Hangzhou, China—unbelievably atmospheric, lush and green, with the smell of jasmine and osmanthus lingering in the air. I first visited Hangzhou when I was just 8 years old and I fell in love with it instantly. Even though I didn’t get to return to Hangzhou for another 17 years after that, the romantic memory of the city lived on in my head and my dreams.
Nature, arts, and classical design all meet in Hangzhou. You’ll walk across bridges surrounded by bursting green lotus leaves and delicate pink flowers, the sound of traditional Chinese pipa floating ethereally through the air, and stop to smell the scent of the floral trees as the patter of a gentle rain sets in. A traditional wooden boat cuts its way through an emerald-green river lined with willow trees, the boatman humming soft Chinese songs in the peace and quiet. A girl in a billowing traditional hanfu picks osmanthus flowers in the garden courtyard. In the evenings, you’ll sit at the traditional Chinese pavilion overlooking a lake, sipping impossibly fragrant green tea and watching the sun set over the still water. Welcome to Hangzhou, China.
A Little Bit of Hangzhou History…
Hangzhou is an ancient city that is more than 2,200 years old! However, the city rose to national prominence during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) and served as the imperial capital. During this time, Hangzhou was one of the most prosperous cities in the entire world, famous for silk production, tea fields, and thriving trade networks.
It’s still famous for all of these things today, but has settled more into its reputation as one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. In fact, when Marco Polo visited Hangzhou, he proclaimed it to be “the most splendid city in the world,” and I couldn’t agree with him more. For centuries, scholars, poets, artists, and emperors have praised Hangzhou for its beauty, especially around West Lake.
What is West Lake and Why Is It Famous?
West Lake, also called Xihu in Chinese (西湖), is the central heart of Hangzhou, China. It’s a freshwater lake that’s surrounded by pagodas, waterways, and willow tree paths—but especially the fragrant lotus that blooms here in the late spring and summer.
Over the centuries of Hangzhou’s history, West Lake became a pillar of Chinese art, poetry, and philosophy. Emperors carefully landscaped the lake, creating the Ten Scenic Views of West Lake, which became a model and inspiration for classical garden design across China.
How to Get to Hangzhou, China
Thanks to China’s absolutely mind-blowing high-speed rail system, getting to Hangzhou, China is super easy from almost anywhere in the country!
Most visitors will come to Hangzhou from or on the way to Shanghai, or as part of a travel route through the powerhouse cities of the Yangtze River Delta region (think Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing). If you’re interested in these other cities, check out my one-week guide to the Yangtze River Delta!
The high-speed rail from Shanghai to Hangzhou takes about 1 hour from station to station. Make sure to book a train to Hangzhou Station or Hangzhou East, because the other stations are pretty far from the city center.
🚄 How to Buy Train Tickets in China?
Although it can be daunting for foreigners, traveling by high-speed rail is super convenient in China once you know how. You can easily buy a train ticket between any major cities through Alipay’s Trip.com mini-app or WeChat’s Hopegoo mini-app. If you don’t speak Chinese, I recommend Alipay’s Trip.com mini-app—the English support and interface are just easier for non-native speakers.
The benefit of buying through native programs is that you can buy a ticket on the spot, for a train even just 30 minutes later. However, if you don’t want to mess with Chinese apps, you can buy a train ticket through Klook as long as it’s a few days in advance.
Make sure to take your passport with you because the officers will check at the train station!
How Long to Stay in Hangzhou, China
I recommend staying in Hangzhou, China for 3-5 days. You can manage 3 days if you want to see just the highlights, though I would recommend 5 days to take it easy (which is what Hangzhou is all about!)
Hangzhou is fairly spread out and there are multiple distinct regions, so it takes time to see everything properly. I would urge you to not rush through anything and leisurely enjoy the slow pace and serene peace of Hangzhou—the sound of the elderly locals playing traditional Chinese flutes and the patter of rain on the lotus leaves.
Can I Visit Hangzhou as a Day Trip From Shanghai?
No! I see people ask this all the time and I absolutely do not recommend trying to do Hangzhou as a day trip from Shanghai. While the distance is pretty short—the high speed rail is only an hour—Hangzhou is pretty spread out. The West Lake region alone is massive and takes more than an entire day to see, let alone the entirety of Hangzhou’s romantic and lush highlights.
It’s really just not worth it in my opinion, especially when Hangzhou has so much to offer. Put in at least 2 full days at the very, very minimum to soak in Hangzhou properly!
Where to Stay in Hangzhou, China
The best area to stay in Hangzhou is definitely around West Lake. Even though there are other “regions” in Hangzhou, West Lake is the most central to all the clusters and where the majority of the sights are based.
Luxury Hotels in West Lake Hangzhou
- Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake: A truly luxurious property right next to scenic West Lake with elegant rooms, top-tier service, and beautiful views.
