Hangzhou, China travel guide

West Lake poetry: pagodas on misty water, dragon-well tea hills and China's most romantic city.

Best time to visit: March-May & September-November
Average daily budget: $50 to $110 USD
Ideal trip length: 2 to 3 days

Hangzhou has been called heaven on earth since Marco Polo, and West Lake still delivers: willow-lined causeways, pagodas mirrored in the water, and tea terraces climbing the hills behind. Forty-five minutes from Shanghai by bullet train, it's China's elegant counterpoint to the mega-cities. Joy Plus times the lake's moods, from misty dawn to lit-up evenings, and pairs it with tea villages and temple valleys.

Hangzhou itinerary

Day 1, Get oriented

Morning: Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak. One of China's great Buddhist temples amid grottoes of carved stone Buddhas.

Afternoon: Explore West Lake (Xihu), The UNESCO-listed heart: causeways, islands, pagodas and lakeside promenades.

Evening: West Lake by boat and on foot. Cruise to the islands, then walk Su Causeway at dawn and Bai Causeway at dusk.

Day 2, Go deeper

Morning: Tea tasting in Longjing. Sip pre-Qingming dragon-well tea in the village where it's grown, then hike the terraces.

Afternoon: Explore Hefang Street, The restored old street of snack stalls, medicine halls and craft shops.

Evening: Leifeng Pagoda at sunset. Climb the rebuilt pagoda for the classic panorama over the whole lake.

Day 3, Hidden side

Morning: Nine Creeks and Misty Trees, a stream-side walking path through tea fields to the Qiantang River.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Longjing (Dragon Well) village, Tea terraces and tasting houses in the hills where China's most famous green tea grows.

Evening: The China National Tea Museum set in its own tea garden.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Best neighbourhoods

West Lake (Xihu): The UNESCO-listed heart: causeways, islands, pagodas and lakeside promenades.
Hefang Street: The restored old street of snack stalls, medicine halls and craft shops.
Longjing (Dragon Well) village: Tea terraces and tasting houses in the hills where China's most famous green tea grows.
Lingyin area: The temple valley of the Buddha's Peak, with carved grottoes and incense smoke.
Xixi Wetland: A tranquil waterworld of canals and reeds on the city's west side.

Must-do experiences

West Lake by boat and on foot: Cruise to the islands, then walk Su Causeway at dawn and Bai Causeway at dusk.
Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak: One of China's great Buddhist temples amid grottoes of carved stone Buddhas.
Tea tasting in Longjing: Sip pre-Qingming dragon-well tea in the village where it's grown, then hike the terraces.
Leifeng Pagoda at sunset: Climb the rebuilt pagoda for the classic panorama over the whole lake.

Hidden gems

Nine Creeks and Misty Trees, a stream-side walking path through tea fields to the Qiantang River.
The China National Tea Museum set in its own tea garden.
Xiling Seal Art Society's garden on Gushan island, the lake's quietest corner.
Dawn tai chi and ballroom dancing along the lakeside, the city's living ritual.

Daily budget

$50 to $110 USD per day.

What to eat

West Lake vinegar fish (xihu cu yu), the city's signature sweet-sour carp
Dongpo pork, slow-braised belly named for the poet-governor
Longjing shrimp, river shrimp stir-fried with dragon-well tea leaves
Beggar's chicken, baked in lotus leaf and clay

Getting around

Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport is 30 km east, about an hour by metro Line 1 or taxi. High-speed trains connect Shanghai in 45 to 75 minutes and Suzhou in 1.5 hours. The city has an excellent metro and was a pioneer of public bike-sharing; around West Lake, walking, cycling and the lake's electric shuttle boats are the way to go.

Safety

Hangzhou is very safe with minimal crime; standard big-city awareness suffices. The main annoyances are tea-house scams, where friendly 'students' invite you to overpriced tastings, so decline unsolicited invitations and buy tea at established shops. Summer is hot and humid, weekend crowds at the lake are intense, and cashless payment via Alipay or WeChat is nearly essential.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hangzhou worth visiting?

Yes. West Lake is one of China's most beautiful and storied landscapes, and the tea hills, temples and wetlands give the city depth beyond the postcard. It's the most rewarding side trip from Shanghai and a highlight of any China itinerary.

How many days do you need in Hangzhou?

Two to three days. One for the West Lake loop of causeways, boats and pagodas, one for Lingyin Temple and the Longjing tea village, and a third for Xixi Wetland, the old street or the Nine Creeks walk.

When is the best time to visit Hangzhou?

March to May for peach blossoms along the causeways and September to November for clear skies and osmanthus fragrance. Summer is hot, humid and crowded, while winter is cold and grey but quiet, with the lake's misty moods at their most poetic.

How do you get from Shanghai to Hangzhou?

High-speed trains run from Shanghai Hongqiao to Hangzhou East in 45 to 75 minutes, departing every few minutes. Book on Trip.com or 12306 with your passport. The metro connects the station to West Lake in about 20 minutes.

What is Longjing tea and where do you try it?

Longjing, or dragon-well, is China's most celebrated green tea, grown on the hills just west of the lake. Visit Longjing village or Meijiawu to taste it where it's picked, especially the prized pre-Qingming spring harvest, and buy from the farmers' own shops.

Is Hangzhou expensive?

Moderately. Budget $50 to $110 a day: decent hotels from $40 to $80, local meals $3 to $8, and most of the lake shoreline free to enjoy. Costs come from temple tickets, tea purchases and taxis; the metro and bike-share keep transport nearly free.

Is Hangzhou safe for solo travellers?

Yes, very safe, and pleasant to explore alone on foot or by bike. The main caution is the classic tea-tasting scam around West Lake: politely decline strangers who invite you to a tea ceremony. Otherwise, violent crime is rare and the city is well lit and well policed.

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