Hangzhou
Key Facts
Best Time to Visit
March to May and September to November (mild spring and autumn)
Language
Mandarin Chinese (local Wu/Hangzhounese dialect)
Currency
Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY)
Time Zone
China Standard Time (UTC+8)
Airport
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International (HGH)
Population
12.2 million (metro area)
Climate
Humid subtropical, hot muggy summers and cool damp winters, avg 17°C annually
Safety Rating
Generally Safe (Level 1)
UNESCO Status
West Lake Cultural Landscape (2011) and the Grand Canal (2014)
High-Speed Rail
~1 hour to Shanghai Hongqiao on the G-series bullet train
Top Highlights
West Lake (Xi Hu)
UNESCO-listed freshwater lake ringed by causeways, arched bridges, and willow-lined paths that inspired centuries of Chinese poetry and painting. Free entry, open 24 hours. Allow half a day to walk the Su and Bai Causeways or rent a boat; go at dawn to beat the crowds.
Lingyin Temple (Temple of the Soul's Retreat)
One of China's largest and wealthiest Buddhist temples, founded in 328 AD, set against the Feilai Feng cliffs carved with hundreds of Buddhist grottoes. Entry 45 CNY (~$6) plus 30 CNY (~$4) for the Feilai Feng scenic area. Open 7AM-6:15PM; allow 2-3 hours.
Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea Plantations
Rolling terraced hills southwest of West Lake where China's most famous green tea is grown. Free to wander the footpaths through Longjing village; a fresh cup at a farmhouse teahouse runs 30-60 CNY (~$4-8). Best in late March-April during the spring harvest.
Leifeng Pagoda
Rebuilt lakeside pagoda with elevators and glass floors offering the classic sunset panorama over West Lake and the Su Causeway. Entry 40 CNY (~$6). Open 8AM-8:30PM in summer; arrive an hour before sunset for the best light.
Grand Canal & Gongchen Bridge
The southern terminus of the 1,700 km Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, a UNESCO waterway lined with restored Ming-era warehouses and canal museums around the humpbacked Gongchen Bridge. Free to stroll; hop-on canal water buses cost about 3 CNY. Best in the early evening when lanterns light up.
Hefang Street (Qinghefang Old Street)
A pedestrian street recreating Qing-dynasty Hangzhou, packed with silk shops, traditional medicine halls, snack stalls, and the historic Huqingyu Tang pharmacy. Free entry, open all day. Go hungry: the stalls do dingsheng cakes and spun dragon's-beard candy far better than the sit-down places aimed at tour buses.
Xixi National Wetland Park
A tranquil 11 sq km network of ponds, reed marshes, and waterways best explored by electric boat, far from the West Lake crowds. Entry 80 CNY (~$11), boat rides extra. Open 8:30AM-5:30PM; allow 3-4 hours and enter via the eastern gate for the boat docks.
Six Harmonies Pagoda (Liuhe Ta)
A 60m octagonal pagoda built in 970 AD overlooking the Qiantang River, once used as a lighthouse. Entry 20 CNY (~$3) to the park plus 10 CNY to climb the tower. Open 6AM-6:30PM; it stays refreshingly quiet, and pairs well with a walk along the riverside.
Planned Itinerary
7-Day Hangzhou Itinerary
Arrival & West Lake First Light
Land at Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH) and take Metro Line 19 straight into the city — far cheaper and faster than a taxi. Settle into the Hubin lakefront district, then ease into your trip with an evening lakeside stroll. Have Alipay or WeChat Pay installed and a VPN or roaming eSIM ready before you land, as Google Maps and WhatsApp are blocked.
Metro Line 19 from HGH airport to Longxiangqiao(40 minutes)
About 7 CNY (~$1) vs 120+ CNY for a taxi; exit at Longxiangqiao for the Hubin lakefront hotels
Hotel check-in around Hubin / Nanshan Road(45 minutes)
Stay within walking distance of West Lake — Hubin puts the whole lake at your doorstep
Late lunch at Zhiweiguan (Renhe Road branch)(1 hour)
Order the cat's-ear noodles and fresh-meat xiaolongbao at this century-old snack institution, ~50 CNY (~$7) a head
Sunset walk along the Hubin waterfront(1.5 hours)
Walk south from Broken Bridge; the willows and lake open up as the light drops
Dinner at Grandma's Home (Wai Po Jia), Hubin Yintai in77(1.5 hours)
Hangzhou's most beloved local chain — expect a queue, so pull a ticket early. Two eat well for ~120 CNY (~$17); try the tea-smoked duck
West Lake in Full — Causeways, Boats & Leifeng Pagoda
Dedicate a full day to the UNESCO-listed West Lake, the reason most people come to Hangzhou. Start at dawn to beat the tour groups, cross both historic causeways on foot, take a boat to the island in the middle, and finish with the classic sunset panorama from Leifeng Pagoda. The lakeside is best covered on foot or by rented public bike.
Dawn walk across Bai Causeway from Broken Bridge (Duan Qiao)(1 hour)
Arrive by 7AM for mirror-still water and near-empty paths before the crowds; free, open 24 hours
Boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (Xiaoyingzhou)(1.5 hours)
Board at Zhongshan Park or Hubin pier; the ~55 CNY (~$8) ferry includes the island whose stone pagodas feature on the 1-yuan note
Lunch at Louwailou (lakeside original)(1.5 hours)
The 1848 institution famous for West Lake vinegar fish and Dongpo braised pork; a lakeview table is worth the ~200 CNY (~$28) for two
Stroll the Su Causeway end to end(1.5 hours)
The 2.8km willow-lined causeway with six arched bridges — rent a public bike for part of it if the heat is high
Sunset from Leifeng Pagoda (Leifeng Ta)(1.5 hours)
Entry 40 CNY (~$6); take the escalator up and arrive an hour before sunset for golden light over the Su Causeway. Open until 8:30PM in summer
Lingyin Temple & the Longjing Tea Hills
Head to the forested hills southwest of the lake for Hangzhou's spiritual and agricultural soul: the vast Lingyin Buddhist temple complex in the morning, then the terraced tea plantations that produce China's most famous green tea. Both sit in the same direction, so there's no backtracking. Take a DiDi (China's ride-hailing app, English available) between the two.
