Hangzhou Travel Guide for Foreigners

Updated: July 25, 2026 · TravelChinaTip

West Lake with pagodas and willow trees in Hangzhou at sunrise

Hangzhou is where Marco Polo claimed he found "the finest and most splendid city in the world." Seven centuries later, West Lake still anchors the city — willow-lined shores, island temples, and misty hills that inspired centuries of Chinese poetry. Hangzhou is also the home of Longjing (Dragon Well) green tea and a tech hub (Alibaba's headquarters), but for travelers it delivers a calmer, greener contrast to nearby Shanghai. Most foreigners visit as a 2–3 day stop or a day trip on the 45-minute bullet train from Shanghai.

Best Time to Visit

March through May and September through November are ideal — mild temperatures, clear skies, and lotus blooms (July–August) or autumn foliage on the lake shores. Summer is hot and humid (often 35°C) but the lake lotuses are at their peak. Winter is quiet and misty — West Lake in light rain or fog is genuinely atmospheric, though some outdoor tea villages slow down. Avoid Golden Week (October 1–7) when the lake path is packed shoulder-to-shoulder. Hangzhou hosts the G20 summit legacy of improved infrastructure, so metro and English signage are better than many Chinese cities.

3-Day Sample Itinerary

Day 1 — West Lake Circuit

Start at Broken Bridge (断桥) early morning before tour groups arrive. Walk or rent a bike along the northern shore — the 10 km lake loop is flat and scenic. Mid-morning: take a short boat to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (¥55 boat + island ticket). Lunch at Lou Wai Lou restaurant on the lake (founded 1848) — beggar's chicken and West Lake vinegar fish are signatures. Afternoon: explore Su Causeway and Bai Causeway on foot. Evening: Impression West Lake show (directed by Zhang Yimou) if open — book on Trip.com; performances are outdoors on the lake.

Day 2 — Temples & Tea

Morning at Lingyin Temple (灵隐寺) — one of China's largest Buddhist temples, set in a forest valley. Entry ¥75 includes the temple and Flying Peak grottoes. Allow 2–3 hours. Afternoon: taxi or bus to Meijiawu or Longjing village in the tea mountains (30 minutes). Walk through terraced tea fields, visit a family workshop, and taste Longjing tea at source — ¥50–100 for a tasting session. Buy tea directly from growers if you want authentic souvenirs (avoid tourist-market fakes). Evening: Hefang Street pedestrian area for snacks and crafts.

Day 3 — Canal Town or Departure

Option A: Half-day at Xixi Wetland (西溪湿地) — boardwalks through urban marshland, boat rides, birdwatching. ¥80 entry. Option B: Day trip extension to Wuzhen water town (30 min by high-speed train to Tongxiang, then shuttle) if you have not visited Suzhou or Zhouzhuang. If departing: Hangzhou East Station has frequent G-trains to Shanghai (45 min), Beijing (4.5 hrs), and Huangshan (1.5 hrs).

Local Transportation Guide

Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport (HGH) connects to the city via Metro Line 1 (about 40 minutes to West Lake area). Hangzhou East (杭州东) and Hangzhou West stations serve high-speed rail — East is the main hub, 15 minutes from West Lake by metro. Metro Lines 1, 2, 3, and 4 cover the lake, train stations, and airport. Alipay transit QR works at all gates. Bicycles are the classic way to tour West Lake — rental stations dot the shoreline (¥10–20/hour, deposit via mobile pay). Taxis and DiDi are plentiful; show destinations in Chinese characters if the driver does not speak English. From Shanghai Hongqiao: G-train every 10–15 minutes, ¥73 second class, 45–60 minutes.

Related: Hangzhou day trip from Shanghai

Foreigner-Friendly Food Guide

Hangzhou cuisine (浙菜) is light, fresh, and slightly sweet. Signature dishes: West Lake vinegar fish (酸甜西湖鱼), dongpo pork (东坡肉, braised belly), beggar's chicken (叫花鸡, wrapped in clay), and Longjing shrimp (龙井虾仁, tea-infused). Grandma's Home (外婆家) and Green Tea Restaurant (绿茶) are popular chains with picture menus and English — reliable for first-timers. For dim sum-style breakfast, try shengjian bao and congee at a local shop near Hefang Street. Longjing tea pairs with every meal — buy from tea villages, not airport gift shops. Vegetarians do well at temple restaurants near Lingyin — the on-site vegetarian hall serves Buddhist cuisine.

Ticket Booking Tips

West Lake itself is free and open 24 hours. Boat tickets to islands are sold at multiple piers (¥55–70). Lingyin Temple requires a combined ticket (scenic area + temple) — buy at the gate or via Trip.com. Impression West Lake show: book 2–3 days ahead in peak season on Trip.com or the official WeChat account; prices ¥360–680 depending on seat zone. Xixi Wetland tickets available on-site or online. Most attractions accept passport at entry — bring your original. Chinese nationals book Lingyin via WeChat mini-programs; foreigners can use Trip.com or buy at the window with minimal wait on weekdays.

Travel Do's & Don'ts

  • Do visit West Lake at dawn — the lake belongs to early walkers and photographers before 8 a.m.
  • Do take the Shanghai–Hangzhou train from Hongqiao, not Shanghai Station — more departures, easier navigation.
  • Do buy Longjing tea at source in Meijiawu — compare prices and taste before purchasing.
  • Do use metro Line 1 for airport transfers — taxis overcharge tourists at HGH arrivals.
  • Don't visit tea villages on weekends — tour buses overwhelm the narrow mountain roads.
  • Don't trust "free tea tasting" invitations near West Lake — classic overpriced-tea scam for tourists.

More Guides