Zhejiang Province

Zhejiang Travel Guide

 From May 15, 2024, China grants foreign cruise tour groups arranged by Chinese travel agencies a 15-day visa free entry, which allows them to enter through Wenzhou and Zhoushan in Zhejiang and enjoy a 15-day tour in coastal provinces like Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Shanghai and Beijing.

Zhejiang Facts

Chinese Name: 浙江(zhè jiāng)
Abbreviation: Zhe
Administration Type: Province
Capital: Hangzhou
Location: 27°12' to 31°31' N, 118 to 123° E
Climate: subtropical monsoon climate
Temperature: 15~18°C (annual average), 33~43°C (extreme maximum), -2.2~ -17.4°C (extreme minimum)
Annual Rainfall: 980~2,000 millimeters
Area: 101,800 km² (39,305mi²)
Population (2019): 58,500,000
Provincial Tree: camphor tree
Provincial Flower: orchid

 Weather    Area Code & Zip Code
 Zhejiang Pictures

Cities in Zhejiang

Recommended Zhejiang Itineraries

Famous Attractions

Zhejiang Introduction

Zhejiang, literally meaning a winding river, is the former name of the Qiantang River in ancient times. The Qiantang River is the longest river in the Province and the spectacular  Qiantang River Tide is often used as a metaphor for the fighting spirit of people living there. The province is one of China’s smallest and most densely populated provinces with a total area of 101,800 square kilometers (39,305 square miles) and a population of 54,426,900, for the reasons of excellent geographical location as well as a developed and active economy.

 History
The history of the province goes back to ancient times. Neolithic Hemudu Cultural Ruins dating back as early 7000 years ago is regarded as one of the cradles of Chinese civilization. During the Spring and the Autumn Period (770 BC - 476 BC), the area was separately dominated by the Wu Kingdom and Yue Kingdom. From that time on, the Wu and Yue cultures have developed, flourished and influenced this region. The present jurisdiction of this province was formed about the early part of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

 Geography & Climate
Situated on China’s eastern coastal area and to the south of the Yangtze Delta, Zhejiang is the province with the most islands in China, with more than 3,000 islands along its coast. What’s more, it borders the modernized international metropolis, Shanghai, to the northeast, which can be easily reached either by bus or train. The region enjoys distinct seasons due to its subtropical geographic location. Every year, there is a rainy period from May to June. Sometimes from August to October typhoons attack this region. The average annual rainfall is 1,600 millimeters. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant months for travelers to visit.

 Attractions
In terms of tourism, it has boasted many attraction sites since ancient times. Its capital, Hangzhou, as a key national tourist city, is picturesque all year round. One of China’s most beautiful sites, West Lake, is located right in the heart of the city. There is a saying that illustrates the charm of the city: 'In heaven there is paradise, and on earth there are Hangzhou and Suzhou.' Some other must-see natural beauties include the No.1 Mountain in southeastern China, Mt. Yandang, the most elegant Thousand Islets Lake, and the famous Buddhist mountain, Tiantai Mountain, as well as others. Furthermore, the sacred Chinese calligraphy place, Orchid Pavilion, the oldest private library in Asia, Tianyi Pavilion, the greatest water conservancy project in ancient China, Grand Canal, and ancient water towns like Xitang, Nanxun, Wuzhen and Xinshi, are all attraction sites that delight tourists who visit this region. The province also enjoys a tremendous reputation in the long history of Chinese Buddhism. Temple of Soul's Retreat is one of the ten most famous ancient Buddhist temples in China. Mt. Putuo is admired as the 'Buddhist Kingdom on the Sea'. In addition to those beautiful sites, there are many local specialties rewarding visitors both from home and abroad. The most famous ones are tea, silk, embroidery and the local Cuisine. 

 Economy
Zhejiang is a relatively developed province. Known as ‘a land of fish and rice’, it is a comprehensive productive region of agricultural products. Rice, tea, silk, oranges, bamboo products and sea products feature largely in China. It is also China’s most important fishing province. Zhoushan Fishing Ground is China’s largest ocean fishery base. The industry of the province is mostly light industry, processing and manufacturing industries and collective industry. One of its administrative cities, Yiwu, is world’s largest small commodity distributing center. The city is generally acknowledged as the largest market by international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank. ‘A sea of small commodities, a paradise for shoppers’ has been motto of Yiwu. The most famous products here are clothes, ornaments, zippers, knit goods, woolen textiles among many others.

