Hangzhou Attractions

Hangzhou is a city famous for its scenic splendor. Its pleasant environment endowed by nature and those who live here have formed the unique attractions for worldwide visitors to explore.

Whenever talking about this city, the West Lake can never be far from one's thoughts. Embraced by hilly peaks on three sides, this water wonderland has been one of the best-known Hangzhou attractions for centuries. The lake and its environs have all the elements of a traditional Chinese garden but on a grand scale, quite suitable for a half day or one day tour in Hangzhou.

If you have more time to travel in the city and want to see other attractions, the following scenic spots will be nice options. Lingyin Temple is one of the earliest Buddhist temples in China housing exquisite cultural relics from past dynasties. Xixi National Wetland Park offers a natural garden for a leisure walk or a boat ride. Running Tiger Spring is famed for its unique fountain of high water quality. Those who are interested in the traditional Chinese culture can travel to the China National Silk Museum, National Tea Museum, Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Southern Song Dynasty Official Kiln Museum.

Around the urban area, there are also some attractions for travelers to find. For example, Wuzhen is a well-preserved ancient town with traditional riverside folk residences, numerous bridges, and old workshops. Xitang is also a noted water town with thousands of years of history. Mogan Mountain has been listed as one of the Four Best Summer Resorts in China. Tiantai Mountain is known for being the cradle of the Tiantai Sect of Chinese Buddhism. Mt. Putuoshan is a sacred place for Buddhists and boasts the enchanting scenery as a sea island. Thousand Islets Lake is a pure lake dotted with lush islands.

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Recommended Routes to Visit Hangzhou Attractions

1 Day Plan: Tour the Top Tourist Attractions in Hangzhou
Lingyin Temple & Peak Flown From Afar (3 hours) → West Lake (6 hours) → Music Fountain of the West Lake (15 minutes)

The West Lake is always on the list of Hangzhou top attractions. The whole sightseeing path circling the lake is about 15 km (9 mi) long. If you prefer to hike along the lake, it will take most of the day. Alternatively, it is an awesome option to cycle along the lake. On the way, you will encounter the following scenic spots successively: the Broken Bridge, Bai Causeway, Solitary Hill, Winery Yard and Lotus Pool, Su Causeway, Viewing Fish at Flower Pond, Leifeng Pagoda and the sight of Three Pools Mirroring the Moon. You can have a lunch at the Lou Wai Lou Restaurant near the Solitary Hill, which offers authentic Zhejiang cuisine. At night, do not forget to enjoy the music fountain show in the Third Park to the east of the lake at 19:00 or 20:00.
2-4 Days Plan: Attractions in Hangzhou & its Environs
Day 1: Qinghefang Ancient Street (2 hours) → West Lake (6 hours) → Music Fountain of the West Lake (15 minutes)
Day 2: Lingyin Temple & Peak Flown From Afar (3 hours) → Xixi National Wetland Park (6 hours)
Day 3: Qiantang River Bridge (1 hour) → Liuhe Pagoda (1 hour) → Song Dynasty Town (5 hours) → Romance of the Song Dynasty (1 hour)
Day 4: Wuzhen Water Town (a whole day)

Apart from visiting the best attractions in Hangzhou, enjoying the grand performance in Song Dynasty Town is what tourists usually do. The Romance of the Song Dynasty is a panoramic show inspired by historical stories and myths about Hangzhou, well worth seeing. A day tour to Wuzhen Water Town is also highly recommended if you plan to stay three or four days in Hangzhou. There are long-distance buses to the town, so you can go there very conveniently. In peak travel seasons, you can visit Xitang Water Town instead for less crowds.

Time permits, you can also depart from Hangzhou for the Thousand Islets Lake and stay there for two days. Then continue the trip to Huangshan Mountain by high speed train, which is about 180 km (110 mi) from the lake.
- Last updated on May. 25, 2023 by Catherine He -
Questions & Answers on Hangzhou Attractions
Asked by Sandra from INDONESIA | Mar. 14, 2024 23:33Reply
Hi, Can you recommend the best route for the places I want to visit in Hangzhou in 1 day?
I'll arrive Hangzhou from Shanghai in the morning around 10 am. Then spend 1 night in Hangzhou before going to Suzhou the next morning.
Places I would like to visit are West Lake, Lei Feng Pagoda, Qinhefang/Hefang Street, West Lake Cultural Square and Qianjiang New City. Preferable Qianjiang New City at night for best night light view.
1. Please recommend the best route for these places.
2. Are Qinhefang and Hefang Street the same?
3. Are West Lake Cultural Square and Qianjiang New City the same?
4. Is Citizen Center 市民中心 the place for strolling to view the city lights of Qianjiang New City?
5. Where to eat local dishes like beggar's chicken and longjin tea shrimp,west lake vinegar fish with reasonable price?
6. Please recommend the best area to stay according to the route (what hotel is recommended?) There are luggages with me.
Thank you.
Answers (1)
Answered by Keith | Mar. 17, 2024 18:40
00Reply


1. Recommended route: West Lake - Leifengta - Cultural Square - Qinghefang/Hefang Street - Qianjiang New City for night light view.
2. The Hefang Street is in Qinghefang Scenic Area.
3. West Lake Cultural Square is pretty far away, about 10km, from Qianjiang New City.
4. The Hangzhou City Balcony near Citizen Center metro station is a good place to view the city lights.
5. Near Hefang Street there are some restaurants of Zhejiang Cuisine that you can enjoy the local dishes.
6. Near the last stop, Hangzhou City Balcony, there is the Intercontinental Hangzhou recommended for you.
Asked by Kadiee from VIETNAM | Jun. 22, 2019 00:22Reply
I want to ask that where is Hangzhou Tea Village?
How can i go to it? and how much for the entrance ticket to it?
Answers (1)
Answered by Nate from USA | Jun. 24, 2019 19:18
00Reply


Do you refer to Longwu Tea Village? It is located at southwest of West Lake. You can take bus No. 840 to Longwu Tea Village Station. It doesn't need entry ticket.
Asked by Deepanakar sinha from CHINA | Oct. 01, 2018 15:54Reply
Venice city place in Hangzhou and Wuzhen Water Town are same place ?
Are the wuzhen water city and that Venice place replica are same ?
Answers (1)
Answered by Charles from USA | Oct. 08, 2018 23:31
00Reply


Yes, they are the same place. Wuzhen is known as the Eastern Venice Water City.
Asked by Jes from SINGAPORE | Jun. 23, 2018 22:55Reply
Need advise to plan hangzhou tour
1) How far to travel from Ningbo to HZ?
2) How is the weather in Nov 18?
3) We are interested to visit some temples, market, shopping and visit west lakes, how many day is
enough to stay in HZ?
4)Any recommend of 3 star hotel for 3 person to stay easily access to tourist spot and food street?
5)Any problem of finding vegetarian food?
Answers (1)
Answered by Lisa from USA | Jun. 25, 2018 21:07
00Reply


1. If you take a high speed train, it’s about 1hour.
2. The temperature may be 10C to 20 C and it may be cloudy and rainy.
3. At least 3 days.
4. Hotel on the lakeside of Bailisha, HZ is located at No. 56, Dongpo Road, Shangcheng District and it’s near the West Lake.
5. There is a nice vegetarian restaurant located at No. 89, Jiefang road, Hubin street, Shangcheng district.
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