has a friendly staff. ¥40 w/membership, ¥45 without membership, per night, 6 people to a room (you can get doubles as well for about ¥200, including a lakeview double for ¥250). All rooms and toilet/shower are extremely clean. Despite being literally a few paces from the clubs of Nanshan Road, this hostel is set back far enough to be relatively noise free and features a comfortable courtyard/patio with a pond. The lobby also has a boring bar and an all-right breakfast. My Inn Hotel (我的客栈), 264 QiuTao Rd, ShangCheng District; 杭州市上城区秋涛路264号(长途汽车南站对面) (Adjacent to Metro 1 Wujian Road, and South Bus Station), ☏ +86 4008280082. Comfortable rooms without TV, although has a computer in rooms with internet at ¥20 (optional). Bathrooms are clean, there is a convenience store in the lobby, and laundry, kitchen and business facilities in the building. Plenty of bus routes can be taken at the hotel front street. ¥99 per night.. Pod Inn (布丁酒店). Several locations in Hangzhou, including two near West Lake. Similar in concept to My Inn with small, two person rooms starting at ¥95 a night and larger rooms at higher price points. West Lake Youth House, 62-3 Nanshan Rd (At the southern end of West Lake), ☏ +86 571 87027027, fax: +86 571 88030237. No. Excellent rooms, friendly staff. ¥50 dorm, ¥200 double. 1 Hangzhou Touran Backpack Hostel, No.3 Si Yan Jing, Hupao Road Xihu (杭州市西湖区虎跑路与满觉陇路交叉路口，四眼井3号（靠近儿童公园）, 西湖区 (杭州, 310013)), ☏ +86 571 86094311, [email protected]. Very friendly staff. ¥42 dorm.

Mid-range You can find mid-range hotels all over the city, most of which will take foreigners. Try to bargain for a room. Ask how much they want for one night's stay, then say "what if I stay for 3 nights?" or something to that extent and it will become cheaper.

Enjoyor Hotel, 65 Qingchun Rd, ☏ +86 21-61226688 ext 7800. Shangcheng District. This hotel has 168 rooms, and also offers

Go next

Shanghai — About an hour away by train. Suzhou — Around two hours away by bus (or train). Buses leave several times per hour from the bus station at northeast of city (¥68). Tianmushan — For a weekend timeout. Lake Tai is reasonably close, a common weekend getaway for Hangzhou residents. Huangshan or Yellow Mountain, in neighbouring Anhui Province, is a national park on the UNESCO World Heritage List Visit the Moganshan mountains to the north for a relaxing break.