 Passport holders of 53 countries and regions can enjoy a visa-free stay of 144 hours if they make an international transfer in Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport. During the layover, they can visit Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Shanghai. 
Read details about
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang.

- Last updated on Jul. 22, 2024 by Brenda Lian -
Questions & Answers on Zhejiang Travel
Asked by Novi from INDONESIA | Jan. 03, 2021 22:27Reply
How to go to Hengdian World studios from Shanghai?
Hello,I want to know how to go to Hengdian world studios from Shanghai? Are there hotels nearby or i better go back to Hangzhou for accomodation? Appreciate any tips from people who had went there before. Thank you.
Answers (1)
Answered by Enid | Jan. 12, 2021 19:13
00Reply


You can take a coach from Shanghai General Coach Station to Hengdian Town. Then take a taxi to the destination.
As I know, you can easily find a hotel there. Thus, you don't need to go back to Hangzhou.
Asked by May Hee from MALAYSIA | Jun. 10, 2019 08:09Reply
14 days in Zhejiang, suggested route started from ningbo, and ended in ningbo
Hi dear, can you please suggest a route for a 14 day trip, arriving ningbo on end of June, leaving ningbo on Mid of July.

Thank you.
May Hee
Answers (1)
Answered by Sally from AUSTRALIA | Jun. 10, 2019 19:23
00Reply


I'm not clear which cities you want to go. But 14 days can cover some highlights in Zhejiang province, Jiangsu province and Shanghai city, which is more interesting. You can spend 2-3 days in Shanghai, 3 days in Suzhou, 2-3 days in Jiaxing, 2-3 days in Hangzhou, 2 days in Shaoxing and 3 days in Ningbo.
Asked by Tanu from INDIA | Nov. 15, 2018 18:17Reply
I'm located in Changshu. Tomorrow I planed to trip Zhejiang Hengdian
(National 5A Scenic Spot City).now how is the climate condition there?
Answers (1)
Answered by Nacia from AUSTRALIA | Nov. 15, 2018 22:01
00Reply


It is cloudy today and the temperature ranges from 12 to 16 ℃. You may feel cool and a little cold, and take a overcoat with you.
Asked by Govind from UNITED ARAB EMIRATES | Jul. 21, 2018 23:07Reply
travel itinerary in zhejiang
Hi,
I will be landing at Ningbo airport, and need to cover the following places about one day or half day each - pls can you recommend me an itinerary so I dont backtrack, with modes of transport available ? I want to visit Shengzhou (near shaoxing), Tonglu, Yongkang, Taizhou, Cangnan or Wenzhou, and return to Ningbo. So starting and finishing in Ningbo, all this over 5 days. Pls suggest, thanks
Answers (4)
Answered by Rain from SOUTH KOREA | Jul. 22, 2018 23:54
00Reply


I think it’s available.
Answered by Govind from UNITED ARAB EMIRATES | Jul. 23, 2018 03:15
00Reply


Hello this is Govind, pls can you suggest a routing which place to go first, and second......upto final destination Ningbo ? thanks
Answered by Rain | Jul. 23, 2018 18:20
00Reply


Ok, the first is Shengzhou, then Tonglu, Yongkang, Wenzhou, Taizhou and Ningbo.
The first two stop, you can only take a bus or coach, but in the next cities, you can take a train. However, I doubt if you can cover so many cities in 5 days since you need to spend a lot of time on the way.
Answered by Govind from UAE | Jul. 25, 2018 07:55
00Reply


Thanks so much
Asked by Roy from SINGAPORE | Jul. 15, 2018 06:29Reply
I will be attending a wedding in Lanxi, Zhejiang in Nov..
But i can't find any info on accommodation or travel towards Lanxi, can help me?

in summary, will need help on
a) how to go to Lanxi from Hangzhou airport
b) accommodation available at Lanxi..
c) weather conditions in Lanxi during Nov..

Thanks!
Answers (1)
Answered by Wendy from NEW ZEALAND | Jul. 16, 2018 01:35
00Reply


1. First, take the shuttle bus Pinghai Road Line to the City Railway Station and then walk about 200m to take Metro Line 1 to Maojiang Road. Walk about 300m you can get the South Bus Station. You need to take a coach from there to Lanxi. The departure time is 7:10 to 18:40 with an interval of 40 minutes.
2. There is a Century Hotel located at No. 98, Lan Yin Road, Lanxi City.
3. The weather may be 10C to 20C. You need to prepare some warm clothes like sweaters and jackets. Since it may rain a lot, an umbrella is necessary.
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