Hangzhou Travel Guide

Destination overview Destination sketch Hangzhou is famed for its natural scenery, Hangzhou and its West Lake have been immortalized by countless poets and artists. The city was the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty from 1127 until the Mongol invasion […]

Destination overview

Destination sketch

Hangzhou is famed for its natural scenery, Hangzhou and its West Lake have been immortalized by countless poets and artists. The city was the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty from 1127 until the Mongol invasion of 1276. The city’s population is estimated to have been as high as one million in those days, making it the largest city in the world at the time. Even Marco Polo claimed to have passed through, calling it beyond dispute the finest and the noblest in the world. The West Lake Cultural Landscape has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2011.

With the gradual silting up of its harbor, much of the city’s trade and industry passed north to nearby Shanghai, but the city still has a bustling population of 8.7 million and ranks as one of China’s most popular tourist attractions.

Best travel season

The high tourist season usually occurs in spring from March to May and also autumn from September to November, when the weather in Hangzhou is pleasant with an average temperature of 17 C (63 F).

Consumption level

The consumption level in Hangzhou is relatively high. The accommodation around the West Lake is more expensive. The three star Hotel also costs 500 yuan a night. Traveling to Hangzhou during the peak season, it is best to choose public transportation.

Intercity traffic

Aircraft

Hangzhou International Airprt
Address: Konggang Avenue, Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou
Tel: 0571-86662999

Train

Hangzhou Railway Station
Address: No. 1, Huancheng East Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou
Arrival mode: Take Metro Line 1 to the city station, or take the bus lines 3, 7, 11, 21, 39, 49, etc. to the city station
Tel: 0571-57620222

Hangzhou East Railway Station
Address: No. 1, Tiancheng Road, Jianggan District, Hangzhou
Arrival method: You can take the subway No.1 and No.4 to the East Railway Station of the line, or you can take the bus No. 9, 48, 93, 108, 123, 320 and so on to get off at the East Railway Station East.
Tel: 0571-86450514

Yuhang High Speed Railway Station
Address: Intersection of Wenzheng Street and Xinfeng Road, Yuhang District, Hangzhou
Arrival method: Take Metro Line 1 to Yuhang High-speed Railway Station, or take Bus No. 472, 765, 775 to Yuhang Station of High-speed Railway
Phone: 0571-56735810

Long distance bus

Hangzhou Bus Passenger Transport Center Station (Jiubao Passenger Transport Center)
Arrival method: Take bus No. 69, 100, 111, 122, 387 and many other buses to Hangzhou Bus Passenger Transport Center Station
Tel: 0571-87650679, 0571-87650600

Hangzhou West Bus Station
Address: No. 357, Tianmushan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou
Arrival method: You can take bus, 49, 77, 102, 149, 213, 281, 382 and so on to the West Bus Station.
Tel: 0571-85222237

Hangzhou South Bus Station
Address: No. 407, Qiutao Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou
Arrival method: You can take bus 14, 15, 42, 202, 322, 334 and so on to the South Bus Station.
Tel: 0571-86075352

Hangzhou North Bus Station
Address: No. 766 Moganshan Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou
Arrival method: You can take bus No. 67, 91, 153, 204, 333, 348 and so on to the North Bus Station.
Tel: 0571-88097761

Traffic in the city

Bus

Hangzhou has an extensive bus network. Bus schedules, routes, and on-board announcements are all in Chinese.

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.

Attractions

West Lake

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 12km long.

The Ten Scenes of the West Lake include:

Dawn on the Su Causeway in Spring. 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.

Curved Yard and Lotus Pool in Summer). At the west of West Lake, just in front of the Yuemiao, in it there are a lot of shops.

Moon over the Peaceful Lake in Autumn. A traditional place to see the full moon reflected in the water.

Snow over the Broken Bridge. 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.

Leifeng Pagoda in the Sunset. 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.

Two Peaks Piercing the Clouds. The view of the highest mountains north and south of the lake, which can rise above the clouds.

Orioles Singing in the Willows. A large park at Qingbomen, when orioles can be heard singing.

Fish Viewing at the Flower Pond. Its famous points are fishes, flowers and ponds.

Three Pools Mirroring the Moon. 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 light it appears as though you see the moonlight (if you are romantic enough to see it), hence the name.

Evening Bell Ringing at the Nanping Hill. A powerful bell in a temple on a mountain, rung at dusk. One does not need to visit the bell, it can be heard across the lake.

Mid-Lake Pavilion

Built in 1552, it is the oldest island in Hangzhou. There is a Chinese inscription on the Qing Dynasty-era stone arch in which the Qing Emperor wrote “Chong Er”, or “Endless Love”.

