What is Hangzhou famous for?
The UNESCO-listed West Lake, Lingyin Temple, and the Grand Canal are traditional landmarks of the city, reflecting its vibrant commerce and the spread of Buddhism. Hangzhou is also dubbed the capital of silk and Dragon Well tea, offering chances to glimpse exquisite silk products and experience tea-picking firsthand.
In recent decades, the city has emerged as a high-tech hub, with e-commerce and other innovative industries, even surpassing its neighbor, Shanghai, in some aspects. If you’re interested, consider visiting the headquarters of technology companies like TikTok and Alibaba in your Hangzhou tour.
How to Plan a Hangzhou Tour? How many days is enough?
Generally, 1-3 days is sufficient. Highlights in the city center, including West Lake, Meijiawu Tea Plantation, Lingyin Temple, Peak Flown From Afar, Hefang Street, and Xixi Wetland National Park, can be completed in 1 or 2 days. Allocate an extra day to discover nearby water towns, such as the well-known Wuzhen, the pristine Nanxun, and the bustling Xitang, or unwind at the tranquil Thousand Islets Lake.
If you have a longer holiday, utilize the efficient high-speed train network to extend your Hangzhou trip to adjacent cities like Shanghai, Suzhou, Huangshan, Nanjing, Shaoxing, and Ningbo. We’re happy to hear your travel ideas and help tailor your itinerary.
What to do in a Hangzhou day trip?
If you only have one day, it’s still possible to see the main attractions. In the morning, cruise on West Lake to admire its top 10 views and pick Dragon Well tea buds at Meijiawu Tea Plantation. Then, appreciate stone Buddha statues at Peak Flown From Afar and observe devout believers at Lingyin Temple, followed by enjoying local specialties at Hefang Street at dusk. Of course, replacing some historical sites with high-tech experiences to see Chinese development in new media or autonomous driving technology can also be done with meticulous plans of our Hangzhou tour packages. Just tell us your interests and ideas!
How to get to Hangzhou?
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) offers 22 international direct flight routes connecting with destinations like Sydney, Lisbon, Dubai, Bangkok, and Singapore. If there is no direct flight from your place, you can also fly to Shanghai first, which has over 100 international routes, and then take a 1-hour high-speed train to Hangzhou. There are also convenient flights and high-speed trains available between Hangzhou and other major cities in China, including Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Guilin, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. Traveling to some popular destinations nearby, such as Suzhou, Huangshan, and Nanjing, is also easy through expansive railway and expressway networks.
Is it better to visit Hangzhou or Suzhou?
If you could only choose one, it would be Hangzhou for richer experiences: the unparalleled natural beauty of West Lake, immersive tea-picking, historical Buddhist temples, and the modern charm of technology industries and economic vitality. You can easily see all highlights within 1 to 3 days. If you have an extra day or two, consider visiting Suzhou as well; its classical gardens and peaceful water towns provide a more laid-back atmosphere. The high-speed trains between the two cities take only 1.5 hours, making it convenient to visit both!
What are the best months to visit Hangzhou?
March-May and September-November are the best times for Hangzhou tours. The average temperature from March to May ranges from 12 - 23°C (54 - 73°F), which is ideal for tea-picking at Meijiawu Village and taking in picturesque West Lake with willow and peach trees. A jacket, a long-sleeved shirt or thin sweater, and jeans will be sufficient. From September to November, the average temperature hovers around 14 to 25°C (57 - 77°F). You can marvel at the Qiantang River Tidal Bore and immerse yourself in the city’s Osmanthus fragrance.
For those who prefer to travel with fewer crowds, winter months from December to February are recommended, as snow is uncommon and the average temperature is around 5°C (41°F). You can put on a padded jacket, sweater, and winter pants to cope with the slightly chilly weather.
What is Hangzhou's famous food?
Hangzhou cuisine is tender and slightly sweet, featuring signature dishes like West Lake Fish in Sweet and Sour Sauce, Fried Shrimps with Dragon Well Tea, and melt-in-the-mouth Braised Dongpo Pork. Street foods like Lotus Root Starch and Shallot Stuffed Pancake are also worth trying.
