Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province in China, is known for its natural beauty and historical sites.
West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is famous for its picturesque scenery with temples, pagodas, and gardens around it. The lake is ideal for boat rides and leisurely walks along its shores. The Lingyin Temple, one of China’s oldest and most important Buddhist temples, offers a peaceful retreat with its impressive stone carvings and ancient halls.
The Hefang Street is perfect for shopping and trying local snacks, with its traditional Chinese architecture. Hangzhou is also known for its tea culture, and a visit to the Longjing (Dragon Well) tea plantations is a must to experience the local tea-making process.
Where to Stay in Hangzhou?
Hotels Near West Lake
West Lake is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its scenic beauty, historic pagodas, temples, and gardens. Key attractions include Leifeng Pagoda, Lingyin Temple, and the Broken Bridge.
| Hotel Name | Location | Amenities | Rating |
| Lotel Hangzhou Xihu Stay Mountain Lodging | 158-2 Yuhuangshan Road, Xihu District | Free Wi-Fi, garden, restaurant, 24-hour front desk | 4.6/5 |
| Zhongshan West Lake Hotel Hangzhou | 15-3 Lianhuafeng Road, Xihu District | Free Wi-Fi, tea house, restaurant, 24-hour front desk | 4.5/5 |
| Qizai Xihu Wenlv Tea Hotel | 3 Manjuelong Road, Xihu District | Free Wi-Fi, tea room, restaurant, luggage storage | 4.4/5 |
Hotels Near Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport is the main airport serving Hangzhou. It is located about 27 km from the city center. Staying near the airport is convenient for travelers with early flights or layovers.
| Hotel Name | Location | Amenities | Rating |
| RS Hotel | 2850 Airport Avenue, Xiaoshan District | Free Wi-Fi, restaurant, 24-hour front desk, free parking | 4.2/5 |
| Hyatt Place Hangzhou International Airport | Xiaoshan International Airport, Xiaoshan District | Free Wi-Fi, pool, fitness center, restaurant | 4.7/5 |
| Deefly Grand Hotel Airport Hangzhou | 1 Terminal Road, Xiaoshan District | Free Wi-Fi, restaurant, fitness center, free airport shuttle | 4.5/5 |
Is Hangzhou Hotel cheap or expensive?
Trip.com offers discounts of up to 20% on 873 boutique hotels in Hangzhou. When looking for hotels in Hangzhou, there are likely good options at a nightly budget of just 61 USD.
- Five-star hotels: 91 hotels, 136 USD per night
- Four-star hotels: 197 hotels, 59 USD per night
- Three-star hotels: 258 hotels, 52 USD per night
- Two-star hotels: 278 hotels, 49 USD per night
Must-Visit Attractions in Hangzhou
In the city center of Hangzhou, you'll have easy access to Remnant Snow on the Broken Bridge in Winter, West Lake music fountain, Xihu Culture Square. For short trips in Hangzhou, Shangougou Scenic Spot are all good options. The most popular attractions for tourists in Hangzhou are Wushan Square. If you're interested in museums and cultural landmarks, it's recommended to visit Silk Museum, West Lake Museum (Gushan Road), Exhibition Hall of Southern Song Dynasty Relic Site. There are quite a few parks like Hangzhou Chengbei Sports Park, Hangzhou Polar Ocean Park, all of which are great places to relax and spend time with friends and family.
Impression West Lake is a spectacular outdoor night show set on the waters of West Lake in Hangzhou. The performance combines music, lights, and dance to tell stories inspired by Hangzhou's rich history and culture. The show uses the natural setting of the lake as its stage, with performers appearing to dance on water thanks to innovative staging techniques. The backdrop of the mountains and the reflections on the lake make for a magical experience.
Operating Hours: Starts at 7:40 PM
Location: West Lake, Hangzhou, China
Ticket Price: Starting at $44.69 for adults
Lingyin Temple is one of the oldest and most significant Buddhist temples in China, located in the scenic area of Feilai Peak. The temple complex includes multiple halls, each with intricate carvings and statues. Feilai Peak, or Flying Peak, is renowned for its stone carvings of Buddhist figures that date back to the 10th century. The combination of spiritual significance and natural beauty makes it a must-visit site.
Operating Hours: 7:00 AM - 6:15 PM
Location: No.1 Fayun Alley, Lingyin Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, China
Ticket Price: Starting at $6.14 for adults
West Lake is the most famous attraction in Hangzhou and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The lake is surrounded by gardens, pagodas, and temples, creating a picturesque setting. Visitors can enjoy boat rides, stroll along scenic paths, or relax in lakeside tea houses. Notable spots around the lake include the Leifeng Pagoda, the Broken Bridge, and the Su Causeway. West Lake is known for its serene beauty and is an excellent place for both relaxation and sightseeing.
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Location: West Lake Scenic Area, Hangzhou, China
Ticket Price: Free
Lingyin Temple is a prominent Buddhist temple nestled in the Wuling Mountains. Founded in AD 326, it is one of the wealthiest temples in China. The temple complex features grand halls with impressive Buddha statues, ancient trees, and beautiful gardens. The main hall, the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, houses a majestic statue of Maitreya Buddha. Visitors often come to pray, meditate, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Operating Hours: 7:00 AM - 6:15 PM
Location: No.1 Fayun Alley, Lingyin Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, China
Ticket Price: Included with Lingyin Temple and Flying Peak admission
Qinghefang Street is one of Hangzhou's oldest and most famous pedestrian streets. Lined with preserved ancient buildings, the street is a bustling hub for shopping, dining, and sightseeing. Visitors can find a variety of local snacks, traditional crafts, tea houses, and specialty shops. Notable items include Dingsheng cakes, dragon beard candy, and Hangzhou silk. The street also features cultural landmarks such as Hu Qingyu Tang, a traditional Chinese pharmacy, and the Zhu Xuren Copper Carving Art Museum.