- Grand Hyatt Hangzhou: Elegant and modern luxury with great access to West Lake promenades, shopping, and dining near Hubin Road.
Mid-Range Hotels in West Lake Hangzhou
- EVEN Hotel Hangzhou West Lake by IHG: Excellent value close to West Lake and the lakefront walking paths.
- Sofitel Hangzhou Westlake: Stylish and well-reviewed mid-range option just a short stroll from West Lake sights.
Budget Hotels in West Lake Hangzhou
- JI Hotel Hangzhou West Lake Drum Tower: A highly rated budget pick with clean rooms near the heart of West Lake’s scenic area.
- Holiday Inn Express Hangzhou Westlake East: Reliable and cost-friendly stay within easy walking distance of the lake and nearby attractions.
How to Get Around Hangzhou, China
As I mentioned earlier, Hangzhou is pretty spread out. And because it’s an ancient city, a lot of the preserved center doesn’t have great public transportation unlike the more cosmopolitan cities in China.
To get around Hangzhou effectively, I recommend taking Didi taxi between the different Hangzhou regions that I’ve separated out below. Didi is an on-demand rideshare service like Uber, and it’s very fast and affordable! Hangzhou also has plenty of taxis, but if you’re a foreigner and don’t speak Chinese, I recommend taking Didi instead. You can set your dropoff point beforehand and therefore can avoid trying to explain where you want to go to the Chinese-speaking taxi drivers while battling Hangzhou traffic (trust me, it’s not fun even as a Chinese speaker!)
🛟 Feeling a little intimidated? You should read my article on everything you need to survive in China as a foreigner!
What to Do in Hangzhou, China
To be honest, Hangzhou isn’t very English-friendly, and most of the best things to see and do in Hangzhou don’t have official English equivalents. I’ve tried to do my best to categorize this list of what to do in Hangzhou by region so you can get an idea of where things are relative to one another.
West Lake, or Xihu (西湖), is the famous central lake in Hangzhou, China. I use both terms equivalently in this article, so if you see Xihu, know that I’m talking about West Lake! I also split the West Lake region into the East Bank and the West Bank because the lake is quite sizable and it takes a while to get from one side to the other. For your traveling convenience, I recommend tackling all the sights in one bank before moving to the next.
🗺️ But First…How to Navigate in China
You might notice that Google Maps doesn’t work in China! While some people have reported reasonable success using Apple Maps, I recommend going full native and using Amap or Baidu Maps, both of which are Chinese apps. In recent years, some of the functionality of these apps has been limited if you can’t create an account (which requires a Chinese phone number), but you can still navigate from place to place very easily.
Public transit is extremely convenient and insanely affordable in Chinese cities, though you can always call a Didi taxi (on-demand rideshare like Uber) through Alipay or WeChat if you want door-to-door service. For more information on navigating around China, check out my article on everything you need to survive in China as a foreigner.
West Lake in Hangzhou (西湖): The East Bank
The vast West Lake in Hangzhou is absolutely stunning, earning the spot of number one on the list of what to do in Hangzhou. The east bank of Xihu is the more popular side with endless scenic views, so you should start here!
West Lake Riverwalk
The West Lake east bank is famous for its still, clear water and abundant lotus flowers that fill the lake’s surface. The rich, wide green leaves paired with the classic pink lotus flowers are super romantic—it looks straight out of a traditional Chinese painting. I would recommend just taking a long, slow walk along Xihu’s east side to get the quintessential Hangzhou, China experience!
🪷 Pro tip: Lotus flower season is in the summer, but this is also arguably the worst time to visit China because the entire country is on school holiday—not very fun when there are over 1.4 billion people living there! If you want to see lotus without the peak crowds, go before July or after August. And make sure to avoid “Golden Week” (October 1-7)!
Jichang Xing (寄畅兴)
Along the way, you’ll run into one of the most photogenic restaurant brands in China, Jichang Xing (寄畅兴). Jichang Xing has two locations, one called West Lake Courtyard View Store and the other called West Lake View Store. Make sure to go for the Lake View Store so you can be just steps away from the peaceful blue Xihu!
Jichang Xing serves traditional regional specialties including unlimited-refill crab roe noodles and the crispy sweet and sour “squirrel fish,” named for the way it’s carved to look like a fluffy squirrel’s tail. If you’re interested in trying Hangzhou specialties, you should definitely order both of these!
But the true showstopper here is the dessert menu—floating matcha lotus flowers, fruit teas in glass gourds, sparkling osmanthus jellies that look like jewels, taro pulling mochi, and more.