Lingyin Temple & Feilai Feng grottoes(2.5 hours)
Founded 328 AD; entry 45 CNY plus 30 CNY (~$10 total) for the Feilai Feng scenic area with its hundreds of cliff-carved Buddhas. Arrive at the 7AM opening for incense-scented calm
Vegetarian lunch at the Lingyin monastery dining hall(1 hour)
The temple's simple noodle-and-tofu meal costs a few yuan; a memorable, quiet contrast to the city
DiDi to Meijiawu Tea Village(20 minutes)
~25 CNY (~$4); the ride winds through the tea terraces
Longjing tea tasting at a Meijiawu farmhouse(1.5 hours)
Wander the free footpaths, then sit for a fresh cup of Xi Hu Longjing at a farmhouse teahouse, 30-60 CNY (~$4-8). Insist on an origin seal and skip touts pushing 'first-grade' bargains
China National Tea Museum (Longjing branch)(1 hour)
Free; a well-laid-out walk through China's tea history set among the plantations before you head back to the city
The Grand Canal & Canalside Old Quarters
Trade the lake for the water that made Hangzhou rich: the southern terminus of the 1,700km Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, a UNESCO waterway. Ride the canal water bus, explore the restored Ming-era warehouse districts, and time your visit for the early evening when the lanterns light up around Gongchen Bridge. A deliberately lighter, slower day.
Canal water bus from Wulinmen to Gongchen Bridge(40 minutes)
Hop-on water buses run the canal for about 3 CNY — a cheap, scenic ride past the city's working waterfront
Gongchen Bridge & the Grand Canal Museum(1.5 hours)
Climb the humpbacked 17th-century bridge, then browse the free canal museum on its north bank
Lunch and browsing on Xiaohe Historic Street (Xiaohe Zhijie)(1.5 hours)
A restored canalside lane of old shopfronts, teahouses, and the quirky Umbrella and Scissor-Knife museums nearby
Rest break at a canalside teahouse(1.5 hours)
Ease off with a pot of tea overlooking the water — the built-in downtime for this trip
Evening lanterns and dinner around Qiaoxi Historic Block(2 hours)
The warehouses glow after dark; graze the snack stalls or sit down for local river-fish dishes
Old Hangzhou — Hefang Street & Wushan Hill
Spend the day in the recreated Qing-dynasty heart of the old city. Hefang (Qinghefang) Street packs silk shops, traditional medicine halls, and street snacks into a single pedestrian strip, capped by a climb up Wushan Hill for a free rooftop view over the city and lake. Go hungry — this is Hangzhou's best grazing.
Qinghefang (Hefang) Old Street(2 hours)
Free, open all day; work the snack stalls for dingsheng cakes and cotton-candy dragon's-beard sweets, skipping the tourist-trap sit-down places
Huqingyu Tang Chinese Medicine Museum(45 minutes)
A gorgeous 1874 pharmacy with a working herb hall; entry ~10 CNY (~$1.5) to the museum courtyard
Climb Wushan Hill to Chenghuang Pavilion (City God Pavilion)(1.5 hours)
A short uphill walk; the pavilion (~30 CNY / ~$4) gives a sweeping view of West Lake and the rooftops of the old town
Snack lunch on Southern Song Imperial Street (Zhongshan Road)(1 hour)
The excavated Song-dynasty road, now a leafy pedestrian street with cafes and preserved street sections under glass
Evening at Wushan Night Market(1.5 hours)
Haggle for souvenirs, silk scarves, and jade near Renhe Road; a lively, low-key way to end the day
Xixi Wetland — A Slow Nature Day
Escape the West Lake crowds entirely at Xixi National Wetland Park, an 11 sq km maze of ponds, reed marshes, and persimmon groves best seen by electric boat. This is your rest day: no rushing, no ticking off sights — just gliding through the reeds and a long lazy lunch. Take a DiDi out (~40 CNY / ~$6) or Metro Line 5 toward Yuhang.
Enter Xixi via the eastern gate for the boat docks(30 minutes)
Entry 80 CNY (~$11); the east gate has the main electric-boat pier, avoiding a long walk-in
Electric boat cruise through the wetlands(1.5 hours)
Boat rides are extra (~100 CNY / ~$14); the quiet glide past reed beds and old fishing villages is the whole point
Lazy lunch at a wetland teahouse(1.5 hours)
Several restored farmhouses inside the park serve local lake fish and tea in the shade
Walk the persimmon-grove boardwalks(1.5 hours)
Wander the raised paths at your own pace; in autumn the persimmon trees glow orange
Free evening back in the city(2 hours)
Return to Hubin for a relaxed dinner — nothing scheduled, so rest or revisit a favorite spot
Last Tea & Departure
A gentle final morning for last-minute shopping and a proper cup of Longjing before heading to the airport. Buy sealed, origin-marked tea as a gift and leave a comfortable buffer for the Metro ride out to HGH, which takes around 40 minutes on Line 19.
