Skip to content
TripDrafts.
Open Studio
City Guides

🇨🇳 China

Hangzhou travel guide

Hangzhou is China's most poetic city — the ancient capital that inspired Marco Polo to call it 'the finest and most splendid city in the world.' West Lake (Xi Hu), a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the centrepiece: a perfectly composed landscape of willow-lined causeways, island pavilions, and misty hills that has inspired painters and poets for a millennium. Now one of China's wealthiest cities and home to Alibaba, Hangzhou blends classical aesthetics with modern innovation.

Language

Mandarin Chinese

Currency

Chinese Yuan (CNY/RMB)

Timezone

CST (UTC+8)

Best time

March to May (spring lotus), September to November

Budget/day

¥250-500/day

When to visit

Jan

2–8°C

Feb

3–10°C

Mar

6–14°C

Apr

10–18°C

May

14–22°C

Jun

18–27°C

Jul

20–30°C

Aug

19–29°C

Sep

14–22°C

Oct

9–16°C

Nov

4–11°C

Dec

1–7°C

Very High season High season Moderate season Low season

Safety

safe

Hangzhou is a relatively safe and pleasant city. Tourist areas around West Lake are well-policed. Standard precautions around crowded spots apply. Use DiDi for all taxi journeys.

Women travellers

Very safe. One of China's safest cities. WeChat Pay and Alipay required for many services.

Culture & etiquette

Casual comfortable wear. Light layers for lakeside breezes even in summer. Modest attire essential for Lingyin Temple and other religious sites — shoulders and knees covered.
  • + Greet locals with a smile and a polite greeting in the local language
  • + Remove shoes when entering homes if you see others doing so
  • + Respect local customs and religious practices
  • + Ask permission before photographing people, especially in rural areas
  • - Do not engage in excessive public displays of affection
  • - Do not swim in West Lake — strictly prohibited and heavily fined
  • - Do not photograph inside Lingyin Temple (one of China's largest Buddhist temples) without checking current rules
  • - Do not miss Longjing Dragon Well tea — Hangzhou is its origin; supermarket versions are a poor substitute for buying at the source

Food to try

Peking duck

Crispy lacquered duck carved tableside, wrapped in thin pancakes with hoisin sauce, cucumber and spring onion. The crown jewel of Chinese cuisine.

Dim sum

A Cantonese tradition of small steamed and fried portions — har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai, char siu bao and turnip cake — served with tea.

Hot pot

Communal simmering broth at the table where you cook thin-sliced meats, vegetables and tofu — choose spicy Sichuan broth or mild mushroom stock.

Hidden gems

Meijiawu Tea Village in early AprilSu Causeway at sunriseLingyin Temple back mountain trailWuzhen via overnight trainChina National Tea Museum
What to pack for HangzhouBuild a Hangzhou quote with TripDrafts

Details are indicative and may change. Verify visa, safety, and entry requirements before travel.