浙江 · Paradise on Earth — 人间天堂
China's most prosperous and beautiful province — where silk canals thread ancient water towns, misty tea mountains float above the clouds, sacred Buddhist islands rise from the East China Sea, and West Lake sets the gold standard for landscape beauty.
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Practical tips to help you plan your Zhejiang journey.
Zhejiang has three main airports: Hangzhou Xiaoshan International (HGH) — the main hub with international connections to Asia, Europe and the Middle East; Ningbo Lishe (NGB); and Wenzhou Longwan (WNZ). Hangzhou is also accessible via Shanghai Pudong or Hongqiao airports with high-speed rail onward.
High-speed rail from Shanghai to Hangzhou takes just 45 minutes.
Zhejiang has one of China's best high-speed rail networks. Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou and Shaoxing are all linked by frequent HSR services. Within Hangzhou, an excellent metro system reaches most major sights including West Lake.
For water towns (Wuzhen, Xitang, Nanxun) and Mogan Mountain, coaches from Hangzhou bus stations are the standard option. Ferries connect Ningbo and Shanghai to the Zhoushan Archipelago.
WeChat Pay and Alipay handle virtually all transactions in Zhejiang. International visitors should link a foreign card to WeChat Pay before arrival. ATMs accepting foreign cards are available in all cities.
Zhejiang is one of China's more expensive provinces. Budget travel: ¥250–400/day. Comfortable travel: ¥600–1,000/day. Hangzhou and boutique hotels in Mogan Mountain or Wuzhen are at the premium end.
Mobile data is fast (4G/5G) and inexpensive with a Chinese SIM card, available at airports and China Mobile / Unicom shops. Tourist SIMs can be obtained with a passport.
Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and most Western platforms are blocked in China. Download and test a reliable VPN before entering China — setting one up once inside is extremely difficult.
China offers visa-free entry to citizens of 38+ countries for stays up to 30 days (2024–2025 policy, expanding regularly). Check current eligibility before travel. Most Western European, Australian, and some American passport holders are now eligible.
For longer stays or if your country is not on the visa-free list, apply for an L (tourist) visa at a Chinese embassy. Processing takes 3–5 business days.
Mandarin (Putonghua) is universal across Zhejiang. The local Wu dialect family (including Hangzhounese, Ningbo dialect, and Wenzhounese) is widely spoken among locals — Wenzhounese in particular is so distinct it was reportedly used as a wartime code.
English is available in Hangzhou's major hotels and tourist sites. Download Pleco (dictionary) and Google Translate offline Chinese pack before arrival.
Zhejiang cuisine (浙菜) is one of China's Eight Great Cuisines — fresh, lightly seasoned, with delicate sauces and exceptional ingredients. Signature dishes: Dongpo Pork (东坡肉), West Lake Vinegar Fish (西湖醋鱼), Beggar's Chicken (叫化鸡), and Shaoxing drunken chicken braised in rice wine.
Hangzhou's Hefang Street and Nanhelu food streets are excellent. In Shaoxing, seek out the rice wine taverns (酒馆) for authentic old-town dining.
Zhejiang is very safe for tourists. Tap water is not drinkable — bottled water is everywhere and cheap. Summers are hot and humid (35°C+ in July–August); carry sunscreen and stay hydrated.
Typhoon season runs June–October and can affect the coast (Wenzhou, Zhoushan, Ningbo). Monitor forecasts if visiting coastal areas in summer. Travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage is strongly recommended.
Curated links for planning your Zhejiang trip — official, editorial and community sources.