Morning tea and pastries near Hubin(1 hour)
A quiet last West Lake view over breakfast before the city wakes fully
Last-minute shopping at Wulin Square / in77(1.5 hours)
Pick up sealed Xi Hu Longjing tea, silk, and Wangxingji fans — classic Hangzhou souvenirs
Hotel checkout and luggage(30 minutes)
Confirm you have cash backup for any vendor that won't take foreign-linked Alipay
Metro Line 19 to Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH)(45 minutes)
Allow extra buffer at peak hours; ~7 CNY and drops you right at the terminal
14-Day Hangzhou Itinerary
Arrival & West Lake First Light
Land at Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH) and take Metro Line 19 into the city rather than a pricey taxi. Settle into the Hubin lakefront district and ease in with an evening lake stroll. Install Alipay or WeChat Pay and a VPN or roaming eSIM before landing — Google Maps and WhatsApp are blocked in mainland China.
Metro Line 19 from HGH to Longxiangqiao(40 minutes)
About 7 CNY (~$1); exit at Longxiangqiao for the Hubin lakefront
Hotel check-in around Hubin / Nanshan Road(45 minutes)
Base yourself walking-distance from West Lake for the whole trip
Late lunch at Zhiweiguan (Renhe Road)(1 hour)
Cat's-ear noodles and fresh-meat xiaolongbao at this century-old snack house, ~50 CNY (~$7)
Sunset walk along the Hubin waterfront(1.5 hours)
Willows and open water as the light drops; free and unhurried
Dinner at Grandma's Home (Wai Po Jia)(1.5 hours)
Hangzhou's favorite local chain — pull a queue ticket early; two eat well for ~120 CNY (~$17)
West Lake in Full — Causeways, Boats & Leifeng Pagoda
A full day on the UNESCO-listed West Lake. Start at dawn to beat the tour groups, walk both historic causeways, take a boat to the island at the lake's heart, and finish with the classic sunset from Leifeng Pagoda. Cover the lakeside on foot or by rented public bike.
Dawn walk across Bai Causeway from Broken Bridge(1 hour)
By 7AM the water is mirror-still and the paths near empty; free, open 24 hours
Boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (Xiaoyingzhou)(1.5 hours)
~55 CNY (~$8) from Hubin pier; the island's stone pagodas feature on the 1-yuan note
Lunch at Louwailou (lakeside original)(1.5 hours)
1848 institution famous for West Lake vinegar fish and Dongpo pork; ~200 CNY (~$28) for two
Stroll the Su Causeway end to end(1.5 hours)
2.8km of willows and six arched bridges; rent a public bike if it's hot
Sunset from Leifeng Pagoda(1.5 hours)
Entry 40 CNY (~$6); arrive an hour before sunset for golden light over the Su Causeway
Lingyin Temple & the Longjing Tea Hills
The forested hills southwest of the lake hold Hangzhou's spiritual and agricultural soul: the vast Lingyin Buddhist temple in the morning, then the terraced plantations of China's most famous green tea. Both lie in the same direction, so there's no backtracking — take a DiDi between them.
Lingyin Temple & Feilai Feng grottoes(2.5 hours)
Founded 328 AD; 45 CNY plus 30 CNY (~$10) for the cliff-carved Buddhas. Arrive at the 7AM opening for quiet
Vegetarian lunch at the monastery dining hall(1 hour)
A simple few-yuan noodle meal; a peaceful contrast to the city
DiDi to Meijiawu Tea Village(20 minutes)
~25 CNY (~$4) through the tea terraces
Longjing tea tasting at a Meijiawu farmhouse(1.5 hours)
Fresh Xi Hu Longjing, 30-60 CNY (~$4-8); insist on an origin seal and ignore the discount touts
China National Tea Museum (Longjing branch)(1 hour)
Free; a walk through China's tea history set among the plantations
The Grand Canal & Canalside Old Quarters
Trade the lake for the water that made Hangzhou rich — the southern end of the 1,700km Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Ride the canal water bus, explore restored warehouse districts, and time the visit for the early evening lanterns around Gongchen Bridge. A deliberately lighter, slower day.
Canal water bus from Wulinmen to Gongchen Bridge(40 minutes)
About 3 CNY for a scenic ride past the working waterfront
Gongchen Bridge & the Grand Canal Museum(1.5 hours)
Climb the humpbacked 17th-century bridge, then the free canal museum on its north bank
Lunch on Xiaohe Historic Street (Xiaohe Zhijie)(1.5 hours)
Old shopfronts, teahouses, and the quirky Umbrella and Scissor-Knife museums nearby
Teahouse rest break by the canal(1.5 hours)
A pot of tea over the water — built-in downtime
Evening lanterns and dinner at Qiaoxi Historic Block(2 hours)
The warehouses glow after dark; graze the stalls or sit down for river fish
Old Hangzhou — Hefang Street & Wushan Hill
The recreated Qing-dynasty heart of the old city. Hefang (Qinghefang) Street packs silk shops, medicine halls, and street snacks into one strip, capped by a climb up Wushan Hill for a free rooftop view over the city and lake. Go hungry.
Qinghefang (Hefang) Old Street(2 hours)
Free; graze dingsheng cakes and dragon's-beard candy, skipping the tourist-trap restaurants
Huqingyu Tang Chinese Medicine Museum(45 minutes)
An 1874 pharmacy with a working herb hall; ~10 CNY (~$1.5)
Climb Wushan Hill to Chenghuang Pavilion(1.5 hours)
A short uphill walk; ~30 CNY (~$4) for a sweeping view over West Lake and the old-town roofs
Snack lunch on Southern Song Imperial Street(1 hour)
The excavated Song-dynasty road under glass, now a leafy cafe-lined street
Evening at Wushan Night Market(1.5 hours)
Haggle for silk scarves, jade, and souvenirs near Renhe Road
Xixi Wetland — A Slow Nature Day
Escape the West Lake crowds at Xixi National Wetland Park, an 11 sq km maze of ponds, reeds, and persimmon groves seen best by electric boat. Your first proper rest day — no rushing, just gliding through the reeds and a long lunch. DiDi out (~40 CNY / ~$6) or Metro Line 5 toward Yuhang.