Operating Hours: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Location: Qinghefang Street, Hangzhou, China
Ticket Price: Free
The Shenzhen Ping An Financial Center Yunji Sightseeing is an observation deck on the 116th floor of the Ping An Financial Center. It offers panoramic views of Shenzhen and the surrounding area, including Hong Kong on clear days. The observation deck has high-speed elevators, floor-to-ceiling windows, and interactive displays about the city.
Operating Hours: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Location: No.5033 Yitian Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, China
Ticket Price: Starting at $24.01 for adults
OCT East is a large ecological resort and amusement park in Shenzhen. It includes three main areas: Knight Valley, Tea Stream Resort Valley, and Wind Valley. Knight Valley has thrilling rides and water park attractions. Tea Stream Resort Valley features gardens, tea houses, and cultural exhibits. Wind Valley offers golf courses and outdoor activities. The resort also includes hotels, restaurants, and shopping areas.
Operating Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Dameisha Yantian District, Shenzhen, China
Ticket Price: Starting at $24.01 for adults
Better to know before visiting Hangzhou
| Category | Details |
| Language | Mandarin Chinese; English understood in tourist areas |
| Currency | Chinese Yuan (CNY) |
| Currency Conversion | 1 CNY = $0.14 USD, £0.11 GBP, $0.19 SGD |
| Visa Policies | 15-day visa-free entry for citizens from France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg until December 31, 2025. For other nationalities, check the specific visa requirements before traveling |
| Top Attractions | West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Qinghefang Ancient Street, Xixi National Wetland Park, Leifeng Pagoda, Grand Canal, Wuzhen Water Town, Nanxun Water Town, Meijiawu Tea Village, Six Harmonies Pagoda |
| Must-Try Foods | West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy (西湖醋鱼), Dongpo Pork (东坡肉), Longjing Shrimp (龙井虾仁), Beggar's Chicken (叫化鸡), Hangzhou Steamed Buns (小笼包), Pian Er Chuan Noodles (片儿川), Lotus Root Starch (藕粉), Jinhua Ham (金华火腿), Dingsheng Cake (定胜糕), Jiaohua Chicken (叫化鸡) |
| Best Time to Visit | Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are ideal for mild weather and beautiful scenery. Average temperatures: Spring (10°C to 25°C), Autumn (15°C to 28°C) |
| Electricity | 220V, 50Hz, common plug types are A, C, and I |
Hangzhou Transportation
For those traveling for business and tourism, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport is the preferred choice when visiting Hangzhou. It's easy to reach Hangzhou. The city can be reached by plane, train, and car. The Hangzhou Metro is the fastest and most reliable way to navigate the city.
Hangzhou Metro
The Hangzhou Metro currently operates 12 lines, including Line 1, Line 2, Line 3, Line 4, Line 5, Line 6, Line 7, Line 8, Line 9, Line 10, Line 16, and Line 19, covering major districts. The metro runs from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM, with ticket prices ranging from ¥2 to ¥9 ($0.30 - $1.30) per single ride. Travel times vary by route, typically between 2-30 minutes, with trains arriving every 2-8 minutes. The metro is fast, reliable, and provides extensive coverage, though it can be crowded during peak hours.
Buses
Hangzhou's buses serve all districts and remote areas not covered by the metro, operating from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The flat fare is ¥2 ($0.30). Travel times vary by route and traffic, typically between 10-60 minutes, with buses running every 5-15 minutes. Buses offer extensive coverage and are affordable, but they are slower due to traffic and have less English signage.
Taxis
Taxis in Hangzhou are available citywide 24 hours a day. The base fare is ¥11 for the first 3 km, then ¥2.5 per km ($1.70, $0.37). Travel times depend on traffic, with taxis available on-demand. Taxis provide convenient door-to-door service but are more expensive than public transport and can experience traffic delays.
Bike-Sharing
Hangzhou's bike-sharing system operates citywide 24 hours a day. The first hour is free, with a charge of ¥1 per hour thereafter ($0.15). Travel times vary by route, with bikes available on-demand. This system is eco-friendly and convenient for short trips but is weather dependent and limited to certain areas.
Airport Shuttle Bus
The Airport Shuttle Bus connects Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport to the city center, operating from 6:30 AM to the arrival of the last flight. The fare is ¥20 ($2.90), with travel durations between 60-90 minutes. Buses run every 30-60 minutes, offering direct and affordable airport access, though they take longer and are dependent on traffic.
Water Bus
The Water Bus operates along the Grand Canal routes from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Ticket prices range from ¥3 to ¥5 ($0.50 - $0.80), with travel times varying by route. Boats run every 30-60 minutes, providing a scenic and unique experience. However, routes are limited and slower compared to other transport options.
Weather in Hangzhou
Average Temperature
• January to March: 9.38°C during the day, 5.86°C at night
• April to June: 23.4°C during the day, 19.2°C at night
• July to September: 29.57°C during the day, 25.63°C at night
• October to December: 15.32°C during the day, 11.42°C at night
Average seasonal Rainfall
• Spring: 103.17 cm
• Summer: 157.03 cm
• Autumn: 152.83 cm
• Winter: 66.3 cm
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