Hangzhou
Home to the legendary West Lake and China's most picturesque city. A must-visit for its natural beauty, tea culture, and literary history.
Key Facts for Tourists
- Visa
- 50 countries visa-free (30 days)
- Best time
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Safety
- Very safe
- Language
- English limited
- Currency
- CNY (RMB)
- Emergency
- 110 / 120 / 119
Hangzhou at a Glance
Key facts for planning your trip — sources: official | verified
🛂 Entry & Visa
- Visa-free: 50 countries — 30 days (NIA, 2026)
- Transit visa-free: 240 hours (10 days) — 55 countries
- Airport: HGH Xiaoshan — domestic + regional intl routes
- Visa on arrival: Not available for most nationalities
🌤️ Best Time to Visit
- ✅ Best: Mar–May, Sep–Oct (15-25°C, West Lake at its best)
- ⚠️ Ok: Jun–Aug (hot, humid, 30-35°C) / Nov–Feb (cold, 0-10°C)
- Peak tourist season: Oct (Golden Week), May (Labor Day)
- Special: Snow on West Lake is rare but beautiful (best in Jan-Feb)
🚇 Getting Around
- Metro: 10 lines, covers West Lake area and most of city — tickets ¥2-12
- Taxi/DiDi: DiDi app has English version — very convenient
- Airport to city: Metro Line 1 or Airport bus (~45min to city center)
- HSR: Hangzhou East — to Shanghai (1hr), Nanjing (1.5hr)
💰 Money & Payments
- Currency: CNY (RMB) — ¥1 ≈ $0.14 USD (2026 rate)
- Cards accepted: Limited — most places use WeChat Pay/Alipay
- ATMs: Accept Visa/Mastercard at major banks (ICBC, Bank of China)
- Cash needed: ¥200-500 for backup (street food, small shops)
Must-Do Before You Arrive
3 things to set up before landing — skip these and you'll struggle
Install a VPN before you leave home
Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, ChatGPT — all blocked in China. Any VPN must be installed and tested BEFORE arriving in China. It will not work if you install it after arrival.
📖 VPN Setup Guide →Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay
Hangzhou (Alibaba's hometown) runs on QR code payments. Since July 2023, foreigners can link international Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or Discover cards. It takes 5 minutes and saves you from carrying cash everywhere.
Get mobile data (eSIM or airport SIM)
You need a Chinese phone number for WeChat, DiDi, and food delivery. Two options: buy an eSIM before departure (Airalo, Holafly) or buy a physical SIM at Xiaoshan Airport on arrival. Passport required.
Top Attractions in Hangzhou
The must-sees for first-time visitors
West Lake (西湖)
UNESCO World Heritage site. Free entry. Rent a bike, take a boat, or walk the causeways. Highlights include Broken Bridge, Leifeng Pagoda, and Su Causeway. Allow 3-4 hours minimum.
Lingyin Temple (灵隐寺)
One of China's most famous and beautiful Buddhist temples. Set among forested hills with stunning architecture and ancient rock carvings. Paid entry. ~20min from West Lake by taxi.
Longjing Tea Village (龙井村)
Visit the birthplace of Dragon Well (Longjing) tea. Walk through terraced tea fields, watch tea processing, and taste the real thing. Free entry to the village, tea tasting costs extra.
Hefang Street (河坊街)
Historic shopping street lined with traditional architecture. Perfect for souvenirs, local snacks, and evening strolls. Free entry. Best visited after dinner.
Alibaba HQ (阿里巴巴)
The futuristic Alibaba campus in Xixi. Not open to general tourists, but you can view the impressive architecture from outside. A landmark of Hangzhou's tech industry.
Grand Canal (京杭大运河)
The world's longest ancient canal (1,794km). Take a boat ride from Wulinmen or Gongchen Bridge. Free walking/cycling paths along the water. UNESCO World Heritage.