Enter Xixi via the eastern gate(30 minutes)
Entry 80 CNY (~$11); the east gate has the main boat pier
Electric boat cruise through the wetlands(1.5 hours)
Boat extra (~100 CNY / ~$14); a quiet glide past reeds and old fishing villages
Lazy lunch at a wetland teahouse(1.5 hours)
Restored farmhouses serve local lake fish and tea in the shade
Walk the persimmon-grove boardwalks(1.5 hours)
Raised paths at your own pace; orange persimmons in autumn
Free evening back in the city(2 hours)
Relaxed dinner in Hubin, nothing scheduled
Qiantang River, Silk & a Free Afternoon
A lighter city day covering the sights the shorter trips skip: the ancient Six Harmonies Pagoda over the Qiantang River and the excellent (free) China National Silk Museum, then a free afternoon to rest or revisit a favorite corner before the second week's day trips begin.
Six Harmonies Pagoda (Liuhe Ta)(1.5 hours)
A 60m octagonal pagoda from 970 AD over the Qiantang River; 20 CNY park entry plus 10 CNY (~$4) to climb
Riverside walk along the Qiantang(45 minutes)
Wide open river views; in autumn this is a famed tidal-bore spot
China National Silk Museum(1.5 hours)
Free; the world's largest silk museum traces Hangzhou's signature craft with live looms
Lunch at Green Tea Restaurant (Lu Cha)(1 hour)
A stylish local favorite for bread-baked chicken and tea-smoked dishes, ~90 CNY (~$13) for two
Free afternoon — West Lake bike loop or spa(3 hours)
Nothing scheduled; rent a public bike for the lake or rest before the week's excursions
Day Trip: Wuzhen Water Town
The first of the second week's day trips heads to Wuzhen, the most beautifully preserved of the Jiangnan canal water towns, about 1.5 hours by bus. Wander stone bridges, silk-dyeing yards, and canal-side lanes, staying into the evening when the West Scenic Zone glows with lanterns reflected in the water.
Bus from Hangzhou to Wuzhen(1.5 hours)
Direct coaches run from Hangzhou's bus stations for ~40 CNY (~$6) each way
Wuzhen East Scenic Zone (Dongzha)(2.5 hours)
Entry ~110 CNY (~$15); indigo-cloth dyeing yards, a shadow-puppet theatre, and working canal life
Canal-side lunch of local pork and river shrimp(1 hour)
Try the braised 'grandma's pork' (waipo hong shao rou), a Wuzhen specialty
Wuzhen West Scenic Zone (Xizha) at dusk(3 hours)
A combined ticket adds the larger, atmospheric West zone; stay for the lantern-lit reflections after dark
Evening bus back to Hangzhou(1.5 hours)
Confirm the last departure time before you leave; taxis back are expensive
Hands-On Hangzhou — Cooking & Tea Ceremony
A slower, more immersive city day learning the flavors you've been eating. Take a morning market-and-cooking class to master Hangzhou classics, then sit for a formal gongfu tea ceremony in the afternoon. A relaxed evening keeps this a gentle day between excursions.
Morning market walk and Hangzhou cooking class(3 hours)
Shop for ingredients, then cook West Lake vinegar fish and Dongpo pork with a local chef; classes run ~350-450 CNY (~$50-63)
Lunch — eat what you cooked(1 hour)
The best part of any cooking class; the meal is your reward
Gongfu tea ceremony at a Longjing teahouse(1.5 hours)
Learn to brew and taste Longjing properly; remember to tap two fingers on the table to say thank you when poured
Free afternoon along Nanshan Road galleries(2 hours)
The China Academy of Art strip has small galleries and coffee shops for an easy wander
Relaxed dinner near the lake(1.5 hours)
An early night before the Shanghai day trip
Day Trip: Shanghai by Bullet Train
Hangzhou sits just an hour from Shanghai on the G-series bullet train, making a full-day taste of China's biggest city easy. Ride the high-speed rail from Hangzhou East, cover the Bund, the Yu Garden bazaar, and the French Concession, and slingshot back the same evening.
G-series bullet train, Hangzhou East to Shanghai Hongqiao(1 hour)
~73 CNY (~$10) second class; book via the Railway 12306 app or Trip.com and bring your passport
The Bund and Nanjing Road(2 hours)
Walk the waterfront promenade facing the Pudong skyline; Metro Line 2 links Hongqiao straight in
Lunch in the Yu Garden bazaar(1.5 hours)
Xiaolongbao at Nanxiang Steamed Bun near the classical Yu Garden (~40 CNY / ~$6 entry)
French Concession stroll(2 hours)
Plane-tree-lined streets, Tianzifang lanes, and cafes around Wukang Road
Evening bullet train back to Hangzhou(1 hour)
Trains run late; aim to be back at Hongqiao with buffer for the security queues
Moganshan Bamboo Mountain Retreat
Head into the cool bamboo-forested hills of Moganshan, a colonial-era hill station about 1.5 hours northwest, for a restorative day (or overnight, if you like) among misty ridges and old stone villas. This is the week's deep-rest day — hiking is optional, doing nothing is encouraged.
Transfer to Moganshan(1.5 hours)
Drive or a train-plus-taxi combo via Deqing; the last stretch climbs through dense bamboo groves
Bamboo forest walk(1.5 hours)
Easy trails through the sea of bamboo that inspired the film 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'
Lunch at a mountain lodge(1 hour)
Local free-range chicken and wild bamboo shoots; many restored villas (Naked Retreats among them) have restaurants
Afternoon of tea and stillness on a ridge terrace(2.5 hours)
The whole point — a pot of local tea, cool air, and a view; consider staying overnight if you can
Return to Hangzhou or overnight in Moganshan(1.5 hours)
Head back for the evening, or extend into a night in the hills and rejoin the plan tomorrow
Day Trip: Xitang Water Town
A second, contrasting canal town — Xitang, famed for its long covered wooden waterside walkways and a labyrinth of narrow alleys. It's smaller and more lived-in than Wuzhen, best explored slowly by day and lit up softly at night.
