Chinese poets and emperors have called Hangzhou "heaven on earth" for a thousand years, thanks to West Lake and the mountains, temples and historic gardens around it — a landscape inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2011. The city also holds the famous Longjing tea terraces, the Xixi wetlands, and the historic Grand Canal, the longest in the world. That mix makes Hangzhou a near-perfect destination for anyone who loves both nature and culture.
#1 West Lake (Xi Hu)
West Lake is the heart of Hangzhou and one of the loveliest views in China. It covers about 6.39 square kilometres, ringed by mountains, temples and historic gardens. The Su Causeway and Bai Causeway are the most popular viewpoints. You can take a boat out to the islands in the middle of the lake, or stroll among the lotus blooms in summer. The lake was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2011 as an outstanding historic and aesthetic landscape.
- Most of the area around the lake is free to enter, including the Su Causeway and Bai Causeway
- Renting a bike to ride around the lake (about 20 km) is the best way to see it
- Spring brings peach and crepe-myrtle blossoms; summer has the most beautiful lotus flowers
#2 Lingyin Temple
Lingyin Temple was founded in 326 CE by an Indian monk named Huili, and is one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in China. Inside stands a carved wooden Buddha 24.8 metres tall, one of the largest wooden statues in China. In front of the temple is the Feilai Feng cliff, with more than 470 high-relief carvings from the Song and Yuan dynasties. The atmosphere is quiet and steeped in incense and chanting.
- Admission comes in two parts — 45 yuan for the Feilai Feng area and 30 yuan for Lingyin Temple itself
- Go early, before 8:00 a.m., to avoid the crowds; that's when it's most peaceful
- Dress modestly, covering shoulders and legs — this is still an active place of worship
#3 Leifeng Pagoda
Leifeng Pagoda was first built in 977 CE during the Wuyue Kingdom and rebuilt in 2002 after collapsing in 1924. This five-storey, eight-sided bronze-style pagoda is considered the oldest multicoloured bronze pagoda in China. The top floor gives a 360-degree view of West Lake and the city of Hangzhou, especially at sunset. It is also tied to the famous Legend of the White Snake from Chinese literature.
- Visit at sunset (4:00-6:00 p.m.) for the most beautiful photos
- There's an escalator up to the top floors — handy for older travelers and children
- Admission is 40 yuan, including access to every floor as well as the underground relics gallery
#4 Hefang Street
Hefang Street is the best-preserved old street in Hangzhou, dating back more than 800 years to the Southern Song dynasty. It is packed with souvenir shops, traditional craftspeople, Chinese herbal-medicine stores, and stalls selling local food. You can try local snacks like sticky-rice dumplings and horse-meat fried noodles, and soak up the bustle of a traditional Chinese market.
- It's entirely pedestrian, with no cars — great for exploring on foot
- An old Chinese pharmacy like Huqingyutang has been open for more than 150 years and is worth a visit
- It's busiest in the evening, with street performances and a night market
#5 Xixi National Wetland Park
Xixi National Wetland Park is the first national wetland park in China, covering more than 11.5 square kilometres of small canals and dense reed beds. You can take a wooden rowing boat to explore the rich ecosystem, or walk the long wooden boardwalks through the wild. Autumn brings a migratory-bird festival and beautiful flowers. The area has more than 1,800 years of history as a village of farmers and fishermen.
- Buy an extra boat ticket (80-100 yuan) to row through the wetlands — it's the best experience
- Come early for the birds and the beautiful morning mist
- Autumn (October-November) is when the leaf colours are most beautiful
#6 Longjing Tea Village (Dragon Well)
Longjing Tea Village, or "Dragon Well," is China's most famous source of Longjing tea, with more than 600 years of history. Fresh green tea plots line the hillsides in a beautiful landscape. You can walk through the tea fields, learn how the leaves are traditionally picked and pan-roasted, and sip hot fresh tea with snacks in a local farmer's home. It's an experience unlike the other sights.
- The tea harvest from March to April is the best time, when the leaves are of the highest quality
- Tea sold in the village is usually cheaper than in the city, but you should bargain and taste before buying
- Meijiawu village is the most famous part and has good open-air restaurants
#7 Grand Canal (Hangzhou Section)
China's Grand Canal is the longest canal in the world, running more than 1,776 kilometres from Beijing to Hangzhou. The Hangzhou section was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014. The Gongchen district is its most beautiful and lively stretch, with the China Grand Canal Museum and a well-preserved old quarter. You can take a boat to see the night views, with the lights reflecting off the water.
- Take a night cruise along the canal (6:00-10:00 p.m.); the views are most beautiful under the night lights
- The China Grand Canal Museum, newly opened in 2021, is modern and impressive inside
- The nearby Gongchen district has waterfront restaurants and bars with a great atmosphere
#8 Song Dynasty Town (Songcheng)
Songcheng is the largest cultural theme park in Hangzhou, built to recreate the atmosphere of a Song-dynasty city (960-1279 CE), modelled on the famous old painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival." The highlight is the epic show "The Romance of the Song Dynasty," which blends a light-and-sound spectacle, martial arts and dance that more than 50 million people have seen. Markets, temples and period food stalls fill the whole grounds.
- "The Romance of the Song Dynasty" runs several times a day; book tickets ahead and pick a centre seat
- Buying a package ticket (including the main show) is better and cheaper than buying separately
- Allow half a day to a full day — there are plenty of activities and photo spots
Where to stay in Hangzhou for this trip
A well-located hotel means less commuting and more sightseeing. Here are real, top-rated stays in Hangzhou — compare Agoda · Booking · Trip.com in one click.
The East Hotel Hangzhou
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JW Marriott Hotel Hangzhou
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Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Hangzhou
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JI Hotel Hangzhou West Lake Hubin Pedestrian Street
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Tours, tickets & activities in Hangzhou
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Hangzhou — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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Before You Pack
Hangzhou is ideal for a 3-4 day trip. Start with a morning walk around West Lake and explore the Longjing tea terraces in the afternoon, to feel the quiet, beautiful rhythm of this city.