Lord Ruan’s Mound

An island made by piling dirt dredged from the lake 200 years ago. At night (summer), entertainment activities take place in the garden on the island.

Hubin Parks

Relatively newly designed as the West Lake Tunnel that goes underneath was being built in early 2004, these parks are good to sit for a bit, buy ice cream or a newspaper, and most importantly hire a boat from the cluster of boat docks at each park.

Guo’s Villa

One of the best traditional private gardens in Hangzhou. It is one of the garden masterpieces of Jiangnan (the lower region of the Yangtze River) thanks to its incomparable surroundings and the smartly managed garden space. The garden develops as you enter further into it with regular switches between tight, closed spaces and sudden, open ones. The key feature, or spirit, is water. Cleverly juxtaposing shade and light, curved and straight, yin and yang, the garden of Guo Zhuang is a wonderful embodiment of the Chinese wisdom of Tao and the Way of Nature. The teahouse, Liang Yi Xuan sits in a prime viewing spot within the garden between two superb water “yards”, one large and the other small. While there are plenty of “old villas” in China to visit—and many are similar—this one is also on the shore of the West Lake. The ¥10 entry fee keeps many people away, and you can have some tea (¥40) on the lakeside pavilions of the villa while avoiding the tourists.

Solidary Hill And Zhongshan Park

Where Loud Wai Lou restaurant is located, this is the only natural island on the lake. At least three emperors constructed palaces are here. Besides an expensive restaurant, the popular area is the home of the Xiling Seal-Engravers’ Society, and the seals, calligraphy, engraving-masters, and relics that go along with it.

Yang Causeway

This is more than 3 km long and one road west of the Su Causeway. It starts at the intersection of Beishan and Shuguang Road (which becomes Yang Causeway once you are south of this intersection); the causeway runs north-south. Yang Causeway includes Quyuan Garden (aka Qu Garden aka Qu Courtyard), which is the most popular spot to see tons of lotus blossoms (late spring > summer). The water area to the west of the top of Yang Causeway is Maojiabu Scenic area, with orchids blended into the water scenery. Another tourist spot on Yang Causeway is Mr. Guo’s Villa, which was built in 1907 and is considered one of the most “classical” gardens in Hangzhou. At the southern end of the causeway, just before Nanshan Road, is a fish-viewing pond.

Baochu Pagoda

A stone pagoda located on Gem Hill, just off Beishan road. You cannot climb the pagoda, but the view and surrounding Baoshi Hill are awesome.

Chongyi Church

It is one of the largest Protestant churches in China. The name, translated into English, means “Worship the one and only true God.” It was dedicated in 2005 and can accommodate up to 7000 attenders, welcoming many international visitors and guest preachers including Franklin Graham, the son of evangelist Billy Graham.

Jade Emperor Hill

One of the least-visited sites in Hangzhou despite its somewhat central location. The main temple on top of the hill offers a wonderful view of the city and lake below, and has a restaurant next door. There is another temple partway up the hill. The area can provide a quiet escape and a nice hike, as well as the chance to visit one of the few Daoist sites in the area (most other local temples are Buddhist). It is located directly south of Leifeng Pagoda. The main entrance isn’t far from the Silk Museum. If you are playing along with the “10 Scenes of the West Lake” scavenger hunt still, the one that applies to the top of this hill is “clouds flying over Jade Emperor Hill”.

Jingci Temple

Just off Nanshan Road, built in 954, the Jingci Temple has a huge 10-ton bell inside. Located on Nanping Road, they ring the bell 108 times here to ring in Chinese New Year. It is also rung every evening for much fewer times. Jingci Temple is the site of the legend of the miraculous well, which can be seen on the grounds of the temple.

Leifeng Pagoda

On the shores of the southeast side of the lake and built in the year 977, all that remains of the original pagoda is the crumbling foundation, viewable from outside the glass case that it is housed in (Pagoda Remains Memorial Museum at the bottom floor of the pagoda). With escalators, elevators, and a totally new pagoda places on top of the foundation, there is not much to see within the pagoda; it was most recently rebuilt in 2000. However, the view of the city skyline is one of the best from here, and some of the smaller seating areas around the perimeter of the pagoda have a nice breeze and view of the structure. One of the 10 Scenes of the West Lake is “Leifeng Pagoda in Evening Glow”, but this is best viewed from a distance (across the lake) just after sunset. The entry fee for the Leifeng Pagoda ¥40/person (Mar 2018) and it’s not original, just rebuilt. If you don’t pay to go in, you can still take pictures in front of it.