Transfer to Xitang(1.5 hours)
Reachable by bus toward Jiashan; ~90 km from Hangzhou
Walk the covered corridors (langpeng)(2 hours)
Entry ~95 CNY (~$13); over a kilometre of roofed riverside walkways, unique to Xitang
Lunch of Xitang rice wine and river snails(1 hour)
The town brews its own yellow rice wine; try it warm with local snacks
Wander the back alleys (Shipi Long)(1.5 hours)
Some lanes are barely a shoulder wide; the maze rewards getting slightly lost
Boat ride and evening return(2 hours)
A short hand-poled boat before the last bus back; the canals glow at dusk
Free Day — West Lake Your Way
A deliberate slow day with nothing fixed. After a fortnight of temples, tea, and day trips, spend it however you like: a full bike loop of West Lake, a lakeside Ayurvedic-style spa, revisiting a favorite teahouse, or just reading by the water. Only loose suggestions here.
Public-bike loop of West Lake(2.5 hours)
The ~15km lakeshore circuit is flat and gorgeous; grab a shared bike via Alipay for a few yuan
Long lunch at a lakeside cafe(1.5 hours)
Unhurried, with a view — the reward for the ride
Spa or foot massage(1.5 hours)
Hangzhou's massage parlors are excellent value, ~150 CNY (~$21) for an hour
Sunset at a quiet lakeside spot of your choice(1.5 hours)
Return to whichever corner of the lake you liked best
Farewell dinner at Zhang Sheng Ji(1.5 hours)
A beloved local restaurant for classic Hangzhou home cooking; book ahead
Last Tea & Departure
A gentle final morning for last-minute shopping and a proper cup of Longjing before the airport. Buy sealed, origin-marked tea to take home and leave a comfortable buffer for the ~40-minute Metro Line 19 ride out to HGH.
Morning tea and pastries near Hubin(1 hour)
A quiet last West Lake view before the city fully wakes
Last shopping at Wulin Square / in77(1.5 hours)
Sealed Xi Hu Longjing tea, silk, and Wangxingji fans
Hotel checkout(30 minutes)
Keep cash backup for any vendor that won't take foreign-linked Alipay
Metro Line 19 to Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH)(45 minutes)
~7 CNY, straight to the terminal; add buffer at peak hours
21-Day Hangzhou Itinerary
Arrival & West Lake First Light
Land at Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH) and take Metro Line 19 into the city rather than a pricey taxi. Settle into the Hubin lakefront district and ease in with an evening lake stroll. Install Alipay or WeChat Pay and a VPN or roaming eSIM before landing — Google Maps and WhatsApp are blocked in mainland China.
Metro Line 19 from HGH to Longxiangqiao(40 minutes)
About 7 CNY (~$1); exit at Longxiangqiao for the Hubin lakefront
Hotel check-in around Hubin / Nanshan Road(45 minutes)
Base yourself walking-distance from West Lake
Late lunch at Zhiweiguan (Renhe Road)(1 hour)
Cat's-ear noodles and fresh-meat xiaolongbao, ~50 CNY (~$7)
Sunset walk along the Hubin waterfront(1.5 hours)
Willows and open water as the light drops
Dinner at Grandma's Home (Wai Po Jia)(1.5 hours)
Pull a queue ticket early; two eat well for ~120 CNY (~$17)
West Lake in Full — Causeways, Boats & Leifeng Pagoda
A full day on the UNESCO-listed West Lake. Start at dawn to beat the tour groups, walk both historic causeways, take a boat to the island at the lake's heart, and finish with the classic sunset from Leifeng Pagoda. Cover the lakeside on foot or by rented public bike.
Dawn walk across Bai Causeway from Broken Bridge(1 hour)
By 7AM the water is mirror-still; free, open 24 hours
Boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (Xiaoyingzhou)(1.5 hours)
~55 CNY (~$8) from Hubin pier; the island on the 1-yuan note
Lunch at Louwailou (lakeside original)(1.5 hours)
West Lake vinegar fish and Dongpo pork; ~200 CNY (~$28) for two
Stroll the Su Causeway end to end(1.5 hours)
2.8km of willows and six arched bridges
Sunset from Leifeng Pagoda(1.5 hours)
Entry 40 CNY (~$6); arrive an hour before sunset for golden light
Lingyin Temple & the Longjing Tea Hills
The forested hills southwest of the lake hold Hangzhou's spiritual and agricultural soul: the vast Lingyin Buddhist temple in the morning, then the terraced plantations of China's most famous green tea. Both lie in the same direction — take a DiDi between them.
Lingyin Temple & Feilai Feng grottoes(2.5 hours)
Founded 328 AD; 45 CNY plus 30 CNY (~$10). Arrive at the 7AM opening
Vegetarian lunch at the monastery dining hall(1 hour)
A simple few-yuan noodle meal
DiDi to Meijiawu Tea Village(20 minutes)
~25 CNY (~$4) through the tea terraces
Longjing tea tasting at a Meijiawu farmhouse(1.5 hours)
Fresh Xi Hu Longjing, 30-60 CNY; insist on an origin seal
China National Tea Museum (Longjing branch)(1 hour)
Free; China's tea history among the plantations
The Grand Canal & Canalside Old Quarters
Trade the lake for the water that made Hangzhou rich — the southern end of the 1,700km Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Ride the water bus, explore restored warehouse districts, and time the visit for the early evening lanterns around Gongchen Bridge. A lighter, slower day.
