UNESCO World Heritage lakes, ancient temples, Dragon Well tea, Song dynasty culture — China's most poetic city awaits.
Hangzhou served as the imperial capital of the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279), when it was arguably the world's largest and most sophisticated city. Marco Polo called it "the City of Heaven." Its 2,200-year recorded history spans the Qin dynasty, Tang poetry, Song ceramics, and Ming gardens. The Grand Canal — a UNESCO World Heritage site — terminates here after flowing 1,776 km from Beijing.
Best: March–May (spring blossom, mild 15–22°C) and September–November (autumn foliage, clear skies). April sees peach blossom on Su Causeway and new Longjing tea harvest. October brings golden ginkgos and chrysanthemum festivals.
Avoid: June–August (hot, humid, typhoon risk, 35°C+). July–August have school holiday crowds. Chinese national holidays (Oct 1–7, Spring Festival) see massive domestic tourism surges.
Hangzhou has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and rainy (梅雨 plum rain season June–July). Winters are cool and occasionally foggy. Annual rainfall ~1,450mm.
Spring and autumn are sublime — mild temperatures, lower humidity, and Hangzhou's famous misty lake scenery at its most atmospheric.
| Language | Mandarin; local Wu dialect (吴语) |
| Currency | Chinese Yuan (CNY / 元). AliPay & WeChat Pay ubiquitous |
| Time Zone | CST (UTC+8) |
| Visa | 144-hr transit-free for many nationalities; China visa required |
| Electricity | 220V / 50Hz, Type A/I plugs |
| Internet | VPN needed for Google, WhatsApp, Instagram |
| Emergency | Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Fire 119 |
Hangzhou East Station (杭州东站) connects to Shanghai Hongqiao in ~1hr, Beijing in ~5hrs, Guangzhou in ~4.5hrs. Hangzhou West Station (杭州西站) serves newer routes. Book via 12306.cn or Trip.com.
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) — about 30km from West Lake. Airport Express Bus lines to city centre (¥30, ~45min) and metro Line 1. Taxis take 40–60 min. Direct flights to major domestic hubs and international routes.
Hangzhou Metro has 12+ lines covering the city. Line 1 runs from the airport through the city centre. Single journey ¥2–12 depending on distance. Alipay and WeChat Pay accepted at turnstiles. Maps available on hzmetro.com.
Hangzhou pioneered China's public bike-sharing system. Thousands of docking stations across the city. Ideal for exploring West Lake and surrounding areas. First hour free, small fee after. Register with passport at kiosks.
DiDi (滴滴) is the dominant app — requires a Chinese phone number or international card setup. Taxi starting fare ¥11. Drivers rarely speak English; have your destination written in Chinese characters. Avoid unofficial taxis around tourist areas.
Electric sightseeing boats circle West Lake (¥45 return). Small rowed boats available for hire (~¥120/hr). Boats depart from Broken Bridge Pier and Hubin Rd pier. Evening cruises especially popular for viewing Leifeng Pagoda lit at night.