Lingyin Temple

Meaning “heart of the soul’s retreat”, this temple west of the West Lake is an active Buddhist temple at the bottom of a hill. Nearby you can take a chairlift to the top of the hill where there is another temple (walking up is also an easy set of stairs below the chairlift). This is one of the 3 oldest and most famous temples in China. There are hundreds of Buddhist stone statues carved into the cliffs in the “Peak Flying from Afar” section next door.

Six Harmonies Pagoda

Down by the Qiantang River, about a 15-minute cab ride from the lake in light traffic, but it is a pretty road to drive down through all the tunnels and tea fields. Besides the pagoda itself, which is arguably the most prominent of all the temples and pagodas in Hangzhou, there is an adjacent park with hundreds of realistic replicas of the world’s most famous pagodas, complete with mini-sized trees in front of the pagoda models.

Peak that flew from Afar

209 meters (about 700 feet) tall, is a pure limestone mountain that is very distinctive from the sandstone mountains around it. Large stones scattered along the peak are said to resemble animals like a flying dragon, a running elephant, a crouching tiger, and a fleeing monkey. On the other side of the peak, a pavilion named Cui Wei was erected to immortalize the national hero Yue Fei. This man contributed greatly in the war against Jin Tribe during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279).The pavilion was destroyed many times before the large restoration of 1942. The current pavilion keeps its old face with fresh paint.

Yue-Wang Temple

A popular temple on the north-west shore of West Lake. It was originally constructed in 1221 in memory of General Yue Fei, who lost his life due to political persecution.

Fenghuang Temple

One of the oldest mosques in China, the current construction at the intersection of Xihu Avenue and the Central Zhongshan Road dating back 700 years to the Yuan dynasty.

Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea Fields

Longjing and other tea fields further west are best visited during the harvest period, usually from the first week of March till after May Holiday, when everyone is out in the field picking tea and the tea that you can purchase is of the best quality (tea crops from later in the year have had their leaves damaged by the rain). Entrance to the fields is free of charge.

Hangzhou Botanical Gardens

If you can’t make it to Suzhou, these gardens aren’t bad, especially in the spring and during the brief period when the leaves change in the fall. There is also a peacock farm, some nice ponds, and basically a wide range of plants and ecosystems to walk through. The redwood tree that Nixon donated during his visit has since died (in 2001). The flower nursery is also nearby.

Xixi National Wetlands Park

Opened in May 2005, this wetlands park is in the extreme west part of the city past the west bus station. One of the easiest ways to get there would be to take a bus from Huanglong Soccer Stadium. While it may be somewhat out of the way and the road signs have the English translation as an uninviting “Xixi Swamp”, this area is not to be missed, as there are not many tourists, and it is a great way to see birds and other wildlife. The birds are especially beautiful and varied.

Dreaming of the Tiger Spring

A spring as well as a scenic and historic destination. The area includes wooded pathways, streams, bamboo groves, tea houses, historic structures, as well as the spring itself and other sights.

Hangzhou Zoo

It has pandas and more and is located just south of the lake. Animals treatment here is poor. Besides a few animals which have good cages (mostly water-animals) it has terrible conditions for the panda, most bears and other larger animals like the elephants. Still, they made improvements compared to a few years ago, and it seems it’s mostly the missing support of larger investments that seems to hinder further development in a better zoo. The entrance fee includes a circus-style animal show with tigers, lions, bears and elephants that is particularly entertaining for children (if a little depressing for adults).

Zhongshan Park

It used to be the West Lake Temporary Imperial Palace of Qing Dynasty. It is close to Zhejiang Museum and Xiling Society of Seal Arts. The historic sites of the imperial palace are well protected and available easily.

Song Dynasty Town

A Song dynasty-themed leisure park, approximately 21 minutes from city center. It offers a classic imperial experience for tourists all over the world. Located at 148 Zhijiang Road, across the bank of Qiantang River.

Qinghefang Ancient Street

Qinghefang Ancient Street is a section of Hefang Street which is located at the northern foot of Wu Shan Hill in Hangzhou. It is just several hundreds meters away from the beautiful West Lake. With an area of 13 hectares (32 acres), the street is the only well-preserved part of the ancient city. As a miniature of the city’s long history, it is the best place to embody the historical and cultural character of Hangzhou.

Qinghefang Ancient Street has been the most flourished street in the city since the ancient time. During the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 – 1279 AD), Qinghefang with lots of shops, restaurants and teahouses was the center of politics, culture and commerce in the city. After so many years, it is still a prosperous business area. Many famous century-old shops are located in this ancient street, such as Wangxingji Fan Store, Zhangxiaoquan Scissors, Wanlong Ham Stack, Huqingyutang Pharmacy, Baohetang Pharmacy, Zhuangyuan House, Wangruixing, Yiyuanjindian, Jingyangguan and Sheep Soup Restaurant among others.