Canal water bus from Wulinmen to Gongchen Bridge(40 minutes)
About 3 CNY past the working waterfront
Gongchen Bridge & the Grand Canal Museum(1.5 hours)
The humpbacked 17th-century bridge and free canal museum
Lunch on Xiaohe Historic Street(1.5 hours)
Old shopfronts, teahouses, and quirky craft museums
Teahouse rest break by the canal(1.5 hours)
A pot of tea over the water
Evening lanterns and dinner at Qiaoxi Historic Block(2 hours)
Warehouses glow after dark; graze the stalls
Old Hangzhou — Hefang Street & Wushan Hill
The recreated Qing-dynasty heart of the old city. Hefang (Qinghefang) Street packs silk shops, medicine halls, and street snacks into one strip, capped by a climb up Wushan Hill for a free rooftop view. Go hungry.
Qinghefang (Hefang) Old Street(2 hours)
Free; graze dingsheng cakes and dragon's-beard candy
Huqingyu Tang Chinese Medicine Museum(45 minutes)
An 1874 pharmacy with a working herb hall; ~10 CNY
Climb Wushan Hill to Chenghuang Pavilion(1.5 hours)
~30 CNY (~$4) for a sweeping view over West Lake
Snack lunch on Southern Song Imperial Street(1 hour)
The excavated Song-dynasty road under glass
Evening at Wushan Night Market(1.5 hours)
Haggle for silk scarves and jade near Renhe Road
Xixi Wetland — A Slow Nature Day
Escape the West Lake crowds at Xixi National Wetland Park, an 11 sq km maze of ponds, reeds, and persimmon groves seen best by electric boat. Your first rest day — just gliding through the reeds and a long lunch. DiDi out (~40 CNY) or Metro Line 5.
Enter Xixi via the eastern gate(30 minutes)
Entry 80 CNY (~$11); the east gate has the main boat pier
Electric boat cruise through the wetlands(1.5 hours)
Boat extra (~100 CNY); a quiet glide past reeds and villages
Lazy lunch at a wetland teahouse(1.5 hours)
Local lake fish and tea in the shade
Walk the persimmon-grove boardwalks(1.5 hours)
Raised paths at your own pace
Free evening back in the city(2 hours)
Relaxed dinner in Hubin
Qiantang River, Silk & a Free Afternoon
A lighter city day covering what the shorter trips skip: the ancient Six Harmonies Pagoda over the Qiantang River and the free China National Silk Museum, then a free afternoon to rest before the excursions ramp up.
Six Harmonies Pagoda (Liuhe Ta)(1.5 hours)
A 60m pagoda from 970 AD; 20 CNY park plus 10 CNY (~$4) to climb
Riverside walk along the Qiantang(45 minutes)
Wide river views; a famed autumn tidal-bore spot
China National Silk Museum(1.5 hours)
Free; the world's largest silk museum with live looms
Lunch at Green Tea Restaurant (Lu Cha)(1 hour)
Bread-baked chicken and tea-smoked dishes, ~90 CNY for two
Free afternoon — West Lake bike loop or spa(3 hours)
Nothing scheduled; rest or ride the lake
Day Trip: Wuzhen Water Town
Wuzhen, the most beautifully preserved Jiangnan canal water town, is about 1.5 hours by bus. Wander stone bridges, silk-dyeing yards, and canal lanes, staying into the evening when the West Scenic Zone glows with lanterns reflected in the water.
Bus from Hangzhou to Wuzhen(1.5 hours)
Direct coaches for ~40 CNY (~$6) each way
Wuzhen East Scenic Zone (Dongzha)(2.5 hours)
~110 CNY (~$15); indigo-dyeing yards and working canal life
Canal-side lunch of braised pork and river shrimp(1 hour)
Try the 'grandma's pork' (waipo hong shao rou)
Wuzhen West Scenic Zone (Xizha) at dusk(3 hours)
Stay for the lantern-lit reflections after dark
Evening bus back to Hangzhou(1.5 hours)
Confirm the last departure before you leave
Hands-On Hangzhou — Cooking & Tea Ceremony
A slower, immersive city day learning the flavors you've been eating. A morning market-and-cooking class for Hangzhou classics, then a formal gongfu tea ceremony in the afternoon and a relaxed evening.
Market walk and Hangzhou cooking class(3 hours)
Cook West Lake vinegar fish and Dongpo pork; ~350-450 CNY (~$50-63)
Lunch — eat what you cooked(1 hour)
The meal is your reward
Gongfu tea ceremony at a Longjing teahouse(1.5 hours)
Tap two fingers on the table to say thank you when poured
Free afternoon along Nanshan Road galleries(2 hours)
Small galleries and coffee near the China Academy of Art
Relaxed dinner near the lake(1.5 hours)
An early night before the Shanghai day trip
Day Trip: Shanghai by Bullet Train
Hangzhou is an hour from Shanghai on the G-series bullet train. Ride the high-speed rail from Hangzhou East, cover the Bund, the Yu Garden bazaar, and the French Concession, and return the same evening.
Bullet train, Hangzhou East to Shanghai Hongqiao(1 hour)
~73 CNY (~$10) second class; book on 12306 or Trip.com, bring your passport
The Bund and Nanjing Road(2 hours)
The waterfront facing the Pudong skyline; Metro Line 2 from Hongqiao
Lunch in the Yu Garden bazaar(1.5 hours)
Xiaolongbao at Nanxiang Steamed Bun; ~40 CNY garden entry
French Concession stroll(2 hours)
Plane-tree streets, Tianzifang, and Wukang Road cafes
Evening bullet train back to Hangzhou(1 hour)
Buffer for Hongqiao's security queues
Moganshan Bamboo Mountain Retreat
Head into the cool bamboo hills of Moganshan, a colonial-era hill station about 1.5 hours northwest, for a restorative day among misty ridges and old stone villas. The week's deep-rest day — hiking optional, doing nothing encouraged.