West Lake in Hangzhou (西湖): The West Bank
The West Lake in Hangzhou is unbelievably scenic—something about the vibe is just pure peace in your soul. While the east bank is more popular with visitors, I actually prefer the west bank of Xihu! You’ll find far fewer crowds here, which is perfect for Hangzhou’s quiet vibe.
Quyuan Gardens (曲院风荷)
Quyuan Gardens is the best place in Hangzhou, China to enjoy classic lotus without the crowds. While the Xihu east bank riverwalk is always crawling with tourists, we had what seemed like the entirety of this outdoor complex to ourselves! Quyuan Gardens is full of winding paths, waterside pavilions, stone bridges, and thickets of beautiful Chinese lotus plants.
You can easily spend a couple of hours just walking around and taking in the beautiful scenery, but you should also stop by the high-end restaurant Zhanbilou (湛碧楼) to check out their lotus courtyards with billowing misty fog. (You don’t need to dine there to look around!)
For a more affordable dining option, head to Lianyu Garden Restaurant (莲遇花园餐厅), which is popular on Xiaohongshu (Chinese social media) for its photogenic goldfish tanks. The food is incredible too!
Guo’s Villa / Guozhuang Garden (郭庄)
Guo’s Villa might be the single most beautiful garden in all of Hangzhou, China. From the moment you step inside, it’s like entering a living painting. Windows, bridges, and pavilions are arranged carefully to make every turn a new vista within a shockingly small space. The traditional Chinese architecture is soothing and intentional with an almost Monet-like vibe.
While we were here, a traditional Chinese painting group was also here doing studies of the garden scenery. I can totally see why—Guo’s Villa provides endless inspiration and you would never run out of scenes to paint. The entrance fee for Guo’s Villa is only 10 RMB (less than $1.5 USD), which might be the best-value garden I’ve ever visited in my life!
🎍 If you love Chinese classical gardens, you must visit Suzhou. This serene city is super close to Hangzhou and has the largest number of UNESCO-recognized gardens of any city in the world!
Northwest Xihu, Hangzhou
Off the northwest side of West Lake in Hangzhou, you’ll find some of Hangzhou’s greatest cultural treasures. This region doesn’t really have a name of its own, but you won’t have any trouble finding it—the most popular temples in Hangzhou are in this area, and almost everyone makes a visit.
Hangzhou Lingyin Temple (灵隐寺)
Lingyin Temple is the most famous and important Buddhist temple in Hangzhou, China. The temple dates back over 1,700 years and is set against a spiritual and grand mountain backdrop. The impressive Buddha statues and ancient carvings make Lingyin Temple feel extra-sacred, with incense smoke drifting through the air and the sound of monks chanting floating in the background.
To visit Lingyin Temple, you need a ticket for the Lingyin Scenic Area and a second ticket for the temple itself. It’s on the pricier side for things to do in Hangzhou, but widely considered an essential cultural experience. Plus, you can visit Yongfu Temple on the same ticket, so it’s two-in-one.
While you’re in the area, stop by the original Sang Tea, which became famous for its mini teapot milk tea that hisses “steam” from a miniature spout! It’s super cute and the milk tea is deliciously fragrant to boot.
Yongfu Temple (永福寺)
Yongfu Temple is one of the most peaceful stops when deciding what to do in Hangzhou, China. The temple is beautiful at every time of year, with lush green bamboo groves that make it feel super traditional Chinese.
Yongfu Temple is in the same complex as Lingyin Temple, so you’ll pass through the Lingyin Scenic Area to reach it (they’re on the same admission ticket).
Hangzhou Botanical Garden (杭州植物园)
The sprawling, 284-hectare Hangzhou Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful complexes in Hangzhou, China and a true marvel of plant design. I spent hours here and still didn’t see everything—carefully cultivated bonsai trees, curved lakes and rivers, thick bamboo groves, towering floral sculptures, and more.
The exhibits here are constantly changing, but if you come in the autumn, you’ll get to experience the famous chrysanthemum display that returns every year. Chinese traditional culture is deeply tied to chrysanthemum flowers, but this was my first time seeing sculptures, paintings, and even entire mock villages made out of live chrysanthemum flowers. The Hangzhou Botanical Garden entrance fee is just 10 RMB for adults.
Also, don’t miss the Han Meilin Art Museum (韩美林) that is located within the Hangzhou Botanical Garden grounds. The museum has unique contemporary-meets-traditional art exhibits, spanning three floors of Chinese calligraphy, pottery, painting, and more. Outside the art museum is the massive Buddha head statue that’s super popular on Chinese social media. If you want to take a picture with it, be prepared to queue!
Xixi Wetland National Park (西溪湿地)
Xixi Wetland National Park is the best-kept secret in Hangzhou, China! While West Lake is always bustling and popular, you can find a massive park with ponds and rivers bursting with lotus plants at Xixi Wetlands.
