Transportation
External Transportation
By Air: Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport is an important aviation hub with a rich network of domestic and international routes. There are airport shuttle buses that can directly reach the main areas of the urban district, and you can also conveniently get to the city center by Metro Line 19 and other means.
By Train: Hangzhou mainly has Hangzhou Railway Station, Hangzhou East Railway Station, and Hangzhou West Railway Station. Hangzhou East Railway Station is a major high-speed railway station with numerous routes and convenient transportation. Hangzhou Railway Station mainly operates ordinary trains. Hangzhou West Railway Station is a newly built station, which is convenient for passengers in the surrounding areas. All these stations are connected by various transportation methods such as buses and the subway.
Internal Transportation
Subway: The subway network in Hangzhou is gradually improving and can cover most of the core scenic spots and business districts. For example, Metro Line 1 can take you to West Lake Cultural Square, Longxiangqiao (near West Lake), etc.
Bus: There are numerous bus routes with a wide coverage area. Some routes also offer the opportunity to enjoy the scenery along the way, but it may be congested during peak hours.
Taxi/Online Car-hailing Service: It is convenient for traveling and is a commonly used way for short-distance movement within the urban area.
Public Bicycles: The public bicycle system in Hangzhou is well-developed. There are many rental points around scenic areas and on urban streets, making it convenient for tourists to ride for short distances and explore the city.
Accommodation
Around West Lake: This is the core scenic area of Hangzhou, offering a variety of accommodation options, ranging from the high-end West Lake State Guesthouse to various characteristic homestays. Staying by West Lake makes it convenient to enjoy the beautiful scenery of West Lake, such as the Broken Bridge in the snow in the morning and the night view of Hubin at night. It is also convenient for getting around.
Near Wulin Square: It is the commercial center of Hangzhou, surrounded by many shopping malls, such as Hangzhou Tower and Intime Department Store. With convenient transportation, Metro Line 1 passes through here, and it is not far from West Lake, making it an ideal place for shopping and traveling.
Near Xixi Wetland: The environment is quiet and the air is fresh. There are many high-end resorts and characteristic homestays. It is suitable for tourists who like to be close to nature and enjoy tranquility, and it is also convenient to visit Xixi Wetland.
Attractions
Natural Landscape Attractions
West Lake: It is the iconic scenic spot of Hangzhou, famous for its "Ten Scenes", such as the Broken Bridge in the Snow, Spring Dawn on the Su Causeway, Curved Yard and Lotus Pool in Summer, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, etc. You can choose to take a boat to tour West Lake or stroll along the lakeshore to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains.
Xixi Wetland: It is China's first national wetland park, with a large area of wetland landscapes. Rivers, harbors, ponds, and swamps are intertwined. You can take a boat to shuttle through it, admire the reed marshes, lotus flowers, and other natural ecologies, and also observe various birds.
Qiandao Lake: It is a bit far from Hangzhou but worth a visit. There are many islands in the lake. The lake water is clear and the scenery is beautiful. You can take a boat to visit each island and experience water activities, such as kayaking and jet skiing.
Historical and Cultural Attractions
Lingyin Temple: It is a famous ancient temple in the south of the Yangtze River, with a long history and strong incense. The temple buildings are magnificent, and the environment is quiet. You can feel the profoundness of Buddhist culture and also admire the numerous stone carvings on Feilai Peak.
Temple of Yue Fei: It is a place to commemorate Yue Fei, a famous general who resisted the Jin Dynasty in the Southern Song Dynasty. In the temple, there are Yue Fei's tomb and the kneeling statues of Qin Hui and four others. You can learn about that period of history and feel Yue Fei's spirit of loyalty to the country.
Hangzhou Museum: It is a window to showcase the history and culture of Hangzhou, with a rich collection. From ancient cultural relics to modern and contemporary exhibits, it allows tourists to have a comprehensive understanding of the development process of Hangzhou.
Modern Urban Attractions
Songcheng in Hangzhou: It is a large-scale artificial scenic area with the theme of Song Dynasty culture. There is a wonderful performance called "Eternal Love in Songcheng", as well as various buildings imitating the Song Dynasty style, folk performances, and characteristic snacks, making tourists feel like they have traveled back to the Song Dynasty.
Qianjiang New City: It is the modern urban center of Hangzhou, with many high-rise buildings and modern architectures. The light show at night is very spectacular, and you can enjoy the night view of the Qiantang River on the City Balcony.
Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center ("Big Lotus"): It is the main stadium of the 2022 Asian Games. The building has a unique shape, and its appearance is like a blooming lotus. You can visit around it and feel the grandeur of the sports stadium.
Cuisine
Snack Dishes
Dingsheng Cake: It has a light red color, a soft and fragrant texture, and is sweet but not greasy. It is a traditional pastry in Hangzhou with a good 寓意. It is often sold before important exams.
Congbao Hui: It is made by rolling a thin pancake with a deep-fried dough stick and scallions, and then baking it over charcoal fire. With sweet bean paste and chili sauce, it has a unique taste. The name also has a historical legend related to Qin Hui.
Wushan Crispy Cake: The cake is golden yellow, with layers upon layers, crispy and sweet. It is one of the classic snacks in Hangzhou and is more commonly found near Wushan Square.
Characteristic Dishes
West Lake Vinegar Fish: Grass carp from West Lake is selected. After cooking, the fish meat is tender, with a sweet and sour taste. It is a traditional famous dish in Hangzhou, and Louwailou and other restaurants are representative places to taste it.
Longjing Shrimp Balls: Tender shrimp balls are cooked together with fragrant Longjing tea leaves. The shrimp balls are white, and the tea leaves are green. The taste is delicious, with a strong Hangzhou flavor.
Dongpo Pork: Using pork as the main ingredient, it has a bright red color, is fat but not greasy, and melts in the mouth. It got its name from Su Dongpo and is one of the signature dishes in Hangzhou.
West Lake Water Shield Soup: The water shield is tender and delicious, and the soup is fragrant. It is a light and refreshing soup rich in nutrients.
Shopping and Entertainment
Shopping: You can go to Hubin Intime in77, which gathers many international brands and trendy stores, as well as various gourmet restaurants. You can also go to Hefang Street to buy some characteristic souvenirs of Hangzhou, such as silk products, Wangxingji fans, Zhang Xiaoquan scissors, etc.
Entertainment: In addition to watching the performance "Eternal Love in Songcheng" in Songcheng in Hangzhou, you can also enjoy the leisure time at night in the bar street by West Lake, or go to watch a live performance of "Impression West Lake" to feel the perfect integration of light, music, and the beautiful scenery of West Lake.