Transfer to Moganshan(1.5 hours)
Drive or train-plus-taxi via Deqing; the last stretch climbs through bamboo
Bamboo forest walk(1.5 hours)
Easy trails through the bamboo of 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'
Lunch at a mountain lodge(1 hour)
Free-range chicken and wild bamboo shoots
Afternoon of tea and stillness on a ridge terrace(2.5 hours)
A pot of local tea, cool air, and a view
Return to Hangzhou(1.5 hours)
Head back for the evening, or extend into an overnight
Day Trip: Xitang Water Town
A second, contrasting canal town — Xitang, famed for its long covered wooden waterside walkways and a labyrinth of narrow alleys. Smaller and more lived-in than Wuzhen, best explored slowly by day and lit softly at night.
Transfer to Xitang(1.5 hours)
By bus toward Jiashan; ~90 km from Hangzhou
Walk the covered corridors (langpeng)(2 hours)
~95 CNY (~$13); over a kilometre of roofed riverside walkways
Lunch of Xitang rice wine and river snails(1 hour)
The town brews its own warm yellow rice wine
Wander the back alleys (Shipi Long)(1.5 hours)
Some lanes are barely a shoulder wide
Boat ride and evening return(2 hours)
A hand-poled boat before the last bus back
Free Day — West Lake Your Way
A deliberate slow day with nothing fixed. After two weeks of temples, tea, and day trips, spend it however you like — a bike loop of the lake, a spa, a favorite teahouse, or reading by the water. Loose suggestions only.
Public-bike loop of West Lake(2.5 hours)
The ~15km lakeshore circuit; grab a shared bike via Alipay
Long lunch at a lakeside cafe(1.5 hours)
Unhurried, with a view
Spa or foot massage(1.5 hours)
Excellent value, ~150 CNY (~$21) an hour
Sunset at a quiet lakeside spot(1.5 hours)
Return to whichever corner you liked best
Dinner at Zhang Sheng Ji(1.5 hours)
Classic Hangzhou home cooking; book ahead
Day Trip: Shaoxing — Water Town of Poets & Rice Wine
Just 25 minutes away by bullet train, Shaoxing is the atmospheric canal town of writer Lu Xun and China's most famous yellow rice wine. Ride black-awning boats through the old quarter, tour Lu Xun's ancestral home, and taste huangjiu warm from the source before returning to Hangzhou for the night.
Bullet train, Hangzhou East to Shaoxing North(25 minutes)
~30 CNY (~$4); then a short taxi to the old town
Lu Xun's Former Residence & Native Place(1.5 hours)
Free with ID; the preserved home and school of China's founding modern writer
Wupeng (black-awning) boat through the canals(45 minutes)
The hand-poled foot-oar boats unique to Shaoxing, ~100 CNY (~$14)
Lunch with Shaoxing yellow rice wine (huangjiu)(1.5 hours)
Try stinky tofu and drunken chicken at a canalside eatery — this is the wine's home
Cang Bridge Historic Street & return(1.5 hours)
A last wander before the evening train back to Hangzhou
Side Trip: Suzhou's Classical Gardens (Night 1)
Begin a two-night side trip to Suzhou, the 'Venice of the East,' an hour and a half away by bullet train. Famed for its UNESCO classical gardens and canal-lined old town, it deserves an overnight rather than a rushed day. Today: the grandest garden and the beautifully restored Pingjiang Road canal quarter.
Bullet train, Hangzhou East to Suzhou(1.5 hours)
~120 CNY (~$17); check into a hotel near the old town
Humble Administrator's Garden(2 hours)
Suzhou's largest and most celebrated classical garden; ~80 CNY (~$11), arrive early
Lunch at Songhelou (Pine and Crane)(1.5 hours)
A 250-year-old restaurant famous for squirrel-shaped mandarin fish
Pingjiang Road canal quarter(2 hours)
A restored 800-year-old lane of teahouses, Kunqu opera, and stone bridges
Evening canal boat and dinner in Suzhou(2 hours)
A lantern-lit boat along the moat before settling in for the night
Side Trip: Suzhou Silk & Tiger Hill (Night 2)
A second Suzhou day exploring the city that built China's silk trade. Visit a smaller, more intimate garden, the leaning pagoda of Tiger Hill, and the Suzhou Silk Museum, with a relaxed evening back in the old town. This is a slow-travel day — one city, savored.
Lingering Garden (Liu Yuan)(1.5 hours)
The most refined of the classical gardens; ~55 CNY (~$8), quieter than the Humble Administrator's
Suzhou Silk Museum(1.5 hours)
Free; silkworms, ancient looms, and the craft that made the city rich
Lunch near Shantang Street(1 hour)
A canal street of snack stalls and old shopfronts
Tiger Hill (Huqiu) & the Leaning Pagoda(1.5 hours)
~60 CNY (~$8); a 1,000-year-old pagoda that leans like Pisa's, with gardens and a sword pool
Relaxed evening in Suzhou's old town(2 hours)
A final Suzhou dinner before tomorrow's return
Return to Hangzhou & a Rest Day
Travel back to Hangzhou in the morning and spend the rest of the day recovering before the mountain excursion. A genuine down day — laundry, a massage, a last lakeside coffee — nothing demanding, so you arrive at Huangshan tomorrow with energy to spare.
Bullet train back to Hangzhou(1.5 hours)
Return to your Hubin base and drop the bags
Slow lunch at a favorite spot(1.5 hours)
Revisit Grandma's Home or Green Tea Restaurant — no need to explore
Foot massage and downtime(1.5 hours)
Rest the legs before two days of mountain climbing
Pack a small overnight bag for Huangshan(30 minutes)
You'll leave the main luggage in Hangzhou and carry only essentials up the mountain
Early lakeside dinner and an early night(1.5 hours)
The Huangshan trip starts early tomorrow
To Huangshan — Tunxi Old Street (Night 1)
Begin a two-night excursion to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), China's most painted peak, reachable by a fast train to Huangshan North. Spend the first afternoon and evening in the well-preserved Ming-Qing merchant town of Tunxi at the mountain's foot, resting before tomorrow's climb.