Grand Canal

The Grand Canal, about 1,764 kilometers (1,200 miles) long, is the longest and greatest man-made waterway in ancient China, far surpassing the next two of the world: the Suez and Panama Canals. With 27 sections and 58 historical sites, it was placed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2014. Running from Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province in the south to Beijing in the north and connecting different river systems, Grand Canal contributed greatly to ensuring that the Chinese primary economy thrived in past dynasties. Now more than 2,000 years old, some parts of the canal are still in use, mainly functioning as a water-diversion conduit.

Tomb of General Yue Fei

Located at the southern foot of Qixia Hill near the West Lake and occupying an area of 1.57 hectares (3.9 acres), the Tomb of General Yue Fei, also known as Yue Fei Temple, was built in memory of this great hero.

Yue Fei (1103 – 1141) came from Tangyin in Xiangzhou of today’s Henan Province. He was a great general famous for wars against the Jin Dynasty (1115 – 1234) in the Song Dynasty (960 – 1279). After he joined the army, he and his troops continuously won wars against the Jin. However, after Yue and his army had recovered most of the lost territory, Emperor Gaozong (1107 – 1187) embraced the evil plot of Qin Hui (1090 – 1155, Prime Minister of the Song Dynasty) and surrendered to the Jin. As a result, he was falsely accused and later secretly killed in jail. A few years later, the wrong was put right when Emperor Xiao Zong (1163 – 1189) came to power. The tomb was built in memory of this great hero. Yue Fei is always considered as a national hero.

Thousand Islets Lake

Did you ever want to escape from the bustling metropolis? Come to Thousand Islets Lake and experience something special.
With 81% of the area covered in forests, Thousand Islets Lake (Qiandao Lake) is a pure lake with clean, fresh air. It is a young lake formed in 1959 as a result of the construction of New Anjiang Hydroelectric Power Station. It is a beautiful lake with 1,078 islets showing different views in different seasons. It is a rich lake abounding with fish and surrounded by trees, tea, mulberry (the food of the silkworm) and other fruit trees. Qiandao Lake is also a delightful lake with many activities including enjoying the natural scenery and local culture, observing wild animals and taking part in many exciting activities.
Thousand Islets Lake lies in Chun’an County, about 150 km (93 miles) west of Hangzhou City and is 140 km (87 miles) southeast of Mt. Huangshan. It is a resplendent pearl in the classical golden route of Hangzhou-Thousand Islets Lake-Mt. Huangshan and has become popular all over the world.

Dreaming of the Tiger Spring

A spring as well as a scenic and historic destination. The area includes wooded pathways, streams, bamboo groves, tea houses, historic structures, as well as the spring itself and other sights.

China National Silk Museum

Situated at the southern bank of the West Lake, in Hangzhou City of Zhejiang Province, China National Silk Museum is the first state-level professional silk museum in the country as well as the biggest of its kind throughout the world. It opened to the public in 1992 and since 2004 people can visit it for free.

The museum includes Silk Road Gallery, Fashion Gallery, Weaving Gallery, Conservation Gallery, Collection Hall, Brocade Hall.

Hangzhou Botanical Garden

Covering an area of about 230 hectares (approx. 568 acres), the Hangzhou Botanical Garden can be found at the foot of Jade Spring Hill in the northwest end of West Lake. It was originally built in 1965, and is not only a park in which to feast your eyes on beautiful plants, but also a research base where fields such as the cultivation of plants and protection of environment are studied.
Hangzhou Botanical Garden has wonderful scenery and an excellent environment. It is beautiful, with decorative architecture including pavilions and kiosks. Verdant trees, colorful and lovely flowers, and extremely fresh air seem to bring people into a world full of the pleasure of natural beauty.

Food

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 regions of China.

Typical Hangzhou specialties include dongpo rou, an extremely fatty chunk of pork in a syrupy sauce, and cuyu, which is fish with a vinegar sauce. There are some characteristic local snacks, for example, small steamed buns, Xiaoshan dried turnip, & noodles with preserved vegetables. 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.

Accommodation

There are many choices as hotel in Hangzhou.

Shopping

One of China’s most dynamic cities, Hangzhou is a pearl in the Yangtze River Delta. Shopping in this city is no longer limited to local specialties such as China silk, tea, and lotus root starch. Today modern offerings abound in various shops, stores, supermarkets, and plazas that crowd the commercial center.

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