We came here to try a local secret—the traditional boat ride that I found on Xiaohongshu. You can book a 1.5-hour boat ride with fragrant tea, traditional seasonal Chinese snacks, and endless views of the gorgeous willows and bursting lotus leaves. The boat is 688 RMB regardless of the number of people (1-4), so I recommend going in a group and splitting the cost! You can book this experience on Dianping under 梅竹山庄 富贵码头 or here on Trip.com under “Fugui Pier.”
One word of caution: the mosquitoes here are FIERCE (and as big as my eye!) Come with plenty of bug spray, or you’ll get eaten alive!
Qingshanhu (青山湖): The “Matcha Lake”
Often nicknamed the “Matcha Lake” for its surreal bright green color, Qingshanhu is a unique nature spot near Hangzhou, China. The color actually comes from dense aquatic vegetation on the water surface, but it really looks like a matcha latte.
Qingshanhu is popular with Chinese visitors, but it’s still mostly untouched by foreigners. Elevated boardwalks wind through the flooded forests and across the green lake surface, making it a magical place that doesn’t quite feel like planet Earth!
To get to Qingshanhu, I recommend taking Hangzhou Metro Line 16 towards Lin’an and getting off at Qingshanhu West station, exit C1. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk to the scenic area entrance.
Longjing Tea Region
Hangzhou, China is home to the famous longjing tea, also called Dragon’s Well tea. This exceptionally delicate and fragrant green tea is known all throughout China, and it’s produced right here in Hangzhou! In the Longjing Tea Region, you can explore real longjing tea fields and buy authentic tea leaves that I can guarantee will delight any tea lover.
The Longjing Tea Region is pretty vast, so I’ve separated it out into a few isolated villages below. I would recommend picking only one or two of these, since they are for the most part rather similar and the tea quality is going to be exceptional no matter which one you choose.
- Longjing Tea Village (龙井村): The original and most popular option, with a great balance of old shops, local experiences, and rolling tea fields. I would recommend having traditional afternoon tea in the area with a fragrant cup of longjing cha—the essence of Hangzhou! Two good options are Longjing Maoju (龙井茂居) and Longjing 82, photogenic cafes that overlook the rich green tea fields.
- Meijiawu (梅家坞): The largest and most accessible longjing village. You can actually walk here from Longjing Tea Village in about an hour, and the route is very scenic. It’s a bit more commercial than Longjing Tea Village, but more spacious for sure.
- Longwu (龙坞): The least touristy option, with wide-open tea fields and fewer shops. If you’re looking to hike through tea plantations or just get away from people and into nature, come to Longwu!
- Manjuelong (满觉陇): A scenic village that’s famous not only for longjing tea, but also the sweet osmanthus trees that “rain” their distinct, elegant fragrance in the fall. It’s more developed than Longwu but less commercial than Meijiawu, with teahouses and soup shops. Make sure to stop by the iconic wooden pagoda for a classic Hangzhou photo!
My Suggested 4-Day Hangzhou Itinerary
Below is my suggested way to spend 4 days in Hangzhou, China. I think 4 days is just enough to fit in everything on this list, but it’s definitely a bit packed. If you can stretch your stay to 5 days like I suggested, you can take the pace a bit more leisurely.
If you can only do the shorter end of 3 days, it’s really hard to decide what to cut…but I would take out day 4 (the Longjing tea region and Qingshanhu). These regions are a bit further from West Lake, so I would focus on the sights that are closer to central Hangzhou. And if you can extend your trip even longer—which is wonderful!—you can spend more time exploring these areas, because the Longjing tea region is vast and really can’t be seen in half a day!
- Day 1: Arrival in Hangzhou, China. In the afternoon, explore Xixi Wetland National Park and take the traditional Chinese boat ride.
- Day 2: Morning exploring the popular East Bank of West Lake/Xihu, with lunch at Jichang Xing. Explore the Xihu West Bank in the afternoon, including Quyuan Gardens and Guo’s Villa.
- Day 3: Morning in northwest Hangzhou visiting Lingyin Temple and Yongfu Temple with a stop at Sang Tea. Explore the Hangzhou Botanical Garden in the afternoon.
- Day 4: Morning leisurely wandering through the Longjing Tea Village. In the afternoon, take a trip out to Qingshanhu, the “matcha lake.”
Conclusion: Hangzhou and Beyond
In just a few days, you’ll have fallen in love with Hangzhou, China. It truly deserves its title as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I hope you’ll also be able to take it a bit slow, enjoy the peace and quiet, and soak in the loveliness of West Lake and more.
Interested in going beyond Hangzhou? You’re in the perfect region to see some other incredible Chinese cities, like Shanghai and Suzhou! Or go beyond the Yangtze River Delta and head south, west, or north to see more of what this amazing country has to offer.
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