Hangzhou Travel Guide

Heaven on Earth — West Lake, tea plantations & poetic landscapes

🌿 Heaven on Earth 📸 4 Must-Sees 🚇 Metro ¥2-8

Must-See Attractions

🌊

West Lake

China's most romantic lake — pagodas, causeways, willows, and misty hills that inspired poets for millennia

Ticket Free

Pro Tip: Walk the Su Causeway at sunrise. Rent a bike to circle the lake (~15km). Free boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon is worth it.

🛕

Lingyin Temple (Temple of Soul's Retreat)

One of China's largest and most important Buddhist temples — carved cliff Buddhas and serene halls

Ticket ¥75 (includes Feilai Peak)

Pro Tip: Bus 7 from downtown. Go early — very popular. Includes Feilai Peak with 300+ stone carvings.

🍵

Longjing Tea Plantations

The birthplace of China's most famous green tea — terraced fields, tea houses, and fresh mountain air

Ticket Free to explore (tea tasting ~¥30-80)

Pro Tip: Bus 27 to Longjing Village. Visit in spring (March-May) to see tea picking. Buy tea from local farmers, not tourist shops.

🗼

Leifeng Pagoda

Rebuilt 5-story pagoda with glass elevators — best panoramic view of West Lake and the city

Ticket ¥40

Pro Tip: Bus 4/315. Go in late afternoon for golden light over West Lake. The original pagoda ruins are inside.

Getting Around

Hangzhou blends modern transit with scenic cycling:

🚇

Metro

¥2-8 per ride. Lines 1 and 4 connect major areas. Alipay QR works at all turnstiles.

🚲

Shared Bikes

The best way to see Hangzhou! Dedicated bike paths around West Lake and through tea villages. ~¥1.5/30 min.

🚗

DiDi

¥15-50 within city. Convenient for trips to Lingyin Temple or Longjing Village from downtown.

Where to Stay

Best areas for visitors to Hangzhou:

🌅

West Lake Area

Wake up to lake views. Luxury resorts and boutique hotels along the shore. Walk to major sights. Book early.

🏮

Qinghefang / Wushan

Historic pedestrian street with traditional architecture. Street food, tea houses, and souvenir shops. Metro Line 1.

What to Eat

Hangzhou cuisine is delicate, fresh, and subtly sweet — reflecting its poetic heritage:

🐟

West Lake Vinegar Fish

Fresh carp in sweet vinegar sauce — Hangzhou's most famous dish. Light, tangy, and elegant. ¥60-120.

🥩

Dongpo Pork

Slow-braised pork belly named after poet Su Dongpo. Melts in your mouth. Best at Louwailou (楼外楼). ¥50-90.

🦐

Longjing Shrimp

River shrimp stir-fried with real Longjing tea leaves — delicate tea fragrance. A Hangzhou original. ¥80-150.

You Might Also Need

🚇