Food in Hangzhou
Zhejiang cuisine — delicate, fresh, and less greasy than northern food
Must-Try Local Dishes
- West Lake Vinegar Fish (西湖醋鱼) — Grass carp in a sweet-and-sour vinegar sauce. Hangzhou's most famous dish
- Dongpo Pork (东坡肉) — Slow-braised pork belly named after poet Su Dongpo. Rich, melt-in-your-mouth, and legendary
- Longjing Shrimp (龙井虾仁) — Stir-fried river shrimp with Dragon Well tea leaves. Delicate and aromatic
- Beggar's Chicken (叫花鸡) — Whole chicken wrapped in lotus leaves and baked in clay. Must be ordered in advance at most restaurants
- Dragon Well Tea — Not a dish, but a must-try. Enjoy at a traditional teahouse by West Lake
Eating Tips for Tourists
- 🍵 Teahouses — Hangzhou is famous for its tea culture. Visit a lakeside teahouse for an authentic experience
- 📱 Food delivery — Meituan and Ele.me deliver to your hotel. Apps are in Chinese, but you can order through your hotel concierge
- 🌶️ Spice level — Hangzhou food is generally mild and not spicy. Great for those who prefer lighter flavors
- 🥢 Chopsticks only — Most restaurants don't provide forks. Practice beforehand or ask for 叉子 (chāzi)
Where to Stay in Hangzhou
Recommended areas for different travel styles
Xihu / West Lake Area
Best for tourists — scenic, walkable to lake. Wide range from luxury (Four Seasons, Shangri-La) to budget hostels. Metro Lines 1/2.
Wulin Square
City center, major shopping area. Best metro connections and dining. Great for first-time visitors. Metro Lines 1/2/3.
Binjiang
Tech area south of the river. Newer, cheaper hotels. Near Alibaba HQ. Quieter at night. Metro Line 1.
Hefang Street / Old City
Historic area with character. Budget-friendly hostels and local eateries. Walking distance to Hefang Street night market.
Internet & Phone for Tourists
Real talk about getting online in Hangzhou
🛜 Hotel WiFi
Most hotels in Hangzhou offer free WiFi. International chain hotels (Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton) usually have faster, more reliable connections. Some hotels block certain websites — a VPN is still recommended.
📱 Mobile Data
Option A: Buy an eSIM from Airalo or Holafly before departure (cheaper, instant activation). Option B: Buy a physical SIM at Xiaoshan Airport arrival hall (China Mobile or China Unicom kiosks). Passport required for both.
Compare eSIM options →🔒 VPN
If you need Google Maps, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, or Facebook — you MUST install a VPN before departure. ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark are commonly used. Note that VPN reliability fluctuates; some periods (around major political meetings) are worse than others.
VPN guide →Emergency Info
Save these numbers — they work from any phone, even without a SIM
Sample 3-Day Itinerary
A realistic first-timer's plan — not rushed, covers the highlights
Morning: Bike ride around West Lake (Su Causeway, Broken Bridge) → Lunch by the lake → Afternoon: Boat ride to Leifeng Pagoda → Evening: Hefang Street night market + local snacks
Morning: Lingyin Temple → Lunch: Dongpo pork at a local restaurant → Afternoon: Longjing Tea Village tour + tea tasting → Evening: Traditional teahouse by the lake
Morning: Grand Canal boat ride from Wulinmen → Lunch: West Lake vinegar fish → Afternoon: Leifeng Pagoda or shopping → HSR to Shanghai (1hr) or depart from Xiaoshan Airport
Compare Chinese Cities for Tourists
Which city is right for your trip?
| Dimension | Hangzhou | Beijing | Shanghai | Chengdu |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Natural beauty, tea culture, West Lake | History, Great Wall, culture | First-timers, modern China | Food, pandas, laid-back vibe |
| English Level | Low | Low | Moderate | Low |
| Top Attractions | West Lake, Lingyin, tea village | Forbidden City, Great Wall | Bund, Tower, Disney | Pandas, Jinli, hot pot |
| 3-Day Budget (est.) | $150-300 | $200-400 | $200-400 | $150-300 |
| Ease for Tourists | Moderate | Moderate | Easiest | Moderate |
| Best Season | Mar-May, Sep-Oct | Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct | Mar-May, Sep-Nov | Mar-Jun, Sep-Oct |
Budget estimates are rough ranges only. Actual costs vary by travel style and season.
📘 Need All This Offline?
Get the Chinability PDF — 22 pages covering Hangzhou and all of China. Works without internet, print-ready for your trip.
📥 Buy PDF Guide $9.99Planning a trip to Hangzhou? Share this guide with friends.
Was this Hangzhou guide helpful?