Bullet train, Hangzhou East to Huangshan North(1.5 hours)
~130 CNY (~$18); the Hangzhou-Huangshan high-speed line is scenic through the hills
Check in and drop bags in Tunxi(45 minutes)
Stay in or near Tunxi Old Street for tonight
Tunxi Ancient Street (Lao Jie)(2 hours)
A 1km Song-dynasty merchant street of ink shops, tea houses, and Huizhou snacks; free
Dinner of Huizhou cuisine(1.5 hours)
Try 'smelly' mandarin fish (chou guiyu) and Hui-style braised pork, hallmark dishes of the region
Early night before the mountain(1 hour)
Rest up — tomorrow is a long day of climbing
Climb Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) — Summit Night
The centerpiece of the whole trip: ascend Huangshan, the granite peaks and sea-of-clouds landscape that shaped Chinese ink painting for centuries. Take a cable car up, hike the ridge trails between the famous pines and rock formations, and stay overnight at a summit hotel to catch tomorrow's sunrise.
Transfer to the Huangshan scenic area and cable car up(1.5 hours)
Bus to Tangkou, then the Yungu cable car (~80 CNY / ~$11 one way); park entry ~190 CNY (~$27)
Hike to Bright Summit (Guangming Ding) and Flying-Over Rock(3 hours)
Ridge trails past the Greeting-Guests Pine and dramatic granite spires; wear grippy shoes
Lunch at a summit lodge(1 hour)
Simple, pricey mountain-top fare — carry snacks and water as backup
Check into a summit hotel (Beihai or Baiyun)(1 hour)
Book well ahead; summit rooms are limited and sell out. Rent a padded coat if it's cold
Sunset at a west-facing viewpoint(1.5 hours)
The sea of clouds catching the last light is unforgettable
Huangshan Sunrise, Hongcun Village & Back to Hangzhou
Rise before dawn for the celebrated Huangshan sunrise over the cloud sea, then descend and visit Hongcun, the UNESCO-listed ancient Huizhou village of moon-pond reflections (a 'Crouching Tiger' filming location). In the evening, take the train back to Hangzhou for your final night.
Sunrise from the summit(1 hour)
Head to a viewpoint 30 minutes before dawn; hotels post the exact time
Descend by cable car and transfer to Hongcun(1.5 hours)
Back down to Tangkou, then ~40 minutes to Hongcun village
Hongcun Ancient Village(2 hours)
~104 CNY (~$15); whitewashed Huizhou houses around the South Lake and Moon Pond — a painter's dream
Lunch in Hongcun(1 hour)
Local Huizhou home cooking in a courtyard house
Bullet train from Huangshan North back to Hangzhou(1.5 hours)
Return to your Hubin base for the last night
Last Tea & Departure
A gentle final morning back by West Lake for last-minute shopping and a proper cup of Longjing before the airport. Buy sealed, origin-marked tea to take home and leave a comfortable buffer for the ~40-minute Metro Line 19 ride out to HGH.
Morning tea and pastries near Hubin(1 hour)
A quiet last West Lake view before the city fully wakes
Last shopping at Wulin Square / in77(1.5 hours)
Sealed Xi Hu Longjing tea, silk, and Wangxingji fans
Hotel checkout(30 minutes)
Keep cash backup for any vendor that won't take foreign-linked Alipay
Metro Line 19 to Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH)(45 minutes)
~7 CNY straight to the terminal; add buffer at peak hours
Travel Tips
Visa & Entry
Visa-Free Transit & Unilateral Waivers
Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH) is an approved port for China's visa-free transit (up to 240 hours / 10 days for eligible nationalities travelling onward to a third country). Many European, and several other, passport holders also qualify for a separate 30-day unilateral visa-free entry, though China sets and extends that list by announcement. Check your nationality's current status on the Chinese embassy site before you book; otherwise apply for an L tourist visa in advance.
Budget
Go Cashless with Alipay or WeChat Pay
This is the biggest gotcha for first-timers: Hangzhou is almost entirely cashless and most vendors won't take foreign credit cards. Before arriving, install Alipay or WeChat Pay and link an international Visa/Mastercard (both now support foreign cards). Carry a few hundred yuan in cash as backup for taxis and rural teahouses.
transport
Metro from the Airport & Around the Lake
Metro Line 19 links HGH airport to the city center in about 30 minutes for ~7 CNY, far cheaper than a 120+ CNY taxi. Around West Lake, use the tourist buses or DiDi (China's ride-hailing app, in-app English available). The lakeside is best covered on foot or by rented public bike.
Get a Chinese SIM or eSIM with a VPN
Google Maps, Gmail, WhatsApp, and Instagram are blocked in mainland China. Buy a travel eSIM or roaming plan that routes through your home network (which bypasses the firewall), or install a reputable VPN before you arrive since VPN sites are also blocked once you land. Use Apple Maps or Amap for navigation.
Local Customs
Tea Etiquette & No Tipping
Tipping is not customary and can cause confusion. When served tea, tap two fingers on the table to say thank you. If buying Longjing tea, insist on 'Xi Hu Longjing' with a origin seal and be wary of heavily discounted 'first-grade' tea from touts near the plantations.
Safety
Very Safe, but Mind the Traffic
Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare and it's fine to walk at night. The real hazard is traffic: e-bikes and scooters ride silently on sidewalks and through crossings, so look both ways even on a green pedestrian signal.
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