Hangzhou is located on the southeast coast of China, in the northern part of Zhejiang Province, along the lower reaches of the Qiantang River and at the southern end of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. It has a subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons and abundant rainfall. Summers are hot and humid, winters are damp and cold, while spring and autumn offer pleasant weather, making them the best seasons for tourism.
Hangzhou, with a history of over 2,200 years, served as the capital of the Wuyue Kingdom and the Southern Song Dynasty. Renowned for its West Lake culture, it was praised by Marco Polo as 'the finest and most splendid city in the world.' Literary figures of the Song Dynasty, such as Su Shi and Bai Juyi, left behind numerous poems and writings here, endowing the city with profound cultural heritage.
Hangzhou boasts a rich cultural atmosphere where tea culture, silk culture, and Buddhist culture blend together. Its cuisine, represented by Hangzhou-style dishes, is light, fresh, and emphasizes natural flavors. Longjing tea, West Lake Vinegar Fish, and Dongpo Pork are world-renowned. The locals enjoy a leisurely lifestyle, savoring tea, admiring scenery, and boating on the lake.
Modern Hangzhou is a key hub for China's digital economy, the headquarters of Alibaba, and a city full of technological and innovative vitality. It enjoys high international recognition, having hosted the 2016 G20 Summit and the 2022 Asian Games. Its future goal is to become the "No. 1 City of Digital Economy" and a major international tourist destination.
The best time to visit 杭州 is March-May and September-November.
The best time to visit Hangzhou is in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). During these seasons, the temperature is moderate, rainfall is low, and humidity is comfortable. In spring, flowers bloom everywhere; in autumn, the sky is clear and the air is crisp—West Lake and its surroundings are at their most charming. Summer is hot and rainy, while winter is damp and cold, but each season has its own unique features.
Hangzhou in spring (March to May) is warm and pleasant, with average temperatures of 15-25°C. It is recommended to visit Su Causeway at West Lake to admire peach blossoms, Bai Causeway for weeping willows, and Taiziwan Park for tulips and cherry blossoms. Around the Qingming Festival, you can pick tea at Longjing Tea Plantation and experience tea culture. It is advisable to bring a light jacket and rain gear.
Autumn (September-November) features cool weather with average temperatures of 10-20°C. Enjoy osmanthus flowers at Manlongguiyu, admire fallen sycamore leaves on Beishan Road, and cycle comfortably along Yanggong Causeway. Watch the Qiantang River tidal bore around Mid-Autumn Festival, with the most spectacular views on the 18th day of the eighth lunar month. Autumn is perfect for crab tasting, with hairy crabs being highly recommended.
After Qin Shi Huang unified China, he established Qiantang County in Hangzhou, under the jurisdiction of Kuaiji Commandery, marking the beginning of Hangzhou's administrative establishment.
Recommended places to visit
World Cultural Heritage site, famous for the "Ten Scenes of West Lake," where you can take a boat ride on the lake, stroll along Su Causeway, and visit Leifeng Pagoda.
One of the ten ancient Buddhist Zen temples in China, originally built in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, featuring stone carvings of Feilai Peak within the temple grounds.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The West Lake perfectly integrates natural scenery with cultural landmarks, including Su Causeway, Bai Causeway, and Leifeng Pagoda, making it a classic example of Eastern landscape aesthetics.
The southern terminus of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, landmarks such as Gongchen Bridge and Xiaohe Zhijie Street bear witness to its culture, making it a living heritage.
Explore rich intangible cultural heritage and traditional crafts
National intangible cultural heritage, traditional hand-fried Longjing tea, includes processes such as picking, spreading, fixing, moisture reconditioning, and pan-firing.
National Intangible Cultural Heritage: using mulberry silk as raw material to weave exquisite silk products, represented by the "West Lake Silk Umbrella."
Must-know transportation for exploring the city
Located in Xiaoshan District, about 27 km from the city center. It has extensive domestic and international flight coverage. Airport buses go directly to the city center, railway station, and surrounding cities, with fares ranging from 20 to 30 yuan. Metro lines 1, 7, and 19 connect the airport with the city center. A taxi ride costs about 100 to 150 yuan.
Airport bus is 20-30 yuan.
Hangzhou East Station is the main high-speed rail station, connecting to Shanghai (about 1 hour) and Beijing (about 4.5 hours), among others. Hangzhou City Station (Hangzhou Station) is located in the city center and primarily serves regular-speed trains. Hangzhou South Station is a secondary station. Metro Lines 1, 4, 5, and 6 cover the major stations.
High-speed rail ticket prices vary by distance, for example, Hangzhou to Shanghai costs about 73 yuan.
Taste the most authentic and popular local specialties
Hangzhou classic dish made with grass carp, cooked with vinegar and sugar, sweet and sour, tender fish.
Su Dongpo-style braised pork, slowly cooked until tender, rich but not greasy, melts in your mouth.
Qian Liu established the Wuyue Kingdom, set its capital at Hangzhou, built seawalls, and developed the economy, making Hangzhou a major city in the southeast.
Zhao Gou established the capital at Lin'an (present-day Hangzhou), making Hangzhou the political, economic, and cultural center of the country with a population of over one million.
The 2016 G20 Summit was held in Hangzhou, enhancing the city's international visibility and influence.
The 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, though postponed to 2023, showcased Hangzhou's modernization and organizational capabilities.
Large-scale Song Dynasty cultural theme park, famous for the "Eternal Love of Song City" performance, offering an experience of Song Dynasty market life.
A man-made reservoir with 1,078 islands, known for its clear lake water and archipelago scenery, suitable for boat tours.
The National Wetland Park, renowned for the scenic beauty described as "a winding stream veiled in mist," offers boat tours, bird watching, and cultural experiences.
Hangzhou Metro currently operates 12 lines with fares ranging from 2 to 12 yuan, covering major attractions and urban areas. The bus system is well-developed, with multiple BRT express bus routes at a fare of 2 yuan. Taxi starting fare is 11 yuan, and ride-hailing services are convenient. There are dedicated bus routes and shared bikes around West Lake.
Subway: 2-12 yuan, Bus: 2 yuan
Stir-fried shrimp with Longjing tea leaves combines the fragrance of tea with the freshness of shrimp, light and elegant.
Street snack: flour wrapper filled with fried dough stick and scallions, pan-fried until golden, served with sweet bean or chili sauce.
Red bean paste rice cake